The other day, I really only had 5 minutes to get my makeup on before kicking off a call for something. I’ve done a post like this one before but it was back in February, and I used a completely different set of products this time and about half the products. This also made me really appreciate how I already have everything I need to do my makeup and how little I need to use to feel put together. Are there any other topics you’d like to see me experiment with and report back on? Let me know 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.
Fitglow Beauty Redness Rescue Cream – This primer has just enough of a desaturated green tone to counteract any redness and make my skin look even without additional foundation. I found that this (plus the under eye corrector I’m about to write about) was enough for me and didn’t need foundation or concealer on top. I also hadn’t used any skincare yet and love how this is so extremely moisturizing and has so many great skincare ingredients that it’s really an all-in-one for me.
Smashbox X Becca Under Eye Brightening Corrector – I have super dark undereyes and can’t get away without a corrector, and this one works super well. I recently finished my HG undereye connector from the Ulta Beauty Brand so I switched back to using this corrector I had been working through already. Because it’s so brightening and hydrating, I actually found that I didn’t need additional concealer especially because the green primer really helped even out my skin already.
Haus Labs Power Sculpt Velvet Bronzer in Light Level 2 – I got this recently as a present (as well as the SuperBlush in Bubble and mascara I’m writing about today), and I’m so happy I have it. It’s definitely my favorite powder bronzer of all the ones I own. It’s just so easy to throw on and blend out and looks super natural. If I don’t have time to think about what I’m doing, this is what I’m going to reach for. It isn’t powdery or patchy at all either, so while I’d normally reach for a cream product, this looks just as seamless without having to spend any time blending.
Persona SuperBlush Blush in Bubble – This blush is just as good as everyone says it is. I’ve been using this as a topper for almost every look since I got this since it just brightens everything up so well. This formula is sheer enough that I don’t have to worry about overdoing it but it’s super buildable if you want it to be a really intense, bright pink. It’s incredibly blendable and easy to put on without being patchy. I’m just so happy with this one, and it was super easy to throw on as a way to quickly brighten my face in seconds.
Tower 28 Make Waves Mascara – I’m currently still testing out this mascara, and I’m still on the fence of if it’s really as good as everyone is saying it is. It’s definitely lengthening and lightweight enough that my lashes don’t fall as quickly. That said, it doesn’t give as much impact as the Thrive mascara. It worked great for throwing something on quickly, especially since I wasn’t wearing any eyeshadow. It also washes off just as easily as a tubing mascara, which is a huge plus for me. More coming soon on this mascara!
Fitglow Lip Serum in Beach Glow – Beach Glow is a sheer coppery bronze that is so much subtler than it looks in the tube. It’s so easy to slap on with any of my usual makeup looks and is the perfect amount of pigmented for me. It matched really well with the super minimal vibe I had going since it just added a little bit of color and shine. Aside from how well the color fit with this look, 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.
What do you use for a fast face of makeup? 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.
I recently visited family for over a week, and this is everything I brought! It actually all fit into a very small travel bag, so even though it looks like a lot, it didn’t feel like too much to me. That said, I do talk about which ones I wouldn’t have brought below because this is clearly overdoing it on eyeshadow, blush, and lip products. 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.
Roen 75° Warm Quad – If I could pack this again, I would have only brought the 11:11 quad, but I threw this one in just in case because I love these palettes so much. I really love the Roen formula because it’s so versatile – with a finger, the shades go on incredibly pigmented and intense, but with a brush, you can create a very sophisticated wash of color. I totally could have gotten away with just one eyeshadow brush and gotten so many incredible looks with this range of shades, particularly with how many great one-and-done shades there are. I also love that these are so quick and easy to use and last all day which is super important to me when I’m travelling.
Roen 11:11 Quad – This is my favorite Roen quad of the three that I own, and it’s definitely my most used. Each shade is a perfect one-and-done on it’s own, and they are so easy and quick to use. The shade swatched farthest to the right below is my go to for adding a high impact sparkle to any eye look, whether it’s on top of the other shades in the 11:11 palette or any other eyeshadow I’ve used. It just seems to finish off any look, particularly in a world where I want people to see my eyes through a screen. They last all day on me with an eyeshadow primer, and I don’t have any issues with flaking or fall out. I definitely used this one way more than the other quad.
