Thank you to my friend for suggesting looking into the brand Moira! It’s now been on my list for a while because the prices are great and the product range is huge. But I wanted to know if the products were actually good. I tested bronzers, blushes, eyeshadows, and lip products to see what’s worth picking up and what’s not. I also have really liked buying Moira products from HB Beauty Bar because they seem to always be having a good sale on already affordable products, and I can grab things from other brands at the same time (not sponsored, I just really like shopping there for certain brands). In this post, all links are affiliate links (thank you for your support!), but all opinions are my own. Swatches are under a ring light to show true to color (photo #1) and then standard lighting to show the formula a little better (#2) based on your feedback for all the products.
Moira Stay Golden Cream Bronzer & Contour in 250N – This doesn’t turn orange at all, which already puts it ahead of a lot of cream bronzers for me. I definitely would not use it as contour, but as a bronzer, it’s really great. It reminds me of the “contour” shades from other brands that I end up using as bronzer because they’re neutral enough to work on olive skin. The formula is smooth, blurring, and easy to blend, but it sets super quickly, so I’d work in small sections. Once it sets, it really stays put and stays all down. Because of that, it can get a little patchy if you don’t move fast enough when you’re blending. I’m especially excited to use this in the summer when my skin eats and then sweats off cream products because it’ll stick around all day.
Moira Signature Bronzer in 001 Sunkissed Honey – This is very much a sunkissed bronzer as the name suggests, and on me, that means it turns very orange. I’ve actually ended up using it a bunch even though the color isn’t great because I just really like the way it applies. The formula is honestly great. It’s super smooth, easy to blend, and easy to build up. Compared to the cream bronzer, though, you can really see how much warmer this is. The glitter overspray also isn’t my favorite but not a big deal. Of all the affordable powder bronzers, this one is my favorite, but I think I’m going to be trying for warmer contour powders from now on.
Moira Loveheat Cream Blush in 014 I Desire You – This has a very similar formula to the cream bronzer. It’s easy to pick up, easy to blend, and not too pigmented, but not too sheer. The shade is exactly the kind of bright spring pink I like. It’s cool-toned, a little purple-lilac, and it brightens my whole face without turning warm or peachy. Like the bronzer, it dries down quickly and sets. If you want a dewy cream blush, this is not that, but if you want something that looks nice on the skin and lasts, it’s a really good option. It’s basically the Tower 28 cream blushes if they set down to a matte satin finish instead of staying dewy.
Moira Love Blur Blush in 003 Amore, 008 Sweet Whisper, 012 So Divine, and 006 Blush Kiss – I really like this formula. It’s another cream to powder, soft-focus blurring blush that if you’ve been reading, you know I’m obsessed with (and I don’t use that word lightly). Like all the best cream to powder blurring blushes, these feel super smooth, blend easily, blur the skin, and don’t look heavy or textured. They’re listed as all matte shades, but I swear most of these are slightly shimmery, which I actually really love. There’s no visible glitter but it just makes my skin look really nice.
That all said, the colors are more hit or miss than the formula. 003 Amore is a pale peachy pink with a little shimmer. Based on the swatches and online images, I thought this was going to be a cool toned baby pink, but it’s definitely peachy. 008 Sweet Whisper was an even bigger disappointment because I thought it would be a mauvey red-brown terracotta, but on me it’s just orange. 012 So Divine is a perfect cool purple that turns a little pink on me and looks super at home on my skin. This is also the only one of these four that’s truly matte. 006 Blush Kiss is one I’ve used way more than I expected. It’s a bright warm pink that actually works really well and wakes up my face. I’ve loved So Divine in the cooler months and have really started using Blush Kiss more as it gets warmer.
The product images of these shades for reference
Moira Chroma Light Shadow in 002 Tempting, 005 Sugar Crush, and 013 Renegade – These are the standout product from Moira for me. If I had to pick one “run, don’t walk” product from everything I tried, it would be these. They apply well with a finger or a brush, they’re smooth, they layer easily, and they last all day on me. They’re sparkly without being chunky glitter, and I don’t get fallout. 002 Tempting is my perfect spring pinky shade that I can wear alone or as a topper to add more pink to an eye look, which I do often. 005 Sugar Crush is my everyday warm brown sparkly shade that reminds me of Urban Decay Space Cowboy and Coulourpop Ritz (yes, it’s a little orange learning, and I have a post coming up on why orange and warmth on purpose is okay even as an olive). 013 Renegade is a fun purple-pink-burgundy shifty shade that reminds me of some of the Half Magic singles I love. I’m really so happy with these, and I use them more than my much more expensive eyeshadows. Let me know if you’re interested in other shades because I will absolutely grab more to test.
Moira Supernova Glitz Shadow in 003 Starbloom – I’m a little torn on this one. From farther away, this looked surprisingly similar to Clionadh Forge. Up close, though, it looked way patchier, drier, and less smooth. It’s also way less pigmented and took a lot more building up. In the swatches, it’s 3 swatches of the Moira and one of the Clionadh. I asked my husband to choose between them on the eyes, and he immediately said that the Clionadh shadow looked way better without knowing which was which. It’s still not awful, but since it’s not actually that much less expensive than Clionadh shadows (some of their multichromes are almost $18 but some are under $10), I’d rather invest there. If you’re already placing a Moira order and want to try an accessible multichrome, these are really fun. But I also have it on good authority that Wet n Wild’s new Chameleon Chrome Collection is pretty fantastic, and the powder singles are $6.99.
Moira Angel Satin Lipstick in 003 Soft Wing – I was so excited about this shade because I love the idea of an affordable cool-toned mauve lipstick. If I sheer it out, the color is actually really pretty but the formula is just not one I can work with. It settles into lip lines, makes my lips look drier than they are, and feels super uncomfortably waxy. After about a minute of having this on, my lips felt awful. Of all the products I tried, this is the only one that I’d not recommend even trying with an order.
Moira Velvet Air Lip Tint in 005 Mauve Moment – This is the Moira lip formula I’d actually recommend. After trying the Angel Satin Lipstick, this felt immediately better. It’s smoothing, super comfortable, and made my lips look so much better even though it’s matte. It has that soft blurred tint finish, but it doesn’t grab every line or make my lips feel awful. I also really like the shade. It’s a wearable bricky terracotta on me that works pretty well, though I do wish it was an actual mauve color.
As always, some links may be affiliate links that support the blog and some products may have been gifted, but all reviews/opinions are completely my own and unsponsored.
