lip gloss – Makeup and Skincare Reviews

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

I was going to write a big 2025 favorites of post, but I have a ton of round ups on here already. What I’m more excited to share is the best new to me brand I tried this year (which also happens to be the brand y’all voted for in my poll). I finally did a Vieve haul this Black Friday and feel like I’ve had enough time to test them and share reviews. Plus, their Boxing Day Sale will be live from Friday 26th December until Sunday 28th December with 40% off selected items. In this post, all links are affiliate links (thank you for your support!), but all opinions are my own.

Vieve Skin Nova Complexion Balm in 140 – I definitely want to call out up front that this is scented. It has a lemon verbena, kind of herbal tea vibe that I don’t mind, but if you’re sensitive to fragrance or just hate scented face products, this is one I’d probably skip. That said, it’s absolutely beautiful on the skin, so it’s worth it to me, and the scent fades pretty quickly. This blends in so easily, evens everything out, and makes my skin look hydrated and just prettier. It’s what I reach for when I want to look like I drank enough water and got enough sleep (vs something like the Prada foundation when I want to look like I have really perfect, made up skin). The site says medium, buildable coverage, but I’d personally call it light to medium. You can get a super sheer layer really easily and then build where you want it. It sets to a natural, almost satin finish that doesn’t stay tacky or pick back up the way a lot of tints/balms do, so I can throw it on and skip powder if I want. 140 is a little too saturated and peachy for me in the winter, but I think it’ll be perfect in the spring/summer. It blends so seamlessly you can’t really tell the shade isn’t a perfect match for me. I think 120 might be closer for the winter, but I can use a beigey green color corrector (this one is around $5) to make this work for me year round.

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

Vieve Modern Radiance Concealer in Light 1 – This concealer is so great because of both the color and the formula. It’s a little bit green in the best way, so it’s actually a warm olive concealer and looks so natural on my skin. This shade is perfect for under my eyes or anywhere I want a little brightening, and I’m planning on picking up a darker shade for the summer. I wish they had this type of shade in the complexion balm because the undertones are spot on. The formula is not too dewy or too matte. It blends out really fast and has enough coverage to actually cover, but doesn’t blank everything out and make you look uncanny. It layers really well over other products and itself, which is exactly what I want when I’m low on sleep and need to add coverage in places I might have missed. This has quickly risen to be one of my top 3 concealers, and I’ve barely touched my others.

Vieve Modern Radiant Cream Bronzer in Light 1 – This bronzer is also so perfect for green people. It has a slightly green, olive-leaning, neutral-warm tone that makes it look like I’ve actually gotten some sun recently. It doesn’t turn orange on me and just looks so natural. The formula is super easy to use and makes me not want to reach for my other bronzers. I can take a fluffy brush and slap it on or do a more targeted application with a dense brush, and it blends beautifully either way. I can also do a sheer layer or build it up. It’s just a super flexible formula. It also lasts really well and doesn’t disappear into my blush the way a lot of bronzers do on me. I’ve been testing a ton of cream bronzers and contours for olive skin, and this is the best one I’ve tried so far.

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

Vieve Sunset Blush Balm in Rosa – I am so impressed with this formula. As with all serum blushes, I recommend putting a little on the back of your hand and dipping your brush into that first before putting it on your cheeks, because that method will give you the most seamless application and the most control. This is sheer enough that you can still see your freckles through it but still looks like you’re wearing blush. The finish is the main reason I like this so much. It’s luminous and fresh without being sparkly or sticky. It blends out effortlessly, works beautifully for no makeup makeup days, and layers really well with bronzer and under a powder blush. I really do love this formula, but Rosa is not my best shade. On me, it pulls too peachy/coral (as I like to say, it goes Cheeto). I think it’s just too warm for my olive undertones. I’ll probably grab Cherub and Piazza to try next so I can find a shade I’ll reach for all the time.

