Tag: makeup favorites

Winter Favorites for When Your Skin is Dry and You’re Really Tired

Featuredby liftbakeloveLeave a Comment on Winter Favorites for When Your Skin is Dry and You’re Really Tired

This winter my skin has been extremely dry and textured, and it’s been one of those stretches where a lot of my usual makeup just isn’t cooperating. Everything either clings to and emphasizes texture, or somehow makes me look more tired than I already am. These are the things I keep reaching for when I want to look more alive with minimal effort. In this post, all links are affiliate links (thank you for your support!), but all opinions are my own.

MAKE Beauty Diffusion Dew Skin Tint in 1.5 – Shade wise, this is definitely not quite right on me because it’s way too saturated and too warm. But I still can’t stop wearing it. I’ve mostly stopped thinking of it as a skin tint and started using it as a primer because it makes my (very dry this winter) skin look so much better. It’s extremely sheer, like the original Glossier Skin Tint. At first, I’m wondering if anything is happening. But every time I use it, my skin looks healthier and more hydrated and more even. It blends in about five seconds and so seamlessly, even with the horrible shade match. I’ve found with a bunch of beigey green color corrector, I can get away with this as my only base product, but I do wish they’d come out with more shades. I will note that this has a bit of sparkle/mica/shimmer to it that might bother you if you’re not looking for it, but my skin really needs all the help it can get right now.

MAKE Beauty Diffusion Dew Skin Tint in 1.5

Makeup by Mario Soft Plumping Blush Veil in Berry Punch – This is such a perfect winter blush for me. It’s one of those blushes that makes it look like you slept and drank enough water (couldn’t be me). The shade is such a good berry plum shade that gives that “cold girl” look without looking like you’re wearing a ton of blush. It goes more purple on me than I can get in the swatch but I love how it’s not super bright. The formula blends so seamlessly you can’t see where it starts and stops, and it works really well even over powder. I love to throw it on half way through the day and wake my face back up. I’ve used it alone, under, and over things, and it’s been great every time. It also sets down and lasts pretty well for being a dewy finish product. I discovered during swatching that this actually stains a really pretty soft pink which is one of the reasons it seems to stay so well.

Makeup by Mario Soft Plumping Blush Veil in Berry Punch and Westman Atelier Light Up Highlight Stick in Biscuit

Westman Atelier Light Up Highlight Stick in Biscuit – I normally don’t get this excited about a highlighter but I’ve been loving it so much. Biscuit is a perfect light beige that makes my skin look glassy and hydrated without any weird shifts happening. It also doesn’t emphasize texture and doesn’t mess up any of the products that are underneath. I catch myself in the mirror and think it just looks so pretty. I can swipe it on and blend it out with my fingers or brush or sponge, and it gives that glossy healthy sheen. The only annoying thing is you have to buy the shade Biscuit from the Westman Atelier website, but for me it was worth it because it’s exactly the finish and shade I want and I use it constantly.

Ravie Beauty Soft Definition Longwear Eyeliner in Umber, drawn on (left) and blended out (right)

Ravie Beauty Soft Definition Longwear Eyeliner in Umber – I really need eyeliner to make my makeup look complete, but I am also so terrible at eyeliner. I have given up on it a million times. This is the first eyeliner that has made me feel like I can actually do eyeliner. The formula is soft and blendable, but it still gives definition. I can tightline with it, I can do a thin line, I can smudge it out, I can apply it with 3 hours of sleep. It still looks intentional every time. You have a ton of play time with this formula, which is the main reason I like it. If I mess up, I can blend it away and try to get the look I want without it being a huge mess. That said, once it sets, it sets. I still have proof of these swatches on my arm the next day, even after a shower. I also bought their brush, and it makes it so easy to do my eyeliner. If you want a strong graphic liner, I wouldn’t recommend this. But if you want a soft defined line you can play and practice with that still looks like you know what you’re doing, I highly recommend this.

dae Cactus Fruit 3-in-1 Styling Cream with Taming Wand – I am finally getting into the postpartum hair regrowth stage (yay!), and I have a ton of short little hairs on the top of my head. My hair had been looking absolutely ridiculous no matter how I tried to style it until I picked this up. It smooths everything down so fast, it smells amazing, and it doesn’t make my hair crunchy or sticky. My hair looks so much more put together whether I’m wearing it up or down. I really never knew I needed something like this, but now I can’t go back to not using it all the time.

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.

The Best Contours for Olive Skin (as long as you don’t mind adding blue)

Featuredby liftbakeloveLeave a Comment on The Best Contours for Olive Skin (as long as you don’t mind adding blue)

If you have olive skin, you’ve probably run into this problem. A contour looks like it will be cool enough to make a realistic shadow until you blend it out. Then, it turns into bronzer. On me, most contours pull warm the second they hit my skin and do not read like a shadow at all, no matter how much the brand promises “these are actual cool tones this time!” So, I wanted to do a full breakdown of how I make any contour work for me, and the ones I recommend.  In this post, all links are affiliate links (thank you for your support!), but all opinions are my own.

What I’ve been doing to make all my contours work for me is add a tiny bit of blue. Blue cancels out orange, so it takes a contour that reads warm and makes it a little more of a grey, shadowy color. In my swatches below, the left side is the contour on its own. The right side is the same contour with a touch of blue added. The difference is not huge (trust me, I know how nuanced the difference is for some of them), but on my face it is the difference between something being a bronzer and a believable contour. Some of these start out better than others, so you can see the blue doesn’t do as much, and that’s one of the reasons I like those better.

