Finding a powder bronzer that truly works for olive skin can be tricky, but these all have the perfect undertones for me and are never too orange. Whether you want a warm, summery glow, a neutral year-round option, or something that enhances olive undertones without clashing, these bronzers deliver. With skin-smoothing formulas, seamless blendability, and a range of finishes, these are my top picks for the most natural, flattering bronzers. In this post, all links are affiliate links, but all opinions are my own!
Bronzers are shown from left to right in the order listed below: RMS, VB, Armani, Gucci, Make Beauty, YSL
RMS ReDimension Hydra Bronzer in Beachwalk Betty – This is my go-to bronzer when I want a really warm, summery glow without turning myself into a Cheeto. Particularly if I’ve used a blush that leans too warm, this helps balance everything out so my face looks cohesive. It’s the most “normal” bronzer shade I own, but it still doesn’t go orange on me. The formula has a subtle shimmer that gives my skin a hydrated look without being glittery. It’s smoothing, blurring, and incredibly easy to apply. Since it’s fairly pigmented, I can skip cream or liquid bronzers and still get enough color—especially as someone with high contrast features. This is refillable too so if you use this up, you can just get the insert without rebuying the compact.
Victoria Beckham Bronzer Brick in 01 – This is an ever so slightly cooler and more neutral-toned bronzer compared to the RMS, and its matte finish makes it extra blurring. The lighter shade is perfect for blending out any harsh edges or bridging the gap between my cheek products and concealer. It’s a great year-round option since you can mix and match the two shades for a lighter or deeper bronzer. The neutral undertone makes it especially flattering on olive skin, but I think it would work well for a wide range of complexions. I love that this is refillable too, so if I ever hit pan, I can just replace the insert instead of rebuying the whole compact.
Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Bronzer in 90 – The first time I tried this, I knew I had to have it. It has a weirdly perfect yellow undertone that works so well with my olive skin, making it look like a natural, sun-kissed glow. The tiny amount of shimmer is just enough to make my skin look healthy—like I actually go outside (which I don’t). The pan is huge, so you can use literally any brush with it, and that just makes applying it even more fun. Like the all these bronzers, it blends seamlessly and layers beautifully with my other products. This is the one I reach for the most in spring and summer, and it always looks amazing.
Gucci Poudre de Beauté Éclat Soleil Bronzing Powder in 01 – Before buying this, I swatched all the bronzers I had at the time, and most leaned a little yellow and warm (great for summer). But this one is rosier, making it perfect for winter. It’s especially great when I’m doing a berry or pink-toned makeup look instead of something more beige or brown, since I didn’t have a bronzer that fit that vibe before. The formula is stunning—blurring, blendable, and super easy to use. I recently took this on a trip in a magnetic palette (since the pan is removable), and I loved being able to pair it with some eyeshadows without it taking up too much space.
Make Beauty Skin Mimetic Microsuede Bronzer in Lunar – This bronzer formula is incredible. It’s completely non-patchy, layers beautifully over creams, and somehow maintains a satin finish while having great staying power. The shade has just enough green to keep it warm without going orange (a rarity among warm bronzers). The range includes six shades, and I think they did a great job with the undertones across them. The packaging is also super nice, and I love that it’s a different color than their pressed powder compact since they’re the same size. Bonus: it’s refillable like the RMS and Victoria Beckham, and the pans fit interchangeably in either compact!
YSL All Hours Hyper Bronzer in 01 – If you want a bronzer that’s basically impossible to mess up, this is it. It’s really light but buildable, making it look incredibly natural on my skin. Like the rest of these, the formula is smoothing, blurring, and effortless to blend. It never leans orange and just looks really polished. I love that I can keep adding more without worrying about overdoing it or placing it perfectly. This is my go-to when I’m running on two hours of sleep and just need to look awake.
What other products would you like me to review? Let me know if there’s anything else you’d like to see here on LiftBakeLove, and thanks for reading! As always, some links may be affiliate links that support the blog, but all reviews/opinions are completely my own and unsponsored.
Seeing everyone doing their Best of Beauty posts and videos made me realize that I totally didn’t do one in 2022, and I wanted to make sure I didn’t forget this year. It’s been really fun to look back and see what’s still a favorite from the years before that and what was newly discovered this year. Like last year, I’ll be splitting out the makeup and skincare lists so these posts don’t get too long. I would love see your favorites and recommendations for 2023 in the comments! And, of course, thank you so much for being here, and it would mean so much to me if you subscribe here for new posts. Some links are affiliate links, and if you choose to shop through them, thanks for supporting the blog!
