I took a look at the products I’ve been reaching for again that I just haven’t in a while, and these 5 really stood out to me! They are so easy to use, especially now that I’m 36 weeks pregnant and don’t have very much energy to do much of anything. I’m also so excited to have these front and center for quick makeup looks moving forward! 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!
Bionic Liquid Bronzer in Time Travel – I totally forgot how much I love this bronzer. It builds up beautifully because it’s a bit sheer, which also means that I don’t have to worry about putting on too much right away when I’m half asleep getting ready in the morning. It looks so natural on me even if I accidentally build it up too much too. 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. I love how I can get a precise application that still looks so healthy and skin-like and am so glad I decided to revisit this one.
Make Beauty Diffusion Set Pressed Powder in Translucent Fair – I’ve been using so many lightweight powders that I forgot how good this was for when I really need a powder that actually is a powder. 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 the most coverage of all the powders on this list, which is great if I’m trying to set a specific concealed area that I really want to cover vs just trying to mattify or set makeup all over my face. I also love the packaging and how luxe it feels. Plus, this is also refillable, and I can pop out the pan if I want to put it in a travel makeup palette. I’ve actually been using it so much lately I’ve hit pan! I took a swatch photo of this but it blends so seamlessly that you can’t see anything – you’ll just have to trust me.
About Face Matte Fluid Eye Paint in Capulets – I’ve been using the Merit Solo Shadows so much as one and dones or as a base that I totally forgot I had this About Face liquid eyeshadow. I decided to try it again, and I’m so happy I did. It’s so easy and fast to throw on and blend out with a finger or a brush. It dries fast enough that I can easily put other things on top of it but not too fast that it gets stuck where I don’t want it. Capulets is a perfect light brown that doesn’t go orange on me (as someone with an olive undertone, that tends to happen a ton with browns). It also has great lasting power so I love to throw this on when I only have 2 seconds and then can add other things on top of it later in the day, and it’ll still look just as good.
Urban Decay 24/7 Moondust Eyeshadow in Space Cowboy – I’m back on the Space Cowboy train! I have been trying so many eyeshadows and palettes lately and really trying to rotate through my collection, but this is really the best eyeshadow for me. It’s perfect to top off the About Face liquid eyeshadow for a super quick look (how I’ve been doing my eyeshadow the past few days). It also works on top of just about anything else or alone, and I’m a little sad I’ve pulled it back out because I’m not really using anything else now. It’s just so easy and pretty as well as being incredibly reflective and glossy. It doesn’t have any fallout and is so easy to apply with a brush or fingers (and doesn’t require any glitter glue).
Queen Musia Lipstick in Becky Sharp (*PR) – The formula is extremely lightweight and super comfortable for a matte lipstick. I will say it’s not quite as matte as some of my favorite matte lipsticks, but I’m so glad I have it for when my lips aren’t feeling up for a true matte (which is currently all the time). I’d call this a creamy matte, and I actually wish that more matte lipsticks leaned in this direction. This color is one of the best “my lips but better” shades I’ve found in awhile especially as someone with olive undertones. This color goes with everything and just looks so natural on me. I’m so glad I pulled it back out especially now that I’m in my third trimester and am way too tired to think about what lipstick will look good on me.
What are your tried and true easy to throw on makeup products? Thanks for reading, and let me know what you’d like to see next in the comments!
Seeing everyone doing their Best of Beauty posts and videos made me realize that I totally didn’t do one in 2022, and I wanted to make sure I didn’t forget this year. It’s been really fun to look back and see what’s still a favorite from the years before that and what was newly discovered this year. Like last year, I’ll be splitting out the makeup and skincare lists so these posts don’t get too long. I would love see your favorites and recommendations for 2023 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 for new posts. Some links are affiliate links, and if you choose to shop through them, thanks for supporting the blog!
Primer:Make Beauty 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. Because of that, it’s definitely my primer pick for the year even if I still have some Future Dew bottles to get through.
Green color corrector: NYX HD Studio Photogenic Concealer Wand in Green – This is the green color corrector I’ve reached for the most (so much I actually ran out of mine and am almost done with my new tube of it). I’m planning on doing a full green color corrector comparison post because I actually have 6 in rotation right now that I like and use for different reasons. This one is the most green of the bunch and doesn’t lean matte or dewy so it works really well with whatever primer, foundation, concealer, and powder combo I’ve used that day. Because of that quality, I can’t use it as a primer by itself like some of my other green correctors, but a lot of those require I top them up with this anyway because they’re not nearly as green. Plus, this one is only $4.99 at Target right now.
Under eye corrector: 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!
