Back with another BK Beauty brush review – this time the newish Angie Hot & Flashy Travel Set! I wanted enough time to test out the set (though I have some of the full sizes of these already) as usual so you can get a more thorough review. As always, thank you so much for being here, and it would mean so much to me if you subscribe for new posts – I have lots of product reviews coming up, like the Kackie x Finding Ferdinand blushes, the Makeup by Mario Ethereal Eyes Palette, Urban Decay Space Rider Palette, the Givenchy Prisme Libre Powder, the Gucci Bronzer, and so much more that I’ve ended up with over 2023 and didn’t review yet. In this post, all links are affiliate links, but all opinions are my own, and I bought these myself.
The Angie Hot & Flashy Travel Pouch – I am so excited to have this for travel because I never know what to do with my brushes once I get to where I’m staying and tend either use a kitchen cup or just have them all in a bag. But because this bag stands up by itself, you can use it as a cup to hold all your brushes and has plenty of room for eyeliners, mascara, lip liners, eyebrow pencils, and anything else that stands up. There’s also a ton of slots for brushes and makeup (way more than for the 5 brushes the set comes with).
Travel 101 Contoured Foundation – This brush is the perfect shape for so many things – foundation, bronzer, blush, highlighter. Because of the angle and the shape, it works so quickly for anything I’m doing. Even though it’s quite large, I still find I can be precise with it with the added bonus of blending super quickly. This is my favorite brush for cream bronzer and blush in particular, and I find myself using it over any other brush I have so much that I’m super excited to have this travel sized version in addition to my full sized one. I also will use the top edge for cream highlighter in a pinch. The density is perfect and doesn’t “eat up” too much product. It’s one of the first brushes I would rebuy now if I lost my collection, and that’s saying so much since I have such a large collection of brushes.
Travel Angie Hot & Flashy A501 Lid Shader – The is one of the two brushes I don’t have the full size of (the other is the angled brush), and since the full size is only $16, I wish I had gotten it earlier. As a one and done eyeshadow look lover, this brush has been perfect for packing on and blending one shadow all over the lid. It works great with both mattes and shimmers, and I can totally see why they included this in the travel set. It’s definitely the brush I would choose if I could only choose one because it’s so easy to make a one shadow look with. But if I was going to add one more eyeshadow brush, it would be the next one.
Travel Angie Hot & Flashy A502 Crease Shader– The full size version of this is one of my favorite crease brushes I love how this is so small and so fluffy at the same time! I honestly can’t count the number of crease brushes I have at this point, but this one is still special. It’s perfect for actually defining the crease (vs moving shadow around). Because it’s small, I can use it for the outer corner, inner corner, under my eyes – basically anywhere I want to place and blend shadow. It’s so soft so it doesn’t scratch, and it’s just a joy to use.
Travel Angie Hot & Flashy A506 Concealer – This is hands down my favorite concealer brush of all time, and I’m so glad I have a mini version of it now. It’s designed to mimic the shape of your fingertip, and I find that it makes it like I’m blending out with my finger but without losing any coverage. This makes it especially great for concealer under my eyes where I really want to keep the coverage but want a super seamless blend. Because of the shape, it’s also really easy to get into harder to reach spots or smaller areas so it also works great for spot concealing given how precise you can get with it.
Travel Angie Hot & Flashy 507 Angled Blush – I have a bunch of angled brushes that I never use (I’ve reviewed a few on here before even), and this is the first one I actually have enjoyed using. I wish I had bought the full size before if I’m honest, because it’s one of my most used powder blush and bronzer brushes since I’ve gotten it. The shape and density of the bristles is just right, and I think it’s because of the doming they added (according to the website). If you’ve never gotten angled brushes to work for you, I recommend this one!
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.
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 Make Beauty, which turns out to be 8 products. Hopefully this will be a really great walk through of a good amount of what the brands offers – let me know if you want me to try anything else! I wanted to thoroughly test these products to provide a more detailed review of them, and I’ve gotten a ton of wear time out of them so if you have any questions I haven’t addressed, please ask in the comments. As always, 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! All links are affiliate links – thanks so much for supporting the blog if you shop through them!
