I was going to do a full “worst products of 2025” post, but honestly I didn’t have enough fails to do one. It was an amazing makeup year, and I’ve had way more great products than bad ones. That said, I’ve been collecting the products that really didn’t work for me in a bin all year, and these are the five that really stood out as not working for me (and what I’d recommend instead). In this post, all links are affiliate links (thank you for your support!), but all opinions are my own.
Instead of the Sephora Collection Color Shifter Strange Botanicals Palette, Try the Half Magic Eyeshadow Singles – This palette is such a cool concept. I bought it on sale because it was really inexpensive, and I thought it would be a fun way to try Sephora Collection palettes. But all of the mattes are patchy, hard to blend, and super uneven. The shimmer shade is fine, but pretty flat. It’s the kind of palette that makes you feel like you’re really bad at doing your makeup, and then you remember you own other shadows that basically apply themselves (like my beloved Byredo Bibilophilia palette).
The one topper shifter shade in the palette is actually really pretty (it’s the fifth shade in). It’s smooth, shifty, and performs well. But I think it’s better to just find your perfect shifty topper and buy that because you probably already own a bunch of mattes you love that perform way better. Specifically, I would recommend the Half Magic single shadows, especially since they have way more shades to choose from. I have Blushing Lizard, Wet Pebble, and Sparkle Puff. Look how much prettier and sparklier and smooth they are than the Sephora Collection Shades. I’d rather buy one amazing topper that can also be a gorgeous single shadow than buy a whole palette where I only reach for one pan.
Instead of the Make Beauty Heat Stroke Blush, Try the the Make Beauty Cream Stroke Blush – I wanted to love the dewy Make Beauty Heat Stroke Blush stick especially since I have dry skin. The formula ended up being more work than I want to do with a blush stick. The formula can get patchy and a little sticky, and even though the finish is nicely dewy, I don’t love how it sits on my skin. It also was really hard for me to find a shade that I thought would work well with my olive undertones, and even with Swelter being the best option I could find, it still doesn’t feel quite right on me.
Heat Stroke Blush in Swelter, Cream Stroke Blush in Major Mauve and Hypernude
The Cream Stroke Blush sticks, though, I’m so happy with. I have Major Mauve and Hypernude, and I love this formula so much more. It’s easy to swipe on, easy to blend, and the finish is blurring without being too matte. It’s not sticky at all and lasts much longer than the Heat Stroke blush. The shades also actually look great with my olive undertones. Major Mauve is a terracotta leaning mauve (they describe it as an “Earthy Mauve”) that works perfectly with my olive undertones. Hypernude is peachy beige that definitely leans orange/warm on me but is perfect for when I want to do a warm look on purpose because it doesn’t go all the way to Cheeto orange like a lot of blushes do. I’m so glad they came out with this new blush stick formula, and I’m planning on grabbing Chroma for the summer. If you’re looking for something dewier that has a great formula, I’d recommend the Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Dewy Flush.
Instead of the Ulta Beauty Collection Pressed Finishing Powder, Try the Canmake Abloom Face Powder – I was really excited about this one because I am always hunting for great affordable powders, and powders are my most read category on here. On my skin, the Ulta Beauty Collection finishing powder looked textured and drying without actually doing anything blurring, smoothing, or setting. It also feels a little too pigmented to work as a soft-focus finishing powder. If you’re looking for an Hourglass or Givenchy style powder, this is not the one. If you want to something similarly affordable that is actually a great finishing powder, I’ve been loving the Canmake Abloom Face Powder in shade 3. I’ve been using it just as much as my favorite luxury pressed powder from Givenchy, and it’s been working the exact same. Related, I’ll be doing a bunch of KBeauty reviews soon – let me know if there’s any products or brands you’re interested in reading about!
