makeup favorites – Page 2 – Makeup and Skincare Reviews

5 products I used for a 5 minute face

July 2, 2025July 2, 2025by liftbakeloveLeave a Comment

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

June 18, 2025by liftbakelove1 Comment

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.

Bright Blushes & Lip Picks for Olive Skin for Summer

May 28, 2025by liftbakeloveLeave a Comment

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.

About-Face Brand Review: Testing Olive Foundation Shades, Brown-Toned Products, and More

May 13, 2025by liftbakeloveLeave a Comment

I’ve been trying out a bunch of About Face products lately, and I have to say, I’ve been pretty impressed overall. Some of them have quickly become staples in my routine, while a few have some quirks worth mentioning. I wanted to share my thoughts on what really stood out—both the hits and the misses—and why some of these are definitely worth checking out. Thank you to About Face for sending me a few extra products to test – products marked with * are ones that were sent, otherwise I bought things myself. In this post, all links are affiliate links (thank you for your support!), but all opinions are my own and unsponsored.

The Performer Foundation in F2 Olive and L2 Olive* – I love this foundation so much I have it in two shades (one for winter and one for summer). This is a super lightweight serum-y medium coverage foundation that builds really easily. It has a skin-like finish that’s hydrating but not overly dewy. It doesn’t dry out my skin, and it wears really well throughout the day. I particularly love that they have actual olive shades – this is one of the only foundations I own that I don’t have to wear with a green color corrector. In the swatches, L2 Olive is pulling a bit more yellow than I find it to be in real life but keep in mind these are definitely warm olive shades. The packaging isn’t my favorite because I don’t prefer a giant doefoot, but that’s not enough to keep me from using this constantly over my other foundations. *I bought the original two bottles myself, and the brand sent me a new L2 Olive which I’m so excited to have.

Matte Fluid Eye Paint in Capulets – I’ve been using the Merit Solo Shadows so much as one and dones or as a base that I totally forgot I had this About Face liquid eyeshadow. I decided to try it again, and I’m so happy I did. It’s so easy and fast to throw on and blend out with a finger or a brush. It dries fast enough that I can easily put other things on top of it but not too fast that it gets stuck where I don’t want it. Capulets is a perfect light brown that doesn’t go orange on me (as someone with an olive undertone, that tends to happen a ton with browns). It also has great lasting power so I love to throw this on when I only have 2 seconds and then can add other things on top of it later in the day, and it’ll still look just as good.

Cheek Freak Blush Balm– This blush dries down to a matte finish that actually lasts such a long time for a cream blush. It starts off really balmy so it’s really easy to pick up on a brush or finger and blend into the skin, and then it stays where it is. I also love how the packaging matches the color of the blush since I have three of these – it’s always easy to find the one I want. Laid in particular is a super bright pink blush that is just the quickest way to that flushed look, especially in the summer. If I want to look really awake and hydrated, this is my go to since it’s so bright and flattering. Get Some is a warm rose that gives a soft, natural flush that pairs well with almost any makeup look. I wanted it to be more brown but it definitely leans more in the red direction on me. Score is a beautiful bright purple that is so good for warm olive skintones. This was one of my first real purple blushes, and I’m so glad it introduced me to how good purple looks on me.

The Curtain Call Set & Smooth Loose Powder* – This powder is a bit tricky for me because it ended up being a little too drying for my undereye area, which is usually my primary use for setting powders. However, I have it in the pink shade, and it actually works really well for brightening around other parts of my face, especially the center of my forehead and other areas where I want to highlight without using an actual highlighter. It has a finely milled texture that blends seamlessly without emphasizing texture, making it perfect for targeted brightening rather than an all-over powder. If you don’t have incredibly dry skin, you might really love this powder, and I do really like how the pink doesn’t actually read as pink on my face.

Blurred Matte Lip Plump Soft Matte Liquid Color in Side Eye and Coquette* – I was pleasantly surprised by how much I loved this formula. It has a soft matte finish that’s incredibly comfortable and doesn’t dry out my lips at all, which is impressive for a matte lip product. It genuinely does make my lips appear plumper and smoother. The plump comes from a mentholy/minty type of ingredient, so be aware if you’re sensitive to that. Side Eye is a “nude brown” but I find it leans quite warm and almost turns too orange on me. I’m happy it doesn’t though because I think it’ll be great for summer with bronzy looks. Coquette is a classic soft pink that just looks really nice. For my high contrast features, I wish it was a little bit darker, but it’s easy to throw on and goes with a lot of what I tend to wear. The staying power is fantastic, and even as it wears off, it leaves behind a soft, even tint.