Makeup:
Lipstick in Equilibrium and Serum Balm in Nude Nova
Cream Supreme Lipstick in Equilibrium – This has been my go to lipstick ever since I got it. The formula is creamy and non-drying while still being much longer lasting than I expected. It’s a touch glossy, but not overly so, and it just looks so nice. Any time I need a “looks like I tried and will last” lipstick, I choose this one. I also love the color – Equilibrium is the perfect rosey nude that goes with any look I put together. I absolutely love the packaging and how easy the shape makes to get a precise application. I don’t need a lip liner with this, and it’s pigmented enough that I only need to swipe once. It’s also refillable so when I run out, I’ll only have to buy the refill!
Serum Balm in Nude Nova – I was thinking the other day about how I have so many great glosses, liquid lip balms, regular balms, and how it would take a lot for one of them to stand out. And this one does! Even just yesterday, I was so pleasantly surprised about how long lasting it was. It was literally still on hours later hydrating my lips. This is one of the best smoothing, hydrating, moisturizing, etc. lip balms I’ve ever tried, and it just looks and feels so great. It’s not sticky at all, and like everything else in this review, the packaging is lovely. Nude Nova is also incredibly easy to wear – it’s a lightly pigmented rosey brown that is so easy to throw on. This isn’t nourishing enough for an overnight lip mask/treatment, but I love it during the day.
Concealer in 01 Fair N
Skin Mimetic Concealer in 01 Fair N – This is pretty light coverage, which you should definitely keep in mind if you want to look into this concealer. I also think that the shade I got is too light for me, but it’s sheer enough that I can make it work. It feels super nice and hydrating, and this is something I use when I’m having a particularly dry skin day and nothing seems to lay nicely on my skin. I like it better as an all over skin tint than under my eyes (because I just need higher coverage there), and it works great for that when I want a no makeup makeup look. If I had to rank all the makeup products, I think I would put this one last, but only because everything else is so perfect, and I happen to be a medium-high coverage concealer person.
Bronzer in Lunar and Pressed Powder in Fair
Skin Mimetic Microsuede Bronzer in Lunar – I love this bronzer, and I’m not a powder bronzer person. It isn’t patchy, it applies so well over cream products, and it manages to keep a satin finish even with great staying power. The color is also so dialed in for my olive undertones. There’s 6 shades, and I think they did a great job with the undertones across the range (but let me know if you agree!). Like the pressed powder, I love the packaging and how luxe it feels (and that it’s a different color than the pressed powder which is so helpful since theyr’e the same size). Plus, this is also refillable, and the pans fits in either the powder or bronzer compact!
Diffusion Set Pressed Powder in Translucent Fair – This is my go to “I really need a powder that actually is a powder” vs all my other powders that just do the lightest touch of mattifying (like the Kosas Cloud set, which I also love, but it’s more a finishing powder compared to this one). 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 tiny bit of coverage (which is why it’s great it comes in different shades), which is great if I’m trying to set a specific concealed area that I really want to cover. I also love the packaging and how luxe it feels. Plus, this is also refillable!
Skincare:
Moisturizing Reverse Emulsion – This is my favorite moisturizer (and if you’ve been to this blog before, you know I’ve tried so, so many moisturizers as I have incredibly dry skin). I’ve used this as a moisturizer and primer, mixed with other primers, mixed with foundations – it works so well no matter what I do with it. It leaves a dewy but not wet or sticky finish and makes everything look better. It’s like a super sophisticated version of the Glossier Future Dew and will definitely be my replacement for that (which has been my favorite primer for yeas) when I run out of all my Future Dew back ups. It just feels so nice and is actually hydrating. If I could only pick one skincare product from Make that I got to keep, it would absolutely be this one.
Succulent Skin Gel Cream – I love using this as my first moisturizer in the morning right after I wash my face. It’s incredibly light weight and sinks in really quickly. You can never use too much, and it never feels sticky. It’s my go to for a really hot day where I need hydration but don’t want to feel anything on my skin. That said, this isn’t enough for me to use at night with my dry skin so between the two, the Reverse Emulsion is definitely my pick. I bet the Gel Cream would be a better fit for someone with oily skin because it’s so effective while being incredibly light weight.
