Rare Beauty Review: Selena Gomez‘s Inclusive Makeup Line

Since bursting onto the scene in 2020, Rare Beauty has quickly become a beloved brand among beauty enthusiasts. Founded by multi-talented celebrity Selena Gomez, Rare Beauty is all about celebrating what makes you unique. "I think Rare Beauty can be more than a beauty brand," Gomez shared on Instagram. "I want us all to stop comparing ourselves to each other and start embracing our uniqueness."

With this empowering ethos, Rare Beauty offers an extensive range of vegan and cruelty-free makeup products to help you feel your most beautiful, authentic self. The line includes all your essentials, from foundation and concealer to blush, highlighter, eyeliner, eyeshadow palettes, lipsticks and more. And inclusivity is a top priority – the liquid touch weightless foundation and concealer both come in an impressive 48 shades to suit all skin tones.

I‘ve been putting Rare Beauty to the test over the past few months, and I have to say, I‘m impressed. The products live up to the hype, with high-performance, richly pigmented formulas that apply like a dream. Let‘s dive into my thoughts on some of the bestsellers and how they compare to other popular brands.

Liquid Touch Weightless Foundation Review

As someone with dry, sensitive skin, I‘m always on the hunt for a foundation that will even out my complexion without feeling heavy or cakey. The Liquid Touch Weightless Foundation fits the bill perfectly. This lightweight, buildable formula blurs imperfections and leaves you with natural, luminous skin.

The oversized doe-foot applicator allows for precise application, and the hydrating formula blends seamlessly with just your fingers or a brush. I found my perfect match in the shade 210N, a light neutral hue, but there are an incredible 48 shades to choose from. Throughout a full day of wear, this stayed put without settling into fine lines or clinging to any dry patches.

While $29 for 1 oz of product may seem pricey, a little goes a long way. I‘d say it‘s on par with my previous favorite, Fenty Beauty Pro Filt‘r Soft Matte Foundation which is $36 for 1.08 oz. Both offer a wide shade range and look beautiful on the skin, but I prefer the more hydrating finish of Rare Beauty‘s version.

Soft Pinch Liquid Blush Review

If you‘re on beauty TikTok or Instagram, chances are you‘ve seen the Soft Pinch Liquid Blush going viral. This product truly amazed me with its high impact color. The tiniest dot on each cheek gave me a gorgeous, believable flush that lasted all day.

The pillowy, gel-like texture melts into skin, and you have time to blend it out before it sets. I got the dewy finish in the shade Joy, a soft peach pink, but there are 4 shades in dewy and 4 in matte to choose from.

At $20 for .25 oz, it‘s very comparable to the popular Charlotte Tilbury Beauty Light Wands which are $40 for .41 oz. I actually prefer the Rare Beauty formula for its superior staying power. I barely need to touch up whereas the Beauty Light Wands fade significantly throughout the day on me.

Perfect Strokes Matte Liquid Liner Review

Ask any makeup artist – a good liquid liner pen is an essential. The Perfect Strokes Matte Liquid Liner is my new holy grail for creating everything from subtle definition to bold, graphic liner looks. The superfine brush tip deposits the blackest black pigment smoothly without skipping or feathering.

I was amazed that once it set, this did not budge. It didn‘t transfer, smudge or flake on my hooded lids, even after wearing it through a sweaty workout class. But it washes off easily with cleanser at the end of the day. While felt tip liners dry out quickly, this one seems to have lasted me longer than my previous go-to, the KVD Beauty Tattoo Liner ($23 for .019 oz). At $19 for .03 oz, the Rare Beauty option is slightly more affordable too.

Positive Light Liquid Luminizer Highlight Review

For a blinding glow, look no further than the Positive Light Liquid Luminizer. This gel highlighter packs a punch, giving skin an ethereal, dewy sheen without appearing glittery or obvious. The light-to-medium coverage can be built up or sheered out depending on the look you‘re going for.

I got the shade Mesmerize, a stunning rose gold, but it comes in 8 versatile shades for all skin tones. For $22 you get .5 oz of product, which I predict will last me quite a while since a few dots is plenty for a beaming highlight. In comparison, the ever-popular BECCA Shimmering Skin Perfector costs $41 for the same amount of product. The Rare Beauty one performs just as well if not better in my experience.

Lip Soufflé Matte Cream Lipstick Review

Matte lips are tricky – it‘s hard to find a formula that‘s truly comfortable, non-drying and long-lasting. But the Lip Soufflé Matte Cream Lipstick seriously delivers. These velvety lipsticks have a whipped, mousse-like texture that feels cushiony and lasts for hours.

The slanted applicator is perfect for lining and filling in your lips without any feathering or need for a separate liner. There are 12 shades, from wearable nudes to bold berries and reds. I‘ve been loving the shade Inspire, a warm rosy mauve, for everyday wear.

For $20, you get .13 oz of product which I find reasonable. The luxurious, weighty packaging feels so substantial and high quality. I‘d liken the formula to the Bite Beauty Matte Crème Lip Crayons ($24 for .07 oz) but the Lip Soufflés are even more of a joy to apply and wear in my opinion.

Magnetic Spirit Eyeshadow Palette Review

I‘m a sucker for a beautiful eyeshadow palette, and it was love at first sight when I spotted the Magnetic Spirit Palette. The six shimmery shades range from an iridescent champagne to a smokey plum, all infused with a wet-looking, diamond-like sheen.

This is the perfect palette for the person who loves a simple wash of sparkle on the lids but craves a bit more dimension and drama for evening. The texture of these is exquisite – they‘re so creamy and blendable, with rich color payoff and no fallout. I get tons of compliments whenever I wear these mesmerizing shadows.

At $25 for 6 shades, it‘s quite the bargain compared to luxury palettes like those from Natasha Denona which can cost $65+. While those are beautiful, the Rare Beauty Magnetic Spirit holds its own in quality and performance. It‘s the palette I‘ve been reaching for the most recently.

About the Rare Impact Fund

In addition to the stunning products themselves, I love that in purchasing from Rare Beauty, you‘re supporting the Rare Impact Fund. Gomez has spoken openly about her own struggles with mental health, and wanted to reduce stigma and increase access to mental health services and education.

Thus, 1% of all Rare Beauty sales will be donated to the Rare Impact Fund – with a goal of raising $100 million over 10 years. They are partnering with various philanthropic organizations to support underserved communities in getting the resources they need. This meaningful give-back initiative sets Rare Beauty apart and makes me feel good about investing in their products.

Final Thoughts on Rare Beauty

Ultimately, Rare Beauty has become one of my most-reached-for makeup brands. The formulas are beautiful and high-performance while still feeling good for your skin. And with the extensive shade ranges and accessible price point, they really nailed the goal of inclusivity.

If you‘re looking for makeup that allows your unique self to shine through, I can‘t recommend Rare Beauty enough. These products have garnered a cult following for good reason. I‘m excited to see what else Gomez has in store for the brand in the future – rumor has it there‘s a mascara and brow products on the way!

Have you tried anything from Rare Beauty? I‘d love to hear about your experience and favorite products in the comments below. Feel free to share any go-to makeup looks you‘ve created with these products as well. Let‘s celebrate our individual beauty together!