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

April 30, 2025by liftbakeloveLeave a Comment

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Ciele Makeup Review: Mineral SPF Foundation, Concealer, Highlighter & Powder

April 14, 2025by liftbakeloveLeave a Comment

I’ve been testing out a bunch of products from Ciele lately, and I’m honestly so impressed. Every product in the line is packed with mineral SPF (which I love), but what really stands out is how beautifully everything wears—it feels more like skincare than makeup, with all the added benefits. Whether I’m going for a quick no-makeup makeup look or doing a full face, these formulas have totally earned a spot in my everyday routine. In this post, all links are affiliate links, but all opinions are my own!

tint & PROTECT medium coverage serum foundation with SPF 50+ in 3 – This is one of my favorite skin tints/foundations, and I reach for it all the time—especially because of the added SPF. I would never use this as my only SPF but I appreciate having the boost and love that all the Ciele products use mineral SPF. I would call this a skin tint because of how thin and lightweight it is, but it gives my skin a beautifully blurred, smooth look even with only having medium coverage and serum texture. It never gets cakey and blends like a dream. It wears beautifully throughout the day and is so hydrating it feels more like skincare than makeup, even with its medium coverage. Honestly, I have nothing but good things to say about it and would recommend it to everyone! You can hopefully see from the swatches below that shade 3 is really great for my warm olive skin too. I’ve been very happy with it!

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 can’t use it all over as a foundation like some of my other concealers because of this.

glow & PROTECT SPF 50+ liquid highlighter in Piper – This highlighter is such a gem—it’s hydrating, super glowy, and gives the most beautiful soft-focus finish. The formula feels lightweight on the skin, with a buildable wash of color that never looks overdone. I love that it also has SPF 50 for that added sun protection, especially on the high points of my face. It makes my skin look incredibly healthy, fresh, and radiant, like I actually drink enough water and eat enough veggies. It’s the perfect glow without the glitter, and I find myself reaching for it for every look every since I got it. Piper is a beautiful champagne color that works really well with my skin tone.

filter & PROTECT SPF 30+ blurring finishing and setting powder – I was really pleasantly surprised by this powder. It’s very smoothing and blurring and sets everything in place without ever feeling heavy. The formula is super lightweight with just a touch of coverage and a natural finish that isn’t too matte. I love that it has skincare ingredients too—it helps support the skin barrier while keeping excess oil and shine in check. It never looks cakey or dry, and it layers beautifully over makeup or just on bare skin. When I’m really trying to build up sun protection, this is my go to powder.

Luxury Beauty Worth the Splurge: My Top Picks for the Sephora Sale

April 4, 2025by liftbakelove2 Comments

The Sephora sale is the perfect time to grab high-end beauty products at a discount, especially those that feel like a splurge at full price. While I love finding budget-friendly gems, there are some luxury products that are so exceptional, they’re worth every penny—even more so when you can get them on sale. If you’ve been eyeing any of these but hesitating because of the price, now’s the time to add them to your cart! In this post, all links are affiliate links, but all opinions are my own!

Prada Reveal Skin-Optimizing Refillable Soft Matte Foundation in LW5 – During the upcoming Sephora sale, depending on your discount, this will end up being around the same price as other foundations from brands like Nars, Estee Lauder, Haus Labs, Ilia, Makeup by Mario, etc., and it’s so much better than anything else I’ve tried in this category (although for skin tints, I have other recommendations!). It doesn’t matter what I do with the rest of my face, this looks great all day. It’s somehow blurring and skin-perfecting without being too high coverage or drying. It’s described as a skincare foundation that refines the skin in three dimensions including tone, luminosity, and texture to reveal soft-filtered skin in real life, and that’s honestly exactly what it is. It’s basically magic in a bottle, and I don’t understand the wizardry of this foundation. I’m just so glad I picked it up and tried it! And if you’re not going to travel with it or care about it having a lid, you could totally get away with buying just the refill.

Prada Foundation in LW5 and Sarah Creal Concealer in 02

Sarah Creal Face Flex Concealer & Complexion Enhancer with Caffeine in 2 – I didn’t want to love this concealer as much as I do because it’s so expensive, but it really is amazing. Despite the high price, it looks stunning on the skin. It provides excellent coverage without creasing or looking cakey, especially under the eyes. It’s lightweight, doesn’t settle into fine lines, and isn’t too drying. The finish is dewy and hydrating but not overly glowy. While it sets beautifully on its own, it also works well with powder if needed. I’ve used it as a concealer and blended all over as a foundation, and it works great either way.

