lip stain – Makeup and Skincare Reviews

The Best YesStyle Lip Products Under $20 I’ve Found So Far

A lot of affordable makeup is pretty fantastic, and I don’t spend enough time talking about it. So for May, I’m dedicating the entire month to posts about products under $20. I actually have more under $20 Yesstyle post planned that might land in June – let me know if you still want to see it in May or you’re ready for other things!

There are so many Asian beauty lip products I love that this could easily become several posts. I’ve tried a ridiculous number of tints, stains, glosses, balms, lipsticks, and blurred matte lip products at this point, but I made myself narrow this down to the under $20 lip products from YesStyle I actually reach for all the time and would repurchase first. Almost all of these are stains because they’re just so good, but I did include one everyday glossy balm. If I’m missing one of your favorites, tell me in the comments so I can try it next!

In this post, all links are affiliate links (thank you for your support!), but all opinions are my own. Swatches are under a ring light to show true to color (photo #1) and then standard lighting to show the formula a little better (#2) for all the products.

JOOCYEE Long-Lasting Glossy Rouge in Diamond Sea and Naked Tea – This formula is such an easy, moisturizing, nourishing balm that I can apply without thinking. My lips always look and feel so much better when I use these. I was honestly pleasantly surprised how much I love this formula. Diamond Sea is the shade I reach for constantly. It’s a perfect everyday cool-toned mauvey pink that has a little sparkle without being chunky or grainy. Naked Tea is warmer than I wanted it to be. I thought it would be more neutral, but on me it pulls a little orange. It’s still wearable, especially if I use one of my lip mixers underneath, but it’s not the shade I’d tell you to buy first. If I were picking one, I’d get Diamond Sea.

Judydoll Ice Watery Lip Gloss-Gen 2 in 06, 11, and 18 – I love this formula so much. It’s glossy and moisturizing when it goes on and feels so nice for hours. This is actually the product I chose to put on after retesting a bunch of these because it’s really just so good. It also leaves a real stain behind that actually lasts. The stain also matches the color of the gloss and doesn’t turn orange or pink or another color I’m not expecting.

Judydoll Ice Watery Lip Gloss-Gen 2 in 06, 11, and 18 stains

11 is the easiest everyday shade for me. It’s that perfect “my lips but better” cool-toned, slightly mauve lip that I can throw on without thinking (I’m sure you’re seeing a pattern). 18 is the brown I’d recommend first if you want an actual brown that doesn’t turn orange. It has a little bit of yellow in it in a way that works really well with my undertones, but it still stays brown instead of going Cheeto. 06 is annoyingly warm. In the listing, it looked like a perfect terracotta red, which is exactly the kind of warm shade I actually can get away with sometimes. On me, this goes pumpkin orange.

rom&nd Juicy Lasting Tint in 39 Odd Grape, plus minis in 10 Avocado, 12 Odd Mulberry, and 13 Black Berry – I’ve used rom&nd Juicy Lasting Tints on and off for years, so this is a formula I already knew I loved. It’s glossy, comfortable, easy to wear, and it leaves enough of a stain behind that it doesn’t feel pointless once the shine wears off. Like the Judydoll glosses, these stain the color you hope for (mauve, green, purple, and black respectively) instead of turning bright pink or orange for no reason. I’ve tested these on my lips, hands, and arms just to make super sure, and they all stain true to tone, which makes them especially useful for mixing.

rom&nd Juicy Lasting Tint in 39 Odd Grape, 10 Avocado, 12 Odd Mulberry, and 13 Black Berry

rom&nd Juicy Lasting Tint in 39 Odd Grape, 10 Avocado, 12 Odd Mulberry, and 13 Black Berry stains

Odd Grape is the one I bought to actually wear all the time, and I do. It’s a muted, dusty, rosy pink, which is basically the exact color I’m always trying to find in both lip products and blush. I also picked up the minis in Avocado, Black Berry, and Odd Mulberry, mostly to use as mixers. Avocado tones down lip products that are too red or that aren’t showing up well because my natural lip pigment is too red. Black Berry deepens products that are too pale or too chalky. Odd Mulberry helps when something is too orange but I don’t want to fully neutralize it with blue, so the purple tones down the yellow while leaving some of the red. The minis are $8 each, and you can usually find them on sale, which makes them worth it to me for mixing.

ETUDE Fixing Tint in 14 Rose Lilac and 15 Woody Pink – This is my favorite formula in the blurred matte lipstick/lip tint category that I’ve tried so far. I’ve tested a ridiculous number of soft matte, lip blush, blurred lip products at this point, and these are the ones I keep coming back to. You can tap on a little for a soft hint of color or build it up more, and either way it stays comfortable, looks smooth, and never gets dry or crusty. Woody Pink is a dusty rosy neutral that works really well with the mauvey beige looks I wear all the time. Rose Lilac is deeper and moodier, more of a jammy berry-plum, and it pairs especially well with berry-toned blush. Woody Pink fades into a really pretty light pink stain, while Rose Lilac leaves more of a berry tint. And the stain lasts like all the other tints/stains in this post.

