Tag: makeup brushes

Finally Reviewing Rephr Face Brushes – 04, 05, 18, 19, 22, 24, 35, 37

Featuredby liftbakeloveLeave a Comment on Finally Reviewing Rephr Face Brushes – 04, 05, 18, 19, 22, 24, 35, 37

If you’re trying to decide which Rephr face brushes are worth adding to your collection, I’ve tested a bunch and narrowed down my favorites. These mini reviews break down how each brush performs, what I use them for, and how they compare—so you can find the ones that’ll actually earn a spot in your daily routine. In this post, all links are affiliate links, but all opinions are my own!

04 – This is an ultra-soft angled cheek brush that’s one of the most versatile face brushes I own. It was originally designed for contour, and it does that beautifully, but I find myself reaching for it just as much for blush, bronzer, and highlighter. The angled shape makes it perfect for sculpting and precise placement, but the softness of the bristles ensures everything blends seamlessly without harsh lines. It has just the right density to pick up product effortlessly without over-applying, so whether I’m working with something super pigmented or more sheer, it always applies smoothly. If you want a brush that can truly do it all for cheek products and specifically is angled for more precise application, this is a staple.

05 – If you’re looking for something less precise but just as soft and easy to work with, the 05 is one of my favorites. It’s bigger than the 04 and not angled, so you can easily cover large areas with it. I love it for blush, bronzer, and highlighter but it also works great for powder. Like the 04, it has a great density to pick up powder products and blend them out regardless of the opacity of the product. Honestly, I could say much of the same things between this and the 04 – it just depends on whether you want an angled brush or not.

18 and 19 – I’m reviewing these together because they’re super similar, and I don’t think you need both. They’re both candle-shaped cheek brushes that are perfect for highlighter, targeted blush or bronzer application, and precise powder placement. The bristles are incredibly soft, and the density is just right for picking up and blending powder products seamlessly. I personally reach for the 18 more because it’s smaller and denser, making it great for more controlled application. But if you prefer a fluffier, slightly larger brush that gives a softer, more diffused finish, the 19 is the better pick. Either way, both are beautifully made and work effortlessly.

22 – This is one of Rephr’s most expensive brushes, but it’s absolutely worth it. It’s easily one of my top three favorites from the brand, alongside the 24 and 37. This is hands down my favorite bronzer brush—the size, shape, and density are all spot on. It picks up and blends every powder bronzer I own effortlessly, no matter the formula. The bristles are incredibly soft but still grab just the right amount of product for a smooth, even application. Because it’s on the larger side, I can apply bronzer super quickly, but the tapered edge still allows for precise placement and subtle contouring. I genuinely have no complaints about this brush—it’s perfect.

24 – This is hands down my favorite brush for cream and liquid blush—my favorite type of product to use. No matter which of the (probably hundred) blushes I pair it with, it always performs flawlessly. It picks up just the right amount of product and blends it out seamlessly without disrupting the base underneath. The tapered shape allows for precise placement while still being big enough to make application quick and effortless. It’s on the denser side, which is why it works so well for cream blushes, even with stiffer formulas that can be tricky to pick up. It also blends out cream and stick bronzers and highlighters beautifully. In a pinch, this is my go-to for applying all my cream products, and then I’ll just use the 05 to set everything with powder products.

35 –I absolutely love how precise this brush is. It’s perfect for detailed contouring, or targeted highlight—especially if you like working in smaller areas or want maximum control. The size makes it feel almost like a precision tool, and while it’s not the brush I’d use to quickly sweep product across the face, it’s my go-to when I want to be intentional and sculpted with my application. The bristles are super soft, and despite its small size, it blends beautifully without creating harsh lines. If you enjoy refining the details or tend to go heavy-handed and need a bit more control, the 35 is a great one to have in your lineup.

37 – This is easily one of the softest brushes Rephr makes, and it truly feels luxurious on the skin. It’s a small cheek brush that’s incredibly versatile—I use it most often for blush, bronzer, and highlighter, and it handles each of those beautifully. The size gives you control over placement, while the ultra-soft bristles make blending seamless and effortless. It’s not overly dense, which makes it ideal for building up product gradually and achieving a soft, diffused finish. I especially love it for more pigmented products where I want a lighter touch. This is one of those brushes that makes your makeup routine feel a little more elevated—it’s a pleasure to use every time.

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.

