Tag: skincare

Labor Day Beauty Sales 2025: Makeup & Skincare I’m Stocking Up On

Featuredby liftbakeloveLeave a Comment on Labor Day Beauty Sales 2025: Makeup & Skincare I’m Stocking Up On

Labor Day beauty sales are one of my favorite times to restock on everyday essentials and finally try out some products I’ve had my eye on, especially for brands that aren’t at Sephora or Ulta or that won’t have as good of sales there. This year, I focused on refills and formulas I already know I love plus a few new launches I really want to review for y’all. Here’s a full breakdown of what I picked up and what I’d recommend from each brand. I usually stick to only doing these kinds of posts for the Sephora sales so let me know if this kind of sale round up is helpful in the comments! This post in not sponsored, but all links are affiliate links (thank you for your support!). As always, all opinions are my own.

Make Beauty – Their Infinite Hold Sculpting Brow Gel is still my absolute favorite of all the tinted brow gels I’ve tried, and it’s one of the few things I go through quickly enough that I always like to have a backup (especially at 20% off). I also grabbed a refill of the pressed powder which has consistently been in my top favorite powders for dry skin. I love that I can just swap in a refill of either this or the bronzer (another favorite) whenever I’m nearing the end, instead of buying a whole new compact. I got extra Serum Balms as well as more of the Moisturizing Reverse Emulsion last sale which I’m very excited to have stocked up on before fall and winter. Those are both some of my go-to products for healing dry lips and skin as it gets colder out here.

Soshe Beauty – I picked up three of the blushes during their 20% sale to finally test them out given the great reviews they’ve been getting. The shades look great for olive skin, and I’m really excited to try Speakeasy, Berry Smitten, and Copper Spice. I love that you can also just pick up the refills if you have a magnetic palette. I’ll report back on these, especially compared to my other blurring blushes! I’d absolutely recommend any of the lip products if you’re shopping, especially the Peptide Glow Hydrating Lip Treatment. I also grabbed the tubing mascara to try for my upcoming roundup. I’m also thinking about going back for more refills of the lipstick so I can try more of the shades since that formula really impressed me.

Half Magic Beauty – I grabbed another shade of the Sparklestik Eye Crayons, which is my favorite long-wear eyeshadow stick. I’ve been loving Princess Teddy and want to see if Beige Mystique will compliment it well. it’s one of my most-used formulas of the sticks in my collection. I also decided to buy another Cheek Fluff Soft Blur blush, since their cream-to-powder blurring finish is so good and the colors have all worked great for me so far (you can see swatches next to a bunch of other blushes here). I would recommend the single eyeshadows as well as the Glitter Pucks too if you happen to be shopping the 25% off sitewide sale! As a warning, I think the packaging for Half Magic is generally underwhelming, and I’ve depotted all of my blushes and single shadows. Still worth it to me for the formulas, but in case that’ll bother you, I wanted to let y’all know.

YSL Beauty – With 25% off, I couldn’t resist adding another Couture Mini Clutch eyeshadow quad to my collection. I have 200 and 710 already, and I love them both so much. They are some of my most used eyeshadows in my very large eyeshadow collection. I also got a backup of the Candy Glaze in 002 Healthy Glow (clear), which is one of my top lip balm formulas. I used this opportunity to try one of the new Make Me Blush 24H Buildable Blurring matte blushes because I want to compare it against the other matte powder blushes I own and see how it stacks up. That review will be coming soon once I finally finish testing the mountain of setting sprays.

Prequel Skin – I used their 15% off sitewide sale as a chance to try a bunch of the newer launches I hadn’t picked up yet like the AM/PM moisturizer and the lip visor. You get a Skin Utility Ointment as a gift with purchase for orders over $75, which was such a nice surprise since I was going to get another one of those too. I stocked up on Gleanser during the last sale since it’s one of my favorite cleansers, otherwise I would’ve gotten more this time. I also already grabbed extra Redness Reform and Multi-Quench serums because those are staples in my routine. I would definitely recommend those as well as the Urea Advanced Relief (which is a great body moisturizer as well.

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.

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.

Products I Didn’t Expect to Love But Keep Reaching For

Featuredby liftbakeloveLeave a Comment on Products I Didn’t Expect to Love But Keep Reaching For

I’ve been testing a bunch of new products lately for some upcoming roundups and posts, and I wanted to share 5 of them that have genuinely surprised me with how good they are. I didn’t expect any of these to wow me as much as they did, but I’m so glad I tried them. In this post, all links are affiliate links (thank you for your support!), but all opinions are my own.

