makeup – Page 12 – Makeup and Skincare Reviews

New Products I’m Loving

March 14, 2021March 2, 2022by liftbakelove7 Comments

There’s some new products that I’ve recently gotten that I really wanted to share because I love them so much! It isn’t quite time for March favorites, and I wouldn’t feel comfortable including these yet as I aim to test things for at least a few weeks if not months because I deem them a favorite, so I wanted to make a separate post. You likely won’t see these again until April when I’ve had more time to thoroughly test them, but I hope these quick hits of new products is still helpful.

Josie Maran Argan Daily Moisturizer SPF 47 – My favorite sunscreen of all time, Krave Beauty’s The Beet Shield, is still sold out, and I’m almost out of my current sunscreen. I decided to give this a try since it’s a favorite of so many people with dry skin. They weren’t wrong – it’s both moisturizing and lightweight and doesn’t leave a white cast despite being an all mineral sunscreen. I’m so excited to have a higher SPF product now that it’s finally getting nice outside. I’m even more excited to have one that doesn’t dry out my skin or have a tint that leaves my face looking a strange color like a lot of mineral sunscreens tend to do.

PSA Skin The Most – I recently wrote about how I stopped buying hyaluronic acid serums because they tend to either not do anything or are actively destructive for my skin. So when Allies of Skin sent this to me (PSA is their sister brand), I expected to hate it or at least feel indifferent about it. I was so wrong! This really made a huge difference for my skin in a way I never expected. I’ve used it with slightly damp skin right after showering with a tiny amount of moisturizer on top and been able to wait hours before using anything else. This is actually game changer for me – usually I need to really think about when I shower at night because I need to do my whole skincare routine after to avoid my skin getting dry and dehydrated. Then, I worry about what to do after taking a walk, doing yoga, or eating dinner if I’ve already done my routine – do I start all over or hope it’s fine? With this product, I can shower whenever and do the rest of my skincare routine whenever I want! And of course, even though I was gifted this, all opinions are 100% my own, and I am absolutely buying this with my own money whenever I run out.

Dew Wet Balm (left) and Finding Ferdinand Lipstick (right)

Danessa Myricks Dew Wet Balm in Rosewater – I’ve been obsessed with the idea of owning the Super Loaded Tinted Cream Highlighter from Westman Atelier for however long it has existed. But every time I thought about getting it, I just couldn’t do it – it’s $75 and apparently full of glitter which just isn’t for me. Then, I discovered the Dew Wet Balm in Rosewater for $22 and decided that this could be the perfect thing to get instead. And I was right! It’s the perfect texture that’s balmy without being sticky. It picks up from the pan so easily, blends out fast, and dries down to a gorgeous sheen that doesn’t budge. It also imparts a beautiful touch of rosiness to add to any blush I’m already using. It’s not full of glitter, it’s not $75, and I’m so happy I found it.

Finding Ferdinand Custom Lipstick – I’ve been having so much fun playing around with the custom lipstick maker on this site – you can literally make any color that has a hex code for only $30 (for comparison, Bite Lip Lab charges $60 per lipstick though you do get to meet with a consultant in-person or on Zoom). And the one that I ended up getting is a beautiful color that matches so well with my favorite lip liner in the shade Kackie. It also adds some springy brightness and sheen to any of my other lipsticks without needing to go straight to a gloss, which I’m so pleased with. This is also possibly my favorite lipstick formula – it’s somehow sheer, impactful, moisturizing, and long-lasting all at the same time. And the packaging feels so luxurious! If I am ever able to pan a few lipsticks, I know exactly where I’m going to get some new ones.

Shop Miss A Super Soft Wonder Blender – I cannot believe I was spending $20 regularly on Beauty Blenders when these were an option. They get so big once you’ve wet them, and they have an amazingly soft texture. And they are still firm enough to avoid soaking up a ton of makeup and blend products seamlessly. I have tried many Beauty Blender dupes and makeup sponges, but none of them have as great as this one. At $1.55 per sponge, I am never going back!

