Tag: olive skin

The Best Contours for Olive Skin (as long as you don’t mind adding blue)

Featuredby liftbakeloveLeave a Comment on The Best Contours for Olive Skin (as long as you don’t mind adding blue)

If you have olive skin, you’ve probably run into this problem. A contour looks like it will be cool enough to make a realistic shadow until you blend it out. Then, it turns into bronzer. On me, most contours pull warm the second they hit my skin and do not read like a shadow at all, no matter how much the brand promises “these are actual cool tones this time!” So, I wanted to do a full breakdown of how I make any contour work for me, and the ones I recommend.  In this post, all links are affiliate links (thank you for your support!), but all opinions are my own.

What I’ve been doing to make all my contours work for me is add a tiny bit of blue. Blue cancels out orange, so it takes a contour that reads warm and makes it a little more of a grey, shadowy color. In my swatches below, the left side is the contour on its own. The right side is the same contour with a touch of blue added. The difference is not huge (trust me, I know how nuanced the difference is for some of them), but on my face it is the difference between something being a bronzer and a believable contour. Some of these start out better than others, so you can see the blue doesn’t do as much, and that’s one of the reasons I like those better.

These are in same order of the swatches from top to bottom:
Make Up For Ever Artist Color Crayon in Endless Cacao – Color wise, this is the coolest one on its own out of the ones I’ve tried. With a touch of blue, it becomes a really good true contour tone for me. I just do not love the formula. It goes on fine, but it feels a little dry especially as it dries down, and it also manages to blend out into almost nothing. I layered it up a bunch in the swatch so you can see the color, but you can also see the texture on the left shows every dry spot on that part of my arm. I really wanted to love it because the undertone is pretty good, but I don’t reach for it much. I also don’t love the packaging. I don’t love this for a contour because the stick is so chunky, and I don’t like traveling with it because I worry the cap could pop off. I’m still glad I tried it, but it is not a staple for me.

Dior Forever Skin Contour in 01 Light – This is one I reach for constantly, even though the tone is not perfect on me straight from the stick. With a tiny touch of blue, it becomes a really believable contour, and then I can use the same product as is as a bronzer over top. That’s my favorite way to use it, and I do that quite often. The formula is big the reason I keep coming back to it. It is genuinely one of the easiest cream contour sticks to use. It blends quickly, it is forgiving, and I don’t have to think too hard about it. I also love the packaging. It feels sturdy and travel friendly, and it’s the kind of product I actually feel good throwing in a bag. I also think if you’re not very olive undertoned, it’ll work great as a contour as is (based on what I’ve heard from my not-green friends).

Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Liquid Contour in Gentle – This looks so cool and grey/taupe on the website swatches and nothing like it looks on me. This is a great example of a contour being technically correct but still super warm on me. That said, I really like this formula. It’s super easy to throw on and blend, and it’s more forgiving than the blushes. It’s not nearly as pigmented, and you don’t have to worry about going overboard right away. It also mixes really well with the LA Girl blue corrector. The undertone shift looks smooth and even, and it wears really well throughout the day. The only reason I’m not raving about it is because I like the next one even more and I reach for that one first almost every time. I still love this one, and I would still recommend it.

SACHEU Contour STAY-N in 01 Giving Sass – This one is my favorite. If I had to keep only one liquid contour, and honestly maybe one overall, it would probably be this one. It is so easy to dot on, it blends fast, and it stays on extremely well, which is exactly what you want from a product called STAY-N. It also works perfectly with the blue trick. I can do targeted contour with a little bit of blue mixed in, then go back in and use it as is on top where I want warmth. It ends up functioning the same way the Dior does for me which I love. Of all of these, this is the one I have used the most by far and would repurchase. This is also one I travel with a lot because the applicator makes it so easy to just dot and blend. It’s one of my favorite options if you specifically want a contour wand situation.

