I was going to write a big 2025 favorites of post, but I have a ton of round ups on here already. What I’m more excited to share is the best new to me brand I tried this year (which also happens to be the brand y’all voted for in my poll). I finally did a Vieve haul this Black Friday and feel like I’ve had enough time to test them and share reviews. Plus, their Boxing Day Sale will be live from Friday 26th December until Sunday 28th December with 40% off selected items. In this post, all links are affiliate links (thank you for your support!), but all opinions are my own.
Vieve Skin Nova Complexion Balm in 140 – I definitely want to call out up front that this is scented. It has a lemon verbena, kind of herbal tea vibe that I don’t mind, but if you’re sensitive to fragrance or just hate scented face products, this is one I’d probably skip. That said, it’s absolutely beautiful on the skin, so it’s worth it to me, and the scent fades pretty quickly. This blends in so easily, evens everything out, and makes my skin look hydrated and just prettier. It’s what I reach for when I want to look like I drank enough water and got enough sleep (vs something like the Prada foundation when I want to look like I have really perfect, made up skin). The site says medium, buildable coverage, but I’d personally call it light to medium. You can get a super sheer layer really easily and then build where you want it. It sets to a natural, almost satin finish that doesn’t stay tacky or pick back up the way a lot of tints/balms do, so I can throw it on and skip powder if I want. 140 is a little too saturated and peachy for me in the winter, but I think it’ll be perfect in the spring/summer. It blends so seamlessly you can’t really tell the shade isn’t a perfect match for me. I think 120 might be closer for the winter, but I can use a beigey green color corrector (this one is around $5) to make this work for me year round.
Vieve Modern Radiance Concealer in Light 1 – This concealer is so great because of both the color and the formula. It’s a little bit green in the best way, so it’s actually a warm olive concealer and looks so natural on my skin. This shade is perfect for under my eyes or anywhere I want a little brightening, and I’m planning on picking up a darker shade for the summer. I wish they had this type of shade in the complexion balm because the undertones are spot on. The formula is not too dewy or too matte. It blends out really fast and has enough coverage to actually cover, but doesn’t blank everything out and make you look uncanny. It layers really well over other products and itself, which is exactly what I want when I’m low on sleep and need to add coverage in places I might have missed. This has quickly risen to be one of my top 3 concealers, and I’ve barely touched my others.
Vieve Modern Radiant Cream Bronzer in Light 1 – This bronzer is also so perfect for green people. It has a slightly green, olive-leaning, neutral-warm tone that makes it look like I’ve actually gotten some sun recently. It doesn’t turn orange on me and just looks so natural. The formula is super easy to use and makes me not want to reach for my other bronzers. I can take a fluffy brush and slap it on or do a more targeted application with a dense brush, and it blends beautifully either way. I can also do a sheer layer or build it up. It’s just a super flexible formula. It also lasts really well and doesn’t disappear into my blush the way a lot of bronzers do on me. I’ve been testing a ton of cream bronzers and contours for olive skin, and this is the best one I’ve tried so far.
Vieve Sunset Blush Balm in Rosa – I am so impressed with this formula. As with all serum blushes, I recommend putting a little on the back of your hand and dipping your brush into that first before putting it on your cheeks, because that method will give you the most seamless application and the most control. This is sheer enough that you can still see your freckles through it but still looks like you’re wearing blush. The finish is the main reason I like this so much. It’s luminous and fresh without being sparkly or sticky. It blends out effortlessly, works beautifully for no makeup makeup days, and layers really well with bronzer and under a powder blush. I really do love this formula, but Rosa is not my best shade. On me, it pulls too peachy/coral (as I like to say, it goes Cheeto). I think it’s just too warm for my olive undertones. I’ll probably grab Cherub and Piazza to try next so I can find a shade I’ll reach for all the time.
Vieve Lip Dew in Original – This is genuinely one of my favorite lip gloss/balm hybrids. I’ve been collecting sparkly glosses lately (related, please let me know in the comments if you want a roundup because I’ve acquired a bunch of them). This one is absolutely one of the best I’ve tried so far. It’s super glossy while being also actually nourishing. The first time I tried it, I texted a friend because I couldn’t get over how long the moisturized feeling lasted. It makes your lips look hydrated and healthy without needing constant reapplication. The shimmer is perfect too. It makes your lips look amazing without any kind of gritty feeling, and it doesn’t read as aggressively glittery, as you can hopefully see in the swatches. I love it over a lip liner, and it’s also my go to fix if I try a matte lip that ends up too drying. I just pop this on top, and it makes it wearable. I’m definitely thinking about buying more shades of this one because the formula is so good.
