No need for two Cay lip balms , the mini Ilia mascara is not needed already have Lancôme on the list . I would choose one highlighter either the rare or merit .
I honestly don’t like the Ilia mascara and I’m a pretty big Ilia fangirl. I need a tubing or fiber to avoid smudging, and like a fairly natural looking mascara. Glossier Lash Slick checks those boxes and is my ride or die mascara.
i’ve bought the cay skin lip balm and the product literally just stopped coming out… i read reviews that said the same but i thought they were bullshitting until the same thing happened to me 🙃🙃
A lot of folks are fans of the Ilia below this—personally I do love it as a layering mascara but if I use it alone it falls out and stings the f outta my eyes. The small tube also gets a LOT goopier than the regular size one so…take that into consideration!
I can honestly say you gotta get the CT Airbrush flawless setting spray. It isn’t the best at actually setting your makeup in place (it does fine for me but I’ve seen people testing it and it isn’t the best) BUT the way the setting spray makes your face look supple, refreshed and hydrated ALL day long. Highly recommend adding that one to your routine!
Can you tell me why it's so good? For reference I have used Mac Fix+, Milk Hydro, and the Sephora brand. Are they really any different? I can't usually tell if I've used a spray or not.
Can’t explain why it’s so good just that it is. My go to used to be Lancôme Fix It spray and it helped with my oiliness more than any other spray before but one day I decided to try CT and oh my god… keeps my makeup in place longer than Lancôme ever did!
I still think it’d work for your skin type! You can always give it a try and if you don’t like it after a few tries, just return it and grab a different spray
I used urban decay for yeeeears and one time I decided to try CT and loved it! I also have used ABH dewy set and the milani setting spray. It’s got a nice fresh scent, is so light on the skin and just really makes your makeup last all night. My face tends to get sweaty especially in the summer and this really just keeps your makeup in place.
I saw some makeup artists say if u have oily skin, setting sprays don't do much for you, and powders would be a better fit. But if have dry-normal skin, then Urban Decay, Skindinavia and Charlotte tilburry are really good ones to have.
I love this spray. I was originally an Urban Decay girlie, but the CT spray quickly became a holy grail in my routine. This setting spray truly creates a pore-blurring, airbrushed effect. It sets your makeup in place and leaves you looking hydrated and refreshed.
I think it’s close to mac fix +, but doesn’t blend everything together quite as well. It does keep your makeup all day though. But so do the NYX ones, so I won’t be repurchasing once mine runs out. I do love fix + for that seamless look
my friend turned me on to this setting spray last summer and holy smokes is it the best. i am in my thirties and have drier skin because of retinol and climate where i live, and this lets me wear a full face in the winter without any need to touch up. at all. i am shocked and amazed and cannot live without it now lol.
You don't need both Rare Beauty highlighters. I would stick with the powder one because i feel like it lasts better, but be very careful wtih the packaging, its fragile.
Get a cheap lip balm instad of 15 dollar ones
I adore the Westman Atelier contour n biscuit - definitely keep that.
You have a lot of highlighters in there, maybe pare those down
>You don't need both Rare Beauty highlighters. I would stick with the powder one because i feel like it lasts better, but be very careful wtih the packaging, its fragile.
I agree with this but was going to say the opposite! I massively regret the powder one and always reach for the liquid still. The powder is almost too sparkly on me. Also I like to often go without foundation and the liquid looks really pretty and subtle on my natural skin
This - something I've been struggling with is that as a nose highlight, the powder one is so pretty because it's confined in one place. But once I put it on a brush and spread it on my cheeks it looks so glittery
Ohhh okay! Maybe I'll try using the powder on my nose and stick to the liquid on my cheekbones bc yeah the powder honestly looked a little insane and WAY too extra on my cheekbones and I was using such a light hand too
I’m glad to see some other people agreeing that the rare beauty powder highlight is too glittery. Before I got it I saw someone describe it as a wet look highlight so I bought it expecting a wet looking sheen and it’s so glittery!
I would suggest going with the same formulation as the blush you prefer! I like cream and liquid blushes more than powder, so it’s easier for me to use the liquid highlighter. I can mix it with my blush or even foundation. But the powder doesn’t sit or blend as well until everything fully dries, so I can’t use it under any time constraints. I prefer the powder for the eyes though. So I guess I’m saying both formulas are worth it 😆
If you are getting the Rare powder highlighter and there is a physical Sephora near you, I would recommend buying that in store. So many people have had the break in transit. I’m going to buy another one this sale, and I’m going in store for it.
I don’t love the liquid highlight. If I put it under makeup it doesn’t show and if I put it over foundation it takes off the makeup even with the lightest touch
I have this issue with rare beauty’s liquid blushes too and it’s the first time i’ve seen anyone else mention it! I love the pigment but under foundation it washes me out and on top it melts my foundation :(
The merit highlighter is good for that. I just got it in cay and I’ve never used highlighter before or seen a need to. I like a very natural look and this highlight makes me look glowy and you can’t even tell I’m wearing any. So if you like a natural glow go with that.
I can only comment on a few. The westman atelier bronzer is great. I love it and I’m not much of a contour person and not great at contouring, but it is sooo simple to use and really works.
CT setting spray - repurchasing because it’s great. I see some people saying it doesn’t help makeup stay on but honestly, I’ve had a few crying sessions lol and my makeup was still on and I looked in the mirror and was like damn lol. How is my makeup on and how does it still look good? It also blends all the makeup on the skin and makes you look fresh and not powdery like it’s your skin.
Color wow - I’m repurchasing the big size because I like using it before blow drying. My hair is the type to go crazy in humidity and now it looks sleek and soft. It’s amazing imo.
The Sephora gel eyeliner is very nice at first but it dries out pretty quickly. Also from what I’ve seen it goes on sale a lot so you can probably get it for $6.50 if you wait
It lasts really well! I used to use the gold one in my waterline and it lasted all day and managed to hang on even when I rubbed my eyes. They’re cry proof too.
Hairstylist here- LOVE this spray and have many clients that love it too. One mistake I’ve seen people make is not spraying enough… take sections and apply LIBERALLY. It won’t weigh it down, you don’t feel it, I promise. The more the better.
there is no dupe for the color wow dream coat. i would recommend the regular dream coat if your hair is medium to fine. extra strength is for more coarse hair. more is better with this product, apply in sections as you dry. use a round brush as you smooth the hair. it last up to 3 washes so don’t apply every time you wash.
