Tag: skincare

Best Beauty Products to Complete Your Minimalist Travel Bag – The 5 Products I Missed the Most When Travelling

by liftbakeloveLeave a Comment on Best Beauty Products to Complete Your Minimalist Travel Bag – The 5 Products I Missed the Most When Travelling

I recently was travelling for two weeks and decided to bring a super minimal makeup and skincare bag. While I was thankful not to have overpacked, I was so excited to get back to my collection when I got home. These are the five products I most thankful to have back in my routine, and that I’d absolutely make room for next time! 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!

Prada Beauty Reveal Skin-Optimizing Refillable Soft Matte Foundation in LW5 – I know this is a $70 (or $55 if you only get the refill) foundation, but this foundation is honestly so fantastic. I was so excited to get back to using it above and beyond all my other makeup that I didn’t bring with me. The coverage is on the lighter end of medium but can easily be built up without looking heavy or cakey. It has a really smooth and blurred finish that looks like skin. It’s also so lightweight for how good it looks and wears throughout the day. I have so many great foundations and skin tints, but I think this is really my favorite. That said, stay tuned for an “olive skin-tone friendly foundation round up” for a bunch of recommendations that aren’t $70.

Givenchy Mini Prisme Libre Loose Setting and Finishing Powder in 3 Voile Rosé  – I decided to bring the ELF Prime Stay Finishing Powder which I also love and is only $4, so I have no issues rebuying it if something happens to it. Plus, it’s so much easier to travel with a pressed powder than a loose one that might get everywhere. But I was so excited to be using this powder again when I got home! The Givenchy powder blurs and mattifies without drying out my skin or looking powdery, which is perfect for someone with super dry skin like myself. It definitely provides a bit of brightening for me in this color, but it mostly is just a really fantastic loose powder. It really does provide a soft focus blur in real life without looking like you’re overdoing it. I now have the amazing Laura Mercier Real Flawless Luminous Perfecting Pressed Powder which is giving the Givenchy a run for my favorite powder of all time and is pressed but if I had an easy way to bring the Givenchy with me, I definitely would.

Givenchy Le Rouge Sheer Velvet Matte Lipstick in 10 Beige Nu – This is my favorite matte lipstick of my entire collection (and I have a ton of lipsticks). It creates a blurred look that’s matte without being too matte or drying out my lips. It’s exactly the kind of look I want when I’m not going for something glossy or shiny. It actually reminds me the Glossier Generation G formula but incredibly elevated and in way better colors. This color in particular is amazing for me – it’s my go to for “I don’t know what lip color I want to wear but I just need it to look good” because it goes with everything. If I didn’t do any kind of reviewing content and didn’t have a bigger collection to compare things, I could see myself keeping this as one of my only lipsticks and be entirely happy with it. I didn’t bring it because it’s so special to me (and expensive) but honestly I really missed having it with me.

Make Reverse Emulsion – I’m actually so mad at my past self for not packing some of this into a Cadence Capsule (my favorite way to carry my skincare). This is my favorite moisturizer, particularly if I’m running short of time and need something that really does the trick (like when you’re super jet lagged and don’t want to put on 6 products before you can sleep). I’ve used this as a moisturizer and primer, mixed with other primers, mixed with foundations – it works so well no matter what I do with it. It leaves a dewy but not wet or sticky finish and makes everything look better. I decided to bring Glossier Future Dew instead, which I also love and works amazing as a primer, but I honestly wish I had brought both since it was so dry on the East Coast.

Prequel Skin Utility Ointment – This is a multi-purpose ointment hydrates dry, cracked, chapped, and chafed skin that I use on my face but also my cuticles, lips, and sometimes even places like my elbows. This feels so much better as a last layer on my skin than an oil or something like vaseline but works so well to keep moisture in overnight. It’s not sticky or heavy at all, and I can tell a huge difference between when I’ve been home using it vs not having it with me while travelling. It somehow even works for my super dry skin to help with my moisture barrier even if I only use one moisturizer (which I almost never do but sometimes I’m just so tired). I’m so glad to have this back in my routine!

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.

PHYTOSURGENCE REVIEW: Spectral Sunlight Cream Bronzer, Softquill Brush, Skin Spark Blush Balm in Condensate, Fervor, Ignite, and Sublimate

by liftbakeloveLeave a Comment on PHYTOSURGENCE REVIEW: Spectral Sunlight Cream Bronzer, Softquill Brush, Skin Spark Blush Balm in Condensate, Fervor, Ignite, and Sublimate

I’ve been waiting to do another Phytosurgence review until I had enough products to do a full post with only buying things I thought I would love. And now I almost have too much for one post because they keep launching amazing things! If you haven’t heard of Phytosurgence before, they are a very small indie brand that focuses on transparent and conscious beauty. They make high performance and affordable products that absolutely rival luxury brands. As with my last Phytosurgence review, I’m about to really rave about the products so I want to say upfront that this was not sponsored, and I bought the products with my own money (except for the bronzer and Sublimate which were gifted to me by the amazing Kackie). As always, thank you so much for being here, and it would mean so much to me if you subscribe here for new posts!