Primer:Make Beauty Moisturizing Reverse Emulsion – This is my favorite moisturizer (and if you’ve been to this blog before, you know I’ve tried so, so many moisturizers as I have incredibly dry skin). I’ve used this as a moisturizer and primer, mixed with other primers, mixed with foundations – it works so well no matter what I do with it. It leaves a dewy but not wet or sticky finish and makes everything look better. It’s like a super sophisticated version of the Glossier Future Dew and will definitely be my replacement for that (which has been my favorite primer for yeas) when I run out of all my Future Dew back ups. Because of that, it’s definitely my primer pick for the year even if I still have some Future Dew bottles to get through.
Green color corrector: NYX HD Studio Photogenic Concealer Wand in Green – This is the green color corrector I’ve reached for the most (so much I actually ran out of mine and am almost done with my new tube of it). I’m planning on doing a full green color corrector comparison post because I actually have 6 in rotation right now that I like and use for different reasons. This one is the most green of the bunch and doesn’t lean matte or dewy so it works really well with whatever primer, foundation, concealer, and powder combo I’ve used that day. Because of that quality, I can’t use it as a primer by itself like some of my other green correctors, but a lot of those require I top them up with this anyway because they’re not nearly as green. Plus, this one is only $4.99 at Target right now.
Under eye corrector: Ulta Under Eye Brightener – I have super dark undereye and can’t get away without a corrector, and I’m so happy to have discovered this one. It’s about $10 and a very effective dupe of my beloved Becca Under Eye Brightening Corrector. Just like the Becca one, this corrector works so well for correcting my super dark circles and helps hydrate my super dry under eyes for whatever concealer goes on top without any heaviness. It blends like a dream and the color is perfect for me. And it’s in stick form which is so much easier to use than the pot!
Foundation: Fenty Foundation Stick in 02 - I ended up with a ton of foundations this year, and I honestly would be happy with any of them (let me know if you want a foundations for light olive skin run down!), but I think the one I’ve leaned on the most this year and been the most excited about is the Fenty Foundation Stick. This foundation is absolutely beautiful and so easy to use. I’m so glad that I grabbed this because when I want to put on a more high coverage (for me) face of makeup, this is what I reach for. It blends out so quickly, is quite blurring, and make my skin look amazing without being too dewy or matte. It also is great for spot concealing because it builds really well, and it’s super easy to get just a little bit on a brush straight from the stick. This is definitely my choice out of all the stick foundations for dry skin, and I like it even better than the original Eaze Drop (even though I still love that foundation).
Concealer: Givenchy Prisme Libre Skin-Caring 24H Hydrating + Radiant + Correcting Creamy Concealer in N95 – This concealer is as good as everyone says it is, especially for those of us over 30. It’s incredibly hydrating while still offering a really good amount of coverage because it has such a creamy texture. I love using it all over as both my foundation and concealer, and it just looks so nice. It builds up really nicely if I want more coverage in certain areas while still looking incredibly natural. It plays well with all my powders and primers, so if I’m traveling, this is the one product I’ll bring with me because I know it’ll work no matter what else I do.
Contour: Westman Atelier Face Trace Contour Stick in Biscuit – This was my favorite in this category in 2020 and 2021 (which is news to me how old this product is because it still works like it’s brand new). Nothing beat it out this year yet again. It is the perfect color and texture for a natural looking contour. I also love the packaging – it feels super luxe with the magnetic closure, and I really appreciate having a stick for a quick makeup look. If I had to start my collection over, this would definitely be one of the first things I replace.
Cream Bronzer: Tom Ford Shade and Illuminate in 0.5 and Salt New York Crème Tint Pro in light/medium – I noticed that I chose these two as my favorites in 2021, and it’s also still what I would choose, especially given how much I reached for these this year. Both are cream products that give a super natural look in about 2 seconds. They are super blendable and easy to build up to the opacity I want or leave fairly sheer. I actually think the colors and formulas are pretty similar (even though the Salt New York is warmer and the Tom Ford is more neutral) so if you want to not spend way too much on the Tom Ford, I would definitely recommend getting the Salt New York paired with one of their highlighters to replicate the duo. I did really love the Makeup by Mario Skin Enhancer and the Milk Makeup Bionic Bronzer, but these are the two I keep going back to.