Foundation: Fenty Foundation Stick in 02 - I ended up with a ton of foundations this year, and I honestly would be happy with any of them (let me know if you want a foundations for light olive skin run down!), but I think the one I’ve leaned on the most this year and been the most excited about is the Fenty Foundation Stick. This foundation is absolutely beautiful and so easy to use. I’m so glad that I grabbed this because when I want to put on a more high coverage (for me) face of makeup, this is what I reach for. It blends out so quickly, is quite blurring, and make my skin look amazing without being too dewy or matte. It also is great for spot concealing because it builds really well, and it’s super easy to get just a little bit on a brush straight from the stick. This is definitely my choice out of all the stick foundations for dry skin, and I like it even better than the original Eaze Drop (even though I still love that foundation).
Concealer: Givenchy Prisme Libre Skin-Caring 24H Hydrating + Radiant + Correcting Creamy Concealer in N95 – This concealer is as good as everyone says it is, especially for those of us over 30. It’s incredibly hydrating while still offering a really good amount of coverage because it has such a creamy texture. I love using it all over as both my foundation and concealer, and it just looks so nice. It builds up really nicely if I want more coverage in certain areas while still looking incredibly natural. It plays well with all my powders and primers, so if I’m traveling, this is the one product I’ll bring with me because I know it’ll work no matter what else I do.
Contour: Westman Atelier Face Trace Contour Stick in Biscuit – This was my favorite in this category in 2020 and 2021 (which is news to me how old this product is because it still works like it’s brand new). Nothing beat it out this year yet again. It is the perfect color and texture for a natural looking contour. I also love the packaging – it feels super luxe with the magnetic closure, and I really appreciate having a stick for a quick makeup look. If I had to start my collection over, this would definitely be one of the first things I replace.
Cream Bronzer: Tom Ford Shade and Illuminate in 0.5 and Salt New York Crème Tint Pro in light/medium – I noticed that I chose these two as my favorites in 2021, and it’s also still what I would choose, especially given how much I reached for these this year. Both are cream products that give a super natural look in about 2 seconds. They are super blendable and easy to build up to the opacity I want or leave fairly sheer. I actually think the colors and formulas are pretty similar (even though the Salt New York is warmer and the Tom Ford is more neutral) so if you want to not spend way too much on the Tom Ford, I would definitely recommend getting the Salt New York paired with one of their highlighters to replicate the duo. I did really love the Makeup by Mario Skin Enhancer and the Milk Makeup Bionic Bronzer, but these are the two I keep going back to.
Power Bronzer: Haus Labs Power Sculpt Velvet Bronzer in Light Level 2 and Gucci Poudre de Beauté Éclat Soleil Bronzing Powder in 01 – I also have two favorites for this category – one for summer and one for winter. The Haus Labs bronzer is my pick for spring/summer because it leans warm and the Gucci is my pick for fall/winter because it leans more rosey. Both are fantastic -they’re just so easy to throw on and blend out and looks super natural. If I don’t have time to think about what I’m doing, this is what I’m going to reach for. Neither are powdery or patchy at all, and just make my skin look great. Both of these I can reach for regardless of what other makeup I have on, they look seamless without having to spend any time blending, and are what I reach for when I can’t quite figure out what’s wrong with my makeup and need to add something.
Cream blush: I honestly have no idea how many cream blushes I have at this point, but it’s enough that choosing just one would have been impossible, so I’m doing my favorites for different color categories: beige, berry, and pink.
Beige: Finding Ferdinand Creamy Blush x Kackie Review Beauty in Latte and Au Lait – When I don’t know what blush to use, the ones I reach for are Latte (a desaturated, light beige with a touch of rose) and Au Lait (a neutral, medium beige with a hint of warmth) from Kackie’s collab with Finding Ferdinand. These colors just go with everything and always look so natural on me, so they’re perfect for no makeup makeup looks or pairing with a more colorful eyeshadow (when I choose not to just wear something brown). I do recommend using a pretty densely packed brush like the BK Beauty 106 because it’s quite a stiff formula in the pot even though it blends out so seamlessly on the skin. The formula is super blendable (I think because there’s quite a bit of marula oil in these), easy to layer, and very buildable. They do dry down on the skin but they still have a dewy, hydrated finish that just looks really nice. *I’m a little biased because I’m friends with Kackie, but I did buy these with my own money.
Berry: Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Liquid Blush in Faith – This is one of the only liquid blushes I’m willing to use, and it’s because the formula is honestly just so great. This shade is in the matte formula, which I actually prefer to the dewy one because it really dries down and almost stains my cheeks. It has incredibly lasting power, and if I still want a dewy look, I have plenty of highlighters I can layer on top of it. It really is as good as everyone says it is, and I’m not surprised this blush keeps going viral. The shade Faith is a deep purple toned berry that really packs a punch, and you definitely want to use just a tiny bit at a time. This is my go to for the “cold girl” winter look or to pair with deeper brown or mauve eyeshadow looks.