I’ve been testing a handful of products from Kulfi and I wanted to pull everything into one brand review because this is one of those lines that feels really thoughtful and very easy to actually wear. I also did my usual retesting before writing this so I could compare everything against what I’ve been reaching for lately, and overall I’ve been really impressed, especially with how low effort these formulas are while still looking polished. In this post, all links are affiliate links (thank you for your support!), but all opinions are my own.
Kulfi Main Match Concealer in Paan Party – This has stayed one of my favorite concealers since I got it. It blends out quickly, the coverage is very buildable from light to medium, and the finish is a natural satin that makes skin look like skin. It’s described as a radiant-finish but my dry skin definitely cancels that out. I’ve been using it as foundation a lot lately because it’s so easy to throw on all over. It looks like I just have great skin and not like I’m wearing a ton of makeup. It’s flexible enough that I can use it as a traditional concealer or use it as a foundation and add another concealer on top without anything pilling or layering weird. That all said, I was looking back at pictures of the days I wore this all over as foundation, and it’s definitely too light of a shade to match my face and neck (although a great match for the inside of my arm). I can definitely see myself repurchasing this one but in a darker shade, especially because the shade Paan Party is an unusually good match for me as far as undertones go. It’s one of the rare base products where I don’t feel like I have to use green color corrector to make it work.
Kulfi Zari Eyes Eyeshadow in Bronze Brocade – This formula is so fun and it’s been one of my favorite one and done shadows because it basically applies itself. A little bit goes a long way, and you can dip your finger in and swipe it all over your lids, and it immediately looks dimensional and sparkly in a way that still feels totally wearable for everyday. You have enough time to blend it out and get the edges how you want, and then it sets down and wears really well on me without much creasing. Bronze Brocade is also a great shade choice because it’s warm but not aggressively orange, and it’s exactly the kind of throw it on and look put together eyeshadow I reach for when I don’t want to think too hard (which is pretty often with my current level of sleeplessness). I’m definitely interested in trying more colors because I really love this formula.
Kulfi Glossy Lip Staining Lip Oil in Rose, Caramel, and First Sari – This was the first Kulfi product I bought and the only one I’ve gotten multiple shades in right away. I wear these constantly because they’re so easy to use, and I really love a good lip stain. They go on like a comfortable gloss and then leave behind a really pretty stain that stays true to the shade you put on instead of turning into the same generic pink on everyone. Caramel is the one I reach for the most for everyday, but First Sari is probably my favorite olive friendly shade, especially if I’m doing more of a berry look. The stain wears really well and they make my lips look smoother instead of drying them out. I’ve been trying a lot of K beauty lip stains over the years and these absolutely hold their own against those.
Kulfi Lip Snack Glossing Lip Balm in Coconut Chum Chum – This lip balm formula is really comfortable, it’s not sticky, and it feels moisturizing and nourishing on the lips. I have zero complaints about how it wears. Coconut Chum Chum is a really pretty sheer pink that I’m honestly more excited to wear in the spring but it does work well with my undertones. I also really like the packaging. The applicator makes it really easy to apply neatly without needing a mirror (it also helps the shade isn’t too pigmented). For me, it’s just one of those products where if I’m looking at my huge pile of lip balms in a tube, nothing about this one is screaming “you need to run out and get it”. My number one is still the Eadem lip balms, followed closely by the Ole Henriksen and Unleashia balms. That said, if you’re already placing a Kulfi order and you want an easy, glossy balm to toss in your bag, this is a really nice one.
Kulfi Free the Brow Brow Gel – I really like the packaging with the dual sided brush and comb. It makes it really easy to shape brow hairs and get them into place. The brow gel itself gives hold without flaking and without that crunchy feeling. I love that it looks really natural once it dries down. For most people, I think this would be a holy grail brow gel, and I totally get why it’s a favorite for my friends with easier to control brows. For me personally, it’s just not quite enough hold because my brows are unruly and refuse to behave. They always fall out of place within an hour with this one. I still prefer the Rare Beauty Brow Harmony Flexible Lifting Gel as my benchmark hold in place all day bro gel, but I would absolutely recommend this one if you want a comfortable flexible hold and don’t have brows that refuse to do what you want.
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 and some products may have been gifted, but all reviews/opinions are completely my own and unsponsored.
To kick off the year, I decided to go through my collection and look for the products I haven’t touched in forever but still really love. These are the products I forgot about or just got hidden behind all the things I’m testing. The second I started using these again I remembered exactly why I loved them in the first place, so today’s post is seven products I forgot about and want to use way more in 2026. In this post, all links are affiliate links (thank you for your support!), but all opinions are my own. *Note on swatches – I got some feedback it was hard to tell the actual product shades, so I focused on making sure to get the colors as accurate as possible for the products. This means my skin tone may not read as accurately across all the pictures. Please let me know in the comments if this is helpful!
InnBeauty Project Mineral Sun Glow Broad Spectrum SPF 43 in Fair Medium – This was one of my favorite “no makeup makeup” skin tints before I started testing so many complexion products and primers and forgot it existed. Disclaimer that I personally would not rely on something like this as your only sunscreen (and this is why), but it is one of my favorite light coverage skin tints. It goes on effortlessly, it feels really nice on the skin, and it gives coverage without looking like you’ve used makeup at all. It gives me that healthy, hydrated look and evens things out with almost no effort, and I’ve been loving having this back in my routine, either as my actual base product or as an evening-out-everything primer.
Givenchy Prisme Libre Skin Caring Concealer in N95 – I’ve written about this one a ton because it’s one of my favorites, but it got pushed back to the concealer drawer. I somehow ended up with at least 5 new ones that I’ve been rotating through, so old favorites haven’t gotten much time in my routine. The second I reached for this again I remembered how reliable it is and why I love it. It’s one of those formulas I can use in specific areas or all over my face. It’s actually worked really well to add coverage in certain spots when I’m wearing the InnBeauty, but I’ve also used it as my foundation a few times, and it still works great like that. The finish is natural and skin like, it has a blurring effect, it self sets a little bit, and it blends out easily every time. N95 is a good enough match for me in the middle of winter that I can use it all over without it looking off, and it gives really nice coverage without turning heavy or too matte.
