Tag: cream blush

BK BEAUTY BRUSHES REVIEW: Core Line Extension (109, 110, 111, 112, 113, 209, 210, 211, 212)

Featuredby liftbakelove2 Comments on BK BEAUTY BRUSHES REVIEW: Core Line Extension (109, 110, 111, 112, 113, 209, 210, 211, 212)

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 (affiliate link) 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.

July 2022 Beauty Favorites

Featuredby liftbakeloveLeave a Comment on July 2022 Beauty Favorites

I can’t believe July is already over, and it’s time for another round of favorites! I As always, I’m only featuring products in my favorites that are true favorites that I’ve been using consistently for longer than a couple months. If there’s anything you were looking for a review on or a topic that you want me to cover, please let me know if the comments below! And, of course, 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.

Wondergloss Collagen Lip Oil – This lip oil reminds me so much of the Dior Lip Oil but is so much more nourishing and a fraction of the price (the Beauty Pie is around $8 and the Dior is $35). It’s hydrating, comfortable, and not sticky while still providing that shiny and glossy effect. I have the four shades – Jammy (berry), Nude Nectar (brown-rose), Sunhazed (cool-toned bronze with a hint of shimmer), and Naked Peach (peach with a hint of shimmer). All of them are sheer enough to use as a glossy topper for most of my lipsticks and lip liners but still pigmented enough to provide some color if I’m not wearing anything else. It also smells like vanilla in the best way, and I get so much joy from it every time I use it.

Wondergloss Collagen Lip Oil –Jammy, Nude Nectar, Sunhazed, and Naked Peach

 Salt New York Lilac and Tangerine Crème Tint Pro – These were a limited-edition duo launched last year, and I have been loving using them now that we’re really in the heart of summer. I have been doing a ton of monochromatic mauve/purple looks with Lilac and bright orange, bronzy looks with Tangerine and having so much fun. Even though these are bolder colors than I usually reach for, they are a bit sheer which makes it easy to not go overboard (hopefully you can see in the swatches below). These are super versatile, and as with all Salt New York products, the formula is beautiful – buildable, dewy without shimmer, and super easy to blend.

From top to bottom: Salt New York Crème Tint Pro in Lilac and Tangerine

ELF Prime & Stay Finishing Powder (Fair/Light)– This powder really surprised me. It’s less than $5 and performs honestly even better than some of my high-end powders. It has a tiny bit of luminosity to it, so it sets without mattifying too much, and it’s the perfect hybrid between a finishing and setting powder. I love using this for all over my face and to set all my cream products without getting rid of any of their dewiness. I even recommended this to my friend to use on her wedding day (I was doing her makeup and wanted something that would stay all day), and her makeup held up through the ceremony and all the dancing at the reception well past midnight. I am continually incredibly impressed by how well this powder works!

Persona Dreamstick Cream Blush in Bubble – This formula is incredibly thin and creamy which makes them super easy to work with. They blend out so quickly with fingers, a brush, or a sponge. The color Bubble looks super bright in the package and in a thick swatch but it’s just the perfect “I’m awake and healthy and hydrated” color for me without having to think about it. I also love using this to brighten up a look that’s gotten too warm. These aren’t sticky but don’t dry down completely matte – a very skin-like finish.

Persona Dreamstick Cream Blush in Bubble

DS&Durga Rose Atlantic – I am absolutely terrible at describing scents so I’m going to copy in exactly what the website says: This scent isn’t just a rose. It has the ocean, delicate petals, the green stem, the waxy leaves, and the fresh idyllic powder of summertime. It is an everyday perfume.
I completely agree – this is my new favorite every day perfume. It’s perfectly ocean-y with sea salt spray and a summer breeze (my favorite) with just a hint of floral to make it unique. I’m so happy I bought the Discovery Set because otherwise I would have just gotten Debaser and never known how amazing Rose Atlantic is.

What were your favorites this month? 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.

June 2022 Beauty Favorites

Featuredby liftbakelove3 Comments on June 2022 Beauty Favorites

I can’t believe June is already over, and it’s time for another round of favorites! I’m sorry I’m about a week late – life got a little busy, but hopefully this is still useful. As always, I’m only featuring products in my favorites that are true favorites that I’ve been using consistently for longer than a couple months. If there’s anything you were looking for a review on or a topic that you want me to cover, please let me know if the comments below! And, of course, 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.

BK Beauty x Angie Hot flashy Concealer Brush – This has really densely packed bristles which I really appreciate for applying products under my eyes. It’s also designed to mimic the shape of your fingertip, and I find that it makes it like I’m blending out with my finger but without losing any coverage. Because of the shape, it’s also super easy to get into harder to reach spots. I’ve been using it every day with my undereye corrector, and it helps so much when I’m attempting to correct my dark circles. It also works great for spot concealing given how precise you can get with it.