Vieve Bounce Balm in Vanilla – I got this as a gift with purchase, and I’m happy to have it. I have a lot of lip balms (seriously, I have over 30 in front of me on my desk). This one lands right in line with most of the others. It’s effective, it keeps my lips nourished for a long time, and it smells really nice. It works really well an overnight lip mask since it lasts a long time and has a bunch of skincare ingredients. It is apparently a plumping lip balm, but I don’t really notice much plumping personally. Would I go out of my way to buy it over the other balms I already own? Probably not. Out of everything I tried from Vieve, this is the least standout because it’s not as uniquely good as the other products. If you’re already placing an order and you’re wondering if it’s worth adding though, it’s a very good, nourishing balm that lasts and does seem to leave my lips smoother when I use it.
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.
I was going to do a full “worst products of 2025” post, but honestly I didn’t have enough fails to do one. It was an amazing makeup year, and I’ve had way more great products than bad ones. That said, I’ve been collecting the products that really didn’t work for me in a bin all year, and these are the five that really stood out as not working for me (and what I’d recommend instead). In this post, all links are affiliate links (thank you for your support!), but all opinions are my own.
Instead of the Sephora Collection Color Shifter Strange Botanicals Palette, Try the Half Magic Eyeshadow Singles – This palette is such a cool concept. I bought it on sale because it was really inexpensive, and I thought it would be a fun way to try Sephora Collection palettes. But all of the mattes are patchy, hard to blend, and super uneven. The shimmer shade is fine, but pretty flat. It’s the kind of palette that makes you feel like you’re really bad at doing your makeup, and then you remember you own other shadows that basically apply themselves (like my beloved Byredo Bibilophilia palette).
The one topper shifter shade in the palette is actually really pretty (it’s the fifth shade in). It’s smooth, shifty, and performs well. But I think it’s better to just find your perfect shifty topper and buy that because you probably already own a bunch of mattes you love that perform way better. Specifically, I would recommend the Half Magic single shadows, especially since they have way more shades to choose from. I have Blushing Lizard, Wet Pebble, and Sparkle Puff. Look how much prettier and sparklier and smooth they are than the Sephora Collection Shades. I’d rather buy one amazing topper that can also be a gorgeous single shadow than buy a whole palette where I only reach for one pan.
Instead of the Make Beauty Heat Stroke Blush, Try the the Make Beauty Cream Stroke Blush – I wanted to love the dewy Make Beauty Heat Stroke Blush stick especially since I have dry skin. The formula ended up being more work than I want to do with a blush stick. The formula can get patchy and a little sticky, and even though the finish is nicely dewy, I don’t love how it sits on my skin. It also was really hard for me to find a shade that I thought would work well with my olive undertones, and even with Swelter being the best option I could find, it still doesn’t feel quite right on me.
Heat Stroke Blush in Swelter, Cream Stroke Blush in Major Mauve and Hypernude
The Cream Stroke Blush sticks, though, I’m so happy with. I have Major Mauve and Hypernude, and I love this formula so much more. It’s easy to swipe on, easy to blend, and the finish is blurring without being too matte. It’s not sticky at all and lasts much longer than the Heat Stroke blush. The shades also actually look great with my olive undertones. Major Mauve is a terracotta leaning mauve (they describe it as an “Earthy Mauve”) that works perfectly with my olive undertones. Hypernude is peachy beige that definitely leans orange/warm on me but is perfect for when I want to do a warm look on purpose because it doesn’t go all the way to Cheeto orange like a lot of blushes do. I’m so glad they came out with this new blush stick formula, and I’m planning on grabbing Chroma for the summer. If you’re looking for something dewier that has a great formula, I’d recommend the Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Dewy Flush.
Instead of the Ulta Beauty Collection Pressed Finishing Powder, Try the Canmake Abloom Face Powder – I was really excited about this one because I am always hunting for great affordable powders, and powders are my most read category on here. On my skin, the Ulta Beauty Collection finishing powder looked textured and drying without actually doing anything blurring, smoothing, or setting. It also feels a little too pigmented to work as a soft-focus finishing powder. If you’re looking for an Hourglass or Givenchy style powder, this is not the one. If you want to something similarly affordable that is actually a great finishing powder, I’ve been loving the Canmake Abloom Face Powder in shade 3. I’ve been using it just as much as my favorite luxury pressed powder from Givenchy, and it’s been working the exact same. Related, I’ll be doing a bunch of KBeauty reviews soon – let me know if there’s any products or brands you’re interested in reading about!