Pink: About Face Cheek Freak Blush Balm in Laid –Similar to the Rare Beauty blush, this dries down to a matte finish that actually lasts such a long time for a cream blush. It starts off really balmy so it’s really easy to pick up on a brush or finger and blend into the skin, and then it stays where it is. I also love how the packaging matches the color of the blush since I have three of these – it’s always easy to find the one I want. Laid in particular is a super bright pink blush that is just the quickest way to that flushed look, especially in the summer. If I want to look really awake and hydrated, this is my go to since it’s so bright and flattering.
From left to right: MAC Glow Play Blush in Heat Index, Blush Please, So Natural, Grand, and Totally Synced
Power blush: MAC Glow Play Blush – This formula has been my go-to for finishing off my cheek looks because it has a really incredible blurring quality that really pulls together any look I’ve done. Because the texture feels like a cross between a powder and a cream, it adds a slight sheen like a cream and has great lasting power like a powder. I own 5 of these, and I found myself reaching for all of them depending on my mood and the time of year. Between So Natural (golden beige), Blush Please (neutral light mauve), Heat Index (bright pink), Totally Synced (light lilac) and Grand (petal pink), I’m covered with any look I’m trying to do.
Highlight: Auric Glow Lust – I wrote about the Auric Glow Lust so many times, and I’m still in love with it. It gives both a super smooth and glowy effect to the skin, whether I use it as foundation, a primer, a mixer, or a highlighter. Of all of my glowy, liquid products, this is definitely my favorite of the bunch. The packaging is also amazing, especially the pump – it’s so much easier to use than something like the Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter. It feels like much more of a luxury experience, from the packaging to the formula. I have the shades Selenite and Morganite, and I love using Selenite all over as foundation or a primer and Morganite as a true “high points of the skin” highlighter. I have a full review here if you’d like to see more comparisons between the two.
Powder: Givenchy Mini Prisme Libre Loose Setting and Finishing Powder in 3 Voile Rosé – If I could only pick one powder, and I weirdly have a ton for someone with dry skin, it’d be this one. Honorable mention to the ELF Prime Stay Finishing Powder which I also love but is only $4. 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. I actually decluttered my Hourglass Veil Translucent Setting Powder (which I’ve written about how much I love for years) because I noticed I never used it since I have the Givenchy, and it’s because the Hourglass feels so heavy compared to the Givenchy powder.
Eyeshadow: Urban Decay 24/7 Moondust Eyeshadow in Space Cowboy – I have so many eyeshadows and eyeshadow palettes, and there’s so many that I love, but I knew right away which one I used the most and would keep if I could only keep one. It’s a sheer shimmery eyeshadow that adds a wet look to any shadow without really adding any color or changing the color of the look underneath. But somehow it still has enough of a beige-y base that you can wear it on its own. It’s incredibly reflective and glossy, doesn’t have any fallout, and is so easy to apply with a brush or fingers (and doesn’t require any glitter glue). I can’t count how many times this year I wore a matte brown shadow with Space Cowboy on top and got a ton of compliments on my eyeshadow. I’m honestly upset I have so many other eyeshadows given how much I use this one.
Brows: NYX Thick It Stick It Brow Mascara – It’s so quick and easy to fill in and shape my brows with this – I’ve been reaching for it over my other brow gels (which I oddly have a ton of – the ranking post is coming, I promise!). Unlike some other fiber containing brow products, this really lasts all day and actually keeps my brows in place. The only thing about this that I don’t love is that the wand is bigger than I’m used to so I tend to get some of the brow gel on my skin. The good news is that it’s very easy to clean up before it dries, and this is so inexpensive I’m happy to deal with that issue.
Mascara: I fell out of love with all my mascaras this year and am currently on the hunt for a new one that I love. The front runner right now is the Finding Ferdinand Lashlift Mascara, which I would be perfectly happy with using as my main mascara. It’s a tubing mascara that’s lighter weight than the Thrive mascara so my lashes don’t fall as quickly, and it otherwise works exactly as I would expect a black tubing mascara to work. That said, I have 6 other mascaras to test throughout 2024, so I will report back!
Lip Liner: Thrive Causemetics Lip Filler Long-Wearing + Plumping Lip Liner in Kackie – I still love this lip liner, and it’s one I reach for all the time. I don’t know how Kackie did it, but this is the most perfect neutral brown shade for me. I can put any gloss or lipstick over top of it, and it looks great. The formula also manages to be creamy, not drying, and have great staying power. It’s the lip liner I use when I don’t want to worry about my lip look coming together, especially in the morning before I’ve had coffee and just want something I know will work. I think I started writing about this one in 2020, and I’m surprised how it continues to rise to the top of my lip liner collection.