These are in same order of the swatches from top to bottom:
Make Up For Ever Artist Color Crayon in Endless Cacao – Color wise, this is the coolest one on its own out of the ones I’ve tried. With a touch of blue, it becomes a really good true contour tone for me. I just do not love the formula. It goes on fine, but it feels a little dry especially as it dries down, and it also manages to blend out into almost nothing. I layered it up a bunch in the swatch so you can see the color, but you can also see the texture on the left shows every dry spot on that part of my arm. I really wanted to love it because the undertone is pretty good, but I don’t reach for it much. I also don’t love the packaging. I don’t love this for a contour because the stick is so chunky, and I don’t like traveling with it because I worry the cap could pop off. I’m still glad I tried it, but it is not a staple for me.

Dior Forever Skin Contour in 01 Light – This is one I reach for constantly, even though the tone is not perfect on me straight from the stick. With a tiny touch of blue, it becomes a really believable contour, and then I can use the same product as is as a bronzer over top. That’s my favorite way to use it, and I do that quite often. The formula is big the reason I keep coming back to it. It is genuinely one of the easiest cream contour sticks to use. It blends quickly, it is forgiving, and I don’t have to think too hard about it. I also love the packaging. It feels sturdy and travel friendly, and it’s the kind of product I actually feel good throwing in a bag. I also think if you’re not very olive undertoned, it’ll work great as a contour as is (based on what I’ve heard from my not-green friends).

Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Liquid Contour in Gentle – This looks so cool and grey/taupe on the website swatches and nothing like it looks on me. This is a great example of a contour being technically correct but still super warm on me. That said, I really like this formula. It’s super easy to throw on and blend, and it’s more forgiving than the blushes. It’s not nearly as pigmented, and you don’t have to worry about going overboard right away. It also mixes really well with the LA Girl blue corrector. The undertone shift looks smooth and even, and it wears really well throughout the day. The only reason I’m not raving about it is because I like the next one even more and I reach for that one first almost every time. I still love this one, and I would still recommend it.

SACHEU Contour STAY-N in 01 Giving Sass – This one is my favorite. If I had to keep only one liquid contour, and honestly maybe one overall, it would probably be this one. It is so easy to dot on, it blends fast, and it stays on extremely well, which is exactly what you want from a product called STAY-N. It also works perfectly with the blue trick. I can do targeted contour with a little bit of blue mixed in, then go back in and use it as is on top where I want warmth. It ends up functioning the same way the Dior does for me which I love. Of all of these, this is the one I have used the most by far and would repurchase. This is also one I travel with a lot because the applicator makes it so easy to just dot and blend. It’s one of my favorite options if you specifically want a contour wand situation.

Anastasia Beverly Hills Smooth Blur Contour Stick in Half Tone – This is the one I can most easily use as contour by itself without it looking weird on my skin. I think it is because it has a little green in it, which works great for me. The formula is perfectly good, and I have no complaints. It applies well, blends easily, and it does what it’s supposed to do. I personally like the creaminess and blendability of the Dior stick a little better, but this is still very workable. The main thing to know is that if you apply too much, you can see it start to turn into bronzer. The edges can get warmer, and it stops reading like a shadow. I’m really glad to have tried this one, but it’s not my top pick. *I did just notice they added more shades, and I bet greyscale might actually work really well for me. Let me know if you want me to try it!

Victoria Beckham Beauty Contour Stylus in Marble – This one works, but it’s not exciting to me, and it’s too expensive for what it is. On the positive side, the packaging is super nice, like most Victoria Beckham products. Even though it looks like it might be a little dark at first, it blends out really well and can look natural on my high contrast complexion. That said, I don’t like the super skinny precise contour stick format (just as much as I don’t love how chunky the Make Up For Ever is). The formula also feels a little dry and a little sticky on me. If you love a precise contour stick and you love the brand, you might enjoy it. If you’re shopping specifically for the best contour for olive skin, which I assume you are if you’re reading this, this is not the one I would tell you to run out and buy.

Westman Atelier Face Trace Contour Stick in Biscuit – This has been one of my favorite brontours for years, and it still is. On me, it has always leaned more a little bronzer than true contour, but it is one of those products that looks good every time as a stand-in for both. Like the ABH, it has a touch of green in it that makes it work really well with my skin. I can add a little bit of blue and do the contour and bronzer thing with it, and it works well, but I do usually use this as a brontour when I’m running low on sleep and time. I love the packaging, and I love the formula. It is so effortless to use. This is the one I reach for when I am trying to get ready really quick, and I just want to throw something on and know it is going to look good. They just added new shades of this one, and I’m thinking of trying Coco if that would be helpful!

LA Girl Pro.Conceal Color Corrector and Makeup Forever Artist Cream Color in Matte Cobalt

The two blue mixers I’ve tried are the Makeup Forever Artist Cream Color in Matte Cobalt and LA Girl Pro.Conceal Color Corrector in Blue:
I bought the Makeup Forever Artist Cream Color in Matte Cobalt specifically to mix with cream contours. It does work, but you have to work fast since this dries down quickly and matte. It is super pigmented and it can be a little hard to blend, which you can see in the swatches (although it’s easier for this purpose because it doesn’t move around as much as a liquid would). The best way I have found to use it is to apply my contour to my face first, then tap the tiniest amount of Matte Cobalt on top, then mix as I blend. That gives me the undertone shift I want without fighting the formula as much. Because it’s not meant for this, it’s very easy to end up with too much blue, and I wouldn’t recommend it for this purpose.
My second mixer is LA Girl Pro.Conceal Color Corrector in blue, and this is super easy to use even though it’s a liquid. It blends like a normal concealer, it mixes so easily, and it is what I use for liquid contours. I can mix it on the back of my hand with them, and it stays workable long enough to adjust the ratio. If you are buying one blue corrector for this trick, I would just get the LA Girl. It does exactly what you need, and it’s only $6.