Merit Signature Lip Lightweight Lipstick in 1990 – I know everyone has been talking about these, but it’s for a good reason! The formula is just amazing – it’s semi-sheer but buildable without settling into any lip lines. It’s a satin matte finish that doesn’t slide around and wander onto my face like other formulas that are popular right now tend to do. Despite the finish, it’s still very comfortable and nourishing. 1990 is a neutral deep brown that is actually fairly unique to my collection, and I love using it to balance out super pink eye/cheek looks or over the top bronzy looks.

Merit Signature Lip Lightweight Lipstick in 1990

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 – let me know if you want a ranking post!). 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.

Blush Divine Radiant Cheek & Lip in Ophelia, Foxglove, and Azalea– This formula is incredibly pigmented, opaque, and thick (like a balm), which I actually appreciate. It doesn’t need to be built up because it’s so pigmented but can still be layered with other cream blushes because it blends so easily. Because of its thickness, it has great staying power and even manages to keep its dewy (but not shiny) finish for hours. I love that you can just buy the refills for about half the price, and they pop into a magnetic palette super easily. I have the shades Ophelia (“true pink”), Foxglove (“warm terracotta”), and Azalea (“berry”). Ophelia is my most used because I’ve really been into a pink looks lately, but I find all the shades work well for me, and I’ve been using all of them a ton this month now that it’s getting truly into summer.

Blush Divine Radiant Cheek & Lip in Ophelia, Foxglove, and Azalea

Beauty Pie Awesome Bronze Gradual Tan Drops – I’m still a bit terrified of actual self-tanning products, so this has been a great way to tan my body without having to worry about going overboard. I’ve been mixing it in with my body lotion and love how my arms and legs look – you can no longer tell I haven’t seen the sun in months and months, but it still looks like my skin. This doesn’t have any kind of scent and doesn’t stain clothes or sheets. It’s also only $14 if you’re a member for quite a large bottle that I know will last me all summer.

What were your favorites this month? 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.

If I Could Only Keep One – What’s the One Beauty Product From Each Category I’d Choose?

Featuredby liftbakeloveLeave a Comment on If I Could Only Keep One – What’s the One Beauty Product From Each Category I’d Choose?

I was inspired by this video from Kackie Reviews Beauty where she went through the one product she would choose if she could only choose one per category. This was way harder than I expected it to be! As expected, I really struggled choosing just one blush and just one lip product (so I cheated and did liner, lipstick, and lip gloss). I’m planning on doing this once a quarter because I wrote a draft of similar theme months ago, and the products I would choose totally changed, and I think that would be a fun way to explore my “top shelf” items every few months.

Auric Glow Lust in Selenite – This product is my favorite for making my skin look amazing no matter what’s going on with it. Even if my skin is dull and dehydrated and not looking its best, Glow Lust will make it look glowy, smooth, and moisturized. Every time I wear it, I instantly feel more confident, especially for video meetings because Glow Lust reflects so beautifully and distracts from anything else going on. Of all of my glowy, liquid products, this is definitely my favorite of the bunch. I use it as a primer, mixed in with foundation, and as a highlighter, and it works amazingly well for all of those purposes. For this, I would choose Selenite because I can use it as a foundation as well as a primer right now, but in the middle of winter, I could probably get away with Morganite.

Auric Glow Lust in Morganite and Selenite

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!

Ilia True Skin Serum Concealer in Arrowroot – I have been loving this concealer ever since I got it. It has a very hydrating feel and finish without being too glossy or dewy. It’s light to medium coverage which matches with the coverage level I prefer for my foundations.  Despite being so hydrating, it’s long-wearing and non-creasing throughout the day. It’s also incredibly blendable and easy to work with. I can use it under my eyes, for spot concealing, or all over as a light coverage foundation, and it works great. I’m so glad I have this one!

Ilia True Skin Serum Concealer in Arrowroot

Kosas Cloud Set Baked Setting & Smoothing Powder – This powder is really so amazing, and I know I posted about it super recently because I love it so much. I have it in the shade Airy, but because of how sheer it is, I’m sure Breezy or Feathery could have worked for me as well. It has a tiny bit of luminosity to it so it sets without mattifying too much, and it’s the perfect hybrid between a finishing and setting powder. I love using this for all over my face and to set all my cream products without getting rid of any of their dewiness.

Salt New York Sculpt + Bronze Crème Tint Pro in Light/Medium and Kjaer Weis Blush in Blossoming

Salt New York Sculpt + Bronze Crème Tint Pro in Light/Medium – I’ve been mentioning the Salt New York crème tint pro bronzer a ton lately, and it’s because it’s really become a staple in my everyday makeup routine. It blends out incredibly easily and seamlessly, feels like nothing on the skin, and looks so natural on me. It’s my favorite formula for when I need a “I’m running late and need something easy” look, which is every day right now. It blends out so quickly with a brush, sponge, or fingers and never looks patchy which is great when I’m behind on washing my brushes. This honestly might end up being the first cream color cosmetic product I hit pan on ever, and I wouldn’t be surprised.

