Tag: beauty review

Setting Spray Showdown Round 1, Match 2 – MAC Fix+ Stay Over vs. Ulta Beauty Dewy Glaze Setting Spray

Featuredby liftbakeloveLeave a Comment on Setting Spray Showdown Round 1, Match 2 – MAC Fix+ Stay Over vs. Ulta Beauty Dewy Glaze Setting Spray

This is the second match of the first round in my setting spray showdown series, where I’m testing popular formulas side by side to see what actually makes a difference in real life. I’ll be doing the same makeup, with the same lighting, for at least 16 hours for each test. I’ve also been testing all of these setting sprays for months before doing these elimination rounds. For this round, I tested Mac Fix+ Stay Over on one side of my face against Ulta Beauty Dewy Glaze Setting Spray on the other side of my face. In this post, all links are affiliate links (thank you for your support!), but all opinions are my own.

Right after applying both sides, I was actually surprised by how similar they looked given how the tests up to this point had gone. Each gave me a dewy, healthy skin finish with all my makeup melted together. That’s one of the things I’ve loved about Mac Fix+ for years and why it’s been my go to when my face is a little too dry or powdery. The Ulta side stayed noticeably damp for a while and even felt a little cold on my face for the first ten minutes whereas the MAC side set down almost immediately and felt smooth and balanced. Once both sides dried, I couldn’t tell them apart visually, but I definitely could by touch. The Ulta side felt heavier and stickier, while the MAC side was practically weightless. This was in line with my experience so far, but it really stood out having them on my face at the same time.

A few hours later, the Ulta side began emphasizing texture I don’t usually notice, especially on my cheeks and forehead. It also never quite lost that slightly tacky feel. The MAC side stayed blurred and still felt comfortable and light. I asked a couple of people to compare both sides, and they all said that the Ulta side looked heavier and showed texture they hadn’t noticed before, while the MAC side looked smoother and more even. This was true both in pictures and in person.

By the end of the night (about 16 hours later), both sides still looked okay from a distance, but up close, the MAC side was the clear winner. The Ulta side still felt sticky and congested, while the MAC side stayed breathable and lightweight. I was pleasantly surprised that the MAC side actually kept the makeup look going as well as the Ulta side because I’m always a little suspicious if the Fix+ is doing anything. Now I can confirm that not only is it working, but it looked so much better on that side by the end of the day.

Who’s moving on?
If you want that soft-focus, weightless finish that keeps your makeup looking the same all day, MAC Fix+ Stay Over is the clear winner. If you prefer a shinier, ultra-dewy look and don’t mind a tackier feel, Ulta Beauty Dewy Glaze Setting Spray still gives a nice glow at first and might work better for very dry skin. I would take the glaze in the name seriously. After a full day of wear, Fix+ held up beautifully and stayed smooth, blurred, and balanced from start to finish, while the Ulta side started to emphasize texture I didn’t even know I had. This completely matches my past experience using Fix+, where it’s never let me down through long workdays, travel, or workouts. I was really hoping a more affordable option would win this round, but MAC Fix+ Stay Over moves on!

Stay tuned for the next round and more chances for drugstore products to move on! What other products would you like me to review? Let me know if there’s anything else you’d like to see here, and thanks for reading! As always, some links may be affiliate links that support the blog, but all reviews/opinions are completely my own and unsponsored.

Em Cosmetics Brand Review: What’s Actually Worth Buying?

Featuredby liftbakeloveLeave a Comment on Em Cosmetics Brand Review: What’s Actually Worth Buying?

When I realized how many products from this one brand had quietly taken over my makeup drawers, I knew it was finally time to do a full brand review. Here’s my totally honest review of each item, including what I love, what I don’t, and what’s truly worth the hype. This post in not sponsored, but all links are affiliate links (thank you for your support!). As always, all opinions are my own.

Pillow Plush Blush – I’m listing the blushes in order of my most favorite to least favorite, and this has been a surprise hit in my collection. This has a bouncy, cushiony texture that’s a hybrid between a cream and a powder. This has a very natural-looking finish on the skin, with really good staying power. My favorite thing about this formula though is how blurring and seamless it looks. I absolutely love the shade Tickled – it’s a cool toned mauve that’s beautiful on my warm olive skintone. This is my go-to “I made my look way too warm and have to fix it” throw it on top blush. The packaging is also fantastic for travel, since it’s sturdy and has a mirror. The swatch of this one is below with the other powder blushes.