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.

Shopping My Stash: 7 Old Favorites I’m Excited to Use More In 2026

Featuredby liftbakeloveLeave a Comment on Shopping My Stash: 7 Old Favorites I’m Excited to Use More In 2026

To kick off the year, I decided to go through my collection and look for the products I haven’t touched in forever but still really love. These are the products I forgot about or just got hidden behind all the things I’m testing. The second I started using these again I remembered exactly why I loved them in the first place, so today’s post is seven products I forgot about and want to use way more in 2026. In this post, all links are affiliate links (thank you for your support!), but all opinions are my own. *Note on swatches – I got some feedback it was hard to tell the actual product shades, so I focused on making sure to get the colors as accurate as possible for the products. This means my skin tone may not read as accurately across all the pictures. Please let me know in the comments if this is helpful!

InnBeauty Project Mineral Sun Glow Broad Spectrum SPF 43 in Fair Medium – This was one of my favorite “no makeup makeup” skin tints before I started testing so many complexion products and primers and forgot it existed. Disclaimer that I personally would not rely on something like this as your only sunscreen (and this is why), but it is one of my favorite light coverage skin tints. It goes on effortlessly, it feels really nice on the skin, and it gives coverage without looking like you’ve used makeup at all. It gives me that healthy, hydrated look and evens things out with almost no effort, and I’ve been loving having this back in my routine, either as my actual base product or as an evening-out-everything primer.

InnBeauty Project Mineral Sun Glow Broad Spectrum SPF 43 in Fair Medium and Givenchy Prisme Libre Skin Caring Concealer in N95

Givenchy Prisme Libre Skin Caring Concealer in N95 – I’ve written about this one a ton because it’s one of my favorites, but it got pushed back to the concealer drawer. I somehow ended up with at least 5 new ones that I’ve been rotating through, so old favorites haven’t gotten much time in my routine. The second I reached for this again I remembered how reliable it is and why I love it. It’s one of those formulas I can use in specific areas or all over my face. It’s actually worked really well to add coverage in certain spots when I’m wearing the InnBeauty, but I’ve also used it as my foundation a few times, and it still works great like that. The finish is natural and skin like, it has a blurring effect, it self sets a little bit, and it blends out easily every time. N95 is a good enough match for me in the middle of winter that I can use it all over without it looking off, and it gives really nice coverage without turning heavy or too matte.

Fwee Pudding Pot Blush in PK01 and MV03 (starting with ND04 for reference)

Fwee Pudding Pot Blush in PK01 and MV03 – I swatched all of the shades for a post, loved them, put my favorite shades away neatly, and then completely forgot about them once I got inundated with new cream blushes, liquid blushes, stick blushes, and basically every blush format under the sun last year. Pulling them back out has been such a good reminder of how easy they are to use and how good they look on the skin. They blend out effortlessly, they melt into the cheeks, and they give that natural flush that makes your whole face look healthier without feeling like you’re wearing a lot of blush. I love the shade selection and I’ve been really happy with the wear time too. For reference, I included ND04 in the swatches, since it’s a peachy-pink that does turn cheeto orange on me. K01 is a bright watermelon pink that looks great on my olive undertones. The shade MV03 is a perfect bright berry for winter that gives me “fjords” cheeks and retains some berry without going too, too red. I’ve been loving playing with these again.

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Bronzer in Nude Bronze Light – I’ve had this for years and was so happy I rediscovered it when I shopped my stash. The color is just perfect for me, and it’s one of those bronzers that is almost impossible to mess up. This shade is a pale golden bronze that leans every so slight peach so it gives a really natural warmth and makes my skin look healthy without ever looking harsh. I never have that moment where I realize I used too much and have to dial it back. The formula layers beautifully over creams and liquids, so it works with basically anything else I want to wear. If you want a super intense or pigmented bronzer, I definitely have other recommendations because this one is quite sheer. I will likely be switching to my others when I start to get at all tan again, but this has been so nice in the winter because it’s easy throw it on and not have to worry about piling on too much. It is expensive, so I’d recommend getting a mini or waiting for a sale, but I’m genuinely happy I own it because I’ve been reaching for it over all my other bronzers lately.

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Bronzer in Nude Bronze Light and Dior Backstage Rosy Glow Blush in 001 Pink

Dior Backstage Rosy Glow Blush in 001 Pink – I bought this years ago, used it a ton, and then it slowly got pushed to the back of my blush collection as I started testing more K beauty blushes, the YSL blush, Rare Beauty blushes, and the Westman Atelier blush duos (among many others). Pulling it back out reminded me that it’s one of the easiest powder blushes I own to throw on top of whatever cream or liquid blush I’m wearing to give that fresh, bright, healthy flush without looking like I’m wearing a lot of blush. It is one of those shades that looks almost too bright in the pan, but on the cheeks it sheers out into the prettiest pink that makes your whole face look more awake, especially with my olive undertones. It blends quickly, builds without getting patchy, and has a very soft finish that looks flattering on the skin. I tend to prefer bouncy cream to powder formulas, so the fact that I still love this as a straight powder blush says a lot, and I’ve been really happy to have it back in rotation. It’s the kind of blush that just works and makes everything else I’m wearing look better.