Anastasia Beverly Hills Smooth Blur Contour Stick in Half Tone – This is the one I can most easily use as contour by itself without it looking weird on my skin. I think it is because it has a little green in it, which works great for me. The formula is perfectly good, and I have no complaints. It applies well, blends easily, and it does what it’s supposed to do. I personally like the creaminess and blendability of the Dior stick a little better, but this is still very workable. The main thing to know is that if you apply too much, you can see it start to turn into bronzer. The edges can get warmer, and it stops reading like a shadow. I’m really glad to have tried this one, but it’s not my top pick. *I did just notice they added more shades, and I bet greyscale might actually work really well for me. Let me know if you want me to try it!

Victoria Beckham Beauty Contour Stylus in Marble – This one works, but it’s not exciting to me, and it’s too expensive for what it is. On the positive side, the packaging is super nice, like most Victoria Beckham products. Even though it looks like it might be a little dark at first, it blends out really well and can look natural on my high contrast complexion. That said, I don’t like the super skinny precise contour stick format (just as much as I don’t love how chunky the Make Up For Ever is). The formula also feels a little dry and a little sticky on me. If you love a precise contour stick and you love the brand, you might enjoy it. If you’re shopping specifically for the best contour for olive skin, which I assume you are if you’re reading this, this is not the one I would tell you to run out and buy.

Westman Atelier Face Trace Contour Stick in Biscuit – This has been one of my favorite brontours for years, and it still is. On me, it has always leaned more a little bronzer than true contour, but it is one of those products that looks good every time as a stand-in for both. Like the ABH, it has a touch of green in it that makes it work really well with my skin. I can add a little bit of blue and do the contour and bronzer thing with it, and it works well, but I do usually use this as a brontour when I’m running low on sleep and time. I love the packaging, and I love the formula. It is so effortless to use. This is the one I reach for when I am trying to get ready really quick, and I just want to throw something on and know it is going to look good. They just added new shades of this one, and I’m thinking of trying Coco if that would be helpful!

LA Girl Pro.Conceal Color Corrector and Makeup Forever Artist Cream Color in Matte Cobalt

The two blue mixers I’ve tried are the Makeup Forever Artist Cream Color in Matte Cobalt and LA Girl Pro.Conceal Color Corrector in Blue:
I bought the Makeup Forever Artist Cream Color in Matte Cobalt specifically to mix with cream contours. It does work, but you have to work fast since this dries down quickly and matte. It is super pigmented and it can be a little hard to blend, which you can see in the swatches (although it’s easier for this purpose because it doesn’t move around as much as a liquid would). The best way I have found to use it is to apply my contour to my face first, then tap the tiniest amount of Matte Cobalt on top, then mix as I blend. That gives me the undertone shift I want without fighting the formula as much. Because it’s not meant for this, it’s very easy to end up with too much blue, and I wouldn’t recommend it for this purpose.
My second mixer is LA Girl Pro.Conceal Color Corrector in blue, and this is super easy to use even though it’s a liquid. It blends like a normal concealer, it mixes so easily, and it is what I use for liquid contours. I can mix it on the back of my hand with them, and it stays workable long enough to adjust the ratio. If you are buying one blue corrector for this trick, I would just get the LA Girl. It does exactly what you need, and it’s only $6.

What other products would you like me to review? Let me know if there’s anything else you’d like to see here, and thanks for reading! As always, some links may be affiliate links that support the blog and some products may have been gifted, but all reviews/opinions are completely my own and unsponsored.

Em Cosmetics Brand Review: What’s Actually Worth Buying?

Featuredby liftbakeloveLeave a Comment on Em Cosmetics Brand Review: What’s Actually Worth Buying?

When I realized how many products from this one brand had quietly taken over my makeup drawers, I knew it was finally time to do a full brand review. Here’s my totally honest review of each item, including what I love, what I don’t, and what’s truly worth the hype. This post in not sponsored, but all links are affiliate links (thank you for your support!). As always, all opinions are my own.

Pillow Plush Blush – I’m listing the blushes in order of my most favorite to least favorite, and this has been a surprise hit in my collection. This has a bouncy, cushiony texture that’s a hybrid between a cream and a powder. This has a very natural-looking finish on the skin, with really good staying power. My favorite thing about this formula though is how blurring and seamless it looks. I absolutely love the shade Tickled – it’s a cool toned mauve that’s beautiful on my warm olive skintone. This is my go-to “I made my look way too warm and have to fix it” throw it on top blush. The packaging is also fantastic for travel, since it’s sturdy and has a mirror. The swatch of this one is below with the other powder blushes.