Josh Rosebrook Vital Balm Cream – My skin’s been feeling unusually rough and irritated lately, and I grabbed this on a whim hoping for something calming and nourishing. I swear it worked overnight. My skin looked and felt noticeably smoother and more moisturized the next morning. Even my husband commented that my skin looked better, and my makeup applied better too. It has this an extremely thick and rich texture that somehow doesn’t feel suffocating (even though I thought it would). It somehow just calms everything down, and I’m seriously impressed.

Milk Makeup Hydrogrip Primer – After a few all-day wear tests, I can confidently say that this works amazingly well to keep my makeup looking great all day. 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. I also tested it side by side with the ELF version. They’re almost the same but I find the Milk lasts even a little longer (you definitely don’t need to run out and grab this if you have the ELF though!).

Makeup Forever Artist Color Crayon in Endless Cacao, Dior Contour Stick in 01, Westman Atelier Contour Stick in Biscuit

Makeup Forever Artist Color Crayon in Endless Cacao – This might be the only contour shade I’ve found that actually looks like a shadow on my olive skin. It doesn’t have any weird orange undertones as you can see from the swatches compared to the Dior and Westman Atelier contour sticks. It’s cool-toned and just sheer enough to build up and blend without any harsh lines. The crayon format makes it super quick to use, though it’s a super chunky for detailed contouring. I’m a little worried about how usable it’ll be when the tip wears down, but for now, it’s doing the job really well. It also doubles as a lip liner or eye pencil if you’re into multipurpose products, but again, I don’t know how easy that’ll be with how chunky of a stick it is.

Finding Ferdinand Lashlift Mascara (*gifted) – I hadn’t used this for awhile but am trying it again for a future tubing mascara round up, and I had forgotten how much I love it. This tubing mascara was the first that I tried that was much lighter weight than the Thrive mascara. I love that my lashes don’t fall as quickly and keep a curl much longer than with the Thrive. This is currently in my top spot because not only does it hold a curl longer than the Thrive mascara, it holds a curl longer than all of the other tubing mascaras I’ve tried and stays the entire day. I’ve bought a few of these myself, but the current tube I’m using was gifted by the brand.

Sephora Collection Totally Juicy Lip Tint in 12 – I grabbed this during the last Sephora sale and totally forgot to report back on how it is. It dries down quickly, feels moisturizing, and leaves behind the most even, long-lasting stain I’ve tried in a while. It’s super low-maintenance and easy to apply. It doesn’t feel as high stakes as some other lip tints I have. There’s a faint scent, but it fades fast and isn’t overwhelming. Shade 12 (described as a deep brown nude) is on the darker side even for my high-contrast coloring, but it’s gorgeous freshly applied and wears down into a beautiful, soft stain as you can see below. I really want to check out some of the other shades now especially since this is only $14.

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.

Trying Soshe Lip Products

Featuredby liftbakelove1 Comment on Trying Soshe Lip Products

I’ve been testing a bunch of new lip products lately, and these stood out enough to make it into my regular rotation. I received these in PR, but this post is not sponsored, and these opinions are my own. I actually went into this assuming I wouldn’t love these because I test so many lip products, and I’m testing some other really great ones right now. I’m also now really picky when it comes to formulas, so I tested these for a few weeks before really deciding I loved them enough to do a dedicated post about them. In this post, all links are affiliate links (thank you for your support!), but all opinions are my own.

Ceramide Refillable Lip Silk in Rewind – I can already tell this lipstick is going to be one of my go tos in the winter. It has the feel of a balm but with enough pigment and opacity to work as a lipstick. Rewind is a neutral brown that’s exactly the kind of color I love wearing every day, and I always like finding a brown lipstick that doesn’t go orange on me. On my high contrast complexion, it’s almost a “my lips but better” type of shade, and I love that it’s something I can just throw on without worrying too much about it. The formula is really comfortable and doesn’t cling to dry patches. This is definitely not a matte long wear lipstick but it does wear off evenly. The packaging is refillable which is great if you’re a person who’s going to have one everyday lipstick or if you want to switch out colors in the case. Overall, this has been a go-to when I want something hydrating but still polished.