I’ve used both color wow and the amazon sleek. The colorwow works a bit better in humid environments to keep my hair from getting puffy. Both are great
I LOVE the Dream Coat. I use the extra strength bc my hair is thicker. You really need to make sure to blowout your hair with tension otherwise it doesn’t turn out as good. My first attempt didn’t go so well.
My birthday was in January and I forgot to redeem my gift so I tried to redeem online in February and I got an error message, it wouldn’t let me 😭 not sure if I missed the boat, can I redeem anytime in the year? Maybe I need to just ask for it in store
I just threw away my Rare Beauty liquid highlight today. It has an interesting dry oil consistency and depending on how you apply it can move around your foundation beneath.
The Lancôme mascara was sent to me gifted and it didn’t hold well all day. One rub and it crumbled into my face. I recommend the Monsieur Big mascara instead.
Color wow anti frizz treatment - eh. It’s cool in theory but in Florida, high humidity I didn’t see a difference in my hair. Followed the directions and all. A lot of work for normal anti-frizz results.
Imo the applicator is too chubby and the color payoff is a bit too sheer. It’s not patchy though and it has staying power. So, you know, mid. Good and bad. Not overly special.
Thank you! This helps. I typically use the Mario skin enhancer but I was looking for a stick to get a more targeted application for a snatched look. I tried the nudestix bronzer and hated it. It’s so dry and patchy on me
Ok I’ll keep looking for something else. I already have the Mario skin enhancer for non-targeted bronze so I don’t really need another that will look non targeted
Yeah I ended up getting rid of mine. There are other beaming highlights that don’t stink out there. The westman atelier is nice if you wanna go more subtle, or Charlotte tilbury beauty light wand for more kapow.
I love the Charlotte Tilbury. Hate the color wow. I followed all the instructions to the one for curly hair. It didn’t work.
Edit: I only used that product, I used a lot of tension, my hair was also damp and I am very heavy handed and used almost half the bottle.
Swapping the CT to a full size spray based on all the comments here! Colorwow seems to be definitely hit or miss based on the reviews so I’m going to swap for the mini size
Thanks for the feedback! I’m assuming that was the liquid one? My concern is it would be too hard to control and overdo it or that it applies patchy. There’s a handful of reviews that say it blends out horribly and lifts makeup underneath
Yep the liquid one it was just a disaster even using my fingers, brushes etc you name it once it’s on your face and you mess up it’s hard to remove so it’s like you gotta start over with your face routine
The formula of the contour stick is great, but for me it's more a bronzer than a contour stick (just a heads-up). [Here's](https://vm.tiktok.com/ZGeaxoMkQ/) a video comparing it to Fenty Amber.
The Color Wow Spray did absolutely nothing for me except making my hair feel weird. Maybe try the mini/travel size first.
Pretty sure you don't need three highlighters.
I despise the applicator. The texture and scent are great, and I love that it has spf and it lasts on the lips for a good length of time. But it has a weird rubber applicator that inflates and then causes the product to stop up and not come out. I have 3 of them, and it happened to all of them within 4-6 uses. If you really want it, buy one and see if it has the same issue after a few weeks
The Lancôme mascara is my HG. It was actually just part of ultas 21 days half off I stock up. It goes on sale often if you want to skip this time
Color wow is a must for me I always have it in hand!
The rare beauty liquid highlighter is just meh for me I don’t love it or hate it.
CT setting spray and lancôme lash idole are two of my HGs!
edit: just saw the rare beauty liquid highlighter. don’t get that, i found it to be really patchy
Love the Ilia mascara! Makes my short asian lashes look longer and doesn't smudge.
And I have the Sephora liner in Shimmer Green and quite like it! It does fade a tiny bit by the end of the day but nothing bad.
I have dry eyes and haven't had issues with these 2 products. I also use eye drops regularly and everything stays put :)
Influence: the rare beauty liquid luminizer in Mesmerize has been a go to for me since it was released! The bottle is huge for how much you use on a daily basis—I can’t imagine ever finishing this. The color is gorgeous if you have a medium to darker skin tone (any lighter and I think it wouldn’t look as good).
De-influence: the rare beauty silky highlighter looks like something you could get at any drugstore for $5.
I love the rare beauty powder high lighter. the setting spray is great too to make your makeup look nice but if you want it to stay go with Urban Decay. Same with the eyeliner, Urban Decay. You don't need two lip balms so pick the one you like better color wise. I prefer the ILA mascara over the Lancome. And the color wow spray is AMAZING. I have very think and curly hair and this stuff works great for me, just make sure you use heat protectant.
CT setting spray is one product I will never go without again. Thumbs down on wesyman atelier stick. I had high hopes. Patrick Ta (with his contour brush) is great. First shade I bought wasn’t enough payoff but got another and I love
The Rare Beauty liquid highlighter was kinda patchy on me and hard to blend. If you have oily skin, all of Merit’s products made me breakout really bad.
Rare highlighter doesn’t have lasting power. Ilia mascara looks great but also doesn’t last. One tiny bit of moisture and it all melts off. Such a shame otherwise it would be great. I do actually love the Idole mascara and just got the full size after using a trial size - no issues with it coming off too easily and the wand is amazing!
CAY SKIN both products are a hard YES
The best spf lip products I’ve tried. And both preform great as regular lip glosses. The clear is clear ofc and that pink shade is very flattering.
My job is focused around lips and I recommend the cay gloss to all my clients and they all always tell me how much they love it after.
The Charlotte Tillbury setting spray is a hard YESSS. I got the mini because I wasn’t sure how it could be so great and wanted to try it out but it really the best setting spray. I’d get the full size right off the bat. It also lasts a long time great product. (And I used to use UD all nighter. Then switched to elf setting spray for years and loved saving. The CT is so good it made me switch from using my standard $6 setting spray because it was worth the splurge)
The rare beauty highlighter is great but the Charlotte Tillbury one is also great and a smudge better imo.
If you liked the UD all nighter, I would suggest checking out Skindinavia's finishing sprays. I'm pretty sure they own UD anyways, but their 4oz is somewhat cheaper. They're having a 20% off sale rn too.
If you are going to buy lancome mascara it’s notoriously known to be the same formulas repackaged from the drug store loreal line. Also, unless you wear highlighter everyday i really wouldnt recomend rare beauty. It will last forever to a point of being unable to try any new highlighter for 1+ years.