Vieve Lip Dew in Original – This is genuinely one of my favorite lip gloss/balm hybrids. I’ve been collecting sparkly glosses lately (related, please let me know in the comments if you want a roundup because I’ve acquired a bunch of them). This one is absolutely one of the best I’ve tried so far. It’s super glossy while being also actually nourishing. The first time I tried it, I texted a friend because I couldn’t get over how long the moisturized feeling lasted. It makes your lips look hydrated and healthy without needing constant reapplication. The shimmer is perfect too. It makes your lips look amazing without any kind of gritty feeling, and it doesn’t read as aggressively glittery, as you can hopefully see in the swatches. I love it over a lip liner, and it’s also my go to fix if I try a matte lip that ends up too drying. I just pop this on top, and it makes it wearable. I’m definitely thinking about buying more shades of this one because the formula is so good.

Vieve Lip Dew in Original, Vieve Bounce Balm in Vanilla

Vieve Bounce Balm in Vanilla – I got this as a gift with purchase, and I’m happy to have it. I have a lot of lip balms (seriously, I have over 30 in front of me on my desk). This one lands right in line with most of the others. It’s effective, it keeps my lips nourished for a long time, and it smells really nice. It works really well an overnight lip mask since it lasts a long time and has a bunch of skincare ingredients. It is apparently a plumping lip balm, but I don’t really notice much plumping personally. Would I go out of my way to buy it over the other balms I already own? Probably not. Out of everything I tried from Vieve, this is the least standout because it’s not as uniquely good as the other products. If you’re already placing an order and you’re wondering if it’s worth adding though, it’s a very good, nourishing balm that lasts and does seem to leave my lips smoother when I use it.

What other products would you like me to review? Let me know if there’s anything else you’d like to see here, and thanks for reading! As always, some links may be affiliate links that support the blog, but all reviews/opinions are completely my own and unsponsored.

Em Cosmetics Brand Review: What’s Actually Worth Buying?

Featuredby liftbakeloveLeave a Comment

When I realized how many products from this one brand had quietly taken over my makeup drawers, I knew it was finally time to do a full brand review. Here’s my totally honest review of each item, including what I love, what I don’t, and what’s truly worth the hype. This post in not sponsored, but all links are affiliate links (thank you for your support!). As always, all opinions are my own.

Pillow Plush Blush – I’m listing the blushes in order of my most favorite to least favorite, and this has been a surprise hit in my collection. This has a bouncy, cushiony texture that’s a hybrid between a cream and a powder. This has a very natural-looking finish on the skin, with really good staying power. My favorite thing about this formula though is how blurring and seamless it looks. I absolutely love the shade Tickled – it’s a cool toned mauve that’s beautiful on my warm olive skintone. This is my go-to “I made my look way too warm and have to fix it” throw it on top blush. The packaging is also fantastic for travel, since it’s sturdy and has a mirror. The swatch of this one is below with the other powder blushes.

So Soft Blush in Lychee, Pearl Tea, and Venetian Rose Color Drops Serum Blush in Venetian Rose, Forbidden Fruit, and Rose Milk

So Soft Blush – These blushes are everything I look for in a cream blush. The So Soft formula is incredibly soft and creamy (like the name implies), and that makes it so easy and quick to apply. It blends so seamlessly into the skin without disappearing. It’s actually one of the longest wearing cream blushes I own despite being so blendable. I have the shades Lychee (warm melon), Pearl Tea (brownish nude), and Venetian Rose (vintage rose). I get lots of use out of all the shades but Venetian Rose is definitely my favorite and most used because it works the best with my skin.

Radiant Veil Blush in Heaven’s Glow, Venetian Rose, Baroque, Cherub, and Seraph
Pillow Plush Blush in Tickled

Heaven’s Glow Radiant Veil Blush – This is my one of my favorite blushes to use on top of cream blush. It provides a soft, glowy look without being overly pigmented and is such an easy way to brighten up a look. I also use this to set cream and liquid blushes if I know I’ll be on video calls for 12 hours, and the colors I have cover a wide enough range to match with almost any look I’m doing. There’s a bit of a sheen to them, so they’re great if I’m in a hurry because I can use these without needing a highlighter. They definitely aren’t a blurring formula if that’s something you’re looking for, and it can highlight texture if you’re not having an amazing skin day. My favorite shades are Seraph (bright pink) and Venetian Rose (vintage rose) but I got a lot of use out of Baroque in the summer.