Half Magic Glitter Pop in Dopamine Sparkle and Glimmer Pop plus Cyber Diamond for referenced, sheered out at the bottom to see the texture

Half Magic Glitter Pop in Dopamine Sparkle and Glimmer Pop – As I posted about in December, I am still completely obsessed with my Byredo palette, and I use it every chance I get. Sometimes I want a little more (okay, a lot more) sparkle than what that palette gives me. The topper shade in the Byredo palette is gorgeous but it’s for very specific look, so I pulled these back out to add sparkle to any eye look or use alone for a very quick glittery look. I own all of the shades, but Dopamine Sparkle and Glimmer Pop are the ones I reach for the most. Dopamine Sparkle is a really pretty pink, and Glimmer Pop is more of a neutral champagne with gold and silver mixed in, and neither one pulls too pink, too green, or too orange once they’re on the eyes. The texture reminds me of the old Pat McGrath special shades where it can feel a little rough when you swatch it, but on the lid it turns into this insanely sparkly, almost gel finish with very little fallout. They’re easy to tap on with a finger or a brush and the sparkle lasts all day. Glimmer Pop reads more sparkly than Dopamine Sparkle on me, although it could also be that my Dopamine Sparkle is older and a little dried out. Either way, I’m excited to use these a lot more in 2026.

YSL Candy Glaze in 15 Showcasing Nude and Shade 16 for reference

YSL Candy Glaze in 15 Showcasing Nude – I’ve talked about the Candy Glaze Lip Gloss Sticks a ton and I own three shades, but I’ve been testing so many other lip products lately that I almost forgot how much I love this formula. I’ve still been using the clear one all the time, but between testing new glosses, lip stains, lipsticks, and balms in tubes (everywhere in 2025), I haven’t been reaching for pigmented stick balm type products as much. I’m so glad though that I pulled this out. It smells amazing, feels amazing, and it has that perfect balance of pigment without feeling like a full lipstick. Shade 15 is one of those colors that just makes my whole face look better, it’s really easy to wear, and it gives that glossy finish without being sticky. You can see in the swatches it’s more pigmented than shade 16, which I also love, so I wanted to include that for reference since not all the shades have the same opacity. It was honestly harder than I expected to find older lip products I want to bring back into rotation because the newer launches have been so good. This one absolutely deserves a spot in the regular rotation, and I’m excited to wear it a ton in 2026.

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.

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

Featuredby liftbakeloveLeave a Comment on 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.

6 Products that Kackie recommended that are so good they make me want to throw out my other makeup

Featuredby liftbakeloveLeave a Comment on 6 Products that Kackie recommended that are so good they make me want to throw out my other makeup

Most of you know KackieReviewsBeauty and are here because of her (thank you for joining us over here!). She’s actually the person who came up with the name of this blog (because I’m literally her green friend). I’ve written a ton about why she’s awesome (like in this post here), but most importantly for this post is that she’s also one of the only reviewers I trust to recommend things based on what will work for her viewers. Kackie will get into the details like what undertones a shade will work best for, nuances about a product’s finish, what’s the best application style for it, etc., not just the products she personally loves. Normally I do a massive “Kackie Made Me Buy It This Year” roundup (and yes, I have that list… it’s really, really long). This post is about the products that are so perfect for me, especially with my olive undertones, that they make me want to throw away everything else in their category. In this post, all links are affiliate links (thank you for your support!), but all opinions are my own.

Byredo Bibliophilia Eyeshadow Palette – I watched Kackie’s video and my first thought was, “It’s probably fine, but I do not need another palette that expensive.” Especially because it has a few red shades, and it’s otherwise mostly basic browns. And then I kept thinking about it. And thinking about it. And thinking about it. Even when I got it in my hands, I was nervous because of the red tones in it. We literally texted back and forth about it because I just didn’t think it was going to work on me.

And then I tried it. I have never put on an eyeshadow look so quickly and had it look that good. I’ve been using it every day, and every look I come up with just looks so right on me. The thing I love most about this palette, other than the fantastic formula, is that the colors are so nuanced. If you want everyday browns with that lean a little cool or a little warm (but not too orange, grey, or green!), it’s perfect. The red shades, especially the burgundy, work on me way better than I expected because they have such nuanced tones to them. The lighter cream, beige, and grey shades blend everything together so well, and everything looks smooth and intentional even if I layer a ton of shades together. The sparkly wet look topper does pull a little green like Kackie said, but I love that. It brings out the brown in my eyes and makes everything look harmonious with my skin. I haven’t wanted to touch my other eyeshadow since I bought this, and I have an absurd amount of eyeshadow. Seriously, I have only worn this palette and nothing else since I got it. I really don’t think the swatches below do this palette justice with how smooth and blendable the formula is, how perfectly not quite matte the matte/satin shades are, and how sparkly the shimmers are.

The first 9 shades in the palette starting from left to right on the top row
The second 9 shades in the palette starting from left to right in the middle of the second row

If I were starting over, I’d buy this and maybe add one YSL quad for pinks and purples. I know that $115 is incredibly expensive for an eyeshadow palette, but you would need to spend $310 on the YSL quads to get to the same number of shades that’s in the Byredo palette. Danessa Myricks and Pat McGrath sell $128 palettes, Isamaya’s are $110, and Prada has $85 quads. In this price range, I’d choose the Byredo every time.

Vieve Modern Radiance Concealer in Light 1 – I have tried a bunch of concealers specifically because Kackie mentioned them, and honestly I’ve liked every single one. This one is so great because of the color and the formula. It’s a little bit green in the best way, so it’s actually warm olive concealer. It looks so natural on my skin. It is a little light for me, so I can’t use it all over my face instead of foundation, but it’s perfect for under my eyes or anywhere I want brightening. 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 too over other products and itself. Like everything on this list, once I started using it, I’ve barely wanted to reach for my other concealers, which is saying something because I have at least 10 at this point that I’m supposed to be testing.

