Tag: cream bronzer

Vieve Beauty Brand Review: The Best New to me Brand I Tried in 2025

Featuredby liftbakeloveLeave a Comment on Vieve Beauty Brand Review: The Best New to me Brand I Tried in 2025

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 Skin Nova Complexion Balm in 140, Vieve Modern Radiance Concealer in Light 1 

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 Modern Radiant Cream Bronzer in Light 1, Vieve Sunset Blush Balm in Rosa

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 Lip Dew in Original, Vieve Bounce Balm in Vanilla

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.

6 Products that Kackie recommended that are so good they make me want to throw out my other makeup

Featuredby liftbakeloveLeave a Comment on 6 Products that Kackie recommended that are so good they make me want to throw out my other makeup

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 Radiance Concealer and Vieve Modern Radiant Cream Bronzer in Light 1

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.

Haus Labs Color Fuse Longwear Hydrating Glassy Lip + Cheek Blush Balm Stick in Glassy Cayenne and Glassy Cinnamon and Westman Atelier Lit Up Highlight Stick in Biscuit

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 applied directly and then sheered out

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.

The Products I Used To Do My Makeup in the Car in Under 10 Minutes Without Brushes

Featuredby liftbakeloveLeave a Comment on The Products I Used To Do My Makeup in the Car in Under 10 Minutes Without Brushes

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.

Basma The Foundation Stick 

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.

About Face Beach Freak Bronzer Stick in Beach Goth and Haus Labs Color Fuse Glassy Blush Balm in Glassy Cayenne

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.

Makeup by Mario Master Mattes® Long-Wearing Cream Eyeshadow in Mauve and Peptide Glow Hydrating Lip Treatment in Brûlée

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.

Testing Versed Makeup: Skin Tint, Bronzer, Blush, and Lip Serum Review

Featuredby liftbakeloveLeave a Comment on Testing Versed Makeup: Skin Tint, Bronzer, Blush, and Lip Serum Review

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.

5 Functional Dupes I Bought of Makeup I Already Had

by liftbakelove1 Comment on 5 Functional Dupes I Bought of Makeup I Already Had

My no buy is giving me lots of space to explore my collection, and one thing I’m starting to notice is how many things I own that basically look exactly the same once they’re on my face. I’m calling these pairs of products functional dupes because they may not be the exact color or formula, but once I have them on, no one could tell the difference. I definitely didn’t need to buy both! When my no buy is over, I’m going to make sure I think about whether I have something that can be used for that look in my routine even if it’s not exactly the same – as Hannah Louise Poston would say, if I could “dupe the vibes”. This is not meant to be a “this or that” kind of post so I won’t be saying which one I’d get or keep – they really are that similar, but if you want me to choose, feel free to ask in the comment. 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!

Tom Ford Shade and Illuminate in 0.5 and Salt New York Sculpt and Bronze in Light/Medium – Both of these are cream bronzers that give a super natural look in about 2 seconds. They are both super blendable and easy to build up to the opacity I want even though they go on a bit sheer. As you can probably see from the swatches below, the Tom Ford is slightly cooler and slightly dewier, but once they’re blended out on my skin, I can’t tell the difference between them. They both apply in exactly the same way and work great with a brush, sponge, or fingers. They’re also both great for travel (Salt New York because it pops right into a palette that I can customize and Tom Ford because it’s a compact duo).

Tom Ford Shade and Illuminate in 0.5 and Salt New York Sculpt and Bronze in Light/Medium

Rose Inc Blush Divine Radiant Cheek & Lip Color In Azalea and Phytosurgence Skin Spark Blush Balm in Simmer – If you’re looking for an opaque, warm-toned pink blush, both of these are perfect for that. Both formulas have are thick and creamy and a little goes a long way. They both blend super seamlessly and easily into the skin, leave an impact with very little product, and stay all day. Because they’re so pigmented, they don’t need to be built up but absolutely can be layered. The finish is just glowy enough without being sticky even though they both have a balmy, moisturizing texture. Azalea has a bit more red in it, but on the skin, I can’t tell the difference between them especially once they’re blended with bronzer, highlighter, and other blushes.