ETUDE Fixing Tint in 14 Rose Lilac and 15 Woody Pink, fwee Rose Obsession Stay-Fit Lip Tint in MC03 Dusty Rose

ETUDE Fixing Tint in 14 Rose Lilac and 15 Woody Pink, fwee Rose Obsession Stay-Fit Lip Tint in MC03 Dusty Rose stains

fwee Rose Obsession Stay-Fit Lip Tint in MC03 Dusty Rose – I talked about a couple of fwee lip products in my last post about under $20 Ulta and Sephora products, but you can’t get this one at Ulta. As far as I can tell, this is one of the fwee products you have to get somewhere like YesStyle, and I’m glad I did because it’s a great formula. Even though the ETUDE is still my favorite, this is a close runner up. This is blurring and matte, but not too matte. It still has a little bit of a satin finish, so it doesn’t give me that flat, dry, powdery lip look. It feels comfortable and moisturizing, and although it’s not as nourishing as some of these other products, it doesn’t dry out my already dry lips or make them look worse. Dusty Rose is a great everyday mauve on me, although I like the tones of the Etude more. The Etude stains also last way longer (like they were still on my arm the next day longer), so if you’re looking for something that doesn’t stain as strongly, the Fwee is a great choice.

What lip products should I test next? As always, some products may have been gifted, but all reviews/opinions are completely my own and unsponsored.

Kulfi Brand Review: What’s Worth It and What I’d Skip

Featuredby liftbakelove2 Comments

I’ve been testing a handful of products from Kulfi and I wanted to pull everything into one brand review because this is one of those lines that feels really thoughtful and very easy to actually wear. I also did my usual retesting before writing this so I could compare everything against what I’ve been reaching for lately, and overall I’ve been really impressed, especially with how low effort these formulas are while still looking polished. In this post, all links are affiliate links (thank you for your support!), but all opinions are my own.

Kulfi Main Match Concealer in Paan Party

Kulfi Main Match Concealer in Paan Party – This has stayed one of my favorite concealers since I got it. It blends out quickly, the coverage is very buildable from light to medium, and the finish is a natural satin that makes skin look like skin. It’s described as a radiant-finish but my dry skin definitely cancels that out. I’ve been using it as foundation a lot lately because it’s so easy to throw on all over. It looks like I just have great skin and not like I’m wearing a ton of makeup. It’s flexible enough that I can use it as a traditional concealer or use it as a foundation and add another concealer on top without anything pilling or layering weird. That all said, I was looking back at pictures of the days I wore this all over as foundation, and it’s definitely too light of a shade to match my face and neck (although a great match for the inside of my arm). I can definitely see myself repurchasing this one but in a darker shade, especially because the shade Paan Party is an unusually good match for me as far as undertones go. It’s one of the rare base products where I don’t feel like I have to use green color corrector to make it work.

Kulfi Zari Eyes Eyeshadow in Bronze Brocade

Kulfi Zari Eyes Eyeshadow in Bronze Brocade – This formula is so fun and it’s been one of my favorite one and done shadows because it basically applies itself. A little bit goes a long way, and you can dip your finger in and swipe it all over your lids, and it immediately looks dimensional and sparkly in a way that still feels totally wearable for everyday. You have enough time to blend it out and get the edges how you want, and then it sets down and wears really well on me without much creasing. Bronze Brocade is also a great shade choice because it’s warm but not aggressively orange, and it’s exactly the kind of throw it on and look put together eyeshadow I reach for when I don’t want to think too hard (which is pretty often with my current level of sleeplessness). I’m definitely interested in trying more colors because I really love this formula.

Kulfi Glossy Lip Staining Lip Oil in Rose, Caramel, and First Sari – This was the first Kulfi product I bought and the only one I’ve gotten multiple shades in right away. I wear these constantly because they’re so easy to use, and I really love a good lip stain. They go on like a comfortable gloss and then leave behind a really pretty stain that stays true to the shade you put on instead of turning into the same generic pink on everyone. Caramel is the one I reach for the most for everyday, but First Sari is probably my favorite olive friendly shade, especially if I’m doing more of a berry look. The stain wears really well and they make my lips look smoother instead of drying them out. I’ve been trying a lot of K beauty lip stains over the years and these absolutely hold their own against those.

Kulfi Glossy Lip Staining Lip Oil in Rose, Caramel, and First Sari and Kulfi Lip Snack Glossing Lip Balm in Coconut Chum Chum

Kulfi Lip Snack Glossing Lip Balm in Coconut Chum Chum – This lip balm formula is really comfortable, it’s not sticky, and it feels moisturizing and nourishing on the lips. I have zero complaints about how it wears. Coconut Chum Chum is a really pretty sheer pink that I’m honestly more excited to wear in the spring but it does work well with my undertones. I also really like the packaging. The applicator makes it really easy to apply neatly without needing a mirror (it also helps the shade isn’t too pigmented). For me, it’s just one of those products where if I’m looking at my huge pile of lip balms in a tube, nothing about this one is screaming “you need to run out and get it”. My number one is still the Eadem lip balms, followed closely by the Ole Henriksen and Unleashia balms. That said, if you’re already placing a Kulfi order and you want an easy, glossy balm to toss in your bag, this is a really nice one.

Kulfi Free the Brow Brow Gel – I really like the packaging with the dual sided brush and comb. It makes it really easy to shape brow hairs and get them into place. The brow gel itself gives hold without flaking and without that crunchy feeling. I love that it looks really natural once it dries down. For most people, I think this would be a holy grail brow gel, and I totally get why it’s a favorite for my friends with easier to control brows. For me personally, it’s just not quite enough hold because my brows are unruly and refuse to behave. They always fall out of place within an hour with this one. I still prefer the Rare Beauty Brow Harmony Flexible Lifting Gel as my benchmark hold in place all day bro gel, but I would absolutely recommend this one if you want a comfortable flexible hold and don’t have brows that refuse to do what you want.

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 and some products may have been gifted, 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.

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.

Tag: lip stain

The Best YesStyle Lip Products Under $20 I’ve Found So Far

Kulfi Brand Review: What’s Worth It and What I’d Skip

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

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