Glow-All Super Powder Face Palette – I really struggle with powder products because they tend to stamp on vs deposit color and blend out so it’s super easy for me to overdo. I don’t have that issue with this palette at all. The formula is so easy to work with and you don’t have to think about what you’re doing because it’s so hard to overdo it. The formula is also incredibly creamy and blurring as you can hopefully see in the swatches below. I’m so happy to have this for travel and for quick and easy looks at home. I brought it with me when we visited family for Thanksgiving, and it was great to have everything in one palette, including such different blush colors., which makes it great for travel. You can still get a pretty big brush in the pans, which I really appreciate.
Highlighter, Bronzer, and Blushes from the face palette
In my Salt New York palette I had: Salt New York Sculpt + Bronze Crème Tint Pro in Light/Medium –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 Crème Tint Pro Highlighter in Beige – 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 favorite though of all of them, if I really had to choose, would be beige. It’s just my perfect, my skin but better highlight, and it always looks absolutely amazing.
Salt New York bronzer in Light/Medium, highlighter in Beige
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.
Salt New York Crème Tint Pro in Tangerine – This was part of a limited edition duo they launched for spring in 2021, and I’m so happy I grabbed it. I love using Tangerine to warm a look up when something doesn’t quite look right. I can use this to easily put together a monochromatic orange, bronzy look or adjust my blush to match my eyeshadow or lip color better. Like all Salt New York products, it’s buildable, dewy without shimmer, and super easy to blend.
Viseart Petite Pro 4 – 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 so I can easily throw it into my bag and get a ton of variety. 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, so it’s a great pairing for the Roen quads.
Laura Mercier Caviar Stick in Rose Gold – Like the Roen quad, I wouldn’t bring this if I could do it again because I just didn’t reach for it over all the other eyeshadow I brought. That said, I brought this because it’s just so easy to use. It’s super easy to blend and stays all day. Since it’s so small, it’s not a huge deal to have it in my beauty bag, and I pretty much always tend to add it just in case since it’s compact and I can swipe it on and quickly blend with my finger.
Thrive Causemetics Liquid Lash Extensions Mascara in Brynn – No surprises here – this is my go to mascara. 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 so I don’t have to bring a separate makeup remover for my mascara (which I need with some of my other ones).
Rephr Lash Curler – I’ve tired so many lash curlers over this years, but this one is by far my favorite. It feels my eye shape really well without pinching. It gets all of my lashes including the corners and my lashes actually curl. Right now, you can buy this for $17, and it’s so worth it especially at that price.
Tower 28 SunnyDays SPF 30 Tinted Sunscreen Foundation in Melrose – I honestly think this might be my favorite foundation of all time. The formula is so incredibly smoothing and glowy. It makes my skin look both perfected and hydrated while feeling super comfortable on the skin. I can put it on with a brush, sponge, or fingers, and it looks great. The wear time is amazing considering how lightweight it is, and it absolutely wears in instead of off. It’s super easy to apply with my hands, which is one of the reasons I love using it when I travel.
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, especially when traveling!
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, which makes it a great option to have in my travel bag.
Glossier Future Dew – This continues to be one of my favorite products, and is one of the only things I consistently use every day in my makeup routine. It provides such an 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.
Cover FX Dewy Finish Setting Spray – Honestly, this isn’t my favorite anymore, but I have this mini, and I’d love to finish it. It’s still a great option for keeping my makeup looking great all day without drying out my skin. It’s alcohol-free and doesn’t dry out my skin. Mostly, I brought this one because it’s in such a small container. Similarly, the Cover FX mini powder I have is a totally fine powder, and it’s just the one I bring because I have it and it’s so small.
Rose Inc Brow Renew in Clear – 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, and this travel size is perfect for not taking up too much space.
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 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.
Fitglow Beauty Lip Colour Serums in Halo, Dahlia, Juice, and Nudie – I know I write about these all the time, but it’s because I truly love them, and I’m so happy I have so many of them. I use them almost every day and couldn’t choose just one to bring with me. 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. I brought four of the minis I have to give me as much variety as I would want without taking up barely any space. This gave me an amazing range of colors and brightness levels to choose from.
