I'm the first to admit my makeup application skills are lacking. Because of this, and the fact I'm a beauty minimalist, I never felt the need to buy expensive products in the past. But as my makeup game improves (I'm making an effort to learn), I've been investing in more high-end products as a reward. My latest obsession is the luxury makeup brand Westman Atelier, which I was introduced to last year when I stumbled into a friend's makeup bag. She let me borrow a cream highlighter from the brand, and I instantly fell in love and finally decided to get one for myself along with the brand's other best-selling products. Below, see two easy looks I created and my reviews for each item.
I first created a look that felt very much in my comfort zone. It's natural, glowy, and perfect for daytime. I opted for the brand's light coverage complexion drops, added some blush and highlighter on my cheeks, and then used a sheer pink lipstick. I then applied a barely there pink shadow on my eyelids with just a touch of green in the outer corners to make my hazel eyes pop. A swipe of mascara, a little brow pencil, and some pressed powder in my T-zone finished off the look. Not to brag, but I'm impressed with myself.
Part serum, part foundation, I was expecting these complexion drops to be similar to a BB cream, but the results were much more dewy and radiant. I recommend applying with your fingers for a natural look instead of using a brush or sponge. Fair warning: A little goes a long way.
Customer review: "The only product I've ever used that literally looks like skin. Probably best for dry skin. You don't need an extensive skin prep for this foundation to look flawless."
While I wouldn't typically spend $75 on a setting powder, this one warrants the price tag thanks to its lack of any pore-clogging or synthetic ingredients and the addition of vitamin C. I was a little intimidated by the stark white color, but the formula buffs right into the skin seamlessly.
Customer review: "I have more than a dozen good brand powders, and I'm never totally satisfied. This stuff? Wow. It airbrushes my face, especially under the eyes. And for me, at 51, that is the impossible task."
This ultra-fluffy brush is perfect for applying setting powder without any streaks or creasing into fine lines.
Customer review: "Very good brush of excellent quality. I use it to apply powder to my cheeks and nose line. No allergic reaction. Easy to clean."
I always feel like I'm spreading germs when I have to stick my finger into a product, so I love that Westman Atelier's cream blushes are in a stick that can be applied directly to the skin. This one is the perfect pink shade for a rosy complexion.
Customer review: "Blends out beautifully. Applies great with fingers, brush, or sponge. Doesn't look too pinky-pink. Maybe the best pink blush match for my skin tone that I've ever tried."
If there's one product category that Westman Atelier does right, it's highlighter. Super Loaded is a more pigmented, creamy formula, but I'm just as fond of Lit Up, a more sheer gel highlighter. For daytime looks, this peachy shade is my favorite of the four options.
Customer review: "I don't really know how to describe this product. It just makes it seem like you glow from within, even on days when you're not feeling very glowy."
If you're in the market for a light-pink gloss, I promise this is the one.
Customer review: "This is hands down the best lip balm ever. It's not sticky and has the perfect amount of tint. No smell, which I usually don't go for, but it's so amazing I don't even care. Lasts a long time and just feels so luxurious on the lips. Also, the packaging is to die for."
I've never felt an eye shadow with this texture before. It's a mix between a cream and a powder but almost has an elasticity. I used this trio to create the above daytime look, primarily using the light-pink shadow, but focusing on the purple and green would make for a gorgeous evening look too.
Customer review: "I love, love, love this eyeshadow. Not only is the packaging absolutely amazing and cute (I didn't realize they were magnetic), but the eyeshadow itself is beautiful. I don't ever write reviews, but I felt this deserved it. There's little to no fallout, and the pigment is beautiful. The ingredients are clean and wonderful, so I highly recommend it."
I like that this brow product features a pencil on one end and a brush on the other, making it super convenient when traveling. The pencil is a bit thicker than other ones I'm used to, so I used a very soft touch when applying it to my brows.
Customer review: "The only product I've ever used that literally looks like skin. Probably best for dry skin. You don't need an extensive skin prep for this foundation to look flawless."
For an evening look, I wanted to focus on a more dramatic eye. This shadow palette allowed me to do just that—I used the dark purple shadow as a base and applied the black one as an eyeliner. For more coverage, I opted for the foundation stick this time after going in with some contour. I used two different highlighters on my cheekbones (because why not?) and applied a nude-pink lip gloss that has quickly become my new favorite.
Where has Vital Skin been all my life? It's both a concealer and a buildable foundation, and I can't say enough good things about it. Side note: The shade finder feature on Westman Atelier's website yielded very accurate results for me.
Customer review: "This is, unfortunately, the best foundation I've ever used! I don't want to spend the money on it, but after receiving numerous compliments on how amazing my skin looks when wearing it, I have no choice."
I have this brush to thank for my flawless foundation application.
Customer review: "This is hands down the best makeup brush I've ever owned. It's soft, big, and the density is perfect for applying foundation. I own the entire Westman Atelier brush collection, and this one is my favorite."
This contour stick is light and blendable—perfect for contour beginners like me.
Customer review: "Best contour I have ever used! Perfect shade, not too warm or ashy. Blends beautifully with a brush or fingers and works well layered under powder bronzer. Will be repurchasing when I run out."
You can create so many looks with these colors, and have I mentioned yet that the packaging is magnetic so you can stack them for easy storage? Because you can, and it's amazing.
Customer review: "Great for sensitive eyes with clean ingredients, no itch or reaction. Very easy to apply with a brush or fingers. I often use mine as a first layer which works well, and shades still show nicely. My favorite shades tend to be the darkest ones as they also sheer out with a beautiful translucent look. "
I've been applying a small amount of this highlighter to the top of my cheekbones regularly, and I've never received so many compliments.
Customer review: "I got Peau de Soleil shade. It's so pretty! The packaging is heavy and feels expensive. I love the creamy texture."
This sheer, bronzy highlighter is perfect for getting that "just came back from the beach" glow.
Customer review: "This highlight is absolutely stunning…and that's coming from someone who loves over the top shine! The stick highlighter is super creamy and applies to the skin beautifully for an amazing natural glow. "
This lip gloss must be in my purse at all times. It's that good.Customer review: "I absolutely love this product and will definitely try other colors in the future. One of the things I really like about this product is that you can pick the amount of color you want. The first layer applied will be a bit more subdued, but if you want more pop, just add on as much as you want. This is also super hydrating and feels great on your lips."
The luxurious packaging alone is reason enough to purchase this mascara—trust me.
Customer review: "The only product I've ever used that literally looks like skin. Probably best for dry skin. You don't need an extensive skin prep for this foundation to look flawless."
This article was originally published at an earlier date and has been updated.
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