Instead of the e.l.f. Black Cherry Sheer Slick Lipstick, Try the Finding Ferdinand Delicious Balms – This one is supposedly a dupe for Clinique Black Honey, and I have worn variations of this shade family for years. Now that I understand my undertones and color theory better, I can see why it has always felt slightly off on me. I also know that it turns weirdly orange on some of you, and generally just isn’t a universal shade. Beyond the shade, I really do not like this formula. It feels a little drying, it does not apply as smoothly as I want a “sheer easy balm lipstick” to apply, it can look patchy, and it’s just not comfortable. And honestly, I didn’t love the original Clinique Black Honey formula either for the same reasons.
e.l.f. Black Cherry, Finding Ferdinand the Black Balm and Lucky Cat
The Finding Ferdinand Delicious Balms are absolutely what I’d recommend instead (and you can use my affiliate code liftbakelove10 for a discount.)I showed the Black Balm and Lucky Cat in the swatches, but there are more shades if you’re looking for something warmer, cooler, more berry, more lavender, etc. The formula is so much better. They go on smoothly, feel comfortable, actually nourish the lips, and they smell amazing. The shades feel more dialed-in and nuanced than all the Black Honey dupes, and it’s much easier to find something that works for your undertones. I also like mixing the Black Balm and Lucky Cat to get a deeper black cherry tone that works for me.
Instead of the Ulta Beauty Collection 5-Pan Eyeshadow Palettes, Try the Colourpop 9-Pan Palettes – Ulta’s small 5-pan palettes are absolutely fine for an affordable eyeshadow palette. There’s nothing terribly wrong with the one I have, but it’s also just not amazing. And since they’re $14, and ColourPop’s 9-pan palettes are also $14, I would go with a ColourPop 9 pan every time. Not only because the formula is better, but you also get more shades. The eyeshadows are easier to use, have more consistent pigmentation, and overall just more fun to work with. Hopefully you can see how the mattes in the ColourPop shades are smoother and more pigmented and the shimmers are sparklier. Both brands go on sale often, but even at full price, I would choose ColourPop every time for the formula. If you’re willing to spend a little more for a mini palette that feels truly high quality, I love the Natasha Denona minis. I absolutely love the Mini Retro and Mini Glam palettes, and I would happily spend the extra $10 for any of those.
ColourPop Going Coconuts on the top (plus the four on the right) and Ulta Beauty on the bottom of the first five
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.
Most of you know KackieReviewsBeauty and are here because of her (thank you for joining us over here!). She’s actually the person who came up with the name of this blog (because I’m literally her green friend). I’ve written a ton about why she’s awesome (like in this post here), but most importantly for this post is that she’s also one of the only reviewers I trust to recommend things based on what will work for her viewers. Kackie will get into the details like what undertones a shade will work best for, nuances about a product’s finish, what’s the best application style for it, etc., not just the products she personally loves. Normally I do a massive “Kackie Made Me Buy It This Year” roundup (and yes, I have that list… it’s really, really long). This post is about the products that are so perfect for me, especially with my olive undertones, that they make me want to throw away everything else in their category. In this post, all links are affiliate links (thank you for your support!), but all opinions are my own.
Byredo Bibliophilia Eyeshadow Palette – I watched Kackie’s video and my first thought was, “It’s probably fine, but I do not need another palette that expensive.” Especially because it has a few red shades, and it’s otherwise mostly basic browns. And then I kept thinking about it. And thinking about it. And thinking about it. Even when I got it in my hands, I was nervous because of the red tones in it. We literally texted back and forth about it because I just didn’t think it was going to work on me.
