nail polish – Makeup and Skincare Reviews

My Top 10 Shimmer, Flaky, Reflective, and Holo Nail Polish Launches from 2023

December 23, 2023December 23, 2023by liftbakeloveLeave a Comment

I happened to have a bunch of clear press on nails lying around, so I decided to do swatches of my favorite nail polish launches from this year (shimmers, flakies, reflectives and holos specifically). If you want to see my top 10 magnetics, cremes, toppers, multichromes, jellies, or some other category – let me know! I store my nail polish by finish and am just realizing I missed a ton so please leave a comment if you want to see more! I definitely bought way too much nail polish this year and would be happy to do more swatches (and even comparisons) if that would be helpful. I’m planning on doing a nail polish no-buy in 2024 so I’ll be doing more posts to get to know my collection better. Some of these links are affiliate links, but most are not. And as always, thank you so much for being here, and it would mean so much to me if you subscribe here for new posts!

Holo Taco Private Villa is a very red leaning pink jelly that has a ton of shimmer that primarily leans gold and reflective pink glitter in it. It’s so much prettier in person than what I captured in the picture above. It reminds me a ton of Holo Taco Party Punch but is so much easier to apply and remove because it’s not a chunky glitter but still is super sparkly because of all the shimmer and glitter in it. The formula is super smooth for how sparkly it is, and I got full coverage in two coats. If you have longer nails, you’ll probably need a third because of the jellly formula.

KB Shimmer Any Way You Slice It is a bright orange shimmer that also has gold, copper, and yellow tones in it. It’s beautiful in the summer and fall, and one of my favorite oranges this year. I’m honestly not big into orange one me, but somehow this one works, and looks so beautiful in the sun. This polish is a little sheer, and I find I need 3 coats, but I don’t mind because it just looks so beautiful on. You can use affiliate code LIFTBAKELOVE for 10% off this polish at Beyond Polish.

Mooncat Tyrannosaurus Hex is my favorite green of the year regardless of finish. It’s a green polish packed with multichrome flakies and reflective glitter that dries matte. I wanted to show what it looks like under flash because it’s wild how it lights up with the reflective glitters. This is also beautiful with a glossy top coat, but I do really love it matte. This formula is super smooth despite how jam packed it is, and I got full coverage in two coats.

Holo Taco Never Tide Down is the perfect summer polish (as well as the one I’ll talk about next). It’s a turquoise jelly polish filled with iridescent flakes, holographic glitter, and crushed holo. My favorite color is teal so I’m a little biased, but I just love how much this looks like the ocean if the ocean was incredibly fun and sparkly. There’s so much going on in this polish, but it still manages to have such a smooth and easy to use formula. I get full one coat coverage with this polish, but you might need two if you have longer nails.

ILNP Blowing Bubbles is the most holographic polish I own – it blew me away with how holo it is. It’s described as a sky-blue ultra holo nail polish, but because of my undertones (and also the lighting) it leans a little teal on me. That said, regardless of which way it leans on you, it’s beautiful, especially in the sun. I ended up buying a few more ILNP ultra holos because I loved this so much. I get one coat coverage with this, and I’m not even sure you’d need a second coat if you had longer nails.

KB Shimmer Ripped Apart is a deep blue filled with reflective glitter that looks amazing in every light. It’s been my favorite nail polish to wear this winter, and I loved using it under snowflake stamps at the start of the season. I think if I had to choose my favorite 3 from this list, this would definitely be one of them (but I’m biased because I’ve been wearing it so much this December). It’s a bit on the thicker side because of all the glitter, but I find it’s still easy to work with. I get two coat coverage with this, and I feel like that’d be the case for most nail lengths. I would recommend added a glitter smoother before your top coat. You can use affiliate code LIFTBAKELOVE for 10% off this polish at Beyond Polish.

Mooncat Midnight Rider is a midnight blue multichrome polish that shifts between black and blue and is filled with micro holographic glitter. It’s basically a midnight sky on your nails because of the micro holographic glitter, and the blue shimmer makes it even better because it basically glows. I can get full coverage with two coats (and it’s super smooth), but I also recently tried this over a coat of black polish, and it looked great, so that’s probably how I’ll wear this polish from now on so I can get my mani done in just two coats.

