makeup – Page 4 – Makeup and Skincare Reviews

NARS Brand Review: Blush, Eyeshadow, and Lipstick

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.

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

Featuredby 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.

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

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

Brushes are shown here in the order they are listed below

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Lilac and Berry Toned Makeup Must-Haves: Blushes and Lipsticks

November 14, 2024November 14, 2024by liftbakeloveLeave a Comment

As someone with an olive undertone, purple makeup is one of my favorite things to use. But it can be hard to find purple makeup that actually looks at home on my skin, and these products all are so easy to throw on. If you have any other lilac/berry/purple products I should try, definitely let me know in the comments! Thank you so much for being here, and it would mean so much to me if you subscribe here for new posts. All links in this post are affiliate links, and if you choose to shop through them, thanks for supporting the blog!

Dior Rosy Glow in Pink Lilac – I’m so happy I purchased this. It’s definitely on the top of my lilac blush list now. I also have the original pink one (shown in the swatches), and I don’t regret having both. That said, for my skintone, I think I’ll get way more use out of the lilac one. This formula is fairly sheer so you can really pile it on without having to worry about it (and I would play around with what brush you use to see which works best to pick it up). It’s a little shimmery but in a really subtle way that I actually appreciate. It means I don’t need to use a highlighter and still don’t have to worry about emphasizing texture. This is just now one of my favorite things to finish a look off with no matter what else I’ve done because it brightens up my face and just looks so pretty. This swatches terribly but it does look really pretty on .

MAC Glow Play Blush in Totally Synced – This formula has been my go-to for finishing off my cheek looks for years 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 6 of these, but Totally Synced is a perfect light lilac that really brightens up any look and makes me look awake and hydrated. I imagine it’s what a bright pop of pink looks like on other people, but this lilac shade is perfect for me.

Dior Rosy Glow in Pink Lilac, MAC Glow Play Blush in Totally Synced, Ravie Beauty Endless Diffusion Baked Blush in Oasis, Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Liquid Blush in Faith

Ravie Beauty Endless Diffusion Baked Blush in Oasis – This formula quickly became one of my favorite powder blush formulas of all time – it blends so seamlessly and easily into the skin, is so blurring, and stays all day. It reminds me of an Hourglass blush but somehow better. It doesn’t need to be built up because this color is quite punchy but absolutely can be layered if you need to. The finish is just glowy enough without being overly glowy like a highlighter. I don’t know how they did it, but it’s basically perfect. Oasis is a Fervor is a rich raspberry pink that works so well for olive skin, especially for that “cold girl” makeup look. And of course it fits so well with the rest of the products on this list.

Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Liquid Blush in Faith – This is one of the only liquid blushes I’m willing to use, and it’s because the formula is honestly just so great. This shade is in the matte formula, which I actually prefer to the dewy one because it really dries down and almost stains my cheeks. It has incredibly lasting power, and if I still want a dewy look, I have plenty of highlighters I can layer on top of it. It really is as good as everyone says it is, and I’m not surprised this blush keeps going viral. The shade Faith is a deep purple toned berry that really packs a punch, and you definitely want to use just a tiny bit at a time. Like Fervor, this is one of my go tos for the “cold girl” winter look or to pair with deeper brown or mauve eyeshadow looks. I also love using this as a base to top with Fervor if I want a blush look that’s really going to stay all day.

Thrive Causemetics Lip-Plumping Peptide Gloss in Lilliana – My lips always look so much better when I put one of these on because of the slight plumping and the high shine. The formula is super minty and cooling, and I’m so excited to use these when it’s hotter outside. That said, if you’re not a fan of minty glosses that you can really feel, I would steer clear of this one. Lilliana is a sheer deep purple berry that looks so good with my skin tone. It’s also sheer enough that I can use it regardless of how much other makeup I have on my face but I can also build it up if I want something more.

Elf Lip Oil in Jam Session – This is one of my favorite lip oils/glosses and definitely my favorite under $10. It’s described as an ultra-glossy tinted lip oil that nourishes, hydrates and enhances your lips’ natural color which is 100% accurate. I love that it’s just pigmented enough that you can tell you’ve used something on your lips, but it’s not too overwhelming or punchy. And I don’t need to worry about using a mirror or anything when I apply it. The formula is super nourishing so I actually will throw this on even when I just feel like my lips are dry. It’s honestly just a bonus that the purple berry color is so perfect. When I’m looking for something plumping and extra minty, I’ll go with the Thrive, and I’d go with this when I want something more nourishing and hydrating since these two are almost the exact same color on the lips.

