Tag: dry skin

Typology Review: Tinted Serum and Hand & Nail Serum

by liftbakelove3 Comments on Typology Review: Tinted Serum and Hand & Nail Serum

I was incredibly intrigued when the Typology Tinted Serum was featured in Kackie Reviews Beauty’s video “Affordable Luxury Beauty Products” since I tend to skew much more expensive on the blog. I want to make sure I’m not always pricing folks out (and if you want more affordable finds, definitely let me know in the comments!). So, I grabbed the Tinted Serum foundation and Hand & Nail Serum to test. I also got the Nourishing Body Scrub which will be coming to a body scrub show down post in the future, both because I think that will be way more useful to see all in one post and because I haven’t gotten to test it long enough to give a thorough enough review.

The Tinted Serum really impressed me! It’s incredibly smoothing and lightweight while providing solid light to medium coverage (which is the coverage level I prefer for foundations). It is actually so smoothing that I got carded at dinner wearing it, and the person said “your skin is so smooth, there’s no way you’re not in your early 20s.” And I’m not in my 20s anymore at all! It wears incredibly well for how moisturizing it feels (as Kackie would say, it wears in without wearing off), and it plays well with every bronzer, blush, highlighter, and powder I’ve used with it. It also contains lots of great skincare ingredients, and my skin definitely feels way less dry at the end of the day than with other base products.

From left to right: Typology Tinted Serum in 001 and 002

The foundation is $29.90 for a 1oz bottle, and you can get a second shade for 50% off. This is pretty amazing if you’re in between shades or get lighter in the winter and darker in the summer. Getting both for less than $45 together feels like a steal compared to my favorite luxury foundation which is the Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk and is $64 for 1oz). My only issue with this product is even with two shades, I can’t make a great match because they both run a bit peachy/orange for my skin tone. I’m really excited that Salt New York came out with adjusters so I can make anything lighter and more olive to match my skin (it’s hard to see in the photo below but my skin runs a bit yellow/green/even blue in undertone in real life).

From left to right: Typology Tinted Serum in 001, Glossier Skin Tint in G11, Fenty Eaze Drop in 2, Charlotte Tibury Light Wonder in 2, Typology Tinted Serum in 002

I swatched all of my light coverage foundations/skin tint products so you can see the formula differences and color comparisons. The Typology Tinted Serum 002 swatch is the best representation of how smoothing it looks on the skin vs the 01 swatch is built up a bit for color comparison. The Tinted Serum has more coverage than the Glossier Skin Tint, is much dewier than the Fenty Eaze Drop, and is more smoothing than CT Light Wonder. It actually feels like what you’d get if you had a formula that was the perfect mix of all three of these. I think it’d easy to see how much warmer the Typology products are next to the other shades. The Fenty is by far my best shade match, and I’ve been enjoying mixing it with the Tinted Serum in 001 to tone down some of the peachiness.

The Hand & Nail Serum also really impressed me. I honestly wasn’t expecting much, but I figured it was worth trying for only $12.90. I have incredibly weak nails that break seemingly for no reason and have never found anything that really improves them. I also have such dry hands that they itch and crack regardless of what time of year it is. While hand creams help, they don’t do enough for my hands to feel normal. I’ve been using this serum about once a day since I’ve gotten it, and my nails have literally never looked this good or grown so long without breaking. I had to actually file my nails down because they don’t even break at the gym while I’m lifting! My hands also look and feel normal even if I forget to use hand cream, which I’ve never experienced before. I’m honestly so thankful I found this product and am planning to never be without it (which is going to be pretty easy since a little goes such a long way, I doubt I’ll have to replace it any time soon).

What products have you found lately that have really impressed you? What brands or products do you want to see reviewed next? Let me know in the comments! As always, thank you so much for reading!

The 5 Skincare Products I missed the most while I was gone for a month

by liftbakelove2 Comments on The 5 Skincare Products I missed the most while I was gone for a month

I recently took a month long trip to the East Coast and tried to pack as lightly as I could. This meant paring down my routine to the necessities and using up my travel sized products instead of bringing my full size HGs. Because of that, there are a bunch of things I had to leave at home, and there were some skincare products that I really missed and will make sure to take with me from now on!