Cirque Colors x Kelli Marissa Venetian Sky is cool toned purpled “Shimmergraphic” that has a super intense pink shimmer and scatter holographic sparkle. The shimmer is so strong but somehow doesn’t drown out the holo, and I’m so excited to wear this one in the spring and summer to see it in the sun. I prefer wearing this one in 3 coats so I can really build up the depth in the purple base and the shimmer, but I’m confident you could get away with two on most nail lengths. You can use affiliate code LIFTBAKELOVE for 10% off this polish at Beyond Polish.

ILNP Fairy Dust was my favorite polish in the spring this year. It’s a violet jelly base with intense orange shimmer and scattered holographic sparkle. It looks amazing in the sun but also in low light. I also using this as a topper – I swear it looks good in one coat over almost anything. It’s a bit sheer, so it takes at least 3 coats, but I don’t mind for how beautiful it is. If you’re not into that, I recommend using it over a light purple creme for a faster mani.

Mooncat Gates of Hell is the deep red/purple version of Midnight Rider, so of course I also love it. It’s a red to black multichrome with a really strong shimmer and micro holographic shimmer. It’s absolutely stunning, and just like Midnight Rider, I tried this over a coat of black polish, and it looked fantastic. Otherwise, I can get full coverage in two coats, and the formula is super smooth.

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.

March 2022 No-Buy Update

March 27, 2022by liftbakelove2 Comments

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!

February 2022 Favorites

February 27, 2022April 1, 2025by liftbakelove3 Comments

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.

Em Cosmetics So Soft Blush, Lip Cushion, and Heaven’s Glow Blush in Venetian Rose

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.

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.

February 2022 No-Buy Update

February 23, 2022April 1, 2025by liftbakelove3 Comments

What’s one thing that helped this month go easier?
Keeping a wishlist has continued to be incredibly helpful in this process. There have even been a few things I added to my wishlist that I removed only a few weeks later. It’s such a great reminder that there’s so many things I want to buy purely because they’re new and exciting rather than because I need them. And because I’m spending so much more time just getting to know my collection, it’s way easier for me to realize that I’d be essentially duping what I already have (like these products I wrote about earlier this month). I think even after my no-buy ends, I’m going to continue the policy of putting things on a wishlist and letting them sit there for a bit before I buy them. It’s a great way to make sure I’m only buying what I truly want.

What was one thing I wanted to buy but didn’t and why?
I really wanted to get new Glossier After Baume moisturizer that is specifically designed for very dry and/or sensitive skin like mine. I don’t have anything that thick and occlusive, so it feels like a gap in my collection. My skin has also just been feeling super dry lately, and it seemed like the perfect thing to help with that. But I own 26 serums and moisturizers, and I know between them all, I can make a mixture that will work for me. It’s also permanent so it’s still going on the wishlist for Black Friday, but I really need to get through some of my moisturizers (many of which are minis I got as gifts with purchase) before I add any more to my collection.

A recent manicure I did trying to really appreciate what I already have!

Did I buy anything this month?
I caved and bought three Starrily polishes (Aphrodite, Catnip, and The Cat’s Meow). One of my rules is that I can buy limited edition products as long as I don’t go over my budget for that category, and Starrily polishes tend to come back into stock very rarely. There have been polishes from them I had to wait at least 6 months to a year for, so in my head these were “limited edition,” That said, for full transparency, I did break one of my rules, and I wanted to share because it’s important that we don’t only talk about being perfect on the internet. I’m excited to 100% stick to it in March, especially knowing I really have everything I already need.

From left to right: Vesca Lyra, Bodyography Off the Hook, Mac Groundwork, Laura Mercier Rose Gold, Hourglass Reflect, Chantecaille Cheetah

What’s a product I rediscovered by having to shop my stash?
One of my favorite rediscoveries is the Mac Pro Longwear Paint Pot Eyeshadow in Groundwork. I had honestly totally forgotten about it and how great it is as an eyeshadow base or matte one and down shadow. It’s a neutral taupe that goes with any blush and lip color I’ve chosen. The formula is incredibly easy to work with and doesn’t require a primer because it’s a hybrid primer shadow. It doesn’t crease and stays all day without fading. While I love using it alone, I’ve been using it again specifically as base for cream glitters and shimmer shadows. I have so many pretty, sparkly shadows that look off without a base like this, so it’s been perfect for that. You can see above how it compares to some of my other favorite one and done shadows (more details about them here).