Fwee Pudding Pot Blush in PK01 and MV03 – I swatched all of the shades for a post, loved them, put my favorite shades away neatly, and then completely forgot about them once I got inundated with new cream blushes, liquid blushes, stick blushes, and basically every blush format under the sun last year. Pulling them back out has been such a good reminder of how easy they are to use and how good they look on the skin. They blend out effortlessly, they melt into the cheeks, and they give that natural flush that makes your whole face look healthier without feeling like you’re wearing a lot of blush. I love the shade selection and I’ve been really happy with the wear time too. For reference, I included ND04 in the swatches, since it’s a peachy-pink that does turn cheeto orange on me. K01 is a bright watermelon pink that looks great on my olive undertones. The shade MV03 is a perfect bright berry for winter that gives me “fjords” cheeks and retains some berry without going too, too red. I’ve been loving playing with these again.
Hourglass Ambient Lighting Bronzer in Nude Bronze Light – I’ve had this for years and was so happy I rediscovered it when I shopped my stash. The color is just perfect for me, and it’s one of those bronzers that is almost impossible to mess up. This shade is a pale golden bronze that leans every so slight peach so it gives a really natural warmth and makes my skin look healthy without ever looking harsh. I never have that moment where I realize I used too much and have to dial it back. The formula layers beautifully over creams and liquids, so it works with basically anything else I want to wear. If you want a super intense or pigmented bronzer, I definitely have other recommendations because this one is quite sheer. I will likely be switching to my others when I start to get at all tan again, but this has been so nice in the winter because it’s easy throw it on and not have to worry about piling on too much. It is expensive, so I’d recommend getting a mini or waiting for a sale, but I’m genuinely happy I own it because I’ve been reaching for it over all my other bronzers lately.
Dior Backstage Rosy Glow Blush in 001 Pink – I bought this years ago, used it a ton, and then it slowly got pushed to the back of my blush collection as I started testing more K beauty blushes, the YSL blush, Rare Beauty blushes, and the Westman Atelier blush duos (among many others). Pulling it back out reminded me that it’s one of the easiest powder blushes I own to throw on top of whatever cream or liquid blush I’m wearing to give that fresh, bright, healthy flush without looking like I’m wearing a lot of blush. It is one of those shades that looks almost too bright in the pan, but on the cheeks it sheers out into the prettiest pink that makes your whole face look more awake, especially with my olive undertones. It blends quickly, builds without getting patchy, and has a very soft finish that looks flattering on the skin. I tend to prefer bouncy cream to powder formulas, so the fact that I still love this as a straight powder blush says a lot, and I’ve been really happy to have it back in rotation. It’s the kind of blush that just works and makes everything else I’m wearing look better.
Half Magic Glitter Pop in Dopamine Sparkle and Glimmer Pop – As I posted about in December, I am still completely obsessed with my Byredo palette, and I use it every chance I get. Sometimes I want a little more (okay, a lot more) sparkle than what that palette gives me. The topper shade in the Byredo palette is gorgeous but it’s for very specific look, so I pulled these back out to add sparkle to any eye look or use alone for a very quick glittery look. I own all of the shades, but Dopamine Sparkle and Glimmer Pop are the ones I reach for the most. Dopamine Sparkle is a really pretty pink, and Glimmer Pop is more of a neutral champagne with gold and silver mixed in, and neither one pulls too pink, too green, or too orange once they’re on the eyes. The texture reminds me of the old Pat McGrath special shades where it can feel a little rough when you swatch it, but on the lid it turns into this insanely sparkly, almost gel finish with very little fallout. They’re easy to tap on with a finger or a brush and the sparkle lasts all day. Glimmer Pop reads more sparkly than Dopamine Sparkle on me, although it could also be that my Dopamine Sparkle is older and a little dried out. Either way, I’m excited to use these a lot more in 2026.
YSL Candy Glaze in 15 Showcasing Nude – I’ve talked about the Candy Glaze Lip Gloss Sticks a ton and I own three shades, but I’ve been testing so many other lip products lately that I almost forgot how much I love this formula. I’ve still been using the clear one all the time, but between testing new glosses, lip stains, lipsticks, and balms in tubes (everywhere in 2025), I haven’t been reaching for pigmented stick balm type products as much. I’m so glad though that I pulled this out. It smells amazing, feels amazing, and it has that perfect balance of pigment without feeling like a full lipstick. Shade 15 is one of those colors that just makes my whole face look better, it’s really easy to wear, and it gives that glossy finish without being sticky. You can see in the swatches it’s more pigmented than shade 16, which I also love, so I wanted to include that for reference since not all the shades have the same opacity. It was honestly harder than I expected to find older lip products I want to bring back into rotation because the newer launches have been so good. This one absolutely deserves a spot in the regular rotation, and I’m excited to wear it a ton in 2026.
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 and some products may have been gifted, but all reviews/opinions are completely my own and unsponsored.
The Sephora sale is the perfect time to grab high-end beauty products at a discount, especially those that feel like a splurge at full price. While I love finding budget-friendly gems, there are some luxury products that are so exceptional, they’re worth every penny—even more so when you can get them on sale. If you’ve been eyeing any of these but hesitating because of the price, now’s the time to add them to your cart! In this post, all links are affiliate links, but all opinions are my own!
Prada Reveal Skin-Optimizing Refillable Soft Matte Foundation in LW5 – During the upcoming Sephora sale, depending on your discount, this will end up being around the same price as other foundations from brands like Nars, Estee Lauder, Haus Labs, Ilia, Makeup by Mario, etc., and it’s so much better than anything else I’ve tried in this category (although for skin tints, I have other recommendations!). It doesn’t matter what I do with the rest of my face, this looks great all day. It’s somehow blurring and skin-perfecting without being too high coverage or drying. It’s described as a skincare foundation that refines the skin in three dimensions including tone, luminosity, and texture to reveal soft-filtered skin in real life, and that’s honestly exactly what it is. It’s basically magic in a bottle, and I don’t understand the wizardry of this foundation. I’m just so glad I picked it up and tried it! And if you’re not going to travel with it or care about it having a lid, you could totally get away with buying just the refill.
Prada Foundation in LW5 and Sarah Creal Concealer in 02
Sarah Creal Face Flex Concealer & Complexion Enhancer with Caffeine in 2 – I didn’t want to love this concealer as much as I do because it’s so expensive, but it really is amazing. Despite the high price, it looks stunning on the skin. It provides excellent coverage without creasing or looking cakey, especially under the eyes. It’s lightweight, doesn’t settle into fine lines, and isn’t too drying. The finish is dewy and hydrating but not overly glowy. While it sets beautifully on its own, it also works well with powder if needed. I’ve used it as a concealer and blended all over as a foundation, and it works great either way.