Thrive Cosmetics Lip-Plumping Peptide Gloss in Lilliana, Elf Lip Oil in Jam Session, Finding Ferdinand Balm in Lucky Cat, Hermes Shiny Lipstick in Prunoir

Finding Ferdinand Balm in Lucky Cat (*PR) – I think this might be limited edition, so if you’re looking for your perfect mauvey berry balm that doesn’t cost $80 like Hermes Prunior, I’d grab this one before it’s gone. I got this in PR (thank you!) but if I hadn’t, I’d absolutely spend $26 on this because the color just looks so great on me no matter what else I have on my face. It’s really the purple without looking too purple balm of my dreams. The other thing I appreciate is that it’s super buildable so I can start with a light layer that just makes it look like my lips have color on them or I can build it up to be more true to its color in the tube if I’m doing a berry/purple look. The Asian pear scent is also so nice, and it isn’t too strong. You can also use affiliate code LIFTBAKELOVE10 on Finding Ferdinand’s site to save 10%.

Hermes Shiny Lipstick in Prunoir – This is truly the perfect lipstick when I’m doing a berry toned or mauvey toned or purple leaning look . It’s also incredible as a way to balance out lipsticks that just need a bit of purple added to them when it feels like something is off. The formula is perfect – it’s shiny and hydrating without sliding all over the place, and it’s sheer without being patchy or not really showing up. The only thing is that it really has that luxury lip scent that’s quite strong, but I’ll put up with it for how perfect it is otherwise. Of course, the packaging is also stunning and feels like something you paid $80 for. This shade is probably out of stock now, but the formula is great if one of the other colors would work for you!

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.

Must-Have Drugstore Products For About $5

November 13, 2024by liftbakeloveLeave a Comment

I got a bunch of great products for my birthday months ago, and there are some drugstore products in the bunch that really stood out to me that I wanted to write about. I then realized they were all around $5 which is amazing – I never would have expected that. I would love to read about your favorites and recommendations for under more affordable beauty products in the comments! Thank you so much for being here, and it would mean so much to me if you subscribe here for new posts. All links in this post are affiliate links, and if you choose to shop through them, thanks for supporting the blog!

L.A. Girl Pro Conceal HD Concealer in Green – This is the green color corrector I’ve reached for the most. I’m planning on doing a full green color corrector comparison post because I actually have a bunch in rotation right now that I like and use for different reasons. This one is the most green of the bunch and doesn’t lean too matte or dewy so it works really well with whatever primer, foundation, concealer, and powder combo I’ve used that day. This is definitely meant to be more of a pure green concealer so I can’t use it as a primer by itself like some of my other green correctors, but a lot of those require I top them up with something like this anyway because they’re not nearly as green.

Wet n Wild Prime Focus Glass Correct Primer – I love this as a dewy primer even though it doesn’t have as much green as I would like (it basically looks colorless compared to something like the L.A. Girl color corrector). That said, it somehow manages to feel incredibly moisturizing with a glass-like finish (as the name would suggest) while still being able to act as a primer for makeup that doesn’t make anything slip around or feel greasy. I tend to mix this with one of my greener color correctors to really cancel out redness, but if I’m in a rush, I’ll just use this, and my skin still looks beautiful.

L.A. Girl Pro Conceal HD Concealer in Green , Wet n Wild Prime Focus Glass Correct Primer, Colourpop Super Shock Shadow in Ritz , NYX Slim Lip Pencil Creamy Long-Lasting Lip Liner

ELF Prime & Stay Finishing Powder (Fair/Light)– This powder really surprised me. It’s less than $5 and performs honestly even better than some of my high-end powders. It has a tiny bit of luminosity to it, so it sets without mattifying too much, and it’s the perfect hybrid between a finishing and setting powder. I love using this for all over my face and to set all my cream products without getting rid of any of their dewiness. I even recommended this to my friend to use on her wedding day (I was doing her makeup and wanted something that would stay all day), and her makeup held up through the ceremony and all the dancing at the reception well past midnight. I am continually incredibly impressed by how well this powder works!

Colourpop Super Shock Shadow in Ritz – If I didn’t have Urban Decay Space Cowboy and needed something that gives the same effect on top of eyeshadow looks, this would be my pick. It’s a sheer shimmery eyeshadow that adds a wet look to any shadow without really adding any color or changing the color of the look underneath. It’s also incredibly reflective and glossy, doesn’t have any fallout, and is so easy to apply with a brush or fingers (and doesn’t require any glitter glue). If I want to do that “cold girl” look with berry cheeks and lips and sheer sparkly eyes, this is my go to eyeshadow.