Instead of the e.l.f. Black Cherry Sheer Slick Lipstick, Try the Finding Ferdinand Delicious Balms – This one is supposedly a dupe for Clinique Black Honey, and I have worn variations of this shade family for years. Now that I understand my undertones and color theory better, I can see why it has always felt slightly off on me. I also know that it turns weirdly orange on some of you, and generally just isn’t a universal shade. Beyond the shade, I really do not like this formula. It feels a little drying, it does not apply as smoothly as I want a “sheer easy balm lipstick” to apply, it can look patchy, and it’s just not comfortable. And honestly, I didn’t love the original Clinique Black Honey formula either for the same reasons.
e.l.f. Black Cherry, Finding Ferdinand the Black Balm and Lucky Cat
The Finding Ferdinand Delicious Balms are absolutely what I’d recommend instead (and you can use my affiliate code liftbakelove10 for a discount.)I showed the Black Balm and Lucky Cat in the swatches, but there are more shades if you’re looking for something warmer, cooler, more berry, more lavender, etc. The formula is so much better. They go on smoothly, feel comfortable, actually nourish the lips, and they smell amazing. The shades feel more dialed-in and nuanced than all the Black Honey dupes, and it’s much easier to find something that works for your undertones. I also like mixing the Black Balm and Lucky Cat to get a deeper black cherry tone that works for me.
Instead of the Ulta Beauty Collection 5-Pan Eyeshadow Palettes, Try the Colourpop 9-Pan Palettes – Ulta’s small 5-pan palettes are absolutely fine for an affordable eyeshadow palette. There’s nothing terribly wrong with the one I have, but it’s also just not amazing. And since they’re $14, and ColourPop’s 9-pan palettes are also $14, I would go with a ColourPop 9 pan every time. Not only because the formula is better, but you also get more shades. The eyeshadows are easier to use, have more consistent pigmentation, and overall just more fun to work with. Hopefully you can see how the mattes in the ColourPop shades are smoother and more pigmented and the shimmers are sparklier. Both brands go on sale often, but even at full price, I would choose ColourPop every time for the formula. If you’re willing to spend a little more for a mini palette that feels truly high quality, I love the Natasha Denona minis. I absolutely love the Mini Retro and Mini Glam palettes, and I would happily spend the extra $10 for any of those.
ColourPop Going Coconuts on the top (plus the four on the right) and Ulta Beauty on the bottom of the first five
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.
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.
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 – 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.
When I realized how many products from this one brand had quietly taken over my makeup drawers, I knew it was finally time to do a full brand review. Here’s my totally honest review of each item, including what I love, what I don’t, and what’s truly worth the hype. This post in not sponsored, but all links are affiliate links (thank you for your support!). As always, all opinions are my own.
Pillow Plush Blush – I’m listing the blushes in order of my most favorite to least favorite, and this has been a surprise hit in my collection. This has a bouncy, cushiony texture that’s a hybrid between a cream and a powder. This has a very natural-looking finish on the skin, with really good staying power. My favorite thing about this formula though is how blurring and seamless it looks. I absolutely love the shade Tickled – it’s a cool toned mauve that’s beautiful on my warm olive skintone. This is my go-to “I made my look way too warm and have to fix it” throw it on top blush. The packaging is also fantastic for travel, since it’s sturdy and has a mirror. The swatch of this one is below with the other powder blushes.
So Soft Blush in Lychee, Pearl Tea, and Venetian Rose Color Drops Serum Blush in Venetian Rose, Forbidden Fruit, and Rose Milk
So Soft Blush – These blushes are everything I look for in a cream blush. The So Soft formula is incredibly soft and creamy (like the name implies), and that makes it so easy and quick to apply. It blends so seamlessly into the skin without disappearing. It’s actually one of the longest wearing cream blushes I own despite being so blendable. I have the shades Lychee (warm melon), Pearl Tea (brownish nude), and Venetian Rose (vintage rose). I get lots of use out of all the shades but Venetian Rose is definitely my favorite and most used because it works the best with my skin.
Radiant Veil Blush in Heaven’s Glow, Venetian Rose, Baroque, Cherub, and Seraph Pillow Plush Blush in Tickled
Heaven’s Glow Radiant Veil Blush – This is my one of my favorite blushes to use on top of cream blush. It provides a soft, glowy look without being overly pigmented and is such an easy way to brighten up a look. I also use this to set cream and liquid blushes if I know I’ll be on video calls for 12 hours, and the colors I have cover a wide enough range to match with almost any look I’m doing. There’s a bit of a sheen to them, so they’re great if I’m in a hurry because I can use these without needing a highlighter. They definitely aren’t a blurring formula if that’s something you’re looking for, and it can highlight texture if you’re not having an amazing skin day. My favorite shades are Seraph (bright pink) and Venetian Rose (vintage rose) but I got a lot of use out of Baroque in the summer.
