2026

Refy Water Bronzer + Blush Review

June 8, 2026

Refy launched new cheek products with one of the most innovative formulas I’ve tried this year. I was able to get an early preview of this a month ago and am thrilled I can finally share this!

They just dropped their new Water Bronzer ($30) and Water Blush ($24) in a cushion format which I feel is a completely different take on blush and bronzer compared to anything currently in my collection. They also created their Duo Brush 2.0 for Liquid Blush and Bronzer ($26) to go with this launch.

Inspired by K-beauty cushion technology and made in South Korea, these formulas are housed in a cushion compact that delivers sheer yet buildable color with a fresh, skin-like finish. These are water-infused color cushions suspended in a sponge which actually makes it easier to apply compared to a pump dispenser format.

I think the tones are beautiful. I hope they will expand the shade range to more blush colors eventually because the colors are all so stunning.

Here’s a look all the shades swatched:

Water Bronzer

These days, it’s rare for a new bronzer formula to genuinely excite me. So many of you ask for bronzer recommendations over the years and until recently, there haven’t been many that truly stood out to me. For the longest time I relied on my tried and true from Chanel (which I still love, but unfortunately was discontinued). This year, however, a few brands have introduced formulas that feel genuinely innovative.

I particularly loved the recent bronzer launches from Dior and Westman Atelier. Both brought something unique to a category that can often feel oversaturated. The Dior formula impresses me with its exceptional wear time, while the Westman Atelier bronzer has one of the best dry-downs I’ve experienced in a cream formula.

The new Refy Water Bronzer is another launch that has earned a spot on that short list. The formula feels fresh and different from what’s currently on the market, and the finish it creates on the skin is absolutely beautiful.

Bay is a light warmer golden bronze
Cove is a cool neutral bronze
Sol is a reddish bronze
Palm is a deep bronze
Selene is the deepest bronze

I can pull off the lightest 3 shades. I think my favorite is probably Cove even though it pulls more neutral-cool on me. I also really love the other two. Bay is the perfect golden bronze and Cove gives that slightly sunburnt bronzed glow.

Water Blush

The Water Blush shades surprised me because given the intensity of color you see in the compact, they really apply a lot sheerer on the cheeks. You can layer for more pigment but I am really loving how they’re almost like water colors for the cheeks.

Apricot is a light peach
Lychee is a vibrant healthy pink
Acai is a perfect berry

I am really surprised how easy these are to control. The color melts into the skin and can be layered from a subtle wash to something more sculpted and vibrant. The new Refy Duo Brush 02 is also incredible and makes application a breeze although I do think you can use anything from your current stash to apply the products. I would definitely recommend using a clean brush though so you don’t contaminate the compact sponge with other colors.

Skin Base

I also wanted to share a quick mention of the Refy Skin Base ($40). A number of you were very excited about this as it’s a gel skin tint. I tried the shade 170N and I have it in action here. It’s a very sheer natural looking skin tint. There is noticeable coverage but it’s a barely there kind of finish. It’s a gel but it has a balmy feel to me. It has a thicker feel compared to some other skin tints like the one from Lisa Eldridge or Summer Fridays. This one blends best with a sponge for me. Since the coverage is so natural looking you will most likely also need some concealer and if you have combination skin or live in a warm humid area you will 100% need to set with a powder.

I give it am 8.5 out of 10 stars. It’s an excellent product for a skin tint, but I prefer something with a little more coverage like the It Cosmetics CC+ Nude Glow or even the Hourglass Veil Hydrating Skin Tint.

You can find the new Refy launches at Sephora and also at Refy Beauty.

Water collection gifted for review. Skin Base purchased.

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Dior

Dior Backstage Makeup – New Shade Extensions

May 23, 2026

Dior added new shades in their Backstage Makeup Lineup and I think every single color is a 10. There are four new coordinating colors in the Addict Lip Glow Butter ($42), Backstage Rosy Glow Blush Stick ($44) and Backstage Rosy Glow Blush ($42). New shades available now at Dior.com and Sephora.