So Soft Blush in Lychee, Pearl Tea, and Venetian Rose Color Drops Serum Blush in Venetian Rose, Forbidden Fruit, and Rose Milk

 So Soft Blush – These blushes are everything I look for in a cream blush. The So Soft formula is incredibly soft and creamy (like the name implies), and that makes it so easy and quick to apply. It blends so seamlessly into the skin without disappearing. It’s actually one of the longest wearing cream blushes I own despite being so blendable. I have the shades Lychee (warm melon), Pearl Tea (brownish nude), and Venetian Rose (vintage rose). I get lots of use out of all the shades but Venetian Rose is definitely my favorite and most used because it works the best with my skin.

Radiant Veil Blush in Heaven’s Glow, Venetian Rose, Baroque, Cherub, and Seraph
Pillow Plush Blush in Tickled

Heaven’s Glow Radiant Veil Blush – This is my one of my favorite blushes to use on top of cream blush. It provides a soft, glowy look without being overly pigmented and is such an easy way to brighten up a look. I also use this to set cream and liquid blushes if I know I’ll be on video calls for 12 hours, and the colors I have cover a wide enough range to match with almost any look I’m doing. There’s a bit of a sheen to them, so they’re great if I’m in a hurry because I can use these without needing a highlighter. They definitely aren’t a blurring formula if that’s something you’re looking for, and it can highlight texture if you’re not having an amazing skin day. My favorite shades are Seraph (bright pink) and Venetian Rose (vintage rose) but I got a lot of use out of Baroque in the summer.

Color Drops Serum Blush – I personally prefer the So Soft Blush for the ease of use and wear time but if you’re looking for a super dewy, hydrated look, these are pretty if you’re into a very thin liquid blush. I’m going to give these away to a friend because I find I’d much rather use the Glow Recipe Dew Flush Blushes or the Rare Beauty Dewy Liquid Blushes. If you’re interested in these, Rose Milk is a soft-pinky nude, Forbidden Fruit is a brown-toned berry, and Venetian Rose is a neutral rose. The serum texture does blends quickly and leaves a natural glow but I just find my skin eats these so quickly and they’re a little sticky and hard to blend.

Shapeshift Tubing Mascara – This is one of the few tubing mascaras I’ve tried that genuinely adds noticeable length and volume without adding too much heaviness. Because of that, my super thin straight lashes actually stay curled all day. I love how it’s a bit flexible until it totally dries so I can move my lashes around and get the exact look I want. Like most tubing mascaras, it stays completely smudge-free, even with humidity or workouts, and it rinses right off with warm water. I’m doing a full tubing mascara ranking soon, but this one is currently in the running for the top spot.

Morning Dew Crystal Lip Gloss – I have tried so many lip gloss formulas this year, and my favorite is still this one. It is incredibly moisturizing and makes my lips look great even why they are incredibly dry. I tend not to go for clear glosses since I like one and done products, but I have come to appreciate that I can put this over any lip color to add shine and moisture. I keep this on my desk because it’s what I use when I need more moisture than a balm, and because it’s not sticky at all, it’s comfortable to wear any time of day even as a lip treatment.

Soft Blur Velvet Lip Liners in Kitten and Mink – Out of all my lip liners, I definitely reach for these the most often. The formula blends so easily so you can get a soft, blurred, and diffused look. I find that creates a much more natural look that still defines my lips and helps prevent any feathering of the lipstick I use on top. Even with how soft and lightweight they are, they are very long lasting. I have the shades Kitten, a neutral rose, and Mink, a cool brown, which both work really well with my lip color and the with my favorite lipsticks and glosses.

Velvet Lip Liner in Kitten and Mink, Lip Serum in Arcane, Lip Creme in Hush

Lip Mage Tinted Serum in Arcane – This is a lightweight serum-style lip stain in a rose-berry shade. It leaves a sheer berry tint and layers easily for more intensity. It stains evenly, leaving color behind after the shine fades. It definitely lives us to the lip serum name and keeps my lips feeling moisturized longer than I expect from a stain. I reach for this when I want color that feels more put-together and will last longer than one of my lip balms but still effortless. Let me know if you’d like me to do a lip stain round up since I’m realizing I have quite a few now!