And then I tried it. I have never put on an eyeshadow look so quickly and had it look that good. I’ve been using it every day, and every look I come up with just looks so right on me. The thing I love most about this palette, other than the fantastic formula, is that the colors are so nuanced. If you want everyday browns with that lean a little cool or a little warm (but not too orange, grey, or green!), it’s perfect. The red shades, especially the burgundy, work on me way better than I expected because they have such nuanced tones to them. The lighter cream, beige, and grey shades blend everything together so well, and everything looks smooth and intentional even if I layer a ton of shades together. The sparkly wet look topper does pull a little green like Kackie said, but I love that. It brings out the brown in my eyes and makes everything look harmonious with my skin. I haven’t wanted to touch my other eyeshadow since I bought this, and I have an absurd amount of eyeshadow. Seriously, I have only worn this palette and nothing else since I got it. I really don’t think the swatches below do this palette justice with how smooth and blendable the formula is, how perfectly not quite matte the matte/satin shades are, and how sparkly the shimmers are.
The first 9 shades in the palette starting from left to right on the top row
The second 9 shades in the palette starting from left to right in the middle of the second row
If I were starting over, I’d buy this and maybe add one YSL quad for pinks and purples. I know that $115 is incredibly expensive for an eyeshadow palette, but you would need to spend $310 on the YSL quads to get to the same number of shades that’s in the Byredo palette. Danessa Myricks and Pat McGrath sell $128 palettes, Isamaya’s are $110, and Prada has $85 quads. In this price range, I’d choose the Byredo every time.
Vieve Modern Radiance Concealer in Light 1 – I have tried a bunch of concealers specifically because Kackie mentioned them, and honestly I’ve liked every single one. This one is so great because of the color and the formula. It’s a little bit green in the best way, so it’s actually warm olive concealer. It looks so natural on my skin. It is a little light for me, so I can’t use it all over my face instead of foundation, but it’s perfect for under my eyes or anywhere I want brightening. The formula is not too dewy or too matte. It blends out really fast and has enough coverage to actually cover, but doesn’t blank everything out and make you look uncanny. It layers really well too over other products and itself. Like everything on this list, once I started using it, I’ve barely wanted to reach for my other concealers, which is saying something because I have at least 10 at this point that I’m supposed to be testing.
Vieve Modern Radiant Cream Bronzer in Light 1 – I have so many great cream bronzers at this point that I really didn’t think this one would stand out. This one though really is special, just like Kackie told me it would be. It has a slightly green, olive-leaning, neutral-warm tone that makes it look like I’ve actually gotten some sun recently. It doesn’t turn orange on me and just looks so natural. The formula is super easy to use and makes me not want to reach for my other bronzers. I can take a fluffy brush and slap it on or a more targeted application, and it blends beautifully either way. I can do a sheer layer or build it up. It’s super flexible. It also lasts really well and doesn’t disappear into my blush the way a lot of bronzers do on me. I’ve been testing a ton of cream bronzers and contours for olive skin, and this is the best one I’ve tried so far.
Haus Labs Color Fuse Longwear Hydrating Glassy Lip + Cheek Blush Balm Stick in Glassy Cayenne and Glassy Cinnamon – I’m honestly still shocked by how much I love these. This formula has quickly become one of my favorites because it strikes that perfect balance between a cream and a balm blush. It melts right into the skin, blends beautifully over foundation or bare skin, and leaves behind a glow-from-within finish. The shade Glassy Cinnamon is a beigey peachy brown that somehow doesn’t turn Cheeto on me and just looks so natural. Glassy Cayenne is a rosy terracotta that adds life to my face while stayed muted enough for the kind of makeup looks I tend to wear. The formula feels nourishing but not sticky, and it dries down just enough to stay put all day without losing the glassy finish. It’s the blush I reach for when I want something that looks effortless but polished, and it layers really well with powders or other creams. The only caveat is they’re sheerer than a typical cream blush stick so keep that in mind. That’s worked well for me because it’s harder to go overboard when I’m running on 2 hours of sleep or am doing makeup in the car.
Westman Atelier Lit Up Highlight Stick in Biscuit – I actually had no plans to buy this until Kackie shoved it in my hands at her house because she knew it’d be perfect for me. I’ve tried so many highlighters that just look off on my skin and aren’t quite the right color. Biscuit is a perfect light beige that makes my skin look glassy and hydrated without any weird shifts happening. It really looks like my skin is naturally doing something nice, not like I applied a highlighter. It also doesn’t emphasize texture and doesn’t mess up any of the products that are underneath. I catch myself in the mirror and think it just looks so pretty. I have a few other highlighters that I really love, but this quickly has become my favorite. My only complaint is you can’t buy this shade at Sephora, so I had to grab it directly from Westman Atelier.