Makeup Forever HD Skin Face Essentials Longwear Full Face Cream Palette – This palette is so fun to use and play with to mix together different shades to make whatever colors I want. It has contour, bronzer, blush, and highlight options, and you can use the bronzer/contour shades as complexion products as well. It’s so worth it to have an all in one face palette for travel that I also use all the time at home. I love the formula and how easy it is to apply and blend. They also have great staying power for creams and the formula layers on top of other things super well if I’m using these more as adjusters. I’m always surprised by how much use I get out of something like this as someone who isn’t a fan of face palettes, but I think it’s because the colors are so dialed in and because the texture makes them so easy to mix together to get my perfect shades.
YSL Couture Eyeshadow Quad 710 – The YSL Quads are some of my absolute favorite palettes, and while I’d gladly pay the $88 price tag, they’re an even better deal on sale. 710 is the perfect neutral palette and is flattering even on my olive undertones. The formula is exceptional—each shade picks up effortlessly, blends seamlessly, and wears beautifully all day. I love how even with 4 shades, it feels like there’s enough variety in the quad to get a bunch of different looks. The shimmer topper in this palette is especially stunning—I’ve been layering it over all kinds of eyeshadows to add the perfect touch of sparkle. Whether you’re going for a natural, no-makeup look or something bolder, I highly recommend this one. And of course, the packaging is beautiful. I also love the 200 palette – you can see my review of that here: https://liftbakelove.com/2024/11/09/ysl-couture-mini-clutch-in-200-gueliz-dream-my-favorite-eyeshadow-palette-for-my-olive-undertones/.
YSL Candy Glaze in 02 and 15 – If you’re looking for something incredibly nourishing and hydrating that also works like a lipstick, this is the one for you. And if you’re just looking for an incredibly luxurious lip balm that makes your lips look and feel amazing, then the clear (02) is fantastic. It lasts for so much longer than I would have expected, to the point that I would absolutely use the clear as a nighttime lip treatment in a pinch. It also smells amazing, but if you’re not into fruity/mango scents, you might not appreciate it as much as I do. Shade 15 (Showcasing Nude) is a beautiful rosey brown that is a perfect my lips but better color that’s so easy to wear.
What other products would you like me to review? Let me know if there’s anything else you’d like to see here on LiftBakeLove, 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.
After seeing so many people review and rave about the Fwee Lip & Cheek Blurry Pudding Pots, I’ve been so excited to try them. I’ve been playing with them for a few months and really have fallen in love with both them and their 3D Voluming glosses. This is not a sponsored post, but the products were sent to me for review. In this post, all links are affiliate links, but all opinions are my own as always!
Fwee Blurry Pudding Pot – This is one of the most unique blush and lip products I’ve tried—it has a soft, bouncy pudding-like texture that melts into the skin for an airbrushed finish. The formula feels like the best of both worlds between a cream and a powder, blending effortlessly while still setting down to a natural, blurred finish. It’s super pigmented, so a little goes a long way, but it’s also incredibly buildable, making it easy to go from a soft, natural look to something more intense. As you’ll see in the swatches, there are a ton of nuanced shades across each color category, with an incredible total of 30 shades. It works beautifully on both cheeks and lips, making it a perfect all-in-one product for effortless makeup days. This reminds me of the Mac Glow Play blushes but even longer wearing and usable on the lips. They also layer beautifully if you use multiple shades or you can mix them together in their keychain for your own shade.
I also love the brush that you can get for these – it works incredibly well to pick up the blush!
3D Voluming Gloss – I was honestly surprised by how much I love this formula. It’s incredibly nourishing and hydrating—I’ve even been reaching for it instead of lip balm. While it doesn’t have a noticeable plumping effect, it’s super smoothing, giving lips a healthy, glossy look without being overly sticky. The slight tackiness helps it last longer than most glosses. I also appreciate that each shade comes in two opacities, 30% and 70%, so you can choose how much pigment you want. It has a sweet scent, but it fades quickly and doesn’t linger.
I swatched all 30 shades I have of the pudding pots and the matching glosses for each color range. You’ll see there’s a variety of colors and opacities across the ranges. I also appreciate how there’s a good balance of warm/neutral/cool shades and options that are bright and muted. It’s impossible to pick favorites but I definitely find myself personally gravitating towards The ND (Nude) and RS (Rose) shades.
What other products would you like me to review? Let me know if there’s anything else you’d like to see here on LiftBakeLove, 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.
NARS has been absolutely delivering with their recent launches, and I’ve been loving what I have in my collection. From effortlessly blendable blushes to a long-time favorite eyeshadow base, plus a stunning palette and a lipstick formula that’s quickly becoming a staple, these picks have been in constant rotation. In this post, all links are affiliate links, but all opinions are my own!
Powder Blush in Behave and Infatuated – I have two shades of the newly formulated blushes, and I absolutely love them. I’m constantly tempted to grab another! The formula is incredibly lightweight and blendable. Both shades are matte but not overly flat—they offer a soft, blurring effect without looking powdery. They wear beautifully throughout the day, and I love that I can keep layering them without overdoing it. I adored the original version, but this reformulation is even better. Behave is a matte pink mauve that is super unique to my collection, and I love using it to layer with other blushes. Infatuated is a matte deep plumberry that’s perfect for olive skin and was one I wore all the time in the winter especially. The swatches below aren’t super built up but hopefully you can see how pretty they both are!
Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base– There’s not much to say about this eyeshadow base except that it works so well! I’ve tried countless eyeshadow primers over the years, and this is the one I always come back to. While it doesn’t offer much color correction, it does exactly what I need: keeps my eyeshadow in place all day. It creates a smooth, non-sticky base that helps shadows adhere without making them difficult to blend. Plus, the doe-foot applicator makes application super easy!
Afterglow Tempting Eyeshadow Palette – This has been my go-to palette ever since I got it, and I’m so sad it’s limited edition! If you’re thinking about picking it up, I highly recommend it. The shades feel unique within my (very large) eyeshadow collection, and I love that it doesn’t include a ton of unnecessary mattes. The mattes that are in the palette work perfectly as base shades or for deepening the outer corner. If I need more mattes, I can always reach for another palette. Follow Me is a standout—it’s a gorgeous purple-leaning brown that works beautifully as a matte one-and-done or for adding depth, especially with my olive undertones. The shimmer range in this palette is stunning, whether worn alone or as toppers. My favorite is No Lies, the perfect one-and-done shimmery brown. I have to admit the swatches absolutely don’t do the shimmers justice – they are so sparkly and dimensional in person. And as expected from NARS, the shadows pick up easily, blend seamlessly, and have fantastic staying power.