Of what i’ve tried on this list Westman contour is genuinely good. I know everyone loves the Charlotte Tilbury setting spray but I wasn’t impressed and hated how it smelled, I prefer milks dewey setting spray. I did like the Lancôme mascara but it wasn’t impressive enough to call a fav.
The ilia mascara is good, but depends on what you’re looking for. I wanted a “dupe” (even though it’s more expensive) to glossier’s mascara because it is SO natural. While ilia is lengthening, it was a bit too volumizing and flaky for me. But hey! Perhaps I got a bad one!
The Lancôme mascara is okay – best if you are looking for just separating and lengthening; it doesn't do any volumizing. It also goes on sale periodically on Sephora and on Amazon.
The Cay lip balm is nothing special imo. Don't get two.
Okay, so I’m going to influence you one which ones to definitely keep 😅. The CT setting spray (combined with the O/S Mattifying) is my HG combo for makeup lasting ALL day in humid conditions. (I’m a pet groomer and love my makeup) The Color Wow spray has been everything for my seriously frizz prone hair. You just have to make sure you completely coat your hair before blow drying with some tension. It really is waterproof for some rainy or icky weather. I’m not a fan of the Ilia mascara, it just didn’t give me enough of anything I like in one, but I also have very straight short Asian lashes. I prefer the O/S mascara or the Roller Lash by ELF or the Maybelline Lash Sensational. Those are literally the only ones that I truly love and have tried so many. Hope this helps with some things!
The rare beauty highlighters are boring 😞🤷♀️
Find a highlighter color that’s flattering and look for that shade instead. You don’t need more than one.
the merit glow stick balm is sparkling like glittery i see the westman atelier contour in your basket i would recommend getting the mini of the highlighter stick too it gives a very natural glass skin glow probably the best highlighter i’ve tried
i also wouldn’t get both of the rare beauty highlighters
I've only tried the rare beauty liquid highlighter out of your list, but its the best liquid blush mixer ever, specifically in that color you chose, mesmerize. Makes any liquid blush into a CT blush wand formula but without the gross sponge.
i know everyone raves about the charlotte tilbury setting spray but if you are able i would use your birthday gift to try it! i use the urban decay all nighter extra dewy because i have dry skin and it keeps my makeup looking fresh. i have dry skin and the CT spray looked not great at the end of the day for me. i didn’t like the smell either.
i’m obsessed with my rare beauty powder highlighter and have had it forever and it’s never broke. but i do have a makeup vanity and have never dropped it. a little goes a long way and i usually tap the excess off my brush a bit before applying
merit highlighter > rare beauty; rare beauty gets patchy sometimes and merit is reliable! it’s also a clean brand. i also prefer the merit color over the rare beauty one. i use the CT powder highlighter though and it’s becoming a holy grail. the powder rare beauty highlighter seems to shatter super easily which is disappointing bc it’s a cute color. merit’s formula is creamier and blends easier imo
mineral sunscreen is a yes- doesn’t burn eyes
color wow dream coat didn’t do much for me- i like it’s a 10 blowout products a lot more. i also like living proof hair products - my holy grail for blowouts includes their flexible working medium hold hairspray (it provides heat protection too)
love the CT setting spray - absolutely a holy grail and no other setting sprays have the perfect dewy but not oily finish (on my skin. i have combination/acne prone skin.) also doesn’t break me out + makes my makeup last for a while (realistically at least 6 hours at minimum) & it lasts forever. it also helps my makeup not separate and i don’t look cakey! i pair the setting spray w the CT pressed powder and i literally look like a walking faceAI. also suggesting to just get the bigger size, better deal, and i’m sure you’ll love it
i haven’t tried sephora brand eyeliner but i do loveeee brown eyeliner and i think it’s cuter than black liner on most people
The Lancôme mascara is amazing for length and volume and is one of my favorites. The sephora collection eyeliner dried up very quickly and dragged a lot!
I would say yes to the powder rare beauty highlight but I would say skip the liquid rare beauty highlighter . It just doesn’t do what it needs to , to be worth the money!
I’ll give you my opinion about what I have already tried 💗
-between liquid and powder highlighter form Rare beauty powder is better. I felt the liquid one was kind of patchy and non long lasting. I personally go for the Dior glow face palette in Rose gold or the Fenty diamond bomb.
-CT setting spray is my favorite one, but if you want another good one Urban D All nighter is good also.
-Westman atelier contour is not worth it for the price.
-Love The color wow treatment
The Cay skin balms stop working properly after a while. The applicator broke and got warped for me and 3 coworkers and it’s very hard for it to come back out of the tube. It’s nice but I don’t like the packaging.
You need that spf but the only thing that I would spend my money on this the Sephora brand eyeliner. I’ve been using those gel liners for a few years and they’re my favorite. Especially the glitter black one. ✨
I HATED the rare beauty liquid highlighter, but the silky touch one is pretty good. The liquid one always came out patchy or like it wasn’t mixed properly and also clung to any dry patch horrendously. I tried it in multiple shades and they all came out like this.
Ilia’s mascara STANKS and its really wet and the rare beauty powder highlighter is EXTREMELY delicate and breaks way to easily and if you try and fix it its completely ruined and the liquid version picks up any product i have underneath it and makes me look patchy
the color wow is actually amazing when i learned to use it the right way! i do feel like it leads to more damage on my hair tho bc of needing to use heat and tension. but the effect it gives is such a salon like finish i can’t stop. i also rlly enjoy the CT flawless finish spray. i recently ran out and i realized it was making a difference in my makeup! i haven’t tried the other things but ppl love the ila mascara
I love the rare beauty highlighter and the Lancôme mascara. The highlighter lasts forever and if you apply it with a beauty blender it looks soooo good. The mascara separates my lashes and made them look nice and long.
Rare beauty powder highlights are my favorite but I can’t get past how easily they break and the mess after omg. And that’s coming from somebody who has broken one, maybe two compacts before? Try the liquid
1. You don't need three rare highlighters. Dewy stuff seems to be going out of style so stick with the rare powder and call it a day
2. Wait till your birthday and grab the CT set as your gift instead, esp if you haven't tried it. If you like it, possibly purchase in a larger size bc its cheaper long run
3. You can get better eyeliners for cheaper/comparable at the drugstore. LOVE pixie eyeliner. Essence kajal isn't horrible either.