Rewind, Brûlée, Skinny Dip

Peptide Glow Hydrating Lip Treatment in Brûlée – This ended up being better than I expected, especially since I’ve tried so many tinted lip balms at this point. The texture is really smooth and thick (in a good way) and feels incredibly hydrating. It’s almost like a lip gloss in the form of a balm. It sits comfortably on the lips without feeling sticky or heavy. Brûlée is a sheer warm nude that adds just enough tint to make my lips look more even, but it still feels super low-effort. It also doesn’t go too orange, which is one of the reasons I wanted to test this shade with my olive undertones. It turns pretty pink on me as you can see in the swatches, but I actually really like that for a “my lips but better” kind of look. It’s not the longest-wearing lip balm I’ve ever tried, but it wears off evenly, leaves my lips feeling soft and nourished, and I don’t feel like I need to use another balm after it’s worn off. ’ve been reaching for it regularly since I got it, which says a lot considering how many balms I rotate through. One note – this has a coconut/beachy scent which is a little strong. I love this balm enough to look past it, but if you’re not a scent person, I don’t think you’d be okay with it. I’d recommend the Queen Musia Skincare Supercharged Tinted Hydrabalm in 1993 instead.

Soft Glide Lip Liner in Skinny Dip – The formula is hydrating and creamy, so application is smooth, but it still gives enough precision to define my lip shape. It dries down and stays put pretty quickly, which I love as someone who wants a really longwear lip liner. If you’re into a softer, smudgier, more blurred lip look, this might set a little too fast for you, and I’d recommend the Merit Signature Lip Sheer Lip Liner instead. Skinny Dip is described as a dusty mauve, and that’s spot on. It’s a desaturated purple taupe brown color that’s hard to describe, but I really love it. This is going to be one of my go to especially with more purple leaning lip products. I couldn’t get the purple tones to show up in the swatch photo, but I promise they’re there.

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.

Natasha Denona Mini Glam Palette: The Best Everyday Neutral Eyeshadow Palette for Olive Undertones

Featuredby liftbakeloveLeave a Comment on Natasha Denona Mini Glam Palette: The Best Everyday Neutral Eyeshadow Palette for Olive Undertones

I’ve tried countless neutral eyeshadow palettes, but the Natasha Denona Mini Glam Palette really stands out to me. It’s become my staple every day palette, especially because it works so well with my olive undertones without going too warm or too cool. I wanted to do a full rundown of each shade and why I love this palette so much. As always, 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!

The Mini Glam palette has five shades that all work well individually as one-and-done looks or together to create various looks. Unlike other palettes that can pull too warm and orange on me, the browns actually stay brown, and the shimmers don’t end up looking like I accidentally added cheeto dust to my eye look. Because of this, the Mini Glam palette is super easy for me to throw on even when I’m running low on time. I can put together a polished look with minimal effort and without really having to think about it. I also love that I can do anything from a subtle wash of color to a cool-toned smoky eye with just this palette.

Of course, the palette is great for travel because it’s so small, and I even threw it even my backpack to take to the office one day with no issues. Some of the shades remind me of the Biba palette (I’m pretty sure Seed is actually in both), so this is a great way to get Biba palette vibes for only $27. Here are some swatches of all of the shades:

The shimmers, Golden Flesh (a gold-bronze metallic), Anjo (a gray-brown metallic), and Faye (a cool metallic champagne), all apply well with a finger or brush, though I recommend using natural fiber brushes if you can with Natasha Denona shadows in general. There’s no chunky glitter or fallout with these shades, which is another reason they’re super easy to throw on in the morning.

Seed is a creamy dark brown matte and Harlow is a creamy matte taupe that both blend easily without any patchiness. Seed is a perfect outer corner and liner color for me while Harlow is a great base and blending shade or easy one and done matte look.

Golden Flesh and Anjo both work really well for one and done looks depending on if you want to go more bronze or more taupe. They also layer beautifully together. Faye is a fantastic inner corner highlight, and I’ve also used it all over the lid for a subtle daytime look.

If you have olive skin and struggle to find truly flattering neutral tones, I highly recommend giving the Natasha Denona Mini Glam Palette a try. It has become an absolute essential in my collection and is worth every penny especially since it’s fairly affordable given the cost of other quands and quints (looking at you, new Hourglass quads).

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.