Fitglow Beauty Lip Night Serum – This formula is incredibly nourishing, thick, hydrating, and long-lasting, which makes it perfect for my only lip balm or clear lip gloss I bring. It’s honestly the best nighttime lip treatment I’ve ever tried, and I wake up consistently to hydrated and nourished lips, which I’ve never had happen in the winter before using this product. I now always have one of these with me wherever I go.
Glossier Ultralip in Villa and Trench – 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. Villa is such an at home shade for me that makes it super easy to throw on, and Trench is such a great browny nude for me that has enough yellow to balance out all the pink in my lips. If I had to pack again, I’d probably just bring the Fitglow Lip Serums but I do really love these too.
Futurelipstick Luxe Shine in Nothing Nude– This formula is really high shine and super smoothing, and I find myself reaching for it so much more than my other lipsticks. It’s surprisingly nourishing and hydrating for such a pigmented lipstick – it has the finish of a lipstick and the formula of a hydrating lip balm. I have the shade Nothing Nude which is a cool rosy brown. This is one of my go-tos, and it’s so small, I figured I would bring it. I definitely didn’t need all these lip products but I ended up wearing this one quite often.
Make Up For Ever Artist Color Pencil in Wherever Walnut – I actually have so many different lip liners, and this is still the only one I use when I’m traveling. 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, which makes it great if I only want to bring one. This mini is also tiny, so it doesn’t take up really any space.
MAC Glow Play Blush in Totally Synced– This formula has been my go-to for finishing off my cheek looks because it has a really incredible blurring quality that really pulls together any look I’ve done. Because the texture feels like a cross between a powder and a cream, it adds a slight sheen like a cream and has great lasting power like a powder. I own 5 of these, but I brought Totally Synced, which is a pastel lilac shade. I find that it really helps balance a too-warm look or a too-dark look. I probably didn’t need to bring this given the other blushes, but I find having a bright cool shade like this really helpful.
What are your go-tos while traveling? Do you also end up bringing too much but because it fits into a small bag it feels okay? 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.
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. As always, 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. 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.
Josh Rosebrook Hydrating Accelerator (repeat empty) – This continues to be 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 have been through so many bottles of this and will definitely grab more when the next Credo/Ulta sale comes around. I’m planning on repurchasing this forever unless something really amazing launches that knocks it out of its HG spot in my routine.
Fitglow Beauty Eye C Firm Eye Cream (sample) – I am testing so many eye creams right now that they’re all starting to blend together a bit. That said, this one didn’t cause milia, worked really well under makeup in the morning, and was very moisturizing. I didn’t have enough of it to see if it held up to its claims to naturally reduce the look of lines, dark circles, and puffiness but I would absolutely consider repurchasing the full size during a sale next time I need more eye cream.
Flamingo Foaming Shave Gel (repeat empty) – This was really great while I used it, but the 1oz size that comes with the starter set lasts such a short period of time that it’s really more of a trial size. It does everything you’d expect from a shave gel and otherwise was pretty unremarkable. I’m now testing out the Honey Mango Shave Cream from Trader Joe’s because it has such great reviews, and so far, I’m really liking it! I’m hoping that will pan out for my new favorite, but I will update here.
Farmacy Honey Halo Hydrating Ceramide Moisturizer (repeat empty) – This is the best moisturizer I’ve tried for my super dry skin. It’s incredibly thick but still absorbs super quickly and plays well with my other night time skincare products. Usually by this time of year, my skin starts to get flaky and itchy because it’s so dry, but I’ve had no issues since I’ve been using this. It’s honestly been saving my dry skin from totally losing all its hydration overnight. I have a few backups of the jumbo version, so I won’t be buying this gain for a long time, but I will absolutely repurchase again when I’m out.