NYX Slim Lip Pencil Creamy Long-Lasting Lip Liner – This lip liner is creamy enough that’s it’s comfortable to use but stiff enough that it stays exactly where I want it. It also has really great staying power and is a great prep step for even more pigmented lip products because of those qualities. I honestly can’t tell too much of a difference between this and my much more expensive pencil lip liners, so if you’re looking for a place to save, this would be my pick. The shade Peakaboo Neutral (a brown toned pink) works great with the types of lip colors I tend to wear. For only $5 (or less on sale), these are so worth it.

Merit Brand Review – Solo Shadow Matte Eye Color, Flush Balm Cheek Color, and Signature Lip Lightweight Lipstick

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As part of getting to know my collection, I want to spend more time reviewing all the products I have. Next up is everything I own from Merit Beauty, which turns out to be 9 products because I keep getting more of the same products in different shades. I either bought these myself or they were gifts from friends/family (thank you!!), and this is not sponsored or PR. Let me know if you want me to try anything else from the brand! Thank you so much for being here, and it would mean so much to me if you subscribe here for new posts. All links in this post are affiliate links, and if you choose to shop through them, thanks for supporting the blog!

Solo Shadow Matte Eye Color in Studio, Midcentury, and Brun – I needed a new one and done matte shadow after my Mac Paint Pots finally expired, and these seemed like the ones to try. I’m so glad I picked these up. The formula is incredibly easy to work with and doesn’t require a primer because of the way these set down. It doesn’t crease and stays all day without fading. It also works great as a base for shimmer toppers or even powder shadows. I’ve applied it with fingers and brushes, and it works great either way. I know this formula has a lot of hype around it, but it’s absolutely as good as people are saying it is. Studio is a cool taupe, Mid-Century is a warm brown, and Brun is a cool toned deep brown so between the three I have options for cool and warm toned looks as well as options to create as much depth as I want. These are my favorite shadows to bring when I’m travelling because the shades I have go with everything, and they’re just so quick and easy to throw on.

Flush Balm Cheek Color in Fox, Bespoke, Mood, and Stockholm – I first bought Fox in the full size and loved it so much, I knew I had to get the mini trio. I have a ton of blush so I’d honestly rather have more shades in the smaller size to play with since I’ll never get through a full size anyway. Fox is described as a warm taupe, but I think it’s more of a rusty brown that manages to not turn orange on me. It’s my current go to for “I just want to throw brown on everywhere but I want it to look good” type of look. For the mini trio, Mood is a beautiful burgundy, Stockholm is a cool toned light pink, and Bespoke is a beigey pink leaning brown. I honestly can’t decide whether I like Fox or Bespoke better for the kinds of looks I tend to do at the moment, but I’m glad I have both. The formula makes these so easy to throw on and blend, even with my fingers. It’s sheer enough that I don’t have to worry about putting on too much but pigmented enough that I don’t have to do a ton of layers. I can also throw it on over a fully done face (on top of powder and setting spray) with no issues, and it makes my skin look so much more hydrated.

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. 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 a way more lip products than I’m wiling to admit.

YSL Couture Mini Clutch in 200 Gueliz Dream – My favorite eyeshadow palette for my olive undertones

Featuredby liftbakelove3 Comments

The Sephora sale still has a couple days left (and then there will be Black Friday and other holiday sales), and if there’s one thing I’d recommend getting while it’s on sale, it’s this palette. It’s described as having a neutral nude pearl, terracotta, beige and mid-brown. I think this really undersells the mauve quality of the terracotta shade and how special the topper is, so I wanted to do a full rundown of each shade and why I love this palette so much. Thank you so much for being here, and it would mean so much to me if you subscribe here for new posts. All links in this post are affiliate links, and if you choose to shop through them, thanks for supporting the blog!

For only four shades, this palette gives me a ton of different looks which is one of the reasons I think it’s worth it. I can use all four shades to make a more complex look or use each of them alone for a one and done. I can make something that pulls more brown, beige, pink, mauve, or pearl depending on which shades I use and where. No matter what you pair it with, it seems to work beautifully. The formula is also so easy to use and blend and longwearing. I’m honestly talking myself into trying another palette while typing this but I know this particular one is the one I would keep reaching for.