January 2022 Favorites

January 30, 2022April 1, 2025by liftbakeloveLeave a Comment

I can’t believe January 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.

MAC Glow Play Blush in Blush, Please – This formula has been my go-to recently 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 is like a cross between a powder and a cream, it adds a slight sheen like a cream and great lasting power like a powder. I’ve been getting great use out of all of the shades I have (So Natural, Blush Please, Heat Index, and Grand), but I’ve been really loving the shade Blush, Please this month. It’s described as a neutral light mauve, and I find it pairs so well with so many different eyeshadow, lip product, and blush combinations.

Salt New York Sculpt + Bronze Crème Tint Pro in Light/Medium – I’ve been mentioning the Salt New York crème tint pro bronzer a ton lately (the swatches are from a post recently where I also talked about this), and it’s because it’s really become a staple in my everyday makeup routine. 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 bronzer in Light/Medium, highlighter in Beige, blushes in Rose, Cocoa, and Plum

Fitglow Beauty Lip Colour Serums – I know I just wrote about these in my 2021 Makeup Favorites, but I have been loving them and use them almost every day. 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. I’ve been really loving Bliss and Gospel this month in particular, but all of the shades I have get a ton of use. I have 5 full sizes and the rest are minis, and I highly recommend looking out for sales or mini sizes if you’re interesting in these!

Fitglow Beauty Lip Colour Serums in Bliss, Beach Glow, Kind, Halo, Ful, Root, Nudie, Gospel, Regal, Cheer, and Juice

NBM Cuticle Buddy – My nails have never been healthier or stronger since I starting using these, and I don’t freak out about nail breaks anymore because they grow back so fast now. I have been particularly loving the Lavender Cuticle Buddy right now – I use it every night as I’m getting ready for bed, and it’s become a key part of my nighttime routine. It’s calming and relaxing and the perfect “wind down” scent. As always, you can use my affiliate code with Shop NBM to get 10% off sitewide: LIFT10. Like all my reviews, everything written is my completely unbiased opinion, and I would definitely be talking about these without being an affiliate.

Holo Taco Lavender Syrup topped with Gliterally Purple to match my Lavender Cuticle Buddy

January 2022 No-Buy Update

January 26, 2022by liftbakeloveLeave a Comment

What’s one thing that helped this month go easier?
At the start of the year, I unsubscribed from tons of brand emails and created a filter so that any I kept would skip my inbox. This has helped so much! I thought I’d be tempted to buy things constantly, but I really haven’t because I just don’t know what’s launching. I also haven’t been tempted by any sales because (if there have been any) I don’t know about them so can’t be tempted. Similarly, I deleted the Sephora and Ulta apps off my phone and haven’t been able to just browse for what’s new. I only have 2 non-nail polish items on my wishlist which is so much less than I would have expected.

What was one thing I wanted to buy but didn’t and why?
I really wanted to get the Holo Taco Winter Shimmers collection that launched recently. I don’t have any iridescent shimmer toppers in my collection, so I immediately wanted to buy them since that felt like a gap. They also looked so pretty on all the combinations I was seeing online and so different from what I already own. But if I buy every new launch, I’ll never get to enjoy what I already have. Plus, I have really fun toppers to play with like the one I used on launch day in the photo below – it was great to try and “dupe the vibes” as Hannah Louise Poston would say. Since these are permanent, they’re going on the wishlist for Black Friday, and I can bet anything there will be so many other nail polish launches to get excited about been now and then that I might even not want these anymore.

Orly Star Glaze over Holo Taco I’m Over Brew in beautiful elevator lighting

Did I buy anything this month?
Nope! I got nothing from my no-buy categories, and I’m so excited to keep this progress going. I didn’t even need any replacements so got through the month with no shopping at all in my no-buy categories at all.

