Tag: olive undertone

Winter Favorites for When Your Skin is Dry and You’re Really Tired

Featuredby liftbakeloveLeave a Comment on Winter Favorites for When Your Skin is Dry and You’re Really Tired

This winter my skin has been extremely dry and textured, and it’s been one of those stretches where a lot of my usual makeup just isn’t cooperating. Everything either clings to and emphasizes texture, or somehow makes me look more tired than I already am. These are the things I keep reaching for when I want to look more alive with minimal effort. In this post, all links are affiliate links (thank you for your support!), but all opinions are my own.

MAKE Beauty Diffusion Dew Skin Tint in 1.5 – Shade wise, this is definitely not quite right on me because it’s way too saturated and too warm. But I still can’t stop wearing it. I’ve mostly stopped thinking of it as a skin tint and started using it as a primer because it makes my (very dry this winter) skin look so much better. It’s extremely sheer, like the original Glossier Skin Tint. At first, I’m wondering if anything is happening. But every time I use it, my skin looks healthier and more hydrated and more even. It blends in about five seconds and so seamlessly, even with the horrible shade match. I’ve found with a bunch of beigey green color corrector, I can get away with this as my only base product, but I do wish they’d come out with more shades. I will note that this has a bit of sparkle/mica/shimmer to it that might bother you if you’re not looking for it, but my skin really needs all the help it can get right now.

MAKE Beauty Diffusion Dew Skin Tint in 1.5

Makeup by Mario Soft Plumping Blush Veil in Berry Punch – This is such a perfect winter blush for me. It’s one of those blushes that makes it look like you slept and drank enough water (couldn’t be me). The shade is such a good berry plum shade that gives that “cold girl” look without looking like you’re wearing a ton of blush. It goes more purple on me than I can get in the swatch but I love how it’s not super bright. The formula blends so seamlessly you can’t see where it starts and stops, and it works really well even over powder. I love to throw it on half way through the day and wake my face back up. I’ve used it alone, under, and over things, and it’s been great every time. It also sets down and lasts pretty well for being a dewy finish product. I discovered during swatching that this actually stains a really pretty soft pink which is one of the reasons it seems to stay so well.

Makeup by Mario Soft Plumping Blush Veil in Berry Punch and Westman Atelier Light Up Highlight Stick in Biscuit

Westman Atelier Light Up Highlight Stick in Biscuit – I normally don’t get this excited about a highlighter but I’ve been loving it so much. Biscuit is a perfect light beige that makes my skin look glassy and hydrated without any weird shifts happening. It also doesn’t emphasize texture and doesn’t mess up any of the products that are underneath. I catch myself in the mirror and think it just looks so pretty. I can swipe it on and blend it out with my fingers or brush or sponge, and it gives that glossy healthy sheen. The only annoying thing is you have to buy the shade Biscuit from the Westman Atelier website, but for me it was worth it because it’s exactly the finish and shade I want and I use it constantly.

Ravie Beauty Soft Definition Longwear Eyeliner in Umber, drawn on (left) and blended out (right)

Ravie Beauty Soft Definition Longwear Eyeliner in Umber – I really need eyeliner to make my makeup look complete, but I am also so terrible at eyeliner. I have given up on it a million times. This is the first eyeliner that has made me feel like I can actually do eyeliner. The formula is soft and blendable, but it still gives definition. I can tightline with it, I can do a thin line, I can smudge it out, I can apply it with 3 hours of sleep. It still looks intentional every time. You have a ton of play time with this formula, which is the main reason I like it. If I mess up, I can blend it away and try to get the look I want without it being a huge mess. That said, once it sets, it sets. I still have proof of these swatches on my arm the next day, even after a shower. I also bought their brush, and it makes it so easy to do my eyeliner. If you want a strong graphic liner, I wouldn’t recommend this. But if you want a soft defined line you can play and practice with that still looks like you know what you’re doing, I highly recommend this.

dae Cactus Fruit 3-in-1 Styling Cream with Taming Wand – I am finally getting into the postpartum hair regrowth stage (yay!), and I have a ton of short little hairs on the top of my head. My hair had been looking absolutely ridiculous no matter how I tried to style it until I picked this up. It smooths everything down so fast, it smells amazing, and it doesn’t make my hair crunchy or sticky. My hair looks so much more put together whether I’m wearing it up or down. I really never knew I needed something like this, but now I can’t go back to not using it all the time.

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.

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.

