lip balm – LiftBakelove

MY 9 FAVORITE PRODUCTS UNDER $30

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

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

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

Melt Cosmetics Cream Blushlights in Polished and Daydreamer

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

Urban Decay 24/7 Moondust Eyeshadow in Space Cowboy ($22) – I own a ton of single glittery/topper type eyeshadows and love them all, but I think my absolute favorite is this one. I’ve used it on top of my eyeshadow almost every single time I’ve used my eyeshadow since I bought it, and I’m so happy with the effect it has. It’s a sheer shimmery eyeshadow that adds a wet look to any shadow without really adding any color or changing the color of the look underneath. It’s also incredibly reflective and glossy, doesn’t have any fallout, and is so easy to apply with a brush or fingers (and doesn’t require any glitter glue).

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

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

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

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

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

What are your favorite products under $30? Let me know in the comments below! Let me know if there’s anything else you’d like to see here on LiftBakeLove, and thanks for reading! As always, some links may be affiliate links that support the blog, but all reviews/opinions are completely my own and unsponsored.

Reviewing all the products I keep on my desk: the work from home version of “what’s in my bag”

Featuredby liftbakelove1 Comment

I used to love watching “what’s in my bag” videos to see what people kept on hand and with them all the time. I think it shows what people actually use day in and day out. Because I hardly ever leave my apartment anymore (except to go to the gym of course), I wanted to do my own version on “what’s on my desk” instead. These are all the products I keep within arm’s reach on my desk separated into 3 categories: lips, hand and body, and nails. 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!

Lips: I keep a bunch of lip products on my desk to apply throughout the day since I’m in tons of video calls, and I use my lip products super often between them wearing off and needing to moisturize my lips.

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.

Glossier Ultralip in Villa and Glow Recipe Glow Lip Pop Lip Balm in Watermelon Glow and Blueberry Bounce

Glow Recipe Glow Lip Pop Lip Balm in Watermelon Glow and Blueberry Bounce – When my lips are incredibly dry, I always reach for these because of how incredibly moisturizing they are. I got a set of two for $22 and then 20% off, which made these much more reasonable in terms of price. They are slightly exfoliating, which I find really helps with any flaking or super dry spots. They also smell amazing and the color is just enough to make it look like I did something without being too much.

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

Famarcy Honey Butter Lip Balm – When I want something truly foolproof and clear, I reach for this. It’s amazingly hydrating and moisturizing and doesn’t have a weird taste or scent. Because it’s in a stick (unlike something like the Glossier Balm Dotcom), it’s super quick to apply if I only have a second in between meetings.

Hand and body: I have incredibly dry skin and need to have lotions and oils nearby, but there’s only a few I keep on my desk to have on hand all day.

Aesop Rind Concentrate Body Balm – This is the most amazing smelling product I own, hands down. If I need a pick me up, this is always what I reach for first, because it smells like fresh squeeze citrus and is so bright and fresh. It always makes me so happy. I got this on sale for $82, and while it is expensive, you do get 17 oz which I have found is lasting forever even if I use it all over (seriously, I’ve owned this over a year and use it all the time since it sits on my desk, and there’s still so much left).

The Lavender Cuticle Buddy is also one of my faves

NBM Cuticle Buddy – My nails have never been healthier or stronger since I starting using these (someone actually thought my nails were fake at the gym because they looked so nice!). I don’t freak out about nail breaks anymore because they grow back so fast now that I’m using this. I originally got a kit that comes with a great travel nail file, the cuticle buddy, and a full 1oz of nail oil to refill your cuticle buddy with and fell in love with the product. I keep 4 of them on my desk: Hot Chocolate, Tea Tree & Eucalyptus, Lemon & Ylang Ylang, and Carmel Iced Coffee. These are my favorite day time and afternoon scents, so I love having them available all day. As always, you can use my affiliate code with Shop NBM to get 10% off sitewide: LIFT10.

Nails: I keep all of my most used nail products on my desk (where I paint my nails), so I don’t have to pull them out and put them back every time I do a manicure.

It’s great having a top coat that makes sure everything looks smooth when working with one coat polishes like this one from Starrily

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

A good quick dry top coat is so helpful when using decals and stickers like these

KBshimmer Clearly on Top Quick Dry – This top coat is incredible and only $6. It dries so fast, doesn’t cause shrinkage, and is super shiny. I can do a full manicure in less than 30 minutes and go about my day, including going the gym, with no issues. I also have way fewer chips than normal, and my nails last way longer than with other top coats. With how affordable this is, I’m so impressed and can’t imagine going back to more expensive top coats when this works even better than they do.

