Tag: brand review

Victoria Beckham Brand Review: What’s Worth It and What I’d Skip

by liftbakeloveLeave a Comment on Victoria Beckham Brand Review: What’s Worth It and What I’d Skip

This has been a very highly requested brand review (thank you so much for the requests – please keep them coming here or on Instagram). I’m so excited to share so many amazing products and a couple I personally would not recommend. In this post, all links are affiliate links (thank you for your support!), but all opinions are my own. As always, I’ve prioritized getting product swatches true to color so don’t pay too much attention to whatever is going on with my skin.

Posh Lipstick in Pose – This is my favorite Victoria Beckham product and the first thing I’d rebuy if I had to start over. It stays actually cool toned on me, which is absurdly hard for me to find. It’s a mid-toned mauve that never turns even a little bit orange. It’s that perfect pinky purple mauve I’m always looking for and can basically never find. The formula is lightweight and a little nourishing and dewy without being too glossy. It’s just such an easy everyday lipstick that I would buy again and again.

Posh Lipstick in Pose, Lip Definer in 02, Posh Gloss in Martini

Lip Definer in 02 – This is one of the VB products that has stayed in my rotation the longest. I just checked and I got mine in 2021 so it’s probably time for a new one, but honestly, it still works and smells perfectly fine. It’s a firmer formula that is long-wearing, and it gives me the clean definition I need to make my lips look more polished. This shade does go a bit go too orange on me so if I grab a new one, I’ll get a different shade, probably 03. This also is definitely a drier formula so I usually need to start with a little lip prep that has time sink in first.

Posh Gloss in Poolside and Martini – I love this formula so much. It makes my lips look smoother and more hydrated, and it’s shiny without being sticky. Poolside is the one I’d rebuy next because it’s the perfect everyday shade on me and plays so nicely with my olive undertones (I actually used it up, so I don’t have it right now and cannot swatch it). Martini is a very, very sheer glittery peach topper that’s won’t change the color of whatever you’re wearing underneath, but also looks really good on bare lips. I have a bunch of shimmery glosses and balms now and this one isn’t my favorite of the bunch, but I’m glad I tried it and the formula is still fantastic.

Matte Bronzing Brick in 01 (lighter shade, darker, shade, mixed together)

Matte Bronzing Brick in 01 – I use this constantly, which is very rare for a bronzer. The packaging is beautiful, and I love that it’s refillable, so you can keep the compact and just swap in a refill if you ever finish it. The matte finish is extra blurring on the skin without being overly dry or powdery. The undertone is ever so slightly cooler and more neutral than a lot of bronzers that end up going very orange so both tones work well for my olive undertones. It’s still warm but not too much. I use the lighter shade to blend out anything that needs blending, soften harsh edges, and bridge the gap between my cheek products and concealer, or to softly fill in hollows. Then I’ll use the deeper shade as my actual bronzer, or I’ll just mix the two together depending on the season. I also use both shades as eyeshadow all the time. It’s a great year-round bronzer because you can adjust it lighter or deeper without needing a second product, and I think it would work for a wide range of complexions too.

Lid Lustre in Tea Rose – This is the sparkly Victoria Beckham eye product I’d recommend of all the different shimmery eye products (more on the palettes later). The formula is gorgeous and really easy to apply with a finger or a brush, and you can do a light layer or build it up. Tea Rose is a perfect neutral taupe brown base with a soft plummy/pinky sheen that also has sophisticated glitters that flash pink-lilac and a little champagne/gold in different lighting. It doesn’t go orange or even all that warm, and I love it pared with the Pose lipstick. It’s a more fancy sparkle when the light hits than something like a Pat McGrath special shade, so it actually works really well for everyday. One warning though – mine isn’t super hard-pressed, and I tilted it too far once and got eyeshadow everywhere. So, just be careful!

Lid Lustre in Tea Rose, Crease-Proof Eyeshadow Stick in Pecan, Instant Brightening Waterline Pencil

Crease-Proof Eyeshadow Stick in Pecan – This is one of my favorite eyeshadow sticks, and I’m actually not a huge eyeshadow stick person. The formula is truly great. I can throw it on, blend it out quickly, and it stays all day. Pecan is a really great color that actually stays brown on me, and there’s a tiny hint of green that makes it work so well with my olive undertones. It does have a hint of warmth in it, but not in a Cheeto way. This is also one of my favorite car makeup eye products because it’s so easy to throw on without a brush, and I can wear it alone or tap on a shimmer on top with my finger.