Vieve Modern Radiance Concealer and Vieve Modern Radiant Cream Bronzer in Light 1

Vieve Modern Radiant Cream Bronzer in Light 1 – I have so many great cream bronzers at this point that I really didn’t think this one would stand out. This one though really is special, just like Kackie told me it would be. 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 a more targeted application, and it blends beautifully either way. I can do a sheer layer or build it up. It’s super flexible. 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.

Haus Labs Color Fuse Longwear Hydrating Glassy Lip + Cheek Blush Balm Stick in Glassy Cayenne and Glassy Cinnamon – I’m honestly still shocked by how much I love these. This formula has quickly become one of my favorites because it strikes that perfect balance between a cream and a balm blush. It melts right into the skin, blends beautifully over foundation or bare skin, and leaves behind a glow-from-within finish. The shade Glassy Cinnamon is a beigey peachy brown that somehow doesn’t turn Cheeto on me and just looks so natural. Glassy Cayenne is a rosy terracotta that adds life to my face while stayed muted enough for the kind of makeup looks I tend to wear. The formula feels nourishing but not sticky, and it dries down just enough to stay put all day without losing the glassy finish. It’s the blush I reach for when I want something that looks effortless but polished, and it layers really well with powders or other creams. The only caveat is they’re sheerer than a typical cream blush stick so keep that in mind. That’s worked well for me because it’s harder to go overboard when I’m running on 2 hours of sleep or am doing makeup in the car.

Haus Labs Color Fuse Longwear Hydrating Glassy Lip + Cheek Blush Balm Stick in Glassy Cayenne and Glassy Cinnamon and Westman Atelier Lit Up Highlight Stick in Biscuit

Westman Atelier Lit Up Highlight Stick in Biscuit – I actually had no plans to buy this until Kackie shoved it in my hands at her house because she knew it’d be perfect for me. I’ve tried so many highlighters that just look off on my skin and aren’t quite the right color. Biscuit is a perfect light beige that makes my skin look glassy and hydrated without any weird shifts happening. It really looks like my skin is naturally doing something nice, not like I applied a highlighter. It also doesn’t emphasize texture and doesn’t mess up any of the products that are underneath. I catch myself in the mirror and think it just looks so pretty. I have a few other highlighters that I really love, but this quickly has become my favorite. My only complaint is you can’t buy this shade at Sephora, so I had to grab it directly from Westman Atelier.

Merit Beauty Signature Lip Sheer Lip Liner in Brownstone applied directly and then sheered out

Merit Beauty Signature Lip Sheer Lip Liner in Brownstone – This one comes with an apology to Kackie because when she first raved about a sheer lip liner I told her, “that is totally not for me.” Especially since I’m so high contrast, I didn’t understand why I would want something sheer that wasn’t going to last very long. I bought it anyway to review for the blog after hearing about it on her channel a few times, and it’s now one of the only lip liners I’ve used since. It gives definition to my lips without a harsh line. The sheer quality makes it super easy to wear, and if you let it dry down before adding anything, it has surprisingly good staying power for a liner that doesn’t promise longevity. The shade Brownstone is my perfect every day slightly deep cool brown that works really well to add just enough contrast for it to be a natural looking but still an effective lip liner. My only tip is to not fuss with it too much or you can basically smudge it off. Especially, if you’re a lip liner and clear gloss person, this is the liner I’d pick.

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.

The Best New to me Products I Tried From the Sephora Sale

Featuredby liftbakeloveLeave a Comment on The Best New to me Products I Tried From the Sephora Sale

I’m taking a small hiatus from the setting spray tournament now that we’ve finished round 1 (but round 2 and 3 coming soon!). Sephora is doing another 20% off sale starting today, so I wanted to share my favorite 5 things I picked up in the last one that were new to me and absolutely worth getting. I forced myself to only pick 5, but let me know if there was anything you wanted to hear about! In this post, all links are affiliate links (thank you for your support!), but all opinions are my own.

Makeup by Mario SurrealSkin® Natural Finish Foundation in 3W – One of the first things that immediately impressed me about this foundation is how well it matches my skin tone. I don’t need any green color corrector with it, which feels like a small miracle because I’ve relied on one with so many products. It goes on incredibly lightweight while still evening out my skin in a really seamless way. It never looks like I’ve put on too much makeup. It blends out super easily, takes almost no time to apply, and the finish is very “my skin but better.” I also love that it doesn’t require any extra steps like heavy moisturizers or special primers to look good like some other foundations do with my dry skin. It almost sets on its own right away and has a velvety texture that isn’t sticky at all. I can touch my face before setting without a ton of transfer. This has quickly become my go to when I want something with more coverage than a skin tint without going as heavy as some other foundations.

Makeup by Mario SurrealSkin® Natural Finish Foundation in 3W

Laura Mercier Secret Brightening Under Eye Setting Powder in Soft Pink – I’ve been testing so many powders lately. I think I have about 20 to review, about half of which are pink powders. If you want a full deep dive sooner rather than later, let me know in the comments! In my quest to find the best brightening pink powder that works for dull and/or tired-looking skin, I’ve really been enjoying this one. I was never a big fan of the original Laura Mercier loose powder (though to be fair, the last time I tried it was five years ago), but this version is honestly so good. It’s smoothing, lightweight, and noticeably brightening under the eyes without looking dry or powdery. It mattifies just enough while still giving a skin-like finish, and even though it’s marketed as an under-eye powder, I can use it all over my face with no issues. Even with all the other pink powders I’m testing, this is the one I keep reaching for, even more than the original Givenchy powder I loved so much.

Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Dewy Flush Serum in Dragonfruit

Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Dewy Flush Serum in Dragonfruit – I’ve talked about this product a few times before, and I really love the other shades I own, but Dragon Fruit has become my new favorite. It looks like a hot, neon pink in the bottle, but on my skin it sheers out into the prettiest light pink flush. I’ve been using it as a blush base under other products to bring some life back into my face (my almost one year has decided sleep is not for him), but it also works beautifully on its own for that easy no makeup makeup, “I definitely hydrated today” kind of look. It blends out into this natural color that works surprisingly well with my undertones. One of the things I appreciate most about this blue is that my skin doesn’t immediately eat it, which is rare for serum blush formulas on me. It lasts well without getting overly dewy, and it just makes my skin look healthy rather than shiny. I get the smoothest application when I put a little on the back of my hand and load up a brush before stippling, but you can absolutely dot it straight onto your cheeks too.

Eadem Lip Balms in Fig Sauce, Pain au Chocolat, Croissant au Beurre, Boba Bounce, Bissap Glaze, Guava Fresca, and Butter Mochi

Eadem Le Chouchou Exfoliating + Softening Peptide Lip Balm in Fig Sauce – I’ve talked about these balms so many times because they’re genuinely some of my favorite lip products ever. What I wanted to share is that Fig Sauce is such a good color. It’s a super pretty milky rosy brown that ends up being the perfect everyday shade. I usually go for deeper and more brown colors because of my high-contrast olive complexion, but this one still works so well. It’s flattering, easy, and very much a “throw it on without a mirror” situation. The formula is incredible, the scent is amazing, and I haven’t met a shade I didn’t like. I’m so happy to have another one in my collection, and I highly recommend them if you’ve been curious. I still love the shimmery ones (Pain au Chocolat and Coissant au Beurre), Boba Bounce, Bissap Glaze, Guava Fresca, and Butter Mochi, but Fig Sauce has definitely become one of my favorite day-to-day colors.

JVN Complete Hydrating Air Dry Hair Styling Cream – I don’t talk about hair care very often because it’s such a personal category and not one I consider myself an expert in, but sometimes something impresses me so much that I have to share. The JVN Complete Air Dry Cream is absolutely one of those products. I’ve never had something that I can apply to towel-dried hair and have it dry into something voluminous, defined, and genuinely good looking with zero effort. My waves stay intact, my hair keeps its shape for days, and it never feels heavy, crunchy, or weighed down. Plus, it smells great. The brand says it provides “touchable hold that lets your natural texture shine,” and that’s actually true. Most air-dry or leave-in products just don’t work for me, but this one has been such a standout that I had to include 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.

Best Blushes for Olive Skin: My Current Favorites for Fall 2025

Featuredby liftbakeloveLeave a Comment on Best Blushes for Olive Skin: My Current Favorites for Fall 2025

Blush is one of those things that instantly makes me look more awake, even on days when I’m running on no sleep and too much coffee. I’ve been testing a bunch of different formulas and new (to me) shades lately and wanted to share the ones I’ve actually been reaching for now that we’re solidly into the fall season. They all work well on my olive skin, blend easily, and make me look a little more alive without any extra effort. In this post, all links are affiliate links (thank you for your support!), but all opinions are my own.

Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Dewy Flush in Berry Flush – The one kind of blush that doesn’t usually work for me is a serum blush that’s meant to be like skincare. Serum blushes tend to fade into nothing on me super quickly and slide around my face. So, I was really impressed by the staying power of this given how lightweight and dewy it is. While this blush is intended for a no foundation look (and works great for that), it also works really well over foundation and powder unlike other serum blushes. I really like Berry Flush for my olive skintone, especially in the fall. It just gives that perfect “I’m cold” flush with very little effort, and it makes me look like I’ve had enough water. Be aware this has niacinamide and other skincare ingredients if you’re sensitive to those!

Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Dewy Flush in Berry Flush and Make Beauty Cream Stroke in Major Mauve (*Gifted)

Make Beauty Cream Stroke in Major Mauve (*Gifted) – This has become my go to blush when I want something effortless but still pulled together. I apply this straight from the stick, and it glides on smoothly. I was surprised how easily and quick this blended out. You can use fingers or a brush, and it will take 5 seconds. It sets down enough to last all day without feeling too dry too dewy and just makes my skin look really nice because of how blurring it is. It’s one of the cream blushes I can trust not to move around, and it works well under any powder blush or highlighter I’ve layered on top. Major Mauve is a terracotta leaning mauve (they described it as an “Earthy Mauve”) that works perfectly with my olive undertones.

Rare Beauty Matte Bouncy Blush in Truth – As the name suggests, this matte blush has a squishy bouncy texture but goes on matte. It’s the most blurring and long-wearing of my bouncy blushes, so I reach for it when I know I’ll have a long makeup day. It has a silky finish that’s easier to apply than a traditional powder blush. It’s super buildable and layers well with other blushes or cream products without disturbing what’s underneath. Truth is a soft plum that I love when it starts to get colder in the fall. It’s such an easy shade for me to work with.