Micro Ferment Rice Essence – I’m not a big essence person, so I don’t have a ton to compare this to, but I do really like it! Like the gel cream, this is incredibly light weight and sinks in super fast. It works really well layered on top of itself or under moisturizers to make them work even better. It’s the only product like this I’ve actually managed to user often, and I do find it makes a difference vs when I forget to use it. The packaging, like everything else, is super nice, and the bottle is huge – I don’t think I’m going to run out of this any time soon.
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’m back with some favorites from the first half of the year, and as always, I’m only featuring products in my favorites that are true favorites that I’ve been using consistently for longer than a couple months. 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 or on Instagram @liftbakelove for new posts. If you choose to shop through my links, some may be affiliate links that support the blog – thank you!
Hourglass Scattered Light Eyeshadow in Ray – I’ve been reaching for this a ton for a super easy but still dimensional and pretty eye look. It’s such a perfect one and done shade, especially now that we have warmer weather, and I’m looking for more bronzy looks. It is incredibly sparkly and twinkly without looking like you’ve gone overboard with glitter. It’s easy to get a sheer wash of this shade or build it up to have a super glittery look, and it’s also really easy to blend out. It also doesn’t have any fallout for how sparkly it is which makes it great for someone like me that only wants to spend a few minutes doing their makeup in their morning.
BK Beauty 110 Large Concealer Brush (I purchased myself, and then was gifted a second) – This is far and away my favorite brush from their core line extension. My favorite way to use this brush is to set under my eyes and any spot concealing with powder. It really does function like the perfect mix between a brush and a sponge, and it makes any powder look better than it would’ve. It’s the perfect shape specifically for the undereye area, and it just feels really nice to use. Now that I have a second of these, I’ve also tried it to apply cream products like concealer under my eyes and targeted cream bronzer and blush application, and I love it for that too! I now have a non affiliate code with BKBeauty so you can save 10% using LIFTBAKELOVE10 – I don’t make anything from the code, it’s just for you to get to enjoy these brushes as much as I have!
Osea Undaria Algae Body Oil – This is the best body oil I’ve ever tried, and even though it’s expensive, it’s so worth it. It’s thick and hydrating without being sticky or greasy. It sinks in so quickly and feels so nice on the skin. It also smells amazing – it’s what I would call a sophisticated citrus. I can definitely tell a difference when I use this vs other oils or a body moisturizer alone. A little bit also goes such a long way – I had the mini bottle, and it lasted me 6 months. The one pictured above is my almost brand new full size because I knew I needed to get the full size this time!
Make Beauty Cream Supreme High Impact Lipstick in Equilibrium paired with the BK Beauty lip liner in Warm Spice (*gifted) – This is my favorite lip combo lately, and I’ve been wearing it so much. It’s such a great color combo that is neutral and brown with just enough pink to be the perfect color for my complexion (light olive). Both these products are long wearing while not being drying and have great packaging that is super easy to use. You can see in the swatch how creamy and hydrating the Make Beauty lipstick is, but it’s till super long wearing, especially when I pair it with the more matte BK Beauty lip liner. If you asked me right now to only keep two non-glossy lip products, it would absolutely be these over all my other lip products.
Givenchy Prisme Libre Skin-Caring 24H Hydrating + Radiant + Correcting Creamy Concealer in N95 – This concealer is as good as everyone says it is, especially for those of us over 30. It’s incredibly hydrating while still offering a really good amount of coverage because it has such a creamy texture. I love using it all over as both my foundation and concealer, and it just looks so nice. It builds up really nicely if I want more coverage in certain areas while still looking incredibly natural. I was definitely influenced by Kackie Reviews Beauty, and I recommend checking out her channel if you want to see this concealer in action.
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.
The other day, I really only had 5 minutes to get my makeup on before kicking off a call for something. I’ve done a post like this one before but it was back in February, and I used a completely different set of products this time and about half the products. This also made me really appreciate how I already have everything I need to do my makeup and how little I need to use to feel put together. Are there any other topics you’d like to see me experiment with and report back on? Let me know in the comments! And, of course, 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.