Farmacy Honey Drop Lightweight Moisturizer (repeat empty) – I’m still surprised by how much I love this given how incredibly lightweight it is. It’s still very moisturizing but has the benefit of sinking into my skin so fast. I really appreciate that for a morning moisturizer because I tend to start my makeup pretty quickly after my morning skincare routine. It also layers incredibly well with my other morning skincare without causing pilling. I already am working through my back up of this and will likely keep repurchasing it.
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 I’ll be sharing empties posts every other Friday all year. Let me know if there’s anything else you’d like to see here on LiftBakeLove, and thanks for reading! As always, some links may be affiliate links that support the blog, but all reviews/opinions are completely my own and unsponsored.
I can’t believe May is already 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. 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 101 Contoured Foundation Brush – I will be doing a full review of all the BK Beauty brushes I have, but this one really stands out to me. It’s the perfect shape for so many things – foundation, bronzer, blush, highlighter. Because of the angle and the shape, it works so quickly for anything I’m doing. The density is perfect and doesn’t “eat up” too much product. Even though it’s large, it works so well for blush and bronzer in particular. It’s one of the first brushes I would rebuy now if I lost my collection, and that’s saying so much since I have such a large collection of brushes.
Natasha Denona Puff Paint Liquid Blush – This is a liquid blush serum that dries down but keeps 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 it, but now that I have started using it all the time, it’s become an almost daily staple.
Glossier Ultralip in Villa – 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. Villa is such an at home shade for me that makes it super easy to throw on, so I love using these during the day on work calls when I want something quick and easy while still taking advantage of how moisturizing these are.
Urban Decay 24/7 Moondust Eyeshadow in Space Cowboy – 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).
Fitglow Beauty Lip Night Serum – I love all of the Fitglow Lip Serums so much, but I have been loving the night serum. This formula is incredibly nourishing, thick, hydrating, and long-lasting, which makes it perfect for super dry winter nights. It’s honestly the best nighttime lip treatment I’ve ever tried, and I wake up consistently to hydrated and nourished lips, which I’ve never had happen in the winter before using this product. It’s quite expensive for a lip balm, but it’s really so much more than that and totally worth it for me to not have consistently dried out, chapped, painful lips.
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.
I can’t believe March 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. 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.
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 finger – either way, it takes only a few seconds to apply and blend. This is the highlighter I reach for when I need something super quick which has been most days this month.
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!
Fitglow Beauty Lip Color Serums – I know I talk about the Lip Color Serums all the time, but I really do use them. 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. Lately, I’ve been really loving the shade Halo. It’s described as a soft brown nude, and it’s honestly my favorite neutral lip shade. I only have a tiny bit left of my mini, and I’m definitely going to grab the full size when my no-buy is over, and I’ve had a chance to finish some of my other shades.
Fitglow Beauty Lip Colour Serum in Halo
Holo Taco Sea Foam Home – This is a creme shade that is described as a “cool mint,” but I find that it reads more of a light teal. I’ve been using this in nail art over and over again. I didn’t think it would be this useful of a shade, but it’s been so great to have. Holo Taco’s creme formula is incredibly smooth, self-leveling, and pigmented. It works so well for water marbling and other nail art. These are all from the last month and show how useful this shade of green can be!
Amika Multi-Task Repair Treatment – My hair had been feeling incredibly dry and lifeless lately, but when I added this into my routine, it’s like my hair went right back to normal and then some. It makes my hair feel so soft, so much less frizzy, and way shinier. It also has more volume and movement without me doing anything to it, which I love. I’ve only been using it once a week, and that’s been plenty to see results.
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.
As part of my no-buy year, I’m trying to really get to know and love my collection, and thought I’d look at my favorite products from my most purchased from brands. These are the brands I own the most of from a quantity perspective vs retail value. I also decided to exclude nail polish brands for this one because we’d end up with a list of my favorite polishes, but I’d be happy to do that soon – let me know in the comments if you’d like to see that! 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!
Jumbo Base brush from Sonia G – I own 25 Sonia G brushes and honestly love and use them all constantly. But my favorite is definitely this one! It’s one of my most used and most versatile. I love using it most for bronzer, blush, and highlighter even though it’s meant for foundation (though it works great for that too). It blends out bronzer so fast, and then I use the tip of the brush to seamlessly add highlighter. I can then use the center of the brush to pop on some blush, and I’m good to go. It also washes out beautifully and feels good as new even though I’ve had it for almost a year.