Rare Beauty Matte Bouncy Blush in Truth, Soshe Blurring Pillow Blush in Rosy Rest, Speakeasy, Berry Smitten, and Copper Spice

Soshe Blurring Pillow Blush in Speakeasy, Rosy Rest, Berry Smitten, and Copper Spice (*2 Gifted, 2 Purchased) – I have been loving all the shades of this blush. It’s so quick and easy to throw on, just like the Rare Beauty blush. Similarly, this formula is really blurring and lasts well all day. It has a natural finish that looks really nice on my dry skin, so that makes it a little more versatile than the Rare Beauty which is more matte. I love how all the shades work well with my olive undertones since I can usually only find a couple in a range that work for me. Berry Smitten (berry plum) and Copper Spice (warm terracotta) have been my favorite shades for fall, but I’d recommend all of them. Speakeasy (dusty mauve) Rosy Rest (dusty pink) are super easy for me to throw on when I want something more neural. I also love that you can buy just the refills and pop them in a magnetic palette, which is what I did with a few of mine.

Soshe blush refills in a magnetic palette

Westman Atelier Baby Cheeks Powder Blush Duo in Fizz/Jam – This duo has become one of my favorites lately. The formula feels silky and almost creamy for a powder. It’s super blurring, like most of these other blushes, but a bit harder to blend out than those. I mostly love this duo for the colors. Fizz is a bright watermelon pink that instantly wakes up my complexion, and Jam is a rich berry that adds depth and is especially perfect for fall. On my olive skin, both shades look super flattering, and I love mixing them together so I can make my cheeks more pink or berry depending on my eye look. This is definitely a splurge even when you consider it’s a duo. If I had to choose, I’d go with the Soshe Blurring Pillow Blush because it’s an easier formula to work with overall and has the same blurring quality without any of the dryness from being a powder blush.

Westman Atelier Baby Cheeks Powder Blush Duo in Fizz/Jam

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.

5 products I used for a 5 minute face

Featuredby liftbakeloveLeave a Comment on 5 products I used for a 5 minute face

I was running super late the other day (which seems to be very common with a 6 month old) and needed to do a full face in about 5 minutes. These are the actual only 5 products I used to put a quick look together. All of them are easy to apply, long-lasting, and give my skin a naturally enhanced look without any fuss.  In this post, all links are affiliate links (thank you for your support!), but all opinions are my own.

Ciele conceal & PROTECT SPF 50+ spot concealer for dark spots in shade 04N – This concealer is incredibly creamy and has a natural finish that isn’t too dewy or too matte. It’s medium coverage but can built to almost full without being cakey. It’s blendable and easy to build too. I love that it has SPF 50 so I get a bit of extra coverage around my eyes or on the high points of my face where I might be getting extra sun. Like the foundation, it’s lightweight and has a skincare feeling. 04N is a bit yellow for me but it works great under my eyes and to brighten certain areas of my face. I was still able to use it all over as a foundation in a pinch, and it honestly looked great.

Ciele concealer in 04N, LH Artistick in Splash, and YSL Candy Glaze in 16

LH Cosmetics Artistick in Splash – This blush is a multi-use stick that is super lightweight and creamy. I grabbed this because when I’m short on time, I want something that’s really easy to blend and that I know will have a seamless finish on the skin without me working too hard. I can throw this on directly from the stick, blend out the edges, and then I’m done. Splash is a cool toned pink that works so well with my olive undertones, and I’ve loved it as a quick way to really bring life to my face. It’s also punchy enough that I don’t have to build lots of layers of products to see any impact.

Rare Beauty Brow Harmony Flexible Lifting and Laminating Eyebrow Gel – I’ve tried so many brow gels, and nothing has ever really held my brows in place all day—until this one. I was honestly shocked that they stayed put until I washed them off, with zero crunchiness, flaking, or stiffness. The hold is strong but flexible, and it actually looks natural. My only complaint is that it doesn’t come in tinted shades. I’ve been layering it over the Make Beauty Infinite Hold eyebrow gel (which is still my all time favorite tinted gel that comes pretty close in terms of hold), and the combo is perfect—it gives shape, color, and all-day hold without fail.

YSL Candy Glaze in 16 – If you’re looking for something incredibly nourishing and hydrating that also works like a lipstick, this is the one for you. It’s so easy to throw on, it looks amazing, and it feels great. It lasts for so much longer than I would have expected, to the point that I would absolutely use the clear version of this as a nighttime lip treatment in a pinch. It also smells incredible, but if you’re not into fruity/mango scents, you might not appreciate it as much as I do. Shade 16 is a beautiful neutral pink that is a great my lips but better and pinker color. I find it really brightens up my face and is perfect for my olive skintone.

e.l.f. Cosmetics Lash XTNDR Mascara in Deep Brown – This is one of the only tubing mascaras I’ve found that comes in brown, and I love having it around for these no makeup-makeup looks where black wouldn’t balance well. This provides pretty good lengthening and volume, and like most tubing mascaras, it doesn’t flake or smudge. It’s super easy to wash off at the end of the day. This one is also pretty lightweight so holds a curl much better than some others I’ve tried. For $7, I’ve been really happy with it as my go-to brown mascara.

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.

My Favorite Bouncy Blushes for a Natural, Soft-Focus Finish

Featuredby liftbakelove1 Comment on My Favorite Bouncy Blushes for a Natural, Soft-Focus Finish

When it comes to blush, I want something that’s effortless to apply, blends seamlessly, and leaves my cheeks looking naturally flushed—not like I’m wearing product. Over time, I’ve found myself reaching almost for blushes with that soft, bouncy texture that sits somewhere between a cream and a powder. They give the blur and longevity of a powder without the mess, while still maintaining the smooth, skin-like finish I love from creams. These are my favorite four formulas – let me know if you there’s any bouncy blushes I should try next! In this post, all links are affiliate links (thank you for your support!), but all opinions are my own.