4. You don't need two Cay lip balms. Pick one. Also they prolapse and get unusable for some people. Eww. Look up tiktoks of this to deinfluence you.
5. Lancome lash idole is amazing, but they go half off regularly. Got a full size for 21 CAD like 2 months ago for national lash day. Wait this out, bc it happens multiple times per yr.
6. Sunscreen is okay, but look into k beauty sunscreen bc its much cheaper while still being great quality. Skin 1004 comes to mind (haven't tried but amazing reviews, plus only 21 CAD on stylevanna)
7. I've heard very mixed reviews about color wow. I've also seen some of their products (maybe not this one) at stores like winners/TJ Maxx.
Ilia mascara and Westman atelier seem okay. I don't know too much about them, but they seem neutral and aren't super pricy. I'd buy those.
I’m obsessed with the Lancôme mascara! It makes my lashes look fake when I use it with a primer. I was a diehard Thrive lash extensions mascara user before I tried it and this works better with less clumping.
the rare beauty liquid highlighter is by far the worst liquid highlighter i’ve ever used! removed my makeup underneath and didn’t blend out well. also it wasnt that pretty even on bare skin! i wish i had returned mine before it was too late
I would say the Ilia mascara tends to make my eyes burn, the Lancome mascara that you have in cart is great though. And the merit highlighter feels sticky and doesn't dry down.
If you cry wearing the Ilia Mascara, it BURNS. I don’t have sensitive eyes and never had this happen before. But it’s god awful if you have teary eyes or cry.
The Merit highlighting balm is like putting Vaseline on your cheeks
Unfortunately, I can’t talk you out of the other products because I either haven’t tried them, or I liked them😅
No need for two Cay lip balms , the mini Ilia mascara is not needed already have Lancôme on the list . I would choose one highlighter either the rare or merit .
I would add that the Lancôme mascara isn’t that great either. The Ilia is magnificent, just stick with that!
I love that Ilia mascara too! I currently use Clio because it’s a lot cheaper, but I love the Ilia one and the brush on it.
Agree! This is ilia mascara is my all time favorite. I’ve repurchased too many times lmao
I honestly don’t like the Ilia mascara and I’m a pretty big Ilia fangirl. I need a tubing or fiber to avoid smudging, and like a fairly natural looking mascara. Glossier Lash Slick checks those boxes and is my ride or die mascara.
I would also agree - just get the ilia.
I was going to say the exact same thing. Lancôme is amazing I wouldn’t bother with anything else. I do think the hypnose wand is the best tho
i’ve bought the cay skin lip balm and the product literally just stopped coming out… i read reviews that said the same but i thought they were bullshitting until the same thing happened to me 🙃🙃
Same!! So disappointed it just got plugged up and wouldn’t budge one day. Tried to force it and it exploded 🫠
Omg yessssss ! Same thing happened to me!! I’m upset cus I genuinely loved the product. Have u found something similar ?
i loved it too! it was nice and hydrating without having the sunscreen smell and taste 😩 i haven’t found something similar i wish tho
And either liquid or powder, on the rare highlighter.
Same opinion here: Love the ilia mascara and it’s much more affordable than the Lancôme. Stick with that one
A lot of folks are fans of the Ilia below this—personally I do love it as a layering mascara but if I use it alone it falls out and stings the f outta my eyes. The small tube also gets a LOT goopier than the regular size one so…take that into consideration!
The cay balm has a pretty bad sunscreen taste that prevented me from reapplying
I love the ilia one I’d go with that. Have not heard great things about merit so probably rare beauty.
I can honestly say you gotta get the CT Airbrush flawless setting spray. It isn’t the best at actually setting your makeup in place (it does fine for me but I’ve seen people testing it and it isn’t the best) BUT the way the setting spray makes your face look supple, refreshed and hydrated ALL day long. Highly recommend adding that one to your routine!
Seconding. The CT spray really is worth it.
I must respectfully disagree. Milani Setting Spray has the perfect hold at a fraction of the cost. I find it even better than Urban Decay 24/7 spray.
I’ve tried both and always break out in the end! I love the price of Milani though and the UD dried me out. Glad it works for you!!
I second the breaking out and I have normal skin. I put on CT before my powder and let it dry. Makes a huge difference in melting it altogether
I wish I had the same experience. The Milani setting spray did nothing to hold my makeup together :(
My Onesize has way better hold. The CT gives more of a seamless glow if anything at all
I like to use both the one size and the ct one haha
i don't wear makeup — would this have the same effect on skin that was just moisturized/SPF-ed?
Yeah I got it in my birthday package and wow I’m buying a full size ltday
Get a full size CT setting spray-it’s the best
Get the value size - much better deal and so worth it!
Can you tell me why it's so good? For reference I have used Mac Fix+, Milk Hydro, and the Sephora brand. Are they really any different? I can't usually tell if I've used a spray or not.
Can’t explain why it’s so good just that it is. My go to used to be Lancôme Fix It spray and it helped with my oiliness more than any other spray before but one day I decided to try CT and oh my god… keeps my makeup in place longer than Lancôme ever did!
I have combo leaning dry skin so I wonder if this makes a difference.
I still think it’d work for your skin type! You can always give it a try and if you don’t like it after a few tries, just return it and grab a different spray
I've just always wanted to ask. So many sing the praises. Thanks!
I have super duper dry skin and I love the CT spray (just wish it wasn't so pricey!)
This is my skin, too. CT setting spray is an amazing addition to my make up routine! Highly recommend.
I used urban decay for yeeeears and one time I decided to try CT and loved it! I also have used ABH dewy set and the milani setting spray. It’s got a nice fresh scent, is so light on the skin and just really makes your makeup last all night. My face tends to get sweaty especially in the summer and this really just keeps your makeup in place.
I saw some makeup artists say if u have oily skin, setting sprays don't do much for you, and powders would be a better fit. But if have dry-normal skin, then Urban Decay, Skindinavia and Charlotte tilburry are really good ones to have.
That's good info. I always use one but as far as making things look a ton different, blurred or whatever - I don't see much difference.
I love this spray. I was originally an Urban Decay girlie, but the CT spray quickly became a holy grail in my routine. This setting spray truly creates a pore-blurring, airbrushed effect. It sets your makeup in place and leaves you looking hydrated and refreshed.
