Rare Beauty Cosmetics

This is my honest review of two Rare Beauty Cosmetics that have found their way into my vanity.

I am not compensated nor an affiliate, just trying stuff and letting you know what I think.

Remember the good ol’ days when you needed a replacement of a cosmetic (which was rarely in my case because the stuff lasts forever)?  You would head to the department store, go to the beauty counter and pick up Lancôme mascara, Estee Lauder foundation or Clinique lipstick? 

Easy peasy.

There was no dilly dallying around unless there was a new shade. 

Predictable. It did what it was supposed to do. 

Now things are a mite-bit different.  First of all, who goes into a department store?  If anything, I order from Nordstrom online.

Sephora and Ulta are much more convenient and have helpful sales people who know all the lines, not just one.

I have tried all sorts of brands over the years, but as I age and with dry skin, my needs are still pretty specific. There is no point in spending a lot of money trying out products that aren’t suitable.

So it was odd when I noticed Rare Beauty mascara and tinted moisturizer both in my makeup drawer.  Hmmm.  I never even heard of that brand.

How did they get there?

Generally, I let the person at Sephora know what I’m looking for and I almost always take their first or second suggestion, pay and leave.  And promptly forget the brand.

That’s how they got there.

Sephora

Since opening a new store not far from home, I have drifted from Ulta to Sephora.  I find the store better laid out and the workers more available and helpful.

Wondering why the heck I’m starting to accumulate Rare Beauty, I took a little non-purchasing trip to my local Sephora and asked the associate to tell me about the brand.

Selena Gomez is the founder of the company.  Beyond the BS you read on their Web Site declaring world peace if you use their stuff, there are a couple of really compelling attributes that I appreciate.

Vegan and Cruelty Free

There is no need for any animal to suffer or give up a body part in order for me to color my lips.  Cruelty-Free Kitty lists them as

• No tests on animals
• Not sold in countries required to test on animals

Not everything I purchase is certified, but this is a big plus for me.

Arthritis-Friendly Packaging

Apparently Selena Gomez has been open about her struggle with Lupus and RA.  As such, the packaging is engineering for people with compromised hand strength.  I have suffered from arthritis in my hands since I was 30 years old and it has not improved with age.

That thoughtfulness from such a young person is very touching to me and means I’ll be a repeat customer.

Oh, and the products are pretty good too.

Mascara

Since I recently proclaimed I would be replacing mascara more frequently, the Perfect Stroke Universal Mascara is a replacement for the highly recommended Tart Tartlette Mascara.

Rare Beauty does lengthen, but also thickens without clumping.  The Tart seems to focus more on lengthening and I miss the volume.

Tinted Moisturizer

The Tinted Moisturizer has SPF 20 sunscreen and is very lightweight which is better for my dry and aging skin.  Since I do not let my face get tan but the rest of myself seems to darken up, I bought a pretty dark color and it blended nicely.

Now.  It’s not cruelty-free, but dang.  NOTHING beats Laura Mercier’s tinted moisturizer.  I’m always on the hunt for something else and I always come back.

Whoops!  I just noticed the price increased to $53.  The Rare Beauty is $30.  Ok, I might not be going back to Laura.  Nope, that’s crazy.

Wrap Up

Well, that was a lot of writing for a little bit of makeup.  Sorry about that.  I do have a couple of recipes and books to share, so I promise I’ll get to that next post.

We are also putting together a list of projects we need to accomplish around the house this year.  Nothing sexy, I fear, just necessary.

Maybe a little road trip coming up?

Thanks for taking a few minutes out with me and enjoy your week!