Kjaer Weis Blush in Blossoming – This formula has the perfect balance between blendable and long-wearing. It’s so easy to work with, create impact, and stays all day. The first time I used one of these, I was shocked to find that it was still on my cheeks after wearing makeup for over 15 hours. I love that I can just buy a refill without the extra packaging and put it in my Salt New York empty palette, and that it’s still around $30 even for a luxury product. I’ve been loving the shade Blossoming, and I think it could be my one and only blush super easily with how flattering it is for me. It’s a beautiful rosy, warm pink that is a great match with the pink and brown looks I tend to gravitate towards.

Beauty Pie Triple Beauty Luminizing Wand – This blends so easily and quickly and creates a sophisticated glow without glitter. It’s a perfect wash of light-catching pigment and is also blurring. It looks great as a finishing touch to any look I’ve used it in, and I love that it looks great on the cheeks, brow bone, inner corner, or anywhere else I want it to go. I can apply it straight from the wand or use my fingers or a brush and it works great. It only comes in one shade but I think this shade would work for a lot of people because it’s so sheer. Compared to $38 for the Charlotte Tilbury version of this, it’s incredible that this only costs $9.18. I honestly would’ve thought this was a luxury product down to the packaging, and I can’t believe it’s less than $10.

Beauty Pie Triple Beauty Luminizing Wand

Pat McGrath Bronze Seduction Mothership Palette – Of all my palettes, I think I’d be able to get the most out of this, and it’ll give me everything I want (except a neutral glitter topper). It’s a color story that seems perfectly made for me with the bronzes, browns, pinks and purples that go really well with brown eyes. There also aren’t any super colorful shades which makes this a great everyday palette where I can actually use almost every single shade. It has 10 shades of varying finishes including mattes, shimmers, and glitters. I didn’t have any issues with any of the shades – they were all richly pigmented, blendable, had great lasting power, and had little fall-out.

Bronze Seduction  swatches

Benefit Precisely, My Brow Pencil – Because of a sparse area I have in one of my brows, I never skip this step, so I had to include both this and a brow gel. 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.

Rose Inc Brow Renew in Clear – I’ve been reaching for it over my other brow products and loving the result. I have giant, thick brows that look overdone super quickly, and I honestly didn’t realize how much a clear brow gel could make them look put together and “done” without overwhelming my face. It doesn’t feel crunchy or sticky but has great staying power like the rest of these products. Because of my big brows, the applicator is also perfect for me vs the usual tiny brow applicators. It makes applying this so fast and easy to get my brows into shape. Even though this is clear, it’s definitely the brow gel I would choose if I could only choose one.

Thrive Causemetics Liquid Lash Extensions Mascara in Brynn – This continues to be the best mascara I’ve ever used and would obviously be the one I’d choose if I could only choose one. It makes my lashes look amazing, doesn’t smudge, and actually holds a curl. The best part is that it washes off so easily and quickly. I have no idea how many of these I’ve been through (I always get the travel size sets during the holidays), and I can’t even think of another mascara I would pick.

Make Up For Ever Artist Color Pencil in Wherever Walnut – I actually have so many different lip liners, and it’s one of the categories I struggled with much more than I expected. At least right now, I would choose this one if I could really only have one. The Bite liners were a close second, but given that they are discontinued and no longer available, my choice for this year is this Make Up For Ever pencil. The formula is creamy without being slippery and helps define my lips without drying them out. I particularly like this color because it adds depth to my lighter colors and helps retain the shape for darker colors. It’s super neutral and so it doesn’t conflict with almost any look I want to do.

Lisa Eldridge Velvet Matte Lipstick in Velvet Muse– This formula is the most comfortable matte lipstick I’ve tried – they’re not drying at all, have the staying power I expect from a matte lipstick, and looks velvety smooth on the lips. They’re highly pigmented and blurring and cover the lips in one swipe. I love the shade Velvet Muse, which is described as a smoky rosewood. It’s got the perfect amount of brown and pink for me, and I find that it’s one of the shades of lipstick I have that goes with almost every look I want to do.

Fitglow Lip Serum in Gospel – Gospel is described as a warm berry, and it’s super in my comfort zone. It’s so easy to slap on with any of my usual makeup looks and is the perfect amount of pigmented for me. Aside from how well the color fits with most of the looks I like to do, FitGlow is always a go-to for me when I’m not sure what I want to wear because of the nourishing, thick, hydrating, long-lasting formula. It’s definitely my favorite lip gloss formula, and even if it wasn’t this shade, I’d pick something in this formula if I could only keep one.

If you could only choose one of each product, what would you choose? Let me know if there’s anything else you’d like to see here on LiftBakeLove, and thanks for reading! As always, some links may be affiliate links that support the blog, but all reviews/opinions are completely my own and unsponsored.

I Shopped My Stash and Found 5 Products I Love But had Totally Forgotten About

Featuredby liftbakeloveLeave a Comment on I Shopped My Stash and Found 5 Products I Love But had Totally Forgotten About

As part of my no-buy year, I’m trying to really get to know and love my collection, and part of that is diving back into my collection to re-fall in love with products I already have (or realize they don’t work for me). These are 5 products that I recently dug back out and realized how much I love them, and I’m so excited to be getting more use out of them! And, of course, 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.

Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Foundation in Shade 4 – This is what inspired this post. I started wearing this again (honestly because I’ve had it for years and want to finish it before it expires), and I was reminded about how amazing it makes my skin look. It has exactly the the right amount of coverage (light to medium and buildable), looks glowy but not oily, and lasts all day. I was actually shocked that it lasted over 14 hours and looked exactly the same as when I applied it. I had to really build up this swatch because a light layer blended seamlessly into my skin, but as you can see, it’s definitely buildable. I’m so glad I pulled this back out!

Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Foundation in Shade 4

Natasha Denona Puff Paint Liquid Blush – This is a liquid blush serum that dries down but keep its beautiful sheen – you can see how dewy it looks on my swatch above. I love using it as a finishing touch after I apply other cream blushes to add some brightness and shimmer-free shine. It never disturbs anything underneath it and is just the right amount of pigmentation to use in this way. I have it in the shade Darya, which is a bright melon color that is really unique to my collection, and I never think to reach for. But using it again – wow, I love how much it brightens up my face and how easy it is to use.

Natasha Denona Puff Paint Liquid Blush in Darya

W3ll People Superpowder Brightening Powder – This was my go-to before I got the Kosas Cloud Set powder, and I started using it again just to switch it up. I love it just as much as I did before! I like to use this powder as a last step before my setting spray to clean up and brighten any areas that might need it. It’s super useful as a way to correct going too far with blush or bronzer without adding coverage or mattifying your skin. It’s been really nice to use even in conjunction with other powders because I can use this to brighten vs just set.

Vesca Lush Glow Creamy Lip Oil in Ginger Lily – I honestly completely forgot I owned this because I just have so many lip balms and oils right now. I started using it again recently, and I was reminded about how amazing it is. The formula is like the perfect combo of a lip balm, lip oil, and lip gloss. 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. I’ve found this so easy to apply throughout the day, and the color works so well with so many blush and eyeshadow combinations!

Vesca Lush Glow Creamy Lip Oil in Ginger Lily

Holo Taco Glitter Polishes – This is more of a category, but I had totally forgotten about how much I love this polish formula. I used them for this tropical flower nail art and was so happy with how it turned out. Especially in the sun, the glitter formula is so sparkly and holo. I do have to do 3 coats for full coverage, but that’s very expected for glitter/jelly shades. I tend to use these glitters in the winter because they remind me of holiday time, but I will definitely need to keep using the lighter shades like Play Rose, Menchie the Cat, and Gliterally Purple more often in the spring and summer!

What other products would you like to see an in-depth review of? Let me know in the comments below! 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.

Shopping My Stash instead of Shopping the Sephora Sale

Featuredby liftbakelove8 Comments on Shopping My Stash instead of Shopping the Sephora Sale

The Sephora sale is coming up on April 1st, and there’s about to be a ton of Sephora sale recommendation videos and blog posts. Since I’m on a no-buy this year, I went through my wishlist and then looked into my collection to find something I already own that can do the same thing. I hope this inspires you to shop your stash instead of shopping the sale too! And, of course, 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.

Wishlist: Item Beauty Air Hug Clean Lightweight Full-Coverage Concealer | What I already own: Ilia True Skin Serum Concealer in Arrowroot
The Item Beauty concealer wasn’t on my radar until Kackie Reviews Beauty started talking about it, and now it’s one of my most wanted products. It sounds amazing – hydrating, long-wearing, non-creasing, smoothing, and blendable. The good news for me is that I already have a concealer that has all those qualities already. I got the Ilia concealer a while ago and have really been loving it for all the reasons I’m sure I would love the Item Beauty one. Instead of buying another concealer, I’m going to get more use out of the one I already have. I’m also not sure there’s a shade match for me in the Item Beauty concealer – 100 looks too cool and light and 110 looks too dark, so I’m glad I already have a concealer I love.

Ilia True Skin Serum Concealer in Arrowroot
Item Beauty Concealer Swatches from the Sephora Website

Wishlist: Merit Signature Lip Lightweight Lipstick in Slip | What I already own: Finding Ferdinand custom brown lipstick
I put the Merit lipsticks on my wishlist right when they launched, and I started seeing the rave reviews of the hydrating, not too pigmented, satin formula. In particular, Slip looks like a great shade for me and is described as a warm neutral shade. I realized that it looks like such a great shade for me because it’s very similar to a Finding Ferdinand lipstick I custom made for myself. I love this shade so much – it’s the perfect neutral warm brown that looks right at home on me. The Finding Ferdinand shade is a bit more dewy and and hydrating (at least as far as I can tell from the swatches), which I actually prefer. It’s also a bit warmer, but that works for me! I’d much rather get more use out of my custom shade than grab yet another lipstick.

