products and reviews

Rare Beauty Stay Vulnerable Collection Review

Published on July 11, 2021May 1, 2024 by Lee3 Comments

Last year around 2020 BeautyLeeBar reviewed the original Rare Beauty collection, and today I am sharing my thoughts on the Rare Beauty Stay Vulnerable Collection!

I’ll be reviewing the Rare Beauty Stay Vulnerable Melting Cream Blush, the product I am most excited about, and the Stay Vulnerable Glossy Lip Balm.

If you haven’t heard of Rare Beauty before, it was launched in September 2020 by Selena Gomez. It is her first beauty line and proceeds go towards mental health initiatives. Built on an ethos of self-love and confidence, Rare Beauty effortlessly exudes Selena’s down-to-earth, unpretentious relatability. The company also aims to de-stigmatize mental illness, a cause close to Gomez’s heart. A portion of proceeds from each sale goes to the Rare Impact Fund, which supports organizations dedicated to promoting mental health, particularly in marginalized communities. The brand’s philanthropic strategy is informed with the help of the Rare Beauty Mental Health Council, comprised of psychiatrists and activists.

I love the Rare Beauty debut collection, especially the Soft Pinch Liquid Blush which I reviewed here.

What intrigued me the most about the Stay Vulnerable collection was the new blush formula. Rare Beauty is known for its natural, easy-to-apply products, so I couldn’t wait to see how the blushes compare to each other.

Keep reading for my review of the Stay Vulnerable Melting Cream Blush and the Stay Vulnerable Glossy Lip Balm!

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The Rare Beauty Stay Vulnerable collection includes:

Stay Vulnerable Melting Cream Blush in five shades $21

Stay Vulnerable Liquid Eyeshadow in five shades $20

Stay Vulnerable Glossy Lip Balm in five shades $18

Rare Beauty Stay Vulnerable Melting Cream Blush Review

Rare Beauty Stay Vulnerable Collection Review

Blush is one of the best ways to bring light and color into the face, and the Rare Beauty blushes do that in the best way possible. Some blushes are hard to apply or they make you look like a clown, but that is not the case with these products.

The Rare Beauty Stay Vulnerable Melting Blush is a cream blush, an in-between of liquid and powder. Cream blushes are amazing because they give you more control than liquid blushes do yet they are more pigmented than powder blushes.

I bought the shade Nearly Berry – deep berry, which is a beautiful color that compliments the deeper skin tone. This liquid-like cream blush melts into a second skin for the most natural-looking wash of soft-focus color. It’s long-lasting which I love, and you can layer it for more pigmentation.

The best way to apply it is by using your fingers to dab onto your cheeks then blending with a brush. You can also apply it directly with a brush. Either way works which I like because sometimes it’s just easier to use your fingers. Each blush also looks great on the lips and can be worn under the collection’s gloss.

I find the Stay Vulnerable Melting Blush easier to apply compared to the original Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Liquid Blush. If you apply too much of the liquid blush you risk looking like a clown. The melting blush is something you need to build up for lots of pigment so it’s way more beginner-friendly.

I tend to grab the Stay Vulnerable Melting Cream Blush more than the Soft Pinch Liquid Blush for its convenience. Overall, I would highly recommend this blush if you’re looking for something soft and neutral! Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez Stay Vulnerable Melting Cream Blush is the first-of-its-kind water-resistant blush that combines pigments with a non-greasy blend of weightless oils and spherical powders for a natural flush you can’t mess up. The ultralightweight, liquid-like cream melts on contact and blends to a smooth, satin finish that won’t cake, crease, or clog pores.

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Stay Vulnerable Glossy Lip Balm

I also picked up the Stay Vulnerable Glossy Balm because a girl can never have too many lip products! I was intrigued by it as it’s a lip gloss, but also a lip balm which is a fantastic idea, but not common.

I got the shade Nearly Berry – soft berry which is a beautiful soft reddish. It applies smoothly and isn’t sticky like most glosses. The gloss itself is neutral and light coverage. It adds just enough color to the lips where you can wear it on top of another product or alone! This has been my go-to lip product so far this summer.

If you’re looking for a gloss that is powerful and pigmented, this probably isn’t for you. But, it is great if you’re looking for an everyday lip gloss.