Color Drops Serum Blush – I personally prefer the So Soft Blush for the ease of use and wear time but if you’re looking for a super dewy, hydrated look, these are pretty if you’re into a very thin liquid blush. I’m going to give these away to a friend because I find I’d much rather use the Glow Recipe Dew Flush Blushes or the Rare Beauty Dewy Liquid Blushes. If you’re interested in these, Rose Milk is a soft-pinky nude, Forbidden Fruit is a brown-toned berry, and Venetian Rose is a neutral rose. The serum texture does blends quickly and leaves a natural glow but I just find my skin eats these so quickly and they’re a little sticky and hard to blend.

Shapeshift Tubing Mascara – This is one of the few tubing mascaras I’ve tried that genuinely adds noticeable length and volume without adding too much heaviness. Because of that, my super thin straight lashes actually stay curled all day. I love how it’s a bit flexible until it totally dries so I can move my lashes around and get the exact look I want. Like most tubing mascaras, it stays completely smudge-free, even with humidity or workouts, and it rinses right off with warm water. I’m doing a full tubing mascara ranking soon, but this one is currently in the running for the top spot.

Morning Dew Crystal Lip Gloss – I have tried so many lip gloss formulas this year, and my favorite is still this one. It is incredibly moisturizing and makes my lips look great even why they are incredibly dry. I tend not to go for clear glosses since I like one and done products, but I have come to appreciate that I can put this over any lip color to add shine and moisture. I keep this on my desk because it’s what I use when I need more moisture than a balm, and because it’s not sticky at all, it’s comfortable to wear any time of day even as a lip treatment.

Soft Blur Velvet Lip Liners in Kitten and Mink – Out of all my lip liners, I definitely reach for these the most often. The formula blends so easily so you can get a soft, blurred, and diffused look. I find that creates a much more natural look that still defines my lips and helps prevent any feathering of the lipstick I use on top. Even with how soft and lightweight they are, they are very long lasting. I have the shades Kitten, a neutral rose, and Mink, a cool brown, which both work really well with my lip color and the with my favorite lipsticks and glosses.

Velvet Lip Liner in Kitten and Mink, Lip Serum in Arcane, Lip Creme in Hush

Lip Mage Tinted Serum in Arcane – This is a lightweight serum-style lip stain in a rose-berry shade. It leaves a sheer berry tint and layers easily for more intensity. It stains evenly, leaving color behind after the shine fades. It definitely lives us to the lip serum name and keeps my lips feeling moisturized longer than I expect from a stain. I reach for this when I want color that feels more put-together and will last longer than one of my lip balms but still effortless. Let me know if you’d like me to do a lip stain round up since I’m realizing I have quite a few now!

Soft Spoken Velvet Lip Creme in Hush – This is a midtone rose-berry with a whipped, mousse-like consistency. It sets to a soft matte finish, doesn’t exaggerate lip lines, and stays comfortable for much longer than I expected. It’s not completely transfer-proof, but it fades evenly and comfortably over time. It’s a great everyday shade that works with almost anything else I’m wearing given the shades I reach for. I really like pairing this with the Soft Soft Venetion Rose blush.

Divine Water Perfecting Mist – This mist feels more like skincare than a traditional setting spray. It’s hydrating and slightly glowy, but the reason I love it is because the orange blossom fragrance smells so nice. The scent dissipates quickly but it just makes me happy. The mist itself is super fine and evenly distributed, making it nice as both a primer and refresher. It’s not sticky or heavy like some hydrating sprays can be. I’m doing a setting spray battle, and this is definitely coming in almost last for actual longevity, but I still love having it around as a “refresh my makeup after 10 hours” kind of spray.

5 Brown Lip Products I Can’t Stop Wearing that are Perfect for Olive Skin

Featuredby liftbakeloveLeave a Comment

Someone asked me to share my go-to brown-toned lip products, and it turns out I’ve been using a handful of them on repeat lately. These all fall somewhere on the glossy, hydrating end of the spectrum and lean into the kind of shades that work really well on olive skin—cool browns, plummy browns, warm neutrals. They’re easy to wear, comfortable, and each one brings something a little different depending on the look I’m going for. If you’d like a part two will more pigmented lip products like more traditional lipsticks, let me know in the comments! In this post, all links are affiliate links (thank you for your support!), but all opinions are my own.