My Finding Ferdinand Custom shade
Slip from the Sephora website

Wishlist: Tom Ford Cream and Powder Duo in Naked Bronze | What I already own: Tom Ford Cream Color for Eyes in Spice and Bodyography Glitter Pigment in Off the Hook
I’ve had the Tom Ford Naked Bronze duo on my wish list for so long – I don’t even remember what first made me want to buy it. It looks like the perfect bronzey cream and topper that would make for a day or night one shadow look depending on which you use or a super dimensional look when used together. I happen to already own Tom Ford Spice, which I have to imagine is super similar in formula to the Naked Bronze cream. It’s also a very similar dark metallic brown shade, even though it’s definitely not an exact dupe. Bodyography Off the Hook seems like a great shade pair with it as a topper. It’s a beautiful taupey bronze glitter topper that matches the opacity of the Naked Bronze topper. I’m honestly super excited to play with this duo instead of buying something new even if it isn’t exactly the same color story.

Bodyography Glitter Pigment in Off the Hook and Tom Ford Cream Color For Eyes in Spice
Naked Bronze from the Sephora website

Wishlist: Melt Cream Blushlight in Golden Hour | What I already own: Em Cosmetics So Soft Blush in Lychee
Golden Hour is described as a bright coral cream with golden pearl, and while Lychee isn’t quite the same, I think I could get a very similar effect. I love the Melt Cream Blushlight formula (I already have two) and have had Golden Hour on my wishlist for awhile. But in looking in my collection, the So Soft Blush in Lychee looks like it’ll give me the same effect. Lychee is a warm melon that is quite golden and peachy, and while it doesn’t have any shimmer like the Blushlight, it is a very radiant formula. I also think I could mix Lychee with my Melt Cream Blushlight in Polished to get an even closer effect to what I’d get from Golden Hour. The So Soft formula is so 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, and it’s one of the longest wearing cream blushes I own. For those reasons, I’d absolutely rather get more use out of Lychee than buy another cream blush.

Em Cosmetics So Soft Blush in Lychee
Golden Hour from the Sephora website

What are you shopping for and do you already own something similar that you can use instead? Let me know in the comments below! 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.

MY 9 FAVORITE PRODUCTS UNDER $30

Featuredby liftbakelove1 Comment on MY 9 FAVORITE PRODUCTS UNDER $30

As part of my no-buy year, I’m trying to really get to know and love my collection and starting a “favorite products under $X series” to help me in that process. I’ll be doing posts every month for different dollar amounts, and I’m so excited to dive into my collection in this way. This time, I’m writing about my favorite products under $30. I would love see your favorites and recommendations for under $20 beauty products 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 or on Instagram @liftbakelove for new posts.

Glossier Futuredew ($24) – This continues to be one of my favorite products, and it’s one of the only things I consistently use every day in my makeup routine. It provides the most amazing glossy, hydrating base that makes me look like I drank enough water (and if you know me, you know I have never had enough water). It works beautifully with any foundation, concealer, and powder combo I put on top of it and makes them look way better on my skin – no dry patches, no clinging, no flatness. I’ve also used it mixed in with other base products to sheer them out a little bit and make them more hydrating, and that works great too.

Melt Cosmetics Cream Blushlights ($22) – I have the shades Polished (warm pink) and Daydreamer (rich cinnamon), and I love having both a warm and cool option in this formula. It has a really beautiful luminosity to it from a slight amount of shimmer that makes this really special. These are my favorite formula for when I want a super glowy from within blush look. The formula blends so effortlessly and quickly, and I just love the super thin but hydrating texture. They also have great staying power for such an emollient cream blush.

Melt Cosmetics Cream Blushlights in Polished and Daydreamer

Viseart Petite Pro 4 ($30) – I got this during a sale at the end of 2019, and I still reach for it all the time even with all the other eyeshadows I own now. I’m so happy I decided to get it and that I have it in my collection. It’s the perfect mix of neutrals, and I’ve loved how small and compact this is for travel and how easily I can put all the shades into my Salt New York palette with my other single eyeshadows when I’m at home (which is why it’s missing from the picture above). Like all Viseart shadows, these blend seamlessly with little fallout and aren’t overly glittery, so I can put together a look for work super quickly too. I love using the mattes to blend out another look that might need it or use the shimmers as a sophisticated topper.

Viseart Petite Pro 4 Swatches

Urban Decay 24/7 Moondust Eyeshadow in Space Cowboy ($22) – I own a ton of single glittery/topper type eyeshadows and love them all, but I think my absolute favorite is this one. I’ve used it on top of my eyeshadow almost every single time I’ve used my eyeshadow since I bought it, and I’m so happy with the effect it has. 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. It’s also 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).

Urban Decay 24/7 Moondust Eyeshadow in Space Cowboy

Lisa Eldridge Liquid Lurex Eyeshadow in Angelica and Bianca ($27) – I absolutely love this eyeshadow. This formula is so quick and easy to use. It’s almost like a mousse and feels halfway between a cream and a liquid. I’ve tried using a brush and fingers, with and without a primer, and applying directly from the doe-foot and from my hand – nothing I tried didn’t work out amazingly. The formula doesn’t crease and looks exactly the same all day. I tested it on a 17-hour makeup day, and it honestly could have just been applied. I even did an hour and a half long gym session, and it didn’t budge. I’ve used it as one sheer layer, a thicker application, and layered on top of itself, and it looked great all three ways. I love how I have enough time to play with it and blend it out however I want before it sets down. They’re also some of the more spangly eyeshadows I’ve ever used, which may be the thing I love about them the most. Angelica is a rosy bronze that is the absolute perfect shade for me – I feel like I’ve been hunting for this color for years, and here it is. Bianca is a warm, purply-pink that really makes my brown eyes pop. Regardless of price, these are some of my favorite eyeshadows in my collection.