Merit Beauty Signature Lip Sheer Lip Liner in Brownstone – This one comes with an apology to Kackie because when she first raved about a sheer lip liner I told her, “that is totally not for me.” Especially since I’m so high contrast, I didn’t understand why I would want something sheer that wasn’t going to last very long. I bought it anyway to review for the blog after hearing about it on her channel a few times, and it’s now one of the only lip liners I’ve used since. It gives definition to my lips without a harsh line. The sheer quality makes it super easy to wear, and if you let it dry down before adding anything, it has surprisingly good staying power for a liner that doesn’t promise longevity. The shade Brownstone is my perfect every day slightly deep cool brown that works really well to add just enough contrast for it to be a natural looking but still an effective lip liner. My only tip is to not fuss with it too much or you can basically smudge it off. Especially, if you’re a lip liner and clear gloss person, this is the liner I’d pick.
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.
Blush is one of those things that instantly makes me look more awake, even on days when I’m running on no sleep and too much coffee. I’ve been testing a bunch of different formulas and new (to me) shades lately and wanted to share the ones I’ve actually been reaching for now that we’re solidly into the fall season. They all work well on my olive skin, blend easily, and make me look a little more alive without any extra effort. In this post, all links are affiliate links (thank you for your support!), but all opinions are my own.
Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Dewy Flush in Berry Flush – The one kind of blush that doesn’t usually work for me is a 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 my olive skintone, especially in the fall. It just gives that perfect “I’m cold” flush with very little effort, and it makes me look like I’ve had enough water. Be aware this has niacinamide and other skincare ingredients if you’re sensitive to those!
Make Beauty Cream Stroke in Major Mauve (*Gifted) – This has become my go to blush when I want something effortless but still pulled together. I apply this straight from the stick, and it glides on smoothly. I was surprised how easily and quick this blended out. You can use fingers or a brush, and it will take 5 seconds. It sets down enough to last all day without feeling too dry too dewy and just makes my skin look really nice because of how blurring it is. It’s one of the cream blushes I can trust not to move around, and it works well under any powder blush or highlighter I’ve layered on top. Major Mauve is a terracotta leaning mauve (they described it as an “Earthy Mauve”) that works perfectly with my olive undertones.
Rare Beauty Matte Bouncy Blush in Truth – As the name suggests, this matte blush has a squishy bouncy texture but goes on matte. It’s the most blurring and long-wearing of my bouncy blushes, so I reach for it when I know I’ll have a long makeup day. It has a silky finish that’s easier to apply than a traditional powder blush. It’s super buildable and layers well with other blushes or cream products without disturbing what’s underneath. Truth is a soft plum that I love when it starts to get colder in the fall. It’s such an easy shade for me to work with.
Soshe Blurring Pillow Blush in Speakeasy, Rosy Rest, Berry Smitten, and Copper Spice (*2 Gifted, 2 Purchased) – I have been loving all the shades of this blush. It’s so quick and easy to throw on, just like the Rare Beauty blush. Similarly, this formula is really blurring and lasts well all day. It has a natural finish that looks really nice on my dry skin, so that makes it a little more versatile than the Rare Beauty which is more matte. I love how all the shades work well with my olive undertones since I can usually only find a couple in a range that work for me. Berry Smitten (berry plum) and Copper Spice (warm terracotta) have been my favorite shades for fall, but I’d recommend all of them. Speakeasy (dusty mauve) Rosy Rest (dusty pink) are super easy for me to throw on when I want something more neural. I also love that you can buy just the refills and pop them in a magnetic palette, which is what I did with a few of mine.
Soshe blush refills in a magnetic palette
Westman Atelier Baby Cheeks Powder Blush Duo in Fizz/Jam – This duo has become one of my favorites lately. The formula feels silky and almost creamy for a powder. It’s super blurring, like most of these other blushes, but a bit harder to blend out than those. I mostly love this duo for the colors. Fizz is a bright watermelon pink that instantly wakes up my complexion, and Jam is a rich berry that adds depth and is especially perfect for fall. On my olive skin, both shades look super flattering, and I love mixing them together so I can make my cheeks more pink or berry depending on my eye look. This is definitely a splurge even when you consider it’s a duo. If I had to choose, I’d go with the Soshe Blurring Pillow Blush because it’s an easier formula to work with overall and has the same blurring quality without any of the dryness from being a powder blush.
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.