So Soft Blush in Lychee, Pearl Tea, and Venetian Rose Color Drops Serum Blush in Venetian Rose, Forbidden Fruit, and Rose Milk

 So Soft Blush – These blushes are everything I look for in a cream blush. The So Soft formula is 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. It’s actually one of the longest wearing cream blushes I own despite being so blendable. I have the shades Lychee (warm melon), Pearl Tea (brownish nude), and Venetian Rose (vintage rose). I get lots of use out of all the shades but Venetian Rose is definitely my favorite and most used because it works the best with my skin.

Radiant Veil Blush in Heaven’s Glow, Venetian Rose, Baroque, Cherub, and Seraph
Pillow Plush Blush in Tickled

Heaven’s Glow Radiant Veil Blush – This is my one of my favorite blushes to use on top of cream blush. It provides a soft, glowy look without being overly pigmented and is such an easy way to brighten up a look. I also use this to set cream and liquid blushes if I know I’ll be on video calls for 12 hours, and the colors I have cover a wide enough range to match with almost any look I’m doing. There’s a bit of a sheen to them, so they’re great if I’m in a hurry because I can use these without needing a highlighter. They definitely aren’t a blurring formula if that’s something you’re looking for, and it can highlight texture if you’re not having an amazing skin day. My favorite shades are Seraph (bright pink) and Venetian Rose (vintage rose) but I got a lot of use out of Baroque in the summer.

Color Drops Serum Blush – I personally prefer the So Soft Blush for the ease of use and wear time but if you’re looking for a super dewy, hydrated look, these are pretty if you’re into a very thin liquid blush. I’m going to give these away to a friend because I find I’d much rather use the Glow Recipe Dew Flush Blushes or the Rare Beauty Dewy Liquid Blushes. If you’re interested in these, Rose Milk is a soft-pinky nude, Forbidden Fruit is a brown-toned berry, and Venetian Rose is a neutral rose. The serum texture does blends quickly and leaves a natural glow but I just find my skin eats these so quickly and they’re a little sticky and hard to blend.

Shapeshift Tubing Mascara – This is one of the few tubing mascaras I’ve tried that genuinely adds noticeable length and volume without adding too much heaviness. Because of that, my super thin straight lashes actually stay curled all day. I love how it’s a bit flexible until it totally dries so I can move my lashes around and get the exact look I want. Like most tubing mascaras, it stays completely smudge-free, even with humidity or workouts, and it rinses right off with warm water. I’m doing a full tubing mascara ranking soon, but this one is currently in the running for the top spot.

Morning Dew Crystal Lip Gloss – I have tried so many lip gloss formulas this year, and my favorite is still this one. It is incredibly moisturizing and makes my lips look great even why they are incredibly dry. I tend not to go for clear glosses since I like one and done products, but I have come to appreciate that I can put this over any lip color to add shine and moisture. I keep this on my desk because it’s what I use when I need more moisture than a balm, and because it’s not sticky at all, it’s comfortable to wear any time of day even as a lip treatment.

Soft Blur Velvet Lip Liners in Kitten and Mink – Out of all my lip liners, I definitely reach for these the most often. The formula blends so easily so you can get a soft, blurred, and diffused look. I find that creates a much more natural look that still defines my lips and helps prevent any feathering of the lipstick I use on top. Even with how soft and lightweight they are, they are very long lasting. I have the shades Kitten, a neutral rose, and Mink, a cool brown, which both work really well with my lip color and the with my favorite lipsticks and glosses.

Velvet Lip Liner in Kitten and Mink, Lip Serum in Arcane, Lip Creme in Hush

Lip Mage Tinted Serum in Arcane – This is a lightweight serum-style lip stain in a rose-berry shade. It leaves a sheer berry tint and layers easily for more intensity. It stains evenly, leaving color behind after the shine fades. It definitely lives us to the lip serum name and keeps my lips feeling moisturized longer than I expect from a stain. I reach for this when I want color that feels more put-together and will last longer than one of my lip balms but still effortless. Let me know if you’d like me to do a lip stain round up since I’m realizing I have quite a few now!