I was very glad to have good clean up brush for this design!

Holo Taco Nail Polish Clean Up Brush – I don’t talk about it often here, but I love painting my nails and do so at least a couple times a week. A clean up brush is a must have tool for me to ensure my manicure looks great. I just dip it in some acetone and use it to clean up any nail polish that got onto my cuticle or skin. The Holo Taco clean up brush has a much smaller head than my others and more tapered which makes it super easy to get into small areas without accidentally taking off polish from my nail. It’s such a worthwhile investment for $10.

A recent water marble manicure that required protective peel

Holo Taco Protective Peel – I use liquid latex when I do most nail art like gradients and stamping. Most liquid latex takes forever to dry and has a big brush that makes it hard to apply. The Holo Taco one is so easy to use and dries so much quicker than all the other ones I’ve tried. Even with the high quality, it’s still less than $15, and this tube has lasted me through many manicures already.

NBM nail files – These are my favorite glass nail files. They make super quick work of filing my nails before a manicure without being harsh. They also still feel good as new even though I’ve been using them for so long. They also work great to easily file down super specific spots since they are quite small, but they still can file down a whole nail fast. As always, you can use my affiliate code with Shop NBM to get 10% off sitewide: LIFT10.

What products do you keep on your desk or in your bag? I’d love to 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.

State of Kait Made Me Buy These Lip Products

September 19, 2021March 2, 2022by liftbakelove5 Comments

Next up in my “they made me buy it” series is Kait from State of Kait! I really trust her opinion on shades and formulas of lip products in particular, so I wanted to do a run down of all the lip products that I can think of that she inspired me to buy. 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!

I discovered Kait through her Finding Ferdinand blog post. I’m a Finding Ferdinand affiliate (if you’re a regular here, you’ll know how much I love my Finding Ferdinand products and the company), so I was super excited to see who their first ambassador was. I loved every shade Kait came up with, but especially Girl Crush, and So, I worked with the folks at Finding Ferdinand to make a version of Girl Crush just for me (this lipstick was gifted to me in full transparency). I love this shade so much – it’s the perfect neutral warm brown that looks right at home on my face. Like all my reviews, everything written is my completely unbiased opinion, and I would definitely be talking about this shade even without being an affiliate, and I was absolutely planning on buying it myself because it looked so great on Kait. If you’d like to support Kait, she also has an affiliate code with them: stateofkait10.

My version of Girl Crush from Finding Ferdinand

I couldn’t talk about Kait without mentioning all of the FitGlow Lip Serums I have now. Starting with the, FitGlow Beauty Mini Lip Trio of travel sizes. After hearing Kait rave about this formula, I needed to try them, and $22.4 including shipping (I used Kait’s code Kait20 for 20% off) seemed worth it for this sample set. Unsurprisingly, I fell in love with the nourishing, thick, hydrating, long-lasting formula, and all three shades I got are super flattering. Note: while the one I purchased included the shades Nudie, Halo, and Regal, the set at the time of this post publishing includes Juice, Kind, and Night Lip Serums.

FitGlow Lip Serums in Halo, Nudie, and Regal

When the FitGlow Beauty State of Kait Edit was announced, it was the opportunity I needed to grab some full sizes (it’s an amazing value vs buying them separately especially if you use her code!). The kit comes with Night Lip Serum, Beach Glow, Gospel, and Root. Starting with the Night Lip Serum, I’m not sure I can ever go back to another night time lip treatment again after experiencing it. I have never woken up consistently to such hydrated and nourished lips that lasted for hours into the morning. Compared to every other lip balm and night treatment, this is so much more effective, and I’m so glad I have such a giant tube of it now.

FitGlow Lip Serums in Night Lip Serum, Beach Glow, Gospel, and Root

Beach Glow is a sheer coppery bronze that is so much subtler than it looks in the tube. I love wearing it over Kackie’s Thrive Lip Liner for that my lips but way better look. Gospel is described as a warm berry, and it’s super in my comfort zone for fall. It’s so easy to slap on with any of my usual makeup looks and is the perfect amount of pigmented for me. Root might be my favorite though – it’s a gorgeous brown plum shade that just really pulls a look together. I love how pigmented it is with one swipe and how much it just screams “fall, but make it sexy.”