La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5 – I have no idea why I didn’t bring this with me because it is my ultimate skin saving product. Like everyone else, I hadn’t been on a plane for about a year and a half, and my skin wasn’t ready for it. My skin also reacted to the incredibly high amount of pollen on the East Coast and the change in climate. Since this product is made for irritated skin that comes from dry skin, it would have been super helpful to have it to calm down my skin. I’m definitely going to remember to bring it the next time I travel.

Farmacy Honey Potion Renewing Antioxidant Hydration Mask – I know I’ve talked about this before, and it’s because it’s always one of go-to masks. It’s what I reach for for moisturization and calming, which as I mentioned, my skin really need. It is also so great when my skin is feeling extra dull and dehydrated because my skin feels so smooth, hydrated, less irritated, and glowy after using this. It was the first thing I used after washing my face when I got home, and it made my skin feel so much better after being in new environments, planes, and under a mask for many more hours than usual.

Josie Maran Skin Dope Argan Oil + 100 mg CBD – I’ve written about this oil in almost every empties post that included a facial oil I finished because it is my true HG and the one I always miss when I’m not using it. Most facial oils I’ve tried have been equally moisturizing and glow-giving, and they all provide an occlusive layer as my last step in my skincare routine. The thing I love most about the Josie Maran oil is that it sinks in so quickly so I don’t end up with a oil slick on my face when I’m getting into bed. I can also see a big difference in my skin’s brightness and firmness when I use this vs when I don’t. If you’re looking to get this, I highly recommend waiting for a sale on the Josie Maran site because you can buy it for way less than $78.

Allies of Skin Molecular Silk Amino Hydrating Cleanser – If you’re a regular reader, you know how much I love Allies of Skin products. I didn’t bring this one because I have a bunch of travel sized cleansers to get through, but I really wish I brought this instead.  This cleanser creates such a luxurious cleansing experience – you can even use it as a quick, hydrating mask if you leave it on for 5 minutes before washing it off. And while it really does clean, it also leaves your skin feeling hydrated like you used a moisturizer. This is the only cleanser I’ve used that actually helps with any extra dryness and irritation, and I really noticed the difference when I wasn’t using it.

PSA Skin the Most – I hardly ever do this, but I feel like the brand’s description is so spot on that I’m just going to paste it in here: “This nutrient-packed hydrating serum is like an island oasis for stressed out, hungover, dull, and dehydrated skin. It provides essential hydration immediately while helping skin cells better retain moisture overall for plump and supple skin.” My skin absolutely loves this serum, and I missed having something for dehydrated and dull skin, especially right after I washed my face. I’m never not bringing this with me again.

What’s your can’t be without it skincare product? Let me know in the comments, and let me know what you’d like to see here next!

2021 EMPTIES (WILL I REPURCHASE?) – PART 5

by liftbakeloveLeave a Comment on 2021 EMPTIES (WILL I REPURCHASE?) – PART 5

Back again with another 5 empties (fully finished products)! I have a very big backlog of empties, but as usual, I am keeping these posts to 5 products to keep them short. This is a little different than my usual empties posts because I happened to finish a set of products that I love and have repurchased already at the same time. So as a spoiler – these are all HGs for me and most of them I have more than at least one backup of already.

Josh Rosebrook Hydrating Accelerator – This is still my favorite facial mist of all time. I’ve tried a few others for testing, but I always end up missing this one. It’s so hydrating, it helps my other products sink in better and faster, and it smells amazing too. I’ve used it alone with nothing else if I’m in a pinch and somehow it actually moisturizes my skin enough even with my incredibly dry skin. I already have at least two more bottles of this, and I will continue to repurchase this forever unless something really amazing launches that knocks it out of its HG spot in my routine.

Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream – Somehow I’ve never posted about this moisturizer before, but I’ve been using it every morning for years. It’s simple, effective, not too heavy or light, and plays well under makeup. This is just such a staple in my routine that I don’t have much to say about it except that it’s one of my favorite moisturizers for my dry skin – it just works really works, and I keep coming back to it over and over again no matter what else I try.

Pat McGrath Lip Fetish Balm in Clear – Before I talk about why I love this, I want to say that I don’t think this is worth it at full price (or even 50% off). I was able to grab the mini for $3 and the full size for $12, and for me, it’s totally worth it at that price. This balm is incredibly moisturizing and imparts a glossy look to the lips without being too much. I love adding it on top of matte lipsticks to turn any lipstick into a slightly sheer/shiny product without adding anything too glossy or sticky or something that would make it wear off too quickly. There are a bunch of balmy formulas I’m testing for review so I may be taking a break from this, but it’s such an easy, moisturizing, pretty formula that I love having in my collection.

