My 2020 Picks: Makeup
Despite the halt of all events and shutting down entertainment businesses, and working from home, I still found time and fun in trying new makeup products! So I thought I would share with you all my top 5 picks of 2020, Makeup Edition! (See also My 2020 Picks: Skincare Edition).
I think it is worth mentioning that this year was the launch of Selena Gomez’s Makeup Line “Rare Beauty.” Being an uber-fan since her “Wizards of Waverly Place” days, I just had to try it out! On top of that, I just absolutely loved the message the brand shares; that makeup shouldn’t be used to look like everyone else, and you as an individual are rare! Makeup should be used to emphasize your best features while still looking like yourself. However it is also emphasized that makeup is an art! It’s fun and creative, and a great vehicle as a means to express yourself! So always do whatever makes you feel most confident! The company also puts a strong emphasis on mental health and donates a portion of the proceeds to the cause. All in all, I think it’s a very special brand and I felt excited to support it. Additionally, I watched several review videos from people who received the PR package and everything seemed rather promising. I thought it was worth mentioning all of the above as the majority of the below comes from my haul from this line. So obviously, it did NOT disappoint! Of the products I tried the Liquid Touch Foundation, Liquid Blush, Liquid Luminizer, the Lip Soufflé, Lip Balm, and the brushes. Which leads me to my top makeup pick of the year:
Rare Beauty Brushes
I have always been a sponge girl, but was fascinated by the advertised unique shape of the foundation brush. I decided even if I did not like its’ use for foundation application, it would still work as a blush or contour brush. Turns out, I absolutely fell in LOVE. The softness and density of the brush is excellent. However as someone who has never really used a brush for foundation, I can’t say with absolute certainty that it is the best on the market. I did appreciate the versatility of the brush based on the bristle density. You could either use it to rub in your foundation for sheer coverage, or use it like a sponge and tap in your foundation for fuller coverage. My absolute favorite characteristic about it though is the unique shape of it— it’s definitely one of a kind. It is designed specifically to fit into the crevices and contours of your face. The bristles are “pinched” at a point to achieve the shape, which is something I have always had to do manually with my other brushes. In fact, I loved the foundation brush so much that I went ahead and bought the concealer brush as well! I discovered the concealer brush would be worth it in terms of using it to tap in my concealer for a heavy coverage that matched that of the beauty blender. I have been using my fingers all these years, (and still do so when I’m going for a very light coverage look), but when I do a heavier foundation/concealer base, the brush works much better for covering blemishes!
2. Rare Beauty Liquid Luminizer
My second pick has also got to be from the Rare Beauty line— the Liquid Luminizer. I have been using compact highlight for the last year and it’s been okaaaaay… Not that the highlighter itself or the brand was ever the problem. I personally just didn’t really get highlighter as a concept? HOWEVER, after trying this liquid luminizer, I completely flipped my perspective on highlighter and I GET IT now. Maybe it’s just the liquid vs powder for me, but whether you’ve been into highlighter for a while or have been wanting to try it for the first time, I highly recommend this one! I got it in the shade “Enchant” which is a beautiful rose gold color that blends really well with my Rare Beauty Blush. It also compliments my cool/pink undertones so well. It comes in a large range of shades to choose from, so you can find one that best suits you!
3. Revlon Lipstick & Long-wear Lip Liner
I have been hunting for my perfect lip combo for. freaking. years. FINALLY after many failed attempts I found my perfect shade. Being pale I always gravitated towards the lightest pinks I could find, but these always made me look like I had the oxygen sucked out of me. I also tried a few “nude” shades which are generally created for people who are tan and have beige, orange, or olive undertones. In case you’re curious, if you are as fair as I am and have pink/red undertones with VERY pigmented lips, a dark rose or mauve shade will work best. Which led me to the discovery of the Revlon Longwear Lip Liner in shade Rose, and Matte Lipstick in shade Wild Thoughts. These shades are my perfect color and can either be worn very light by simply tapping the product on, or dark by layering. The best part however is how well it stays!! Now it doesn’t stay amazingly while eating or drinking or full on licking your lips lol. But it does not start bleeding or feathering which is my BIGGEST concern when it comes to lipstick. Even though it’s not your fault, you look like a complete mess and it’s just not a cute look… I will continue to look for and find my perfect shade in a combo that will withstand all of the above, but until then, this discovery has FINALLY made subtle lip overlying a possibility for me.
4. Charlotte Tilbury Lip Kit in Pillow Talk
I have been wanting to try this award winning lip combo for a while! However it’s incredibly pricey and I was still not certain of my correct lip shade. However after discovering the Revlon shade above worked, I finally had something to compare it to and built up the courage to try. I absolutely LOVE the color! It’s a tad shade lighter than my revlon, but still perfect for me (I hear it works for a large range of skin tones). I love that it is a lip kit combo, therefore you don’t have to experiment finding the perfect paired shades. However I noticed the lip pencil doesn’t quite hold as well as my Revlon Long Lasting, but I believe it’s because it has more hydrating qualities (the Revlon was more drying/sticky, but that generally comes with all things long-wear). So it just depends on what you are looking for. Perhaps layering my long stay under the CT set would really set it all in place. Despite those few callouts, I still absolutely love.
5. Rare Beauty Lip Soufflé
Yet another lip recommendation and Rare Beauty rec! This formula is abso-freaking-lutely INCREDIBLE. It is so smooth and soft and buttery on your lips, you don’t have to worry about getting dry, crusty lips. Ur bae is sure to love it too;) That is if he doesn’t mind some color transfer lol…. Personally, I think a messy color transfer is cute, BUT if you don’t want to worry about cleanup then it’s probably not the right choice for kissing under the mistletoe. I was reading such excellent reviews on this product that I absolutely had to try, and the only shade that felt like it would be a good fit for me was the red shade “Inspire.” It’s a little on the orange undertone side so not one of my fav reds, but still cute nonetheless and perfect for Christmas Eve with my family! I noticed that despite the excessive color transfer and exclusion of a lip liner, it stayed within my lip line and did not have that feathering effect! I think it looks and FEELS great all night long, but be ready to touch up! But just a touch up, no need for a full revamp. In other words, I will absolutely one hundred percent be purchasing more of these when the line expands in shades.