I do everything I can on this blog to give thorough reviews of products that I’ve tested for at least a month or two (if not years), but I couldn’t keep these five to myself! Do you want to see more early impressions of products or should I stick to reviews of products I’ve had longer to try? Let me know!

January 2021 Favorites

January 31, 2021September 29, 2021by liftbakelove1 Comment

The theme of this month (like most of 2020) was “I’m tired and don’t want to do anything but still want to look awake at work.” It was dark and rainy outside, too much news reading happening, and I didn’t have the patience for anything that wasn’t easy.

I fell in love with two new skincare products from Allies of Skin, which also makes my favorite retinol product. The first is their Molecular Silk Amino Hydrating Cleanser – the first cleanser I’ve ever used that doesn’t require putting on moisturizer immediately afterwards. It creates such a luxurious cleansing experience, like you are cleaning your skin with silk. And while it really does clean, it also leaves your skin feeling hydrated. I have a lot of cleansers I love, but I think this may be my new all time favorite.

The second is their Molecular Saviour Probiotics Repair Mist. While my all-time favorite mist continues to be the Josh Rosebrook Hydrating Accelerator, this one is amazing for helping prevent any mask-ne and to use inn the morning as an extra glow-booster (along with all the other glow-boosting products I use). I also love the packaging and mister, whereas I’ve actually depotted the Hydrating Accelerator into another bottle. I know this, and all Allies of Skin products, are very pricey, but I have found all the ones I’ve tried to be incredibly effective. They also almost always have a sale, including right now!

I know I just mentioned this in my 2020 Makeup Favorites post but the Glossier Future Dew continues to be one of my favorite products. It’s one of the only things I consistently use every day in my makeup routine, and it works beautifully with any foundation, concealer, and powder combo I put on top of it. It continues to be the most 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).

I also mentioned the Westman Atelier Face Trace Contour Stick in my 2020 Makeup Favorites, but it really is a favorite. When I was short on time and just needed to add some color to my face without needing to do a lot of work or blending, this was my go to. I own many cream bronzer products, and I kept falling back on this one as my “I just don’t want to think about it” product. I stand by what I said in my 2020 favorites post: If I had to start my collection over, this would definitely be one of the first things I replace.

I had not planned on buying the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit – Sculpture Unlocked palette, especially because it is $58, and we all know I don’t really use powder products or need any more of them. Then, I saw it on sale for $35 and decided to grab it, and I honestly have no regrets. It’s so quick and easy because the powders are so finely milled and blend so seamlessly into my skin (see swatches below). I can do a full face is about a minute, which has been fantastic. If you don’t need a full palette (or can’t find a version for your skin tone which is likely because Hourglass really needs to do a better job at making sure these work for all skin tones), I would recommend getting a mini version of the product you want. They make minis of most of their powder products, and they last forever.

Swatches from top to bottom of the highlighter, blush, bronzer, and finishing powder in natural light.

What was your favorite product this month? What would you like to see next on LiftBakeLove? Let me know in the comments below!

2020 Makeup Favorites

December 20, 2020January 3, 2021by liftbakelove2 Comments

I get frequently asked for makeup and skincare recommendations, and I’m super excited to put them all in one place – again! I did this last year, and it’s been really fun to look back and see what’s still a favorite (turns out, a lot of things) and what was newly discovered this year. There’s a lot more in the skincare category since 2020 was…let’s just say a good year for staying inside and self-care, so I’ll be doing a separate skincare post so this doesn’t get too long. I would love see your favorites and recommendations for 2021 in the comments!

Some quick notes before I get into it – I have super dry skin, and I tend towards a very glowy, natural look. I will be mostly focused on cream products this year (even though I still love the powder products I used last year!) since I was inside all the time with dry air due to…2020.

Primer: Glossier Futuredew
Like last year, I tried a bunch of different primers this year and something finally overtook my long time favorite which was the Too Faced Hangover Primer. Futuredew is the most amazing glossy, hydrating base for any foundation. I also used it on no makeup days (which I had a lot of this year) just to make my skin look more hydrated and glowy. I already bought a backup because I love it so much.