Top Rephr Brushes for Perfect Eyeshadow Application – Reviewing Rephr Eye Brushes 01, 02, 12, 13, 15, 21, 29, and 33

Featuredby liftbakeloveLeave a Comment on Top Rephr Brushes for Perfect Eyeshadow Application – Reviewing Rephr Eye Brushes 01, 02, 12, 13, 15, 21, 29, and 33

Finding the right eyeshadow brushes can make such a huge difference in how your makeup applies, and Rephr has some of my favorites. Their brushes are high quality, work well with both creams and powders, and have thoughtful shapes that actually make sense for real application. I’ve tested a bunch of their brushes over time, and while I don’t think every single one is a must-have, there are some absolute standouts that I reach for constantly. Here’s my breakdown of the ones I own—what I love, what I don’t, and which ones I think are worth picking up. In this post, all links are affiliate links, but all opinions are my own, and I bought these myself. 

Brushes are shown here in the order they are listed below

01 – This is a perfect workhorse blending brush. It’s exactly the right size, shape, and density for any kind of blending you have to do. It doesn’t matter if you’re working on building up the crease, blending out edges, adding something to the inner corner, I can make this work. You can use it with powders or creams though I prefer this one for powder shadows. There’s honestly not that much to say about this brush because it does exactly what it promises to do and super well.

02 – This is firm eyeshadow shader brush that can work for both powders and creams. It’s not too firm (like the 21 I’ll talk about later) but is still dense enough to pick up enough shadow. It works really well for laying down pigment and is great for softly blending out cream shadows. I’m not a huge fan of this one for glittery shadows vs something like the Sonia G shader brushes (particularly the Soft Shader) but I love using it to build up a matte shadow in the outer corner or building a base with something the Merit Solo Shadows. This is because it’s a pretty small brush, at least for the size of my eyelid. Rephr does make a max version of this brush that I’m thinking of grabbing because I love the shape and density of it.

12 – This is a fairly chubby smudge brush that I like to use for either adding depth to the outer corner or building up an inner corner highlight area that’s less precise. I don’t like the way thick eyeliner looks on me, but if you’re into that look, you’d love this brush. I especially like using this one to pick up a dark brown cream shadow or liner for the outer corner really quickly when I’m in a rush vs trying to build up and blend out a powder shadow. It’s the largest pencil type brush I own – if you’re looking for something similar but smaller, I’d recommend the BK Beauty 207.

02 vs 12 so you can really see the different in the shape and size

13 – This is basically a tiny version of the 01 brush. It’s one of the smallest crease brushes that Rephr makes (they make a mini version of this that’s even smaller), and I love it when I’m trying to do something super precise. Like all the above brushes, this works with creams or powers and has a really great density level for both. It’s great for blending out shadows in smaller spaces or if you’re trying to powder a super tiny spot on your face. This one is the perfect balance of fluffy but tiny. That said, if I had to choose between the 01 and the 13 for me, I’d stick with the 01.

15 – This is a great tapered blending brush that’s slightly denser than the 01, making it perfect for adding depth to the crease while still being able to blend seamlessly. I love using this brush when I want more control over my blending—it’s not too fluffy, so it keeps pigment concentrated but still diffuses edges beautifully. It works well with both powders and creams, though I mostly use it for powders. If you find the 01 a little too soft or large for detailed crease work, the 15 is a great alternative. I find myself reaching for this a lot when I want a more defined look without harsh lines or when the 01 needs to be cleaned so they’re fairly similar.

21 – This was the very first brush I got from Rephr, and it actually took me a long time to try them again after this one. It’s my least favorite brush from them and the only one I wouldn’t recommend. All the other brushes I’m reviewing, if it’s something you’re looking for, I really do think you’ll love the brush and get a ton of use of it. The 21 is just too firm for me, and it never quite picks up shadows in the way I want it to. It says it’s specifically for shimmers and creams but I find that the 02 brush works way better for both of those. I might actually get rid of this one and get the max version of the 02 because I love having this shape of brush around but I don’t like the bristles they used.

29 – This is the kind of liner brush I prefer vs something like the 12 brush. I love having something I can use to line just the lash line with a cream shadow and not have to worry about it ever getting too thick. This brush is dense and stiff enough to pick up cream shadows but also works great with powders. I’ve also used it to fill in my eyebrows in a pinch! It’s not particularly unique if you already have a tiny liner brush, but if you’re in the market for one, this is a very high quality and effective one.