Explicit Lipstick in Exposed – This formula is everything I love in a lipstick—lightweight yet pigmented, offering medium-to-full coverage that builds effortlessly. It has a dimensional satin finish that gives the lips a soft sheen without being too glossy or too matte. The wear time is impressive; it stays put without feeling heavy or drying. I especially appreciate that it’s smudge-resistant but still comfortable—no weird slipping or settling into lines. Exposed is supposed to be a cool-toned taupe but because I’m so olive, it goes pretty orange on me. That said, I love using it to tone down anything too berry or too pink and bring it back to a more neutral place, so I’ve been using this almost every day to balance out some of my other shades. I’m super tempted to get another shade because I love the formula so much, and I’m glad I grabbed this one to try it out!
What other products would you like me to review? Let me know if there’s anything else you’d like to see here on LiftBakeLove, 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.
As someone with an olive undertone, purple makeup is one of my favorite things to use. But it can be hard to find purple makeup that actually looks at home on my skin, and these products all are so easy to throw on. If you have any other lilac/berry/purple products I should try, definitely let me know in the comments! Thank you so much for being here, and it would mean so much to me if you subscribe here for new posts. All links in this post are affiliate links, and if you choose to shop through them, thanks for supporting the blog!
Dior Rosy Glow in Pink Lilac – I’m so happy I purchased this. It’s definitely on the top of my lilac blush list now. I also have the original pink one (shown in the swatches), and I don’t regret having both. That said, for my skintone, I think I’ll get way more use out of the lilac one. This formula is fairly sheer so you can really pile it on without having to worry about it (and I would play around with what brush you use to see which works best to pick it up). It’s a little shimmery but in a really subtle way that I actually appreciate. It means I don’t need to use a highlighter and still don’t have to worry about emphasizing texture. This is just now one of my favorite things to finish a look off with no matter what else I’ve done because it brightens up my face and just looks so pretty. This swatches terribly but it does look really pretty on .
MAC Glow Play Blush in Totally Synced – This formula has been my go-to for finishing off my cheek looks for years because it has a really incredible blurring quality that really pulls together any look I’ve done. Because the texture feels like a cross between a powder and a cream, it adds a slight sheen like a cream and has great lasting power like a powder. I own 6 of these, but Totally Synced is a perfect light lilac that really brightens up any look and makes me look awake and hydrated. I imagine it’s what a bright pop of pink looks like on other people, but this lilac shade is perfect for me.
Ravie Beauty Endless Diffusion Baked Blush in Oasis – This formula quickly became one of my favorite powder blush formulas of all time – it blends so seamlessly and easily into the skin, is so blurring, and stays all day. It reminds me of an Hourglass blush but somehow better. It doesn’t need to be built up because this color is quite punchy but absolutely can be layered if you need to. The finish is just glowy enough without being overly glowy like a highlighter. I don’t know how they did it, but it’s basically perfect. Oasis is a Fervor is a rich raspberry pink that works so well for olive skin, especially for that “cold girl” makeup look. And of course it fits so well with the rest of the products on this list.
Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Liquid Blush in Faith – This is one of the only liquid blushes I’m willing to use, and it’s because the formula is honestly just so great. This shade is in the matte formula, which I actually prefer to the dewy one because it really dries down and almost stains my cheeks. It has incredibly lasting power, and if I still want a dewy look, I have plenty of highlighters I can layer on top of it. It really is as good as everyone says it is, and I’m not surprised this blush keeps going viral. The shade Faith is a deep purple toned berry that really packs a punch, and you definitely want to use just a tiny bit at a time. Like Fervor, this is one of my go tos for the “cold girl” winter look or to pair with deeper brown or mauve eyeshadow looks. I also love using this as a base to top with Fervor if I want a blush look that’s really going to stay all day.
Thrive Causemetics Lip-Plumping Peptide Gloss in Lilliana – My lips always look so much better when I put one of these on because of the slight plumping and the high shine. The formula is super minty and cooling, and I’m so excited to use these when it’s hotter outside. That said, if you’re not a fan of minty glosses that you can really feel, I would steer clear of this one. Lilliana is a sheer deep purple berry that looks so good with my skin tone. It’s also sheer enough that I can use it regardless of how much other makeup I have on my face but I can also build it up if I want something more.
Elf Lip Oil in Jam Session – This is one of my favorite lip oils/glosses and definitely my favorite under $10. It’s described as an ultra-glossy tinted lip oil that nourishes, hydrates and enhances your lips’ natural color which is 100% accurate. I love that it’s just pigmented enough that you can tell you’ve used something on your lips, but it’s not too overwhelming or punchy. And I don’t need to worry about using a mirror or anything when I apply it. The formula is super nourishing so I actually will throw this on even when I just feel like my lips are dry. It’s honestly just a bonus that the purple berry color is so perfect. When I’m looking for something plumping and extra minty, I’ll go with the Thrive, and I’d go with this when I want something more nourishing and hydrating since these two are almost the exact same color on the lips.
Finding Ferdinand Balm in Lucky Cat (*PR) – I think this might be limited edition, so if you’re looking for your perfect mauvey berry balm that doesn’t cost $80 like Hermes Prunior, I’d grab this one before it’s gone. I got this in PR (thank you!) but if I hadn’t, I’d absolutely spend $26 on this because the color just looks so great on me no matter what else I have on my face. It’s really the purple without looking too purple balm of my dreams. The other thing I appreciate is that it’s super buildable so I can start with a light layer that just makes it look like my lips have color on them or I can build it up to be more true to its color in the tube if I’m doing a berry/purple look. The Asian pear scent is also so nice, and it isn’t too strong. You can also use affiliate code LIFTBAKELOVE10 on Finding Ferdinand’s site to save 10%.
Hermes Shiny Lipstick in Prunoir – This is truly the perfect lipstick when I’m doing a berry toned or mauvey toned or purple leaning look . It’s also incredible as a way to balance out lipsticks that just need a bit of purple added to them when it feels like something is off. The formula is perfect – it’s shiny and hydrating without sliding all over the place, and it’s sheer without being patchy or not really showing up. The only thing is that it really has that luxury lip scent that’s quite strong, but I’ll put up with it for how perfect it is otherwise. Of course, the packaging is also stunning and feels like something you paid $80 for. This shade is probably out of stock now, but the formula is great if one of the other colors would work for you!
Let me know if there’s anything else you’d like to see here on LiftBakeLove, 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.