I knew I needed to get the Glossier Ultralips once I heard Kait’s YouTube review. I have been loving all of the shades I got – you can see more swatches and comparisons of all of them here. 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. Everything Kait said about the formula is true!

Ultralip in Portrait, Villa, Trench, and Cachet

I already had the Em Cosmetics Lip Cushion in Magic Hour, but I was really inspired to pick up the shade Venetian Rose when Kait was talking about it in her Glossier Ultralip Review video. I was reminded of how lovely the formula is (pigmented, nourishing, balmy, glossy finish, all with a much easier to apply applicator than the Ultralips) and could tell the shade would be great for me. It’s a “vintage rose” shade that is so much easier for me to wear consistently than Magic Hour (which is much brighter), and I’m so happy I picked it up.

Em Cosmetics Lip Cushion in Venetian Rose

If you made it this far, thank you so much for reading, and thank you to Kait for all of your amazing recommendations! What would you like to see next on LiftBakeLove? Let me know in the comments below, and thanks as always for being here!

Glossier Ultralip Review

June 27, 2021by liftbakelove4 Comments

I’m a little late getting this review out because I wanted to spend a lot of time with them. I got them right on launch day and have been using them every day since then, so I feel like I’ve had them long enough that I have a better feeling for which shades are my favorite, which pair best with different lip liners I have, and what other comparable formulas are out there. If you’re looking to get them (or another Glossier product) for less than full price, they normally have a sitewide 20% sale for Black Friday and you can use this link for 10% off sitewide if you are a new Glossier customer.

The Ultralips are a more 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). The shades I chose all have a great level of pigmentation that’s low enough that I can swipe them on without a mirror but high enough that they make an impact. You can also build up the color without anything weird happening like pilling or patching. Glossier says that the formula is so comfortable it’s like “pulling on a buttery-soft, well-loved cashmere sweater”, and I definitely agree. This is like putting on your favorite pair of sweatpants after a long day, but for your lips.

I have the shades Villa, Portrait, Cachet, and Trench. I was very surprised by how much I like Portrait – it’s a bright pink shade that I didn’t realize I needed in my collection. It goes so well with any of my brighter blushes and really brightens up the rest of my face. Villa is my perfect lips but better shade, and Cachet and Trench are both browny nudes (Catchet leans more purple and Trench more orange) that are very much in my comfort zone. I started writing which one I would choose if I could only choose one, and it turns out, I really can’t. They all have a place in my collection, and I’m really happy with all four of them.

Lisa Eldridge Luxuriously Lucent Lip Colour in Kitten Mischief, Ultralip in Villa, and Em Cosmetics Lip Cushion in Magic Hour

I wanted to compare the formulas of the Ultralips with the Lisa Eldridge Luxuriously Lucent Lip Colour, Rare Beauty Dewy Lip Balm, and Em Cosmetics Lip Cushion. The Ultralips are more moisturizing and glossier than the Lisa Eldridge Luxuriously Lucent Lip Colour, but it’s the closest formula that I have. I personally prefer the formula of the Ultralips particularly because I need the extra moisture, but the Luxuriously Lucent Lip Colour plus a gloss works to replicate the effect.

Ultralip in Trench and Rare Beauty Dewy Lip Balm in Thankful

The formula of the Rare Beauty Lip Balm is super similar to the Ultralip formula except it’s a bit more waxy. I also personally can’t handle the smell/taste of the Rare Beauty lip balm so I’m really thrilled to have found a similar color to the one I have to use instead.

Lisa Eldridge Luxuriously Lucent Lip Colour in Spirited Away, Ultralip in Cachet, and Em Cosmetics Lip Cushion in Venetian Rose

I love how hydrating and glossy the Em Cosmetics Lip Cushions are, and they definitely have a place in my routine, but I find they are so soft and emollient that I need mirror to apply them. The Ultralips are easier to use for that reason, and I don’t worry about them moving outside of my lip line in the same way.

If you want more information on the Ultralips, I highly recommend watching Hannah Louise Poston’s review on them. Her video is over a half hour just on the Ultralips, and she got a few of the shades I didn’t get. I found it really useful in not getting more shades during the recent sale because I don’t think the formula of the brighter shades would work for me. I also really try to remember Hannah’s advice that she’s given before – if you find the perfect shade in the perfect formula, don’t buy more shades, just enjoy using the one you have.

What did you think of the Ultralips? Is there something else you’d like me to review? Let me know in the comments below, and thanks as always for reading!

