“Being rare is about being comfortable with yourself. I’ve stopped trying to be perfect. I just want to be me.” Selena Gomez

Ok we already know ALL about Selena Gomez’s new (ish) makeup range, Rare Beauty don’t we? I don’t think you can really be anywhere near Instagram and not see the products popping up on your feed and discovery page….it’s been EVERYWHERE. I know I was really intrigued by *those* blushers initially and then was drawn to that minimalist packaging and all the pretty things.

Rare Beauty launched here in the UK exclusively in Space NK so that is the place to visit or shop online if you are wanting to explore this range.

I am nowhere near a Space NK anymore (le sigh) so I was SO thrilled (a high) when the team sent me a few bits to try out. It’s now a month on so I’m here to give you a little overview of the products I have tried, what I am loving and a little bit more about the brand, which I think is quite important : let’s scratch beneath the surface to see what Rare Beauty is all about.

Rare Beauty: In a Nutshell.

‘Rare Beauty is breaking down unrealistic standards of perfection. ​’

This has been created as a makeup range to feel good in, without hiding what makes you unique. Rare Beauty is not about being someone else, but being who you are, self-acceptance and being comfortable in your gorgeous skin! There is a BIG focus at Rare Beauty to support mental health and well-being and have created the Rare Impact Fund which is their commitment to give people access to the resources they need to support their mental health. Rare Beauty donates 1% of all sales to the Rare Impact Fund and raises additional funds with philanthropic foundations, corporate partners, and individuals in our community to increase access to mental health services in educational settings.

It is inclusive across age, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, cultural background, physical or mental ability, and perspective. They want their beauty brand to be safe, welcoming and inclusive. When I went online to find more about behind-the-brand and behind the celebrity face, I was so pleased to substance and simply more than a glossy makeup brand with some glossy packaging. I think…in a nutshell..this is a very 2022 makeup brand and it seems to be ticking all the boxes we have been wanting.

From the Rare Beauty website:

‘We believe in the beauty of imperfections.
We nurture a caring, respectful community. ​
We create meaningful connections and relationships. ​
We champion authenticity and positivity.
​We lead with transparency to build trust.
​We believe there is power in being vulnerable.

I am going to talk to you through the Rare Beauty products I have tried extensively and give you little reviews of them to help you decide what is for you and what you may *need* from this brand. 

Rare Beauty Product Reviews: 

Soft Pinch Liquid Blush

This is a liquid blush with a lightweight, buildable formula. It is made with long-lasting colour pigments to provide all-day wear. This is blush that can be layered and worn over and under other makeup without disrupting it.

I have the Soft Pinch Liquid Blush in shades ‘Hope’ and ‘Encourage’. ‘Hope’ is a pretty soft nude-pink and Encourage is a slightly more mauve/dusky pink (you can see the swatches below!). I seem to be wearing ‘Hope’ the most as it’s a really easy, fresh shade for daytime looks.

The pigment is INSANE on these blushers : like, the strongest and most intense I have ever used : when I say you need just one dot on each cheek…..you really do! I made the mistake of doing 3 dots on each cheek when I first tried them and I had to remove : they are super strong and less is absolutely more. You apply them with a large doe-foot applicator which gives you that precision if you want it to go straight onto the face, I then buff it out with a brush.

Stay Vulnerable Melting Blush.

This is a really unusual and interesting formula for a cream blush. It’s a very natural and easy-to-apply blush. It is really weightless and light and definitely a lot more sheerer than the Soft Pinch blushers. It is also water-resistant and gives a wash of colour on the skin as opposed to high impact colour.

The Rare Beauty Stay Vulnerable Melting Blush combines spherical powders together with pigments and a blend of non-greasy and weightless oils. It is easy to build up and layer, and I felt with this one I needed to build it up to get my desired finish. I have shade ‘Nearly Neutral’ which is probably the most muted/ natural tone : it’s a very nude-almost-apricot brown tone which gives a very subtle colour.

This would be the blush to opt for if you want something mistake-proof and you aren’t perhaps as confident with the high pigment in the Soft Pinch. These are more user-friendly for sure and I also love the cute compact (with mirror) so it’s perfect for daytime touch-ups.