Fitglow Beauty Redness Rescue Cream – This primer has just enough of a desaturated green tone to counteract any redness and make my skin look even without additional foundation. I found that this (plus the under eye corrector I’m about to write about) was enough for me and didn’t need foundation or concealer on top. I also hadn’t used any skincare yet and love how this is so extremely moisturizing and has so many great skincare ingredients that it’s really an all-in-one for me.
Smashbox X Becca Under Eye Brightening Corrector – I have super dark undereyes and can’t get away without a corrector, and this one works super well. I recently finished my HG undereye connector from the Ulta Beauty Brand so I switched back to using this corrector I had been working through already. Because it’s so brightening and hydrating, I actually found that I didn’t need additional concealer especially because the green primer really helped even out my skin already.
Haus Labs Power Sculpt Velvet Bronzer in Light Level 2 – I got this recently as a present (as well as the SuperBlush in Bubble and mascara I’m writing about today), and I’m so happy I have it. It’s definitely my favorite powder bronzer of all the ones I own. It’s just so easy to throw on and blend out and looks super natural. If I don’t have time to think about what I’m doing, this is what I’m going to reach for. It isn’t powdery or patchy at all either, so while I’d normally reach for a cream product, this looks just as seamless without having to spend any time blending.
Persona SuperBlush Blush in Bubble – This blush is just as good as everyone says it is. I’ve been using this as a topper for almost every look since I got this since it just brightens everything up so well. This formula is sheer enough that I don’t have to worry about overdoing it but it’s super buildable if you want it to be a really intense, bright pink. It’s incredibly blendable and easy to put on without being patchy. I’m just so happy with this one, and it was super easy to throw on as a way to quickly brighten my face in seconds.
Tower 28 Make Waves Mascara – I’m currently still testing out this mascara, and I’m still on the fence of if it’s really as good as everyone is saying it is. It’s definitely lengthening and lightweight enough that my lashes don’t fall as quickly. That said, it doesn’t give as much impact as the Thrive mascara. It worked great for throwing something on quickly, especially since I wasn’t wearing any eyeshadow. It also washes off just as easily as a tubing mascara, which is a huge plus for me. More coming soon on this mascara!
Fitglow Lip Serum in Beach Glow – Beach Glow is a sheer coppery bronze that is so much subtler than it looks in the tube. It’s so easy to slap on with any of my usual makeup looks and is the perfect amount of pigmented for me. It matched really well with the super minimal vibe I had going since it just added a little bit of color and shine. Aside from how well the color fit with this look, FitGlow is always a go-to for me when I’m not sure what I want to wear because of the nourishing, thick, hydrating, long-lasting formula.
What do you use for a fast face of makeup? 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.
Back again with another 5 empties (fully finished products)! I have a bunch of empties this month, but, as usual, I am keeping these posts to 5 products to keep them short. As always, I’m super excited to take a good look at what I thought of the products I’ve finished and whether or not I’d buy them again. And, of course, 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.
Anastasia Beverly Hills Eye Primer – I really liked this eyeshadow primer for a long time, but for some reason, it just totally stopped working for me. I felt like eyeshadow lasted less well when I was using it, and the color started to feel off too. I switched back to using my Mac Paint Pots, and I’m so much happier with them. I won’t be repurchasing this and am glad I already had a better option in my collection.
Josie Maran Skin Dope Argan Oil + 100 mg CBD (repeat empty) – I’ve written about this oil in almost every empties post that included a facial oil I finished because it is my true HG and the one I always miss when I’m not using it. Most facial oils I’ve tried have been equally moisturizing and glow-giving, and they all provide an occlusive layer as my last step in my skincare routine. The thing I love most about the Josie Maran oil is that it sinks in so quickly so I don’t end up with a oil slick on my face when I’m getting into bed. I can also see a big difference in my skin’s brightness and firmness when I use this vs when I don’t. That said, I have a few oils I’m working through right now, so I haven’t repurchased this yet.
Glossier Future Dew (repeat empty) – This continues to be one of my favorite products, and I already had another back-up to start using once this ran out. It’s one of the only things I consistently use every day in my makeup routine. 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). 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. I got another back-up during Glossier’s 20% off sale recently because I know I’ll continue to go through Future Dew and want another one.