Power Bronzer: Haus Labs Power Sculpt Velvet Bronzer in Light Level 2 and Gucci Poudre de Beauté Éclat Soleil Bronzing Powder in 01 – I also have two favorites for this category – one for summer and one for winter. The Haus Labs bronzer is my pick for spring/summer because it leans warm and the Gucci is my pick for fall/winter because it leans more rosey. Both are fantastic -they’re just so easy to throw on and blend out and looks super natural. If I don’t have time to think about what I’m doing, this is what I’m going to reach for. Neither are powdery or patchy at all, and just make my skin look great. Both of these I can reach for regardless of what other makeup I have on, they look seamless without having to spend any time blending, and are what I reach for when I can’t quite figure out what’s wrong with my makeup and need to add something.
Cream blush: I honestly have no idea how many cream blushes I have at this point, but it’s enough that choosing just one would have been impossible, so I’m doing my favorites for different color categories: beige, berry, and pink.
Beige: Finding Ferdinand Creamy Blush x Kackie Review Beauty in Latte and Au Lait – When I don’t know what blush to use, the ones I reach for are Latte (a desaturated, light beige with a touch of rose) and Au Lait (a neutral, medium beige with a hint of warmth) from Kackie’s collab with Finding Ferdinand. These colors just go with everything and always look so natural on me, so they’re perfect for no makeup makeup looks or pairing with a more colorful eyeshadow (when I choose not to just wear something brown). I do recommend using a pretty densely packed brush like the BK Beauty 106 because it’s quite a stiff formula in the pot even though it blends out so seamlessly on the skin. The formula is super blendable (I think because there’s quite a bit of marula oil in these), easy to layer, and very buildable. They do dry down on the skin but they still have a dewy, hydrated finish that just looks really nice. *I’m a little biased because I’m friends with Kackie, but I did buy these with my own money.
Berry: Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Liquid Blush in Faith – This is one of the only liquid blushes I’m willing to use, and it’s because the formula is honestly just so great. This shade is in the matte formula, which I actually prefer to the dewy one because it really dries down and almost stains my cheeks. It has incredibly lasting power, and if I still want a dewy look, I have plenty of highlighters I can layer on top of it. It really is as good as everyone says it is, and I’m not surprised this blush keeps going viral. The shade Faith is a deep purple toned berry that really packs a punch, and you definitely want to use just a tiny bit at a time. This is my go to for the “cold girl” winter look or to pair with deeper brown or mauve eyeshadow looks.
Pink: About Face Cheek Freak Blush Balm in Laid –Similar to the Rare Beauty blush, this dries down to a matte finish that actually lasts such a long time for a cream blush. It starts off really balmy so it’s really easy to pick up on a brush or finger and blend into the skin, and then it stays where it is. I also love how the packaging matches the color of the blush since I have three of these – it’s always easy to find the one I want. Laid in particular is a super bright pink blush that is just the quickest way to that flushed look, especially in the summer. If I want to look really awake and hydrated, this is my go to since it’s so bright and flattering.
From left to right: MAC Glow Play Blush in Heat Index, Blush Please, So Natural, Grand, and Totally Synced
Power blush: MAC Glow Play Blush – This formula has been my go-to for finishing off my cheek looks because it has a really incredible blurring quality that really pulls together any look I’ve done. Because the texture feels like a cross between a powder and a cream, it adds a slight sheen like a cream and has great lasting power like a powder. I own 5 of these, and I found myself reaching for all of them depending on my mood and the time of year. Between So Natural (golden beige), Blush Please (neutral light mauve), Heat Index (bright pink), Totally Synced (light lilac) and Grand (petal pink), I’m covered with any look I’m trying to do.
Highlight: Auric Glow Lust – I wrote about the Auric Glow Lust so many times, and I’m still in love with it. It gives both a super smooth and glowy effect to the skin, whether I use it as foundation, a primer, a mixer, or a highlighter. Of all of my glowy, liquid products, this is definitely my favorite of the bunch. The packaging is also amazing, especially the pump – it’s so much easier to use than something like the Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter. It feels like much more of a luxury experience, from the packaging to the formula. I have the shades Selenite and Morganite, and I love using Selenite all over as foundation or a primer and Morganite as a true “high points of the skin” highlighter. I have a full review here if you’d like to see more comparisons between the two.