As part of getting to know my collection, I want to spend more time reviewing all the products I have. Next up is everything I own from Merit Beauty, which turns out to be 9 products because I keep getting more of the same products in different shades. I either bought these myself or they were gifts from friends/family (thank you!!), and this is not sponsored or PR. Let me know if you want me to try anything else from the brand! Thank you so much for being here, and it would mean so much to me if you subscribe here for new posts. All links in this post are affiliate links, and if you choose to shop through them, thanks for supporting the blog!
Solo Shadow Matte Eye Color in Studio, Midcentury, and Brun – I needed a new one and done matte shadow after my Mac Paint Pots finally expired, and these seemed like the ones to try. I’m so glad I picked these up. The formula is incredibly easy to work with and doesn’t require a primer because of the way these set down. It doesn’t crease and stays all day without fading. It also works great as a base for shimmer toppers or even powder shadows. I’ve applied it with fingers and brushes, and it works great either way. I know this formula has a lot of hype around it, but it’s absolutely as good as people are saying it is. Studio is a cool taupe, Mid-Century is a warm brown, and Brun is a cool toned deep brown so between the three I have options for cool and warm toned looks as well as options to create as much depth as I want. These are my favorite shadows to bring when I’m travelling because the shades I have go with everything, and they’re just so quick and easy to throw on.
Flush Balm Cheek Color in Fox, Bespoke, Mood, and Stockholm – I first bought Fox in the full size and loved it so much, I knew I had to get the mini trio. I have a ton of blush so I’d honestly rather have more shades in the smaller size to play with since I’ll never get through a full size anyway. Fox is described as a warm taupe, but I think it’s more of a rusty brown that manages to not turn orange on me. It’s my current go to for “I just want to throw brown on everywhere but I want it to look good” type of look. For the mini trio, Mood is a beautiful burgundy, Stockholm is a cool toned light pink, and Bespoke is a beigey pink leaning brown. I honestly can’t decide whether I like Fox or Bespoke better for the kinds of looks I tend to do at the moment, but I’m glad I have both. The formula makes these so easy to throw on and blend, even with my fingers. It’s sheer enough that I don’t have to worry about putting on too much but pigmented enough that I don’t have to do a ton of layers. I can also throw it on over a fully done face (on top of powder and setting spray) with no issues, and it makes my skin look so much more hydrated.
Signature Lip Lightweight Lipstick in 1990 and Slip – I know everyone has been talking about these, but it’s for a good reason! The formula is just amazing – it’s semi-sheer but buildable without settling into any lip lines. It’s a satin matte finish that doesn’t slide around and wander onto my face like other formulas that are popular right now tend to do. Despite the finish, it’s still very comfortable and nourishing. 1990 is a neutral deep brown that is actually fairly unique to my collection, and I love using it to balance out super pink eye/cheek looks or over the top bronzy looks. Slip is a warm leaning brown that I can’t quite describe but it’s the perfect lipstick for a fair/light olive skintone. I love 1990, but Slip is my favorite everyday lipstick. I honestly wear it more often than any other lip product I have, and I have a way more lip products than I’m wiling to admit.
Let me know if there’s anything else you’d like to see here on LiftBakeLove, 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.
I’m so thankful to have gotten the latest collaboration between Kackie Reviews Beauty and Finding Ferdinand in PR. It’s called Après Ski, and I absolutely would have purchased these myself if I hadn’t received them. I loved the beige blushes (purchased by me) they came out with last year, and I’m thrilled to have these new shades that work so perfectly with my preference for pink, mauve, and purple tones. I’ll be doing a full review of the collection once Finding Ferdinand releases the hex codes for them so you can buy them, but I noticed my two favorite blushes were still in stock so wanted to share why I love them. Thank you so much for being here, and it would mean so much to me if you subscribe here for new posts. All links in this post are affiliate links, and if you choose to shop through them, thanks for supporting the blog!
Sunrise and High Noon
Sunrise is a light neutral pink that’s been my go to when I have no idea what blush I want to use. It looks so natural on me and works well with so many different eye and lip colors. I appreciate that it doesn’t lean too warm and so doesn’t turn orange or peachy on me. It’s also beigey enough to work with brown eye looks (which I find has been weirdly hard for me to match with pink blushes lately for me). It’s my no brainer, every day blush that I just know will always look great.
High Noon is a medium pink with berry undertones that works so well on my olive skin. It packs more of a punch than Sunrise and so I gravitate towards it when I want something I can throw on super quick without needing to build it up at all. This shade is also just purple enough to cool a look down when I need to. I love how it gives me that “cold girl” look without having to go all the way purple, and how it brings together a look with my brighter lipsticks.
These shades also layer together beautifully if I want to create a more dimensional effect. I’m honestly so excited to keep wearing High Noon into spring because I think it’ll work so well for warmer weather looks.
I recommend using a pretty densely packed brush like the BK Beauty 106 because it’s quite a stiff formula in the pot even though it blends out so seamlessly on the skin. The formula is super blendable (I think because there’s quite a bit of marula oil in these), easy to layer, and very buildable. They do dry down on the skin but they still have a dewy, hydrated finish that just looks really nice. These are a bit more matte than the original formula, which I’m actually really happy about because they last even longer. You can also hopefully see in the swatch photo that they’re pretty blurring despite maintaining their hydrated quality. I just find these so easy to use that I find myself gravitating towards them every day.
Let me know if there’s anything else you’d like to see here on LiftBakeLove, 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.
Seeing everyone doing their Best of Beauty posts and videos made me realize that I totally didn’t do one in 2022, and I wanted to make sure I didn’t forget this year. It’s been really fun to look back and see what’s still a favorite from the years before that and what was newly discovered this year. Like last year, I’ll be splitting out the makeup and skincare lists so these posts don’t get too long. I would love see your favorites and recommendations for 2023 in the comments! And, of course, thank you so much for being here, and it would mean so much to me if you subscribe here for new posts. Some links are affiliate links, and if you choose to shop through them, thanks for supporting the blog!
Primer:Make Beauty Moisturizing Reverse Emulsion – This is my favorite moisturizer (and if you’ve been to this blog before, you know I’ve tried so, so many moisturizers as I have incredibly dry skin). I’ve used this as a moisturizer and primer, mixed with other primers, mixed with foundations – it works so well no matter what I do with it. It leaves a dewy but not wet or sticky finish and makes everything look better. It’s like a super sophisticated version of the Glossier Future Dew and will definitely be my replacement for that (which has been my favorite primer for yeas) when I run out of all my Future Dew back ups. Because of that, it’s definitely my primer pick for the year even if I still have some Future Dew bottles to get through.