Foundation: Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Foundation and Glossier Skin Tint
Luminous Silk is still a favorite — it has just the right amount of coverage (medium), looks glowy but not oily, and lasts all day. For me, it is definitely worth the splurge. I didn’t have a lot of days when I needed that much coverage though, so I generally stuck to the Glossier Skin Tint for that perfect “my skin but better” look.

Concealer: Becca Under Eye Brightening Corrector
This continues be the game changing product for me and is one of the only products I actually panned in 2020. 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.

As last year, the search continues for the perfect concealer to go over top of it, although I still love the Hourglass Vanish Concealer (heavier coverage) and Glossier Stretch (lighter coverage) concealers that I reviewed this year. Stay tuned for more concealer reviews in 2021!

Powder: Hourglass Veil Translucent Setting Powder
This one is the same as last year, and I’m not surprised! This is the perfect powder for dry skin, and the full size does last forever. It looks like I’ve barely used it even though I bought it in 2019. If you don’t want to splurge for the full size and don’t use a lot of powder, you can totally get away with using the travel size for over a year in my experience. I don’t see myself finding a better powder in 2021 and am glad to have found such a staple product.

Contour: Westman Atelier Face Trace Contour Stick
This product is one of my standout discoveries in 2020. It is the perfect color and texture for a natural looking contour. I also love the packaging – it feels super luxe with the magnetic closure, and I really appreciate having a stick for a quick makeup look. If I had to start my collection over, this would definitely be one of the first things I replace.

Bronzer: Tom Ford Shade and Illuminate and Salt New York Crème Tint Pro
Two new favorites for this year – both are cream products that give a super natural look in about 2 seconds. They are super blendable and easy to build up to the opacity I want. I actually think the colors and formulas are pretty similar so if you want to not spend way too much on the Tom Ford, I would definitely recommend getting the Salt New York.

Highlight: Daniel Sandler Watercolor Liquid Highlighter and Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter
I couldn’t resist getting this set after watching Kackie Reviews Beauty rave about it, and while I love all four products, the highlighter is definitely a stand out. I can’t even really explain it, but it gives this ethereal, natural, glowing effect while actually drying down. It takes a little bit of work to get used to how liquidy it is, but it’s so worth it.

The HFF is still one of the most amazing products I’ve ever tried. I mix it into my primer or foundation for an all-over glow, put it under my eyes under my corrector/concealer if I need more brightening and coverage there, and use it on as a liquid highlighter. It works well in every way I’ve tried, and I get tons of compliments every time I use it.

Blush: Salt New York Crème Tint Pro
This was the year of blushes for me – I got 16 new ones this year, even though we all know I already had way too many before 2020 started. That said, I have no regrets and love all the blushes I got this year. My favorite ones are the Salt New York Crème Tint Pro of course, but especially the new shade in Spice, which is the perfect color, and I don’t know how Kiki keeps making the perfect colors. I have all of the shades of the blush and love to mix and match colors to make my perfect shade for that day.

The Salt New York blushes and one highlighter come together in one perfect blush palette.

As I reviewed this year, I am also obsessed with the Westman Atelier Baby Cheeks Blush Stick in Petal for the perfect quick “I promise I am getting sleep” look and the Fenty Cheeks Out Freestyle Blush in Petal Poppin and Rose Latte for the “I have totally been outside this year” look, even though we all know both of those things are a lie.

Eyeshadow: Natasha Denona Biba Palette
The Biba Palette is still my favorite palette of all time, and as last year, I absolutely would buy it again. I’m going to copy over what I said last year because it’s all still true. It is the perfect mix of warm, neutral, and cool tones with the right amount of shimmers. The formula is amazing, and if I could only have one palette, it would be this one.

A new discovery for this year that I love but haven’t used enough to call a favorite is the Pat McGrath Divine Rose Palette. I love that the colors are neutral but still interesting, the special shades are incredible, and the formula is amazing. I love that I can use the top shade as a topper for any other shadow and make it look super special.

Brows: Glossier Boy Brow
This is the best brow gel of all time. It deposits color, but not too much, defines the brow hairs, but not too much, and has staying power, but not too much. It’s just perfect and another thing I already have a back up of.