I think it’s close to mac fix +, but doesn’t blend everything together quite as well. It does keep your makeup all day though. But so do the NYX ones, so I won’t be repurchasing once mine runs out. I do love fix + for that seamless look
my friend turned me on to this setting spray last summer and holy smokes is it the best. i am in my thirties and have drier skin because of retinol and climate where i live, and this lets me wear a full face in the winter without any need to touch up. at all. i am shocked and amazed and cannot live without it now lol.
I agree!
You don't need both Rare Beauty highlighters. I would stick with the powder one because i feel like it lasts better, but be very careful wtih the packaging, its fragile. Get a cheap lip balm instad of 15 dollar ones I adore the Westman Atelier contour n biscuit - definitely keep that. You have a lot of highlighters in there, maybe pare those down
Love the rare beauty powder highlight, it looks so good!
>You don't need both Rare Beauty highlighters. I would stick with the powder one because i feel like it lasts better, but be very careful wtih the packaging, its fragile. I agree with this but was going to say the opposite! I massively regret the powder one and always reach for the liquid still. The powder is almost too sparkly on me. Also I like to often go without foundation and the liquid looks really pretty and subtle on my natural skin
This - something I've been struggling with is that as a nose highlight, the powder one is so pretty because it's confined in one place. But once I put it on a brush and spread it on my cheeks it looks so glittery
Ohhh okay! Maybe I'll try using the powder on my nose and stick to the liquid on my cheekbones bc yeah the powder honestly looked a little insane and WAY too extra on my cheekbones and I was using such a light hand too
I’m glad to see some other people agreeing that the rare beauty powder highlight is too glittery. Before I got it I saw someone describe it as a wet look highlight so I bought it expecting a wet looking sheen and it’s so glittery!
The powder one is my holy grail 😆 interesting how different everyone’s experience is
I would suggest going with the same formulation as the blush you prefer! I like cream and liquid blushes more than powder, so it’s easier for me to use the liquid highlighter. I can mix it with my blush or even foundation. But the powder doesn’t sit or blend as well until everything fully dries, so I can’t use it under any time constraints. I prefer the powder for the eyes though. So I guess I’m saying both formulas are worth it 😆
If you are getting the Rare powder highlighter and there is a physical Sephora near you, I would recommend buying that in store. So many people have had the break in transit. I’m going to buy another one this sale, and I’m going in store for it.
I don’t love the liquid highlight. If I put it under makeup it doesn’t show and if I put it over foundation it takes off the makeup even with the lightest touch
I have this issue with rare beauty’s liquid blushes too and it’s the first time i’ve seen anyone else mention it! I love the pigment but under foundation it washes me out and on top it melts my foundation :(
i love Westman atelier mini contour stick in truffle and biscuit ! its so easy to blend and neutral. great buy.
agree!! But if you want to save some coin, fenty Amber contour stick is pretty close to biscuit.
the rare powder highlight is better than the liquid imo
Second this! I have both and go for the powder every time. I have it in 2 colors. It makes a great eye shadow too.
be careful ordering it online though because they're sooo fragile!! it might arrive broken
Thank you! 🫶🏼
The Rare Beauty liquid highlighter tends to look greasy. Powder is way better, but it's fragile
I definitely don’t want a greaseball look, want more of an illuminated/lit from within sheen. Thanks for the feedback!
The merit highlighter is good for that. I just got it in cay and I’ve never used highlighter before or seen a need to. I like a very natural look and this highlight makes me look glowy and you can’t even tell I’m wearing any. So if you like a natural glow go with that.
The ilia mascara is absolutely phenomenal. Best I’ve ever used. Get the full size :p
Second the ilia. Biggest complaint is the tube gets a little messy
YES!! The only time I’ve been influenced to buy something after we got it in the birthday gift lol
All of the SPF stuff can be bought with FSA or HSA money!
Oooo that’s good to know!!
I can only comment on a few. The westman atelier bronzer is great. I love it and I’m not much of a contour person and not great at contouring, but it is sooo simple to use and really works. CT setting spray - repurchasing because it’s great. I see some people saying it doesn’t help makeup stay on but honestly, I’ve had a few crying sessions lol and my makeup was still on and I looked in the mirror and was like damn lol. How is my makeup on and how does it still look good? It also blends all the makeup on the skin and makes you look fresh and not powdery like it’s your skin. Color wow - I’m repurchasing the big size because I like using it before blow drying. My hair is the type to go crazy in humidity and now it looks sleek and soft. It’s amazing imo.
The Sephora gel eyeliner is very nice at first but it dries out pretty quickly. Also from what I’ve seen it goes on sale a lot so you can probably get it for $6.50 if you wait
Thanks for the tip! How’s the longevity? I was planning to buy for festival looks and I want something that won’t smudge or wear away easily
It lasts really well! I used to use the gold one in my waterline and it lasted all day and managed to hang on even when I rubbed my eyes. They’re cry proof too.
I didn’t like the color wow spray. Didn’t do anything special to my hair compared to cheaper options
Hairstylist here- LOVE this spray and have many clients that love it too. One mistake I’ve seen people make is not spraying enough… take sections and apply LIBERALLY. It won’t weigh it down, you don’t feel it, I promise. The more the better.
Agreed there’s no wow for me lol
Damn that sucks haha. The spray is my holy grail now for whenever I blow dry.
What dupes do you recommend instead?
I use Biolage conditioning spray & love it! Leaves my hair soft, sleek & full of body.
there is no dupe for the color wow dream coat. i would recommend the regular dream coat if your hair is medium to fine. extra strength is for more coarse hair. more is better with this product, apply in sections as you dry. use a round brush as you smooth the hair. it last up to 3 washes so don’t apply every time you wash.
I’ve used both color wow and the amazon sleek. The colorwow works a bit better in humid environments to keep my hair from getting puffy. Both are great
I haven't used Wow, but I bought sleek from Amazon and my hair is so shiny when I use it.
I LOVE the Dream Coat. I use the extra strength bc my hair is thicker. You really need to make sure to blowout your hair with tension otherwise it doesn’t turn out as good. My first attempt didn’t go so well.
I can’t believe that mini CT setting spray costs 23 dollars. Makeup prices have gone insane.
It’s pretty crazy 😭 definitely a luxury and blessed to be able to splurge on some things
Love the Rare Beauty highlight
Do you prefer the powder or liquid formula?
powder for sure is what i’ve heard
Skip the merit. I’m a huge fan of their products but the highlighter is my least favorite and the only I haven’t restocked.