NBM Cuticle Buddy – My nails have never been healthier or stronger since I starting using these (someone actually thought my nails were fake at the gym because they looked so nice!). I don’t freak out about nail breaks anymore because they grow back so fast now that I’m using this. They also all smell amazing! This was the Sweet Orange and Tangerine scent, and it’s still one of my favorites. I will definitely get more once I get through some of my many, many cuticle buddies. As always, you can use my affiliate code with Shop NBM to get 10% off sitewide: LIFT10.
Clarins SOS Primer – I know it’s a lot, but I used this on top of the Glossier Future Dew as an extra primer step. I have super dry skin, so I appreciated the extra moisture and the color correction this provides. It makes it so I can use just a touch of concealer vs covering my face with foundation and makes my skin look really even and healthy. I actually already had a backup that a family member had gifted to me that I’m enjoying using, but I am planning on switching to the green version after I finish that one since that really helps bring my skin closer to the tone of my neck.
I’d love to know – what have you finished lately? Like I mentioned, I have a ton more empties that I will be posting about, and I’ll be sharing empties posts every other Friday all year. 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 can’t believe July is already over, and it’s time for another round of favorites! I As always, I’m only featuring products in my favorites that are true favorites that I’ve been using consistently for longer than a couple months. 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 or on Instagram @liftbakelove for new posts.
Wondergloss Collagen Lip Oil – This lip oil reminds me so much of the Dior Lip Oil but is so much more nourishing and a fraction of the price (the Beauty Pie is around $8 and the Dior is $35). It’s hydrating, comfortable, and not sticky while still providing that shiny and glossy effect. I have the four shades – Jammy (berry), Nude Nectar (brown-rose), Sunhazed (cool-toned bronze with a hint of shimmer), and Naked Peach (peach with a hint of shimmer). All of them are sheer enough to use as a glossy topper for most of my lipsticks and lip liners but still pigmented enough to provide some color if I’m not wearing anything else. It also smells like vanilla in the best way, and I get so much joy from it every time I use it.
Salt New York Lilac and Tangerine Crème Tint Pro – These were a limited-edition duo launched last year, and I have been loving using them now that we’re really in the heart of summer. I have been doing a ton of monochromatic mauve/purple looks with Lilac and bright orange, bronzy looks with Tangerine and having so much fun. Even though these are bolder colors than I usually reach for, they are a bit sheer which makes it easy to not go overboard (hopefully you can see in the swatches below). These are super versatile, and as with all Salt New York products, the formula is beautiful – buildable, dewy without shimmer, and super easy to blend.
From top to bottom: Salt New York Crème Tint Pro in Lilac and Tangerine
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!
Persona Dreamstick Cream Blush in Bubble – This formula is incredibly thin and creamy which makes them super easy to work with. They blend out so quickly with fingers, a brush, or a sponge. The color Bubble looks super bright in the package and in a thick swatch but it’s just the perfect “I’m awake and healthy and hydrated” color for me without having to think about it. I also love using this to brighten up a look that’s gotten too warm. These aren’t sticky but don’t dry down completely matte – a very skin-like finish.
DS&Durga Rose Atlantic – I am absolutely terrible at describing scents so I’m going to copy in exactly what the website says: This scent isn’t just a rose. It has the ocean, delicate petals, the green stem, the waxy leaves, and the fresh idyllic powder of summertime. It is an everyday perfume. I completely agree – this is my new favorite every day perfume. It’s perfectly ocean-y with sea salt spray and a summer breeze (my favorite) with just a hint of floral to make it unique. I’m so happy I bought the Discovery Set because otherwise I would have just gotten Debaser and never known how amazing Rose Atlantic is.
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.
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.
I can’t believe June is already over, and it’s time for another round of favorites! I’m sorry I’m about a week late – life got a little busy, but hopefully this is still useful. As always, I’m only featuring products in my favorites that are true favorites that I’ve been using consistently for longer than a couple months. 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 or on Instagram @liftbakelove for new posts.
BK Beauty x Angie Hot flashy Concealer Brush – This has really densely packed bristles which I really appreciate for applying products under my eyes. It’s also designed to mimic the shape of your fingertip, and I find that it makes it like I’m blending out with my finger but without losing any coverage. Because of the shape, it’s also super easy to get into harder to reach spots. I’ve been using it every day with my undereye corrector, and it helps so much when I’m attempting to correct my dark circles. It also works great for spot concealing given how precise you can get with it.