Olaplex No. 3 – 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.

Nuface Gel Primer â€“ I know the Nuface device is expensive, but it really works, and I’ve kept using it consistently since I last posted about it. This is the gel that you used to go along with the device, and although you can find cheaper alternatives, I really like how this one feels and how it makes my skin feel after I use it. I bought the larger size on sale after finishing this 2oz tube, and it’s both a better price per ounce and better packaging with a pump. It also takes me way longer to use up than I expect, so it’s worth the investment for me. That said, it’s usually easy to find both the device and this gel primer on sale, so I would recommend not paying full price for them.

I’d love to know – what have you finished lately? Like I mentioned, I have a ton more empties that I will be posting about, and not all of them are as positive as this group. Let me know if there’s anything else you’d like to see here on LiftBakeLove, and thanks for reading!

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!

Auric Glow Lust vs Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter

by liftbakelove5 Comments on Auric Glow Lust vs Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter

I wanted to wait to do this comparison post until I really had time to use the Glow Lust long enough to really be able to talk through the nuanced differences between it and the Hollywood Flawless Filter. For those unfamiliar, Auric is a new brand recently launched by Samantha Ravndahl and their Glow Lust product is often compared to the Hollywood Flawless Filter, so I wanted to compare their price, packaging, and formulas to help anyone who is trying to decide between them! Before I get into it, if you have one, you don’t need the other. I’m going to talk through how I use them both in my routine, but I want to say upfront that they aren’t different enough that you absolutely need both.

Comparing prices, the Glow Lust is $45 and the Hollywood Flawless Filter is $44. That said, you get 1.18 ounces for the Glow Lust ($38/ounce) and 1 ounce for the Hollywood Flawless Filter ($44/ounce) so the Glow Lust is more cost effective. With something like the Sephora sale going on right now, Rouge members can get the Hollywood Flawless Filter for around $35, so they are very comparable in terms of price.

The Glow Lust wins hand down for packaging for me. It feels so much more luxurious, down to the writing on the bottle (look at Hollywood Flawless Filter bottle writing just peeling off!). The Glow Lust bottle has the best pump I’ve ever used – I can pump out as much or as little product as I want without having any wasted product. It’s much harder for me to control the Hollywood Flawless Filter because of the large doefoot, especially if I want to use a tiny bit to spot highlight. It also gets all over the bottle opening and can feel really messy. Choosing purely on packaging experience, I would go with the Glow Lust every time because the bottle is just designed so well for this kind of product.

Glow Lust in Selenite and Hollywood Flawless Filter in 2

It’s probably impossible to tell the differences in formula from the above swatch, but they are definitely different. The Glow Lust has a much thicker texture that feels closer to a moisturizer than a liquid highlighter. For me, that makes it much better to mix it with my primer or foundation, particularly since it adds additional moisture (which my dry skin can never get enough of). I’ve also used it in lieu of foundation, and it creates this lovely smoothing effect that makes my skin just look good. I find the Hollywood Flawless Filter has just a bit too much shimmer in it to use by itself or mixed in with other all-over face products, as it turns everything into a shimmer finish that just looks off when applied all over. That said, that’s what makes the Hollywood Flawless Filter a great spot highlighter on the tops of my cheekbones. It gives slightly more of an impact than the Glow Lust when used in this way, and it’s my go to for video calls when I want my face to look less flat. Of course, you can use the Glow Lust in this way, and it works amazingly well (as I mentioned in my February Favorites). To achieve my most glowy look, I use Glossier Future Dew as my primer, mix Glow Lust in with my foundation, and then use Hollywood Flawless Filter as my highlighter – I look hydrated and healthy without looking greasy and the lasting power is still great after at least 12 hours of wear.

If I had to start my collection from scratch, I would absolutely buy only the Auric Glow Lust out of these two. I love the packaging so much more and it’s way more versatile since I can use it by itself in lieu of foundation, as a primer, mixed in with my foundation, as a highlighter, and any combination of those methods.

Are there any other comparisons you’d like to see? Let me know in the comments below!

