Selena Gomez’s new makeup line, Rare Beauty, has finally hit shelves after being one of the most anticipated beauty launches of 2020! I did an entire YouTube review right when the line launched, but always knew I wanted to add a blog post guide into the mix for all ya’ll curious if Rare Beauty is worth it.
I mean – we’ve got plenty of celebrity makeup brands now on the market. I know there’s been a lot of back and forth on this line (and maybe even some eye rolls). Another celeb makeup line? Is it worth the hype? What’s it all about?
I won’t even make you wait until the end of the blog post for this one – Rare Beauty is different. Yes, it’s a “celebrity” made line. But it’s different. It’s actually legit. It’s not a cash grab. At least not in my humble opinion.
Rare Beauty has an actual concept behind it: empowering awareness of mental health issues and even establishing an impact fund to raise money for those in need. And even beyond that…the products are actually good.
So let’s discuss, product by product.
The high level need to know facts about Rare Beauty.
We already touched on the mental health aspect of the collection, but I did want to make sure to highlight that Rare Beauty is cruelty free and vegan. I’m also OBSESSED that Rare Beauty thoughtfully chooses not to market themselves as “clean” beauty because “clean” beauty isn’t a term regulated by the FDA. They acknowledge it, they’re aware of it, and they aren’t trying to greenwash – they’re just making thoughtful formulas without any extra junk.
It’s also important to note that, at least from my perspective, Rare Beauty did an above average job at launching their line in an inclusive way. From the foundations to the highlighters, there are actually choices and selections for people of different skin tones. We’re not looking at a lean line that didn’t plan for inclusivity.
My take on Selena Gomez’s new line: Rare Beauty.
I can only speak to the Rare Beauty products I own, which does happen to be most of the line. The only items we won’t be covering here are the brush collection, recently released eyeshadows, the Always an Optimist Illuminating Primer, the Liquid Touch Brightening Concealer, the makeup sponge, and the touch up powder puff kit.
In hindsight I do wish I had picked up the concealer because that’s one of the hot items other people raved about. I’m not usually a big concealer kind of a gal so I skipped it, but may honestly pick it up during the upcoming Sephora sale.
Other than those products I don’t have – nothing’s off limits! And I picked up a ton of Rare Beauty products to try and share with ya’ll.
Liquid Touch Weightless Foundation
The Rare Beauty Liquid Touch Weightless Foundation is aptly named – it truly is weightless. This is a “shake” formula (shake it up before applying). It’s incredibly, incredibly light. When wearing it, I honestly didn’t feel like I had anything on at all (even in comparison to my usual BareMinerals powder). My skin felt naked and looked natural (neither truly matte nor dewy).
Thanks to Covid (the story of 2020) it didn’t make much sense for me to race to a Sephora in store to shop on the day of launch, but finding my foundation shade online was surprisingly easy. I really recommend shopping Rare Beauty on the Sephora site because the Sephora shade finder is pretty darn accurate. I was able to enter in my shade from another skin product I use often and the shade finder selected my best match from the Rare Beauty foundation shades. And it was a dead on match!
Not bad for an online order!
Rare Beauty launched their foundation with a strong selection of 48 shades – something that should be really celebrated. There really isn’t any excuse anymore to launch new lines that don’t have inclusive shade ranges. I love that Rare Beauty prioritized inclusivity.
Soft Pinch Liquid Blush
The liquid blushes in the Rare Beauty line were definitely some of the most widely popular products, if we’re going by the hundreds of YouTube reviews I watched. I won’t lie – I had an amazing time watching beauty YouTubers apply WAY TOO MUCH of this blush and then immediately panic trying to blend it out.
Hours of entertainment, I tell you.
So with that said – a little of this stuff goes a loooong way. Like, a long way. These blushes are incredibly pigmented and you can get a soft, natural look or a strong editorial look all with the same product just depending how much you apply. Like the foundation, it does feel truly weightless. It also comes in two different finishes, radiant or matte.
Positive Light Liquid Luminizer Highlight
Rare Beauty’s highlighter was a huge question mark for me while I was testing out the line. It just looked, honestly, a little bit more full glam or even editorial when compared to the other more natural looking products in the collection. I imagined more of a natural highlight vs a glitter situation, ya know?