Sometimes (honestly, most of the time right now with a 9 month old), I can’t do a full makeup routine. I recently had to do a full face in the car, without any brushes, in under 10 minutes (my husband was driving, don’t worry!). I wanted to share the exact products I reached for that made it possible to still look put together. Each product is easy to apply with fingers, quick to blend, and reliable enough to last all day without any powder. In this post, all links are affiliate links (thank you for your support!), but all opinions are my own.
Basma The Foundation Stick in 35 (light skin with neutral olive undertones) – The stick isn’t too stiff, and I can use it to spot conceal just where I need to. 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, like in a car. Plus, since they have actual olive shades, I don’t need to use green color corrector with it. The left swatch is unblended and the right is blended – it starts out a bit intense, but blends out beautifully and matches my skin so well.
About Face Beach Freak Bronzer Stick in Beach Goth – This has quickly become one of my favorite cream bronzers because of how effortlessly it blends and how natural the finish looks. The formula has such a nice texture that melts into the skin without disturbing any makeup underneath. It’s a bit dewy as you can see in the swatch, which makes it easy to blend with my fingers before setting down into a soft, skin-like finish that never feels sticky or heavy. The color is beautifully balanced so that it’s warm enough to add life and dimension, but not so orange that it looks like I put Cheeto dust on my face. I love that it builds easily depending on how intense of a look I’m going for. It’s the kind of product I can swipe on in a hurry, blend with my fingers, and instantly look more put together.
Haus Labs Color Fuse Glassy Blush Balm in Glassy Cayenne- This is one of the easiest cream blushes to apply without a brush. It glides effortlessly onto the skin and blends out seamlessly with fingers. Glassy Cayenne is a deep warm rose that creates such a flattering, flushed look that instantly brightens my complexion without ever looking overdone. The formula has just enough of a natural, skin-like finish to look healthy, and it stays put throughout the day. It’s the perfect blush for a quick, no tools applications.
Make Beauty Infinite Hold Brow Gel – This continues to be my all time favorite tinted eyebrow gel, and it makes the perfect base for filling in with a pencil. The combo of this with the Rare Beauty Eyebrow Gel (mentioned later in this post) gives shape, color, and hold reliably. The spoolie makes this really easy to throw on, even in a moving car. The Cool Brown shade works really well for me, but I do wish they had more shades.
Benefit Precisely, My Brow Pencil in 5 – Because of an empty spot I have in one of my brows, I never skip this step, so I had to include both this and brow gels in my travel bag. I love this pencil because it goes on so quickly and naturally and the size makes it perfect to fill areas in fast but not overdo it. And unlike other pencils, it stays all day, so I don’t end up with a hole in my brow by the end of the day. This shade also works great for me, and I appreciate that they have a pretty wide range.
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. It’s my perfect last step to finish off my brows.
Makeup by Mario Master Mattes® Long-Wearing Cream Eyeshadow in Mauve – This shadow has quickly become a one and done favorite. The mauve shade is the perfect neutral on my skin tone and looks so polished with very little effort. You can tell in the swatch it ends up being essentially a neutral brown. It applies super easily, blends out quickly, and once it sets, it stays put all day without creasing. It’s exactly what I want in a liquid matte shadow. I also love how easy it is to get just a little bit off the doefoot because the formula is a little thick, which means you don’t end up with way too much that blends out all over your face. That also makes it super easy to use even in a moving car.
Rephr Lash Curler – I’ve tried so many lash curlers over this years, but this one is by far my favorite. It works with my eye shape really well which a lot of other curlers don’t seem to. It gets all of my lashes including the corners, and my lashes actually curl. It was also super easy to use even while the car was moving, which I appreciate. This one also never pinches my lashes or does anything weird.
Persona Tubing Mascara in Black – I love tubing mascaras for how easy they are to remove, but many of them are too heavy for my straight lashes to stay curled. This lengthens, separates, and holds a curl without smudging. It comes off with just warm water like all tubing mascaras. It took a few days for me to warm up to this one, but I’m really enjoying it. I’m currently putting together my tubing mascara recommendations, and this might make it to the top 3. That said, I still prefer the one from Finding Ferdinand or Em Cosmetics.