Mascara: Thrive Causemetics Liquid Lash Extensions Mascara
This is hands down the best mascara I’ve ever used, and I’m actually upset I didn’t get it sooner. 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. I’m never going back to a non-tubing mascara again and bought enough of these to last me until 2022.

Lip liner: Thrive Causemetics Lip Filler Long-Wearing + Plumping Lip Liner in Kackie
One of my other favorite discoveries for 2020 was this lip liner. I don’t know how Kackie did it, but this is the most perfect shade for me. I can put any gloss or lipstick over top of it, and it looks great. The formula also manages to be creamy, not drying, and have great staying power. I’m not sure any lip liner will ever beat this one for a favorite in the future.

Lip gloss: Em Cosmetics Lip Cushion in Magic Hour
I still love the Em Cosmetics lip glosses, but their lip cushion totally knocked it out of the park this year. The Em Cosmetics Lip Cushion in Magic Hour is so easy to swipe on and completely brightens up my face. It’s also super moisturizing and hands down the best tinted lip balm I’ve ever tried. I love keeping it on my desk to have it handy at all times, and if we had anywhere to go, this would 100% be my purse lip product.

Lipstick: Bite Beauty Lip Lap Custom Lipsticks
While I am still obsessed with the Lisa Eldridge Velvet Mattes, my pick has to be my Bite custom lipsticks again. I got two more this year (sheer versions of shades I got for my wedding), and they are such a great formula. I love how easy it is to throw them on and brighten up my whole face, which isn’t surprising because I made sure they were the perfect colors for me.

One of my new sheer lipsticks, and then my other 3 custom lipsticks in the satin finish.

Setting spray: Cover FX Dewy Finish Setting Spray
The Cover FX spray is still my top setting spray spot for keeping my makeup looking great all day without drying out my skin. It’s alcohol-free, and I find that has helped a ton with my skin feeling less dry throughout the day. I am likely just going to keep rebuying this unless something incredible comes out that I end up trying.

I’m looking forward to seeing how different my 2021 favorites are from my 2020 list and hoping I get more use out of everything by actually getting to go places in 2021!

What’s been making me happier lately

April 28, 2020by liftbakeloveLeave a Comment

I was going to do a round up of some of my favorites purchases I’ve made for working/staying at home (and probably still will) but I realized what’s much more helpful is this: what have I been doing to make myself a little happier? Most of these are free (or close!), and I hope these suggestions will help someone out there who needs a bit of joy in their day!

Reading:
This hilarious, amazing book and all of Samantha Irby’s other books
The Anna Edit‘s tips on kitchen organization, working from home, and what books to read next
Half Baked Harvest’s Nine Favorite Things because there are so many fun and interesting links and recipes every week
M.M. LaFleur’s newsletter which has fun things to do, make, read, and watch (just like this! I like these kinds of lists a lot) – you can subscribe here.

Working out with:
My favorite dance/cardio workout from when I lived in NYC (305 Fitness) is live streaming multiple classes a day – they are so fun and effective!
My normal powerlifting program (which isn’t free, but is only $8/month), Stronger by the Day, now has a 4x a week bodyweight/at-home workout program which has been keeping my strength up with the gym closed

Listening to:
My favorite podcast of all time (Forever 35) has a full length and mini-episode every week
The hosts of Forever 35 also launched a fantastic daily podcast, Here For You, which I love listening to every morning

Watching:
I recently discovered Kackie Reviews Beauty, and she is so informative, relaxing, uplifting, and more – very much recommend her videos
Cate the Great Beauty is now doing livestreams 3 times a week! So many hot takes and skincare and makeup advice, and lots of the same people come every time, so you get to enjoy plenty of inside jokes
My usual YouTube list – Allana, Meg, Michele, The Try Guys, Amanda, Natacha, Kayley, Anna, Sam, Kristi, and Jamie
The entirety of the Office because my husband hadn’t seen it before, and clearly we needed to fix that

January 2020 Skincare and Makeup Favorites

February 8, 2020by liftbakeloveLeave a Comment

I’m super excited to share my January 2020 favorites! These are 6 things that I either discovered or rediscovered in January that stood out as favorites.