Lip gloss/shiny lipstick: YSL Candy Glaze in 02 and 15 – I’m honestly so annoyed by how right Kackie is about this one, because she’s obsessed with it, and now I am too. If I had to choose between these and the Hourglass ones, I’d choose these every time. If you’re just looking for an incredibly luxurious lip balm that makes your lips look and feel amazing, then the clear (02) is fantastic. This is much thicker than my other clear lip balms, so it lasts for so much longer than I would have expected, to the point that I would absolutely use the clear as a nighttime lip treatment in a pinch. It also smells amazing, but if you’re not into fruity/mango scents, you might not appreciate it as much as I do. Shade 15 (Showcasing Nude) is a beautiful rosey brown that is a perfect my lips but better color that’s so easy to wear, and I’m always stopping myself from buying more of the shades.
Satin lipstick: Make Beauty Cream Supreme Lipstick in Equilibrium – This was my go to lipstick until I got the Givenchy lipstick I’m going to mention next. 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!
Matte lipstick: Givenchy Le Rouge Sheer Velvet Matte Lipstick in 10 Beige Nu – This is now my favorite matte lipstick formula because it looks blurred out and 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.
What were your favorites this 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.
I can’t believe May is already over, and it’s time for another round of favorites! As always, I’m only featuring products in my favorites that are true favorites that I’ve been using consistently for longer than a couple months. If there’s anything you were looking for a review on or a topic that you want me to cover, please let me know if the comments below! And, of course, thank you so much for being here, and it would mean so much to me if you subscribe here or on Instagram @liftbakelove for new posts.
BK Beauty 101 Contoured Foundation Brush – I will be doing a full review of all the BK Beauty brushes I have, but this one really stands out to me. It’s the perfect shape for so many things – foundation, bronzer, blush, highlighter. Because of the angle and the shape, it works so quickly for anything I’m doing. The density is perfect and doesn’t “eat up” too much product. Even though it’s large, it works so well for blush and bronzer in particular. It’s one of the first brushes I would rebuy now if I lost my collection, and that’s saying so much since I have such a large collection of brushes.
Natasha Denona Puff Paint Liquid Blush – This is a liquid blush serum that dries down but keeps its beautiful sheen – you can see how dewy it looks on my swatch above. I love using it as a finishing touch after I apply other cream blushes to add some brightness and shimmer-free shine. It never disturbs anything underneath it and is just the right amount of pigmentation to use in this way. I have it in the shade Darya, which is a bright melon color that is really unique to my collection, and I never think to reach for it, but now that I have started using it all the time, it’s become an almost daily staple.
Glossier Ultralip in Villa – The Ultralips are a pretty pigmented tinted lip balm that has a touch more glossiness than your average balm. I love how moisturizing it is and how long lasting it is (for a lip balm texture). You can also build up the color without anything weird happening like pilling or patching. Villa is such an at home shade for me that makes it super easy to throw on, so I love using these during the day on work calls when I want something quick and easy while still taking advantage of how moisturizing these are.
Urban Decay 24/7 Moondust Eyeshadow in Space Cowboy – I own a ton of single glittery/topper type eyeshadows and love them all, but I think my absolute favorite is this one. I’ve used it on top of my eyeshadow almost every single time I’ve used my eyeshadow since I bought it, and I’m so happy with the effect it has. It’s a sheer shimmery eyeshadow that adds a wet look to any shadow without really adding any color or changing the color of the look underneath. It’s also incredibly reflective and glossy, doesn’t have any fallout, and is so easy to apply with a brush or fingers (and doesn’t require any glitter glue).
Fitglow Beauty Lip Night Serum – I love all of the Fitglow Lip Serums so much, but I have been loving the night serum. This formula is incredibly nourishing, thick, hydrating, and long-lasting, which makes it perfect for super dry winter nights. It’s honestly the best nighttime lip treatment I’ve ever tried, and I wake up consistently to hydrated and nourished lips, which I’ve never had happen in the winter before using this product. It’s quite expensive for a lip balm, but it’s really so much more than that and totally worth it for me to not have consistently dried out, chapped, painful lips.
What were your favorites this month? Let me know if there’s anything else you’d like to see here on LiftBakeLove, and thanks for reading! As always, some links may be affiliate links that support the blog, but all reviews/opinions are completely my own and unsponsored.
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. I’ll be doing posts every month for different dollar amounts, and I’m so excited to dive into my collection in this way. This time, I’m writing about my favorite products under $30. I would love see your favorites and recommendations for under $20 beauty products 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.