Spectral Sunlight Cream Bronzer in shade 2– There’s twelve shades in this range, and I love how many options there are. I have 2 (Rosy Daybreak), which is basically the cream version of the Gucci powder bronzer in shade 01. It’s the perfect rosy beige for winter, and I love having this option amongst my other neutral and warm cream bronzers. This texture is so weird, but in a good way. It’s truly a powder/cream hybrid that’s very stiff but that means it looks natural like a cream on the skin but has the staying power of a powder. It’s slightly burring with a satin finish that also plays really well with all my powder bronzers. You do really have to firmly swirl in circular motions for a few seconds to pick up product since it’s so stiff, but it’s worth how great it looks. That said, I do find I reach for other cream bronzers like the Makeup by Mario Skin Enhancer, Salt New York Sculpt + Bronze Crème Tint Pro in Light/Medium, Tom Ford Shade and Illuminate Duo, and Milk Makeup Bionic Liquid Bronzer because I can apply these without thinking about it at all. This bronzer was absolutely not meant to be swatched, and I can’t get a great picture of it, but rest assured the swatches on the site are accurate (unlike the blushes which some of them definitely look much different on me than I expected).

Softquill Brush – I got this to try with the Spectral Sunlight Cream Bronzer‘s honestly weird texture as described above. I’ve been using it with so many other bronzers though, including creams, liquids, and powder products. It’s a duo-fibre stippling brush that picks up and disperses product in such a natural way. It’s also just big enough that I can do my bronzer is about 5 seconds without being so big that I get bronzer everywhere. I haven’t tried using it for blush yet but now that I’m writing this, I think it would work great. I have a ton of brushes I love (if you’ve been here, you know I have and love most of the BK Beauty brushes and Sonia G brushes), but I’ve been reaching for this to put on bronzer so often. And with the current exchange rate, this brush is $13.50, which is honestly a steal for how great this brush is.

Skin Spark Blush Balm in Condensate, Ignite, Fervor, Exothermic – The Skin Spark Blush Balm formula impressed me from the first time I used it, and I already loved Simmer and Fume, so I was really excited to get some more shades to try out. Before I get into it, I don’t recommend having six cream blushes (or as many as I have which I know is more than 40), but hopefully seeing these all swatched next to each other will help you decide which one or two is right for you if you decide to grab these! This formula is one of my favorites – it blends so seamlessly and easily into the skin, leaves an impact with such little product, and stays all day. It doesn’t need to be built up but absolutely can be layered. The finish is just glowy enough without being sticky even though it has a balmy, moisturizing texture. It also still manages to be a bit blurring despite how moisturizing it is. I don’t know how they did it, but it’s basically perfect. The only complaint I have about this formula is that I’m not a huge fan of the packaging especially now that I have 6 of them and can’t tell them apart. But given the formula is so great and the colors are amazing, these are so worth it to me, especially since they’re $16 not on sale (I got most of this haul for less during Black Friday).

From Left to Right: Simmer, Fervor, Fume, Condensate, Ignite, and Exothermic

Condensate is the toasted version of Fume, which was already one of my favorite blushes in my collection. It’s a cooler toned muted dusty pink with a hint of violet that’s perfect for the winter especially if you want something that fits a no makeup vibe. Ignite is what I would describe as a very warm brown on me, which I love for when I want to do copper eyeshadow and need something that is deep enough to balance that out. It’s basically the summer version of Fume because it has some of the same tones but deeper (like how Condensate is Fume but way cooler), so I’m excited to use this when it starts to warm up again. Fervor is surprisingly my favorite of these shades (although it’s basically simmer but with a bunch of berry tones, so maybe I shouldn’t be surprised). It’s a rich berry that works so well for olive skin, especially for that “cold girl” makeup look. Exothermic is the toasted version of Smolder and is described as a neutral smoky peach. On me, I’d describe it as a plummy brown that makes some of my other beigey brown blushes look pink. If I want to do a one cheek product look to stand in for blush and bronzer, this is my go to, but I think I’ll like this even more in the summer because it pulls pretty deep on me. I know I already said you don’t need all of these, but you definitely don’t need Ignite and Exothermic – they’re definitely different but they both fill that “deep brown bronzy blush” shade for me, with Ignite being more orange and Exothermic being more purple.

Have you tried anything from Phytosurgence? Are there other products from them or other brands you’d like me to try and review? Let me know in the comments below, and thanks for reading!