Powder: Givenchy Mini Prisme Libre Loose Setting and Finishing Powder in 3 Voile Rosé – If I could only pick one powder, and I weirdly have a ton for someone with dry skin, it’d be this one. Honorable mention to the ELF Prime Stay Finishing Powder which I also love but is only $4. The Givenchy powder blurs and mattifies without drying out my skin or looking powdery, which is perfect for someone with super dry skin like myself. It definitely provides a bit of brightening for me in this color, but it mostly is just a really fantastic loose powder. It really does provide a soft focus blur in real life. I actually decluttered my Hourglass Veil Translucent Setting Powder (which I’ve written about how much I love for years) because I noticed I never used it since I have the Givenchy, and it’s because the Hourglass feels so heavy compared to the Givenchy powder.
Eyeshadow: Urban Decay 24/7 Moondust Eyeshadow in Space Cowboy – I have so many eyeshadows and eyeshadow palettes, and there’s so many that I love, but I knew right away which one I used the most and would keep if I could only keep one. It’s a sheer shimmery eyeshadow that adds a wet look to any shadow without really adding any color or changing the color of the look underneath. But somehow it still has enough of a beige-y base that you can wear it on its own. It’s incredibly reflective and glossy, doesn’t have any fallout, and is so easy to apply with a brush or fingers (and doesn’t require any glitter glue). I can’t count how many times this year I wore a matte brown shadow with Space Cowboy on top and got a ton of compliments on my eyeshadow. I’m honestly upset I have so many other eyeshadows given how much I use this one.
Brows: NYX Thick It Stick It Brow Mascara – It’s so quick and easy to fill in and shape my brows with this – I’ve been reaching for it over my other brow gels (which I oddly have a ton of – the ranking post is coming, I promise!). Unlike some other fiber containing brow products, this really lasts all day and actually keeps my brows in place. The only thing about this that I don’t love is that the wand is bigger than I’m used to so I tend to get some of the brow gel on my skin. The good news is that it’s very easy to clean up before it dries, and this is so inexpensive I’m happy to deal with that issue.
Mascara: I fell out of love with all my mascaras this year and am currently on the hunt for a new one that I love. The front runner right now is the Finding Ferdinand Lashlift Mascara, which I would be perfectly happy with using as my main mascara. It’s a tubing mascara that’s lighter weight than the Thrive mascara so my lashes don’t fall as quickly, and it otherwise works exactly as I would expect a black tubing mascara to work. That said, I have 6 other mascaras to test throughout 2024, so I will report back!
Lip Liner: Thrive Causemetics Lip Filler Long-Wearing + Plumping Lip Liner in Kackie – I still love this lip liner, and it’s one I reach for all the time. I don’t know how Kackie did it, but this is the most perfect neutral brown shade for me. I can put any gloss or lipstick over top of it, and it looks great. The formula also manages to be creamy, not drying, and have great staying power. It’s the lip liner I use when I don’t want to worry about my lip look coming together, especially in the morning before I’ve had coffee and just want something I know will work. I think I started writing about this one in 2020, and I’m surprised how it continues to rise to the top of my lip liner collection.
Lip gloss/shiny lipstick: YSL Candy Glaze in 02 and 15 – I’m honestly so annoyed by how right Kackie is about this one, because she’s obsessed with it, and now I am too. If I had to choose between these and the Hourglass ones, I’d choose these every time. If you’re just looking for an incredibly luxurious lip balm that makes your lips look and feel amazing, then the clear (02) is fantastic. This is much thicker than my other clear lip balms, so it lasts for so much longer than I would have expected, to the point that I would absolutely use the clear as a nighttime lip treatment in a pinch. It also smells amazing, but if you’re not into fruity/mango scents, you might not appreciate it as much as I do. Shade 15 (Showcasing Nude) is a beautiful rosey brown that is a perfect my lips but better color that’s so easy to wear, and I’m always stopping myself from buying more of the shades.