Glossier Futuredew ($24) – This continues to be one of my favorite products, and it’s one of the only things I consistently use every day in my makeup routine. It provides 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’ve also used it mixed in with other base products to sheer them out a little bit and make them more hydrating, and that works great too.
Melt Cosmetics Cream Blushlights ($22) – I have the shades Polished (warm pink) and Daydreamer (rich cinnamon), and I love having both a warm and cool option in this formula. It has a really beautiful luminosity to it from a slight amount of shimmer that makes this really special. These are my favorite formula for when I want a super glowy from within blush look. The formula blends so effortlessly and quickly, and I just love the super thin but hydrating texture. They also have great staying power for such an emollient cream blush.
Melt Cosmetics Cream Blushlights in Polished and Daydreamer
Viseart Petite Pro 4 ($30) – I got this during a sale at the end of 2019, and I still reach for it all the time even with all the other eyeshadows I own now. I’m so happy I decided to get it and that I have it in my collection. It’s the perfect mix of neutrals, and I’ve loved how small and compact this is for travel and how easily I can put all the shades into my Salt New York palette with my other single eyeshadows when I’m at home (which is why it’s missing from the picture above). Like all Viseart shadows, these blend seamlessly with little fallout and aren’t overly glittery, so I can put together a look for work super quickly too. I love using the mattes to blend out another look that might need it or use the shimmers as a sophisticated topper.
Viseart Petite Pro 4 Swatches
Urban Decay 24/7 Moondust Eyeshadow in Space Cowboy ($22) – I own a ton of single glittery/topper type eyeshadows and love them all, but I think my absolute favorite is this one. I’ve used it on top of my eyeshadow almost every single time I’ve used my eyeshadow since I bought it, and I’m so happy with the effect it has. It’s a sheer shimmery eyeshadow that adds a wet look to any shadow without really adding any color or changing the color of the look underneath. It’s also incredibly reflective and glossy, doesn’t have any fallout, and is so easy to apply with a brush or fingers (and doesn’t require any glitter glue).
Lisa Eldridge Liquid Lurex Eyeshadow in Angelica and Bianca ($27) – I absolutely love this eyeshadow. This formula is so quick and easy to use. It’s almost like a mousse and feels halfway between a cream and a liquid. I’ve tried using a brush and fingers, with and without a primer, and applying directly from the doe-foot and from my hand – nothing I tried didn’t work out amazingly. The formula doesn’t crease and looks exactly the same all day. I tested it on a 17-hour makeup day, and it honestly could have just been applied. I even did an hour and a half long gym session, and it didn’t budge. I’ve used it as one sheer layer, a thicker application, and layered on top of itself, and it looked great all three ways. I love how I have enough time to play with it and blend it out however I want before it sets down. They’re also some of the more spangly eyeshadows I’ve ever used, which may be the thing I love about them the most. Angelica is a rosy bronze that is the absolute perfect shade for me – I feel like I’ve been hunting for this color for years, and here it is. Bianca is a warm, purply-pink that really makes my brown eyes pop. Regardless of price, these are some of my favorite eyeshadows in my collection.
Angelica (left) and Bianca (right)
Chantecaille Brightening Eye Nude Kajal ($29) – This is the only eye liner I’ve found that is the right color to brighten up my eyes when I use it in the waterline – it’s not too white or pink. It just looks like I actually get enough sleep and makes my eyes look less red, even if it’s from allergies. It also stays all day and doesn’t irritate my eyes. It’s on the pricier side for an eyeliner at $29, but mine has lasted me so long, and I think it’s completely worth it.
Em Cosmetics Lip Cushion in Magic Hour and Venetian Rose ($23) – I’m honestly surprised I haven’t panned one of these yet. I keep them at my desk to have an easy, full pigment lip color that’s incredibly easy to swipe on without a mirror. The formula is incredibly moisturizing and has enough thickness to not disappear right away even if I’m talking a lot. Either color completely brightens up my face, and I love having both a brighter pink and dusty rose shade at hand.
Em Cosmetics Lip Cushion in Magic Hour and Venetian Rose
Rare Beauty Liquid Touch Foundation Brush ($28) – This is one of my favorite foundation brushes (and I have a lot of brushes). I find myself continually going back to it instead of any others I have. It has such a perfect shape for foundation and even concealer because the angles and edges make it super easy to get into all the contours of my face. It’s also really densely packed which ensures it maintains the level of coverage of any product I’m using it with. It also never creates any streaks and cleans really well even with consistently using it with liquid products.