Lip Souffle Matte Lip Cream.

One of the star products for me – this formula is INSANE. The Rare Beauty Lip Soufflé Matte Lip Cream is a weightless lip colour that will not cake or dry the lips. It feels like light-as-whipped-air and I’ve not got any other lip products quite like this. It has rich colour pigments and nourishing hydration so it is super comfortable to wear, it really isn’t drying and it has that smooth, velvet-matte finish.

It is plumping and blurring and honestly :  you have to try it to see what I mean. This shade ‘Inspire’ is the most beautiful bright coral-red and I am constantly asked what I am wearing when I have it on. You can wear these as full-on colours or blot them onto the lip for a softer tint.

Rare Beauty Perfect Strokes Matte Liquid Liner.

This is a really impressive liquid eyeliner and it really reminds me of the Shu Uemura one that us makeup artists used to rave about back in the day. This is the most similar I found to that. Rare Beauty Perfect Strokes Matte Liquid Liner is a super precise black liquid liner with a matte finish and applies smoothly and easily. The ‘matte’ thing ensure you get that super blacker-than-black finish. It is a long-lasting and waterproof formula and I can vouch for this after wearing it multiple times in humid conditions, sun, long days etc etc. It doesn’t budge on me.

The pen has a continuous flow tip that works at any angle and a fine, flexible brush tip that contains over 800 vegan bristles. You can get it really thin and precise if you apply the pen lightly to the lash line or if you press harder you get a thicker line. As with a lot of liquid liners, you should store the pen tip down for best results and streak-free application.

Rare Beauty Perfect Strokes Universal Volumizing Mascara.

This is a decent all-round mascara. Builds volume, feels nice on the lashes and is water-resistant. It has a pretty typical-looking wand and is easy to apply and grab all your lashes to get that separation. I’m wearing it in the above photo with the eyeliner! It curls, lengthens and adds volume. It also contains castor oil to soften, nourish and condition lashes.

Liquid Touch Concealer Brush.

Possibly the most un-assuming product of my selection but this brush is worth talking about : I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT. You need this brush :  it’s gorgeous, I love holding it, it feels beautiful and ever-so-soft and it does wonders with blending and buffing. I’m a brush snob (and certified collector with over 400) and I can honestly say that I have nothing like it and it’s gone straight into my personal desk edit aka my top 20. I have used it for both concealing and for cream shadow blending. It’s vegan FYI, as is the whole range.

I have also got a Stay Vulnerable Glossy Lip Balm (which I’ve only used quickly once!) which was lovely (and actually the shade looks very purple and a bit unusual but it was really lovely on!) and of course the Always An Optimist Illuminating Primer which I have only managed to use a couple fo times (it’s lovely!) but I will review this properly when I have used it more. I will 100% be buying the new tinted moisturiser so maybe I will do a base focus with these products – oooh does that mean I need to get the concealer too?! Maybe.ok.

Is Rare Beauty Good?

YEP.

I have been really impressed with every product from Rare Beauty which I have tried so far : the quality has been great, high performance, long-wearing formulas, the packaging is gorgeous and it’s a reasonable price-point for what it is. I’m a fan! 

Rare Beauty Pricepoint.

It’s a mid-pricepoint. They are definitely in the higher end market as they have launched into Space NK. The prices start at £15 for a lip balm/tint and at the moment the most expensive item is the Discovery Eyeshadow palette, priced at £28. I honestly expected it to be a little more so was pleasantly surprised with the pricing and things it really reasonable for the quality of the products. I will be happily purchasing more from this range.

I think the celebrity-beauty brand thing is getting bit of a bad rap at the moment because there are simply SO many launches and people jumping on this bandwagon , but there is no sneering to be done for Selena Gomez’s makeup line. It has lived up to expectation for me and I have no problems in recommended this brand to anyone and everyone! If there is one thing you need to try first…..I would be torn between the Soft Pinch Blush and the Lip Souffle as this are products that are really incredible.

I can’t wait to try the tinted moisturiser and concealer next…..ooooh and I think I am also going to be buying that Melting Blush in ‘Nearly Berry’ as that looks beaut too! You can shop all of the Rare Beauty makeup line over on Space NK.

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