Satin lipstick: Make Beauty Cream Supreme Lipstick in Equilibrium – This was my go to lipstick until I got the Givenchy lipstick I’m going to mention next. The formula is creamy and non-drying while still being much longer lasting than I expected. It’s a touch glossy, but not overly so, and it just looks so nice. Any time I need a “looks like I tried and will last” lipstick, I choose this one. I also love the color – Equilibrium is the perfect rosey nude that goes with any look I put together. I absolutely love the packaging and how easy the shape makes to get a precise application. I don’t need a lip liner with this, and it’s pigmented enough that I only need to swipe once. It’s also refillable so when I run out, I’ll only have to buy the refill!
Matte lipstick: Givenchy Le Rouge Sheer Velvet Matte Lipstick in 10 Beige Nu – This is now my favorite matte lipstick formula because it looks blurred out and matte without being too matte or drying out my lips. It’s exactly the kind of look I want when I’m not going for something glossy or shiny. It actually reminds me the Glossier Generation G formula but incredibly elevated and in way better colors. This color in particular is amazing for me – it’s my go to for “I don’t know what lip color I want to wear but I just need it to look good” because it goes with everything. If I didn’t do any kind of reviewing content and didn’t have a bigger collection to compare things, I could see myself keeping this as one of my only lipsticks and be entirely happy with it.
What were your favorites this year? Let me know if there’s anything else you’d like to see here on LiftBakeLove, and thanks for reading! As always, some links may be affiliate links that support the blog, but all reviews/opinions are completely my own and unsponsored.
Kackie has one of my favorite beauty channels to watch (and also one of my favorite people for so many reasons). What makes her stand out for me is that she actually reviews products rather than fawning over new releases. She covers textures, colors, formulation, packaging, etc. in depth, usually with comparisons to similar products you might already have. She has what she refers to as an encyclopedic knowledge of products, and I think that’s why I find her reviews so helpful. Kackie goes out of her way to give the most pertinent information to help viewers decide why something might or might not work for them and what they should know about the product when making a purchasing decision. For that reason, almost everything I’ve gotten because of her recommending it has become a fast favorite and something I wish I had bought sooner. I rounded up all the makeup Kackie made me buy in 2023 (and since my last “Kackie made me buy it” post last year). As always, thank you so much for being here, and it would mean so much to me if you subscribe here for new posts! *Most links are affiliate links that support the blog.
Givenchy Prisme Libre Skin-Caring 24H Hydrating + Radiant + Correcting Creamy Concealer in N95 – This concealer is as good as everyone says it is, especially for those of us over 30. It’s incredibly hydrating while still offering a really good amount of coverage because it has such a creamy texture. I love using it all over as both my foundation and concealer, and it just looks so nice. It builds up really nicely if I want more coverage in certain areas while still looking incredibly natural. It plays well with all my powders and primers, so if I’m traveling, this is the one product I’ll bring with me because I know it’ll work no matter what else I do.
Fenty Foundation Stick in 02 – This foundation is absolutely beautiful and so easy to use. I’m so glad that I grabbed this because when I want to put on a more high coverage (for me) face of makeup, this is what I reach for. It blends out so quickly, is quite blurring, and make my skin look amazing without being too dewy or matte. It also is great for spot concealing because it builds really well, and it’s super easy to get just a little bit on a brush straight from the stick. This is definitely my choice out of all the stick foundations for dry skin, and I like it even better than the original Eaze Drop (even though I still love that foundation).
Make Beauty Skin Mimetic Microsuede Bronzer in Lunar – I love this bronzer, and I’m not a powder bronzer person (although I might be now, because I’ve gotten 3 of Kackie’s favorite powder bronzers now and I love them all). It isn’t patchy, it applies so well over cream products, and it manages to keep a satin finish with great staying power. The color is also so dialed in for my olive undertones. There’s 6 shades, and I think they did a great job with the undertones across the range (but let me know if you agree!). Like the pressed powder, I love the packaging and how luxe it feels (and that it’s a different color than the pressed powder which is so helpful since they’re the same size). Plus, this is also refillable, and the pan fits in either the powder or bronzer compact! I will say it’s quite warm relative to the Gucci bronzer I mention later in this post, which is exactly why I got the Gucci bronzer and now am using the Gucci in the winter while the Make was great in the summer.