The upper left shade is such a pretty sparkly topper. It has a mostly gold shimmer in it but also has some tiny pink glitters, so I find it works really great no matter which of the mattes I pair it with. Pictures don’t do this justice – you really have to swatch it in person to get the effect of the sparkle. It definitely wouldn’t replace any of my single glitter shadows like the Hourglass Scattered Light or the Bodyography Glitter pigments, but it has just enough oomph for the kind of look I’m going for when I use this palette while still not being over the top. It doesn’t have a ton of pigment backing it so I don’t ever use this alone, but I love using it on top of the other shades or other matte shadows I have.

The upper right shade is a light brown beige that leans pink and never turns orange on me. I actually use this shade all the time as an easy one and done matte shadow look or to add some additional pink to an eye look to make it look better with whatever blush I’ve used that day. I also grab this palette for this and the lower right shade to help bring together a look with another palette because I always find I’ve ended up with a little too much orange to go with a pink or purple leaning blush. This shade helps solve that really quickly without going overboard into the pink direction since it’s still primarily beige.

The lower left shade is a perfect neutral dark brown that also never goes orange on me. I love using this for the outer corner or for a shadow liner. It’s just the right amount of depth that I can throw it on without thinking about it. I won’t accidentally make a look too smokey but it will still add the illusion I’m looking for. Like the other brown shade, it has just a touch of pink to it that helps it blend seamlessly with the other shades. It also means I can also use this to help me balance out an eye look I’m doing. That said, I can use it in a non mauvey/pink look, and it’ll still blend in great as a neutral brown.

The lower right shade is a more muted rusty terracotta matte shadow that leans mauve. I’m having trouble really describing this color, but it’s just so versatile for something that isn’t just a brown. It’s the perfect rusty color that I’m honestly always looking for in a blush, and I love using it all over as a base or to build up color in my crease. It goes so well with the types of colors I like wearing as someone with an olive undertone, and it never looks too red on me. I also use this to bring more rust (for lack of a better word) to an eye look whenever I need it.

This palette is $88, but especially if you can get it on sale, I think it’s incredibly worth it for the shades, the formula, and how well it works as a neutral palette on my olive skin. 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.

5 Makeup Essentials for Busy Mornings That I Forgot I Loved

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I took a look at the products I’ve been reaching for again that I just haven’t in a while, and these 5 really stood out to me! They are so easy to use, especially now that I’m 36 weeks pregnant and don’t have very much energy to do much of anything. I’m also so excited to have these front and center for quick makeup looks moving forward! Thank you so much for being here, and it would mean so much to me if you subscribe here for new posts. All links in this post are affiliate links, and if you choose to shop through them, thanks for supporting the blog!

Bionic Liquid Bronzer in Time Travel – I totally forgot how much I love this bronzer. It builds up beautifully because it’s a bit sheer, which also means that I don’t have to worry about putting on too much right away when I’m half asleep getting ready in the morning. It looks so natural on me even if I accidentally build it up too much too. Even though it’s sheer, the formula has some heft to it, which makes it much easier to control than I’m used to with liquid products. I love how I can get a precise application that still looks so healthy and skin-like and am so glad I decided to revisit this one.

Make Beauty Diffusion Set Pressed Powder in Translucent Fair – I’ve been using so many lightweight powders that I forgot how good this was for when I really need a powder that actually is a powder. Even though it actually helps set makeup and balance out the overall dewy looks I tend to do, it doesn’t look overly drying or crepey. It also provides a the most coverage of all the powders on this list, which is great if I’m trying to set a specific concealed area that I really want to cover vs just trying to mattify or set makeup all over my face. I also love the packaging and how luxe it feels. Plus, this is also refillable, and I can pop out the pan if I want to put it in a travel makeup palette. I’ve actually been using it so much lately I’ve hit pan! I took a swatch photo of this but it blends so seamlessly that you can’t see anything – you’ll just have to trust me.

About Face 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.

About Face Matte Fluid Eye Paint in Capulets and Urban Decay 24/7 Moondust Eyeshadow in Space Cowboy

Urban Decay 24/7 Moondust Eyeshadow in Space Cowboy – I’m back on the Space Cowboy train! I have been trying so many eyeshadows and palettes lately and really trying to rotate through my collection, but this is really the best eyeshadow for me. It’s perfect to top off the About Face liquid eyeshadow for a super quick look (how I’ve been doing my eyeshadow the past few days). It also works on top of just about anything else or alone, and I’m a little sad I’ve pulled it back out because I’m not really using anything else now. It’s just so easy and pretty as well as being incredibly reflective and glossy. It doesn’t have any fallout and is so easy to apply with a brush or fingers (and doesn’t require any glitter glue).