The best part about the Stay Vulnerable Glossy Lip Balm is how soft it makes your lips feel. It noticeably nourishes and hydrates your lips. Like a lip mask in a gloss, this ultra-cushiony, comfortable formula hugs lips with nourishing hydration while visibly plumping them with buildable color and shine. Made with a botanical blend of lotus, gardenia, and white waterlily, it also helps soothe, calm, and nourish lips.

I would highly recommend Stay Vulnerable beauty products to anyone who’s looking for a new go-to!

Question: Have you tried any Rare Beauty products? What are your favorites?

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Self-Care Essentials to Treat Yourself to This Valentine’s Day

Published on February 13, 2021May 1, 2024 by LeeLeave a comment

Valentine’s Day is all about love — be it with others or yourself. Whether you have big plans for the date or not, we suggest taking time for self-care. For us, that means relaxing with a face mask, giving ourselves an at-home mani, or indulging in salon-like hair treatment. To give you some ideas on how to have an epic self-care moment with beauty products, keep reading for our top picks.

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Kiehl’s Avocado Nourishing Hydration Mask

This is like a grown-up version of the DIY face masks we used to concoct during sleepovers when we were kids. It contains avocado fruit extract and oil, plus primrose oil to replenish and seal in moisture. The 15-minute treatment leaves skin feeling supple and soft. It’s perfect as a pre-makeup treatment or to unwind with at the end of the day.

Essie Gel Couture

Take your at-home mani game to the next level with Gel Couture. The polishes have the longevity (the formulas last up to 14 days without chipping), pigmentation and shine of a gel manicure, but can be applied in the comfort of your own home without UV lamps. For Valentine’s Day, we’ll be reaching for Rock the Runway, a striking, scarlet red.

Garnier Fructis Plumping Treat 3-in-1 Hair Mask

Transform dry, damaged and flat hair with this nourishing mask that’s formulated to plump and nourish strands with 97% natural ingredients like watermelon extract. Leave it on for one minute before rinsing for a quick masking sesh or apply it on damp hair as a leave-in volumizing treatment.

Hey Dewy Portable Facial Humidifier

Help turn your space into a spa-like environment with this cute portable humidifier. Using a humidifier can help prevent and minimize skin and hair dehydration and help you achieve a post-facial-like glow.

Sara Happ The Lip Scrub

For smooth, kissable lips, a lip scrub is a must. This sweet sugar scrub helps eliminate flakes and dryness. Just massage it onto lips, gently wipe the product off and seal the deal with a nourishing balm or lippie.

Beauty Q and A: What Is Microshading?

Published on February 11, 2021May 1, 2024 by Lee2 Comments

We’ve heard of microblading, micro feathering, but recently another eyebrow tattoo option has made its way onto our radar and that’s microshading. When it comes to permanent makeup, doing your research before getting anything done is non-negotiable. So, if you’re curious whether microshading is for you, keep reading. We tapped professional brow expert Joey Healy to learn more about this eyebrow procedure and how it differs from microblading.

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What Is Microshading?

According to Healy, microshading is often referred to as ombré or powder brows and looks like a more fuller-looking brow. It utilizes a fine tattoo pen to create tiny dots as opposed to microblading, which creates short strokes. “ With microshading, you can change the density pattern depending on how close or far away those dots are,” says Healy. “ The closer together the dots are, the darker the result is. It’s very much like an impressionist painting, which is the best way to think of it.”

Who’s a Good Candidate for Microshading?

“ Microshading is thought to be better for those with sensitive or oily skin,” says Healy. That’s because the pigment is applied as individual dots as opposed to strokes which is a bit more gentle and distributes the pigment in a concentrated area making it last a little bit longer. Healy also explains that if you like fuller-looking brows, microshading might be worth considering. “ The thing about microshading is that it’s a little bit darker,” he says. “ It’s a little bit more of that Instagram kind of brow.”

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How Long Does Microshading Last?

Touch-ups are generally recommended every eight to 12 months. Healy explains that it lasts longer than microblading with fewer touch-ups, but everyone is different, so it’s important to take your skin type and needs into consideration and consult with your brow technician about aftercare.