There is also a new Backstage Glassy Glow Stick ($44) which I passed on for now – but if you’ve tried it let me know your thoughts!

There are four new shades in each formula:

106 Pomelo is a light soft peachy pink
107 Dragonfruit is a light mauve pink lilac
108 Guava is a hot bright warm pink
109 Goji is a berry with brown tones

Addict Lip Glow Butter

The Addict Lip Glow Butters are beautiful in the new shades. I still stand by my original review that the formula, pigment and color with this gloss is outstanding, but I do wish they would give us more product for the price.

Out of all four shades I like Guava the best. The lighter ones are really sheer on me and I find the need to constantly remind readers or new followers that I have naturally darker pigmented lip tone so a lot of sheer or lighter tones look drastically different on me.

Backstage Rosy Glow Blush Stick

The Backstage Rosy Glow Blush Sticks are ultra bold and bright with a swatch straight out of the tube but if you’ve played with this formula before, you know that it sheers to a softer finish once you blend it. These are balmy and glowy with very little dry down. They remain dewy looking but out of all the dewy cream blushes, this one is my favorite.

I usually set with a powder blush on top to make it last longer. I also find that the cream blush sticks help bring out the pigment in some powders. So many of you asked for swatch comparisons, so here they are in the stick formula.

Backstage Rosy Glow Blush (Powder)

I prefer the Backstage Rosy Glow Blush formula over the Blush Stick for lasting power. The colors are buildable so you can have a softer cheek look or more pigmented finish if you layer. The Powder vs Stick colors are close but they’re not quite identical mainly because of the color payoff but also the undertones are just the slightest bit different.

I really love every single color in the powder. I love that they have the tiniest bit of shimmer which gives it a pretty glow.

Four coordinated looks below with the matching lip and cheek. Also have a look with the powder vs the stick on the cheeks.

Pomelo

_________

Dragonfruit

_________

Guava

_________

Goji

_________

Bottom line LOVE. New shades available now at Dior.com and Sephora.

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Bronzer + Blush

Summer Fridays Bronzer Butter Balm

May 20, 2026

Summer Fridays launched a new cream bronzer called the Bronzer Butter Balm ($27.20 each, six shades) along with a Bronzer Brush ($28).

If you love a dewy cream bronzer, I think you will really like the Summer Fridays Bronzer Butter Balms. Cream bronzers can be hit or miss on my skin especially with the Miami heat and humidity, but I put these to the test and I really like these! They’re dewy but they aren’t too emollient/glossy.

If you like the Sarah Creal Just Like Paradise Bronzers, I think you will really like the ones from Summer Fridays. The ones from Sarah Creal are just the slightest more dewy, but they are really close to me in terms of texture and pigment.

Out of all six shades I like Clay and Desert the best for my skin tone. I like my bronzers a little bit warmer since cool/neutrals tend to pull grey on me. I shared a demo of both shades here. Clay is just a little more golden while Desert pulls a little more red.

Based on your feedback, a lot of you seem to be drawn to Dune which is more of a neutral/cool tone. I find the lightest shade they created really interesting! I think if you struggle to find bronzers light enough in color, this particular one might work for you!

The angled Bronzer Brush is very well made. I like the minimalist design and the density is perfect. It’s also really soft and smooth. The brush blends the product to perfection on the skin. I also really love the Hourglass Ambient Soft Glow Foundation Brush, Hourglass Brush No 15, Fenty 195 and Laura Mercier Cheek Brush.

Lasting power for the bronzers seems to be decent for the temperature right now. I haven’t done an extended outdoor wear test, but indoors the lasting power is pretty good. Given that it’s a cream it does tend to look a little more dewy after 3-4 hours, but so far it still wears pretty well.

Overall love. If you have oily skin or need something with a longer wear, I’d opt for either the Dior Forever Skin Bronzing Balm Stick or Westman Atelier Sun Tone Crème Duos since those have a more satin finish and longer wear.

You can find the Summer Fridays Bronzer Butter Balms out now. Available at Sephora, Revolve and Summer Fridays.