Rose Inc Blush Divine Radiant Cheek & Lip Color In Azalea, Phytosurgence Skin Spark Blush Balm in Simmer

Flower Lights Amazon from the Jungle Lights Palette and Pat McGrath Sextrovert from the Sublime Palette (discontinued) – While I chose these two to compare, this is a great example of how many shimmery and glittery gold, bronze, and brown shadows end up looking the same even if they have lots of little differences in a swatch. I’m sure I have over a dozen of these kinds of shades, and they basically all do the same thing. These formulas are very similar in that they both have a bit of a warm leaning shift to them, are very soft, and are very flaky and shimmery. I actually forgot which was which and had to swatch them again underneath (you can see a bit in the corner) because they look so similar in real life. I would also say that these two color stories fill the same gap in my collection with the darker purply and green shimmers and lighter and bronzier golds. I definitely didn’t need both of these palettes and would happily only have one in my collection.

Flower Lights Amazon from the Jungle Lights Palette and Pat McGrath Sextrovert from the Sublime Palette

Glossier Ultralip in Villa and Lisa Eldridge in Kitten Mischief – These two are probably the most different in terms of formula, even though the colors are almost exactly the same on the lips. The Ultralip formula is much glossier (pun intended) and hydrating whereas the Luxuriously Lucent formula has a much more natural finish that I find to be more drying over time. Even with that though, I end up with basically the same look while wearing these, especially after it’s worn in a bit. Because I love this color, I would bet I have a bunch of other lip products that do exactly the same thing, and I’m going to remind myself that I already have the perfect lip products many times over in my collection.

Glossier Ultralip in Villa, Lisa Eldridge in Kitten Mischief

Pat McGrath Taboo from Midnight Sun and Natasha Denona Freckle from Biba – Unlike the earlier eyeshadow comparison, these entire palettes aren’t the same. This is more an example of how all medium, neutral brown eyeshadows look the same once applied even if they look a bit different in the pan. I use these kinds of colors as my crease shade, and since there’s one in most palettes, I have so many of them to choose from. I also played around with the darker browns and greys that I have and as expected, those are all virtually identical. Given that I love natural eye looks, what I’ve learned from this is I don’t need any more eyeshadow palettes. And even though these palettes are different in terms of their color stories, I do end up gettting very similar looks out of them (dark brown in the inner corner, lighter brown in the crease, glittery shade all over the lid, lighter shimmer in the inner corner), so I do think I could have gotten by with just one of these even though I love them both.

Pat McGrath Taboo from Midnight Sun and Natasha Denona Freckle from Biba
Pat McGrath Midnight Sun, Natasha Denona Biba

Do you own any functional dupes that you imagined would be totally unique to your collection but do basically the same thing? 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.

January 2022 Favorites

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I can’t believe January 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.

MAC Glow Play Blush in Blush, Please – This formula has been my go-to recently 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 is like a cross between a powder and a cream, it adds a slight sheen like a cream and great lasting power like a powder. I’ve been getting great use out of all of the shades I have (So Natural, Blush Please, Heat Index, and Grand), but I’ve been really loving the shade Blush, Please this month. It’s described as a neutral light mauve, and I find it pairs so well with so many different eyeshadow, lip product, and blush combinations.

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 (the swatches are from a post recently where I also talked about this), 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.

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

Fitglow Beauty Lip Colour Serums – I know I just wrote about these in my 2021 Makeup Favorites, but I have been loving them and use them almost every day. The formula is incredibly nourishing, thick, hydrating, and long-lasting, and I just reach for them so often especially because they work so well as toppers for more matte lipsticks or lip liners. All the shades are beautiful and I can always find one to match my look. I’ve been really loving Bliss and Gospel this month in particular, but all of the shades I have get a ton of use. I have 5 full sizes and the rest are minis, and I highly recommend looking out for sales or mini sizes if you’re interesting in these!

Fitglow Beauty Lip Colour Serums in Bliss, Beach Glow, Kind, Halo, Ful, Root, Nudie, Gospel, Regal, Cheer, and Juice

NBM Cuticle Buddy – My nails have never been healthier or stronger since I starting using these, and I don’t freak out about nail breaks anymore because they grow back so fast now. I have been particularly loving the Lavender Cuticle Buddy right now – I use it every night as I’m getting ready for bed, and it’s become a key part of my nighttime routine. It’s calming and relaxing and the perfect “wind down” scent. As always, you can use my affiliate code with Shop NBM to get 10% off sitewide: LIFT10. Like all my reviews, everything written is my completely unbiased opinion, and I would definitely be talking about these without being an affiliate.