What’s a product I rediscovered by having to shop my stash?
One of my favorite rediscoveries are the Bodyography eyeshadows. I had honestly totally forgotten about them and how great they are. Their site says that these are a unique formula that incorporates “the saturation of a loose pigment, the cushion of a cream, and the silkiness of a powder”, and that describes it better than I could. I can throw them on with a brush or finger to create a lot of impact and dimension quickly with one shade, but I’ve been loving layering them together too. I have Celestial (Pink/Brown), Off the Hook (Taupe), and Sparkler (Rose Gold), which cover all the kinds of glittery shades I would want. They stay all day even with a regular eyeshadow primer, and they work great with a glitter primer as well. I’ve loved shopping my stash and enjoying the amazing products I already have!

If you’re doing a no-buy, how did your January 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!

5 Products that Always Give Me A Confidence Boost When I Use Them

January 7, 2022April 2, 2025by liftbakelove1 Comment

Someone requested this post, and I got super excited about the idea to think about which products give me a boost when I use them. These products are my version of a bold, red lip – when I put them on, I instantly feel more confident and put together. They make me feel happy and ready to face whatever life is throwing my way no matter what kind of day I’m having. 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.

Roen 1:1 Quad – I love the Roen eyeshadows, but there’s one shade I use the most. The sparkly 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 mostly through a screen. I did a huge presentation that I was really nervous for and covered my eyes with this shade and got so many compliments on it. So now when I’m feeling nervous, I just put on a ton with a finger, and I’m good to go.

Glossier Portrait and Lisa Eldridge Velvet Petal – I thought I wasn’t a pink person at all since I tend towards more browns and roses for my lip shades. Then I tried these two lip products and realized there’s something about a warm, pink lip that just makes me feel amazing. I’ve gotten compliments wearing both of these, and they really brighten up my face. Portrait is my go to for when I want a glossy lip, and Velvet Petal for when I want something matte and long lasting, especially under a mask.

Glossier Portrait (top) and Lisa Eldridge Velvet Petal (bottom)

Auric Glow Lust – This product is my favorite for making my skin look amazing no matter what’s going on with it. Even if my skin is dull and dehydrated and not looking its best, Glow Lust will make it look glowy, smooth, and moisturized. Every time I wear it, I instantly feel more confident, especially for video meetings because Glow Lust reflects so beautifully and distracts from anything else going on. Of all of my glowy, liquid products, this is definitely my favorite of the bunch.

Vesca Kissed By Bronzing Powder in Santorini – I’m not a huge powder product user, but there’s something about this bronzer that really pulls a look together. I find this creates a more satin finish which is great for someone like me that wants to look hydrated and dewy while still having something long lasting, especially under a mask. This Vesca bronzer is my favorite for this purpose (and also my favorite powder bronzer in general) – it’s not too orange, feels incredibly smooth and velvety, blends beautifully, smells amazing, and is such a believable bronzer on me. When my makeup is feeling a bit blah, I add this as a finishing touch, and everything feels right again.

Nail polish – Having super pretty, sparkly, fun nail polish on always makes me feel more confident and put together. I have a ton of polishes that I love for this, so here’s some recent ones that made me feel great while wearing them. I could list so many more – let me know if you want to see more nail polish on here in the comments!

Holo Taco Bring Me the Teal and Starrily Star Cluster

Starrily Uranus

What products make you feel more confident? 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.

November 2021 Favorites

December 5, 2021April 2, 2025by liftbakelove5 Comments

I can’t believe it’s already December, and it’s time for another round of favorites! As usual, I fell in love with a ton of new products this month, but I’m only featuring products in my favorites that are true favorites that I’ve been using consistently for longer than one month. As always, 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.

Mac Pro Longwear Paint Pot Eyeshadow in Groundwork – This is my favorite matte one and done shadow. It’s a neutral taupe that goes with any blush and lip color I’ve chosen. The formula is incredibly easy to work with and doesn’t require a primer because it’s a hybrid primer shadow. It doesn’t crease and stays all day without fading. While I love using it alone, I’ve actually been using it all the time as a base for cream glitters and shimmer shadows. It’s perfect for that – they stick so well, stay all day, and the darker base really makes them pop. Swatches with comparisons to my other favorite one and done shadows available here: https://liftbakelove.com/2021/05/30/my-favorite-one-and-done-single-shadows/.