Color Drops Serum Blush – I personally prefer the So Soft Blush for the ease of use and wear time but if you’re looking for a super dewy, hydrated look, these are pretty if you’re into a very thin liquid blush. I’m going to give these away to a friend because I find I’d much rather use the Glow Recipe Dew Flush Blushes or the Rare Beauty Dewy Liquid Blushes. If you’re interested in these, Rose Milk is a soft-pinky nude, Forbidden Fruit is a brown-toned berry, and Venetian Rose is a neutral rose. The serum texture does blends quickly and leaves a natural glow but I just find my skin eats these so quickly and they’re a little sticky and hard to blend.
Shapeshift Tubing Mascara – This is one of the few tubing mascaras I’ve tried that genuinely adds noticeable length and volume without adding too much heaviness. Because of that, my super thin straight lashes actually stay curled all day. I love how it’s a bit flexible until it totally dries so I can move my lashes around and get the exact look I want. Like most tubing mascaras, it stays completely smudge-free, even with humidity or workouts, and it rinses right off with warm water. I’m doing a full tubing mascara ranking soon, but this one is currently in the running for the top spot.
Morning Dew Crystal Lip Gloss – I have tried so many lip gloss formulas this year, and my favorite is still this one. It is incredibly moisturizing and makes my lips look great even why they are incredibly dry. I tend not to go for clear glosses since I like one and done products, but I have come to appreciate that I can put this over any lip color to add shine and moisture. I keep this on my desk because it’s what I use when I need more moisture than a balm, and because it’s not sticky at all, it’s comfortable to wear any time of day even as a lip treatment.
Soft Blur Velvet Lip Liners in Kitten and Mink – Out of all my lip liners, I definitely reach for these the most often. The formula blends so easily so you can get a soft, blurred, and diffused look. I find that creates a much more natural look that still defines my lips and helps prevent any feathering of the lipstick I use on top. Even with how soft and lightweight they are, they are very long lasting. I have the shades Kitten, a neutral rose, and Mink, a cool brown, which both work really well with my lip color and the with my favorite lipsticks and glosses.
Velvet Lip Liner in Kitten and Mink, Lip Serum in Arcane, Lip Creme in Hush
Lip Mage Tinted Serum in Arcane – This is a lightweight serum-style lip stain in a rose-berry shade. It leaves a sheer berry tint and layers easily for more intensity. It stains evenly, leaving color behind after the shine fades. It definitely lives us to the lip serum name and keeps my lips feeling moisturized longer than I expect from a stain. I reach for this when I want color that feels more put-together and will last longer than one of my lip balms but still effortless. Let me know if you’d like me to do a lip stain round up since I’m realizing I have quite a few now!
Soft Spoken Velvet Lip Creme in Hush – This is a midtone rose-berry with a whipped, mousse-like consistency. It sets to a soft matte finish, doesn’t exaggerate lip lines, and stays comfortable for much longer than I expected. It’s not completely transfer-proof, but it fades evenly and comfortably over time. It’s a great everyday shade that works with almost anything else I’m wearing given the shades I reach for. I really like pairing this with the Soft Soft Venetion Rose blush.
Divine Water Perfecting Mist – This mist feels more like skincare than a traditional setting spray. It’s hydrating and slightly glowy, but the reason I love it is because the orange blossom fragrance smells so nice. The scent dissipates quickly but it just makes me happy. The mist itself is super fine and evenly distributed, making it nice as both a primer and refresher. It’s not sticky or heavy like some hydrating sprays can be. I’m doing a setting spray battle, and this is definitely coming in almost last for actual longevity, but I still love having it around as a “refresh my makeup after 10 hours” kind of spray.
What other products would you like me to review? Let me know if there’s anything else you’d like to see here, and thanks for reading! As always, some links may be affiliate links that support the blog, but all reviews/opinions are completely my own and unsponsored.
I’ve been testing a bunch of new products lately for some upcoming roundups and posts, and I wanted to share 5 of them that have genuinely surprised me with how good they are. I didn’t expect any of these to wow me as much as they did, but I’m so glad I tried them. In this post, all links are affiliate links (thank you for your support!), but all opinions are my own.