Instant Brightening Waterline Pencil – This is so good that I got rid of my other beige/white waterline pencils. The color is so good. It’s a yellow beige that brightens without looking stark or obvious, so it reads way more natural on me. I know it’s very yellow in the swatch, but it works really well actually on my waterline. The formula is also super easy to use, comfortable on the waterline, and actually stays put. When I’m tired and want to look more awake fast (which is always), this is one of my go-tos.

Satin Kajal Liner in Cocoa, Bronze, and Olive – This is a great eyeliner formula if you want creamy application with really great staying power. You have enough time to smudge or soften it, and I actually do use the little smudger on the other side of the pencil because it works great with this formula. The liner does sets down and doesn’t migrate or turn into a mess on me. It’s easy, it layers well, and it works for tightlining. The Ravie liner is still my pick for someone who’s really bad at eyeliner (it’s me, I’m very bad at eyeliner) but if you’re a little more confident and can handle a more pigment, this is next on my list. Cocoa (dark matte brown) and Bronze (antique green/gold/bronze shimmer) are my everyday favorite easy natural shades on me. Olive is a shimmery deep black based green that’s clearly green but also is a great choice if you want to start playing around with green since it’s not a bright lime green.

Satin Kajal Liner in Cocoa, Bronze, and Olive and Contour Stylus in Marble 

Contour Stylus in Marble – This one works, but it’s too expensive for what it is and way too warm to be a good contour for olive undertones. On the positive side, the packaging is super nice, like all Victoria Beckham products. Even though it looks like it might be a little dark at first, it blends out really well and can look natural on my high contrast complexion as a bronzer. That said, I don’t really love the super skinny precise contour stick format. The formula also feels a little dry and a little sticky on me. If you love a precise contour stick and you love the brand, you might enjoy it but this is not the one I would tell you to run out and buy. I will be doing a contour update super soon with your recommendations!

Eye Wardrobe Multi-Finish Eyeshadow Palette in Orchid (first four), Bordeaux (middle four), and Cocoa (last four)

Eye Wardrobe Multi-Finish Eyeshadow Palette in Orchid, Bordeaux, and Cocoa – These are my regret purchases, which I’m very sorry to report. The compact is super luxurious, the refill system is easy (I got one compact and 3 refills), and the formulas are genuinely fantastic. The mattes are silky, easy to blend, and not overly pigmented. The satins and shimmers are beautiful too, and I have no complaints about performance. My problem is the colors do not work for me. Orchid (supposed to be purple) goes brown-orange on me. Bordeaux is straight up orange, including the shade that should read more burgundy. Cocoa went gray-green on me, which I normally wouldn’t mind, except it’s gray-green that still goes orange, and it just doesn’t look right. The light matte in this one is also just Cheeto on me. Every time I use one of these, I have to grab another product to fix it or I end up wiping it off and trying again. If you struggle with shadows not looking like the pan on your skin, I wouldn’t recommend these. For the price, I’d personally grab a YSL Quad every time.

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.

Kulfi Brand Review: What’s Worth It and What I’d Skip

Featuredby liftbakelove2 Comments on Kulfi Brand Review: What’s Worth It and What I’d Skip

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

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

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 Glossy Lip Staining Lip Oil in Rose, Caramel, and First Sari and Kulfi Lip Snack Glossing Lip Balm in Coconut Chum Chum

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.

Top Rephr Brushes for Perfect Eyeshadow Application – Reviewing Rephr Eye Brushes 01, 02, 12, 13, 15, 21, 29, and 33

Featuredby liftbakeloveLeave a Comment on Top Rephr Brushes for Perfect Eyeshadow Application – Reviewing Rephr Eye Brushes 01, 02, 12, 13, 15, 21, 29, and 33

Finding the right eyeshadow brushes can make such a huge difference in how your makeup applies, and Rephr has some of my favorites. Their brushes are high quality, work well with both creams and powders, and have thoughtful shapes that actually make sense for real application. I’ve tested a bunch of their brushes over time, and while I don’t think every single one is a must-have, there are some absolute standouts that I reach for constantly. Here’s my breakdown of the ones I own—what I love, what I don’t, and which ones I think are worth picking up. In this post, all links are affiliate links, but all opinions are my own, and I bought these myself. 