Glossier Stretch Concealer – My favorite way to use this concealer is all over like a foundation, and I’ve been using it a ton this way lately. I’ve been super tired lately with how dark it’s getting, and this has been so great to use to get my makeup done super quickly. I can just dot it all over my face, blend, and be done without needing both a concealer and foundation step. The Stretch Concealer looks incredibly skin like, lasts all day, and provides just the right amount of coverage for me (which is light). I find the light coverage makes it blend seamlessly and wear well even without powder since it’s harder to tell where it’s worn off than with a fuller coverage product. It also feels very light weight, and everything I put on top of it looks great. Swatches with comparisons to other base products available here: https://liftbakelove.com/2021/07/07/cate-the-great-beauty-made-me-buy-it/.

Melt Cosmetics Cream Blushlight – I have the shade Polished, and it’s such an incredible warm pink that looks so at home on me. It has a really beautiful luminosity to it from a slight amount of shimmer that makes this really special. This has been my go-to blush ever since I got it, and especially when I want something that has that super glowy from within blush look. It blends so effortlessly and quickly, and I just love the super thin but hydrating texture. They also have great staying power for such an emollient cream blush. I ended up getting the shade Daydreamer during Melt’s sale in November, and I’m sure that will be included in a future favorites.

Melt Cosmetics Cream Blushlight in Polished

Josie Maran Whipped Argan Oil Body Butter – I have yet to find another body butter I like more than this one. It is incredibly moisturizing while still being fast absorbing and super lightweight. I love all the scents, but this unscented one is my favorite to mix with any body oils so there’s no competing fragrances. I’ve been using this a ton now that we’re really into winter, and my skin is drier than ever. It’s been so helpful to keep my skin from getting to that “so dry it’s unbearable and itchy” state. I also got gifted the retinol version of this, so look out for a review on that soon!

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.

September 2021 Favorites

October 1, 2021April 2, 2025by liftbakelove1 Comment

I can’t believe it’s already October, and it’s time for another round of favorites! As always, 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!

I am so happy to have discovered the Ulta Under Eye Brightener. 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!

I’ve been testing Dieux Deliverance serum since August, and it’s 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 is already looking less uneven, less dull, and less textured This serum did the trick and absolutely has my skin more even and calm and all the other improvements I was looking for. Given how much I love their Forever Eye Mask, I’m not surprised this is just as amazing.

Everything everyone has said about Kosas Cloud Set Baked Setting & Smoothing Powder is true – it really is that amazing! I have it in the shade Airy, but because of how sheer it is, I’m sure Breezy or Feathery could have worked for me as well. It has a tiny bit of luminosity to it so it sets without mattifying too much. I love using this for all over my face and to set all my cream products without getting rid of any of their dewiness. The only thing I find is that it doesn’t add any coverage, unlike the Hourglass Veil Translucent Setting Powder, which is still one of my favorite powders of all time, and I’m still using under my eyes because I prefer it for that.

FitGlow Lip Serums in Night Lip Serum, Beach Glow, Gospel, and Root

So I know I’ve only had this for a few weeks, and I try not to share things in my favorites until I’ve been using them for awhile, but I just can’t not talk about the FitGlow Beauty State of Kait Edit. The kit comes with Night Lip Serum, Beach Glow, Gospel, and Root. The formula is incredibly nourishing, thick, hydrating, and long-lasting, and I just can’t stop using them. The Night Lip Serum is the best night time lip treatment I’ve ever tried, and I wake up consistently to hydrated and nourished lips. The 3 colored serums are all beautiful and, between the three, I can always find one to match my look. I expect to have these in favorites posts for months to come, and I’m hoping they do some more mini sets so I can grab a few more shades!

I didn’t realize how much I need the Cupcake Polish VNL Blur #1 until I purchased it. It’s a neutralizing base coat that comes in multiple shades and is meant to reduce the number of coats of the nail polish you’re using. It works incredibly well and turns all my 3 coaters into 2 coaters and 2 coaters into 1 coaters! I never do a manicure without it now.

Matching Manis and Lipsticks for fall featuring Finding Ferdinand’s new collections

September 23, 2021March 2, 2022by liftbakelove1 Comment

If you’re a regular here, you’ll know how much I love my Finding Ferdinand products and the company, so I was super excited for their fall collections. I thought this was the perfect opportunity to showcase one of my favorite things to do – match my manicure to my lipstick! Like all my reviews, everything written is my completely unbiased opinion, and I would definitely be talking about these without being an affiliate. This post was not sponsored, but these were gifted to me.