Josh Rosebrook Vital Balm Cream – My skin’s been feeling unusually rough and irritated lately, and I grabbed this on a whim hoping for something calming and nourishing. I swear it worked overnight. My skin looked and felt noticeably smoother and more moisturized the next morning. Even my husband commented that my skin looked better, and my makeup applied better too. It has this an extremely thick and rich texture that somehow doesn’t feel suffocating (even though I thought it would). It somehow just calms everything down, and I’m seriously impressed.
Milk Makeup Hydrogrip Primer – After a few all-day wear tests, I can confidently say that this works amazingly well to keep my makeup looking great all day. It seriously extends the wear time of makeup, especially in tricky spots like my nose where foundation tends to fade first. It isn’t drying, layers beautifully under multiple foundations I tested, and spreads easily with a smooth, slightly tacky finish that helps makeup grip and stay in place. I also tested it side by side with the ELF version. They’re almost the same but I find the Milk lasts even a little longer (you definitely don’t need to run out and grab this if you have the ELF though!).
Makeup Forever Artist Color Crayon in Endless Cacao, Dior Contour Stick in 01, Westman Atelier Contour Stick in Biscuit
Makeup Forever Artist Color Crayon in Endless Cacao – This might be the only contour shade I’ve found that actually looks like a shadow on my olive skin. It doesn’t have any weird orange undertones as you can see from the swatches compared to the Dior and Westman Atelier contour sticks. It’s cool-toned and just sheer enough to build up and blend without any harsh lines. The crayon format makes it super quick to use, though it’s a super chunky for detailed contouring. I’m a little worried about how usable it’ll be when the tip wears down, but for now, it’s doing the job really well. It also doubles as a lip liner or eye pencil if you’re into multipurpose products, but again, I don’t know how easy that’ll be with how chunky of a stick it is.
Finding Ferdinand Lashlift Mascara (*gifted) – I hadn’t used this for awhile but am trying it again for a future tubing mascara round up, and I had forgotten how much I love it. This tubing mascara was the first that I tried that was much lighter weight than the Thrive mascara. I love that my lashes don’t fall as quickly and keep a curl much longer than with the Thrive. This is currently in my top spot because not only does it hold a curl longer than the Thrive mascara, it holds a curl longer than all of the other tubing mascaras I’ve tried and stays the entire day. I’ve bought a few of these myself, but the current tube I’m using was gifted by the brand.
Sephora Collection Totally Juicy Lip Tint in 12 – I grabbed this during the last Sephora sale and totally forgot to report back on how it is. It dries down quickly, feels moisturizing, and leaves behind the most even, long-lasting stain I’ve tried in a while. It’s super low-maintenance and easy to apply. It doesn’t feel as high stakes as some other lip tints I have. There’s a faint scent, but it fades fast and isn’t overwhelming. Shade 12 (described as a deep brown nude) is on the darker side even for my high-contrast coloring, but it’s gorgeous freshly applied and wears down into a beautiful, soft stain as you can see below. I really want to check out some of the other shades now especially since this is only $14.
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 past couple of weeks I took a short hiatus to focus on doing full day wear tests so I could find products that hold up through long, hot summer days and even during runs. I wanted to find low-effort, long-wearing products that actually live up to their promises. Here are the 5 products that really stood out to me!
ELF Power Grip Primer – Someone recently asked me for a recommendation for a primer that could stop their makeup from sliding off by midday, and I realized I hadn’t actually tested this cult-favorite yet. After a few all-day wear tests, I can confidently say that it works. It seriously extends the wear time of makeup, especially in tricky spots like my nose where foundation tends to fade first. It isn’t drying, layers beautifully under multiple foundations I tested, and spreads easily with a smooth, slightly tacky finish that helps makeup grip and stay in place.
Sacheu Liquid Contour STAY-N in Giving Sass – This still isn’t my favorite contour color for my warm olive skintone but it’s getting super close! It’s just a little bit warm (you can see a little orange peaking through on the edges) but it definitely has enough neutral and green tones that it works on me as a brontour. The formula is what really won me over – it applies effortlessly, blends out in seconds, and dries down to a soft, natural skin-like finish. And because it’s a stain, it legitimately lasts all day, even with sweat and tons of baby kisses.