Bloomeffects Brand Review – Tulip Dew Sunscreen Serum, Royal Tulip Nectar, Tulip Dew Drops, Royal Tulip Vitamin C, and Royal Tulip Cleansing Jelly

by liftbakeloveLeave a Comment on Bloomeffects Brand Review – Tulip Dew Sunscreen Serum, Royal Tulip Nectar, Tulip Dew Drops, Royal Tulip Vitamin C, and Royal Tulip Cleansing Jelly

As part of getting to know my collection, I want to spend more time reviewing all the products I have. Next up is everything I own from BloomEffects, a really great skincare brand that focused on tulips . Hopefully this will be a really great walk through of a good amount of what the brands offers – let me know if you want me to try anything else!  I wanted to thoroughly test these products to provide a more detailed review of them, and I’ve gotten a ton of wear time out of them so if you have any questions I haven’t addressed, please ask in the comments. 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 are affiliate links – thanks so much for supporting the blog if you shop through them!

Tulip Dew Vitamins & Mineral Sunscreen Serum SPF 50 – This was my gateway product into this brand, and I’m so glad I tried it. It’s a mineral sunscreen (I can’t wear chemical sunscreens, so I’m always on the hunt for a great mineral sunscreen) that’s slightly tinted and is a serum/oil texture that’s very similar to the Glossier Future Dew. It’s one of my favorite sunscreens because it’s incredibly moisturizing, the slight tint makes my skin look amazing, and it works well alone or under makeup. It’s also really effective (based on wearing it in the summer in NYC with no issues). That said, this is definitely not something I’d recommend for oily skin folks or if you don’t want something that makes your skin incredibly hydrated and dewy. I’ve loved it way more in the winter because my skin is so much drier, but I’ll for sure be switching back to some of my other sunscreens in the summer.

Royal Tulip Moisturizing Nectar – As much as I love all these products, this one is hands down my favorite. If I could only choose one to recommend, it would be this one, because it’s so unique. It is the most tenacious slugging product I’ve ever used – seriously, it will absolutely still be on your face the next morning, and you will notice it if you don’t wash it off. If I need extreme moisturization or know it will be particularly dry overnight, this is my go to last step. It starts out the texture of thick honey and turns into more of a serum texture as it warms up on your skin (and so doesn’t stay sticky). My skin feels so much softer and hydrated in the morning! I didn’t use it last night, and I’m feeling how much drier and tighter my skin feels this morning given its winter here, and it definitely made a huge difference that I used something else.

Royal Tulip Vitamin C Facial Oil – I’ve been looking for a new vitamin C product to replace the Skinceuticals one (which I love but it’s just so expensive). I really like this in terms of effectiveness, but wow it is truly for dry skin days. It’s obviously an oil, but it’s also an incredibly hydrating one that sticks around, so I only use it when my skin is feeling particularly dry and will soak it up. Otherwise, it makes my makeup feel like it’s going on a base that’s way too slippy. I switch between this and the Naturium Vitamin C Serum, and I’m really glad I have both. If you’re looking for an effective Vitamin C that’s incredibly hydrating, this one is fantastic, but I wouldn’t recommend it for anyone with normal to oily skin unless you were planning on using it at night.

Tulip Dew Drops – This reminds me of both the Make Beauty Reverse Emulsion and the PSA The Most serums – they all can be used as a moisturizer and primer, mixed with other products, mixed with foundations, etc. and leave a dewy but not wet or sticky finish that makes everything look better. All of them are like a super sophisticated version of the Glossier Future Dew in that they just feel super luxurious while leaving your skin looking and feeling way more hydrated than it did before. If you have any of the others, you don’t need this, but if you’re looking for a dewy finish serum that makes your skin feel great, and you don’t have one yet, this is a great one.

Royal Tulip Cleansing Jelly – The thing I like most about this is that it comes in a tube, which makes it so much more pleasant to use than having to open up a cleansing balm jar and dig product out of it. The texture of this is so nice, and it definitely works well as a first cleanse. It will definitely be my choice for travel because of the packaging and how soothing it is. That said, I still like the Farmacy Green Clean the most out of all the first cleanse products I’ve tried. It’s just so effective and so satisfying to use, and all the limited edition scents from last year that I’m still working my way through are amazing.

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.

Make Beauty Brand Review – Cream Supreme Lipstick, Serum Balm, Skin Mimetic Concealer, Diffusion Set, Skim Mimetic Bronzer, Reverse Emulsion, Succulent Skin Gel Cream, Micro Ferment Rice Essence

by liftbakelove2 Comments on Make Beauty Brand Review – Cream Supreme Lipstick, Serum Balm, Skin Mimetic Concealer, Diffusion Set, Skim Mimetic Bronzer, Reverse Emulsion, Succulent Skin Gel Cream, Micro Ferment Rice Essence

As part of getting to know my collection, I want to spend more time reviewing all the products I have. Next up is everything I own from Make Beauty, which turns out to be 8 products. Hopefully this will be a really great walk through of a good amount of what the brands offers – let me know if you want me to try anything else!  I wanted to thoroughly test these products to provide a more detailed review of them, and I’ve gotten a ton of wear time out of them so if you have any questions I haven’t addressed, please ask in the comments. As always, thank you so much for being here, and it would mean so much to me if you subscribe here or on Instagram @liftbakelove for new posts! All links are affiliate links – thanks so much for supporting the blog if you shop through them!