First up, the Cabernet Collection, which features three sheer lipsticks with the flavor Cabernet Crush. The flavor is super bright and fruity but not in a fruit candy kind of way. It’s more a sophisticated grape flavor that really does pair well with these shades. Like all Finding Ferdinand lipstick flavors, it lasts just long enough without lingering in an annoying way.

Finding Ferdinand Sip Happens and Starrily Oxytocin

Sip Happens, which is my favorite of the collection, is a bright reddish berry that is now my go-to “red.” Because of the sheer quality of the lipstick, this is one of the only red toned lipsticks I can actually wear. It also has enough brown in it to work for me since my natural lips tend to make everything quite pink. I paired Sip Happens with Starrily Oxytocin, which is a dark red holo polish and perfectly matches the vibe of this lipstick.

Finding Ferdinand Grapeful and Holo Taco Purple Slushie

Grapeful is a cool purple shade that reminds me of Finesse but darker. I’ll be honest that this shade doesn’t look great on me on its own, but it’s a great mixer shade to cool another lipstick down without making it lighter. And because it’s a sheer formula, it mixes super well into other lipstick formulas. I paired it with Holo Taco Purple Slushie, which is a vibrant royal purple linear holo from their original rainbow collection. I love their linear holo formula, and this was such a great excuse to use the original rainbow colors again.

Finding Ferdinand On Cloud Nine and ILNP Dash of Cocoa

On Cloud Wine is a super deep red berry shade that is now the darkest lipstick I own. I’m so glad to have it in my collection to add some depth under my lighter glosses (I have a lot of pale glosses that make me look dead, but not on top of this lipstick!). It’s a bit intense for me on its own (like Grapeful) but so useful to have especially now that we’re in the colder months. I paired it with one of my new favorite nail polishes, ILNP Dash of Cocoa. This polish is a deep brown holo polish with a red-to-gold shift. It’s incredibly complex with a ton of depth and so perfect both for fall and with this lipstick shade. I’m still wearing now as I write this, and I can’t get over how beautiful it is.

The second collection is the Pumpkin Spice Collection, which also includes three sheer lipsticks but with the flavor Pumpkin Spice. The flavor is smells exactly like pumpkin pie to me in the best way possible. I’m not even a huge fan of pumpkin scents (I’m much more of an apple person), but I really love this one.

Finding Ferdinand Pumpkin Spice Latte and Holo Taco Orange Drink

Pumpkin Spice Latte is a warm orangey brown that is the exact opposite of Grapeful. I use it similarly as a mixer shade to add warmth to my cool-toned lipsticks and under cool-toned glosses. It’s much less bright than my other orange mixer shade, and I really appreciate having both. I paired it with Holo Taco Orange Drink, which is a vibrant, bright orange linear holo also from their original rainbow collection. As I mentioned above, I love their linear holo formula and loved wearing this color again.

Finding Ferdinand Autumn and Olive and June JJ

Autumn, which is my favorite shade of this collection, is a warm pinky nude shade. This is almost exactly the color of my lips, and I love pairing it with Kackie’s Thrive Lip Liner and a clear gloss. It’s a great my lips but better look for fall for me. I paired this with JJ from Olive and June, which is a rosy terracotta shade. I love this color, but I’m not a huge fan of Olive and June’s formula, so if you have suggestions for a color like this, please let me know if in the comments below!

Finding Ferdinand Cold Brew and ILNP Chai Latte

Last, but certainly not least, is Cold Brew, which is a deep neutral brown that I’ve been loving using to “fall-ify” my punchier pink lipsticks. I’m also wearing this lipstick right now, and it works so well with the deep brown eyeshadows I tend to pull out this season. I paired it with the shade Chai Latte from ILNP, which is a mocha ultra holo, and perfectly compliments the brown tones in Cold Brew. I love the cozy vibes this pair gives me since it feels like having hot chocolate with marshmallows on a cold winter night under a blanket.

What do you think of these collections? Would you like to see more matching makeup and nail polish from me? What would you like to see next on LiftBakeLove? Let me know in the comments below, and thanks as always for being here! And a big thank to Color Expression for editing these photos – all edit credit goes to him!

Tag: nail polish