The Laneige Cica Sleeping Mask has been a skin game changer for me. I got it as a gift with purchase from Sephora and loved it so much I went and got the full size, which I hardly ever do. I have dry, sensitive skin, so I tend to wait before committing, but this is incredible. It’s $34, but you only use it twice a week, and I can tell this jar will last me forever. My skin is less red, smoother, and brighter to the point that I went multiple days in January without foundation and felt like I didn’t even need it.

Speaking of going foundation free, I ran out of my MUFE concealer and needed a replacement, so I picked up the new Hourglass Vanish Airbrush Concealer. I’ve used it sparingly as foundation all over my face, and it looks beautiful. It covers my dark circles without looking cakey, and it blends right into the skin so you can’t even tell you’re wearing makeup. I’m really excited to have this for travel since I can use it as foundation and concealer using a tiny amount and won’t have to bring multiple base products. It is a little drying so I need to make sure to moisturize well first, but I am confident this will be amazing for the spring and summer.

I definitely didn’t need any more eyeshadow, but the Viseart Petite Pro 4 was on sale, and it’s been on my wish list since it launched. I’m so happy I decided to get it. It’s the perfect mix of neutrals, and I love how small this is for travel or to take with my during the day. 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. It’s also only $30 even when it’s not on sale, which makes this a great option for anyone wanting to try out Viseart eyeshadow.

I fell in love with a new primer in January – the Vichy Mineral 89 Face Serum. As you can see in the photo, I’m still working through the sample size, but I am definitely get the full size when I run out. It provides a hydrating base for anything I put over it, and I love to mix it with my Hangover RX Primer or the Hollywood Flawless Filter to add some extra hydration to those.

I also rediscovered two of my long time favorites:

I finally redeemed a voucher I had for the Lancome Monsieur Big Waterproof Mascara, and I realized why this was my favorite mascara for so long. It keeps my lashes curled all day so I look way more awake, it doesn’t flake or smudge, and it comes off super easily even though it’s waterproof.

I also started wearing my Nest Citrine again, and it is my perfect every day scent. I love how fresh it is and how it stays all day despite how light the scent is. I’m trying to work through my perfume collection, but it’s been tough because this is all I’ve been wanting to wear.

I’m trying out a few new things right now that you might see in my February favorites so check back in a month if you want to learn what they are! What was your favorite discovery in January?

2019 Makeup Favorites!

December 23, 2019March 2, 2020by liftbakelove1 Comment

I get frequently asked for makeup and skincare recommendations, and I’m super excited to put them all in one place. I’ll be doing a separate skincare/haircare post and a lifestyle favorites next for books, clothes, movies, etc. so this doesn’t get too long. I would love see your favorites and recommendations for 2020 in the comments!

2019 Makeup favorites:
Some quick notes before I get into it – I have dry skin, wear shade 4 in Luminous Silk, and I tend towards a glowy, natural look. I didn’t find a mascara or brow favorite this year, so those won’t be listed.

Primer: Too Faced Hangover Replenishing Face primer
I tried a bunch of different primers this year, but nothing overtook my long time favorite – the. It’s definitely more of a moisturizer but I do find that it helps makeup last longer as well. A close second is the Smashbox Primerizer but I found it didn’t hydrate as well as the Hangover primer does.

Foundation: Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Foundation
This one is expensive, but Luminous Silk has just the right amount of coverage (medium), looks glowy but not oily, and lasts all day. For me, it is definitely worth the splurge. Some other foundations I discovered this year and may outrank Luminous Silk in 2020 are Clinique Even Better Refresh Hydrating and Repairing Foundation and Glossier Skin Tint.

Concealer: Becca Under Eye Brightening Corrector
This was a game changer for me. I have very dark and noticeable under eye circles and have been searching for something to help correct them for years. This corrector does the trick and puts way less pressure on having the perfect concealer to go on top.

I’ve been loving the Glossier Stretch Concealer for the rest of my face so far, but am still on the hunt for my perfect concealer in 2020.