2021 EMPTIES (WILL I REPURCHASE?) – PART 4

by liftbakelove2 Comments on 2021 EMPTIES (WILL I REPURCHASE?) – PART 4

Back again with another 5 empties (fully finished products)! I have a bunch of empties this month, but, as usual, I am keeping these posts to 5 products to keep them short. That said, I’m super excited to take a good look at what I thought of the products I’ve finished and whether or not I’d buy them again.

L’Oréal 8 Second Wonder Water – I really love this product and not just because it’s less than $10. I don’t understand what magic is in this product, but it does truly transform my hair only using it a couple times a week, 8 seconds at a time. It leaves me with silkier, shinier, healthier-looking hair without weighing my hair down. I have really dry hair that tends to look dull, so this has been a game changer for me. I happen to already have a ton of backups that my mom bought me (thank you!) as she loves this too so I won’t be repurchasing quite yet, but I totally will when I need to.

Molecular Saviour Probiotics Repair Mist. – While my all-time favorite mist continues to be the Josh Rosebrook Hydrating Accelerator, this one is amazing in the morning and during the day, especially to help prevent any mask-ne. It’s lighter than the Josh Rosebrook (which I use at night), and I actually really love having both in my collection. I’ve also still been using this before their Vitamin C serum to help it absorb, and I love using it that way. I’m currently using the backup I already had and will absolutely be repurchasing this again when I run out of this bottle.

Drybar Prep Rally Prime & Prep Detangler – I don’t think this is anything special, and it definitely doesn’t beat out my favorite detangling product, the Oribe Run-Through Detangling Hair Primer. But even if it worked incredibly well, I just can’t over the smell. It’s so strong and lingers for so long. I’m sure that’s great if you like the scent, but I’m not a fan. It also mixes super weirdly with any perfume I’m using. As a perfume lover, that makes it an instant not repurchase for me.

Bumble and bumble Bb.Repair Blow Dry –  This does exactly what it promised – gives really smooth, shiny hair when you blow dry it. My hair definitely feels healthier when I use this when I blow dry my hair than when I don’t. As usual, I’m currently working through a bunch of hair styling treatments, but this is definitely in the running for repurchasing when the time comes.

Thrive Causemetics Liquid Lash Extensions Mascara – This continues to be the best mascara I’ve ever used. I’ve moved on to one of the four minis I have, and I still love it. 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 still have three more minis to get through after this and will definitely repurchase until an amazing tubing formula comes out that’s better than this one.

I’d love to know – what have you finished lately? Like I mentioned, I have a ton more empties that I will be posting about, and not all of them are as positive as this group. Let me know if there’s anything else you’d like to see here on LiftBakeLove, and thanks for reading!

2021 EMPTIES (WILL I REPURCHASE?) – PART 3

by liftbakelove5 Comments on 2021 EMPTIES (WILL I REPURCHASE?) – PART 3

Back again with another 5 empties (a fully finished product)! I have a bunch of empties this month, but am still keeping these posts to 5 products to keep them short, so you’ll likely be seeing them a little more often than usual for a bit. That said, I’m super excited to take a good look at what I thought of the products I’ve finished and whether or not I’d buy them again.

Laneige Cica Sleeping Mask  – I’ve talked about this in 3 favorites posts now because I love it so much. My last jar lasted me from before January 2020 until now, so for me, it’s 100% worth the $34 price for the jar (especially if I can get it on sale). I only use this mask twice a week when I use my AHA toner, and it really helps with any potential irritation that comes with using an exfoliator. It also makes a huge difference in taming the redness in my skin that I really don’t have any anymore. I already had a replacement because this is one of the only products I know I can’t be without, but I will absolutely get another jar in 2022 when I finally run out again.

Cover FX Dewy Finish Setting Spray – I mentioned this in my 2020 and 2019 favorites and, like the Cica mask, I already had a backup because I love it so much. This is my HG setting spray that I’ve been using for years, and something really incredible would have to come out for me to switch. It’s alcohol-free, it really does add dewiness which I can never get enough with, and it’s so much less drying than other setting sprays I’ve tried. And yes, I do already have a backup for my backup that I’m using now.

