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As a beauty lover, when everyone starts talking about a brand, I have to try it for myself. Rare Beauty had been everywhere for a couple of years before I finally caved and started testing the products. I spent several months working through nearly the entire line, and honestly, my experience surprised me. So many people rave about this brand, but my take is a lot more mixed than most reviews you’ll find.
About Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez
Founded by Selena Gomez in 2020, Rare Beauty has quickly established itself as a prominent force in the beauty industry. The brand launched with a mission to break down unrealistic standards of perfection in the beauty space while creating high-quality, accessible makeup products that promote self-expression rather than concealment.
The company stands out for its commitment to mental health awareness and support through the Rare Impact Fund, which pledges 1% of all sales to support mental health services. Known for its inclusive shade ranges and innovative formulations, particularly in their liquid blushes and foundations, Rare Beauty has built a strong community that extends beyond makeup to encourage conversations about self-acceptance and mental health.
Who Rare Beauty Is For
Before getting into individual products, it’s worth talking about who this brand is actually built for, because I think a lot of the mixed feelings people have about Rare Beauty come down to a mismatch between the customer and the product. Rare Beauty is genuinely well suited to someone who wants accessible, affordable makeup from a brand with a mission they believe in. The mental health focus is real, the shade ranges are inclusive, and the price points are approachable. If you love a bold, pigmented blush look, this brand was practically made for you.
Where it started to fall short for me was on dry and textured skin, and when I began comparing it to brands at a slightly higher price point that simply performed better. Once I became more willing to spend a little more on makeup, some of these products stopped making as much sense in my routine.
Rare Beauty Review
The reviews in this post are based on my personal experience using Rare Beauty products. Your experience may differ depending on your skin type and preferences.
Pore Diffusing Primer
When I saw that this primer was designed to help with large pores and texture, two of my biggest skin concerns, I decided it was worth trying. It’s a silicone-based formula that smooths the skin and gives foundation a nice base to work with, but it doesn’t do anything that a less expensive drugstore option can’t do just as well. I found myself reaching for it occasionally when wearing a more full coverage foundation, which isn’t something I do all that often.
If you’re looking for something in this category that gives you more for your money, the ELF Liquid Powerless Putty Primer and the NYX Pore Filler Blurring Primer are both roughly half the price and do the same job.
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Positive Light Tinted Moisturizer
I normally love a tinted moisturizer, so I had high hopes for this one, but it just didn’t perform for me no matter how carefully I prepped my skin beforehand. It clung to dry patches and made texture more visible, which is the opposite of what you want from a product like this.
If tinted moisturizers are your thing, I’ve had much better luck with the Tower 28 SunnyDays, which is far less finicky and gives a natural, flattering finish.
Liquid Touch Brightening Concealer
After my experience with the tinted moisturizer, I’ll admit I wasn’t feeling optimistic going into this one, and unfortunately those feelings were justified. Despite what the name suggests, this concealer isn’t particularly hydrating or brightening, and it went on dry and cakey regardless of what I layered underneath it.
For a fraction of the price, both the Milani Conceal and Perfect Concealer and the Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser do a noticeably better job at concealing without the cake.
Positive Light Silky Touch Highlighter
I hadn’t used a traditional powder highlighter in a while, but this one caught my attention. I was torn between Enlighten, a cool champagne shade, and Exhilarate, a champagne gold, and ultimately went with Enlighten since it seemed like the better match for my fair skin.
There’s nothing wrong with this highlighter as long as you go in knowing what it is: a very shimmery, high-impact product that makes a statement. One thing worth knowing before you buy it though. It breaks easily in transit, so picking it up in person is much smarter than ordering online.