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Bronzer + Blush Westman Atelier

Westman Atelier Sun Tone Bronzing Creme

May 18, 2026

Westman Atelier launched a new cream bronzing duo called the Sun Tone Bronzing Creme ($75 each) along with a Blender Brush II ($85) designed specifically for this formula. I’ve been playing this for over a month now and can say this is the bronzer I’ve been reaching for the most these past few weeks. Available at Westman Atelier, Nordstrom, Credo Beauty, Sephora.

There are four shade options available now. I picked up Soleil Parfait 1 and 2. The shade charts recommended 2 for me, but after swatching in store I decided to try multiple options. For her Vital Skin Foundation Stick, I still alternate between V, VI and VII – right now I am in between V and VI (always in between foundation shades!).

This is a hydrating cream bronzer that has a nice satin finish, so it glides on the skin nicely but doesn’t have that dewy finish (which I prefer). Formula is very easy to blend and while I really love the Blender II Brush, I think any brush will work. I usually like the Hourglass Ambient Soft Glow Foundation Brush or Fenty Brush 195 to apply cheek products.

I know a lot of you really loved the Sun Tone Bronzing Drops. I have this in Soleil Parfait 2 and while I really like them, they aren’t always easy for me to blend. I think the Crème Duos are much easier to work with, they blend better and I like the solid cream compact style more.

Soleil Parfait 1 pulls more neutral/cool but still warms up the skin.

Soleil Parfait 2 is a deeper variation and warmer.

Right now I am just starting to get my summer tan back, so while I’ve been reaching for Shade 1 the past month, I think I will start using Shade 2 soon. If you’re my skin twin I think you can really opt for either one.

Swatches next to a few other cream bronzers (note that my arm is a lot lighter/cooler than my face). I was really surprised to find how warm some other bronzers pull compared to the Westman Atelier options.

Linking reviews for the other options swatched:

Chanel Les Beiges Cream Bronzers reviewed here
Westman Atelier Face Trace in Truffle on the face here
Dior Forever Skin Bronzing Balm review here

Overall love and I do think it’s worth the splurge. I still think the Dior Bronzer stick is a close tie in terms of ease of blending and exceptional formula but they are scented and I know a lot of you can’t do fragrance in your face products.

I do have the new Sarah Creal Just Like Paradise Bronzer Shade 2.5, Summer Fridays Bronzer Butter Balm and something new coming from Refy to test/compare. So if you’re debating between all the new launches this year, I will have a few more I’ll be testing soon.

You can find the Westman Atelier Sun Tone Bronzing Creme available at Westman Atelier, Nordstrom, Credo Beauty, Sephora.

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Chanel

Chanel Les Beiges Coastal Summer 2026

May 6, 2026

Chanel Beauty summer has arrived with their Les Beiges Coastal Summer Collection. I picked up a little bit of everything however I wasn’t able to find the Les Beiges Summer Essentials basket set before it sold out.

Les Beiges Healthy Glow Eyeshadow Palette

I think my favorite piece in this collection is the Les Beiges Healthy Glow Eyeshadow Palette in Soft ($77). It has the prettiest neutrals for just a hint of color, definition and glow. Pigment is on the softer side but I love the soft look! The texture is super soft.

Rouge Coco Flash

The Rouge Coco Flash is my favorite lip formula from Chanel right now and the three new summer shades have exceptionally good pigment! The new shades include Sweet (a neutral, my favorite), Zesty (tomato red) and Fruity (plum). Based on your feedback on this preview post, most of you seem to love the purple shade!

Les Beiges Healthy Glow Blush + Highlighter

I love trying new complexion glow products, especially things from the Les Beiges line for that no-makeup-makeup kind of effortless glow. However I am undecided about the new Les Beiges Healthy Glow Blush in Sorbet and the Les Beiges Healthy Glow Highlighter in Summer Gleam ($56 each). I absolutely LOVE the concept and colors but I found these a little difficult to apply and blend without wiping off my foundation.

There are 3 Les Beiges Healthy Glow Blush shades (one exclusive to that sold out set) and 2 individual options. I opted for Sorbet the pink which is the most beautiful shimmery pink.