Brushes are shown here in the order they are listed below

01 – This is a perfect workhorse blending brush. It’s exactly the right size, shape, and density for any kind of blending you have to do. It doesn’t matter if you’re working on building up the crease, blending out edges, adding something to the inner corner, I can make this work. You can use it with powders or creams though I prefer this one for powder shadows. There’s honestly not that much to say about this brush because it does exactly what it promises to do and super well.

02 – This is firm eyeshadow shader brush that can work for both powders and creams. It’s not too firm (like the 21 I’ll talk about later) but is still dense enough to pick up enough shadow. It works really well for laying down pigment and is great for softly blending out cream shadows. I’m not a huge fan of this one for glittery shadows vs something like the Sonia G shader brushes (particularly the Soft Shader) but I love using it to build up a matte shadow in the outer corner or building a base with something the Merit Solo Shadows. This is because it’s a pretty small brush, at least for the size of my eyelid. Rephr does make a max version of this brush that I’m thinking of grabbing because I love the shape and density of it.

12 – This is a fairly chubby smudge brush that I like to use for either adding depth to the outer corner or building up an inner corner highlight area that’s less precise. I don’t like the way thick eyeliner looks on me, but if you’re into that look, you’d love this brush. I especially like using this one to pick up a dark brown cream shadow or liner for the outer corner really quickly when I’m in a rush vs trying to build up and blend out a powder shadow. It’s the largest pencil type brush I own – if you’re looking for something similar but smaller, I’d recommend the BK Beauty 207.

02 vs 12 so you can really see the different in the shape and size

13 – This is basically a tiny version of the 01 brush. It’s one of the smallest crease brushes that Rephr makes (they make a mini version of this that’s even smaller), and I love it when I’m trying to do something super precise. Like all the above brushes, this works with creams or powers and has a really great density level for both. It’s great for blending out shadows in smaller spaces or if you’re trying to powder a super tiny spot on your face. This one is the perfect balance of fluffy but tiny. That said, if I had to choose between the 01 and the 13 for me, I’d stick with the 01.

15 – This is a great tapered blending brush that’s slightly denser than the 01, making it perfect for adding depth to the crease while still being able to blend seamlessly. I love using this brush when I want more control over my blending—it’s not too fluffy, so it keeps pigment concentrated but still diffuses edges beautifully. It works well with both powders and creams, though I mostly use it for powders. If you find the 01 a little too soft or large for detailed crease work, the 15 is a great alternative. I find myself reaching for this a lot when I want a more defined look without harsh lines or when the 01 needs to be cleaned so they’re fairly similar.

21 – This was the very first brush I got from Rephr, and it actually took me a long time to try them again after this one. It’s my least favorite brush from them and the only one I wouldn’t recommend. All the other brushes I’m reviewing, if it’s something you’re looking for, I really do think you’ll love the brush and get a ton of use of it. The 21 is just too firm for me, and it never quite picks up shadows in the way I want it to. It says it’s specifically for shimmers and creams but I find that the 02 brush works way better for both of those. I might actually get rid of this one and get the max version of the 02 because I love having this shape of brush around but I don’t like the bristles they used.

29 – This is the kind of liner brush I prefer vs something like the 12 brush. I love having something I can use to line just the lash line with a cream shadow and not have to worry about it ever getting too thick. This brush is dense and stiff enough to pick up cream shadows but also works great with powders. I’ve also used it to fill in my eyebrows in a pinch! It’s not particularly unique if you already have a tiny liner brush, but if you’re in the market for one, this is a very high quality and effective one.

33 – This is a huge brush for an eyeshadow brush. It’s definitely the largest shadow brush I own, and I think that’s what makes it special. You can do a one shadow look so fast, whether you’re using cream, powder, or even blending out liquid shadow. I love using this when I’m in a rush but don’t want to get makeup all over my fingers so want to use a brush instead. You can also use this as a concealer brush or a powder brush in a pinch because it’s so large. I love the tapered shape of it to pick up, lay down, and blend out shadow. This is honestly one of my stand out favorites that I didn’t expect to love as much as I did because I’m not used to giant eyeshadow brushes. I’m so glad I grabbed this one because I end up using it all the time and always am so happy with how the look turns 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.

