I can’t believe March is already almost over, and it’s time for another round of favorites! 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.
Beauty Pie Triple Beauty Luminizing Wand – This blends so easily and quickly and creates a sophisticated glow without glitter. It’s a perfect wash of light-catching pigment and is also blurring. It looks great as a finishing touch to any look I’ve used it in, and I love that it looks great on the cheeks, brow bone, inner corner, or anywhere else I want it to go. I can apply it straight from the wand or use my finger – either way, it takes only a few seconds to apply and blend. This is the highlighter I reach for when I need something super quick which has been most days this month.
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, and it works great. I’m so glad I have this one!
Fitglow Beauty Lip Color Serums – I know I talk about the Lip Color Serums all the time, but I really do use them. 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. All the shades are beautiful, and I can always find one to match my look. Lately, I’ve been really loving the shade Halo. It’s described as a soft brown nude, and it’s honestly my favorite neutral lip shade. I only have a tiny bit left of my mini, and I’m definitely going to grab the full size when my no-buy is over, and I’ve had a chance to finish some of my other shades.
Fitglow Beauty Lip Colour Serum in Halo
Holo Taco Sea Foam Home – This is a creme shade that is described as a “cool mint,” but I find that it reads more of a light teal. I’ve been using this in nail art over and over again. I didn’t think it would be this useful of a shade, but it’s been so great to have. Holo Taco’s creme formula is incredibly smooth, self-leveling, and pigmented. It works so well for water marbling and other nail art. These are all from the last month and show how useful this shade of green can be!
Amika Multi-Task Repair Treatment – My hair had been feeling incredibly dry and lifeless lately, but when I added this into my routine, it’s like my hair went right back to normal and then some. It makes my hair feel so soft, so much less frizzy, and way shinier. It also has more volume and movement without me doing anything to it, which I love. I’ve only been using it once a week, and that’s been plenty to see results.
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’m on a no-buy for most of 2022 and using these monthly updates to keep me accountable. For these updates, I’ve decided to answer the same set of questions every month. Feel free to follow along in the comments with your own no-buy or low-buy updates. 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!
What’s one thing that helped this month go easier? Shopping my stash for things I already own to “dupe the vibes” of something I want to buy has helped a ton. It’s made me realize that I usually have exactly what I need to make the look I want, and I don’t need to buy anything new. For example, I did this post about the upcoming Sephora sale, and I definitely don’t need to buy anything. I’m going to continue using this strategy because it helps me save money but also enjoy what I already have.
What was one thing I wanted to buy but didn’t and why? I really wanted to get the new limited edition Heirloom Collection Cherub blush from Em Cosmetics. I love this formula (I have 3 of them) because it gives such a soft, glowy look without being overly pigmented. It’s a really easy way product to use to brighten up a look that’s coming off a little dull or flat. Even though this wouldn’t technically break my rules because I have a limited edition products budget, I know I just don’t need any more blush, so I didn’t grab it. It’s also sold out now, so I can’t get it even if I changed my mind (and also why I didn’t link to it here).
Did I buy anything this month? I have gotten really into stamping for nail art and bought myself a few stamping plates for my birthday this month. Technically, the plates aren’t against my rules but I think I need to rethink how I handle nail art tools purchases. I have no regrets because I’ve gotten so much joy out of having the new stamping plates. Stamping is a pretty meditative process for me, and it’s one of my favorites ways to relax. That said, I need to make sure I don’t put all of my buying energy into amassing a huge collection of them. Here’s a few of my favorite recent stamping manicures:
What’s a product I rediscovered by having to shop my stash? One of my favorite rediscoveries is the Elf Active Lip & Cheek Palette. This has been discontinued so I can’t link to it, and I’m so glad I got it when I did. I forgot how much I loved this palette and how well it compares to even my most expensive cream blushes and highlighters. The colors are all the ones that I love using, and the formula is so easy to blend and has great longevity for cream products. The highlighter is perfectly glowy without being glittery. I can also do my full cheek with this palette using the darker brown as a warm bronzer which makes it great for when I need to do something super quick.
Swatches of the ELF Active Lip & Cheek Palette
If you’re doing a no-buy, how did your February go? If not, what amazing thing did you buy this month? I’d love to 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!