Soft Spoken Velvet Lip Creme in Hush – This is a midtone rose-berry with a whipped, mousse-like consistency. It sets to a soft matte finish, doesn’t exaggerate lip lines, and stays comfortable for much longer than I expected. It’s not completely transfer-proof, but it fades evenly and comfortably over time. It’s a great everyday shade that works with almost anything else I’m wearing given the shades I reach for. I really like pairing this with the Soft Soft Venetion Rose blush.

Divine Water Perfecting Mist – This mist feels more like skincare than a traditional setting spray. It’s hydrating and slightly glowy, but the reason I love it is because the orange blossom fragrance smells so nice. The scent dissipates quickly but it just makes me happy. The mist itself is super fine and evenly distributed, making it nice as both a primer and refresher. It’s not sticky or heavy like some hydrating sprays can be. I’m doing a setting spray battle, and this is definitely coming in almost last for actual longevity, but I still love having it around as a “refresh my makeup after 10 hours” kind of spray.

What other products would you like me to review? Let me know if there’s anything else you’d like to see here, 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.

Long Wearing Summer Makeup That Holds Up All Day (Including the New Sacheu Blush + Contour)

Featuredby liftbakeloveLeave a Comment on Long Wearing Summer Makeup That Holds Up All Day (Including the New Sacheu Blush + Contour)

The past couple of weeks I took a short hiatus to focus on doing full day wear tests so I could find products that hold up through long, hot summer days and even during runs. I wanted to find low-effort, long-wearing products that actually live up to their promises. Here are the 5 products that really stood out to me!

ELF Power Grip Primer – Someone recently asked me for a recommendation for a primer that could stop their makeup from sliding off by midday, and I realized I hadn’t actually tested this cult-favorite yet. After a few all-day wear tests, I can confidently say that it works. It seriously extends the wear time of makeup, especially in tricky spots like my nose where foundation tends to fade first. It isn’t drying, layers beautifully under multiple foundations I tested, and spreads easily with a smooth, slightly tacky finish that helps makeup grip and stay in place.

Sacheu Liquid Contour STAY-N in Giving Sass – This still isn’t my favorite contour color for my warm olive skintone but it’s getting super close! It’s just a little bit warm (you can see a little orange peaking through on the edges) but it definitely has enough neutral and green tones that it works on me as a brontour. The formula is what really won me over – it applies effortlessly, blends out in seconds, and dries down to a soft, natural skin-like finish. And because it’s a stain, it legitimately lasts all day, even with sweat and tons of baby kisses.

Sacheu CHEEK STAY-N All-Day Liquid Blush in I’m Guilty – I absolutely love this color. It’s a mauvey rose that actually reads like a true “nude mauve” on my olive skin which surprised me because most shades with that label pull too pink or too bright. This one is deeper, slightly desaturated, and super wearable. If you look at the built up swatch towards the bottom you can see how deep and mauve it can get, and I love how versatile that makes this shade. It’s been the perfect everyday shade for me this month. Like the contour, it blends out with almost no effort and sets down to a long-wearing stain that doesn’t budge. I’ve been reaching for both this and the contour over all my other blushes and bronzers lately, which says a lot considering how many I have in rotation.

Half Magic Sparklestik Eye Crayon in Princess Teddy – I tested so many eyeshadow crayons to find the most long lasting, and this was by far the winner for me. A few of the others creased or rubbed off after a couple of hours (even inside with AC), but this one held up great even after running and taking long walks in the summer heat. I also love this color – it’s a great everyday one and done sparkly brown I can easily throw on. I also really love how sparkly it stays even after I blend it a bit since some sticks’s shimmer can blend out into nothing. I’m probably going to pick up a few more shades of these.

Elf Power Grip Dewy Setting Spray – Similar to the primer, this really helps my makeup last all day. Because it’s meant to also leave a dewy finish, make sure that if you want to optimize how long lasting it is that you don’t go overboard. A little goes a long way! The dewy finish is really pretty, and I was surprised it didn’t get in the way of the staying power of this spray. I also don’t know if I’d recommend this for those with oily skin who really want to lock in their makeup and might need something like the One Size On ‘Til Dawn Mattifying Waterproof Setting Spray.