Peptide Glow Hydrating Lip Treatment in Brûlée (*PR) – The texture of this balm is really smooth and thick (in a good way) and feels incredibly hydrating. It’s almost like a lip gloss in the form of a balm. It sits comfortably on the lips without feeling sticky or heavy. Brûlée is a sheer warm nude that adds just enough tint to make my lips look more even, but it still feels super low-effort. It turns pretty pink on me as you can see in the swatches, but I actually really like that for a “my lips but better” kind of look. It’s not the longest-wearing lip balm I’ve ever tried, but it wears off evenly, leaves my lips feeling soft and nourished, and I don’t feel like I need to use another balm after it’s worn off. One note – this has a coconut/beachy scent which is a little strong. I love this balm enough to look past it, but if you’re not a scent person, I’d recommend the Queen Musia Skincare Supercharged Tinted Hydrabalm in 1993 instead.
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.
I’ve been slowly working my way through some Versed products and wanted to share my thoughts now that I’ve tested them over multiple weeks. I really appreciate how accessible the brand is, both in price point and availability, even though these products didn’t fully work for me. Let me know if you’d like me to review any more brands like this or have other requests! As always, all links are affiliate links (thank you for your support!), but all opinions are my own.
Skin Solution Multi-Serum Skin Tint SPF 40 in shade 2N and 4W – The application is super quick and easy since the formula spreads evenly and the shade 4W is one of the best matches I’ve found in a mineral sunscreen-based tint in awhile. 2N was way too light for me, so if you’re a similar shade, I would keep that in mind. In thin layers, this gave me a really natural, lightweight finish that reminds me of the Armani Skin Tint. It’s just enough to even out my skin tone without looking like makeup. The main issue is that if I apply even a little too much, it quickly looks both oddly wet and simultaneously cakey and dry in certain spots. The Armani Skin Tint (and others I’m testing) never have this issue. It can also feel a bit drying with a heavier application. That said, when I keep it sheer, it wears impressively well throughout the day. After several full-day tests, I was honestly surprised by how fresh it still looked in the evening, as long as I hadn’t over-applied. Given how finicky this is, it’s not my first choice, but it’s definitely worth trying if you’re looking for an SPF skin tint that you can throw on in the morning in a light layer. Something like the Ciele tint (which I really love) is more than twice the price, and the Versed comes in a solid number of shades.
Warm Dimension Bronzer Stick in August – The shade I tried is very wearable for my olive undertones. I appreciate that it’s warm without leaning too orange. The formula has a decent color payoff, but I needed to build it up quite a bit to get the level of pigment I wanted. It also sets more quickly than the About Face bronzer stick I’ve been reaching for lately, which means I have to blend pretty quickly or it can start to look patchy. Once I take the time to blend it in, the finish is seamless and looks really nice. It’s not my favorite bronzer formula overall, but I think it’s a solid option if you like a cream stick that sets down and doesn’t stay overly dewy. The About Face stick is only $4 more so I’d recommend that one personally. A side note – the bronzer fell out of the tube, and I had to smush it back in which is why the container looks so messy.
Bronzer in August, Blush in Deco and Cozy, Lip Serum in Bake
Shade Swipe Blush Stick in Cozy and Deco – The blush formula glides on easily and blends out without much effort, but I do notice some patchiness depending on the base I’m wearing underneath. It can be built up or sheered out, but I find they take a little extra blending if you build them up too much. Cozy is a nice, classic winter-berry tone I normally love as we head into the fall months. That said, I actually ended up preferring the shade Deco, which is a bright pink. Even though I usually gravitate toward berry shades, Deco ends up being more flattering on me and looks a bit fresher once applied. Similar to the bronzer, this is just a little more work than I want vs some of my other favorite cream blushes, but out of the complexion products, these are definitely my favorites and what I’ve used the most. The Merit blushes are double the price, but I much prefer that formula.
Soft Gloss Tinted Lip Serum in Bake – This was the standout of everything I tried. It feels like a hybrid between a lip gloss and a balm in stick form so it’s super moisturizing with a glossy, slightly sheer finish. The shade Baked is a really flattering neutral that works for everyday wear. It looks a bit warm in the swatch but it’s sheer enough that it works really well mixed with my natural lip color. I love that I can swipe it on without a mirror, and it still looks great. It does have a light minty tingle, which I don’t mind, and I think it adds a nice freshness. The closest comparison I can make is the Hourglass Glossy Balm, but this is much more affordable while still delivering a similar feel and look.
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.
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.
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.
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.