Swatches are in order of the reviews below from left to right

Queen Musia Skincare Supercharged Tinted Balm in 1993 – This is one of the lightly tinted shades of the 6 they carry (I also have and love the three more pigmented ones). 1993 is a perfect cool brown that is just so pretty. Because it’s lightly tinted, this is incredibly easy to wear and throw on without a mirror. The formula is hydrating and nourishing without being too shiny. It also wore way longer than I expected given the formula – I wore it again yesterday for this review and kept thinking how great it was that it was still going on my lips. This is one of those products I just want to wear all the time, and I’ve been super impressed with it. Plus, the packaging is really cute too.

Makeup By Mario Moisture Glow Plumping Lip Serum in Mocha Glow – This is a lip gloss in a tube, and it’s incredibly nourishing and shiny. I keep this in my purse so I can throw it on whenever I need something that will make my lips look fantastic while also being hydrating. Be aware this is plumping and minty if that’s something you’re sensitive to – it’s not overly strong but it definitely is there. Mocha Glow is a perfect neutral leaning cool brown that I can throw on with any other makeup I’m wearing. It has a tiny bit of shimmer in it that you can’t feel but does contribute to that plump look. I’m tempted to try some of the other brown shades in the non-shimmer finish – let me know if that’s something that would be helpful!

Signature Lip Lightweight Lipstick in 1990 and Slip – I know everyone has been talking about these, but it’s for a good reason! The formula is just amazing – it’s semi-sheer but buildable without settling into any lip lines. It’s a satin matte finish that doesn’t slide around and wander onto my face like other formulas that are popular right now tend to do. Despite the finish, it’s still very comfortable and nourishing. 1990 is a neutral deep brown that is actually fairly unique to my collection, and I love using it to balance out super pink eye/cheek looks or over-the-top bronzy looks. Slip is a warm-leaning brown that I can’t quite describe but it’s the perfect lipstick for a fair/light olive skintone without going orange. I love 1990, but Slip is my favorite everyday lipstick. I honestly wear it more often than any other lip product I have, and I have way more lip products than I’m willing to admit.

Victoria Beckham Posh Gloss in Poolside – This gloss is super hydrating and not sticky or syrupy. It feels more like a luxurious lip treatment than a traditional gloss, but with the payoff of serious shine. This is by far the shiniest and glassiest of all the products here – it gives that juicy, full-lip effect without needing any shimmer like the Makeup By Mario. It smooths over all my lip lines and makes my lips look much healthier and more even-toned. Poolside is a neutral rosy brown that looks incredibly natural and flattering on me – it enhances my lip color in that effortless “my lips but way better” way. The pigment is sheer but noticeable enough to wear on its own and it layers beautifully without getting goopy. And of course, the packaging is stunning – heavy, elegant, and everything you’d expect from Victoria Beckham. It’s one of those products that makes me feel a little fancier every time I use it.

Armani Prisma Glass Lip Gloss in 06 – This is a beautiful plummy brown shade that works especially well on olive skin tones—it adds just the right amount of depth and helps pull a look in a really pretty berry direction. The purple undertone makes this one I reach for whenever I’m doing berry or lilac eye looks. In the swatches, it barely looks brown in comparison to the others but I promise it’s a plum leaning mahogany. It has just enough pigment to show up against my high-contrast features but still feels effortless—something I can swipe on without a mirror. The formula feels more like a hydrating lip oil than a typical gloss (similar to the Victoria Beckham one), and it leaves my lips super smooth and nourished with zero stickiness. The finish is incredibly glassy and reflective, with a touch of shimmer that adds fullness and smooths over any texture on my lips.

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.

Fwee Lip & Cheek Blurry Pudding Pots and 3D Voluming Gloss Review – Swatches of every shade!

Featuredby liftbakeloveLeave a Comment

After seeing so many people review and rave about the Fwee Lip & Cheek Blurry Pudding Pots, I’ve been so excited to try them. I’ve been playing with them for a few months and really have fallen in love with both them and their 3D Voluming glosses. This is not a sponsored post, but the products were sent to me for review. In this post, all links are affiliate links, but all opinions are my own as always!