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Can You Create a Microshaded-Like Look at Home?

If you like the idea of microshading but are nervous about the commitment, rest assured you can recreate the look using powder brow products at home.

“ If you want to do microshading, use a brow powder and concentrate it on the areas you want it the most,” says Healy. If you need a product recommendation, the Joey Healy Luxe Brow Powder and the Duo Brow Brush make it easy to achieve soft and natural-looking brows. For a drugstore pick, we like the Maybelline New York Tattoo Brow 36HR Pigment Pencil, which comes in an easy-to-use-pencil.

Once you have your product of choice, it’s time to create your shadow. “ I always recommend doing very little in the front so the brow isn’t boxed in,” says Healy. “ Then, I suggest doing a little bit more towards the arch and the tail to give a little bit more definition and that kind of ombre effect.”

L’Oreal Paris

Brow Stylist Micro Ink Pen by Brow Stylist Up to 48HR Wear

Instant longwear Brow Tint, Hair-like effect, Up to 48HR wear
Get precise, defined, natural looking brows
Precise comb tip for smooth application
Waterproof, No color-fade, Smudge resistant, No Transfer, Dermatologist tested for safety
96 percent precisely tints eyebrows – Results from a consumer test

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It’s Chapped Lip Season—Here’s How to Treat Them

Published on November 12, 2020May 1, 2024 by Lee6 Comments

Winter is nearly here, and with it comes the perennial emergence of our archnemesis, chapped lips. This might actually be the most annoying skincare woe that can befall anyone’s face. The cracked, irritated mess can crop up from seemingly nowhere, causing a painful and utterly unattractive situation we are forced to wear like a scarlet letter painted across our pouts. And if it seems like your lips are more prone to chap during the colder months, you’re not imagining things. We consulted two of our favorite dermatologists, Loretta Ciraldo, MD, FAAD, and Dendy Engelman, MD, FACMS, FAAD, and they both agreed that the brutally cold winter weather can have just as much of an effect on lip health as anything else.

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” Chapped lips occur when the lip barrier becomes compromised and results in dryness, redness, cracks, and irritation,” Dendy says. Many of us know this discomfort all too well. So what can we do to treat and prevent chapped lips? Thankfully, there are plenty of options. Our duo of doctors gave us all the tips we’ll need to keep our lips smooth, hydrated, and perfectly kissable this winter and beyond. Keep scrolling for the goods.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CDaJd8YMU21/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

The Most Common Causes of Chapped Lips

Chapped lips can occur for several of reasons, but according to both Ciraldo and Engelman, the root causes tend to be pretty specific. ” Lips are primed to be chapped because they have a lower density of oil glands, are in daily contact with saliva that contains alpha-amylase (a digestive enzyme that can break down skin), and are always exposed to the elements, so they take a beating from the sun, the cold weather, wind, and heat,” Engelman says.

Additionally, Ciraldo adds that a significant amount of water loss in the body can cause dryness in the lips, meaning that on those days when you ingest too much salt or don’t drink as much water as you should, you’re running the risk of chapped lips on top of the myriad other health issues dehydration can cause. ” Start to address chapped lips as soon as they start. If you wait until your lips become uncomfortable, it can be very difficult to resolve,” she adds.

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The Treatment Plan

#1: Stop Licking Your Lips

Aquaphor Advanced Therapy Healing Ointment Skin Protectant ( $7 )

” If you are a lip licker you have to stop! Although this seems to give temporary comfort, it actually makes chapped lips even worse,” Ciraldo explains. ” It’s very helpful to keep your lips coated with Aquaphor Healing Ointment to prevent water loss from lips.”

#2: Scan Your Oral Hygiene Products for Possible Irritants

Marvis Amarelli Licorice Toothpaste ( $6 )

Ciraldo also points out that irritation from some lip and even some oral hygiene products can be the underlying cause of severe chapping. ” Lip stains, some matte lipsticks, and mint or cinnamon flavored toothpaste or dental floss [can cause chapped lips], she says.