Merit Signature Lip Lightweight Lipstick in 1990 – 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.
NYX Thick It Stick It Brow Mascara – It’s so quick and easy to fill in and shape my brows with this – I’ve been reaching for it over my other brow gels (which I oddly have a ton of – let me know if you want a ranking post!). Unlike some other fiber containing brow products, this really lasts all day and actually keeps my brows in place. The only thing about this that I don’t love is that the wand is bigger than I’m used to so I tend to get some of the brow gel on my skin. The good news is that it’s very easy to clean up before it dries.
Blush Divine Radiant Cheek & Lip in Ophelia,Foxglove, and Azalea– This formula is incredibly pigmented, opaque, and thick (like a balm), which I actually appreciate. It doesn’t need to be built up because it’s so pigmented but can still be layered with other cream blushes because it blends so easily. Because of its thickness, it has great staying power and even manages to keep its dewy (but not shiny) finish for hours. I love that you can just buy the refills for about half the price, and they pop into a magnetic palette super easily. I have the shades Ophelia (“true pink”), Foxglove (“warm terracotta”), and Azalea (“berry”). Ophelia is my most used because I’ve really been into a pink looks lately, but I find all the shades work well for me, and I’ve been using all of them a ton this month now that it’s getting truly into summer.
Beauty Pie Awesome Bronze Gradual Tan Drops – I’m still a bit terrified of actual self-tanning products, so this has been a great way to tan my body without having to worry about going overboard. I’ve been mixing it in with my body lotion and love how my arms and legs look – you can no longer tell I haven’t seen the sun in months and months, but it still looks like my skin. This doesn’t have any kind of scent and doesn’t stain clothes or sheets. It’s also only $14 if you’re a member for quite a large bottle that I know will last me all summer.
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.
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 Milk Makeup, which happens to be their three Bionic liquid products. I wanted to thoroughly test these products to provide a more detailed review of them. I’ve gotten a ton of wear time out of them so if you have any questions I haven’t addressed, please ask in the comments. As always, 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!
Bionic Liquid Bronzer (Time Travel) – This is my favorite liquid bronzer I’ve ever tried. This builds up beautifully because it’s a bit sheer (I bit it up quite a bit in the swatch below) and looks so natural on me even if I accidentally build it up too much. 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.
The only other liquid bronzer I still have in my collection is the Daniel Sandler Watercolor Liquid Cheek Color in Sun Glow which is much thinner. The Daniel Sandler also has a good amount of shimmer in it whereas the Milk Bionic Liquid Bronzer is shimmer-free. I find the Milk bronzer way easier to use because it’s not watery at all, but it still blends so easily.
Bionic Liquid Blush (Infinity) – I’m surprised by how much I love this since liquid blushes aren’t usually my thing. It’s much gel like than any other liquid blush I’ve owned which makes it easy to blend without it going absolutely everywhere. It’s also fairly sheer so I never have to worry about overdoing it (which I do sometimes with my Rare Beauty liquid blush). It dries down in a way that feels like absolutely nothing is on my skin and has great staying power. The shade is also beautiful dusty rose that works really well for the kinds of looks I like to do.
My beloved Natasha Denona Puff Paint in Darya is more pink and more saturated, but the formulas are so similar once they’re on the skin (even though the Milk is a bit more gel-like and stays dewier). Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Liquid Blush in Bliss is the most pigmented of the three and is the most peachy-pink. It also dries down the least dewy of the three. That said, formula wise, these are all very similar to me, and I love having all three to have the shade variety.
Bionic Glow Illuminating Liquid Highlighter (Virtual) – This is a beautiful product that I can’t really explain because it just looks so nice. It dries down but still looks wet and glowy. My favorite way to use it is actually under any powder highlighters I want to use. It’s incredibly smoothing and blurring and just makes my skin look nice and hydrated. I like using it under powders because it totally gets rid of any texture and primes the cheek so well for any powder products to go on top smoothly. I’ve also used it a few times as my only makeup product, and I loved how it made my skin look. An important note – it’s quite pink and a bit dark, so keep that in mind if you are looking for a much more champagne highlighter.