Green color corrector: NYX HD Studio Photogenic Concealer Wand in Green – This is the green color corrector I’ve reached for the most (so much I actually ran out of mine and am almost done with my new tube of it). I’m planning on doing a full green color corrector comparison post because I actually have 6 in rotation right now that I like and use for different reasons. This one is the most green of the bunch and doesn’t lean matte or dewy so it works really well with whatever primer, foundation, concealer, and powder combo I’ve used that day. Because of that quality, I can’t use it as a primer by itself like some of my other green correctors, but a lot of those require I top them up with this anyway because they’re not nearly as green. Plus, this one is only $4.99 at Target right now.
Under eye corrector: Ulta Under Eye Brightener – I have super dark undereye and can’t get away without a corrector, and I’m so happy to have discovered this one. It’s about $10 and a very effective dupe of my beloved Becca Under Eye Brightening Corrector. Just like the Becca one, this corrector works so well for correcting my super dark circles and helps hydrate my super dry under eyes for whatever concealer goes on top without any heaviness. It blends like a dream and the color is perfect for me. And it’s in stick form which is so much easier to use than the pot!
Foundation: Fenty Foundation Stick in 02 - I ended up with a ton of foundations this year, and I honestly would be happy with any of them (let me know if you want a foundations for light olive skin run down!), but I think the one I’ve leaned on the most this year and been the most excited about is the Fenty Foundation Stick. This foundation is absolutely beautiful and so easy to use. I’m so glad that I grabbed this because when I want to put on a more high coverage (for me) face of makeup, this is what I reach for. It blends out so quickly, is quite blurring, and make my skin look amazing without being too dewy or matte. It also is great for spot concealing because it builds really well, and it’s super easy to get just a little bit on a brush straight from the stick. This is definitely my choice out of all the stick foundations for dry skin, and I like it even better than the original Eaze Drop (even though I still love that foundation).
Concealer: Givenchy Prisme Libre Skin-Caring 24H Hydrating + Radiant + Correcting Creamy Concealer in N95 – This concealer is as good as everyone says it is, especially for those of us over 30. It’s incredibly hydrating while still offering a really good amount of coverage because it has such a creamy texture. I love using it all over as both my foundation and concealer, and it just looks so nice. It builds up really nicely if I want more coverage in certain areas while still looking incredibly natural. It plays well with all my powders and primers, so if I’m traveling, this is the one product I’ll bring with me because I know it’ll work no matter what else I do.
Contour: Westman Atelier Face Trace Contour Stick in Biscuit – This was my favorite in this category in 2020 and 2021 (which is news to me how old this product is because it still works like it’s brand new). Nothing beat it out this year yet again. It is the perfect color and texture for a natural looking contour. I also love the packaging – it feels super luxe with the magnetic closure, and I really appreciate having a stick for a quick makeup look. If I had to start my collection over, this would definitely be one of the first things I replace.
Cream Bronzer: Tom Ford Shade and Illuminate in 0.5 and Salt New York Crème Tint Pro in light/medium – I noticed that I chose these two as my favorites in 2021, and it’s also still what I would choose, especially given how much I reached for these this year. Both are cream products that give a super natural look in about 2 seconds. They are super blendable and easy to build up to the opacity I want or leave fairly sheer. I actually think the colors and formulas are pretty similar (even though the Salt New York is warmer and the Tom Ford is more neutral) so if you want to not spend way too much on the Tom Ford, I would definitely recommend getting the Salt New York paired with one of their highlighters to replicate the duo. I did really love the Makeup by Mario Skin Enhancer and the Milk Makeup Bionic Bronzer, but these are the two I keep going back to.
Power Bronzer: Haus Labs Power Sculpt Velvet Bronzer in Light Level 2 and Gucci Poudre de Beauté Éclat Soleil Bronzing Powder in 01 – I also have two favorites for this category – one for summer and one for winter. The Haus Labs bronzer is my pick for spring/summer because it leans warm and the Gucci is my pick for fall/winter because it leans more rosey. Both are fantastic -they’re just so easy to throw on and blend out and looks super natural. If I don’t have time to think about what I’m doing, this is what I’m going to reach for. Neither are powdery or patchy at all, and just make my skin look great. Both of these I can reach for regardless of what other makeup I have on, they look seamless without having to spend any time blending, and are what I reach for when I can’t quite figure out what’s wrong with my makeup and need to add something.
Cream blush: I honestly have no idea how many cream blushes I have at this point, but it’s enough that choosing just one would have been impossible, so I’m doing my favorites for different color categories: beige, berry, and pink.
Beige: Finding Ferdinand Creamy Blush x Kackie Review Beauty in Latte and Au Lait – When I don’t know what blush to use, the ones I reach for are Latte (a desaturated, light beige with a touch of rose) and Au Lait (a neutral, medium beige with a hint of warmth) from Kackie’s collab with Finding Ferdinand. These colors just go with everything and always look so natural on me, so they’re perfect for no makeup makeup looks or pairing with a more colorful eyeshadow (when I choose not to just wear something brown). I do recommend using a pretty densely packed brush like the BK Beauty 106 because it’s quite a stiff formula in the pot even though it blends out so seamlessly on the skin. The formula is super blendable (I think because there’s quite a bit of marula oil in these), easy to layer, and very buildable. They do dry down on the skin but they still have a dewy, hydrated finish that just looks really nice. *I’m a little biased because I’m friends with Kackie, but I did buy these with my own money.
Berry: Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Liquid Blush in Faith – This is one of the only liquid blushes I’m willing to use, and it’s because the formula is honestly just so great. This shade is in the matte formula, which I actually prefer to the dewy one because it really dries down and almost stains my cheeks. It has incredibly lasting power, and if I still want a dewy look, I have plenty of highlighters I can layer on top of it. It really is as good as everyone says it is, and I’m not surprised this blush keeps going viral. The shade Faith is a deep purple toned berry that really packs a punch, and you definitely want to use just a tiny bit at a time. This is my go to for the “cold girl” winter look or to pair with deeper brown or mauve eyeshadow looks.
Pink: About Face Cheek Freak Blush Balm in Laid –Similar to the Rare Beauty blush, this dries down to a matte finish that actually lasts such a long time for a cream blush. It starts off really balmy so it’s really easy to pick up on a brush or finger and blend into the skin, and then it stays where it is. I also love how the packaging matches the color of the blush since I have three of these – it’s always easy to find the one I want. Laid in particular is a super bright pink blush that is just the quickest way to that flushed look, especially in the summer. If I want to look really awake and hydrated, this is my go to since it’s so bright and flattering.