As part of getting to know my collection (I’m doing an un-announced 2023 no buy!), I want to spend more time reviewing all the products I have. Next up is all the newer brushes I own from BK Beauty that I got over the holidays. I wanted to thoroughly test these products to provide a more detailed review of them which is why I waited to long, but I’ve gotten a ton of use out of them so if you have any questions I haven’t addressed, please ask in the comments! As always, thank you so much for being here, and it would mean so much to me if you subscribe here or on Instagram @liftbakelove for new posts! All links are affiliate links, but all opinions are my own, and I bought these myself.
109 Mini Contoured Foundation – This is a mini version of one of my favorite BK Brushes, the 101 Contoured Foundation brush. Like its larger counterpart, this brush is the perfect shape for so many things – concealer, bronzer, blush, highlighter, etc. Because of the angle and the shape, I can be precise with it but still blend super quickly. This is one of my favorite brushes for cream bronzer and blush in particular, and I love using the top edge for cream highlighter. The density is perfect and doesn’t “eat up” too much product. I still love the regular sized 101 brush, but this is a great counterpart for when I want something more precise of the same shape.
110 Large Concealer – This is far and away my favorite brush from the core line extension. I’m honestly considering buying an extra one day so I can keep one in rotation while the other one is drying after I clean it or so I can use one for cream products and one for powder. My favorite way to use this brush (since I only have one) is to set under my eyes and any spot concealing with powder. It really does function like the perfect mix between a brush and a sponge, and it makes any powder look better than it would’ve. It’s the perfect shape specifically for the undereye area, and it just feels really nice to use. If you only got one of these brushes, I’d pick this one (although some of the others are a very close second).
111 Dense Bronzer– This is such a perfect bronzer brush when you want something a bit smaller than some of the bigger BK brushes, like the 102, but that is still big enough to quickly apply bronzer everywhere on your face. Its tapered shape is so helpful for getting both precise application and seamless blending that looks natural. I love that this size helps me not go overboard (which I definitely can do with bronzer) while still actually imparting color. This brush also is a great blush and powder blush if you want something that covers a bit more surface area than something like the 112 (which I’ll cover next).
112 Small Angled Face Brush – While I have no regrets getting the whole extension set, this is my least used brush of the 9. Like all these brushes, it’s soft, high quality, and very effective at what it does. I just tend to use other brushes more than this one because this brush lends itself really well to a precise contour application, which is a step I frequently skip. It’s also great for powder highlighter whereas I tend to use cream highlighters more often. It also can be used for powdering under the eyes or around the nose in a pinch, but I like the 110 and 113 better for that. If you’ve been looking for a small angled brush though, this one is great for what it is.
113 Small Flat Powder Brush – Similar to the 110, this is such a great brush for pressing in powder. It’s the perfect size for precise powder placement, and the flat side really presses in powder products so well. The top and other side of the brush work really well for powder blush and highlighter, which makes it a little more versatile than the 110. I think it’s a bit too small for bronzer, but it does work really well for precise contour placement. I still have used the 110 more often, but I do love how I can use the 113 for a variety of blending in powders on my whole face.
209 Mini Shader Brush – I love how small yet effective this brush is. It’s the perfect size to get a precise placement in the outer or inner corner of the eye. Its dense, firm bristles are perfect for packing on color and laying down eyeshadow so you get the impact you want. It’s also perfect for lining the bottom lash line or even the top lash line because the top is tapered. Between the 209 and 210, I find this one more versatile even though I love them both.
210 Mini Pencil Brush – This does everything the 209 brush can do but even more precise since it’s even smaller. I find that because it covers less surface area, I don’t use it as much, but it’s still a super effective eye shadow brush. It’s a bit flat on one side, which makes it more versatile than other pencil brushes I have since I can use it for super precise placement of pigment as well as for smudging shadow.
211 Detail Blender Brush – This is a really great crease brush. It’s dense enough to lay down color but fluffy enough to blend out that color seamlessly. It’s a great size for precise crease blending for my eye shape because I can avoid getting shadow everywhere and really keep it where I want it. Although the 212 is more effective for me for one and done looks, this brush can do that as well, especially if I want a really subtle wash of color.
212 Medium Blender – I have been loving this brush for one and done shadow looks. The description says “the 212 brush is designed for a one size fits all to use as the first brush to lay your transition shade into the crease, and its rounded tip allows for a soft, airbrushed blending.” It does exactly this and does such a good job at it. I love how fast it makes doing a one shadow look that still looks like I put in effort. This is the eye brush I’ve gotten the most use out of in this extension, but I do love them all.
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.
Makeup and Skincare Reviews 