Angelica (left) and Bianca (right)

Chantecaille Brightening Eye Nude Kajal ($29) – This is the only eye liner I’ve found that is the right color to brighten up my eyes when I use it in the waterline – it’s not too white or pink. It just looks like I actually get enough sleep and makes my eyes look less red, even if it’s from allergies. It also stays all day and doesn’t irritate my eyes. It’s on the pricier side for an eyeliner at $29, but mine has lasted me so long, and I think it’s completely worth it.

Chantecaille Brightening Eye Nude Kajal

Em Cosmetics Lip Cushion in Magic Hour and Venetian Rose  ($23) – I’m honestly surprised I haven’t panned one of these yet. I keep them at my desk to have an easy, full pigment lip color that’s incredibly easy to swipe on without a mirror. The formula is incredibly moisturizing and has enough thickness to not disappear right away even if I’m talking a lot. Either color completely brightens up my face, and I love having both a brighter pink and dusty rose shade at hand.

Em Cosmetics Lip Cushion in Magic Hour and Venetian Rose

Rare Beauty Liquid Touch Foundation Brush ($28) – This is one of my favorite foundation brushes (and I have a lot of brushes). I find myself continually going back to it instead of any others I have. It has such a perfect shape for foundation and even concealer because the angles and edges make it super easy to get into all the contours of my face. It’s also really densely packed which ensures it maintains the level of coverage of any product I’m using it with. It also never creates any streaks and cleans really well even with consistently using it with liquid products.

Olaplex No. 3 Hair Repair Perfector ($28) – Every time I use this, I feel like my hair has been transformed. It feels way smoother, stronger, and shinier without being weighed down. I notice a huge difference when I don’t use this treatment, and it’s incredibly worth it to me. My hair is normally super prone to breakage, and this is one of the only products I’ve tried that actually helps with that. It also helps my hair feel way less dry than usual without making it greasy. This is one of my only true hair staples (outside of my Bumble & Bumble loves) that I continue to repurchase over and over again.

What are your favorite products under $30? Let me know in the comments below! 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.

February 2022 Favorites

by liftbakelove3 Comments on February 2022 Favorites

I can’t believe February is already almost over, and it’s time for another round of favorites! As always, I’m only featuring products in my favorites that are true favorites that I’ve been using consistently for longer than a couple months (I have some products I received during the holidays that I’m loving but not ready to talk about just yet!). If there’s anything you were looking for a review on or a topic that you want me to cover, please let me know if the comments below! And, of course, 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.

Softlight Clean Dewy Hydrating Concealer in LX010 – This formula is incredibly high coverage – definitely the most pigmented of all my base products. A tiny amount goes so far, and because of that, it doesn’t look heavy or cakey. I have the shade LX010 (the lightest in range), and I’ve found it to be super helpful to mix with my foundations to lighten them because I haven’t seen sun in so long and everything is a bit too dark. It dries down on its own to a satin finish that doesn’t need to be powdered, but it plays well with all my powders. I think I’ll like it even better in the summer because it’s a touch drying on my super dry winter skin, but I’ve found that mixing it in with Glossier Future Dew or Auric Glow Lust has made it the perfect texture.

Softlight Clean Dewy Hydrating Concealer in LX010

Em Cosmetics So Soft Blush in Venetian Rose – This formula is so 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, and it’s one of the longest wearing cream blushes I own. I’ve been using the one I have in Venetian Rose so often the last few months since I got this. This color is a beautiful purply/pink rosy tone that is so at home on my skin. It also matches the Lip Cushion in Venetian Rose, which is one of my favorite lip products, and the Heaven’s Glow Blush in Venetian Rose, which is one of my favorite powder blushes. Having all of them makes it so easy to put a look together that I know will be cohesive.

Em Cosmetics So Soft Blush, Lip Cushion, and Heaven’s Glow Blush in Venetian Rose

Wondergloss Collagen Lip Oil in Nude Nectar – This lip oil reminds me so much of the Dior Lip Oil but is so much more nourishing and a fraction of the price (the Beauty Pie is $8.21 and the Dior is $35). It’s hydrating, comfortable, and not sticky while still providing that shiny and glossy effect. I have the shade Nude Nectar which is sheer enough to use as a glossy topper for most of my lipsticks and lip liners but still pigmented enough to provide some “my lips but better” color if I’m not wearing anything. It also smells like vanilla in the best way, and I get so much joy from it every time I use it. It’s been a struggle to not pick up a ton more shades but between my no-buy and all my FitGlow Lip Serums (which is also very similar to this), I definitely don’t need more right now.