Sacheu CHEEK STAY-N All-Day Liquid Blush in I’m Guilty – I absolutely love this color. It’s a mauvey rose that actually reads like a true “nude mauve” on my olive skin which surprised me because most shades with that label pull too pink or too bright. This one is deeper, slightly desaturated, and super wearable. If you look at the built up swatch towards the bottom you can see how deep and mauve it can get, and I love how versatile that makes this shade. It’s been the perfect everyday shade for me this month. Like the contour, it blends out with almost no effort and sets down to a long-wearing stain that doesn’t budge. I’ve been reaching for both this and the contour over all my other blushes and bronzers lately, which says a lot considering how many I have in rotation.
Half Magic Sparklestik Eye Crayon in Princess Teddy – I tested so many eyeshadow crayons to find the most long lasting, and this was by far the winner for me. A few of the others creased or rubbed off after a couple of hours (even inside with AC), but this one held up great even after running and taking long walks in the summer heat. I also love this color – it’s a great everyday one and done sparkly brown I can easily throw on. I also really love how sparkly it stays even after I blend it a bit since some sticks’s shimmer can blend out into nothing. I’m probably going to pick up a few more shades of these.
Elf Power Grip Dewy Setting Spray – Similar to the primer, this really helps my makeup last all day. Because it’s meant to also leave a dewy finish, make sure that if you want to optimize how long lasting it is that you don’t go overboard. A little goes a long way! The dewy finish is really pretty, and I was surprised it didn’t get in the way of the staying power of this spray. I also don’t know if I’d recommend this for those with oily skin who really want to lock in their makeup and might need something like the One Size On ‘Til Dawn Mattifying Waterproof Setting Spray.
What other products would you like me to review? Let me know if there’s anything else you’d like to see here, and thanks for reading! As always, some links may be affiliate links that support the blog, but all reviews/opinions are completely my own and unsponsored.
I’ve been testing a bunch of products lately, some new to me and some I probably should’ve tried way sooner. I wanted to report back on these five, since a few of them have already made it into my regular routine and one was a total fail. Here’s what stood out (for better or worse) and how they worked on my dry, olive skin. In this post, all links are affiliate links (thank you for your support!), but all opinions are my own.
ELF Power Grip Primer – Someone asked me for a recommendation for a primer that would help their makeup stop slipping off their face, and I realized I hadn’t tried this primer yet. I did a few all day wear tests, and it really does help makeup stay much longer. I was especially impressed with how well it kept foundation on my nose, an area that usually wears off pretty fast on me. It also wasn’t drying, played well with multiple foundations I tested it with, and spread easily and evenly. I’m really looking forward to using this one in the summer now that I know how well it works!
Basma The Foundation Stick in 35 (light skin with neutral olive undertones) – I know I’m very late to the party on this one, but my Fenty Foundation stick expired and I needed to replace it. I figured it was as good a time as any to finally try the Basma, and I’m so impressed. The stick isn’t too stiff and works well whether I apply it directly to my face or to a brush first. I like using the brush method a bit better because it can stick a tiny bit to dry patches but drawing all over works in a pinch too. The formula is super buildable so you can get light to pretty full coverage. It feels really lightweight and has a natural, almost finish that isn’t too matte or glowy. It lasts really well and is my new go to when I don’t want to deal with liquid foundation. Plus, they have actual olive shades so I don’t need to use green color corrector with it.
Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Dewy Flush in Watermelon and Berry Flush – I love blush, whether it’s liquid, powder, cream, or anywhere in between. But the one kind of blush that doesn’t usually work for me is a super runny 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 olive skintone, and I hope they come up with more shades! Watermelon is pretty coral on me, which is pretty, but might lean a little bit orange if you’re looking for a more neutral pink. Be aware this has niacinamide and other skincare ingredients if you’re sensitive to those!
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.