Olaplex No. 3 Hair Repair Perfector ($28) – Every time I use this, I feel like my hair has been transformed. It feels way smoother, stronger, and shinier without being weighed down. I notice a huge difference when I don’t use this treatment, and it’s incredibly worth it to me. My hair is normally super prone to breakage, and this is one of the only products I’ve tried that actually helps with that. It also helps my hair feel way less dry than usual without making it greasy. This is one of my only true hair staples (outside of my Bumble & Bumble loves) that I continue to repurchase over and over again.
What are your favorite products under $30? 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.
I get frequently asked for makeup and skincare recommendations for a full routine, and I’m super excited to put them all in one place – again! I did this last year, and it’s been really fun to look back and see what’s still a favorite (turns out, a lot of things) and what was newly discovered this year. Like last year, I’ll be splitting out the makeup and skincare lists so these posts don’t get too long. I would love see your favorites and recommendations for 2021 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.
Primer: Glossier Future Dew – This continues to be one of my favorite products, and is one of the only things I consistently use every day in my makeup routine. It provides such an 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 so I always have another bottle on hand.
When I think through all my base products, these two really rise to the top of my list for the ones I would keep if I only got to keep my HGs. The Typology is my go-to for when I’m having a really dry skin day or want something light coverage (which is most days). It’s incredibly smoothing and lightweight while being able to build to medium coverage. It wears incredibly well for how moisturizing it feels (it wears in without wearing off), and it plays well with every bronzer, blush, highlighter, and powder I’ve used with it. It also contains lots of great skincare ingredients, and my skin definitely feels way less dry at the end of the day than with other base products.
I gravitate towards the Fenty Eaze Drops when I need something more long wearing and loved using it in the summer when it was super hot. The formula is almost entirely mask proof and sweat proof, but doesn’t look heavy at all. It has a natural finish that I can easily add dew too with something like Glossier Future Dew without effecting how long it lasts. Even walking around or working out when it’s incredibly hot, it holds up super well all day. I love that I can blend it in super quickly with my fingers, and it looks flawless – during the summer, I want things that are quick and easy, and this definitely checks all the right boxes. You can hopefully see from these swatches the difference in texture between the Typology and the Fenty but check out my full review for more details.
From left to right: Typology Tinted Serum in 001, Glossier Skin Tint in G11, Fenty Eaze Drop in 2, Charlotte Tibury Light Wonder in 2, Typology Tinted Serum in 002
Concealer: 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!
As last year (like 2019), the search continues for the perfect concealer to go over top of it, although I did love the Kosas Revealer Concealer (heavier coverage) and Glossier Stretch (lighter coverage) concealers that I reviewed this year. Stay tuned for more concealer reviews in 2022 (I have three new ones going to share information on in the new year)!
Powder: Hourglass Veil Translucent Setting Powder – This one is the same as last year, and 2019, and I’m not surprised! This is the perfect powder for dry skin, and the full size does last forever. It looks like I’ve barely used it even though I bought it in 2019. If you don’t want to splurge for the full size and don’t use a lot of powder, you can totally get away with using the travel size for over a year in my experience. I really also love the Kosas Cloud Set powder, especially for a “brighten up my look at the end” but I find myself going back to the Hourglass more often.
Contour: Westman Atelier Face Trace Contour Stick – This was my favorite in this category last year, and nothing beat it out this year. It is the perfect color and texture for a natural looking contour. I also love the packaging – it feels super luxe with the magnetic closure, and I really appreciate having a stick for a quick makeup look. If I had to start my collection over, this would definitely be one of the first things I replace.
Bronzer: Tom Ford Shade and Illuminate and Salt New York Crème Tint Pro Two favorites for this year and it’s the same as last year – both are cream products that give a super natural look in about 2 seconds. They are super blendable and easy to build up to the opacity I want or leave fairly sheer. I actually think the colors and formulas are pretty similar so if you want to not spend way too much on the Tom Ford, I would definitely recommend getting the Salt New York paired with one of their highlighters to replicate the duo.
Tom Ford Shade and Illuminate cream bronzer and highlight duo in Shade 0.5 (but this could just as well be Salt New York in Light and Beige)
Blush: Kjaer Weis Blushes – I own over 50 blushes, so it was almost impossible to pick a favorite from this year. I have to go with the Kajer Weis blushes though because it has the perfect balance between blendable and long-wearing. It’s so easy to work with, create impact, and stays all day. The first time I used one of these, I was shocked to find that it was still on my cheeks after wearing makeup for over 15 hours. I love that I can just buy a refill without the extra packaging and put it in my Salt New York empty palette, and that it’s still around $30 even for a luxury product. Because I own so many cream blushes, I tried to get shades I didn’t have already and chose Sun Touched, Inner Glow, Blushing, and Blossoming. All four shades are beautifully unique, and I get a ton of use out of them.