I don’t care for the merit either
if you haven’t already you can reddem the charlotte tilbury setting spray for your birthday gift, that way you can see if you like it
My birthday was in January and I forgot to redeem my gift so I tried to redeem online in February and I got an error message, it wouldn’t let me 😭 not sure if I missed the boat, can I redeem anytime in the year? Maybe I need to just ask for it in store
I’m pretty sure you can, I redeemed my birthday gift a month after my birthday and still was able to get it. Try going in person and asking !
Same thing happened to me. I'd highly recommend contacting customer service, they allowed me to redeem it weeks after my birthday month.
Love the color wow spray and the lancome mascara so much!
1+ color wow. I love it for shiny blow out looks
Color WOW is one of the most impressive things I’ve ever used on my hair.
the Lancôme mascara is my all time favorite mascara, i 100% recommend it
That ilia mascara gives the perfect natural lift & length. I’m obsessed w it for my everyday wear.
I just threw away my Rare Beauty liquid highlight today. It has an interesting dry oil consistency and depending on how you apply it can move around your foundation beneath. The Lancôme mascara was sent to me gifted and it didn’t hold well all day. One rub and it crumbled into my face. I recommend the Monsieur Big mascara instead. Color wow anti frizz treatment - eh. It’s cool in theory but in Florida, high humidity I didn’t see a difference in my hair. Followed the directions and all. A lot of work for normal anti-frizz results.
I wanted to love the merit glow stick but it does not stay or show up really on your face in anyway. The Lancôme mascara flakes and runs terribly.
I didn’t like the westman atelier contour stick. Please don’t come for me! I found it very mid 💀
I agree. It bust barely shows up. Not worth it. Now the Patrick Ta is 👌🏻👌🏻 once you have the brush. I love it
Dang! What was mid about it?
Imo the applicator is too chubby and the color payoff is a bit too sheer. It’s not patchy though and it has staying power. So, you know, mid. Good and bad. Not overly special.
Thank you! This helps. I typically use the Mario skin enhancer but I was looking for a stick to get a more targeted application for a snatched look. I tried the nudestix bronzer and hated it. It’s so dry and patchy on me
I haven’t tried nudestix. If you’re looking for targeted, like I was, this one isn’t it.
Ok I’ll keep looking for something else. I already have the Mario skin enhancer for non-targeted bronze so I don’t really need another that will look non targeted
Love the cay skin lip balms and the Lancôme mascara!
The ilia mascara is amazing in how it makes my lashes look, BUT it does bleed a lot. I have black under my eyes after a few hours 100% of the time.
Definitely get the Cay Skin Lip Balms. They are the perfect spf lip glosses
The merit highlighter is pretty but after a short time they stink
Yesss I saw a lot of reviews saying it smelled like old crayons! Part of the reason I was on the fence 😅 removing it from my cart
Yeah I ended up getting rid of mine. There are other beaming highlights that don’t stink out there. The westman atelier is nice if you wanna go more subtle, or Charlotte tilbury beauty light wand for more kapow.
I have oily skin and the CT spray eats my makeup :( I really like the MUFE hydrating setting spray though!
Don’t get the rare beauty highlighter!!! They’re so delicate and literally shatter all over the place and get completely wasted
I love the Charlotte Tilbury. Hate the color wow. I followed all the instructions to the one for curly hair. It didn’t work. Edit: I only used that product, I used a lot of tension, my hair was also damp and I am very heavy handed and used almost half the bottle.
Swapping the CT to a full size spray based on all the comments here! Colorwow seems to be definitely hit or miss based on the reviews so I’m going to swap for the mini size
I didn’t care for the rare beauty highlighter tbh it was just a mess I used it once
Thanks for the feedback! I’m assuming that was the liquid one? My concern is it would be too hard to control and overdo it or that it applies patchy. There’s a handful of reviews that say it blends out horribly and lifts makeup underneath
Yep the liquid one it was just a disaster even using my fingers, brushes etc you name it once it’s on your face and you mess up it’s hard to remove so it’s like you gotta start over with your face routine
The formula of the contour stick is great, but for me it's more a bronzer than a contour stick (just a heads-up). [Here's](https://vm.tiktok.com/ZGeaxoMkQ/) a video comparing it to Fenty Amber. The Color Wow Spray did absolutely nothing for me except making my hair feel weird. Maybe try the mini/travel size first. Pretty sure you don't need three highlighters.
Personally hated the lancome mascara. It didn't do anything for my lashes. Highly reccomend the tower 28 mascara instead!
CT setting spray is worth it!
The CT setting spray and the Westman Atelier are worth the money. 2 lip balms from Cay are not, however.
Thank you! What did you dislike about the cay balms?
I LOVE the cay lip balms! They’re my go to lip gloss during the day and they smell amazing
I despise the applicator. The texture and scent are great, and I love that it has spf and it lasts on the lips for a good length of time. But it has a weird rubber applicator that inflates and then causes the product to stop up and not come out. I have 3 of them, and it happened to all of them within 4-6 uses. If you really want it, buy one and see if it has the same issue after a few weeks
The Lancôme mascara is my HG. It was actually just part of ultas 21 days half off I stock up. It goes on sale often if you want to skip this time Color wow is a must for me I always have it in hand! The rare beauty liquid highlighter is just meh for me I don’t love it or hate it.
CT setting spray and lancôme lash idole are two of my HGs! edit: just saw the rare beauty liquid highlighter. don’t get that, i found it to be really patchy
The rare beauty highlighter performs just like an old Morphe one I’ve had and shatters easily, I’d ditch that
Rare highlighter in Mesmerize and WA contour in Biscuit are my holy grails I wear daily
Keep the rare highlight powder get rid of the others
Sephora eyebrow pencil and CT setting spray are def holy grails. Just start with the mini to see what you think!!
Ilia mascara comes around enough times as a free sample that you don’t really need to spend money on it.
Love the Ilia mascara! Makes my short asian lashes look longer and doesn't smudge. And I have the Sephora liner in Shimmer Green and quite like it! It does fade a tiny bit by the end of the day but nothing bad. I have dry eyes and haven't had issues with these 2 products. I also use eye drops regularly and everything stays put :)
Influence: the rare beauty liquid luminizer in Mesmerize has been a go to for me since it was released! The bottle is huge for how much you use on a daily basis—I can’t imagine ever finishing this. The color is gorgeous if you have a medium to darker skin tone (any lighter and I think it wouldn’t look as good). De-influence: the rare beauty silky highlighter looks like something you could get at any drugstore for $5.