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.

5 products I used for a 5 minute face

Featuredby liftbakeloveLeave a Comment on 5 products I used for a 5 minute face

I was running super late the other day (which seems to be very common with a 6 month old) and needed to do a full face in about 5 minutes. These are the actual only 5 products I used to put a quick look together. All of them are easy to apply, long-lasting, and give my skin a naturally enhanced look without any fuss.  In this post, all links are affiliate links (thank you for your support!), but all opinions are my own.

Ciele conceal & PROTECT SPF 50+ spot concealer for dark spots in shade 04N – This concealer is incredibly creamy and has a natural finish that isn’t too dewy or too matte. It’s medium coverage but can built to almost full without being cakey. It’s blendable and easy to build too. I love that it has SPF 50 so I get a bit of extra coverage around my eyes or on the high points of my face where I might be getting extra sun. Like the foundation, it’s lightweight and has a skincare feeling. 04N is a bit yellow for me but it works great under my eyes and to brighten certain areas of my face. I was still able to use it all over as a foundation in a pinch, and it honestly looked great.

Ciele concealer in 04N, LH Artistick in Splash, and YSL Candy Glaze in 16

LH Cosmetics Artistick in Splash – This blush is a multi-use stick that is super lightweight and creamy. I grabbed this because when I’m short on time, I want something that’s really easy to blend and that I know will have a seamless finish on the skin without me working too hard. I can throw this on directly from the stick, blend out the edges, and then I’m done. Splash is a cool toned pink that works so well with my olive undertones, and I’ve loved it as a quick way to really bring life to my face. It’s also punchy enough that I don’t have to build lots of layers of products to see any impact.

Rare Beauty Brow Harmony Flexible Lifting and Laminating Eyebrow Gel – I’ve tried so many brow gels, and nothing has ever really held my brows in place all day—until this one. I was honestly shocked that they stayed put until I washed them off, with zero crunchiness, flaking, or stiffness. The hold is strong but flexible, and it actually looks natural. My only complaint is that it doesn’t come in tinted shades. I’ve been layering it over the Make Beauty Infinite Hold eyebrow gel (which is still my all time favorite tinted gel that comes pretty close in terms of hold), and the combo is perfect—it gives shape, color, and all-day hold without fail.

YSL Candy Glaze in 16 – If you’re looking for something incredibly nourishing and hydrating that also works like a lipstick, this is the one for you. It’s so easy to throw on, it looks amazing, and it feels great. It lasts for so much longer than I would have expected, to the point that I would absolutely use the clear version of this as a nighttime lip treatment in a pinch. It also smells incredible, but if you’re not into fruity/mango scents, you might not appreciate it as much as I do. Shade 16 is a beautiful neutral pink that is a great my lips but better and pinker color. I find it really brightens up my face and is perfect for my olive skintone.

e.l.f. Cosmetics Lash XTNDR Mascara in Deep Brown – This is one of the only tubing mascaras I’ve found that comes in brown, and I love having it around for these no makeup-makeup looks where black wouldn’t balance well. This provides pretty good lengthening and volume, and like most tubing mascaras, it doesn’t flake or smudge. It’s super easy to wash off at the end of the day. This one is also pretty lightweight so holds a curl much better than some others I’ve tried. For $7, I’ve been really happy with it as my go-to brown mascara.

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.

Testing Out Y’our Skincare

Featuredby liftbakeloveLeave a Comment on Testing Out Y’our Skincare

I’ve been trying Y’our skincare for the last month and wanted to share my thoughts! Y’our did send me my customized routine but this post is not sponsored and all thoughts are my own. Y’our creates personalized skincare regimens tailored to individual skin types, lifestyles, and environments using AI and based on a quiz that you take on their website.

Things are a little (honestly, very) hectic with a 6 month old, so I’ve really appreciated having a super scaled down routine that’s quick and still works for my skin. I use 2 of the products in the morning and 3 at night, and when I’m exhausted and running late, that’s been fantastic to have such a fast routine. Even when I only use these four products, my skin has stayed stable and looking good, even if it’s not at its most 100% optimal, which I’ll touch on later. I’ve looked back at pictures of me without makeup recently, and it looked like I was wearing foundation.

The quiz you take to create the routine was super fast and easy. I even missed reviewing the products, and when the day cream I got included chemical sunscreens I can’t use, they sent a new one that was reformulated without them.

