Rare Beauty Review
My girl, SELENA GOMEZ, came out with a beauty line I'm sure you've seen buzz about. In case you've been curious to see what a non-beauty guru/ YouTuber thinks of the line, here are my honest thoughts on everything I tried!
I'm a sucker for good packaging, and right off the bat, I was sold with the Rare brand. They really nailed the design on all the products. It feels simultaneously vintage and modern, and it looks gorgeous on a vanity top.
Beyond aesthetics and performability, the line also seems like something we can actually feel good about buying into. From interviews I've watched, it's quite evident Selena has poured her heart into this line and isn't just putting her name on something she's not heavily involved in.
For them to have 48 foundation and concealer shades upon initial launch is incredible! It's time more brands showed up with inclusivity, and this really feels like a line that celebrates the uniqueness of its customers.
One more feel-good aspect of the brand? They're giving back!
"The goal of the Rare Impact Fund is to raise $100 million over the next ten years to help address the gaps in mental health services for underserved communities. From the first Rare Beauty product sold onward, one percent of all sales, as well as funds raised from partners, will be dedicated to the Rare Impact Fund that aims to increase access to mental health resources. "
We LOVE to see it, Selena!!!
I tried almost everything from their initial launch, minus a few products I didn't feel like I'd get much use out of, and I'm a BIG fan. I think y'all might find some new favorite products to add to your makeup routine too!
Read on to see my thoughts on each product.
I received a small sample of this with my order, and though I'm typically not a primer girl, I did enjoy this one! I like that it adds a subtle glow to the skin. It has a slightly pearly finish. It absorbs well, leaving you feeling non-greasy. Of course, it pairs extremely well with with the foundation. I imagine that if you're more on the dry side, you would especially love this! I don't feel like it lengthened the wear of my makeup, but it was a great "prep" step.
My Shade: 260N- light medium with neutral peach undertones
This is the STAND OUT product in my opinion. "Weightless" was the perfect title for this! I love how it feels like I'm hardly wearing foundation. I think this has the perfect amount of coverage (medium but buildable). It truly looks like my skin, but more evened out. I've been applying it with the Rare Beauty Brush (below), and it blends like a DREAM. It melts right into the skin. I have oily skin, and I didn't feel like this made me overly greasy. It left my skin with a more satin finish. It's perfect for us oily girls that still want to dip into the "glowy" skin look without looking like a greasy mess. Foundation is such a personal preference though; what works for my skin type might not work the same for you! (I did read some reviews that mentioned this was not ideal for dry skin types).
All that said, I do believe this was the "hero" product of this launch. It's available in 48 shades, and you can use the Rare Beauty Shade Finder to find something that will suit you best.
*Be sure to give it a shake before each use to get the best mix of pigmentation.
I've been Team Beauty Sponge for years now, but I kept watching YouTubers give this brush rave reviews, so I decided to give it a try! And OMG, I'm so glad I did!!! It's shaped to perfectly sweep across the contours of your face. The bristles are incredibly soft. I apply a few "stripes" with the applicator of the foundation across my forehead, cheeks, and chin. Then, I take this brush and blend it in circular motions across my face. It leaves everything seamless and streak-free. The hype is so real for this brush!
My Shade: 220C- light medium with cool pink undertones
I picked up the concealer more recently, so I'm still testing this one out! My initial thoughts are that the formula pairs beautifully with the foundation. I got this one in-store at a Sephora, and I'd completely forgotten what shade I had the foundation in, so they helped me swatch this on a palette to find a good color match. However, because I was wearing a mask (#COVID) , I couldn't really test the color on my face. Unfortunately, I got it a couple of shades too light, but I actually don't mind! Since it's mostly for my under eye area, I like a little bit of brightening.
I'd say it's about a medium coverage (certainly not as heavy as Shape Tape). I like how creamy it is, and it gets very minimal creasing when I set it with powder. But hey, I'm a perpetual "squinty-eye smiler", so I've had under eye wrinkles since I was like 12, so that's really just me anyways!
My Shade: Bliss (Matte Finish)
Okay, I know I said the foundation was the stand out product, but the blush is SO GOOD too! I've been trying to join the cream blush trend for so long now, but I was mostly forcing myself to like it. I hadn't found a good formula that blended well and didn't look weird on my oily skin. BUT! the formula of this Rare Beauty blush is truly phenomenal. It comes in two finish options: radiant and matte. If you're oily like me, I'd recommend the matte finish. Don't worry, it won't leave you feeling flat! It still looks plump and fresh on the cheeks.
You need the TINIEST amount (think: two tiny dots on each cheek) because it's highly pigmented. I blend it out with a densely packed blush brush, and it blends perfectly. I have the shade "bliss" and it leaves the healthiest looking pink glow. I'm so tempted to try all the other colors! If you have been afraid to try liquid blush, but curious, this is the perfect one to introduce into your routine.
Shade: Transcend- rose gold
Never had I ever: tried liquid highlight before! Not sure why because it's fabulous! If you are looking for a more natural "glow from within" - this is it! I apply a few dots along the tops of my cheekbones and a tiny amount down the bridge of my nose. I found that I have the easiest time blending it out with my fingers! Just a quick "dab dab dab" and BOOM! Effortless!
This is no blinding highlight, but it leaves a more believable subtle glow. It's not glittery or overly shiny. Plus, this color looks extra beautiful in the bottle sitting on my vanity.
Sel G often rocks a fabulous winged liner moment, and they've designed this to help us less-skilled liner users emulate her look! It's jet black, matte, and lasts all day without smudging. The tip feels like a mini watercolor brush, which I feel makes application a bit easier.
*Don't be like me and try to unscrew the cap! It just pops off. I accidentally separated the whole liner from its packaging when I first opened it.
Shade: Thankful- nude mauve
I'd like to categorize this as a "creamy lipstick" over "lip balm" because it definitely has more pigment than the average lip balm. It's so EASY - quick application that wears nicely. It's super hydrating and creamy. I like that it has a subtle shine too!
I love that the packaging is flat on one side so it doesn't roll off your vanity or flat surfaces. Overall, I think it's a great everyday lipstick.
Shade: Brave- muted terracotta
They couldn't have described this better on the site: "A weightless air-whipped lip cream that hugs lips with rich color and nourishing hydration that gives a soft velvety matte finish."
This is another home run in my book! I know the packaging might have you thinking it's just another matte lipstick, but do not sleep on this! It is non-drying, creamy, lightweight. Truthfully, a more unique formula for a liquid lipstick. You can barely tell you're wearing any lipstick at all!
It's not entirely transfer-proof, meaning, you will probably still end up with some lipstick around the rim of your cup. But I certainly prefer that over flaky, dried out lips from other formulas.
The color "brave" is perfect for fall, and I'm definitely going to be grabbing more colors of this one!
You really can't go wrong with these products, but if you want a more narrowed down recommendation, here are my must-haves from the line:
What a fantastic collection! From one Selena to another, BRAVO, GIRL!!!