Add to Cart is a new reader interest series that breaks down products and launches in beauty and skincare from your wish list. Has something caught your eye and preoccupied your desires? What products are you curious to learn more about? Let us know what's living on your wish list in the comments - each month, we'll select, buy, and review one product to see if it lives up to the hype!
This month, we are taking a trip into the makeup section of the internet. I had a whole selection of products I was choosing from before this particular one started following me around on my phone and laptop. Now, I had seen this a few times on TikTok (that's actually not true, I had seen it by watching TikToks on Instagram, like a properly confused Millennial) and while I am not someone who normally gets sucked into TikTok trends (unless the music is like, super catchy) this product grabbed me and wouldn't let go. I did a deeper dive and apparently, TikTok is what catapulted this product to popularity. In fact, when you search for it on Google, this pops up:
I already love a cream blush formula and I am a sucker for cute packaging. So let's see if this stuff lives up to the hype!
The Product I Chose: Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez Soft Pinch Liquid Blush, 7.5 mL - $20
My Subscription Addiction paid for this product. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes and items).
I know a lot of people have a lot of feeling about celebrity makeup and skincare lines. And I get it. But Rare Beauty has consistently exceeded my expectations, and actually feels something like a cousin of Glossier because they both embrace this perfectly imperfect, minimal chic, makeup vibe that works for me personally because I am busy, lazy, and I love products that have that no-makeup look. I have tried quite a few cream blushes, but this one seemed different. People rave about the natural flush, the gorgeous colors, and the out-of-this-world pigment. But are these really worth an Add to Cart moment? Does the world need more blush? Probably not, but the more I have used these, the more obsessed I am with them. They have replaced all the other blush options in my makeup bag. And for the price, you get a lot of product that will last forever (or until it expires in 12 months), meaning you buy a single blush for a year. Not saying I would only buy one (heck, for this review I bought TWO) I am just saying you could. If you have any amount of self-discipline. Which I don't.
The Packaging
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From this line's launch, I was immediately impressed by the really tasteful packaging. In a world of celebrity brands coated in neons and feeling like hollow plastic, Selena Gomez did this line right. It is insanely glam without being over the top. The boxes are slightly off-white and textured like some sort of fine paper. The fonts are understated and feminine. And the whole thing feels weirdly expensive, especially when you keep in mind that the most expensive item in this line is only $29. I find it really endearing that this line is super accessible from a pricing standpoint when compared to so many others out there.
These blushes both arrived in frosted plastic tubes with the absolute cutest gold tops that are wonderful to look at but also super functional since the orb is flat on either side for a great twist grip. The doe-foot applicator is huge. I mean, you can't tell from the photos below, but it is one of the biggest I have ever seen. This is great because it makes it easy to dot the blush onto your cheeks, but you do have to be careful not to add too much at once, a mistake I made the first time I applied it.
The Colors I Chose
I wanted to explore a cool shade and a warmer shade from this collection. I grabbed 'Joy' because it is Selena's favorite. It is described as "dewy muted peach" and while I don't find much muted about it, I am also super fair. On someone with a deeper and/or warmer skin tone, I could see this being more subtle, but still absolutely gorgeous. I also grabbed 'Happy' because that was the one all over TikTok (well, Instagram *cough*) and it is a "dewy cool pink". Both of the shades I chose have a dewy finish, but there are also matte finished in different shades if that is your wish.
Here is a peek at the oversized applicators. They have a well at the tip that holds product.
And here is a peek at the shades on glass. 'Joy' is on top with 'Happy' underneath. You can see how pigmented these are.
Top: Joy. Bottom: Happy.
And here are two rather heavy arm swatches. I think the genius here is the pigment level and the beautifully textured gel-cream feel. You can easily build these shades up to flatter literally anyone. Again, I am pale. And while I have never had issues with pigment in cream blush, I have absolutely tried a few that I can't imagine showing up on everyone. And that's just not cool. The Rare Beauty team absolutely had everyone in mind when they formulated these blushes. The shades are expressive, inclusive, and absolutely gorgeous.
My Try-On
1 of 4 | Left: Happy. Right: Joy.
Here is a quick demo of both blushes. The first time I put these on, I was really, eh, generous with those polka dots. And I had to wash my face because I looked rather sunburned. Just take that part slow at first until you get a feel for the level of blush you want on your face. Both of these colors are very different, but I think they are both so flattering! 'Joy' feels a little more summery and I can't wait to rock it in the spring, while 'Happy' is great for this colder time of year where I want to look cute but my blush probably isn't going to fool anyone into thinking I have seen the sun recently. I don't know if I could actually pick a favorite between the two. But if I am buying another, it is going to be 'Lucky' which is an insanely bright hot pink!
My advice for application is to do your cream formulas before your powders. My order looks like this: SPF, concealer where I need it, then blush. After that, I am done, but you could totally do a powder on top if you prefer a matte finish.
Should You Buy Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez Soft Pinch Liquid Blush?
Oh, yeah. 100%. I loved this blush so much. The price is amazing for the quality and the application is flattering and easy. I think this could be a great first cream blush for anyone out there too, and, I am scared to say this, I think I liked these blushes better than Glossier's Cloud Paint. Which is shocking, even to me.
As a side note, if you want to pick up a minis kit including this 'Joy' blush as well as the Rare Beauty mascara, lipstick, and liquid highlighter, there is a great $30 discovery kit for sale here.
Ready to Add to Cart? Get it here!
What's Next?
Well, I need your input on what you want to see reviewed next! Here are the newer launches that have been living inside my head rent-free and some products following me around on screens both small and large:
1 of 6 | Glow Recipe Plum Plump Hyaluronic Cream
Also, I would love to see your suggestions in the comments! What new launch has you wondering if it is worth an Add to Cart? Let me know in the comments below!
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