Makeup Forever HD Skin Face Essentials Longwear Full Face Cream Palette – This palette is so fun to use and play with to mix together different shades to make whatever colors I want. It has contour, bronzer, blush, and highlight options, and you can use the bronzer/contour shades as complexion products as well. It’s so worth it to have an all in one face palette for travel that I also use all the time at home. I love the formula and how easy it is to apply and blend. They also have great staying power for creams and the formula layers on top of other things super well if I’m using these more as adjusters. I’m always surprised by how much use I get out of something like this as someone who isn’t a fan of face palettes, but I think it’s because the colors are so dialed in and because the texture makes them so easy to mix together to get my perfect shades.

YSL Couture Eyeshadow Quad 710 – The YSL Quads are some of my absolute favorite palettes, and while I’d gladly pay the $88 price tag, they’re an even better deal on sale. 710 is the perfect neutral palette and is flattering even on my olive undertones. The formula is exceptional—each shade picks up effortlessly, blends seamlessly, and wears beautifully all day. I love how even with 4 shades, it feels like there’s enough variety in the quad to get a bunch of different looks. The shimmer topper in this palette is especially stunning—I’ve been layering it over all kinds of eyeshadows to add the perfect touch of sparkle. Whether you’re going for a natural, no-makeup look or something bolder, I highly recommend this one. And of course, the packaging is beautiful. I also love the 200 palette – you can see my review of that here: https://liftbakelove.com/2024/11/09/ysl-couture-mini-clutch-in-200-gueliz-dream-my-favorite-eyeshadow-palette-for-my-olive-undertones/.

YSL Candy Glaze in 02 and 15 – If you’re looking for something incredibly nourishing and hydrating that also works like a lipstick, this is the one for you. And if you’re just looking for an incredibly luxurious lip balm that makes your lips look and feel amazing, then the clear (02) is fantastic. It lasts for so much longer than I would have expected, to the point that I would absolutely use the clear as a nighttime lip treatment in a pinch. It also smells amazing, but if you’re not into fruity/mango scents, you might not appreciate it as much as I do. Shade 15 (Showcasing Nude) is a beautiful rosey brown that is a perfect my lips but better color that’s so easy to wear.

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

March 31, 2025January 9, 2026by liftbakeloveLeave a Comment

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

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

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

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

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

NARS Brand Review: Blush, Eyeshadow, and Lipstick

March 24, 2025by liftbakeloveLeave a Comment

NARS has been absolutely delivering with their recent launches, and I’ve been loving what I have in my collection. From effortlessly blendable blushes to a long-time favorite eyeshadow base, plus a stunning palette and a lipstick formula that’s quickly becoming a staple, these picks have been in constant rotation. In this post, all links are affiliate links, but all opinions are my own!

Powder Blush in Behave and Infatuated – I have two shades of the newly formulated blushes, and I absolutely love them. I’m constantly tempted to grab another! The formula is incredibly lightweight and blendable. Both shades are matte but not overly flat—they offer a soft, blurring effect without looking powdery. They wear beautifully throughout the day, and I love that I can keep layering them without overdoing it. I adored the original version, but this reformulation is even better. Behave is a matte pink mauve that is super unique to my collection, and I love using it to layer with other blushes. Infatuated is a matte deep plumberry that’s perfect for olive skin and was one I wore all the time in the winter especially. The swatches below aren’t super built up but hopefully you can see how pretty they both are!

Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base – There’s not much to say about this eyeshadow base except that it works so well! I’ve tried countless eyeshadow primers over the years, and this is the one I always come back to. While it doesn’t offer much color correction, it does exactly what I need: keeps my eyeshadow in place all day. It creates a smooth, non-sticky base that helps shadows adhere without making them difficult to blend. Plus, the doe-foot applicator makes application super easy!

Afterglow Tempting Eyeshadow Palette – This has been my go-to palette ever since I got it, and I’m so sad it’s limited edition! If you’re thinking about picking it up, I highly recommend it. The shades feel unique within my (very large) eyeshadow collection, and I love that it doesn’t include a ton of unnecessary mattes. The mattes that are in the palette work perfectly as base shades or for deepening the outer corner. If I need more mattes, I can always reach for another palette. Follow Me is a standout—it’s a gorgeous purple-leaning brown that works beautifully as a matte one-and-done or for adding depth, especially with my olive undertones. The shimmer range in this palette is stunning, whether worn alone or as toppers. My favorite is No Lies, the perfect one-and-done shimmery brown. I have to admit the swatches absolutely don’t do the shimmers justice – they are so sparkly and dimensional in person. And as expected from NARS, the shadows pick up easily, blend seamlessly, and have fantastic staying power.

