Rare Beauty Review: Which Products Are Worth The Spend?

When Rare Beauty first launched I held off buying anything. The beauty world isn’t short of celebrity brands and – I must admit – I thought Rare Beauty would be just another name to add to the list. Sure, the packaging looked pretty and the product range was extensive, but what was the actual quality like? I was skeptical…

As I started reading reviews and watching tutorials, my opinion changed. The products actually looked great! And after seeing so many people recommending the brand, I knew I had to give it a go.

So, let’s jump right into it. Here’s my thoughts on a handful of products I grabbed from the Rare Beauty makeup line…

Soft Pinch Dewy Liquid Blush

The Rare Beauty liquid blushes are incredible. I picked this one up in the shade ‘Hope’ which is described on the Rare Beauty website as ‘nude mauve’. I’m always a little cautious with liquid blushes – they can often be really intense and tricky to blend out. But this one diffuses really easily and looks really natural once it’s been blended. ‘Hope’ leaves you with a soft, rosy-cheeked glow that makes you looked sun-kissed and healthy.

Liquid blushes always last longer than powder blushes for me, and this one is no exception. While I usually see some wear throughout the day (especially if I’m wearing a mask), the soft pinch liquid blush does hold its colour. If you are looking to refresh though, this is super easy to apply on the go. Just do one dab on each cheek (you’ll only need a small amount) and pat in with your fingers!

What I found really interesting about these blushes, when I was looking to buy them, is that these come in two different formulas which give different finishes. Some of the shades have a matte finish, while the others have a dewy finish. ‘Hope’ is classed as dewy and it definitely offers a fresh, un-powdered look. I’d be really keen to try one of the matte formulas to see how it compares!

Liquid Touch Brightening Concealer

The formula of this concealer is light, creamy and non drying. It’s the kind of product you can put on your skin, leave for 10 minutes, and when you come back to it it has the same blendability as it did when you first applied it. This is what makes it such a dream to use!

I wouldn’t say that it’s a full coverage concealer… though it is buildable. If I use this to cover a blemish or dark spot, I will still get some redness peeking through. However, a few extra dabs of product and I am able to get it to the level of coverage I’d like.

What’s also nice about this concealer is that the finish is incredibly natural – no matter how much you apply it never looks thick or chalky. Some concealers can look cakey the more you build them up. Because this one’s not super matte, you always end up with a natural, skin-like finish.

My one criticism of this concealer is the applicator. The tapered end makes it easy to apply product right under the eye – my dark circles definitely appreciate this! However, I often find the applicator much too big for spot concealing.

Stay Vulnerable Melting Blush

This Rare Beauty blush definitely lives up to the name: a few pats and the product melts right into the skin. It’s definitely sheerer than the Rare Beauty Liquid Blush, but provides a good amount of colour nonetheless – especially if you’ve picked one of the brighter shades.

This has a silky, satin finish that doesn’t feel or look sticky. It’s also really lightweight – you’re not really going to be able to feel this on the skin. The standout thing about the Rare Beauty cream blushes though, it’s that it’s super easy to control the intensity. You can apply a tiny amount for a natural flush or go in quite heavy for a really sun-kissed look. This is a little harder to do with the liquid blushes.

If you want to read more about this product, I’ve written a comparison between the Rare Beauty Melting Blush and Tower 28’s BeachPlease Tinted Balm which you can check out here.

Positive Light Tinted Moisturiser

I’m obsessed with this tinted moisturiser! I’m not quite sure what influenced me to buy it as tinted moisturisers have rarely worked out for me in the past. But in all honesty this one feels more like a tinted serum than it does a moisturiser. It’s lightweight but it has decent coverage – I’d definitely say it has more coverage than your typical tinted moisturiser.

The formula is extremely hydrating which works great for dry skin types. If your skin leans more oily I think you might have a bit of trouble with this one – even with powder it does let some shine peek through. But if you’re after a super dewy look, this moisturiser has you covered!

This is a product that I think really nails the “no-makeup makeup” thing. It looks extremely natural on the skin but still offers enough coverage for it to be worth buying. I’ve been wearing this almost everyday at the minute, it’s the perfect summer base!

Perfect Strokes Universal Volumizing Mascara

In all honesty, the volumizing mascara is the product I found most underwhelming. I don’t think it’s a bad mascara, but I have others in my collection that I’d reach for more than this one. It’s weird because I’ve seen that loads of people love it, it just didn’t work for me!

While the formula is lengthening, I don’t really feel that – given the name – it adds that much volume to my lashes. I also find it to be quite clumpy, so I often have to go in with an eyelash comb afterwards to separate my lashes. If you’re someone (like me) who often deals with panda eyes at the end of a long day, you too might want to give this mascara a miss. Though it’s water-resistant, it does have a tendency to smudge.

Always An Optimist Soft Radiance Setting Powder

I’ve been on the hunt for a good loose powder so I was really excited when I spotted the Rare Beauty one. I’m not particularly fussy when it comes to face powders – they’re an unfortunate necessity for those of us who get a bit shiny throughout the day. However, I do prefer powder products that don’t feel heavy, chalky or overly drying. I want something that controls excess oil, not something that feels like it’s sucking all the moisture out of my skin!

The Rare Beauty Setting Powder ticks all the boxes. It’s finely-milled so it doesn’t actually look powdery on the skin. It also feels really comfortable to wear. When I apply this product I don’t feel like I’m adding another layer of makeup, it’s just as if I’m mattifying the foundation and concealer I already have on.

I didn’t buy the Loose Powder Brush so I can’t speak for how well they work together, but it would have been great if the powder came with its own puff. It just makes it more travel friendly, and more accessible to people who don’t already have a powder brush they can use.

Always An Optimist Illuminating Primer

I actually didn’t really have any intention of buying the Rare Beauty Illuminating Primer, it came as a free gift when I ordered from Space NK. Having tried the sample though, I am extremely tempted to buy the full size.

This water-based primer is comparable to Saie’s Glowy Super Gel in Starglow. The champagne-toned gel sinks right into the sink, providing a light, glowy base for your makeup. With its blend of fruit and flower extracts, this primer has a skincare-like quality to it. It’s brightening and hydrating at the same time – and there’s not a silicone in sight. If you like your primers to be blurring yet breathable, this one is just the ticket.

Obviously, because it’s water-based and glowy this might not be the best for oily skin. But if your skin leans more dry, I’d definitely recommend it.

Have you tried anything from Rare Beauty? What’s your favourite product from this brand? Or which of these products would you like to try? Let me know!