Makeup:

Lipstick in Equilibrium and Serum Balm in Nude Nova

Cream Supreme Lipstick in Equilibrium – This has been my go to lipstick ever since I got it. The formula is creamy and non-drying while still being much longer lasting than I expected. It’s a touch glossy, but not overly so, and it just looks so nice. Any time I need a “looks like I tried and will last” lipstick, I choose this one. I also love the color – Equilibrium is the perfect rosey nude that goes with any look I put together. I absolutely love the packaging and how easy the shape makes to get a precise application. I don’t need a lip liner with this, and it’s pigmented enough that I only need to swipe once. It’s also refillable so when I run out, I’ll only have to buy the refill!

Serum Balm in Nude Nova – I was thinking the other day about how I have so many great glosses, liquid lip balms, regular balms, and how it would take a lot for one of them to stand out. And this one does! Even just yesterday, I was so pleasantly surprised about how long lasting it was. It was literally still on hours later hydrating my lips. This is one of the best smoothing, hydrating, moisturizing, etc. lip balms I’ve ever tried, and it just looks and feels so great. It’s not sticky at all, and like everything else in this review, the packaging is lovely. Nude Nova is also incredibly easy to wear – it’s a lightly pigmented rosey brown that is so easy to throw on. This isn’t nourishing enough for an overnight lip mask/treatment, but I love it during the day.

Concealer in 01 Fair N

Skin Mimetic Concealer in 01 Fair N – This is pretty light coverage, which you should definitely keep in mind if you want to look into this concealer. I also think that the shade I got is too light for me, but it’s sheer enough that I can make it work. It feels super nice and hydrating, and this is something I use when I’m having a particularly dry skin day and nothing seems to lay nicely on my skin. I like it better as an all over skin tint than under my eyes (because I just need higher coverage there), and it works great for that when I want a no makeup makeup look. If I had to rank all the makeup products, I think I would put this one last, but only because everything else is so perfect, and I happen to be a medium-high coverage concealer person.

Bronzer in Lunar and Pressed Powder in Fair

Skin Mimetic Microsuede Bronzer in Lunar – I love this bronzer, and I’m not a powder bronzer person. It isn’t patchy, it applies so well over cream products, and it manages to keep a satin finish even with great staying power. The color is also so dialed in for my olive undertones. There’s 6 shades, and I think they did a great job with the undertones across the range (but let me know if you agree!). Like the pressed powder, I love the packaging and how luxe it feels (and that it’s a different color than the pressed powder which is so helpful since theyr’e the same size). Plus, this is also refillable, and the pans fits in either the powder or bronzer compact!

Diffusion Set Pressed Powder in Translucent Fair – This is my go to “I really need a powder that actually is a powder” vs all my other powders that just do the lightest touch of mattifying (like the Kosas Cloud set, which I also love, but it’s more a finishing powder compared to this one). Even though it actually helps set makeup and balance out the overall dewy looks I tend to do, it doesn’t look overly drying or crepey. It also provides a tiny bit of coverage (which is why it’s great it comes in different shades), which is great if I’m trying to set a specific concealed area that I really want to cover. I also love the packaging and how luxe it feels. Plus, this is also refillable!

Skincare:

Moisturizing Reverse Emulsion – This is my favorite moisturizer (and if you’ve been to this blog before, you know I’ve tried so, so many moisturizers as I have incredibly dry skin). I’ve used this as a moisturizer and primer, mixed with other primers, mixed with foundations – it works so well no matter what I do with it. It leaves a dewy but not wet or sticky finish and makes everything look better. It’s like a super sophisticated version of the Glossier Future Dew and will definitely be my replacement for that (which has been my favorite primer for yeas) when I run out of all my Future Dew back ups. It just feels so nice and is actually hydrating. If I could only pick one skincare product from Make that I got to keep, it would absolutely be this one.

Succulent Skin Gel Cream – I love using this as my first moisturizer in the morning right after I wash my face. It’s incredibly light weight and sinks in really quickly. You can never use too much, and it never feels sticky. It’s my go to for a really hot day where I need hydration but don’t want to feel anything on my skin. That said, this isn’t enough for me to use at night with my dry skin so between the two, the Reverse Emulsion is definitely my pick. I bet the Gel Cream would be a better fit for someone with oily skin because it’s so effective while being incredibly light weight.

Micro Ferment Rice Essence – I’m not a big essence person, so I don’t have a ton to compare this to, but I do really like it! Like the gel cream, this is incredibly light weight and sinks in super fast. It works really well layered on top of itself or under moisturizers to make them work even better. It’s the only product like this I’ve actually managed to user often, and I do find it makes a difference vs when I forget to use it. The packaging, like everything else, is super nice, and the bottle is huge – I don’t think I’m going to run out of this any time soon.

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.