I will say, once applied, this highlighter doesn’t have the same glittery finish as it looks in the bottle. Somehow it did look more natural on the skin. I also love that they launched with seven shades. Not everyone can use the same 1-2 shades of highlighter and I love that there are options for skin shades that are light, dark, and in between.
I’m on the fair side, so opted for “Enchant” which is like a light, dewy pink color for a rosy glow.
With Gratitude Dewy Lip Balm
The name of this product is so deceiving – it’s not a lip balm. This product is way more of a hydrating lipstick. The color is actually pigmented vs being a sheer wash, so if you’ve been looking for a lipstick that won’t dry you out, look no further.
Given that the formula is so hydrating, the lasting power on this lip product isn’t super long – but it’s cute and comfy while it lasts and is easy to reapply!
My only real gripe with this lip balm is the cap doesn’t feel super secure to me. As someone with a tote bag obsession, I’m a little nervous that this cap could come loose and result in me having lipstick all over the inside of my bag. That being said, it hasn’t happened yet!
Lip Soufflé Matte Cream Lipstick
Transparently I’m not a huge lip product wearer, but I have to give props where props are due. These matte lip soufflés are SO well formulated. I feel like the super drying Kylie matte liquid lips turned me off so much to any liquid lip situation. The Rare Beauty formula IS rare – it’s somehow crazy hydrating while still giving you a comfort matte finish.
You probably won’t get the same length of wear as say a Kylie Lip…but I’d rather just reapply every so often to avoid a dry, crackly situation.
Perfect Strokes Matte Liquid Liner
I love a good winged liner situation – but hate the fuss and mess. I’m pretty darn picky with my liquid liners because the reality is there are so many great options at low price points. Why should I pay more for a liner unless it brings something new to the table?
The Rare Beauty liquid liner is not a felt tip, it’s a true brush tip, which makes it a little bit more finicky to use but ultimately gives you the cleanest, crispest line.
Brow Harmony Pencil & Gel
Rare Beauty launched a clever double ended brow pencil and gel. The pencil itself is very creamy with rich pigment – you’ll definitely get the color you’re looking for. I recommend going in with a light hand, just because you don’t have to press hard like you do with a stiffer pencil to get the same pay off. I did find the gel kept my brows in place throughout the day.
The only thing I miss from this brow pencil situation is actually an empty spoolie to comb my brows out. There’s even a small part of me that might say it’s worth it to forego the brow gel end to just get that spoolie attached. BUT – I totally understand why they designed it the way they did. Having both a pencil and a gel in one is a cost saver, especially given this bad boy is only $22 (definitely lower than higher end counterparts).
Where to shop
You can shop the Rare Beauty Sephora page or directly on the Rare Beauty website.
Final thoughts
It’s always tough to give a full collection makeup review because makeup is honestly SO personal. But that being said – I love Rare Beauty and would highly recommend anyone who’s considering the brand to give it a shot. There really wasn’t a single product I tried that I didn’t like.
The price point of Rare Beauty is great because it’s sort of neither here nor there. You won’t find drugstore pricing in this line (it’s sold at Sephora, after all), but we also aren’t looking at Tom Ford or Dior pricing. The products are, dare I say it, relatively affordable.
I’m also just so happy to see a brand actually seem to care, and not just for the marketing props. Between the Rare Beauty impact fund and the fact that the line is fully vegan and cruelty free, I’m in love with the entire mission. I like to “vote” with my dollars and backing a brand that is trying to do good things? It means something to me.
You know what I do wish? That there were more products. I purchased the collection right when it launched and at that time there were no eyeshadows or bronzers. Rare did launch a few eyeshadow palettes shortly after, but we still don’t have a bronzer or even a true face powder. Or a lip gloss! Honestly I see so many opportunities for the brand to expand and that’s what I wish – I just wish there was MORE. Because it’s that good.
I’m so curious what ya’ll think of Rare Beauty! Did you shop the collection? What are your favorite products from the line? What products do you wish they’d launch next? Drop all your thoughts in the comments down below.