Gucci Poudre de Beauté Éclat Soleil Bronzing Powder in 01 – If you know anything about my collection, you know I don’t need another bronzer (especially because you’ll probably have noticed I literally just wrote about a bronzer). So why did I get this one? I swatched all the ones I have, and they leaned a little yellow and warm, and Kackie mentioned how this one is on the rosier side so perfect for winter – and she’s right! It works particularly well if I’m doing a very berry leaning or pink leaning look (vs something more beigey or brown), and I didn’t have any bronzers that worked well for that before. The formula is beautiful – it’s blurring, blendable, and easy to use. I recently brought this on a trip home in a magnetic palette because you can actually pop the pan out, and I loved that I could put it in a mini palette with some eyeshadows so it didn’t take up nearly as much space.
Kaja Play Bento in Butter Up – Kackie loves the bronzer in this trio, but doesn’t care about the blush or highlighter, so I waited to get this 70% off so it was basically like I was only paying for the bronzer. That said, I actually really like all three of the products. I recently brought this as my only bronzer, blush, and highlighter travelling, and it worked out great. The formulas are all great – they go on so easily, blend out really well, and have great lasting power. And the colors all work great together since they’re designed to be used as a set. The only thing I don’t love about this is that the bronzer is quite warm for me right now – I think it’ll go great with the Make Beauty bronzer in the summer.
Charlotte Tilbury Matte Beauty Blush Wand in Pillow Talk – When I’m looking for something that’s matte and long wearing but not a powder, this is now what I reach for. You can dab this on directly from the applicator and blend it out in about two seconds with a finger, brush, or sponge. This shade is a perfect sheer neutral leaning cool desaturated pink that makes it go with anything. This blush reminds me of how I feel about the Westman Atelier Blush Stick in Petal in that it’s just so easy to use and blend when I’m running late or don’t have as much time to do a full “blush look” and is such a great “natural but makes me look way healthier and hydrated than I am” shade. If I had to choose between them, I think I’d choose Petal because I just love stick products, but I’m still so happy I own the matte wand now.
Kaja Bento Bouncy Eyeshadow Trio in Orange Blossom – This is an amazing set of shimmer shadows that you can wear alone or as toppers, but the reason I got this one is specifically for the dark brown shade that Kackie says is one of her favorite “bedroom eyes brown” colors. And it really is so perfect! I do love wearing any of them all over the lid or pairing them with my other palettes to bring in some extra sparkle, but the dark brown is my most used. The shades are super pigmented but still blendable, and there’s something really special about whatever glitter is in them. I got this on sale for $13, and I have absolutely no regrets. I do think I’ll be using the “sandy peach” and “sun-kissed tan” colors more in the spring and summer, and I’ll report back!
Hourglass Scattered Light Eye Shadow in Ray and Smoke – If I’m not using the dark brown shade in the Kaja Bento Trio, these are my next pick for a one and done shadow look. I already loved the formula (I’ve talked about Reflect over the years here), but I specifically choose these shades based on Kackie’s recommendation. They’re both incredibly sparkly and twinkly without looking like you’ve gone overboard with glitter. It’s easy to get a sheer wash of this shade or build it up to have a super glittery look, and it’s also really easy to blend out. It also doesn’t have any fallout for how sparkly it is which makes it great for someone like me that only wants to spend a few minutes doing their makeup in their morning. Kackie actually watched me put on Ray with a brush, and she was surprised at how I just whacked it on and blended in about 3 seconds, and it still looked great. Ray is medium bronzy slightly warm champagne and Smoke is a taupe that doesn’t lean too cool (and is perfect for “cold girl” looks). I feel like with both of these plus Reflect, I now have literally all I need to match whatever blush/lip combo I use.
Make Beauty Diffusion Set in Translucent Fair – This is my go to “I really need a powder that actually is a powder” vs all my other powders that just do the lightest touch of mattifying (like the Kosas Cloud set, which I also love, but it’s more a finishing powder compared to this one). Even though it actually helps set makeup and balance out the overall dewy looks I tend to do, it doesn’t look overly drying or crepey. It also provides a tiny bit of coverage (which is why it’s great it comes in different shades), which is great if I’m trying to set a specific concealed area that I really want to cover. I also love the packaging and how luxe it feels. Plus, this is also refillable!