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Positive Light Liquid Luminizer
Since I already have a lot of champagne-toned highlighters, I decided to try this one in Enchant, a light pink shade. I was a little nervous about wearing a pink highlighter, but it turned out to be one of my favorite picks from the entire line. It gives a real, noticeable glow without crossing into overly shimmery territory, which makes it easy to wear day to day without looking overdone. It blends well and a little goes a very long way
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Stay Vulnerable Melting Cream Blush
Back when this blush first launched, it got a lot of attention as one of the best cream blushes out there, so I picked it up in Nearly Neutral to see what the fuss was about. The lower pigmentation compared to the liquid blush makes it easier to work with, since it’s harder to accidentally overdo it, and the stiffer formula gives it better staying power than a lot of other cream blushes I’ve tried. The main downside is that it tends to dry out in the pan faster than I’d like.
If you’re open to spending a little more, I actually prefer the Merit blushes, which come in more shades and have a more emollient formula that doesn’t dry out.
Soft Pinch Liquid Blush
As someone who prefers a more natural flush, I was a little hesitant going into this one, but I picked it up in Hope, a nude mauve, and decided to give it a fair shot. It’s easy to see why it went viral when you try it, because the pigmentation is unlike most blushes out there.
The trick I found that made this much easier to use is to dot a small amount on the back of your hand first and then pick it up from there with a brush or sponge rather than applying it directly to your cheeks.
A little really does go a long way, and one tube will last you a long time because of it. If you love a blush that makes a statement, this one absolutely delivers, though if you prefer something softer and more natural looking, the cream version is going to suit you better.
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Soft Pinch Tinted Lip Oil Stain
When this product was first launched, they advertised it as a lip oil and not a stain. Thankfully, their marketing team has updated the product name. A word of warning, if you get this product outside of your lip line, you will have a stain that is very hard to remove.
Since I need my lip products to be easy to apply, I won’t be buying any more of these. I’ll stick to the Tower 28 and Merit lip oils because they’re sheerer and easier to apply, even if the wear time is a bit shorter.
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Stay Vulnerable Glossy Lip Balm
I really love a good lip gloss, and this one in Nearly Nude, a soft neutral pink, did not disappoint. The formula is lightweight and the color is sheer enough to wear alone or layered over something else, which I appreciate. It makes it all the more frustrating that it no longer appears to be available at Sephora or Ulta and may be on its way to being discontinued.
Kind Words Matte Lipstick
I don’t usually reach for matte lip products, but I picked this one up in Humble, a rosy mauve, as part of a set with the lip liner when the price made it too good to pass up.
The formula is softer than most mattes I’ve tried, and it doesn’t have that dry, uncomfortable feeling that usually puts me off the finish entirely. The packaging isn’t my favorite, but that’s a minor thing.
Worth noting though: this product no longer appears to be stocked at Sephora or Ulta, with only a handful of shades remaining on the Rare Beauty website, so it may be on its way out.
Kind Words Lip Liner
I have this lip liner in two different shades, Humble and Admire. Admire is a limited edition shade that is no longer available, which is a shame since it is lovely.
The consistency of this lip liner is very soft and creamy, which I like. However, the pencil itself is hard to keep sharpened and breaks easily. If you want a very precise point for overlining your lips, this might not be the liner for you. But for me, it is a skip.
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Perfect Strokes Volumizing Mascara
It takes a lot for a mascara to make a real impression on me, but this one managed it. I want a mascara that lengthens and adds volume without clumping, flaking, or smudging throughout the day, and this one checks every single box. It’s the standout of the entire line and the only product I’ve gone back and repurchased. The price point makes it even easier to reach for. If you’re only going to try one product from Rare Beauty, make it this one.
Shop at Sephora | Shop at Ulta
Final Thoughts on Rare Beauty
Overall, my experience with Rare Beauty was genuinely mixed, but that doesn’t mean it’s a bad brand. For the right customer it makes a lot of sense, especially if you’re working with a budget or you’re drawn to the brand’s mission.
My top picks from everything I tested are the Perfect Strokes Mascara, the Positive Light Liquid Luminizer, and the Soft Pinch Liquid Blush.
I know there are still a few products from Rare Beauty that I need to test. As I try more products from Rare Beauty, I will update this post. So make sure to save it to Pinterest so you can refer to it later.
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