It’s much less “highlightery” than the Lisa Eldridge Elevated Glow, Auric Glow Lust, and the Beauty Pie Triple Beauty Luminizing Wand. If you’re looking for the most natural of all the glowy liquids, I would definitely go with the Milk Makeup. The Beauty Pie Triple Beauty Wand is the most impactful and bright. The Auric Glow Lust is by far the most glowy, beautiful, “I have the most hydrated skin” of the three and can be used so many ways. Compared to the other three, I actually don’t think the Lisa Eldridge really stands out, but I do think it’s one of the better ones of the bunch for mature or super dry skin because of its skincare ingredients. If I could only choose one, I think it’d still be the Glow Lust because it’s so versatile, but the Milk Makeup is just so pretty, especially for a no-makeup day.
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.
As part of my no-buy year, I’m trying to really get to know and love my collection and starting a “favorite products under $X series” to help me in that process. Since I’ve done posts up to $50, I’m going to shift a bit to talk about my most expensive products – over $50, $100, and $200, starting with my favorite products over $50. I would love to see your favorites and recommendations for this price range in the comments! And, of course, 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.
Dieux Deliverance ($69)– This is truly a game changing product. My skin had been looking a bit dull and overly dry in the summer, and even though I love the other products I use, I needed something more. This serum is supposed to address skin issues like irritation, uneven tone, texture, lack of firmness, among others, and it definitely does everything it says it does. My skin definitely looks more even, less dull, and less textured since I’ve been using this, and I can tell a big difference when I forget to use this. Given how much I love their Forever Eye Mask, I’m not surprised this is just as amazing.
Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Eye Cream($64) – This eye cream was sent to me to try and review, and I thought at the time “there’s no way I’m going to fall in love with a $70 eye cream.” And now, I’ve repurchased it at least five or six times! This is the only eye cream I’ve found that actually works to reduce wrinkles around my eyes without irritation and while still adding a ton of hydration. It’s totally worth it for me for how effective it is, and this is another product where I can really tell the difference if I switch to something else.
Aesop Rind Concentrate Body Balm ($97)– This is the most amazing smelling product I own, hands down. If I need a pick me up, this is always what I reach for first, because it smells like fresh squeeze citrus and is so bright and fresh. It always makes me so happy. I got this on sale for $82, and while it is expensive, you do get 17 oz which I have found is lasting forever even if I use it all over (seriously, I’ve owned this for longer than I can remember now and use it all the time since it sits on my desk, and there’s still so much left). This is one of the only body/hand lotions I would invest in, and I have no regrets.
Tom Ford Shade and Illuminate cream bronzer and highlight duo in Shade 0.5
Tom Ford Shade and Illuminate Duo ($89) – I remember when I first decided to get this how silly it felt to spend this much on it, but since then, I’ve gotten so much use out of it. It’s one of my favorite cream (or honestly makeup in general) products I own. It has such amazing formula that blends like a dream, looks natural, and still makes an impact. I love how they are both a little sheer which makes it super easy to just throw on without having to be super precise, and it blends into the skin so seamlessly. I love that this has both a bronzer and highlighter in one and that the bronzer shade is neutral enough to be used as more of a “brontour.” It’s my go-to for quick makeup looks or when I really don’t want to have to think about what I’m doing.
Josie Maran Skin Dope Argan Oil + 100 mg CBD ($78)– This is my HG facial oil, and something I can’t live without, especially during the winter. Most facial oils I’ve tried have been equally moisturizing and glow-giving, and they all provide an occlusive layer as my last step in my skincare routine. The thing I love most about the Josie Maran oil is that it sinks in so quickly so I don’t end up with a oil slick on my face when I’m getting into bed even with how nourishing and occlusive it is. Besides being my go-to finishing skincare step, I also always see a big difference in my skin’s brightness and firmness when I use this vs when I don’t. If you’re looking to get this, I highly recommend waiting for a sale on the Josie Maran site because you can buy it for way less than $78 (even though I think it’s worth it even at that price).
What are your favorite products over $50 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 