Soft Spoken Velvet Lip Creme in Hush – This is a midtone rose-berry with a whipped, mousse-like consistency. It sets to a soft matte finish, doesn’t exaggerate lip lines, and stays comfortable for much longer than I expected. It’s not completely transfer-proof, but it fades evenly and comfortably over time. It’s a great everyday shade that works with almost anything else I’m wearing given the shades I reach for. I really like pairing this with the Soft Soft Venetion Rose blush.

Divine Water Perfecting Mist – This mist feels more like skincare than a traditional setting spray. It’s hydrating and slightly glowy, but the reason I love it is because the orange blossom fragrance smells so nice. The scent dissipates quickly but it just makes me happy. The mist itself is super fine and evenly distributed, making it nice as both a primer and refresher. It’s not sticky or heavy like some hydrating sprays can be. I’m doing a setting spray battle, and this is definitely coming in almost last for actual longevity, but I still love having it around as a “refresh my makeup after 10 hours” kind of spray.

What other products would you like me to review? Let me know if there’s anything else you’d like to see here, and thanks for reading! As always, some links may be affiliate links that support the blog, but all reviews/opinions are completely my own and unsponsored.

My Favorite Bouncy Blushes for a Natural, Soft-Focus Finish

Featuredby liftbakelove1 Comment on My Favorite Bouncy Blushes for a Natural, Soft-Focus Finish

When it comes to blush, I want something that’s effortless to apply, blends seamlessly, and leaves my cheeks looking naturally flushed—not like I’m wearing product. Over time, I’ve found myself reaching almost for blushes with that soft, bouncy texture that sits somewhere between a cream and a powder. They give the blur and longevity of a powder without the mess, while still maintaining the smooth, skin-like finish I love from creams. These are my favorite four formulas – let me know if you there’s any bouncy blushes I should try next! In this post, all links are affiliate links (thank you for your support!), but all opinions are my own.

Blushes are swatched in the order they are listed below

MAC Glow Play Blush in So Natural, Blush Please, Heat Index, Totally Synced, True Harmony, and Grand – This formula has been my go-to for finishing off cheek looks for years thanks to its impressive blurring effect that really pulls everything together. Because the texture is a cross between a powder and a cream, it adds a slight sheen like a cream and has great lasting power like a powder. This is definitely the bounciest of the bunch I’m covering today, but I don’t find that has an on its performance. Between So Natural (golden beige), Blush Please (neutral light mauve), Heat Index (bright pink), Totally Synced (light lilac), True Harmony (bronzey beige), and Grand (petal pink), I’m very well covered in terms of tones. So Natural go a bit more orange on me than I would have wanted, which is why I picked up True Harmony. It shows up way more brown on me so I was really happy I grabbed it.

Half Magic Cheek Fluff Soft Blur Blush in Don’t Be a Doll, Only Drama, and Magic Brownie – Like the Glow Play line, this has that cream-powder hybrid texture that melts into the skin beautifully and delivers a diffused, blurred finish. These are slightly more pigmented and longer-wearing than the MAC glow play, leaning a bit closer to powder while still retaining that cushiony feel. These still have that cream-like sheen like the Glow Play blushes. Don’t Be a Doll is a peachy bubblegum that does go coral on me and is almost too orange, but I’ve been loving it during these warmer months. If I could go back in time, I probably should’ve gotten Sexual Flushtration which is a hot pink. Only Drama is a magenta plum that is one of my favorite purple blushes in my collection. Magic Brownie is a rosy brown that actually stays brown and doesn’t turn orange – an amazing find for olive skintones who are always looking for a brown blush. I really don’t like the packaging these come in – it’s a weird fast food container material that I don’t think will last long or travel well. I depotted two of mine and will move the last one now that I’ve been able to show the packaging in this post.

Em Cosmetics Pillow Plush Blush in Tickled – As you may have guessed, this also has a bouncy, cushiony texture that’s a hybrid between a cream and a powder. This one leans more matte than Glow Play or Cheek Fluff, and it’s the most natural-looking on the skin, with even greater staying power than those. While it lacks the cream-like sheen of those two, it’s very blurring and seamless on the skin. I absolutely love the shade Tickled – it’s a cool toned mauve that’s beautiful on my warm olive skintone. This is my go-to “I made my look way too warm and have to fix it” throw it on top blush. I think I also like the packaging the most out of these, especially for travel, since it’s sturdy and has a mirror.

Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Matte Bouncy Blush in Hope – As the name suggests, this matte blush has that same bouncy texture but leans furthest into powder territory. It’s the most blurring and long-wearing of the bunch, with a silky finish that’s easier to apply than traditional powder blush. Pigment-wise, it’s comparable to Cheek Fluff—rich but buildable. It also layers well with other blushes or cream products without disturbing what’s underneath, making it super versatile for quick or more polished looks. Hope is described as a nude mauve, and it’s more of a peachy pink on me that’s almost too orange but not quite. I honestly love that for the summer, and I might pick up one of the other shades for the winter.

What other products would you like me to review? Let me know if there’s anything else you’d like to see here, and thanks for reading! As always, some links may be affiliate links that support the blog, but all reviews/opinions are completely my own and unsponsored.

Stuff I Tried Lately: The Good, the Great, and the Green Corrector

Featuredby liftbakeloveLeave a Comment on Stuff I Tried Lately: The Good, the Great, and the Green Corrector

I’ve been testing a bunch of products lately, some new to me and some I probably should’ve tried way sooner. I wanted to report back on these five, since a few of them have already made it into my regular routine and one was a total fail. Here’s what stood out (for better or worse) and how they worked on my dry, olive skin. In this post, all links are affiliate links (thank you for your support!), but all opinions are my own.

ELF Power Grip Primer – Someone asked me for a recommendation for a primer that would help their makeup stop slipping off their face, and I realized I hadn’t tried this primer yet. I did a few all day wear tests, and it really does help makeup stay much longer. I was especially impressed with how well it kept foundation on my nose, an area that usually wears off pretty fast on me. It also wasn’t drying, played well with multiple foundations I tested it with, and spread easily and evenly. I’m really looking forward to using this one in the summer now that I know how well it works!

Basma The Foundation Stick in 35 (light skin with neutral olive undertones) – I know I’m very late to the party on this one, but my Fenty Foundation stick expired and I needed to replace it. I figured it was as good a time as any to finally try the Basma, and I’m so impressed. The stick isn’t too stiff and works well whether I apply it directly to my face or to a brush first. I like using the brush method a bit better because it can stick a tiny bit to dry patches but drawing all over works in a pinch too. The formula is super buildable so you can get light to pretty full coverage. It feels really lightweight and has a natural, almost finish that isn’t too matte or glowy. It lasts really well and is my new go to when I don’t want to deal with liquid foundation. Plus, they have actual olive shades so I don’t need to use green color corrector with it.

Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Dewy Flush in Watermelon and Berry Flush – I love blush, whether it’s liquid, powder, cream, or anywhere in between. But the one kind of blush that doesn’t usually work for me is a super runny serum blush that’s meant to be like skincare. Serum blushes tend to fade into nothing on me super quickly and slide around my face. So, I was really impressed by the staying power of this given how lightweight and dewy it is. While this blush is intended for a no foundation look (and works great for that), it also works really well over foundation and powder unlike other serum blushes. I really like Berry Flush for olive skintone, and I hope they come up with more shades! Watermelon is pretty coral on me, which is pretty, but might lean a little bit orange if you’re looking for a more neutral pink. Be aware this has niacinamide and other skincare ingredients if you’re sensitive to those!

Rare Beauty Brow Harmony Flexible Lifting and Laminating Eyebrow Gel – I’ve tried so many brow gels, and nothing has ever really held my brows in place all day—until this one. I was honestly shocked that they stayed put until I washed them off, with zero crunchiness, flaking, or stiffness. The hold is strong but flexible, and it actually looks natural. My only complaint is that it doesn’t come in tinted shades. I’ve been layering it over the Make Beauty Infinite Hold eyebrow gel (which is still my all time favorite tinted gel that comes pretty close in terms of hold), and the combo is perfect—it gives shape, color, and all-day hold without fail.

Tarte Shape Tape Corrector in Green – Easily the worst green color corrector I’ve tried in recent memory. I’m still searching for my perfect one, but this isn’t close. The formula is incredibly dry, hard to blend, and just sits awkwardly on top of the skin. Instead of neutralizing redness, it leaves a weird minty green layer that looks like paint and doesn’t mesh well under foundation. It’s not comfortable either – it feels like old school face paint. If you’re looking for a green corrector that actually works, the best one I’ve found so far is the Exa High Fidelity green color corrector —it’s a much more neutral muted green in a formula that actually blends into the skin without being too matte or too dewy.

What other products would you like me to review? Let me know if there’s anything else you’d like to see here, and thanks for reading! As always, some links may be affiliate links that support the blog, but all reviews/opinions are completely my own and unsponsored.