2021 EMPTIES (WILL I REPURCHASE?) – PART 5

May 23, 2021September 29, 2021by liftbakeloveLeave a Comment

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 – 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!

March 2021 Favorites

March 28, 2021by liftbakelove1 Comment

This month went by so fast – I feel like I was just writing about my February 2021 Favorites yesterday! Spring is finally here, and I’ve been loving leaning into brighter colors as it gets warmer outside. I didn’t include any skincare products this month because I’ve talked about so many of them recently, but let me know if the comments if there’s anything you’re interested in learning about!

I now own over 20 cream blushes – it’s by far my favorite makeup product. And I think my new favorite formula out of all of them is the Kjaer Weis Cream Blush. I love that I can just buy a refill and put it in my Salt New York empty palette, and that it’s still around $30 even for a luxury, “clean” product. This formula has the perfect balance between blendable and long-wearing. It’s so easy to work with, create impact, and stays all day. I was shocked to find that it was still on my cheeks after wearing makeup for over 15 hours. Because I own so many cream blushes, I tried to get a shade I didn’t have already and chose Sun Touched, and it’s the perfect shade as we transition into spring. I also love mixing it with Spice and Rose , my favorite shades from Salt New York, for that “sun touched even though I never go outside” look.

Swatches of the Salt New York Blushes in Rose and Spice and KW Blush in Sun Touched

I’m shocked I haven’t written about the mini base brush from Sonia G. yet. I got it as part of the Keyaki holiday 2020 set, and while I love all the brushes in that set (so much so that I am still considering buying a backup set), this brush is truly one of a kind. It blends cream blush and highlight with no effort and is the perfect size for my face. For something that applies so seamlessly, I usually expect to have trouble picking up product. This brush is dense enough to pick up enough product and flexible enough to create a diffused look. If anyone connected to the company is reading this, please bring this brush back into your permanent line!

I was having trouble with some of my glitter eyeshadow toppers not staying put all day and moving around, so I decided to pick up the NYX Glitter Primer, and it’s a total game changer. It goes on super smooth, helps glitter adhere all day, and doesn’t cause any irritation. I really appreciate how lightweight it is on the eyes while still creating a great base for glitter to stick to. I definitely have had way more success with my glitter toppers with it, and I’m so glad to have found something under $10 that works as well as this does!

I’ve been loving all three of the Roen eyeshadow quads, but my favorite is absolutely the 11:11. 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. I also 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.

My lips have been super dry lately, and I’ve been leaning on the Glow Recipe Glow Lip Pop Balms a ton. I have both scents/colors, but I like the watermelon better. They are hydrating, leave a nice stain, and smell great. They also gently exfoliate while you’re using it, which I really love. I’m always forgetting to take the time to scrub my lips, so this is a really easy way to buff away anything on my lips during the day when I apply this. My favorite way to use it is actually underneath my more matte lipsticks, especially darker brown ones like Velvet Affair from Lisa Eldrige. It mixes with the color to make it feel more springy while also making sure my lips don’t dry out from the matte formula.

The Replica Coffee Break perfume reminds me of a coffee shop on a Sunday morning early in the day before it gets busy. I used to love going to get coffee every Sunday with our friends (who I miss so much!), and this reminds me of when that was a thing. Even with the vanilla notes, it’s not too sweet. It’s perfectly balanced with pepper, citrus, and tonka bean notes, and it’s my favorite perfume that I own in the vanilla/veviter/patchouli category. One important note – this doesn’t smell anything like coffee. If anyone has a recommendation for something that leans closer to actual coffee, let me know in the comments!

I got this Ouai Scalp & Body Scrub as a gift with purchase, and I didn’t expect to get a lot of use out of it. It turns out that it’s the best scalp scrub I’ve ever used (and I’ve tried a lot of products like this). It works really well as a scalp scrub in that it gets out any residue or product build up that I have in my hair. What I really love about it though is that it actually hydrates as it works so I don’t have to worry about irritating my already super dry scalp. It makes my hair feel so much cleaner but without drying anything out, and it also smells amazing! I’ll definitely be buying the full size when I run out.

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

Vesca Review: Moonlit Dream Cream Eyeshadows and Lush Glow Creamy Lip Oil

February 7, 2021February 7, 2021by liftbakelove2 Comments

I’ve wanted to try Vesca for awhile now, but I have a bunch of powder bronzers and highlighters to get through that I have not used in so long because I am all about cream products now. When I saw these eyeshadows and the lip oil though, I knew I had to try them. My only regret is not getting them sooner! I wanted to share a bit more about the products compare to some similar products/shades I already own.