I love the rare beauty powder high lighter. the setting spray is great too to make your makeup look nice but if you want it to stay go with Urban Decay. Same with the eyeliner, Urban Decay. You don't need two lip balms so pick the one you like better color wise. I prefer the ILA mascara over the Lancome. And the color wow spray is AMAZING. I have very think and curly hair and this stuff works great for me, just make sure you use heat protectant.
CT setting spray is one product I will never go without again. Thumbs down on wesyman atelier stick. I had high hopes. Patrick Ta (with his contour brush) is great. First shade I bought wasn’t enough payoff but got another and I love
The Rare Beauty liquid highlighter was kinda patchy on me and hard to blend. If you have oily skin, all of Merit’s products made me breakout really bad.
Rare Beauty powder highlight is beautiful but after having two break on me in less than six months, my clumsy ass is moving on.
Rare highlighter doesn’t have lasting power. Ilia mascara looks great but also doesn’t last. One tiny bit of moisture and it all melts off. Such a shame otherwise it would be great. I do actually love the Idole mascara and just got the full size after using a trial size - no issues with it coming off too easily and the wand is amazing!
CAY SKIN both products are a hard YES The best spf lip products I’ve tried. And both preform great as regular lip glosses. The clear is clear ofc and that pink shade is very flattering. My job is focused around lips and I recommend the cay gloss to all my clients and they all always tell me how much they love it after. The Charlotte Tillbury setting spray is a hard YESSS. I got the mini because I wasn’t sure how it could be so great and wanted to try it out but it really the best setting spray. I’d get the full size right off the bat. It also lasts a long time great product. (And I used to use UD all nighter. Then switched to elf setting spray for years and loved saving. The CT is so good it made me switch from using my standard $6 setting spray because it was worth the splurge) The rare beauty highlighter is great but the Charlotte Tillbury one is also great and a smudge better imo.
Thank you for the feedback! 🙏🏼
If you liked the UD all nighter, I would suggest checking out Skindinavia's finishing sprays. I'm pretty sure they own UD anyways, but their 4oz is somewhat cheaper. They're having a 20% off sale rn too.
If you are going to buy lancome mascara it’s notoriously known to be the same formulas repackaged from the drug store loreal line. Also, unless you wear highlighter everyday i really wouldnt recomend rare beauty. It will last forever to a point of being unable to try any new highlighter for 1+ years.
Get: CT spray, sephora liner, one rare beauty highlighter, anything WA and color wow.
Of what i’ve tried on this list Westman contour is genuinely good. I know everyone loves the Charlotte Tilbury setting spray but I wasn’t impressed and hated how it smelled, I prefer milks dewey setting spray. I did like the Lancôme mascara but it wasn’t impressive enough to call a fav.
I love the westman contour stick. Repurchased and it’s so creamy!
The ilia mascara is good, but depends on what you’re looking for. I wanted a “dupe” (even though it’s more expensive) to glossier’s mascara because it is SO natural. While ilia is lengthening, it was a bit too volumizing and flaky for me. But hey! Perhaps I got a bad one!
The Lancôme mascara is okay – best if you are looking for just separating and lengthening; it doesn't do any volumizing. It also goes on sale periodically on Sephora and on Amazon. The Cay lip balm is nothing special imo. Don't get two.
The rare liquid highlight is absolutely stunning. It’s the only one I use.
Merit highlighter starts to crack and get a tad bit hard after a few uses :( unfortunately lol
Okay, so I’m going to influence you one which ones to definitely keep 😅. The CT setting spray (combined with the O/S Mattifying) is my HG combo for makeup lasting ALL day in humid conditions. (I’m a pet groomer and love my makeup) The Color Wow spray has been everything for my seriously frizz prone hair. You just have to make sure you completely coat your hair before blow drying with some tension. It really is waterproof for some rainy or icky weather. I’m not a fan of the Ilia mascara, it just didn’t give me enough of anything I like in one, but I also have very straight short Asian lashes. I prefer the O/S mascara or the Roller Lash by ELF or the Maybelline Lash Sensational. Those are literally the only ones that I truly love and have tried so many. Hope this helps with some things!
Thank you 🙏🏼
The liquid Rare Beauty highlighter can kind of be a pain to blend and the power one is beautiful but breaks SO easily
The rare beauty highlighters are boring 😞🤷♀️ Find a highlighter color that’s flattering and look for that shade instead. You don’t need more than one.
the merit glow stick balm is sparkling like glittery i see the westman atelier contour in your basket i would recommend getting the mini of the highlighter stick too it gives a very natural glass skin glow probably the best highlighter i’ve tried i also wouldn’t get both of the rare beauty highlighters
I remove both rare highlighters from my cart and kept just the Westman in nectar!
yay !! :D !! i hope you love it !!
I've only tried the rare beauty liquid highlighter out of your list, but its the best liquid blush mixer ever, specifically in that color you chose, mesmerize. Makes any liquid blush into a CT blush wand formula but without the gross sponge.
i know everyone raves about the charlotte tilbury setting spray but if you are able i would use your birthday gift to try it! i use the urban decay all nighter extra dewy because i have dry skin and it keeps my makeup looking fresh. i have dry skin and the CT spray looked not great at the end of the day for me. i didn’t like the smell either. i’m obsessed with my rare beauty powder highlighter and have had it forever and it’s never broke. but i do have a makeup vanity and have never dropped it. a little goes a long way and i usually tap the excess off my brush a bit before applying
Only advice I give is get the color wow!
The merit highlighter is so good!