Givenchy Mini Prisme Libre Loose Setting and Finishing Powder in 3 Voile Rosé – I love all the powders I’ve gotten (and I think they’re all Kackie recommendations if I’m being honest), but if I had to pick only one finishing powder to keep, it’d be this one. Honestly, I think if I had to choose one powder of any kind, it’d be this one as much as I do love having the Make one I mentioned above as a pressed powder option. It blurs and mattifies without drying out my skin or looking powdery, which is perfect for someone with super dry skin like myself. It definitely provides a bit of brightening for me in this color, but it mostly is just a really fantastic loose powder. Kackie said it provides a soft focus blur, and it really does do that. I actually decluttered my Hourglass Veil Translucent Setting Powder (which I’ve written about how much I love for years) because I noticed I never used it since I have the Givenchy, and it’s because the Hourglass feels so heavy compared to the Givenchy powder.
*I did swatches of both these powders, and you literally can’t see anything, so you’ll have to trust me!
YSL Candy Glaze in 02 and 15 – I’m honestly so annoyed by how right Kackie is about this one, because she’s obsessed with it, and now I am too. If you’re just looking for an incredibly luxurious lip balm that makes your lips look and feel amazing, then the clear (02) is fantastic. This is much thicker than my other clear lip balms, so it lasts for so much longer than I would have expected, to the point that I would absolutely use the clear as a nighttime lip treatment in a pinch. It also smells amazing, but if you’re not into fruity/mango scents, you might not appreciate it as much as I do. Shade 15 (Showcasing Nude) is a beautiful rosey brown that is a perfect my lips but better color that’s so easy to wear, and I’m always stopping myself from buying more of the shades.
Givenchy Le Rouge Sheer Velvet Matte Lipstick in 10 Beige Nu – This is now my favorite matte lipstick formula because it looks blurred out and matte without being too matte or drying out my lips. It’s exactly the kind of look I want when I’m not going for something glossy or shiny. It actually reminds me the Glossier Generation G formula but incredibly elevated and in way better colors. This color in particular is amazing for me (I think I watched Kackie put it on and immediately added it to my list for the next Sephora sale) – it’s my go to for “I don’t know what lip color I want to wear but I just need it to look good” because it goes with everything. If I didn’t do any kind of reviewing content and didn’t have a bigger collection to compare things, I could see myself keeping this as one of my only lipsticks and be entirely happy with it.
Naturium Phyto-Glow Lip Balm – Kackie is not a drugstore person, so when she said she really liked this, I knew I had to try it. It’s incredibly thick so it feels like it lasts for hours and hours, and it’s the one I reach for when my lips are feeling like they’re actually about to crack. I keep one of these in my jacket pocket, and I’m always so thankful to have it with me because it’s so nourishing and feels like it’s actually doing something. The only thing I don’t like about these is that it’s so thick it can be incredibly hard to get it to come out of the tube. You have to squeeze so hard I’m always afraid I’m going to break the packaging, but it’s worth it to me for how good this is and it being only $10. I know Kackie would recommend the Rhode Peptide Lip Treatment over this one if she really to pick, but I’d personally go with this one. If you want to see swatches of this vs some other lip balms, check out my last post (but the clear swatches are…definitely just clear).
Hermes Shiny Lipstick in Prunoir – On the complete flip side of the Naturium lip balm is the most expensive lip product (or maybe most expensive non-palette product) I’ve ever bought for myself. Kackie got me with the Givenchy and YSL products mentioned above, and I thought “okay, those were entirely worth it, but I’m not spending $80 on a lipstick.” Cue me thinking about it and thinking about it to the point that I just couldn’t get it out of my head how perfect it would be for me, especially knowing how much Kackie loves this one and how well her other lip recommendations have worked out for me. And I absolutely love it. It’s truly the perfect lipstick when I’m doing a berry toned or mauvey toned or purple leaning look (honestly, I could be happy with this for my berry looks and Beige Nu for everything else). It’s also incredible as a way to balance out lipsticks that just need a bit of purple added to them when it feels like something is off. The formula is perfect – it’s shiny and hydrating without sliding all over the place, and it’s sheer without being patchy or not really showing up. The only thing is that it really has that luxury lip scent that’s quite strong, but I’ll put up with it for how perfect it is otherwise. Of course, the packaging is also stunning and feels like something you paid $80 for. This shade might be out of stock, but the formula is great if one of the other colors would work for you!
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 