Farmacy Honey Halo Hydrating Ceramide Moisturizer – Not only is this my favorite product from Farmacy, this is also just the best moisturizer I’ve tried for my super dry skin. It’s incredibly thick but still absorbs super quickly and plays well with my other night time skincare products. Usually by this time of year, my skin starts to get flaky and itchy because it’s so dry, but I’ve had no issues since I’ve been using this. I’m so glad they have the jumbo version now because I know this is going to be a staple for me for a long time, and it’s honestly been saving my dry skin from totally losing all its hydration overnight.
Custom Bite Beauty Lipstick
Custom Bite Beauty Lipstick – I still have a lot of Bite agave lip masks and lipsticks from before the brand reformulated and am really enjoying still having them around to use. My favorite thing from the brand though has to be one my custom lipsticks. I went to the Bite Lip Lab for my bachelorette party years and made my perfect red, my wedding lip color, and a dupe of my favorite but now discontinued lipstick. I then got a sheer version of that dupe, and it’s still one of my favorite lipsticks ever. Even though it looks pretty non-unique, it’s really one of my perfect lip colors, and it has so much nuance in person. I’m still so happy I have it.
Salt New York Crème Tint Pro Highlighter in Beige
Salt New York Crème Tint Pro Highlighter in Beige – 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 favorite though of all of them, if I really had to choose, would be beige. It’s just my perfect, my skin but better highlight, and it always looks absolutely amazing.
FitGlow Lip Serums in Night Lip Serum, Beach Glow, Gospel, and Root (some of my other favorites)
Fitglow Beauty Lip Night Serum – I love all of the Fitglow Lip Serums so much, but my absolutely favorite is the night serum. This formula is incredibly nourishing, thick, hydrating, and long-lasting, which makes it perfect for super dry winter nights. It’s honestly the best night time lip treatment I’ve ever tried, and I wake up consistently to hydrated and nourished lips, which I’ve never had happen in the winter before using this product. It’s quite expensive for a lip balm, but it’s really so much more than that and totally worth it for me to not have consistently dried out, chapped, painful lips.
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.
The other day, I really only had 5 minutes to get my makeup on before heading out the door for something. I’ve done a few “what I would use for a 5-minute face of makeup” posts before, so I thought it would be fun to report back on what I actually reached for when I had to do it for real. This also made me really appreciate how I already have everything I need to do my makeup. Are there any other topics you’d like to see me experiment with and report back on? Let me know 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 Future Dew mixed with Rose Inc Softlight Clean Dewy Hydrating Concealer – My base routine is usually what takes the longest because I use primer, corrector, foundation, and concealer, so I tried to think really quickly about how I could merge those together. My solution was to mix together Future Dew with the Rose Inc concealer, which resulted in something hydrating, dewy, and medium coverage. I quickly applied with my hands, and then blended out with my sponge – it looked great in one step. The shade LX10 is a bit light for me to use all over, so if I did this again, I’d mix in some liquid bronzer, and I think it’d be perfect. I also think my under eyes could have used my usual corrector but I’m sure no one but me noticed.
Westman Atelier Face Trace Contour Stick in Biscuit – This is one of my go-tos when I’m short on time and just need to add some color to my face without having to do a lot of work or blending. I own so many cream bronzer products, and always come back to this one as my “I just don’t want to think about it and need something that works” product.
Westman Atelier Blush Stick in Petal – Similar to the contour stick, this is just so easy to use and blend, and it’s my go to for when I’m running late or don’t have as much time to do a full “blush look.” Petal is the perfect “natural but makes me look way healthier and hydrated than I am” shade. This and the contour stick make a perfect pair for me, and the stick format and formula make them both so incredibly easy to slap on and blend.
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 applied it straight from the wand and blended – a process that took about 10 seconds. Because of the packaging, it’s the highlighter I reach for when I need something super quick.