Explicit Lipstick in Exposed – This formula is everything I love in a lipstick—lightweight yet pigmented, offering medium-to-full coverage that builds effortlessly. It has a dimensional satin finish that gives the lips a soft sheen without being too glossy or too matte. The wear time is impressive; it stays put without feeling heavy or drying. I especially appreciate that it’s smudge-resistant but still comfortable—no weird slipping or settling into lines. Exposed is supposed to be a cool-toned taupe but because I’m so olive, it goes pretty orange on me. That said, I love using it to tone down anything too berry or too pink and bring it back to a more neutral place, so I’ve been using this almost every day to balance out some of my other shades. I’m super tempted to get another shade because I love the formula so much, and I’m glad I grabbed this one to try it out!

Top Powder Bronzer Picks for Olive Skin from RMS, Victoria Beckham, Giorgio Armani, Gucci, Make Beauty, and YSL

March 20, 2025March 20, 2025by liftbakelove1 Comment

Finding a powder bronzer that truly works for olive skin can be tricky, but these all have the perfect undertones for me and are never too orange. Whether you want a warm, summery glow, a neutral year-round option, or something that enhances olive undertones without clashing, these bronzers deliver. With skin-smoothing formulas, seamless blendability, and a range of finishes, these are my top picks for the most natural, flattering bronzers. In this post, all links are affiliate links, but all opinions are my own!

Bronzers are shown from left to right in the order listed below: RMS, VB, Armani, Gucci, Make Beauty, YSL

RMS ReDimension Hydra Bronzer in Beachwalk Betty – This is my go-to bronzer when I want a really warm, summery glow without turning myself into a Cheeto. Particularly if I’ve used a blush that leans too warm, this helps balance everything out so my face looks cohesive. It’s the most “normal” bronzer shade I own, but it still doesn’t go orange on me. The formula has a subtle shimmer that gives my skin a hydrated look without being glittery. It’s smoothing, blurring, and incredibly easy to apply. Since it’s fairly pigmented, I can skip cream or liquid bronzers and still get enough color—especially as someone with high contrast features. This is refillable too so if you use this up, you can just get the insert without rebuying the compact.

Victoria Beckham Bronzer Brick in 01 – This is an ever so slightly cooler and more neutral-toned bronzer compared to the RMS, and its matte finish makes it extra blurring. The lighter shade is perfect for blending out any harsh edges or bridging the gap between my cheek products and concealer. It’s a great year-round option since you can mix and match the two shades for a lighter or deeper bronzer. The neutral undertone makes it especially flattering on olive skin, but I think it would work well for a wide range of complexions. I love that this is refillable too, so if I ever hit pan, I can just replace the insert instead of rebuying the whole compact.

Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Bronzer in 90 – The first time I tried this, I knew I had to have it. It has a weirdly perfect yellow undertone that works so well with my olive skin, making it look like a natural, sun-kissed glow. The tiny amount of shimmer is just enough to make my skin look healthy—like I actually go outside (which I don’t). The pan is huge, so you can use literally any brush with it, and that just makes applying it even more fun. Like the all these bronzers, it blends seamlessly and layers beautifully with my other products. This is the one I reach for the most in spring and summer, and it always looks amazing.

Gucci Poudre de Beauté Éclat Soleil Bronzing Powder in 01 – Before buying this, I swatched all the bronzers I had at the time, and most leaned a little yellow and warm (great for summer). But this one is rosier, making it perfect for winter. It’s especially great when I’m doing a berry or pink-toned makeup look instead of something more beige or brown, since I didn’t have a bronzer that fit that vibe before. The formula is stunning—blurring, blendable, and super easy to use. I recently took this on a trip in a magnetic palette (since the pan is removable), and I loved being able to pair it with some eyeshadows without it taking up too much space.

Make Beauty Skin Mimetic Microsuede Bronzer in Lunar – This bronzer formula is incredible. It’s completely non-patchy, layers beautifully over creams, and somehow maintains a satin finish while having great staying power. The shade has just enough green to keep it warm without going orange (a rarity among warm bronzers). The range includes six shades, and I think they did a great job with the undertones across them. The packaging is also super nice, and I love that it’s a different color than their pressed powder compact since they’re the same size. Bonus: it’s refillable like the RMS and Victoria Beckham, and the pans fit interchangeably in either compact!

YSL All Hours Hyper Bronzer in 01 – If you want a bronzer that’s basically impossible to mess up, this is it. It’s really light but buildable, making it look incredibly natural on my skin. Like the rest of these, the formula is smoothing, blurring, and effortless to blend. It never leans orange and just looks really polished. I love that I can keep adding more without worrying about overdoing it or placing it perfectly. This is my go-to when I’m running on two hours of sleep and just need to look awake.

Tag: makeup favorites