Okay so full confession.
I’ve been avoiding Rare Beauty for way too long. Selena Gomez literally created one of the biggest celebrity beauty brands of the past few years, and I’m just now getting around to it?
Here’s the thing: I was skeptical.
Another celebrity beauty line? We’ve seen so many flop. The hype around Rare Beauty felt intense—so popular you almost don’t want to try it. Yeah. That.
But then my best friend shoved her Rare Beauty blush in my face at brunch last month. Okay fine, universe, I get it. Time to dive in.
I did what any beauty-obsessed person would do: bought basically the entire collection. My credit card is crying, but my face? Glowing.
The Viral Liquid Blush That Started It All
The Soft Pinch Liquid Blush. The product that broke the internet. TikTok has like 50 million videos about it. Not exaggerating. Everyone has tried this blush.
Packaging? Gorgeous. Minimalist, sleek, feels expensive even though it’s $23. The tiny doe-foot applicator seemed weird at first but makes perfect sense once you use it.
You need literally ONE dot. One.
Day one, I applied it like normal liquid blush. Too much. Looked like I ran a marathon. Not cute.
Once I learned the right amount? Game changer. Pigmentation is insane. One tiny dot blended out gives the perfect clean-girl flush that lasts ALL day.
Shade Happy (peachy pink) works for everything—natural makeup, full glam, or skincare days for a hint of color.
Formula is watery but blends like a dream. No patchiness, no streaking. Seamless flush. Worth the hype? Absolutely yes.
Foundation That Doesn’t Feel Like Foundation
Liquid Touch Weightless Foundation. Combination skin is picky—too heavy, I break out; too light, no coverage.
This foundation is Goldilocks-perfect. Coverage is buildable from light-medium to medium-full without looking cakey. Finish is natural skin-like—neither matte nor dewy.
Wore for 8 hours in humidity without touch-ups. Shade range? 48 shades, but undertones tricky online. Try in store if possible.
The Concealer Situation
Liquid Touch Brightening Concealer. Creamy but doesn’t crease. Barely needed any powder.
Coverage is enough to brighten dark circles and cover minor blemishes. Slightly luminous finish.
Pro tip: use the tiniest amount. Too much slides around. Less is more.
Brow Products That Actually Stay Put
Brow Harmony Pencil & Gel is a favorite.
- Pencil end: fine for hair-like strokes
- Gel end: tinted, holds all day, no crunchiness
Firm yet soft pencil. Gel sets brows perfectly. One of my top 5 brow products ever.
Lip Products—The Good and The Meh
- Lip Soufflé Matte Lip Cream: Obsessed. Moussey formula, smooth, comfortable matte. Shade Fearless is everyday nude.
- Soft Pinch Liquid Lipstick: Incredible color payoff but hard to apply evenly, transfers easily. Coffee cups, boyfriend’s face, phone screen—covered. Beautiful in photos, impractical for daily life.
The Mascara Surprise
Perfect Strokes Universal Volumizing Mascara.
Brush is hourglass-shaped. Adds volume without clumping, length without spidery lashes. No flaking.
Better than my favorite drugstore mascaras? Honestly… yes.
Highlighter Heaven
Positive Light Liquid Luminizer. Favorite product. Champagne shade Enlighten.
- Mix a drop into foundation or apply on top: cheekbones, nose, cupid’s bow.
- Buildable from subtle day glow to intense night glow. Layers beautifully with powder highlighters.
Setting Spray That Actually Sets
Always An Optimist Pore Diffusing Primer + Setting Spray.
- Dual use: primer or setting spray.
- Fine mist, refreshing, doesn’t disturb makeup.
- Helps makeup last longer. Subtle pore-blurring effect.
What About Skincare?
Rare Beauty recently launched skincare. I tried a few.
- Positive Light Under Eye Brightener: vitamin C + caffeine for dark circles, light-reflecting particles for instant brightening.
- Used for 3 weeks. Immediate brightening noticeable; long-term effects TBD.
The Brushes Situation
Rare Beauty brushes: soft, work well, pretty, but pricey.
- Liquid Touch Complexion Brush $28—nice, but drugstore brushes perform just as well.
Real Talk—What’s Worth Your Money?
Must-Haves:
- Soft Pinch Liquid Blush
- Positive Light Liquid Luminizer
- Brow Harmony Pencil & Gel
- Lip Soufflé Matte Lip Cream
Really Good But Not Essential:
- Liquid Touch Foundation
- Brightening Concealer
- Perfect Strokes Mascara
- Setting Spray
Skip Unless Obsessed:
- Liquid Lipstick
- Brushes
- Some skincare
The Bigger Picture
Rare Beauty focuses on mental health awareness, donating 1% of sales to the Rare Impact Fund. Marketing is inclusive, realistic, and non-performative. Products work for all skill levels, newbie or pro.
Final Thoughts
Was I wrong to avoid Rare Beauty? Yeah. Is every product perfect? No. But the hits hit. I reach for these products often, which is impressive given my collection size.
Liquid blush alone justifies trying the brand. Most complexion products are solid additions.
Would I recommend Rare Beauty? Absolutely. Would I tell friends to buy everything like I did? Start with blush and foundation first.
Bank account wishes I’d done that—but my face looks amazing, so… worth it.
Have you tried Rare Beauty? What are your must-haves? I’m curious to hear others’ favorites.