CosRX AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner – Unlike those first two, I will not be replacing this. For me, it just didn’t do anything, and even though it’s “only” $19, I really want every step in my skincare routine to be an effective one. It’s supposed to be a very gentle exfoliating toner/prep your skin for other chemical exfoliators, but I really didn’t notice a difference after using it for over a year. I don’t think this is a worthwhile step in my skincare routine, and so not only did I not replace it, I didn’t get anything else to sub in for this step.

Dr. Jart+ Tiger Grass Cream – I love this product for when I’m having any skin issues, especially when I’m testing something new and have a reaction. This always helps calm my skin down quickly, and it’s so nourishing. I also have really loved using it for my super dry winter skin. When we used to be able to travel, I loved having some of this with me because it’s perfect for after a flight or long car trip to help with dehydrated skin. That said, as much as I love it, I am testing a few heavy-duty creams right now, so I won’t picking up another bottle unless it beats out the ones I’m trying. I will report back in a future post!

Living Proof Restore Smooth Blowout Concentrate – I really enjoyed using this, and it does exactly what it promised – gives really smooth, shiny hair when you blow dry it. I personally like the Bumble and bumble Bb.Repair Blow Dry better for that purpose, and I’m currently working through a bunch of hair styling treatments, so I won’t be repurchasing this.

I’m loving reviewing my empties, and it’s great to see that I actually am using the things I love and getting through things I don’t. There will likely be another empties post next week too because I already have a bunch to review – let me know if you’d rather see more things in between!

February 2021 Favorites

by liftbakelove2 Comments on February 2021 Favorites

I can’t believe February is already over, and March is almost here! This month, it got even colder outside and my skin was even drier than usual so I really invested in products that would make my skin look and feel hydrated with very little effort. I also have started to receive some early birthday presents, and I wouldn’t be surprised if more of them make their way into my future favorites!

The one skincare product I wanted to shout out is the Clinique Moisture Surge Overnight Mask. As I mentioned, my skin is feeling super dry but it’s been even worse with all the snow, cold weather, and heater running. I’ve been added this mask to my nighttime skincare routine, and it has totally saved my skin. It works incredibly well to add a ton of hydration overnight, and I love how it really melts into the skin. Plus, unlike a lot of my skincare, the price per ounce is fairly low, and this tube will last forever.

I love all of the products I’m mentioning this post, but there is something truly special about the Auric Glow Lust. I’ve tried it by itself in lieu of foundation, as a primer, mixed in with my foundation, as a highlighter, and a bunch of combinations of those methods. I’ve loved it every way I’ve tried. My favorite thing to do is mix it in with my foundation and use it as a highlighter, and it just makes my skin look so naturally glowy, hydrated, and healthy, even more than the Glossier Future Dew does. The packaging is also amazing, especially the pump – it’s so much easier to use than the Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter. I’m planning on doing a comparison post between the two – let me know if you have specific questions! And to my friend that I wasn’t giving 100% attention to on a call because I kept getting distracted by how amazing and glowy my skin looked with Glow Lust as a highlighter, I’m so sorry (and thank you for letting me know that you noticed it too!).

For more info on the Vesca eyeshadow and lip gloss, I would check out my Vesca review from earlier in the month. I’ve abandoned almost all my other eyeshadows and lip products (except for one I’ll get to shortly) and have continued to love them both as much as I did when I wrote that review. The eyeshadows have such easy textures to work with that leave a lot of impact quickly, and the lip gloss has the most amazing cushiony moisturizing feeling. When you’d rather sleep for an extra 30 minutes then do a 5 shadow look for all day Teams calls, these are perfect.

I was able to get the Pat McGrath Mini Lust: Gloss Trio for $13 with free shipping (still in stock as of posting!), and I’m so happy I did. I love all three shades in the cool trio, but I particularly love the Divine Rose shade. This color is my lips but so much better, goes with all the lip liners I own, and is just really pretty. Along with Vesca and Lisa Eldridge glosses, this is one of my favorite gloss formulas. It’s incredibly hydrating and smoothing, and the colors I’ve tried have just the right amount of shimmer to make your lips look like you actually drink water but not overly sparkly. And they smell amazing! I’m so happy that Cate the Great Beauty turned me on to these and that I’ve been able to get them on sale because they are just so nice.