Benefit Precisely, My Brow Pencil – Because of a sparse area I have in one of my brows, I never skip this step. 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 – Because this is clear, it was super easy to throw it on my brows in less than 10 seconds without having to worry about making my brows look too big or dark. And because of my big brows, the applicator is also perfect for me vs the usual tiny brow applicators, especially when I want to apply brow gel super quickly.
Lisa Eldridge Liquid Lurex Eyeshadow in Angelica – I’m not surprised my first thought for eyeshadow was this one. Angelica is a rosy bronze that is the absolute perfect shade for me, and I can pair it with almost any blush and lip color. The formula also doesn’t need a primer and still lasts all day. It’s so quick and easy to apply and looks amazingly impactful. I applied directly from the doe foot and blended out with a brush – it was so fast and looked like I spent a long time doing an “eye look.”
Glow-All Super Powder Face Palette – Because I didn’t set anything with powder and did everything so quickly, I wanted to add a finishing touch of powder products to blend the look together. I immediately reached for this palette because it has blush, bronzer, and highlighter all in one and because the formula is amazing. The formula is so easy to work with and you don’t have to think about what you’re doing because it’s so hard to overdo it – super important when I’m trying to work really quickly. It’s exactly what I wanted for a “set without getting rid of all the dewiness” product, and these shades match the cream products I used so they melded together super well.
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 fit with this look, 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. While I reached for Gospel, any of the shades I have (like Root or Beach Glow) would have worked great too.
FitGlow Lip Serums in Night Lip Serum, Beach Glow, Gospel, and Root
Thrive Causemetics Liquid Lash Extensions Mascara – Something always looks a bit off until I finish a look with mascara, so I finished off the look with my trusted Thrive mascara. This is the only mascara I use so it was an easy choice. It makes my lashes look amazing, doesn’t smudge, and actually holds a curl. It also builds super quickly, so I only have to do one coat. As always when I mention this mascara, if there’s a tubing mascara you love and think I should try, definitely let me know in the comments!
What do you use for a fast face of makeup? 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.
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.
I can’t believe it’s already October, and it’s time for another round of favorites! As always, 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!
I am so happy to have discovered the Ulta Under Eye Brightener. 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!
I’ve been testing Dieux Deliverance serum since August, and it’s truly a game changing product. My skin had been looking a bit dull and overly dry in the summer, and even though I love the other products I use, I needed something more. This serum is supposed to address skin issues like irritation, uneven tone, texture, lack of firmness, among others, and it definitely does everything it says it does. My skin is already looking less uneven, less dull, and less textured This serum did the trick and absolutely has my skin more even and calm and all the other improvements I was looking for. Given how much I love their Forever Eye Mask, I’m not surprised this is just as amazing.
Everything everyone has said about Kosas Cloud Set Baked Setting & Smoothing Powder is true – it really is that amazing! 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. I love using this for all over my face and to set all my cream products without getting rid of any of their dewiness. The only thing I find is that it doesn’t add any coverage, unlike the Hourglass Veil Translucent Setting Powder, which is still one of my favorite powders of all time, and I’m still using under my eyes because I prefer it for that.
FitGlow Lip Serums in Night Lip Serum, Beach Glow, Gospel, and Root
So I know I’ve only had this for a few weeks, and I try not to share things in my favorites until I’ve been using them for awhile, but I just can’t not talk about the FitGlow Beauty State of Kait Edit. The kit comes with Night Lip Serum, Beach Glow, Gospel, and Root. The formula is incredibly nourishing, thick, hydrating, and long-lasting, and I just can’t stop using them. The Night Lip Serum is the best night time lip treatment I’ve ever tried, and I wake up consistently to hydrated and nourished lips. The 3 colored serums are all beautiful and, between the three, I can always find one to match my look. I expect to have these in favorites posts for months to come, and I’m hoping they do some more mini sets so I can grab a few more shades!
I didn’t realize how much I need the Cupcake Polish VNL Blur #1 until I purchased it. It’s a neutralizing base coat that comes in multiple shades and is meant to reduce the number of coats of the nail polish you’re using. It works incredibly well and turns all my 3 coaters into 2 coaters and 2 coaters into 1 coaters! I never do a manicure without it now.
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.
Makeup and Skincare Reviews 