From left to right: MAC Glow Play Blush in Heat Index, Blush Please, So Natural, Grand, and Totally Synced
Power blush: MAC Glow Play Blush – This formula has been my go-to for finishing off my cheek looks because it has a really incredible blurring quality that really pulls together any look I’ve done. Because the texture feels like a cross between a powder and a cream, it adds a slight sheen like a cream and has great lasting power like a powder. I own 5 of these, and I found myself reaching for all of them depending on my mood and the time of year. Between So Natural (golden beige), Blush Please (neutral light mauve), Heat Index (bright pink), Totally Synced (light lilac) and Grand (petal pink), I’m covered with any look I’m trying to do.
Highlight: Auric Glow Lust – I wrote about the Auric Glow Lust so many times, and I’m still in love with it. It gives both a super smooth and glowy effect to the skin, whether I use it as foundation, a primer, a mixer, or a highlighter. Of all of my glowy, liquid products, this is definitely my favorite of the bunch. The packaging is also amazing, especially the pump – it’s so much easier to use than something like the Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter. It feels like much more of a luxury experience, from the packaging to the formula. I have the shades Selenite and Morganite, and I love using Selenite all over as foundation or a primer and Morganite as a true “high points of the skin” highlighter. I have a full review here if you’d like to see more comparisons between the two.
Powder: Givenchy Mini Prisme Libre Loose Setting and Finishing Powder in 3 Voile Rosé – If I could only pick one powder, and I weirdly have a ton for someone with dry skin, it’d be this one. Honorable mention to the ELF Prime Stay Finishing Powder which I also love but is only $4. The Givenchy powder blurs and mattifies without drying out my skin or looking powdery, which is perfect for someone with super dry skin like myself. It definitely provides a bit of brightening for me in this color, but it mostly is just a really fantastic loose powder. It really does provide a soft focus blur in real life. I actually decluttered my Hourglass Veil Translucent Setting Powder (which I’ve written about how much I love for years) because I noticed I never used it since I have the Givenchy, and it’s because the Hourglass feels so heavy compared to the Givenchy powder.
Eyeshadow: Urban Decay 24/7 Moondust Eyeshadow in Space Cowboy – I have so many eyeshadows and eyeshadow palettes, and there’s so many that I love, but I knew right away which one I used the most and would keep if I could only keep one. It’s a sheer shimmery eyeshadow that adds a wet look to any shadow without really adding any color or changing the color of the look underneath. But somehow it still has enough of a beige-y base that you can wear it on its own. It’s incredibly reflective and glossy, doesn’t have any fallout, and is so easy to apply with a brush or fingers (and doesn’t require any glitter glue). I can’t count how many times this year I wore a matte brown shadow with Space Cowboy on top and got a ton of compliments on my eyeshadow. I’m honestly upset I have so many other eyeshadows given how much I use this one.
Brows: NYX Thick It Stick It Brow Mascara – It’s so quick and easy to fill in and shape my brows with this – I’ve been reaching for it over my other brow gels (which I oddly have a ton of – the ranking post is coming, I promise!). Unlike some other fiber containing brow products, this really lasts all day and actually keeps my brows in place. The only thing about this that I don’t love is that the wand is bigger than I’m used to so I tend to get some of the brow gel on my skin. The good news is that it’s very easy to clean up before it dries, and this is so inexpensive I’m happy to deal with that issue.
Mascara: I fell out of love with all my mascaras this year and am currently on the hunt for a new one that I love. The front runner right now is the Finding Ferdinand Lashlift Mascara, which I would be perfectly happy with using as my main mascara. It’s a tubing mascara that’s lighter weight than the Thrive mascara so my lashes don’t fall as quickly, and it otherwise works exactly as I would expect a black tubing mascara to work. That said, I have 6 other mascaras to test throughout 2024, so I will report back!
Lip Liner: Thrive Causemetics Lip Filler Long-Wearing + Plumping Lip Liner in Kackie – I still love this lip liner, and it’s one I reach for all the time. I don’t know how Kackie did it, but this is the most perfect neutral brown shade for me. I can put any gloss or lipstick over top of it, and it looks great. The formula also manages to be creamy, not drying, and have great staying power. It’s the lip liner I use when I don’t want to worry about my lip look coming together, especially in the morning before I’ve had coffee and just want something I know will work. I think I started writing about this one in 2020, and I’m surprised how it continues to rise to the top of my lip liner collection.
Lip gloss/shiny lipstick: YSL Candy Glaze in 02 and 15 – I’m honestly so annoyed by how right Kackie is about this one, because she’s obsessed with it, and now I am too. If I had to choose between these and the Hourglass ones, I’d choose these every time. If you’re just looking for an incredibly luxurious lip balm that makes your lips look and feel amazing, then the clear (02) is fantastic. This is much thicker than my other clear lip balms, so it lasts for so much longer than I would have expected, to the point that I would absolutely use the clear as a nighttime lip treatment in a pinch. It also smells amazing, but if you’re not into fruity/mango scents, you might not appreciate it as much as I do. Shade 15 (Showcasing Nude) is a beautiful rosey brown that is a perfect my lips but better color that’s so easy to wear, and I’m always stopping myself from buying more of the shades.
Satin lipstick: Make Beauty Cream Supreme Lipstick in Equilibrium – This was my go to lipstick until I got the Givenchy lipstick I’m going to mention next. The formula is creamy and non-drying while still being much longer lasting than I expected. It’s a touch glossy, but not overly so, and it just looks so nice. Any time I need a “looks like I tried and will last” lipstick, I choose this one. I also love the color – Equilibrium is the perfect rosey nude that goes with any look I put together. I absolutely love the packaging and how easy the shape makes to get a precise application. I don’t need a lip liner with this, and it’s pigmented enough that I only need to swipe once. It’s also refillable so when I run out, I’ll only have to buy the refill!
Matte lipstick: Givenchy Le Rouge Sheer Velvet Matte Lipstick in 10 Beige Nu – This is now my favorite matte lipstick formula because it looks blurred out and matte without being too matte or drying out my lips. It’s exactly the kind of look I want when I’m not going for something glossy or shiny. It actually reminds me the Glossier Generation G formula but incredibly elevated and in way better colors. This color in particular is amazing for me – it’s my go to for “I don’t know what lip color I want to wear but I just need it to look good” because it goes with everything. If I didn’t do any kind of reviewing content and didn’t have a bigger collection to compare things, I could see myself keeping this as one of my only lipsticks and be entirely happy with it.
What were your favorites this year? Let me know if there’s anything else you’d like to see here on LiftBakeLove, 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.
Makeup and Skincare Reviews 