Petal Poppin and Rose Latte in natural light

Even with over 20 cream blushes to choose from, something about the Fenty Beauty Cheeks Out Freestyle Cream Blush in Petal Poppin and Rose Latte really made me happy this month, and I kept coming back to them. The two I have are both beautiful colors that seem dupable but are actually quite unique, and really brighten up any look (used alone or together!). The formula is really light, blendable, and easy to work with while still being pigmented enough that it shows up without a ton of layering. They also leave a really nice hydrated glow without being sticky and without picking up any products you’ve already used. I also love that they are only $20, which while in general is still a lot for blush, is very affordable compared to some others that I’ve recommended. There’s also a really fantastic shade range if these don’t speak to you. This is definitely one of my top cream formulas!

Swatches of Petal Poppin and Rose Latte in natural light

I’ve been getting back into perfume again as a way to create different atmospheres in the morning rather than just feeling like another same day in my home office. I got gifted a Replica perfume set for my upcoming birthday (thanks, mom!), and I love all the scents in the set. I have particularly been enjoying Beach Walk during the dreariest of winter days. It’s so light, fresh, and summery and really does remind me of walking down a sandy beach. I’m been loving using this to transport me away from our apartment and as a small reminder that one day in the future we’ll be back to sunny beaches and vacations far away again.

What did you love using this month? Let me know in the comments below!

Allies of Skin Brand Review

by liftbakelove3 Comments on Allies of Skin Brand Review

It’s no secret that I love the brand Allies of Skin. I’ve talked about how effective and worth the price these products are, but I thought it would be useful to put all of my thoughts in one place (though if you are a regular reader, some of this may be familiar). A note upfront that many of these products are quite expensive, but I’ve always been able to grab them at 20-30% off during sales! As with all of my reviews, this is not sponsored – I just really love these products and wanted to share. I do now have an affiliate code that you can use to save 20% off (or 15% off sale prices including buy one get one free) – LIFTBAKELOVE that makes the amazing deals they have even better. All links in this post are affiliate links.

I’ve talked about most of these products before, so wanted to start with the products I haven’t talked about here yet.

I have a lot of trouble finding Vitamin C serums that don’t irritate my skin, but the Vitamin C+ Perfecting Serum has been amazing – I didn’t even have irritation when I started using it, which has never happened before with a Vitamin C product. I have noticed such a big change with my skin since I started using this, particularly with helping with dullness. My skin has a glow that I’ve never seen before (since I have such dry skin), to the point that I can get away without using highlighter! I already have a backup of this because it’s such a key part of my morning skincare routine now.

I got the Vitamin C & Probiotics Brightening Masque as a gift with purchase, and the brand says to keep an eye out on their Instagram for when it’s coming out in the full size. Whenever that happens, I will be first in line to buy it. I have a lot of face masks that I love, but this is definitely in my top 5. It leaves my skin feeling refreshed, hydrated, smooth, and bright in 10 minutes with no irritation so I can use it in the morning before putting on makeup or as part of my evening skincare routine with no issues. Fingers crossed it launches soon!

As I mentioned in my January 2021 favorites, the Molecular Silk Amino Hydrating Cleanser is my new HG cleanser – it’s the first cleanser I’ve ever used that doesn’t require putting on moisturizer immediately afterwards. It creates such a luxurious cleansing experience, like you are cleaning your skin with silk. And while it really does clean, it also leaves your skin feeling hydrated. I’ve also recently used it as a quick mask by leaving it on for a few minutes before washing it off, and I love it that way. It really helps with any extra dryness, and I love that I don’t need to use a separate mask.

I’m also still loving the Molecular Saviour Probiotics Repair Mist. While my all-time favorite mist continues to be the Josh Rosebrook Hydrating Accelerator, this one is amazing for helping prevent any mask-ne and to use in the morning as an extra glow-booster (along with all the other glow-boosting products I use). The brand says to use this before the Vitamin C serum to help it absorb – and it does work great for that! I also love the packaging and mister, whereas I’ve actually depotted the Hydrating Accelerator into another bottle.

And last, but certainly not least, my first product from the brand and my favorite retinol product, the 1Aâ„¢ Retinal + Peptides Overnight Mask. This doesn’t irritate my skin at all, is very hydrating, and still actually does all the things retinol does (smooths the appearance of wrinkles, fades scars, and brightens skin). I love that if I’m really exhausted, I can use this as my all-in-one nighttime product without waking up to incredibly dry, blotchy skin, which is what used to happen with other retinol products. It’s pretty expensive, like the rest of this brand, but it works so well, and now I can’t imagine going back to something that isn’t as effective as this.