Highlight: Auric Glow Lust – I wrote about the Auric Glow Lust many times this year, and I’m still in love with it. It gives both a super smooth and glowy effect to the skin, whether I use it as foundation, a primer, a mixer, or a highlighter. Of all of my glowy, liquid products, this is definitely my favorite of the bunch. The packaging is also amazing, especially the pump – it’s so much easier to use than something like the Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter. It feels like much more of a luxury experience, from the packaging to the formula. I have the shades Selenite and Morganite, and I love using Selenite all over as foundation or a primer and Morganite as a true “high points of the skin” highlighter. I have a full review here if you’d like to see more comparisons between the two. I also have since gotten the Lisa Eldridge Elevated Glow Highlighter, Glossier Haloscope, and Beauty Pie Triple Luminizing Wand and am happy to do a full comparison post – let me know in the comments below!
I couldn’t just pick one eyeshadow product because I had so many favorites this year, but I narrowed it down to three. First it’s all the Roen quads – each shade is a perfect one-and-done on it’s own, and they are so easy and quick to use. I’m so happy I have all of them but my favorite is the 11:11 quad (the middle four in the swatches), especially the most sparkly shade which is just the prettiest eyeshadow I own. The formula is also super versatile so I find myself reaching for them all the time when I don’t want to have to work at an eye look. With a finger, the shades go on incredibly pigmented and intense, but with a brush, you can create a very sophisticated wash of color.
Swatches of the 75° Warm , 11:11, and 52° Cool Roen Quads
I’ve written about how much I love the Vesca Moonlit Dream Cream Eyeshadows, especially the shade Lyra. This formula is still the easiest cream shadow I’ve ever worked with. They stay blendable for long enough to get your look just right, and then they dry down and don’t crease all day. I’m also still in love with the packaging – it’s super easy to only get what you need, and I don’t have to worry about them drying out. The color Lyra is described as a champagne rose with an iridescent reflect, and it’s the perfect coppery, rose, shiny, glittery, works for day and night color for me.
Urban Decay 24/7 Moondust Eyeshadow in Space Cowboy – I own a ton of single glittery/topper type eyeshadows and love them all, but I think my absolute favorite is this one. I’ve used it on top of my eyeshadow almost every single time I’ve used my eyeshadow since I bought it, and I’m so happy with the effect it has. It’s a sheer shimmery eyeshadow that adds a wet look to any shadow without really adding any color or changing the color of the look underneath. It’s also incredibly reflective and glossy, doesn’t have any fallout, and is so easy to apply with a brush or fingers (and doesn’t require any glitter glue).
Something finally unseated Glossier Boy Brow as my HG brow gel, and it’s the Kosas AirBrow gel. It tints and fills in the brows so quickly and easily without overdoing it or over applying the gel. It doesn’t get crunchy or hard and stays in place all day. I prefer it to the Boy Brow because it’s a bit thicker so it lasts longer and keeps my brows exactly where I want them all day. After trying so many eyebrow pencils over the years, I finally have found my favorite, and it’s the Benefit Precisely, My Brow Pencil. I use it for a sparse area I have in one of my brows, and it goes on so quickly and naturally. Unlike other pencils, it stays all day, so I don’t end up with a hole in my brow by the end of the day.
Mascara: Thrive Causemetics Liquid Lash Extensions Mascara This is hands down the best mascara I’ve ever used and continues to be what I go back to even after trying others. It makes my lashes look amazing, doesn’t smudge, and actually holds a curl. The best part is that it washes off so easily and quickly. I’m never going back to a non-tubing mascara again and bought enough of these to last me through next year just like I did last year.
Lip Liner: Soft Blur Velvet Lip Liners from Em Cosmetics – Out of all my lip liners, I definitely reached 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.
From left to right: Em Cosmetics Lip Liners in Kitten and Mink
Lip gloss: Fitglow Beauty Serums – I now have 5 full sizes of the tinted serums, 7 minis, and 5 night lip serums because of how obsessed I am with this formula (and I don’t like to use that word unless I really mean it). The formula is incredibly nourishing, thick, hydrating, and long-lasting, and I just can’t stop using them. The Night Lip Serum is the best night time lip treatment I’ve ever tried, and I wake up consistently to hydrated and nourished lips. The swatches below are from the first four I got, but all the colored serums are beautiful and I can always find one to match my look. Let me know in the comments if you’d like more swatches of more shades!
Fitglow Lip Serums in Night Lip Serum, Beach Glow, Gospel, and Root
I have been loving all of the shades I got – you can see more swatches and comparisons of all of them here. The Ultralips are a pretty pigmented tinted lip balm that has a touch more glossiness than your average balm. I love how moisturizing it is and how long lasting it is (for a lip balm texture). You can also build up the color without anything weird happening like pilling or patching. I love using these during the day on work calls when I want more color like a traditional lipstick, don’t mind having to reapply, and can take advantage of how moisturizing these are.