33 – This is a huge brush for an eyeshadow brush. It’s definitely the largest shadow brush I own, and I think that’s what makes it special. You can do a one shadow look so fast, whether you’re using cream, powder, or even blending out liquid shadow. I love using this when I’m in a rush but don’t want to get makeup all over my fingers so want to use a brush instead. You can also use this as a concealer brush or a powder brush in a pinch because it’s so large. I love the tapered shape of it to pick up, lay down, and blend out shadow. This is honestly one of my stand out favorites that I didn’t expect to love as much as I did because I’m not used to giant eyeshadow brushes. I’m so glad I grabbed this one because I end up using it all the time and always am so happy with how the look turns out.

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.

BK Beauty Brushes Review – Nikki La Rose N14, N15, N16, and N17

Featuredby liftbakeloveLeave a Comment on BK Beauty Brushes Review – Nikki La Rose N14, N15, N16, and N17

I finally picked up some of the Nikki La Rose brushes from BK Beauty a few months ago, and I’ve finally had them long enough to report back. I’m also hoping to get a bunch of reviews out before all the Black Friday sales really get into full swing (although some have already started, like BK Beauty!), so let me know if there’s anything you’re interested in! In this post, all links are affiliate links, but all opinions are my own, and I bought these myself. 

Nikki La Rose N14 Petite Precision Multitasker – This is a great little (but not too little) brush especially if you need to do some cleaning up at the end of your makeup routine. I love to use it to add extra concealer or powder where I need it. It works really well with liquids, creams, and powders although I find myself using this primarily for powder products. The tapered shape helps you get into those smaller areas like under your eyebrows, around your nose, inner corner, etc. without being so small that it takes forever to apply products. I actually like this brush better for concealer than the concealer brush (see below for more thoughts on that brush). This and the N15 are definitely my favorites from the collection.

Nikki La Rose N15 Precision Medium Powder – If I could only choose one of these brushes to buy, it would be this one. It’s the most unique to my brush collection, and I’ve been getting the most use out of it. It’s marketed as a powder brush but it actually works great for both powders and creams (especially things like bronzers and blushes). It picks up product really well and blends things out super easily. I really like the tapered angle of the brush for cheek products or for when I’m using it to powder all over my face but without wanting to literally get powder everywhere. If you’re someone who likes denser brushes for your cheek products without them being too dense, this is definitely a brush for you. I actually had all four of these brushes set aside to do this review so I could take pictures of them clean, and this one and the N14 are the two I’m most missing being able to use all the time even though I have so many brushes at this point.

Nikki La Rose N16 Pro Concealer – This is a duo-fiber brush that’s perfect for picking up and/or blending out cream products. It really is a great concealer brush if you’re looking for a quick and easy way to buff out concealer under your eyes especially if you’re looking for something that’s going to create more of a sheered out natural finish. I personally have really dark under eyes and need something that’s going to keep as much coverage as possible, whereas this is more about blending. Because of that, I’ve found that this is a great brush for cream and liquid eyeshadows, and I’ve been using it that way. It picks up something like the Merit Solo Shadows so easily, and I can get a super quick eyeshadow look with this brush.

Nikki La Rose N17 Multi-Pro Face – I thought I’d use this more than I do but I just never think to reach for it. When I do, I do really like it, but it’s the brush I’d least recommend of these four if you’re trying to choose. It’s really good for travel (which I’m just not doing much of right now) because it has a side for creams and a side for powders. My favorite way to use this brush is for cream blush and bronzer with the cream side and then flip it for powder bronzer and blush using the powder side which does make for a really quick and easy face of makeup. You can also use this for foundation, concealer, setting powder, basically anything! If you get the whole set, you won’t regret having this blush, but I do have other BK Beauty brushes I’d recommend before this one (check out my BK Beauty posts if you’re interested – Angie Hot and Flashy Travel Set, Core Line Extension, Core Brushes).

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.

June 2022 Beauty Favorites

by liftbakelove3 Comments on June 2022 Beauty Favorites

I can’t believe June is already over, and it’s time for another round of favorites! I’m sorry I’m about a week late – life got a little busy, but hopefully this is still useful. As always, I’m only featuring products in my favorites that are true favorites that I’ve been using consistently for longer than a couple months. If there’s anything you were looking for a review on or a topic that you want me to cover, please let me know if the comments below! And, of course, thank you so much for being here, and it would mean so much to me if you subscribe here or on Instagram @liftbakelove for new posts.