Powder: Hourglass Veil Translucent Setting Powder
As someone with very dry skin, I’ve had trouble finding the perfect powder that will set my makeup, blend everything together nicely, and not look cakey. The veil powder does all of that and even though the full size is $46, the travel size is still going strong even though I got it at the end of 2018 and use it ever day. I decided to pick up the full size this year because the packaging is way easier to use, but I’m sure it will last for me for the next few years based on the travel size.

Contour: Kevyn Aucoin Sculpting Powder (powder) and Fenty Match Stix Matte Skinstick in Amber (cream)
Both of these give me the perfect natural looking contour quickly and easily. I have considered trying others to see if they’re better, but I have yet to see a need to switch it up from these.

Bronzer: Hourglass Ambient Lighting Bronzer (powder) and Nudestix Nudies Matte Blush & Bronzer in Bondi Bae (cream)
Like my contour favorites, both of these give a natural warmth and blend out easily. They both give a subtle radiance that is especially great in the winter when my skin needs a little extra help. The Hourglass is one of my favorite powder formulas because it’s not that pigmented, so I can slowly build it up depending on what kind of look I’m going for. I have a few other bronzers but don’t find myself reaching for them as much because I pick up way too much color too quickly, and they aren’t as easy to blend as the Hourglass.

Highlight: Mac Mineralize Skinfinish in Soft and Gentle (powder) and Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter (liquid)
The makeup artist for my wedding used the Mac powder on me, and it looked so amazing in the pictures that I went out and bought it as soon as I found out what it was. It gives the perfect amount of sheen without being glittery, and I find that it’s very hard for me to use too much.

The HFF had been on my wishlist for a long time before I finally decided I should just get it. I’m so happy I did because it is one of the most amazing products I’ve ever tried. I mix it into my primer or foundation for an all-over glow, put it under my eyes under my corrector/concealer if I need more brightening and coverage there, and use it on as a liquid highlighter. It works well in every way I’ve tried, and I get tons of compliments every time I use it.

Blush: Nars Blush (powder) and Glossier Cloud Paints (liquid)
Once I found the right brushes to use with my Nars blush (more on that in my brush post!), it became my go-to powder blush. It makes me look healthy and awake without overdoing it, and although it being hard pressed can make it harder to use, I find that it means I don’t end up with a giant splotchy mess that’s hard to blend out.

The Glossier cloud paints give a natural flush to the cheeks that lasts all day and blends well with my other cream products. The one thing I dislike about these is the packaging. I always end up squeezing out way too much, but it’s worth it for the effect they give.

Eyeshadow: Natasha Denona Biba Palette
This was a gift from my husband (thank you!), and I’m not sure I could have convinced myself to spend this much on a palette. Now that I’ve had the chance to use it almost every day, I absolutely would buy it again. It is the perfect mix of warm, neutral, and cool tones with the right amount of shimmers. The formula is amazing, and if I could only have one palette, it would be this one.

Lip liner: Make Up For Ever Artist Color Pencil in Wherever Walnut
The Bite liners were a close second, but given that they are discontinued and no longer available, my choice for this year is this Make Up For Ever pencil. 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.

Lip gloss: Em Cosmetics Morning Dew Crystal Lip Gloss
I have tried so many lip gloss formulas this year, and my favorite is absolutely 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. And it’s not sticky at all!

Lipstick: Bite Beauty Lip Lap Custom Lipsticks
While I am obsessed with the Lisa Eldridge Velvet Mattes that I got this year, my pick has to be my Bite custom lipsticks. I went to the Lip Lab for my bachelorette party and made my perfect red, my wedding lip color, and a replicate of my favorite but now discontinued lipstick. All 3 look amazing on me, and I loved the experience of making my perfect shades with my bridesmaids.

Setting spray: Cover FX Dewy Finish Setting Spray
I was dedicated to Urban Decay All Nighter as my setting spray of choice for years, but the Cover FX knocked it out of my top setting spray spot for keeping my makeup looking great all day without drying out my skin. It’s alcohol-free, and I find that has helped a ton with my skin feeling less dry throughout the day.

I can’t wait to keep using these products and the new things I found in 2019 – looking forward to seeing how different my 2020 favorites are from my 2019 list!

Tag: makeup