I used to love watching “what’s in my bag” videos to see what people kept on hand and with them all the time. I think it shows what people actually use day in and day out. Because I hardly ever leave my apartment anymore (except to go to the gym of course), I wanted to do my own version on “what’s on my desk” instead. These are all the products I keep within arm’s reach on my desk separated into 3 categories: lips, hand and body, and nails. 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!
Lips: I keep a bunch of lip products on my desk to apply throughout the day since I’m in tons of video calls, and I use my lip products super often between them wearing off and needing to moisturize my lips.
Glossier Ultralip in Villa – 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, so I love using these during the day on work calls when I want something quick and easy while still taking advantage of how moisturizing these are.
Glow Recipe Glow Lip Pop Lip Balm in Watermelon Glow and Blueberry Bounce – When my lips are incredibly dry, I always reach for these because of how incredibly moisturizing they are. I got a set of two for $22 and then 20% off, which made these much more reasonable in terms of price. They are slightly exfoliating, which I find really helps with any flaking or super dry spots. They also smell amazing and the color is just enough to make it look like I did something without being too much.
Em Cosmetics Lip Cushion in Magic Hour and Venetian Rose
Em Cosmetics Lip Cushion in Magic Hour and Venetian Rose – I’m honestly surprised I haven’t panned one of these yet. I keep them at my desk to have an easy, full pigment lip color that’s incredibly easy to swipe on without a mirror. The formula is incredibly moisturizing and has enough thickness to not disappear right away even if I’m talking a lot. Either color completely brightens up my face, and I love having both a brighter pink and dusty rose shade at hand.
Famarcy Honey Butter Lip Balm – When I want something truly foolproof and clear, I reach for this. It’s amazingly hydrating and moisturizing and doesn’t have a weird taste or scent. Because it’s in a stick (unlike something like the Glossier Balm Dotcom), it’s super quick to apply if I only have a second in between meetings.
Hand and body: I have incredibly dry skin and need to have lotions and oils nearby, but there’s only a few I keep on my desk to have on hand all day.
Aesop Rind Concentrate Body Balm – 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 over a year and use it all the time since it sits on my desk, and there’s still so much left).
The Lavender Cuticle Buddy is also one of my faves
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. I originally got a kit that comes with a great travel nail file, the cuticle buddy, and a full 1oz of nail oil to refill your cuticle buddy with and fell in love with the product. I keep 4 of them on my desk: Hot Chocolate, Tea Tree & Eucalyptus, Lemon & Ylang Ylang, and Carmel Iced Coffee. These are my favorite day time and afternoon scents, so I love having them available all day. As always, you can use my affiliate code with Shop NBM to get 10% off sitewide: LIFT10.
Nails: I keep all of my most used nail products on my desk (where I paint my nails), so I don’t have to pull them out and put them back every time I do a manicure.
It’s great having a top coat that makes sure everything looks smooth when working with one coat polishes like this one from Starrily
KBShimmer Fillin’ Groovy Ridge Filling Nail Polish Base Coat – I really struggle with nail polish lasting on me, and every base coat I’ve tried so far has led to nail polish that peels off completely after about 3 days. And if not, there is always a ton of chipping no matter what polishes and top coat I use. All that changed when I started using this base coat from KBShimmer that I happened to have gotten as a gift with purchase with an order in 2021. My manicures can last almost 2 weeks now (although I usually end up changing them up for fun before then). Beyond the amazing longevity this provides, it creates smoother base because it’s ridge filling. It’s also not completely clear, which I found has helped me use less coats of polishes on top for full coverage. The best part is that it’s only $6.50, and I’m so glad to have settled on the perfect base coat for me.
A good quick dry top coat is so helpful when using decals and stickers like these
KBshimmer Clearly on Top Quick Dry – This top coat is incredible and only $6. It dries so fast, doesn’t cause shrinkage, and is super shiny. I can do a full manicure in less than 30 minutes and go about my day, including going the gym, with no issues. I also have way fewer chips than normal, and my nails last way longer than with other top coats. With how affordable this is, I’m so impressed and can’t imagine going back to more expensive top coats when this works even better than they do.