Vesca Review: Moonlit Dream Cream Eyeshadows and Lush Glow Creamy Lip Oil

by liftbakelove2 Comments on Vesca Review: Moonlit Dream Cream Eyeshadows and Lush Glow Creamy Lip Oil

I’ve wanted to try Vesca for awhile now, but I have a bunch of powder bronzers and highlighters to get through that I have not used in so long because I am all about cream products now. When I saw these eyeshadows and the lip oil though, I knew I had to try them. My only regret is not getting them sooner! I wanted to share a bit more about the products compare to some similar products/shades I already own.

Moonlit Dream cream eyeshadow in Carina and Lyra & Lush Glow Creamy Lip Oil in Ginger Lily

These eyeshadows are by far the easiest cream shadows I’ve ever worked with. I honestly love the packaging – it’s super easy to only get what you need, and I don’t have to worry about them drying out. The colors are perfect for a one shadow look (see below for swatches!), they stay blendable for long enough to get your look just right, and they dry down and don’t crease all day. Even with that dry down, I was able to add additional shadows on top, like glitter toppers, and they stuck on amazingly well. I tried them with and without primer, and they worked well both ways. As usual (for me), I did find the primer helped with making the colors brighter (I use a very light colored primer) and longevity. My only gripe with these is that they only come in 4 shades.

I own 76 lip products at the moment. It takes a lot for something to edge itself into my top 5 formula/color favorites, but this lip oil easily did it. It’s hard to explain the formula – it’s like a lip balm meets lip oil meets lip gloss, and I’m honestly obsessed with it. It’s super moisturizing, stays glossy for so much longer than I would have expected, and the color is just the right level of sheerness for me. If I didn’t own 75 other lip products, I would buy the whole range (let me know if you want me to review any other colors though – I will grab them if you comment below with a request!).

Vesca Lush Glow Creamy Lip Oil in Ginger Lily, Lisa Eldridge Gloss Embrace Lip Gloss in Muse, and Sephora Collection Melting Lip Click in Caramel from left to right

I had a hunch that these three would be fairly close in texture and formula, and they are – but they also aren’t. If you’re looking for something super sheer and slightly moisturizing, the Sephora Melting Lip Click will totally suffice. If you’re looking for something more moisturizing that will add color, you’ll be happy with either the Lisa Eldridge or the Vesca. The Vesca is a bit more sheer, but it stays glossier on the lips, so it’s up to personal preference which one you’d like better! I have to say that I don’t regret owning them all because they serve different functions for me. I would only repurchase the Lisa Eldridge and the Vesca products, and I want more shades in both formulas for sure.

Sephora Collection Melting Lip Click in Caramel, Lisa Eldridge Gloss Embrace Lip Gloss in Muse, and Vesca Lush Glow Creamy Lip Oil in Ginger Lily from left to right
Tom Ford Cream Color for Eyes in Spice, Vesca Moonlit Dream in Carina, Hourglass Scattered Light Glitter Eye Shadow in Reflect, and Vesca Moonlit Dream in Lyra from left to right

I also thought that it would be really helpful to compare the Hourglass Scattered Light and Tom Ford Cream Color for Eyes with these, both for texture and color. The Vesca is by far my favorite formula to work with – it doesn’t flake or have fall out like the Hourglass can and it’s way easier to blend and maneuver than the Tom Ford (though the shade I have is quite deep on me which may be part of the problem). They all do dry down and don’t budge and look beautiful on the eyes. In terms of color, the Vesca is more true to the rose gold and gold colors I expected and I would rather use the Vesca for a one and done look than either of the other two for that reason – as you can see form the swatches, they have a lot more dimension and texture than the others in a really good way.

Hourglass Scattered Light Glitter Eye Shadow in Reflect, esca Moonlit Dream in Lyra, Tom Ford Cream Color for Eyes in Spice, and Vesca Moonlit Dream in Carina from left to right

I’m so happy I picked these up, and I hope this review and comparisons were helpful! What do you want me to review next? Comment below!