Beauty Pie lip oil in Nude Nectar

KBShimmer Fillin’ Groovy Ridge Filling Nail Polish Base Coat – I really struggle with nail polish lasting on me, and every base coat I’ve tried so far has led to nail polish that peels off completely after about 3 days. And if not, there is always a ton of chipping no matter what polishes and top coat I use. All that changed when I started using this base coat from KBShimmer that I happened to have gotten as a gift with purchase with an order in 2021. My manicures can last almost 2 weeks now (although I usually end up changing them up for fun before then). Beyond the amazing longevity this provides, it creates smoother base because it’s ridge filling. It’s also not completely clear, which I found has helped me use less coats of polishes on top for full coverage. The best part is that it’s only $6.50, and I’m so glad to have settled on the perfect base coat for me.

What were your favorites this month? 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.

MY 8 FAVORITE PRODUCTS UNDER $20

by liftbakelove4 Comments on MY 8 FAVORITE PRODUCTS UNDER $20

As part of my no-buy year, I’m trying to really get to know and love my collection and starting a “favorite products under $X series” to help me in that process. I’ll be doing posts every month for different dollar amounts, and I’m so excited to dive into my collection in this way. This time, I’m writing about my favorite products under $20. I would love see your favorites and recommendations for under $20 beauty products 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 or on Instagram @liftbakelove for new posts.

Glossier Stretch Concealer – My favorite way to use this concealer is all over like a foundation, and I’ve been using it a ton this way lately. I’ve been super tired lately with how dark it’s getting, and this has been so great to use to get my makeup done super quickly. I can just dot it all over my face, blend, and be done without needing both a concealer and foundation step. The Stretch Concealer looks incredibly skin like, lasts all day, and provides just the right amount of coverage for me (which is light). I find the light coverage makes it blend seamlessly and wear well even without powder since it’s harder to tell where it’s worn off than with a fuller coverage product. It also feels very light weight, and everything I put on top of it looks great. 

Salt New York Crème Tint Pro Bronzer, Blush, and Highlighter – I’ve written about my love for Salt New York’s products so many times, and it’s because it continues to be one of my favorite cream formulas that I go back to over and over again. All the Crème Tint Pros I have (and I have 21) blend out incredibly easily and seamlessly, are super lightweight, and look so at home on my skin. This is my favorite formula for when I need a “I’m running late and need something easy” look – they blend out so quickly with a brush, sponge, or fingers and never look patchy. My most used shades over the years has been the bronzer in Light/Medium, highlighter in Beige, and blush in Rose, and I’ve really been loving Cocoa and Plum recently. They are all $16, but they have sales all the time, so I technically based on what I paid for most of them, these could have been in the under $10 post.

Salt New York bronzer in Light/Medium, highlighter in Beige, blushes in Rose, Cocoa, and Plum

Blush Divine Radiant Cheek & Lip in Ophelia, Foxglove, and Azalea– This formula is incredibly pigmented, opaque, and thick (like a balm), which I actually appreciate. It doesn’t need to be built up because it’s so pigmented but can still be layered with other cream blushes because it blends so easily. Because of its thickness, it has great staying power and even manages to keep its dewy (but not shiny) finish for hours. I love that you can just buy the refills for about half the price, and they pop into a magnetic palette super easily. I have the shades Ophelia (“true pink”), Foxglove (“warm terracotta”), and Azalea (“berry”). Ophelia is my most used because I’ve really been into a pink looks lately, but I find all the shades work well for me. All that said, if you’re not a fan of that super thick, on the edge of sticky cream blush, you might not like this formula, but I love it so much.

Blush Divine Radiant Cheek & Lip in Ophelia,Foxglove, and Azalea

Flower Beauty Desert Lights and Jungle Lights Eyeshadow Palettes – For being under $20, I’m still shocked at how comparable these shadows are to my high-end palettes from brands like Pat McGrath and Natasha Denona. The formula is incredible – it’s super pigmented, smooth, and sparkly. All the shades blend easily and last super well all day with a primer. They have enough dimension to use them all as one shadow looks and blend together well enough to make a more complex look with multiple shadows. They’re just incredibly creamy and easy to use in the same way my much more expensive shadows are. If you wanted the look of the Roen shadows without the cream texture and creasing, this might be a really good option. If I had to choose one, I’d go with the Desert Lights Palette because I use it much more often and am really into pinky rose golds right now, but the quality is amazing in both palettes.

Flower Beauty Desert Lights and Jungle Lights Eyeshadow Swatches

Em Cosmetics Soft Blur Velvet Lip Liners in Kitten and Mink – Out of all my lip liners, I definitely reached 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.

Em Cosmetics Lip Liners in Kitten and Mink

Glossier Ultralip in Villa, Trench, Cachet, and Portrait – The Ultralips are a pretty pigmented tinted lip balm that has a touch more glossiness than your average balm. I love how moisturizing it is and how long lasting it is (for a lip balm texture). You can also build up the color without anything weird happening like pilling or patching. I love using these during the day on work calls when I want more color like a traditional lipstick, don’t mind having to reapply, and can take advantage of how moisturizing these are.