Is there another brand you’d like to see reviews of? Let me know in the comments!

2019 Skincare and Hair care Favorites

by liftbakeloveLeave a Comment on 2019 Skincare and Hair care Favorites

Best skincare discoveries in 2019:
I have a ton of tried and true favorites that I’ve used every day for years (comment below if you’d like a detailed post on that!), so instead of going through each category, here are my favorite discoveries in skincare this year.

Good Molecules Niacinamide Brightening Toner – This toner is my favorite skincare discovery of 2019! It has made my skin clearer, brighter, and less dry. It’s also $14 for a huge bottle. I’m so happy Beautylish sent a free sample to me in one of my orders because this was the #1 product that changed my skin for the better this year.

Krave Beauty Kale-lalu-yAHA – After trying a bunch of other chemical exfoliants, this is the one my skin responds the best to. It keeps my skin from getting congested, and it always looks so much brighter and glowy the morning after I use it. I only use it twice a week, but I can tell a huge difference if I forget to use it when I travel.

The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion – I wasn’t expecting anything too crazy for something under $10, but this has done great things for my skin. I was having trouble with wrinkles forming on my forehead and around my mouth and using this twice a week has totally gotten rid of them. It didn’t cause any purging or redness either, so I’m super excited to have found this.

Fresh Lotus Youth Preserve Dream Night Cream – My friend Vera recommended this to me when I was looking to replace the reformulated Clinique Moisture Surge (which I had used for ten years!). She was right in that it was exactly what I was looking for. It’s incredibly moisturizing without being oily, and it smells amazing. I’ve already gone through a full jar in 2019 and repurchased another and can say for sure that this will be a staple for me for many years to come.

Krave Beauty The Beet Shield – My favorite sunscreen was discontinued earlier this year, so I had to look for a replacement. Since I already loved the Kale-lalu-yAHA and had heard great things about the Beet Shield for dry skin, I decided to try it. This sunscreen blends in so quickly, leaves no whitecast, and doesn’t dry out my skin like many others do. I can also confirm it works – I used it for a week in Las Vegas and two in Florida without getting any color on my face.

Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse Multi-Purpose Dry Oil – This is hands down the best body moisturizer I have ever found, and I have tried dozens at this point. It sinks in so fast, is lightweight and not greasy, and keeps my skin moisturized for days. I can also mix it in to my other moisturizers super easily if I want an extra boost. I usually get incredibly dry skin in the winter to the point of being itchy all over, but haven’t had that problem at all this year thanks to this dry oil.

Best hair care discoveries in 2019:
In 2019, I bought a few too many Sephora Favorites Hair sets and got a bunch of hair related gifts with purchase. This led to me having over 50 hair products to try this year. My favorites of the bunch are:

Bumble and Bumble Hairdresser’s Invisible Oil Shampoo, Conditioner, and Primer and the While You Sleep Damage Repair Masque – This line and the mask are magic for my hair. Together, they keep it looking shiny, soft, and frizz-free without weighing it down. Plus, it smells amazing and compliments all the perfumes I own vs overpowering them (like DryBar products can do). I only use the mask about once every 3 weeks, and that’s been more than enough to keep my hair feeling great.

Ouai Wave Spray – I had decluttered this years ago for feeling sticky and not doing much for my hair, but now that I have it back in my collection, I have no idea what I was thinking. It works incredibly well after I curl my hair to give it some texture and beachiness without making anything crunchy. I do think it works much better because I now have shorter hair, but I can definitely say it works better than the other wave sprays I tried this year.

dpHUE Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse – When dry shampoo and other products have built up in my hair, this rinse does such a great job getting it clean again. It doesn’t leave my hair dry or overly stripped. It was particularly useful after my engagement shoot and wedding when I had what felt like gallons of hair spray in my hair. It got it all out super quickly, and my hair felt exactly the same as before.

Tangle Teezer – I own a ton of hair brushes at this point, and I thought that it didn’t make a huge difference what you used. This brush totally changed my mind. I love how compact it is and how it fits in my hand, and I can use it with wet or dry hair with limited breakage. The best part for me is that I have some waviness in my hair when it airs dries, and this brush doesn’t straighten them out at all.

Next up – brushes and lifestyle favorites!