What other products would you like me to review? Let me know if there’s anything else you’d like to see here, 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.

My Go-To Brown Lip Liners That Actually Work on Olive Skin

Featuredby liftbakeloveLeave a Comment on My Go-To Brown Lip Liners That Actually Work on Olive Skin

I’ve tested a lot of brown lip liners over the years, and a few have really stood out—especially because none of them go orange on my olive skin. Whether I’m going for a soft, natural look or something that lasts all day, these are the ones I keep reaching for. Here’s why they’ve earned a spot in my routine! In this post, all links are affiliate links (thank you for your support!), but all opinions are my own.

Swatches are in order of the reviews below from left to right

Glossier Lip Line Enhancing Hydrating Longwear Lip Liner Pencil in Buff – When I was going through all my lip liners and picking out my favorite browns, I realized that this one is the one I end up wearing the most. The formula is super comfortable, lightweight and non-drying formula. It’s not the longest wearing because of that but as someone with pretty dry lips, that’s a trade off I’m willing to make. The formula is creamy and hydrating, making it easy to apply without tugging. Buff is a slightly warm leaning brown that doesn’t go orange, and I’m so excited to wear this even more in the summer.

Thrive Causemetics Lip Filler Long-Wearing + Plumping Lip Liner in Kackie – I don’t know how Kackie did it, but this such a perfect neutral brown shade for me. I can put any gloss or lipstick over top of it, and it looks great. The formula also manages to be creamy, not drying, and have great staying power. It’s the lip liner I use when I don’t want to worry about my lip look coming together, especially in the morning before I’ve had coffee and just want something I know will work. I think I started writing about this one in 2020, and I’m surprised how it continues to rise to the top of my lip liner collection.

Em Cosmetics Soft Blur Velvet Lip Liner in Mink – This formula blends so easily so you can get a soft, blurred, and diffused look. I find that creates a much more natural look that still defines my lips and helps prevent any feathering of the lipstick I use on top. Even with how soft and lightweight they are, they are very long lasting. Mink is such a perfect cool brown for olive skin tones that also works really well with my lip color and with my favorite lipsticks and glosses.

ELF Cream Glide Lip Liner In Baddest Beige – I can’t say I like these better than my favorite lip liners from Thrive or Victoria Beckham, but if you’re looking for an affordable, high-quality lip liner that competes with higher-end options, this is it. The formula is creamy enough to glide on effortlessly without tugging or patchiness. I was super impressed given these are $2, and really like the semi-matte finish that works beautifully on its own or as a base under lipstick. They wear surprisingly well without drying out my lips. Baddest Beige is light neutral beige that’s a little warm on me but doesn’t go orange.

Victoria Beckham Lip Definer in 02 – The formula is really stiff but is still relatively easy to work with as long as your lips aren’t incredibly dry. Because it’s so stiff, it dries down immediately and lasts an incredibly long time, so if you’re looking for something that really will stay put, this formula is great. Despite it’s dry texture, It’s quite agreeable, especially if you use lip balm ahead of time. That said, I find I don’t reach for it as much right now because it’s so dry here and it feels like I’m tugging on my lips in an uncomfortable way. I’m excited to get more use out of it in the summer. 02 is described as a neutral beige brown for light to medium lip tones, but I think it leans a bit warm and a bit pink, as you can hopefully see from the above swatches. Both Kackie from Thrive and Mink from Em Cosmetics are truer beigey brown tones. It’s still one of my favorites in this color group, but if you’re looking for something really brown, I’d go with one of the others.

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

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

Featuredby liftbakelove1 Comment on Top Powder Bronzer Picks for Olive Skin from RMS, Victoria Beckham, Giorgio Armani, Gucci, Make Beauty, and YSL

Finding a powder bronzer that truly works for olive skin can be tricky, but these all have the perfect undertones for me and are never too orange. Whether you want a warm, summery glow, a neutral year-round option, or something that enhances olive undertones without clashing, these bronzers deliver. With skin-smoothing formulas, seamless blendability, and a range of finishes, these are my top picks for the most natural, flattering bronzers. In this post, all links are affiliate links, but all opinions are my own!