Blushes are swatched in the order they are listed below

MAC Glow Play Blush in So Natural, Blush Please, Heat Index, Totally Synced, True Harmony, and Grand – This formula has been my go-to for finishing off cheek looks for years thanks to its impressive blurring effect that really pulls everything together. Because the texture is a cross between a powder and a cream, it adds a slight sheen like a cream and has great lasting power like a powder. This is definitely the bounciest of the bunch I’m covering today, but I don’t find that has an on its performance. Between So Natural (golden beige), Blush Please (neutral light mauve), Heat Index (bright pink), Totally Synced (light lilac), True Harmony (bronzey beige), and Grand (petal pink), I’m very well covered in terms of tones. So Natural go a bit more orange on me than I would have wanted, which is why I picked up True Harmony. It shows up way more brown on me so I was really happy I grabbed it.

Half Magic Cheek Fluff Soft Blur Blush in Don’t Be a Doll, Only Drama, and Magic Brownie – Like the Glow Play line, this has that cream-powder hybrid texture that melts into the skin beautifully and delivers a diffused, blurred finish. These are slightly more pigmented and longer-wearing than the MAC glow play, leaning a bit closer to powder while still retaining that cushiony feel. These still have that cream-like sheen like the Glow Play blushes. Don’t Be a Doll is a peachy bubblegum that does go coral on me and is almost too orange, but I’ve been loving it during these warmer months. If I could go back in time, I probably should’ve gotten Sexual Flushtration which is a hot pink. Only Drama is a magenta plum that is one of my favorite purple blushes in my collection. Magic Brownie is a rosy brown that actually stays brown and doesn’t turn orange – an amazing find for olive skintones who are always looking for a brown blush. I really don’t like the packaging these come in – it’s a weird fast food container material that I don’t think will last long or travel well. I depotted two of mine and will move the last one now that I’ve been able to show the packaging in this post.

Em Cosmetics Pillow Plush Blush in Tickled – As you may have guessed, this also has a bouncy, cushiony texture that’s a hybrid between a cream and a powder. This one leans more matte than Glow Play or Cheek Fluff, and it’s the most natural-looking on the skin, with even greater staying power than those. While it lacks the cream-like sheen of those two, it’s very blurring and seamless on the skin. 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. I think I also like the packaging the most out of these, especially for travel, since it’s sturdy and has a mirror.

Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Matte Bouncy Blush in Hope – As the name suggests, this matte blush has that same bouncy texture but leans furthest into powder territory. It’s the most blurring and long-wearing of the bunch, with a silky finish that’s easier to apply than traditional powder blush. Pigment-wise, it’s comparable to Cheek Fluff—rich but buildable. It also layers well with other blushes or cream products without disturbing what’s underneath, making it super versatile for quick or more polished looks. Hope is described as a nude mauve, and it’s more of a peachy pink on me that’s almost too orange but not quite. I honestly love that for the summer, and I might pick up one of the other shades for the winter.

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.

Bright Blushes & Lip Picks for Olive Skin for Summer

Featuredby liftbakeloveLeave a Comment on Bright Blushes & Lip Picks for Olive Skin for Summer

Summer is the perfect time to lean into bright l blushes and lip products—especially if you have olive skin like mine that really shines with bright pinks. I’ve been trying out shades that feel summery, flattering, and easy to wear, and these have stood out as the ones I keep reaching for. Whether you’re heading out for a sunny day or just want something cheerful and effortless, these are my current go-to blushes and lip products for the season. In this post, all links are affiliate links (thank you for your support!), but all opinions are my own.

Swatches are in order from left to right as listed below

Rhode Pocket Blush in Juice Box – This is one of my favorite stick blush formulas because it’s incredibly easy to apply and blend smoothly, whether I use a brush, a sponge, or my fingers. Juice Box is a bright hot pink shade that instantly brightens up my face and has impressively good lasting power. The creamy texture blends out seamlessly without getting patchy or losing its vibrant color throughout the day. I always find myself reaching for it, especially when I need a quick, foolproof pop of color on busy mornings.

Haus Labs Blush in Pomelo Peach – This formula is beautifully blurring and blends effortlessly into the skin. It has a satin matte finish that’s neither flat nor drying, giving a healthy, natural look. What makes Pomelo Peach special is that it’s one of the few peach blushes I’ve found that has enough pink in it to avoid turning too orange on me. No matter how much I build it up, it stays flattering without ever resembling cheeto dust. It’s quickly become my go-to (honestly, my only) peachy blush since it’s still definitely peach but not overly so.

MAC Glow Play Blush in Heat Index – This formula has become a staple for finishing off my cheek looks because it provides a remarkable blurring effect that pulls any makeup look together. I love the texture of these blushes – they feel like a hybrid between cream and powder, offering the longevity of a powder and the glow and dewiness of a cream. Heat Index is a vibrant pink that’s perfect for spring and summer, and it’s super bright without being overwhelming or overly intense (even though it looks like it would be).

Queen Musia Skincare Supercharged Tinted Balm in 2005 –2005 is a perfect cherry pink that isn’t too bright and definitely won’t go orange. 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.

Bloomeffects Tulipscreen™ Hydrating Lip Oil SPF 40+ in Fruit Punch – This lip oil is significantly more pigmented than the Queen Musia balm, so I suggest applying with a mirror or a very light hand. I love that it’s SPF 40+, making it perfect for the sunnier months when I’m spending more time outside. The formula feels incredibly hydrating without being heavy or overly glossy, and it stains the lips with that “I’ve just eaten a popsicle” look that you can easily throw a clear lip balm over. Fruit Punch is a vibrant, bright cherry shade that’s super fun for the summer, and like everything else in this post, doesn’t go orange on me.

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.