2022 EMPTIES (WILL I REPURCHASE?) – PART 18

by liftbakeloveLeave a Comment on 2022 EMPTIES (WILL I REPURCHASE?) – PART 18

Back again with another 5 empties (fully finished products)! I have a bunch of empties this month, but, as usual, I am keeping these posts to 5 products to keep them short. As always, I’m super excited to take a good look at what I thought of the products I’ve finished and whether or not I’d buy them again. And, of course, thank you so much for being here, and it would mean so much to me if you subscribe here or on Instagram @liftbakelove for new posts.

Anastasia Beverly Hills Eye Primer – I really liked this eyeshadow primer for a long time, but for some reason, it just totally stopped working for me. I felt like eyeshadow lasted less well when I was using it, and the color started to feel off too. I switched back to using my Mac Paint Pots, and I’m so much happier with them. I won’t be repurchasing this and am glad I already had a better option in my collection.

Josie Maran Skin Dope Argan Oil + 100 mg CBD (repeat empty) – I’ve written about this oil in almost every empties post that included a facial oil I finished because it is my true HG and the one I always miss when I’m not using it. Most facial oils I’ve tried have been equally moisturizing and glow-giving, and they all provide an occlusive layer as my last step in my skincare routine. The thing I love most about the Josie Maran oil is that it sinks in so quickly so I don’t end up with a oil slick on my face when I’m getting into bed. I can also see a big difference in my skin’s brightness and firmness when I use this vs when I don’t. That said, I have a few oils I’m working through right now, so I haven’t repurchased this yet.

Glossier Future Dew (repeat empty) – This continues to be one of my favorite products, and I already had another back-up to start using once this ran out. It’s one of the only things I consistently use every day in my makeup routine. It continues to be the most amazing glossy, hydrating base that makes me look like I drank enough water (and if you know me, you know I have never had enough water). It works beautifully with any foundation, concealer, and powder combo I put on top of it and makes them look way better on my skin – no dry patches, no clinging, no flatness. I got another back-up during Glossier’s 20% off sale recently because I know I’ll continue to go through Future Dew and want another one.

NBM Cuticle Buddy – My nails have never been healthier or stronger since I starting using these (someone actually thought my nails were fake at the gym because they looked so nice!). I don’t freak out about nail breaks anymore because they grow back so fast now that I’m using this. They also all smell amazing! This was the Sweet Orange and Tangerine scent, and it’s still one of my favorites. I will definitely get more once I get through some of my many, many cuticle buddies. As always, you can use my affiliate code with Shop NBM to get 10% off sitewide: LIFT10.

Clarins SOS Primer – I know it’s a lot, but I used this on top of the Glossier Future Dew as an extra primer step. I have super dry skin, so I appreciated the extra moisture and the color correction this provides. It makes it so I can use just a touch of concealer vs covering my face with foundation and makes my skin look really even and healthy. I actually already had a backup that a family member had gifted to me that I’m enjoying using, but I am planning on switching to the green version after I finish that one since that really helps bring my skin closer to the tone of my neck.

I’d love to know – what have you finished lately? Like I mentioned, I have a ton more empties that I will be posting about, and I’ll be sharing empties posts every other Friday all year. 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.

2022 EMPTIES (WILL I REPURCHASE?) – PART 17

by liftbakeloveLeave a Comment on 2022 EMPTIES (WILL I REPURCHASE?) – PART 17

Back again with another 5 empties (fully finished products)! I have a bunch of empties this month, but, as usual, I am keeping these posts to 5 products to keep them short. As always, I’m super excited to take a good look at what I thought of the products I’ve finished and whether or not I’d buy them again. And, of course, thank you so much for being here, and it would mean so much to me if you subscribe here or on Instagram @liftbakelove for new posts.

Dieux Instant Angel Skin Restoring Moisturizer – The product page says that “this nourishing face cream supports and repairs skin while giving an ethereal glow,” and that is incredibly accurate. This has helped me get rid of any dry, flaky patches on my skin, and it really has makes a huge difference in hydrating my skin closer to normal. It’s also gentle enough that I can use it on my currently dry, flaky eyelids with no issues, and it soothes and moisturizing them so well and so fast. It also sits perfectly under makeup because of how fast it melts into the skin and because it imparts a bit of a glow. I definitely miss having tis even though it’s a little lightweight since my skin just needs all the moisture it can get (a theme you’ll see in all these empties).

Dr. Jart+ Ceramidin Cream (repeat empty) – I can’t count how many times I’ve repurchased this, and I find that when I’m trying something else, I can really tell the difference. I find that this helps much more with skin dehydration than just dryness, which is very important for my skin. I also find that it’s a really good prep step before makeup to make sure everything goes on smoothly without catching on any dry patches. I recommend getting this during Sephora’s holiday sales as you can usually get them super on sale (like 50% off). I’ve noticed my skin feeling dryer without this, so I will likely pick some up when sales come around this year.

First Aid Beauty Face Cleanser – This cleanser is totally fine for dry skin, and I have no issues with it. It’s also incredibly non-stripping and hydrating while still being effective at cleansing. It’s my go-to when I’m travelling and need to grab something from a store like Ulta because it’s fairly cost effective and I know won’t do any damage. That said, I have a bunch of cleansers I’m testing right now that I need to get through before deciding which one I’ll buy when I finally run through them all. Will maybe repurchase but will likely be one of the others (I’m testing some really good ones right now)!