Tarte Shape Tape Corrector in Green – Easily the worst green color corrector I’ve tried in recent memory. I’m still searching for my perfect one, but this isn’t close. The formula is incredibly dry, hard to blend, and just sits awkwardly on top of the skin. Instead of neutralizing redness, it leaves a weird minty green layer that looks like paint and doesn’t mesh well under foundation. It’s not comfortable either – it feels like old school face paint. If you’re looking for a green corrector that actually works, the best one I’ve found so far is the Exa High Fidelity green color corrector —it’s a much more neutral muted green in a formula that actually blends into the skin without being too matte or too dewy.
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.
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.
F2 Olive, L2 Olive, Capulets
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.
Laid, Score, Get Some
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.
Coquette and Side Eye
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.
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.
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!
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.
I recently visited family for over a week, and this is everything I brought! It actually all fit into a very small travel bag, so even though it looks like a lot, it didn’t feel like too much to me. That said, I do talk about which ones I wouldn’t have brought below because this is clearly overdoing it on eyeshadow, blush, and lip products. Thank you so much for being here, and it would mean so much to me if you subscribe here or on Instagram @liftbakelove for new posts.
Roen 75° Warm Quad – If I could pack this again, I would have only brought the 11:11 quad, but I threw this one in just in case because I love these palettes so much. I really love the Roen formula because it’s so versatile – with a finger, the shades go on incredibly pigmented and intense, but with a brush, you can create a very sophisticated wash of color. I totally could have gotten away with just one eyeshadow brush and gotten so many incredible looks with this range of shades, particularly with how many great one-and-done shades there are. I also love that these are so quick and easy to use and last all day which is super important to me when I’m travelling.
Roen 11:11 Quad – This is my favorite Roen quad of the three that I own, and it’s definitely my most used. Each shade is a perfect one-and-done on it’s own, and they are so easy and quick to use. The shade swatched farthest to the right below is my go to for adding a high impact sparkle to any eye look, whether it’s on top of the other shades in the 11:11 palette or any other eyeshadow I’ve used. It just seems to finish off any look, particularly in a world where I want people to see my eyes through a screen. They last all day on me with an eyeshadow primer, and I don’t have any issues with flaking or fall out. I definitely used this one way more than the other quad.
Glow-All Super Powder Face Palette – I really struggle with powder products because they tend to stamp on vs deposit color and blend out so it’s super easy for me to overdo. I don’t have that issue with this palette at all. The formula is so easy to work with and you don’t have to think about what you’re doing because it’s so hard to overdo it. The formula is also incredibly creamy and blurring as you can hopefully see in the swatches below. I’m so happy to have this for travel and for quick and easy looks at home. I brought it with me when we visited family for Thanksgiving, and it was great to have everything in one palette, including such different blush colors., which makes it great for travel. You can still get a pretty big brush in the pans, which I really appreciate.
Highlighter, Bronzer, and Blushes from the face palette
In my Salt New York palette I had: Salt New York Sculpt + Bronze Crème Tint Pro in Light/Medium –It blends out incredibly easily and seamlessly, feels like nothing on the skin, and looks so natural on me. It’s my favorite formula for when I need a “I’m running late and need something easy” look, which is every day right now. It blends out so quickly with a brush, sponge, or fingers and never looks patchy which is great when I’m behind on washing my brushes. This honestly might end up being the first cream color cosmetic product I hit pan on ever, and I wouldn’t be surprised.
Salt New York Crème Tint Pro Highlighter in Beige – I’ve written about my love for Salt New York’s products so many times, and it’s because it continues to be one of my favorite cream formulas that I go back to over and over again. All the Crème Tint Pros I have (and I have 21) blend out incredibly easily and seamlessly, are super lightweight, and look so at home on my skin. This is my favorite formula for when I need a “I’m running late and need something easy” look – they blend out so quickly with a brush, sponge, or fingers and never look patchy. My favorite though of all of them, if I really had to choose, would be beige. It’s just my perfect, my skin but better highlight, and it always looks absolutely amazing.
Salt New York bronzer in Light/Medium, highlighter in Beige
Kjaer Weis Blush in Blossoming – This formula has the perfect balance between blendable and long-wearing. It’s so easy to work with, create impact, and stays all day. The first time I used one of these, I was shocked to find that it was still on my cheeks after wearing makeup for over 15 hours. I love that I can just buy a refill without the extra packaging and put it in my Salt New York empty palette, and that it’s still around $30 even for a luxury product. I’ve been loving the shade Blossoming, and I think it could be my one and only blush super easily with how flattering it is for me. It’s a beautiful rosy, warm pink that is a great match with the pink and brown looks I tend to gravitate towards.