The packaging is super functional, and I love how no-fuss it is. I especially appreciate that the moisturizers are in airless pumps that are easy to use when I’m half asleep. I do wish the cleanser was in a pump bottle because I’m usually using it as a second cleanser so it’s annoying to twist off the cap and get the cleanser out when I already have wet hands.

Because I love skincare and have so many favorite products, I’ve been incorporating the Y’our skincare into my longer routine. I’ve found that they work great with the other products with no pilling or other issues. If you’re a skincare enthusiast, I’m not sure this would be enough for your full routine – I’m still adding in my vitamin C, retinol, last-step occlusive layer, extra moisturizers, etc. But if you’re looking for a consolidated and quick routine that’s super effective, I recommend giving Y’our a shot!

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, all reviews/opinions are completely my own and unsponsored. There are also no affiliate links in this post.

Viral Products that actually are that good

Featuredby liftbakeloveLeave a Comment on Viral Products that actually are that good

When a beauty product goes viral, I’m often very skeptical—but these five truly live up to the hype. They’ve consistently impressed me by performing exactly as promised and effortlessly fitting into my routine. Let me know if there are other viral favorites I should test out next! In this post, all links are affiliate links (thank you for your support!), but all opinions are my own.

Products swatched from left to right in the order listed below except for the Givenchy powder

Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Liquid Contour – I love how natural it looks because it sheers out really nicely and is easy to blend. I can even if I apply it directly from the doefoot to my face without having to worry about it sticking anywhere or getting patchy. This doesn’t look too muddy on me or like I accidentally got dirt on my face. Gentle is described as a cool taupe but it does go fairly warm on me. As someone with olive undertones, I usually end up with a brontour or accidental bronzer so I’m not surprised, and this is at least cool enough that I can I still use bronzer with it. It doesn’t go orange on me, and when it sheers out, it does add some nice definition to my face. The swatch above is without it being blended out so you can really see the color – it does have a little bit of a green grey tinge to it but hopefully you can see how much of a bronzer shade it is on me.

Givenchy Prisme Libre Blurring & Color-Correcting Matte Pressed Powder in 03 Voile Rose – I loved the Givenchy Mini Prisme Libre Loose Setting and Finishing Powder in 3 Voile Rosé and was so upset when they reformulated it. I had to try the powder version to see if it lived up to the loose powder. I wouldn’t say it’s quite as good, but it’s about 95% of the way there. It blurs and mattifies without drying out my skin or looking powdery, which is perfect for someone with super dry skin like myself. It’s only doing a small amount of mattifying (so I wouldn’t recommend this for oily skin as a main powder) but I love how it’s able to do what I want a powder to do without adding any heaviness or getting cakey.  It also provides a bit of brightening for me in this colorway, but I mostly love it because it is just a really fantastic pressed powder. This is one of the more expensive powders I own, but it’s worth it to me because of how well it works and how often I reach for it.

Half Magic Glitter Puck Pressed Fairy Dust Eyes, Face + Body – This is one of my favorite eyeshadows now. It’s absolutely stunning and viral for good reason. It has a wet base so there’s no fallout. It’s incredibly easy to work with and use your finger to apply. I can’t express how sparkly it is. It’s just so pretty. I love using it alone and over other eyeshadows. I’ve tested it over creams, eyeshadow sticks, and powder eyeshadow and haven’t had any issues. Dopamine Sparkle is a light peach with champagne reflects that I love for berry/pink/mauve leaning looks and Cyber Diamond is a platinum silver that I love for cool-toned and brown/beige looks and for the inner corner.

Milk Makeup Cooling Water Jelly Tint Lip + Cheek Blush Stain – This is a stain, so once it dries down, it’s incredibly long lasting. That also means that you have to be careful how you apply it if you’re going to use it as a blush. I don’t find that you can wear this over powder, but it works great over a moisturizing primer or skin tint. That all said, the way I really love using this is as a lip stain. It goes on super evenly and is really lightweight. It works well alone or under other products. The stain is very long-lasting but fades without getting patchy. Splash is a beautiful berry shade that is great for olive skintones.