Kulfi Brand Review: What’s Worth It and What I’d Skip

Featuredby liftbakelove2 Comments on Kulfi Brand Review: What’s Worth It and What I’d Skip

I’ve been testing a handful of products from Kulfi and I wanted to pull everything into one brand review because this is one of those lines that feels really thoughtful and very easy to actually wear. I also did my usual retesting before writing this so I could compare everything against what I’ve been reaching for lately, and overall I’ve been really impressed, especially with how low effort these formulas are while still looking polished. In this post, all links are affiliate links (thank you for your support!), but all opinions are my own.

Kulfi Main Match Concealer in Paan Party

Kulfi Main Match Concealer in Paan Party – This has stayed one of my favorite concealers since I got it. It blends out quickly, the coverage is very buildable from light to medium, and the finish is a natural satin that makes skin look like skin. It’s described as a radiant-finish but my dry skin definitely cancels that out. I’ve been using it as foundation a lot lately because it’s so easy to throw on all over. It looks like I just have great skin and not like I’m wearing a ton of makeup. It’s flexible enough that I can use it as a traditional concealer or use it as a foundation and add another concealer on top without anything pilling or layering weird. That all said, I was looking back at pictures of the days I wore this all over as foundation, and it’s definitely too light of a shade to match my face and neck (although a great match for the inside of my arm). I can definitely see myself repurchasing this one but in a darker shade, especially because the shade Paan Party is an unusually good match for me as far as undertones go. It’s one of the rare base products where I don’t feel like I have to use green color corrector to make it work.

Kulfi Zari Eyes Eyeshadow in Bronze Brocade

Kulfi Zari Eyes Eyeshadow in Bronze Brocade – This formula is so fun and it’s been one of my favorite one and done shadows because it basically applies itself. A little bit goes a long way, and you can dip your finger in and swipe it all over your lids, and it immediately looks dimensional and sparkly in a way that still feels totally wearable for everyday. You have enough time to blend it out and get the edges how you want, and then it sets down and wears really well on me without much creasing. Bronze Brocade is also a great shade choice because it’s warm but not aggressively orange, and it’s exactly the kind of throw it on and look put together eyeshadow I reach for when I don’t want to think too hard (which is pretty often with my current level of sleeplessness). I’m definitely interested in trying more colors because I really love this formula.

Kulfi Glossy Lip Staining Lip Oil in Rose, Caramel, and First Sari – This was the first Kulfi product I bought and the only one I’ve gotten multiple shades in right away. I wear these constantly because they’re so easy to use, and I really love a good lip stain. They go on like a comfortable gloss and then leave behind a really pretty stain that stays true to the shade you put on instead of turning into the same generic pink on everyone. Caramel is the one I reach for the most for everyday, but First Sari is probably my favorite olive friendly shade, especially if I’m doing more of a berry look. The stain wears really well and they make my lips look smoother instead of drying them out. I’ve been trying a lot of K beauty lip stains over the years and these absolutely hold their own against those.

Kulfi Glossy Lip Staining Lip Oil in Rose, Caramel, and First Sari and Kulfi Lip Snack Glossing Lip Balm in Coconut Chum Chum

Kulfi Lip Snack Glossing Lip Balm in Coconut Chum Chum – This lip balm formula is really comfortable, it’s not sticky, and it feels moisturizing and nourishing on the lips. I have zero complaints about how it wears. Coconut Chum Chum is a really pretty sheer pink that I’m honestly more excited to wear in the spring but it does work well with my undertones. I also really like the packaging. The applicator makes it really easy to apply neatly without needing a mirror (it also helps the shade isn’t too pigmented). For me, it’s just one of those products where if I’m looking at my huge pile of lip balms in a tube, nothing about this one is screaming “you need to run out and get it”. My number one is still the Eadem lip balms, followed closely by the Ole Henriksen and Unleashia balms. That said, if you’re already placing a Kulfi order and you want an easy, glossy balm to toss in your bag, this is a really nice one.

Kulfi Free the Brow Brow Gel – I really like the packaging with the dual sided brush and comb. It makes it really easy to shape brow hairs and get them into place. The brow gel itself gives hold without flaking and without that crunchy feeling. I love that it looks really natural once it dries down. For most people, I think this would be a holy grail brow gel, and I totally get why it’s a favorite for my friends with easier to control brows. For me personally, it’s just not quite enough hold because my brows are unruly and refuse to behave. They always fall out of place within an hour with this one. I still prefer the Rare Beauty Brow Harmony Flexible Lifting Gel as my benchmark hold in place all day bro gel, but I would absolutely recommend this one if you want a comfortable flexible hold and don’t have brows that refuse to do what you want.

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.

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.