Salt New York Crème Tint Pro in Tangerine – This was part of a limited edition duo they launched for spring in 2021, and I’m so happy I grabbed it. I love using Tangerine to warm a look up when something doesn’t quite look right. I can use this to easily put together a monochromatic orange, bronzy look or adjust my blush to match my eyeshadow or lip color better. Like all Salt New York products, it’s buildable, dewy without shimmer, and super easy to blend.
Viseart Petite Pro 4 – I got this during a sale at the end of 2019, and I still reach for it all the time even with all the other eyeshadows I own now. I’m so happy I decided to get it and that I have it in my collection. It’s the perfect mix of neutrals, and I’ve loved how small and compact this is for travel so I can easily throw it into my bag and get a ton of variety. Like all Viseart shadows, these blend seamlessly with little fallout and aren’t overly glittery, so I can put together a look for work super quickly too. I love using the mattes to blend out another look that might need it, so it’s a great pairing for the Roen quads.
Laura Mercier Caviar Stick in Rose Gold – Like the Roen quad, I wouldn’t bring this if I could do it again because I just didn’t reach for it over all the other eyeshadow I brought. That said, I brought this because it’s just so easy to use. It’s super easy to blend and stays all day. Since it’s so small, it’s not a huge deal to have it in my beauty bag, and I pretty much always tend to add it just in case since it’s compact and I can swipe it on and quickly blend with my finger.
Thrive Causemetics Liquid Lash Extensions Mascara in Brynn – No surprises here – this is my go to mascara. It makes my lashes look amazing, doesn’t smudge, and actually holds a curl. The best part is that it washes off so easily and quickly so I don’t have to bring a separate makeup remover for my mascara (which I need with some of my other ones).
Rephr Lash Curler – I’ve tired so many lash curlers over this years, but this one is by far my favorite. It feels my eye shape really well without pinching. It gets all of my lashes including the corners and my lashes actually curl. Right now, you can buy this for $17, and it’s so worth it especially at that price.
Tower 28 SunnyDays SPF 30 Tinted Sunscreen Foundation in Melrose – I honestly think this might be my favorite foundation of all time. The formula is so incredibly smoothing and glowy. It makes my skin look both perfected and hydrated while feeling super comfortable on the skin. I can put it on with a brush, sponge, or fingers, and it looks great. The wear time is amazing considering how lightweight it is, and it absolutely wears in instead of off. It’s super easy to apply with my hands, which is one of the reasons I love using it when I travel.
Ulta Under Eye Brightener – I have super dark undereye and can’t get away without a corrector, and I’m so happy to have discovered this one. It’s about $10 and a very effective dupe of my beloved Becca Under Eye Brightening Corrector. Just like the Becca one, this corrector works so well for correcting my super dark circles and helps hydrate my super dry under eyes for whatever concealer goes on top without any heaviness. It blends like a dream and the color is perfect for me. And it’s in stick form which is so much easier to use than the pot, especially when traveling!
Ilia True Skin Serum Concealer in Arrowroot – I have been loving this concealer ever since I got it. It has a very hydrating feel and finish without being too glossy or dewy. It’s light to medium coverage which matches with the coverage level I prefer for my foundations. Despite being so hydrating, it’s long-wearing and non-creasing throughout the day. It’s also incredibly blendable and easy to work with. I can use it under my eyes, for spot concealing, or all over as a light coverage foundation, which makes it a great option to have in my travel bag.
Glossier Future Dew – This continues to be one of my favorite products, and is one of the only things I consistently use every day in my makeup routine. It provides such an amazing glossy, hydrating base that makes me look like I drank enough water (and if you know me, you know I have never had enough water). It works beautifully with any foundation, concealer, and powder combo I put on top of it and makes them look way better on my skin – no dry patches, no clinging, no flatness.
Cover FX Dewy Finish Setting Spray – Honestly, this isn’t my favorite anymore, but I have this mini, and I’d love to finish it. It’s still a great option for keeping my makeup looking great all day without drying out my skin. It’s alcohol-free and doesn’t dry out my skin. Mostly, I brought this one because it’s in such a small container. Similarly, the Cover FX mini powder I have is a totally fine powder, and it’s just the one I bring because I have it and it’s so small.