Bronzers are shown from left to right in the order listed below: RMS, VB, Armani, Gucci, Make Beauty, YSL

RMS ReDimension Hydra Bronzer in Beachwalk Betty – This is my go-to bronzer when I want a really warm, summery glow without turning myself into a Cheeto. Particularly if I’ve used a blush that leans too warm, this helps balance everything out so my face looks cohesive. It’s the most “normal” bronzer shade I own, but it still doesn’t go orange on me. The formula has a subtle shimmer that gives my skin a hydrated look without being glittery. It’s smoothing, blurring, and incredibly easy to apply. Since it’s fairly pigmented, I can skip cream or liquid bronzers and still get enough color—especially as someone with high contrast features. This is refillable too so if you use this up, you can just get the insert without rebuying the compact.

Victoria Beckham Bronzer Brick in 01 – This is an ever so slightly cooler and more neutral-toned bronzer compared to the RMS, and its matte finish makes it extra blurring. The lighter shade is perfect for blending out any harsh edges or bridging the gap between my cheek products and concealer. It’s a great year-round option since you can mix and match the two shades for a lighter or deeper bronzer. The neutral undertone makes it especially flattering on olive skin, but I think it would work well for a wide range of complexions. I love that this is refillable too, so if I ever hit pan, I can just replace the insert instead of rebuying the whole compact.

Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Bronzer in 90 – The first time I tried this, I knew I had to have it. It has a weirdly perfect yellow undertone that works so well with my olive skin, making it look like a natural, sun-kissed glow. The tiny amount of shimmer is just enough to make my skin look healthy—like I actually go outside (which I don’t). The pan is huge, so you can use literally any brush with it, and that just makes applying it even more fun. Like the all these bronzers, it blends seamlessly and layers beautifully with my other products. This is the one I reach for the most in spring and summer, and it always looks amazing.

Gucci Poudre de Beauté Éclat Soleil Bronzing Powder in 01 – Before buying this, I swatched all the bronzers I had at the time, and most leaned a little yellow and warm (great for summer). But this one is rosier, making it perfect for winter. It’s especially great when I’m doing a berry or pink-toned makeup look instead of something more beige or brown, since I didn’t have a bronzer that fit that vibe before. The formula is stunning—blurring, blendable, and super easy to use. I recently took this on a trip in a magnetic palette (since the pan is removable), and I loved being able to pair it with some eyeshadows without it taking up too much space.

Make Beauty Skin Mimetic Microsuede Bronzer in Lunar – This bronzer formula is incredible. It’s completely non-patchy, layers beautifully over creams, and somehow maintains a satin finish while having great staying power. The shade has just enough green to keep it warm without going orange (a rarity among warm bronzers). The range includes six shades, and I think they did a great job with the undertones across them. The packaging is also super nice, and I love that it’s a different color than their pressed powder compact since they’re the same size. Bonus: it’s refillable like the RMS and Victoria Beckham, and the pans fit interchangeably in either compact!

YSL All Hours Hyper Bronzer in 01 – If you want a bronzer that’s basically impossible to mess up, this is it. It’s really light but buildable, making it look incredibly natural on my skin. Like the rest of these, the formula is smoothing, blurring, and effortless to blend. It never leans orange and just looks really polished. I love that I can keep adding more without worrying about overdoing it or placing it perfectly. This is my go-to when I’m running on two hours of sleep and just need to look awake.

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.

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

Featuredby liftbakelove3 Comments on YSL Couture Mini Clutch in 200 Gueliz Dream – My favorite eyeshadow palette for my olive undertones

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

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

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

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

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

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

This palette is $88, but especially if you can get it on sale, I think it’s incredibly worth it for the shades, the formula, and how well it works as a neutral palette on my olive skin. Let me know if there’s anything else you’d like to see here on LiftBakeLove, and thanks for reading! As always, some links may be affiliate links that support the blog, but all reviews/opinions are completely my own and unsponsored.