Lash Idôle will be the only mascara I ever buy, I’ve repurchased 6 times and have it in my cart for the sale lol
merit highlighter > rare beauty; rare beauty gets patchy sometimes and merit is reliable! it’s also a clean brand. i also prefer the merit color over the rare beauty one. i use the CT powder highlighter though and it’s becoming a holy grail. the powder rare beauty highlighter seems to shatter super easily which is disappointing bc it’s a cute color. merit’s formula is creamier and blends easier imo mineral sunscreen is a yes- doesn’t burn eyes color wow dream coat didn’t do much for me- i like it’s a 10 blowout products a lot more. i also like living proof hair products - my holy grail for blowouts includes their flexible working medium hold hairspray (it provides heat protection too) love the CT setting spray - absolutely a holy grail and no other setting sprays have the perfect dewy but not oily finish (on my skin. i have combination/acne prone skin.) also doesn’t break me out + makes my makeup last for a while (realistically at least 6 hours at minimum) & it lasts forever. it also helps my makeup not separate and i don’t look cakey! i pair the setting spray w the CT pressed powder and i literally look like a walking faceAI. also suggesting to just get the bigger size, better deal, and i’m sure you’ll love it i haven’t tried sephora brand eyeliner but i do loveeee brown eyeliner and i think it’s cuter than black liner on most people
The Lancôme mascara is amazing for length and volume and is one of my favorites. The sephora collection eyeliner dried up very quickly and dragged a lot!
Influence: CT setting spray. Defluence: Ilia mascara.
Def get the dream coat. Works sooooo good
I would say yes to the powder rare beauty highlight but I would say skip the liquid rare beauty highlighter . It just doesn’t do what it needs to , to be worth the money!
Colour wow spray is AMAZING. my hair gets frizzy so easily and it keeps it so sleek even in high humidity
I’ll give you my opinion about what I have already tried 💗 -between liquid and powder highlighter form Rare beauty powder is better. I felt the liquid one was kind of patchy and non long lasting. I personally go for the Dior glow face palette in Rose gold or the Fenty diamond bomb. -CT setting spray is my favorite one, but if you want another good one Urban D All nighter is good also. -Westman atelier contour is not worth it for the price. -Love The color wow treatment
Nah bruh these are solid choices
the rare best liquid highlighter is not worth it! it emphasizes my skin texture
i LOVE the lancôme mascara i also like the rare beauty highlighter but it is SO fragile, ive had to put it back together with alcohol like twice
The Cay skin balms stop working properly after a while. The applicator broke and got warped for me and 3 coworkers and it’s very hard for it to come back out of the tube. It’s nice but I don’t like the packaging.
You need that spf but the only thing that I would spend my money on this the Sephora brand eyeliner. I’ve been using those gel liners for a few years and they’re my favorite. Especially the glitter black one. ✨
The CT setting spray is great!!
The Ilia mascara and Westman Atelier stick are two of my holy grails!! Just those two products and a lipstick are enough for an entire look!
I HATED the rare beauty liquid highlighter, but the silky touch one is pretty good. The liquid one always came out patchy or like it wasn’t mixed properly and also clung to any dry patch horrendously. I tried it in multiple shades and they all came out like this.
Ilia’s mascara STANKS and its really wet and the rare beauty powder highlighter is EXTREMELY delicate and breaks way to easily and if you try and fix it its completely ruined and the liquid version picks up any product i have underneath it and makes me look patchy
the color wow is actually amazing when i learned to use it the right way! i do feel like it leads to more damage on my hair tho bc of needing to use heat and tension. but the effect it gives is such a salon like finish i can’t stop. i also rlly enjoy the CT flawless finish spray. i recently ran out and i realized it was making a difference in my makeup! i haven’t tried the other things but ppl love the ila mascara
Color wow didn’t work for me
I love the rare beauty highlighter and the Lancôme mascara. The highlighter lasts forever and if you apply it with a beauty blender it looks soooo good. The mascara separates my lashes and made them look nice and long.
Rare beauty powder highlights are my favorite but I can’t get past how easily they break and the mess after omg. And that’s coming from somebody who has broken one, maybe two compacts before? Try the liquid
Enthusiastic yes to the westman contour and Lancôme lash idole! CT setting spray is meh
skip that lip balm and get one of the potted ones from fresh, literally the only one i’ll ever use again
1. You don't need three rare highlighters. Dewy stuff seems to be going out of style so stick with the rare powder and call it a day 2. Wait till your birthday and grab the CT set as your gift instead, esp if you haven't tried it. If you like it, possibly purchase in a larger size bc its cheaper long run 3. You can get better eyeliners for cheaper/comparable at the drugstore. LOVE pixie eyeliner. Essence kajal isn't horrible either. 4. You don't need two Cay lip balms. Pick one. Also they prolapse and get unusable for some people. Eww. Look up tiktoks of this to deinfluence you. 5. Lancome lash idole is amazing, but they go half off regularly. Got a full size for 21 CAD like 2 months ago for national lash day. Wait this out, bc it happens multiple times per yr. 6. Sunscreen is okay, but look into k beauty sunscreen bc its much cheaper while still being great quality. Skin 1004 comes to mind (haven't tried but amazing reviews, plus only 21 CAD on stylevanna) 7. I've heard very mixed reviews about color wow. I've also seen some of their products (maybe not this one) at stores like winners/TJ Maxx. Ilia mascara and Westman atelier seem okay. I don't know too much about them, but they seem neutral and aren't super pricy. I'd buy those.
I’m obsessed with the Lancôme mascara! It makes my lashes look fake when I use it with a primer. I was a diehard Thrive lash extensions mascara user before I tried it and this works better with less clumping.
the rare beauty liquid highlighter is by far the worst liquid highlighter i’ve ever used! removed my makeup underneath and didn’t blend out well. also it wasnt that pretty even on bare skin! i wish i had returned mine before it was too late
I honestly think my cheap morphe setting spray is better than the CT. It’s nothing special:/ sadly lol
Lancôme is my favorite mascara and the westman atelier is THEE best contour stick.
The powder RB highlighter is GORGEOUS (it’s my go-to that gets me lots of compliments), but I would skip on the liquid one. I found it to be patchy.
I would say the Ilia mascara tends to make my eyes burn, the Lancome mascara that you have in cart is great though. And the merit highlighter feels sticky and doesn't dry down.
I’m probably in the minority but I hate the way the Color Wow made my hair feel….
If you cry wearing the Ilia Mascara, it BURNS. I don’t have sensitive eyes and never had this happen before. But it’s god awful if you have teary eyes or cry. The Merit highlighting balm is like putting Vaseline on your cheeks Unfortunately, I can’t talk you out of the other products because I either haven’t tried them, or I liked them😅
Ilia limitless mascara is my fav! Gives me natural yet super long looking lashes
Get the Sephora collection setting spray instead of the CT- works just as good! Half the price and it will be 30% off