Rose Inc Brow Renew in Clear – I have giant, thick brows that look overdone super quickly, and I honestly didn’t realize how much a clear brow gel could make them look put together and “done” without overwhelming my face. It doesn’t feel crunchy or sticky but has great staying power like the rest of these products. Because of my big brows, the applicator is also perfect for me vs the usual tiny brow applicators. It makes applying this so fast and easy to get my brows into shape, and this travel size is perfect for not taking up too much space.
Benefit Precisely, My Brow Pencil – Because of a sparse area I have in one of my brows, I never skip this step, so I had to include both this and a brow gel in my travel bag. I love this pencil because it goes on so quickly and naturally and the size makes it perfect to fill areas in fast but not overdo it. And unlike other pencils, it stays all day, so I don’t end up with a hole in my brow by the end of the day.
Fitglow Beauty Lip Colour Serums in Halo, Dahlia, Juice, and Nudie – I know I write about these all the time, but it’s because I truly love them, and I’m so happy I have so many of them. I use them almost every day and couldn’t choose just one to bring with me. The formula is incredibly nourishing, thick, hydrating, and long-lasting, and I just reach for them so often especially because they work so well as toppers for more matte lipsticks or lip liners. I brought four of the minis I have to give me as much variety as I would want without taking up barely any space. This gave me an amazing range of colors and brightness levels to choose from.
Fitglow Beauty Lip Night Serum – This formula is incredibly nourishing, thick, hydrating, and long-lasting, which makes it perfect for my only lip balm or clear lip gloss I bring. It’s honestly the best nighttime lip treatment I’ve ever tried, and I wake up consistently to hydrated and nourished lips, which I’ve never had happen in the winter before using this product. I now always have one of these with me wherever I go.
Glossier Ultralip in Villa and Trench – The Ultralips are a pretty pigmented tinted lip balm that has a touch more glossiness than your average balm. I love how moisturizing it is and how long lasting it is (for a lip balm texture). You can also build up the color without anything weird happening like pilling or patching. Villa is such an at home shade for me that makes it super easy to throw on, and Trench is such a great browny nude for me that has enough yellow to balance out all the pink in my lips. If I had to pack again, I’d probably just bring the Fitglow Lip Serums but I do really love these too.
Futurelipstick Luxe Shine in Nothing Nude– This formula is really high shine and super smoothing, and I find myself reaching for it so much more than my other lipsticks. It’s surprisingly nourishing and hydrating for such a pigmented lipstick – it has the finish of a lipstick and the formula of a hydrating lip balm. I have the shade Nothing Nude which is a cool rosy brown. This is one of my go-tos, and it’s so small, I figured I would bring it. I definitely didn’t need all these lip products but I ended up wearing this one quite often.
Make Up For Ever Artist Color Pencil in Wherever Walnut – I actually have so many different lip liners, and this is still the only one I use when I’m traveling. The formula is creamy without being slippery and helps define my lips without drying them out. I particularly like this color because it adds depth to my lighter colors and helps retain the shape for darker colors. It’s super neutral and so it doesn’t conflict with almost any look I want to do, which makes it great if I only want to bring one. This mini is also tiny, so it doesn’t take up really any space.
MAC Glow Play Blush in Totally Synced– This formula has been my go-to for finishing off my cheek looks because it has a really incredible blurring quality that really pulls together any look I’ve done. Because the texture feels like a cross between a powder and a cream, it adds a slight sheen like a cream and has great lasting power like a powder. I own 5 of these, but I brought Totally Synced, which is a pastel lilac shade. I find that it really helps balance a too-warm look or a too-dark look. I probably didn’t need to bring this given the other blushes, but I find having a bright cool shade like this really helpful.
What are your go-tos while traveling? Do you also end up bringing too much but because it fits into a small bag it feels okay? Let me know in the comments below! Let me know if there’s anything else you’d like to see here on LiftBakeLove, and thanks for reading! As always, some links may be affiliate links that support the blog, but all reviews/opinions are completely my own and unsponsored.
Makeup and Skincare Reviews 