#3: Take a Break from Longwear Lipsticks

Kosas Kosasport LipFuel in Pulse ( $18 )

” Traditionally, the longwear formulas tend to be drying, as they’re not formulated for moisture. Stains also don’t provide great moisture,” Engelman explains. ” If a plain balm doesn’t excite you, there are tinted lip balms that have great staying power and offer protection from wind burns that can often result in an infection,” she adds.

We love this tinted lip balm by Kosas, because it offers a nice flush of color on a variety of skin tones, while also delivering a hydrating dose of hyaluronic acid to the lips.

#4: Apply SPF Protection

Vanicream Lip Protectant Sunscreen SPF 30 ( $11 )

It should come as no surprise that SPF is just as crucial for your lips as it is for the rest of your face. Especially when your pout is compromised and more sensitive to the elements, our experts agree that coating the lips in sun protection will help you on your healing journey. Ciraldo points out that prolonged outdoor activities in the cold are an especially important time to load up on protectants.

#5: Exfoliate

Too Cool for School Coconut Sugar Scrub Lip Balm ( $18 )

Engelman says that exfoliating is also a good idea for treating chapped lips. ” If your lips are peeling or flakey, try an at-home exfoliation method with sugar and honey, which has healing and soothing benefits,” she says. Be gentle, though! And be sure to use a soothing ointment or salve to keep the freshly exfoliated skin moisturized and protected.

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Shop more chapped lip treatments:

Lip Balms

Glossier Balm Dot Com ($12)

This dense, waxy balm is perfect for sealing moisture into the lips and preventing them from drying out in cold weather.

Supergoop! New Play Lip Balm SPF 30 with Acai ($10)

Meow Meow Tweet Coconut Cacao Vegan Lip Balm ($14)

This jumbo lip balm is packed with moisturizing ingredients like organic coconut oil, organic cocoa butter, candelilla wax, and organic rosemary leaf extract. It feels comfortable on the skin, and we love that the formula is housed in a biodegradable paper tube.

Vermont’s Original Bag Balm, 2 Pack ($22)

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: This medicated salve is a fix-all product everyone needs to own. Whether you’re soothing chapped lips, crispy cuticles, or parched elbows, this stuff gets the job done.

Supergoop! Acai Fusion Lip Balm Broad Spectrum SPF 30 ($10)

Supergoop! is one of our favorite brands for clean, highly efficacious sun care products, so it’s no surprise that their lip balm is also a winner. We’ll even give it extra brownie points for the added sun protection.

Exfoliators

Frank Body Lip Scrub ($15)

This exquisite combination of coffee grounds, raw sugar, and macadamia oil vigorously exfoliates the skin, leaving behind a light layer of oil and the softest lips you’ve ever felt.

Burt’s Bees Conditioning Lip Scrub ($9)

Engelman mentioned that topical antioxidants like beeswax are great for repairing chapped lips, so this scrub by Burt’s Bees offers a double dose of healing.

Sara Happ The Lip Scrub ($24)

Rid your lips of dry, flaky skin with this granulated sugar scrub. Jojoba and grapeseed oils deliver intense moisture.

Lip Masks

Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask ($22)

This intensive lip conditioner pushes vitamin C and an antioxidant berry blend into the skin to heal and hydrate them while you sleep.

Tatcha The Kissu Lip Mask ($28)

Tatcha’s Kissu Lip Mask imparts a luxurious blend of peach extract, camellia oil, and squalane to leave lips hydrated.

Innisfree Lip Sleeping Mask with Green Tea ($16)

Spreading this jeju green tea-infused balm onto the lips is like coating them in this molasses. Even after a full night’s sleep, you’ll wake with product still intact and any inflammation calmed.

KNC Beauty All Natural Collagen Infused Lip Mask, 5-Pack ($25)

In the same way that sheet masks push moisture and nutrients into the skin, this cute pout-shaped gel mask sits on top of the lips to plump and hydrate them with collagen, hyaluronic acid, and rose flower oil.

Kari Gran Lip Whip Perfector ($18)

We love a multi-tasking products, and this buff-mask hybrid from Kari Gran is a prime example of a one stop shop for all your lip care needs. It’s also non-toxic, which is a major plus.

Lip SPF

Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Nourishing Lip Balm Broad Spectrum Sunscreen SPF 20 ($22)