Josie Maran Whipped Argan Oil Body Butter (repeat empty) – I have yet to find another body butter I like more than this one. It is incredibly moisturizing while still being fast absorbing and super lightweight. I love all the scents, but this unscented one is my favorite to mix with any body oils so there’s no competing fragrances. I’ve been using this a ton now that we’re really into winter, and my skin is drier than ever. It’s been so helpful to keep my skin from getting to that “so dry it’s unbearable and itchy” state. I am currently on a backup of this and then have a bunch of other body lotion to get through, but I’m planning on repurchasing this when those all run out.

Fresh Lotus Youth Preserve Dream Night Cream – My friend Vera recommended this to me when I was looking to replace the reformulated Clinique Moisture Surge (which I had used for ten years!). I’m so happy she did because it’s been a staple of mine ever since I started using it. It’s incredibly moisturizing without being oily or heavy, and it smells amazing. I notice a huge difference in my skin when I stop using this to try other moisturizers, and I’ve found that this and the Farmacy Honey Halo Hydrating Ceramide Moisturizer make my perfect dry skin nighttime dream team. I definitely need to grab more of this during sales this winter.

I’d love to know – what have you finished lately? Like I mentioned, I have a ton more empties that I will be posting about, and I’ll be sharing empties posts every other Friday all year. 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.

2022 EMPTIES (WILL I REPURCHASE?) – PART 16

by liftbakelove4 Comments on 2022 EMPTIES (WILL I REPURCHASE?) – PART 16

Back again with another 5 empties (fully finished products)! I have a bunch of empties this month, but, as usual, I am keeping these posts to 5 products to keep them short. As always, I’m super excited to take a good look at what I thought of the products I’ve finished and whether or not I’d buy them again. And, of course, thank you so much for being here, and it would mean so much to me if you subscribe here or on Instagram @liftbakelove for new posts.

Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Eye Cream (repeat empty) – This eye cream was sent to me to try and review, and I thought at the time “there’s no way I’m going to fall in love with a $70 eye cream.” And now, I’ve repurchased it at least five or six times! This is the only eye cream I’ve found that actually works to reduce wrinkles around my eyes without irritation. I’ve been able to continually find it on sale, which is awesome, so I usually spend about $40 on average for it. I already have another one going, and I will keep repurchasing this until something even better comes along.

Alterna My Hair My Canvas New Beginnings Exfoliating Cleanser – I was pleasantly surprised that this works just like a scalp scrub in that it gets out any residue or product build up that I have in my hair. It doesn’t have anything is it that is actually scrubby so it doesn’t irritate my already super dry scalp while still doing its job. It’s also pretty hydrating so it makes my hair feel so much cleaner but without drying anything out. Once I get through my other hair scrubs/exfoliators/similar products, this is definitely one I’m considering repurchasing.

Ulta Under Eye Brightener – I have super dark undereye and can’t get away without a corrector, and I’m so happy to have discovered this one. It’s about $10 and a very effective dupe of my beloved Becca Under Eye Brightening Corrector. Just like the Becca one, this corrector works so well for correcting my super dark circles and helps hydrate my super dry under eyes for whatever concealer goes on top without any heaviness. It blends like a dream and the color is perfect for me. And it’s in stick form which is so much easier to use than the pot, especially when traveling! I already have a backup of this, and I will definitely keep repurchasing this instead of the more expensive versions.

Good Molecules Niacinamide Brightening Toner (repeat backup) – This toner was my favorite skincare discovery of 2019, and I’ve been using it every single morning ever since. It has continued to make my skin clearer, brighter, and less dry. This is probably the only product I’ve been using nonstop for almost 3 years, and I don’t plan on stopping anytime soon. It’s also $14 for a huge bottle, and it’s my most cost-effective skincare product in my routine. My husband loves it too, and it’s one of the only skincare products he consistently uses. I have a ton of backup bottles so I won’t be repurchasing this any time soon, but I absolutely will when I run out.

Zoya 3-in-1 Formula Remove + Nail Polish Remover – I love how effective yet gentle this is for removing nail polish. It’s really important to me to keep my cuticles, nails, and hands healthy and hydrated because they get really dry and crack super easily. This has been so non-irritating compared to other nail polish removers. Plus, I love the way it dispenses onto a cotton round instead of having to tip the bottle over so I found this lasted way longer than other bottles of nail polish remover I’ve had. I already bought a replacement for this and will likely continue to use this one over any other nail polish remover.

I’d love to know – what have you finished lately? Like I mentioned, I have a ton more empties that I will be posting about, and I’ll be sharing empties posts every other Friday all year. 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.