Fwee Blurry Pudding Pot – This is one of the most unique blush and lip products I’ve tried—it has a soft, bouncy pudding-like texture that melts into the skin for an airbrushed finish. The formula feels like the best of both worlds between a cream and a powder, blending effortlessly while still setting down to a natural, blurred finish. It’s super pigmented, so a little goes a long way, but it’s also incredibly buildable, making it easy to go from a soft, natural look to something more intense. As you’ll see in the swatches, there are a ton of nuanced shades across each color category, with an incredible total of 30 shades. It works beautifully on both cheeks and lips, making it a perfect all-in-one product for effortless makeup days. This reminds me of the Mac Glow Play blushes but even longer wearing and usable on the lips. They also layer beautifully if you use multiple shades or you can mix them together in their keychain for your own shade.

I also love the brush that you can get for these – it works incredibly well to pick up the blush!

3D Voluming Gloss – I was honestly surprised by how much I love this formula. It’s incredibly nourishing and hydrating—I’ve even been reaching for it instead of lip balm. While it doesn’t have a noticeable plumping effect, it’s super smoothing, giving lips a healthy, glossy look without being overly sticky. The slight tackiness helps it last longer than most glosses. I also appreciate that each shade comes in two opacities, 30% and 70%, so you can choose how much pigment you want. It has a sweet scent, but it fades quickly and doesn’t linger.

I swatched all 30 shades I have of the pudding pots and the matching glosses for each color range. You’ll see there’s a variety of colors and opacities across the ranges. I also appreciate how there’s a good balance of warm/neutral/cool shades and options that are bright and muted. It’s impossible to pick favorites but I definitely find myself personally gravitating towards The ND (Nude) and RS (Rose) shades.

March 2022 Favorites

March 30, 2022April 1, 2025by liftbakeloveLeave a Comment

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.

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.

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

March 6, 2022April 1, 2025by 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.

Beauty Pie Review: Wondergloss Collagen Lip Oil, Futurelipstick Luxe Shine, and Supercheek Cream Blush

January 9, 2022April 2, 2025by liftbakelove1 Comment

If you haven’t heard of Beauty Pie, it’s described as providing consumers with exceptional formulas sourced from the best factories worldwide – all while keeping costs low by cutting out the middleman, excessive packaging and expensive marketing budgets. It’s basically like the Costco of beauty – you pay a membership fee to access the low prices, but in theory, you save way more than your membership fee. This is part two (see my first reviews here), and I know I’ve already saved more than the yearly membership cost (I ended up getting a Black Friday deal where the membership was $9 when all was said and done). As with all of my reviews, this is not sponsored, and there are no affiliate links in this post. And 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!

Wondergloss Collagen Lip Oil – This lip oil reminds me so much of the Dior Lip Oil but is so much more nourishing and a fraction of the price (the Beauty Pie is $8.21 and the Dior is $35). It’s hydrating, comfortable, and not sticky while still providing that shiny and glossy effect. I have the shade Nude Nectar which is sheer enough to use as a glossy topper for most of my lipsticks and lip liners but still pigmented enough to provide some “my lips but better” color if I’m not wearing anything. It also smells like vanilla in the best way, and I get so much joy from it every time I use it. It’s been a struggle to not pick up a ton more shades but between my no-buy and all my FitGlow Lip Serums (which is also very similar to this), I definitely don’t need more right now.

Futurelipstick Luxe Shine – 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 that I’m super excited to wear even more when fall rolls back around this year. This lipstick is $10.60 – the least expensive full sized lipstick I have in my collection. It reminds me the most of the Lisa Eldridge Luxuriously Lucent Lip Color ($36) and the Glossier Ultralip ($18) in terms of formula and finish.

From left to right: Beauty Pie lip oil in Nude Nectar, lipstick in Nothing Nude, cream blush in Bare Blush

Supercheek Cream Blush – The formula is creamy but it totally dries down and isn’t sticky. It’s super easy to dip a brush into the pot and blend onto my cheeks – it takes less than 10 seconds. The formula is also surprisingly blurring (which hopefully you can see in the swatch above), and I love how it sets down to a powdery finish without being matte. The texture is really thin and because it dries down, I don’t notice it on my skin at all. I love the color I got, Bare Blush, which is such a warm, rosy pink. The only issue I have with this blush is that it can tend to pick up what’s underneath it if I’m not careful, so my favorite way to use it is actually over powder. Out of these three products, this is my least favorite, and I think I prefer my other cream blush formulas over it. That said, it’s a really great product for less than $10 vs some of my favorites like the Kjaer Weis Cream Blush which is $32.