Glossier Ultralip in Portrait, Villa, Trench, and Cachet
When I’m looking for something more long-wearing, especially under a mask, I always reach for one of my Lisa Eldridge Velvet Matte Lipsticks. The formula is the most comfortable matte lipstick I’ve tried – they’re not drying at all, have the staying power I expect from a matte lipstick, and looks velvety smooth on the lips. They’re highly pigmented and blurring and cover the lips in one swipe. I have the shades Velvet Fawn, Velvet Muse, Velvet Petal, Velvet Affair, Velvet Midnight, and Velvet Dragon. My most used are definitely the first four lighter shades, but I love dabbing on Velvet Midnight or Velvet Dragon as more of a stain.
Setting spray: ABH Dewy Set Setting Spray The Cover FX Dewy Finish Setting Spray has been my favorite for years, but I like this even better. It does just the right amount of dewiness and sets my makeup while still leaving everything skin-like and flexible. I love how this makes my makeup look after everything is said and done and how it provides great lasting power without drying out my skin (in fact, I think it adds another layer of hydration). It’s also less expensive than similar options, like the Hourglass Setting Spray, so I’m very excited this has come into my makeup routine.
What were your favorites this 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.
I know I’m a bit late with my August favorites, but hopefully that’s okay! As usual, I fell in love with a ton of new products this month, but am only featuring products in my favorites that are true favorites that I’ve been using consistently for longer than one month. Since I took quite a long break, if there’s anything you were looking for a review on or a topic that you wanted me to cover, please let me know if the comments below! And 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!
Vesca Kissed By Bronzing Powder in Santorini – I have been loving setting my cream products with powder products in a matching tone to make them last longer and add a bit of coverage in those areas. I find this creates a more satin finish which is great for someone like me that wants to look hydrated and dewy while still having something long lasting, especially under a mask. This Vesca bronzer is my favorite for this purpose (and also my favorite powder bronzer in general) – it’s not too orange, feels incredibly smooth and velvety, blends beautifully, smells amazing, and is such a believable bronzer on me.
Vesca Kissed By Bronzing Powder in Santorini
Urban Decay 24/7 Moondust Eyeshadow in Space Cowboy – I own a ton of single glittery/topper type eyeshadows and love them all, but I think my absolute favorite is this one. I’ve used it on top of my eyeshadow almost every single time I’ve used my eyeshadow since I bought it, and I’m so happy with the effect it has. It’s a sheer shimmery eyeshadow that adds a wet look to any shadow without really adding any color or changing the color of the look underneath. It’s also incredibly reflective and glossy, doesn’t have any fallout, and is so easy to apply with a brush or fingers (and doesn’t require any glitter glue).
Flower Beauty Chill Out CBD Lip Glaze – If you’re a regular reader here, you’ll know I tend towards mid-range, high-end, and luxury products, but sometimes I find a budget gem – this is one of them. These are $10 and just as beautiful and high quality as my lip glosses that are over $30. I have the shades Unwind (a beautiful pink that really brightens up my face) and Peace Out (a sheer shimmery peach that adds a luminosity and glow to any lip color I put underneath). The formula is incredibly nourishing and thick enough to stay within lip lines unlike thinner glosses. It has really great lasting power for a gloss and feels great for hours.
Dieux Forever Eye Mask – I have incredibly dry undereye, and these really lock in hydration and increase the effectiveness of any eye cream I put underneath. They also feel like they are doing a bit of tightening on the undereye area, which I love. They also really stay put so I can walk around and do other things with them on instead of worrying about them sliding down my face like some other eye gels. These are so incredibly worth it for $25 since they are reusable and continue to feel new no matter how many times I use them (whereas some eye patches are in the $2/use mark, these will be around $0.25 per use even if I only use them twice a week).
Allies of Skin Multi Acids & Retinoid Brightening Sleeping Facial – This is incredibly effective and strong, so I recommend only using this if you are already comfortable with retinols and acids. It contains a blend of 7% AHAs + BHA, 1% Retinoid Complex and 7 Brighteners, and it really does everything it says it does! It makes me feels like I have new skin that is brighter, clearer, less dull, and more hydrated. Because I only use this twice a week, this bottle is lasting forever (I got this in May and feel like I’ve barely made a dent in it), which makes the $88 much more reasonable. Plus, I was able to get this for 15% off which made it even more worth it, and, as always, I highly recommend also waiting for a sale to grab Allies of Skin products.
Makeup and Skincare Reviews 