2022 EMPTIES (WILL I REPURCHASE?) – PART 13

by liftbakeloveLeave a Comment on 2022 EMPTIES (WILL I REPURCHASE?) – PART 13

Back again with another 5 empties (fully finished products)! I have a bunch of empties this month, but, as usual, I am keeping these posts to 5 products to keep them short. As always, I’m super excited to take a good look at what I thought of the products I’ve finished and whether or not I’d buy them again. And, of course, thank you so much for being here, and it would mean so much to me if you subscribe here or on Instagram @liftbakelove for new posts.

Josh Rosebrook Hydrating Accelerator (repeat empty) – This continues to be my favorite facial mist of all time. I’ve tried a few others for testing, but I always end up missing this one. It’s so hydrating, it helps my other products sink in better and faster, and it smells amazing too. I’ve used it alone with nothing else if I’m in a pinch and somehow it actually moisturizes my skin enough even with my incredibly dry skin. I have been through so many bottles of this and will definitely grab more when the next Credo/Ulta sale comes around. I’m planning on repurchasing this forever unless something really amazing launches that knocks it out of its HG spot in my routine.

Fitglow Beauty Eye C Firm Eye Cream (sample) – I am testing so many eye creams right now that they’re all starting to blend together a bit. That said, this one didn’t cause milia, worked really well under makeup in the morning, and was very moisturizing. I didn’t have enough of it to see if it held up to its claims to naturally reduce the look of lines, dark circles, and puffiness but I would absolutely consider repurchasing the full size during a sale next time I need more eye cream.

Flamingo Foaming Shave Gel (repeat empty) – This was really great while I used it, but the 1oz size that comes with the starter set lasts such a short period of time that it’s really more of a trial size. It does everything you’d expect from a shave gel and otherwise was pretty unremarkable. I’m now testing out the Honey Mango Shave Cream from Trader Joe’s because it has such great reviews, and so far, I’m really liking it! I’m hoping that will pan out for my new favorite, but I will update here.

Farmacy Honey Halo Hydrating Ceramide Moisturizer (repeat empty) – This is the best moisturizer I’ve tried for my super dry skin. It’s incredibly thick but still absorbs super quickly and plays well with my other night time skincare products. Usually by this time of year, my skin starts to get flaky and itchy because it’s so dry, but I’ve had no issues since I’ve been using this. It’s honestly been saving my dry skin from totally losing all its hydration overnight. I have a few backups of the jumbo version, so I won’t be buying this gain for a long time, but I will absolutely repurchase again when I’m out.

Farmacy Honey Drop Lightweight Moisturizer (repeat empty)  – I’m still surprised by how much I love this given how incredibly lightweight it is. It’s still very moisturizing but has the benefit of sinking into my skin so fast. I really appreciate that for a morning moisturizer because I tend to start my makeup pretty quickly after my morning skincare routine. It also layers incredibly well with my other morning skincare without causing pilling. I already am working through my back up of this and will likely keep repurchasing it.

I’d love to know – what have you finished lately? Like I mentioned, I have a ton more empties that I will be posting about, and I’ll be sharing empties posts every other Friday all year. 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.

5 Products Over $50 (but under $100) that I think are definitely worth it

by liftbakeloveLeave a Comment on 5 Products Over $50 (but under $100) that I think are definitely worth it

As part of my no-buy year, I’m trying to really get to know and love my collection and starting a “favorite products under $X series” to help me in that process. Since I’ve done posts up to $50, I’m going to shift a bit to talk about my most expensive products – over $50, $100, and $200, starting with my favorite products over $50. I would love to see your favorites and recommendations for this price range in the comments! And, of course, thank you so much for being here, and it would mean so much to me if you subscribe here or on Instagram @liftbakelove for new posts.

Dieux Deliverance ($69)– This is truly a game changing product. My skin had been looking a bit dull and overly dry in the summer, and even though I love the other products I use, I needed something more. This serum is supposed to address skin issues like irritation, uneven tone, texture, lack of firmness, among others, and it definitely does everything it says it does. My skin definitely looks more even, less dull, and less textured since I’ve been using this, and I can tell a big difference when I forget to use this. Given how much I love their Forever Eye Mask, I’m not surprised this is just as amazing.

Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Eye Cream ($64) – This eye cream was sent to me to try and review, and I thought at the time “there’s no way I’m going to fall in love with a $70 eye cream.” And now, I’ve repurchased it at least five or six times! This is the only eye cream I’ve found that actually works to reduce wrinkles around my eyes without irritation and while still adding a ton of hydration. It’s totally worth it for me for how effective it is, and this is another product where I can really tell the difference if I switch to something else.

Aesop Rind Concentrate Body Balm ($97)– This is the most amazing smelling product I own, hands down. If I need a pick me up, this is always what I reach for first, because it smells like fresh squeeze citrus and is so bright and fresh. It always makes me so happy. I got this on sale for $82, and while it is expensive, you do get 17 oz which I have found is lasting forever even if I use it all over (seriously, I’ve owned this for longer than I can remember now and use it all the time since it sits on my desk, and there’s still so much left). This is one of the only body/hand lotions I would invest in, and I have no regrets.