What new products and brands have you discovered lately? Are there Beauty Pie questions you have or products you’d like me to review in the future? Let me know if there’s anything else you’d like to see here on LiftBakeLove, and thanks for reading!

5 Products that Always Give Me A Confidence Boost When I Use Them

January 7, 2022April 2, 2025by liftbakelove1 Comment

Someone requested this post, and I got super excited about the idea to think about which products give me a boost when I use them. These products are my version of a bold, red lip – when I put them on, I instantly feel more confident and put together. They make me feel happy and ready to face whatever life is throwing my way no matter what kind of day I’m having. 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.

Roen 1:1 Quad – I love the Roen eyeshadows, but there’s one shade I use the most. The sparkly 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 mostly through a screen. I did a huge presentation that I was really nervous for and covered my eyes with this shade and got so many compliments on it. So now when I’m feeling nervous, I just put on a ton with a finger, and I’m good to go.

Glossier Portrait and Lisa Eldridge Velvet Petal – I thought I wasn’t a pink person at all since I tend towards more browns and roses for my lip shades. Then I tried these two lip products and realized there’s something about a warm, pink lip that just makes me feel amazing. I’ve gotten compliments wearing both of these, and they really brighten up my face. Portrait is my go to for when I want a glossy lip, and Velvet Petal for when I want something matte and long lasting, especially under a mask.

Glossier Portrait (top) and Lisa Eldridge Velvet Petal (bottom)

Auric Glow Lust – This product is my favorite for making my skin look amazing no matter what’s going on with it. Even if my skin is dull and dehydrated and not looking its best, Glow Lust will make it look glowy, smooth, and moisturized. Every time I wear it, I instantly feel more confident, especially for video meetings because Glow Lust reflects so beautifully and distracts from anything else going on. Of all of my glowy, liquid products, this is definitely my favorite of the bunch.

Vesca Kissed By Bronzing Powder in Santorini – I’m not a huge powder product user, but there’s something about this bronzer that really pulls a look together. I find this creates a more satin finish which is great for someone like me that wants to look hydrated and dewy while still having something long lasting, especially under a mask. This Vesca bronzer is my favorite for this purpose (and also my favorite powder bronzer in general) – it’s not too orange, feels incredibly smooth and velvety, blends beautifully, smells amazing, and is such a believable bronzer on me. When my makeup is feeling a bit blah, I add this as a finishing touch, and everything feels right again.

Nail polish – Having super pretty, sparkly, fun nail polish on always makes me feel more confident and put together. I have a ton of polishes that I love for this, so here’s some recent ones that made me feel great while wearing them. I could list so many more – let me know if you want to see more nail polish on here in the comments!

Holo Taco Bring Me the Teal and Starrily Star Cluster

Starrily Uranus

What products make you feel more confident? 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.

Glossier Ultralip Review

June 27, 2021April 3, 2025by 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. Links below are affiliate links.

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.

Ultralip in Portrait, Villa, Trench, and Cachet

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!

February 2021 Favorites

February 28, 2021by liftbakelove2 Comments

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

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

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

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

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

Petal Poppin and Rose Latte in natural light

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

Swatches of Petal Poppin and Rose Latte in natural light

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

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

Tag: lip gloss

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

Em Cosmetics Brand Review: What’s Actually Worth Buying?

5 Brown Lip Products I Can’t Stop Wearing that are Perfect for Olive Skin

Fwee Lip & Cheek Blurry Pudding Pots and 3D Voluming Gloss Review – Swatches of every shade!

March 2022 Favorites

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

Beauty Pie Review: Wondergloss Collagen Lip Oil, Futurelipstick Luxe Shine, and Supercheek Cream Blush

5 Products that Always Give Me A Confidence Boost When I Use Them

Glossier Ultralip Review

February 2021 Favorites

Follow Us