Gisou Honey Infused Hydrating Lip Oil in Glazed Plum – This is as good as everyone says they are. These are very moisturizing, nourishing, and conditioning in a way I didn’t expect. It’s also longer lasting than I thought it was going to be. This shade is very sheer but you do get a wash of color. The glitter is subtle with just enough to add a pretty reflective shine to your lips. I think it makes my lips look amazing if I’m being honest, and it’s not gritty at all. It also smells really nice (if you like honey). I’m honestly thinking of getting more shades even though I definitely don’t need more lip products.

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 Cream and Liquid Bronzer Picks for Olive Skin from Rare Beauty, Makeup by Mario, Westman Atelier, Glossier, and Dior

Featuredby liftbakelove2 Comments on Top Cream and Liquid Bronzer Picks for Olive Skin from Rare Beauty, Makeup by Mario, Westman Atelier, Glossier, and Dior

Since I shared my favorite powder bronzers, folks have been asking for my favorite cream and liquid bronzers for olive skin. So today, I’m sharing my absolute favorites that consistently perform, look natural on olive skin without going too orange, and are easy to use even on days when I’m rushing or half-asleep. In this post, all links are affiliate links (thank you for your support!), but all opinions are my own.

Rare Beauty, Makeup by Mario, Westman Atelier, Glossier, Dior from left to right

Rare Beauty Warm Wishes Effortless Cream Bronzer Stick in Brightside – I love how I can just grab this and throw it on directly from the stick. It blends super easier with a brush or sponge and wears beautifully throughout the day without fading or becoming patchy. It also layers really well with other products (as do all the bronzers I’m including in this post). Brightside is fairly desaturated and almost cool enough to be a contour on some people, which makes it great for olive skintones. It never goes too orange and even has a little green in it which makes it look like a natural bronzer on my skin.

Makeup by Mario SoftSculpt Transforming Skin Enhancer in Light/Medium – This quickly become my favorite cream bronzer in a pan – so much that I actually panned my first one, and I’m now on my second. The sheer, gel-like formula melts seamlessly into the skin, and you can keep building it without it ever appearing cakey or heavy. It blends into your skin so effortlessly and really does enhance the skin like the name implies. This is definitely more of a no makeup-makeup or “natural makeup” type of product, but that’s usually what I’m going for day to day. Light/medium is a great bronzer shade for me that doesn’t go too orange but does add enough warmth to my skin.

Westman Atelier Face Trace Contour Stick in Biscuit – I’ve included this in multiple favorites posts because I really do love and use it so much.  This is one of my go-tos when I’m short on time and just need to add some color to my face without having to do a lot of work or blending. Because it’s supposed to be a contour, it’s neutral enough to not go orange on me and the shade works great as a bronzer. I own so many cream bronzer products, and always come back to this one as my “I just don’t want to think about it and need something that works” product. The formula is so easy to apply and blend out, and it’s never patchy. I can use this half asleep with no issues. I also love the packaging with the magnetic closure (especially compared to the Rare Beauty packaging which feels like the cap will fall off if I look at it wrong). This comes in a mini now too if you don’t want to spend almost $50 on a bronzer.

Glossier Cloud Paint Gel Cream Bronzer in Swept – This is my favorite liquid bronzer I’ve ever tried, and I’m so excited to have it heading into the warmer months. This builds up beautifully because it’s a bit sheer and looks so natural on me even if I accidentally build it up too much. Even though it’s sheer, the formula has some heft to it, which makes it much easier to control than I’m used to with liquid products. It also hasn’t separated in the tube yet, which is a problem I’ve had with most liquid products that come in this kind of packaging. I find myself reaching for this almost as often as my favorite cream bronzers, which is really saying something given how much I don’t like messing around with liquid bronzer that often. This color is also so perfect for my olive undertones – I’m so happy I didn’t just grab the lightest shade and swatched them in store.

Dior Forever 24H Skin Contour Stick Sculpting and Bronzing Face Stick – Like the Rare Beauty, this is super easy to throw on directly from the stick and blend out with a brush or a sponge. It’s fairly pigmented so it goes a long way but isn’t so pigmented that you’ll go overboard quickly. Since this is technically a contour and bronzing stick, 01 Light is much more cool toned that an average bronzer, and I find that to be perfect for olive skintones. It’ll never go orange, and it also has a little bit of green in it which makes it look at home on my skin. I’ll likely use the Rare Beauty, Makeup by Mario, and Glossier more in the summer and the Westman Atelier and the Dior in the winter, but I love using all of these are my go to bronzers.

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.