Moonlit Dream cream eyeshadow in Carina and Lyra & Lush Glow Creamy Lip Oil in Ginger Lily

These eyeshadows are by far the easiest cream shadows I’ve ever worked with. I honestly love the packaging – it’s super easy to only get what you need, and I don’t have to worry about them drying out. The colors are perfect for a one shadow look (see below for swatches!), they stay blendable for long enough to get your look just right, and they dry down and don’t crease all day. Even with that dry down, I was able to add additional shadows on top, like glitter toppers, and they stuck on amazingly well. I tried them with and without primer, and they worked well both ways. As usual (for me), I did find the primer helped with making the colors brighter (I use a very light colored primer) and longevity. My only gripe with these is that they only come in 4 shades.

I own 76 lip products at the moment. It takes a lot for something to edge itself into my top 5 formula/color favorites, but this lip oil easily did it. It’s hard to explain the formula – it’s like a lip balm meets lip oil meets lip gloss, and I’m honestly obsessed with it. It’s super moisturizing, stays glossy for so much longer than I would have expected, and the color is just the right level of sheerness for me. If I didn’t own 75 other lip products, I would buy the whole range (let me know if you want me to review any other colors though – I will grab them if you comment below with a request!).

Vesca Lush Glow Creamy Lip Oil in Ginger Lily, Lisa Eldridge Gloss Embrace Lip Gloss in Muse, and Sephora Collection Melting Lip Click in Caramel from left to right

I had a hunch that these three would be fairly close in texture and formula, and they are – but they also aren’t. If you’re looking for something super sheer and slightly moisturizing, the Sephora Melting Lip Click will totally suffice. If you’re looking for something more moisturizing that will add color, you’ll be happy with either the Lisa Eldridge or the Vesca. The Vesca is a bit more sheer, but it stays glossier on the lips, so it’s up to personal preference which one you’d like better! I have to say that I don’t regret owning them all because they serve different functions for me. I would only repurchase the Lisa Eldridge and the Vesca products, and I want more shades in both formulas for sure.

Sephora Collection Melting Lip Click in Caramel, Lisa Eldridge Gloss Embrace Lip Gloss in Muse, and Vesca Lush Glow Creamy Lip Oil in Ginger Lily from left to right

Tom Ford Cream Color for Eyes in Spice, Vesca Moonlit Dream in Carina, Hourglass Scattered Light Glitter Eye Shadow in Reflect, and Vesca Moonlit Dream in Lyra from left to right

I also thought that it would be really helpful to compare the Hourglass Scattered Light and Tom Ford Cream Color for Eyes with these, both for texture and color. The Vesca is by far my favorite formula to work with – it doesn’t flake or have fall out like the Hourglass can and it’s way easier to blend and maneuver than the Tom Ford (though the shade I have is quite deep on me which may be part of the problem). They all do dry down and don’t budge and look beautiful on the eyes. In terms of color, the Vesca is more true to the rose gold and gold colors I expected and I would rather use the Vesca for a one and done look than either of the other two for that reason – as you can see form the swatches, they have a lot more dimension and texture than the others in a really good way.

Hourglass Scattered Light Glitter Eye Shadow in Reflect, esca Moonlit Dream in Lyra, Tom Ford Cream Color for Eyes in Spice, and Vesca Moonlit Dream in Carina from left to right

I’m so happy I picked these up, and I hope this review and comparisons were helpful! What do you want me to review next? Comment below!

2021 Empties (will I repurchase?) – Part 1

January 18, 2021September 29, 2021by liftbakelove1 Comment

I’ve decided to do one of these posts every 5 empties (a fully finished product) to keep the posts short and so I don’t keep more than 5 pieces of extra trash around at a time. 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.

Vichy Pureté Thermale One Step Face Cleanser for Sensitive Skin – I loved this cleanser. It’s incredibly non-stripping and hydrating while still being effective at cleansing. That said, I have a bunch of cleansers I’m testing right now that I need to get through before deciding which one I’ll buy when I finally run through them all. Will maybe repurchase!

Vichy Minéral 89 Face Serum – This is great for my dry skin, and I’ve loved using it as a primer for makeup and as a serum. I loved the texture of this and how effective it was. Plus, it’s a lot more cost effective than some similar products I’ve tried. Like cleansers, I have a ton of similar products to get through before deciding on my HG. Will maybe repurchase!