I was very glad to have good clean up brush for this design!
Holo Taco Nail Polish Clean Up Brush – I don’t talk about it often here, but I love painting my nails and do so at least a couple times a week. A clean up brush is a must have tool for me to ensure my manicure looks great. I just dip it in some acetone and use it to clean up any nail polish that got onto my cuticle or skin. The Holo Taco clean up brush has a much smaller head than my others and more tapered which makes it super easy to get into small areas without accidentally taking off polish from my nail. It’s such a worthwhile investment for $10.
A recent water marble manicure that required protective peel
Holo Taco Protective Peel – I use liquid latex when I do most nail art like gradients and stamping. Most liquid latex takes forever to dry and has a big brush that makes it hard to apply. The Holo Taco one is so easy to use and dries so much quicker than all the other ones I’ve tried. Even with the high quality, it’s still less than $15, and this tube has lasted me through many manicures already.
NBM nail files – These are my favorite glass nail files. They make super quick work of filing my nails before a manicure without being harsh. They also still feel good as new even though I’ve been using them for so long. They also work great to easily file down super specific spots since they are quite small, but they still can file down a whole nail fast. As always, you can use my affiliate code with Shop NBM to get 10% off sitewide: LIFT10.
What products do you keep on your desk or in your bag? I’d love to 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 February is already almost over, and it’s time for another round of favorites! 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 (I have some products I received during the holidays that I’m loving but not ready to talk about just yet!). 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.
Softlight Clean Dewy Hydrating Concealer in LX010 – This formula is incredibly high coverage – definitely the most pigmented of all my base products. A tiny amount goes so far, and because of that, it doesn’t look heavy or cakey. I have the shade LX010 (the lightest in range), and I’ve found it to be super helpful to mix with my foundations to lighten them because I haven’t seen sun in so long and everything is a bit too dark. It dries down on its own to a satin finish that doesn’t need to be powdered, but it plays well with all my powders. I think I’ll like it even better in the summer because it’s a touch drying on my super dry winter skin, but I’ve found that mixing it in with Glossier Future Dew or Auric Glow Lust has made it the perfect texture.
Em Cosmetics So Soft Blush in Venetian Rose – This formula is so incredibly soft and creamy (like the name implies), and that makes it so easy and quick to apply. It blends so seamlessly into the skin without disappearing, and it’s one of the longest wearing cream blushes I own. I’ve been using the one I have in Venetian Rose so often the last few months since I got this. This color is a beautiful purply/pink rosy tone that is so at home on my skin. It also matches the Lip Cushion in Venetian Rose, which is one of my favorite lip products, and the Heaven’s Glow Blush in Venetian Rose, which is one of my favorite powder blushes. Having all of them makes it so easy to put a look together that I know will be cohesive.
Wondergloss Collagen Lip Oil in Nude Nectar – 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 $8.21 and the Dior is $35). It’s hydrating, comfortable, and not sticky while still providing that shiny and glossy effect. I have the shade Nude Nectar which is sheer enough to use as a glossy topper for most of my lipsticks and lip liners but still pigmented enough to provide some “my lips but better” color if I’m not wearing anything. It also smells like vanilla in the best way, and I get so much joy from it every time I use it. It’s been a struggle to not pick up a ton more shades but between my no-buy and all my FitGlow Lip Serums (which is also very similar to this), I definitely don’t need more right now.
Beauty Pie lip oil in Nude Nectar
KBShimmer Fillin’ Groovy Ridge Filling Nail Polish Base Coat – I really struggle with nail polish lasting on me, and every base coat I’ve tried so far has led to nail polish that peels off completely after about 3 days. And if not, there is always a ton of chipping no matter what polishes and top coat I use. All that changed when I started using this base coat from KBShimmer that I happened to have gotten as a gift with purchase with an order in 2021. My manicures can last almost 2 weeks now (although I usually end up changing them up for fun before then). Beyond the amazing longevity this provides, it creates smoother base because it’s ridge filling. It’s also not completely clear, which I found has helped me use less coats of polishes on top for full coverage. The best part is that it’s only $6.50, and I’m so glad to have settled on the perfect base coat for me.
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.
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