BK Beauty x Angie Hot flashy Concealer Brush – This has really densely packed bristles which I really appreciate for applying products under my eyes. It’s also designed to mimic the shape of your fingertip, and I find that it makes it like I’m blending out with my finger but without losing any coverage. Because of the shape, it’s also super easy to get into harder to reach spots. I’ve been using it every day with my undereye corrector, and it helps so much when I’m attempting to correct my dark circles. It also works great for spot concealing given how precise you can get with it.

Merit Signature Lip Lightweight Lipstick in 1990 – 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.

Merit Signature Lip Lightweight Lipstick in 1990

NYX Thick It Stick It Brow Mascara – It’s so quick and easy to fill in and shape my brows with this – I’ve been reaching for it over my other brow gels (which I oddly have a ton of – let me know if you want a ranking post!). Unlike some other fiber containing brow products, this really lasts all day and actually keeps my brows in place. The only thing about this that I don’t love is that the wand is bigger than I’m used to so I tend to get some of the brow gel on my skin. The good news is that it’s very easy to clean up before it dries.

Blush Divine Radiant Cheek & Lip in Ophelia, Foxglove, and Azalea– This formula is incredibly pigmented, opaque, and thick (like a balm), which I actually appreciate. It doesn’t need to be built up because it’s so pigmented but can still be layered with other cream blushes because it blends so easily. Because of its thickness, it has great staying power and even manages to keep its dewy (but not shiny) finish for hours. I love that you can just buy the refills for about half the price, and they pop into a magnetic palette super easily. I have the shades Ophelia (“true pink”), Foxglove (“warm terracotta”), and Azalea (“berry”). Ophelia is my most used because I’ve really been into a pink looks lately, but I find all the shades work well for me, and I’ve been using all of them a ton this month now that it’s getting truly into summer.

Blush Divine Radiant Cheek & Lip in Ophelia, Foxglove, and Azalea

Beauty Pie Awesome Bronze Gradual Tan Drops – I’m still a bit terrified of actual self-tanning products, so this has been a great way to tan my body without having to worry about going overboard. I’ve been mixing it in with my body lotion and love how my arms and legs look – you can no longer tell I haven’t seen the sun in months and months, but it still looks like my skin. This doesn’t have any kind of scent and doesn’t stain clothes or sheets. It’s also only $14 if you’re a member for quite a large bottle that I know will last me all summer.

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.

Beauty Pie Review: Seamless Foundation Buffing Brush, Pro Angled Contour Cheek Brush, and Pro Angled Concealer Brush

by liftbakeloveLeave a Comment on Beauty Pie Review: Seamless Foundation Buffing Brush, Pro Angled Contour Cheek Brush, and Pro Angled Concealer Brush

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 three (see my other reviews here and 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!

Seamless Foundation Buffing Brush – This brush is 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. While this brush is amazing for foundation, I actually love it even more for cream blush. It blends every formula so seamlessly and quickly and is my go-to for when I’ve overdone my blush and need to blend everything together quickly because of its size. This brush is under $10 and feels similar to my much more expensive synthetic brushes. I now totally understand why Kackie Reviews Beauty said in her review that she wanted tons of these in her collection.

Pro Angled Contour Cheek Brush – I’ve been getting way less use out of this one than I expected to. I use the foundation brush more often for cream blush and bronzer and my Sonia G brushes for powder products. I love the shape and the quality of it – it’s probably my favorite angled brush in my collection. It has the perfect density of bristles to apply and blend just the right amount of pigment. I just really never reach for this particular brush shape. If you’re looking for an angled cheek brush, this one is amazing quality for less than $10.

Pro Angled Concealer Brush – This reminds me so much of the Rare Beauty Liquid Touch Concealer Brush. It has an extremely similar shape that seems to be designed to mimic the shape of your fingertip. I find that it makes it like I’m blending out with my finger but without losing any coverage because of the densely packed bristles. I switch between this brush and the Rare Beauty one purely depending on which one is clean and/or is still drying from being cleaned. I use them every day with my undereye corrector, and it helps so much when I’m attempting to correct my dark circles. It also works great for spot concealing given how precise you can get with it while still being big enough to blend out edges. I don’t think you really need both this one and the Rare Beauty one, but it’s amazing that this is almost half the price.

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