Saint Jane Luxury CBD Beauty Serum – This oil was lovely, and my skin liked it. Was it worth $38 for this tiny bottle? Absolutely not. Are there dozens, if not hundreds, of other oils (even with CBD) that work just as well for way cheaper? Yes! I’m glad they have the mini so you can try it out without spending $125 for the 1oz full size, but definitely not worth it for me. My favorite of the CBD face oils I’ve tried is the Josie Maran Skin Dope Argan Oil which is about $46 for 1oz. You can get 2.7oz for the same price as 1 of the Saint Jane. So nope, will not repurchase!

Glossier Balm Dotcom – So hear me out – not all of the Balm Dotcoms are created equal. I have the berry one and love it so much. The Birthday one though – I hate it. The scent is overwhelming, the glitter is far too much (you can feel it!), and it is somehow way less moisturizing than the berry. The packaging also rubs off (as you can see in the picture) and gets everywhere! If you read my blog, you know how much I love Glossier products in general (so many have shown up in my favorites), but this is a definite no from me. So nope, will not repurchase!

Josh Rosebrook Hydrating Accelerator – This is my favorite facial mist of all time. I’ve used it alone with nothing else if I’m in a pinch and somehow it actually hydrates my skin enough even with my incredibly dry skin. I already have two more bottles of this, and I will continue to repurchase this. Once I get through the two I have left, I am 100% getting the giant bottle because I will for sure go through 8oz of this, and I can keep the smaller bottles I have to refill. Will definitely keep repurchasing!

Let me know what else you’d like to see in 2021 – I’m so happy to have you reading and would love to hear from you!

July Beauty Favorites

August 1, 2020by liftbakeloveLeave a Comment

The theme of this month is “I’m tired and don’t want to do anything, but still want to look awake at work.” It’s full of super quick and easy to use products or tools that make my other products easier to slap on. And first up, a product that creates a self-care moment every time a shower – so needed right now.

My favorite recent find has to be the Nécessaire The Body Wash. I love the eucalyptus for when I need a mood boost (like a morning shower or a “it’s too hot to function, and I need to cool down” shower), and sandalwood is great for creating a sense of calm before I head to bed. I love the packaging, and the formula perfect for my dry skin – clean, but not stripping, and my skin feels moisturized without even needing lotion. I very much understand all the hype and think it is well deserved!

My go to combination for my face has been the Glossier Skin Tint and By Terry CC Serum. I really just need something quick and easy to slap on that will make me look alive on video calls, and this is the perfect combo for that. They mix together so well and add just enough coverage to even out my skin and add some warmth. I’ve also worn the By Terry serum alone, mixed with moisturizer, and mixed with primer, and it adds the perfect glow and slight amount of color any way I use it. I’ve also used it as a liquid bronzer, and it works great for that too. I’ve definitely fallen in love with both of these products this summer!

I’ve gushed about Salt New York’s cream products before, but I’m so excited about my new blushes and their new mini palette. It’s so fun to play with these to create whatever color I want. I also have their rose blush in another palette, and I love using these brighter colors to make that shade warmer, cooler, or more vibrant. If anyone is interested, I do have a reward link you can use to get $5 off, but am 100% not affiliated with or sponsored by Salt New York (although, I totally would if they asked because this is one of my all time favorite brands).

From left to right: blackberry, raspberry, coral, peach

Anyone knows me knows I’m obsessed with Sonia G brushes, and when she restocked a couple of the ones I was missing, I had to get them. The Worker Two and Worker Three are the perfect brushes for blending out cream shadows and creating one-shadow looks, which is about all I have the energy for at the moment. I honestly didn’t realize how much I would love these until I got them, but I’m so glad I picked them up.

Allana Davison said that the Smith 157 was the perfect brush for blending out cream bronzer (which is pretty much I’m all using these days), and she was so right. This is also the perfect size and shape for blending out contour and highlighter. I am very tempted to get a second, but I think everyone else fell in love with it too because it’s sold out everywhere at the moment.

Along with all the other products this month that are for “need something quick to make me look alive”, the Em Cosmetics Lip Cushion in Magic Hour is so easy to swipe on and completely brightens up my face. It’s also super moisturizing and hands down the best tinted lip balm I’ve ever tried. I love keeping it on my desk to have it handy at all times, and if we had anywhere to go, this would 100% be my purse lip product.

What have you been loving this month? What do you want to see more of here on LiftBakeLove? Let me know down below!

Tag: lip balm