Holo Taco Lavender Syrup topped with Gliterally Purple to match my Lavender Cuticle Buddy

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.

April 2021 Favorites

by liftbakeloveLeave a Comment on April 2021 Favorites

Another month has flown by, and it’s been feeling like it’s already summer some days! This month’s favorites are a mix of tried and true favorites and some newer products I’m really excited about sharing with all of you.

The one skincare product I wanted to mention this month is the Cicaplast Baume B5. It has been so incredibly dry here recently, and I’ve been experiencing way more dry, flaky patches on my skin. I tried a ton of different products, and this was the only one that truly made a difference in hydrating my skin closer to normal. It says on its product page that it’s made for visibly irritated areas associated with dry skin, and I can confirm it really does help with that. It’s even gentle enough that I can use it on my currently dry, flaky eyelids with no issues. I also love that it’s under $15 too, and this tube has lasted me forever! This is a dry skin staple I can’t live without.

Tom Ford Shade and Illuminate in 0.5

I’ve had the Tom Ford Shade and Illuminate duo for about a year now, and it’s been included in 3 favorites post already so you may have read everything I’m about to say. I’m still in love with this formula, and the shade intensity 0.5 is just so great for my skin tone. A lot of reviewers aren’t a big fan of the highlight shade, but I’ve continued to love it. The formula for the bronzer shade is a little sheer which makes it super easy to just throw on without having to be super precise, and I can build it up without worrying about overdoing it. When I’m really having trouble in the morning because I’m exhausted and my coffee hasn’t hit me yet, this is my go to face product for a “my face but better” look. It’s great to be able to grab this duo and have products that I know work well together and pair well with any blush I own.

Fenty Eaze Drop in shade 2 and Glossier Skin Tint in G11

I know the Fenty Eaze Drop Blurring Skin Tint has been a polarizing product that some people really hate and some people really love. I am on the side of loving it, and it’s my new HG foundation. My usual go to is the Glossier Skin tint but I’m finding that it’s a little too dewy and very much not mask proof though now that we’re actually leaving our apartment and it’s getting hot outside. So, I decided to try the Fenty Eaze Drop, and it’s everything I want in a summer foundation. It’s almost entirely mask proof and sweat proof, and it stays all day (even after a test I did with 14 hours of wear and a 10 mile walk). It looks so natural on my skin while still providing coverage, and it blends so easily. I actually have been applying with my fingers (though a brush works great too!), and it’s the fastest foundation application I’ve ever experienced. One thing to watch out for – I have tried with a sponge and don’t recommend it since it seems to suck up the moisture in the foundation and make it too dry. Other than that, I’ve had no issues!

Bodyography Glitter Pigment in Off the Hook

I got 3 Bodyography Glitter Pigments recently because I had a really great coupon code and have been really wanting to try them since watching Katie Jane Hughes use them over and over again. Their site says that these are a unique formula that incorporates “the saturation of a loose pigment, the cushion of a cream, and the silkiness of a powder”, and that describes it better than I could. I can throw them on with a brush or finger create a lot of impact and dimension quickly with one shade. They stay all day even with a regular eyeshadow primer, but they work great with a glitter primer too. While I love all three shades I got, Off the Hook has been my favorite. It’s a beautiful taupe/bronze color that makes it perfect as a one and done shadow.

If you’re a regular reader, you already know how much I love the Pat McGrath lip glosses. I got another trio in the Sephora sale (the set of 3 minis was $9!).  The formula is incredibly hydrating and smoothing, and the three new shades I got are such great colors for me. This one in particular is Flesh 6, which is a rich rosy brown color with no glitter. The non-glitter shades have just enough shine without going overboard and have even better lasting power than the glitter ones (which last amazingly well for a gloss). If you can find the trios on sale either through Sephora or Pat McGrath’s website, I highly recommend getting them.

What was your favorite product this month? What would you like to see next on LiftBakeLove? Let me know in the comments below!