Tom Ford Shade and Illuminate cream bronzer and highlight duo in Shade 0.5

Tom Ford Shade and Illuminate Duo ($89) – I remember when I first decided to get this how silly it felt to spend this much on it, but since then, I’ve gotten so much use out of it. It’s one of my favorite cream (or honestly makeup in general) products I own.  It has such amazing formula that blends like a dream, looks natural, and still makes an impact. I love how they are both a little sheer which makes it super easy to just throw on without having to be super precise, and it blends into the skin so seamlessly. I love that this has both a bronzer and highlighter in one and that the bronzer shade is neutral enough to be used as more of a “brontour.” It’s my go-to for quick makeup looks or when I really don’t want to have to think about what I’m doing.

Josie Maran Skin Dope Argan Oil + 100 mg CBD ($78)– This is my HG facial oil, and something I can’t live without, especially during the winter. Most facial oils I’ve tried have been equally moisturizing and glow-giving, and they all provide an occlusive layer as my last step in my skincare routine. The thing I love most about the Josie Maran oil is that it sinks in so quickly so I don’t end up with a oil slick on my face when I’m getting into bed even with how nourishing and occlusive it is. Besides being my go-to finishing skincare step, I also always see a big difference in my skin’s brightness and firmness when I use this vs when I don’t. If you’re looking to get this, I highly recommend waiting for a sale on the Josie Maran site because you can buy it for way less than $78 (even though I think it’s worth it even at that price).

What are your favorite products over $50 Let me know in the comments below! Let me know if there’s anything else you’d like to see here on LiftBakeLove, and thanks for reading! As always, some links may be affiliate links that support the blog, but all reviews/opinions are completely my own and unsponsored.

2022 EMPTIES (WILL I REPURCHASE?) – PART 10

by liftbakelove2 Comments on 2022 EMPTIES (WILL I REPURCHASE?) – PART 10

Back again with another 5 empties (fully finished products)! I have a bunch of empties this month, but, as usual, I am keeping these posts to 5 products to keep them short. As always, I’m super excited to take a good look at what I thought of the products I’ve finished and whether or not I’d buy them again. And, of course, thank you so much for being here, and it would mean so much to me if you subscribe here or on Instagram @liftbakelove for new posts.

Nécessaire The Body Exfoliator – While I love Necessaire products and especially love the eucalyptus scent, I wouldn’t buy this again. The exfoliating particles were way too small to be effective for me vs something like the KBShimmer scrub. It also is much less moisturizing than other scrubs I’ve tried. If you’re looking for a body exfoliator that is super gentle though, I think you’d really like this! It definitely does something and it’s not irritating at all so it’s perfect for someone with sensitive skin or if you’re not used to body exfoliating.

Amika The Kure Multi-Task Repair Treatment – My hair had been feeling incredibly dry and lifeless lately, but when I added this into my routine, it’s like my hair went right back to normal and then some. It makes my hair feel so soft, so much less frizzy, and way shinier. It also has more volume and movement without me doing anything to it, which I love. I’ve only been using it once a week, and that’s been plenty to see results. I will absolutely buy more from this line once I get through all of my similar hair products (I have a ton), and I would definitely recommend this.

Krave Beauty Kale-lalu-yAHA – I really liked this product while I was using it, and I’ve had it since at least 2020 so it lasted forever. For only twice a week, it made a huge difference for my skin and has kept it from being congested. I noticed a difference when I wasn’t using it, and it didn’t irritate my skin. That said, I much prefer the REN Clean Skincare Ready Steady Glow Daily AHA Toner. It’s more powerful in terms of the results I get without being any less gentle. It is just as hydrating and provides that same glowy complexion. It doesn’t hurt that Ren is much more available from major retailers than Krave, and the bottle I’m sure will last just as long. I will be using my Ren toner and likely repurchase that unless something even better comes along.

Laneige Cica Sleeping Mask (repeat empty) – I’ve talked about this in at least 3 favorites posts now because I love it so much. My last jar lasted me from before January 2020 until now, so for me, it’s 100% worth the $34 price for the jar (especially if I can get it on sale). I only use this mask twice a week when I use my AHA toner, and it really helps with any potential irritation that comes with using an exfoliator. It also makes a huge difference in taming the redness in my skin that I really don’t have any anymore. I already had a replacement because this is one of the only products I know I can’t be without, but I will absolutely get another jar in 2023 when I finally run out again.

Elemis Pro-Collagen Energizing Marine Cleanser – I only had a sample of this, and I’m so glad I got to try it. I loved using it while I had it – it’s so gentle and hydrating while cleansing super well, and it smells great. It didn’t irritate or dry out my skin, and I felt like I could wait quite a bit longer than usual without needing to put on moisturizer after using it. All that said, it’s $64 for 5oz so I’m not sure if I will ever invest in it because there are so many other cleansers on that market that are amazing and so much less expensive.

I’d love to know – what have you finished lately? Like I mentioned, I have a ton more empties that I will be posting about, and I’ll be sharing empties posts every other Friday all year. 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.