Glossier Ultralip in Portrait, Villa, Trench, and Cachet

Phytosurgence Phytobrushes – I’m still in shock about how good the Phytobrushes are, especially for both being under $15. I purchased both the Skybuff and Skyfluff brushes, and I’m in love with both of them. If you’re a regular reader here, you know how much I invest in fude brushes (from Sonia G., Chikuhodo, Wayne Goss, etc.), and these fit right in my collection because of how high quality they are. They suggest using the Skybuff for their Spectral Shine and Skyfluff for their Skin Spark blushes, but I actually love using them the opposite way. They blend out the products so seamlessly and quickly so that the products really look like they’re naturally part of your face – exactly the kind of look I love.

The Inkey List PCA Bond Repair Hair Treatment – I really struggle with breakage and split ends, and this product has completely changed that for me. I use this after every shower and now have way less breakage and almost no split ends despite not getting a hair cut for a long, long time. My hair also feels much softer and less frizzy even if I only used just this product. I’m used to needing to use a couple of different products to get my hair to look and feel great, so that has really impressed me! The only con for me is that I can’t stand this packaging – it’s so hard to spray the product, and I ended up having to pour this into a different container to keep using it. For $12.99, it’s absolutely worth dealing with though.

What are your favorite products under $20? Let me know in the comments below! 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.

Rose Inc Review: Blush Divine Radiant Cheek & Lip, Lip Sculpt, Brow Renew, and Softlight Clean Dewy Hydrating Concealer

by liftbakelove5 Comments on Rose Inc Review: Blush Divine Radiant Cheek & Lip, Lip Sculpt, Brow Renew, and Softlight Clean Dewy Hydrating Concealer

During the 2021 holidays, I was gifted a bunch of Rose Inc products, including a set that came with a blush, eyebrow gel, and lipstick. I wanted to wait to review until I’d had plenty of time to try them, which is why this is coming now. As usual, my goal is to provide you with information to make the best purchasing decisions for yourself and the reasons why I might not like something might be why you’d love it or why I love something might be why you’d hate it. 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!

Blush Divine Radiant Cheek & Lip in Ophelia, Foxglove, and Azalea– This formula is incredibly pigmented, opaque, and thick (like a balm), which I actually appreciate. It doesn’t need to be built up because it’s so pigmented but can still be layered with other cream blushes because it blends so easily. Because of its thickness, it has great staying power and even manages to keep its dewy (but not shiny) finish for hours. I love that you can just buy the refills for about half the price, and they pop into a magnetic palette super easily. I have the shades Ophelia (“true pink”), Foxglove (“warm terracotta”), and Azalea (“berry”). Ophelia is my most used because I’ve really been into a pink looks lately, but I find all the shades work well for me. All that said, if you’re not a fan of that super thick, on the edge of sticky cream blush, you might not like this formula. It’s very different from something like the Salt New York Creme Tint Pros which are lightweight and sheer and closer to the formula of the Kajer Weis blushes.

Blush Divine Radiant Cheek & Lip in Ophelia, Foxglove, and Azalea

Lip Sculpt in Quartz – I’ve not a big matte lipstick fan unless it’s the Lisa Eldridge Velvet Matte formula. My lips are so dry that most matte formulas make my lips look and feel terrible. Somehow, this manages to be super smoothing while still being matte, and I really love the way the formula looks. It’s not as dry as other matte lip products I’ve tried, which pleasantly surprised me. While it’s not nourishing, it’s not uncomfortable and is so light weight and thin that I hardly notice I’m wearing it despite how long-lasting it is. I do wish I had another color (the one I have came in a set that someone bought for me) because I generally prefer more brown in my lip shades. With a brown lip liner underneath, it balances out to a really pretty shade that I use way more often than I expected.

Lip Sculpt in Quartz

Brow Renew in Clear – Similar to the Lip Sculpt, I wasn’t expecting to love this as much I do. This also came in the set, and I assumed I’d never touch it. I’ve been reaching for it over my other brow products and loving the result. I have giant, thick brows that look overdone super quickly, and I honestly didn’t realize how much a clear brow gel could make them look put together and “done” without overwhelming my face. It doesn’t feel crunchy or sticky but has great staying power like the rest of these products. Because of my big brows, the applicator is also perfect for me vs the usual tiny brow applicators. It makes applying this so fast and easy to get my brows into shape. I’m not sure I would spend $26 for the full size when I run out, but I’m definitely considering it.

Softlight Clean Dewy Hydrating Concealer in LX010 – This formula is incredibly high coverage – definitely the most pigmented of all my base products. A tiny amount goes so far, and because of that, it doesn’t look heavy or cakey. I have the shade LX010 (the lightest in range), and I’ve found it to be super helpful to mix with my foundations to lighten them because I haven’t seen sun in so long and everything is a bit too dark. It dries down on its own to a satin finish that doesn’t need to be powdered, but it plays well with all my powders. I think I’ll like it even better in the summer because it’s a touch drying on my super dry winter skin.

Softlight Clean Dewy Hydrating Concealer in LX010

What other products would be helpful to see reviews of? Let me know in the comments below!  And 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.