Queen Musia Lipstick in Becky Sharp (*PR) – The formula is extremely lightweight and super comfortable for a matte lipstick. I will say it’s not quite as matte as some of my favorite matte lipsticks, but I’m so glad I have it for when my lips aren’t feeling up for a true matte (which is currently all the time). I’d call this a creamy matte, and I actually wish that more matte lipsticks leaned in this direction. This color is one of the best “my lips but better” shades I’ve found in awhile especially as someone with olive undertones. This color goes with everything and just looks so natural on me. I’m so glad I pulled it back out especially now that I’m in my third trimester and am way too tired to think about what lipstick will look good on me.

What are your tried and true easy to throw on makeup products? Thanks for reading, and let me know what you’d like to see next in the comments!

5 Best Makeup Products of the Year So Far: Favorites & Reviews

Featuredby liftbakelove2 Comments

Now that we’re half way through the year, I wanted to share the five products I tried this year and fell in love with (although I have a bunch more to talk about so I might do another round of this!). If there’s anything you were looking for a review on or a topic that you want me to cover, please let me know if the comments below! And, of course, thank you so much for being here, and it would mean so much to me if you subscribe here for new posts. If you choose to shop through my links, some may be affiliate links that support the blog – thank you!

Exa Jump Start Smoothing Primer – I’ve been really struggling with my makeup completely breaking apart by the end of the day no matter what I use or how I prep my skin. I have super dry skin so haven’t typically thought to use a mattifying or pore-filling primer, but I figured it was worth a shot because the one is described as a semi-matte full of skincare ingredients. I am so happy to report back that not only does this not dry out the skin, it blurs, smooths, and locks down makeup exactly how I wanted. I’ve also tried this mixed with Glossier Future Dew on especially dry skin days, and that works better than I expected. I can see this becoming a staple I repurchase again and again.

Prada Reveal Skin-Optimizing Refillable Soft Matte Foundation in LW5 – I somehow ended up with 11 foundations in my collection at the moment, and I honestly love all of them (let me know if you want a review of all 11!). But if I had to choose just one to keep and use every day, it would absolutely be this one. I know it’s super expensive, but 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. During the upcoming Sephora sale, depending on your discount, it’ll 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. 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!

Merit Beauty Solo Shadow in Studio and Mid-Century and Sephora Collection Colorful Blush in Self Made

Merit Beauty Solo Shadow in Studio and Mid-Century – I needed a new one and done matte shadow after my Mac Paint Pots finally expired, and these seemed like the ones to try. I’m so glad I picked these up. The formula is incredibly easy to work with and doesn’t require a primer because of the way these set down. It doesn’t crease and stays all day without fading. It also works great as a base for shimmer toppers or powder shadows. I’ve applied it with fingers and brushes, and it works great either way. I know this formula has a lot of hype around it, but it’s absolutely as good as people are saying it is. Studio is a cool taupe and Mid-Century is a warm brown, so between the two I have options for cool and warm toned looks. It’s also now one of my favorite shadows to bring when I’m travelling because the shades I have go with everything, and it’s just so quick and easy to throw on.

Sephora Collection Colorful Blush in Self Made – This is a beautiful matte powder blush formula in such a good shade for me. I’m shocked it’s as inexpensive as it is (especially if you grab it when Sephora Collection is 30% off). This is the blush I’ve been going to when I just need something to throw on without thinking or having to worry about how it’ll look. This is on par with the Pat McGrath blush formula for me, which is really high praise given how much I love that blush. Self-Made is described as a muted light pink, and it’s a perfect pinky beigey goes with everything kind of shade. I also love this for travel because it’s so thin and easy to sneak into my makeup bag. I actually might buy more shades during the upcoming Sephora sale.

ELF Glow Reviver Lip Oil in Jam Session and Honey Talks

ELF Glow Reviver Lip Oil – If you’ve been following me for awhile, you know I tend to lean towards high end products, especially for lip products (I still am loving my Hermes and Givenchy lipsticks). That’s why I was so surprised to love these as much as I do – I honestly would love to have them in every shade. They’re just pigmented enough and sheer enough to use in a variety of ways, whether that’s alone, on top of a lip liner, or on top of another lip product. The formula is surprisingly hydrating for a lip oil and is now one of my go-tos when my lips are feeling particularly dry. It’s not sticky and has a glassy shine. These don’t last very long, but for how nourishing they are and for $8, I’m willing to reapply.

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

Tag: makeup

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YSL Couture Mini Clutch in 200 Gueliz Dream – My favorite eyeshadow palette for my olive undertones

5 Makeup Essentials for Busy Mornings That I Forgot I Loved

5 Best Makeup Products of the Year So Far: Favorites & Reviews

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