There is one Les Beiges Healthy Glow Highlighter in Summer Gleam which is a pearlescent pale frosty pink shimmer. On me the color is pale so it looks almost white but in person you can see a subtle pink shift when the light hits.

I do like them if I apply just the blush, or if I mix the blush + highlighter on the back of my hand and then apply to the face. The blending effort is a little too much for me, but I think the colors are stunning.

New Le Vernis

There are two Le Vernis shades and your feedback surprised me! So many of you are in love with Garconne which matches my skin so close it gives mannequin hands. I’m personally not a fan but you girls love it! I think Baigneuse is such a fun blue! I will try it on the toes for my next pedicure.

Les Beiges Serum Concealer

Another new launch is the Les Beiges Serum Concealer ($53 each). This isn’t technically part of the Les Beiges color collection, but it is new for summer. I think this is one of the most beautiful glowy concealers I’ve ever tried. I tried both B30 and B40 in action here, I prefer B30 for my BD41 Chanel skintone. Quick swatches next to the Chanel Ultra Le Teint Concealer too, Ultra Le Teint shades in action here. I’m still working on my concealer roundup!

If you had your eye on anything everything I reviewed is out now at Chanel and all Chanel retailers like Nordstrom, Macy’s and Bloomingdale’s. The basket set appears to be sold out everywhere so if you were able to find it you are very lucky!

Did you pick up anything from this collection? What did you think? Do I need to try the Les Beiges mascara?

Dior

Dior Beauty Summer Collection 2026

April 23, 2026

Dior Beauty has my heart these days and the summer collection literally took my breath away. It seems that most of the pieces are limited-edition and by now the daisy compacts have sold out many places (I recommend checking your local counters or boutiques if you’re still searching for them).

Here are the details on everything I hauled with hits and misses.

Forever Nude Bronze Glow

The Forever Nude Bronze Glow Bronzing Powders ($60 each, Dior, Sephora and Selfridges) come in the most beautiful compact I think I have ever seen. The detailing on these is well worth the splurge in my opinion.

Both shades this season are very similar and also appear to be repeats with the names (and numbers). I don’t have Coral Bronze from previous seasons but I do have Pink Bronze and it looks identical on my skin.

Coral Bronze is just the slightest bit warmer on my skin while Pink Bronze is more neutral. Both have a luminous finish on me. There is an overspray on the surface but underneath is still a little bit glowy. I swatched them next to some existing Dior Forever Nude Bronze shades (review here).

I really love these and have no regrets with the splurge, but if you already own Dior bronzers from past seasons I think you can skip if you want to avoid duplicates/dupes.

Forever Glow Luminizer + Glow Maximizers

There are two highlighters in this launch. The Forever Glow Luminizer in Sun-Kissed is a luminescent champagne gold with micro sparkles ($60, Dior and Sephora). I think it’s beautiful even if I find the color and finish similar to other Dior highlighters.

Sun-Kissed pulls less sharp in the frost compared to Nude Halo (champagne) and also because Sun-Kissed is more peachy/golden it’s softer on my tan skin tone.

The Forever Glow Maximizer in Sunburst ($47, Dior, Macy’s, Bloomingdale’s) is another stunning champagne gold. This one pulls sheerer in the frost/shimmer compared to others in this formula. I pulled the neutrals to swatch side by side. Sunburst is warmer and the sheererst. It has tiny glittery specks on the skin but it’s subtle.

Eyeshadow Palettes

There are two eyeshadow palettes in this collection. I picked up the neutral one 670 Sunset Bronze ($75, Dior, Nordstrom, Bloomingdale’s)and it is absolute perfection. You can see swatches of the blue one in my highlights here. 670 Sunset Bronze has all shimmers. They’re smooth in the finish, easy to blend and and the colors truly look like a sunset.

Diorshow Flash Stick

The product you have all been the most curious about is the new Diorshow Flash Eyeshadow Stick ($42 each, Dior, Nordstrom, Macy’s, Bloomingdale’s, Ulta Beauty). I have mixed feelings but I want to say first that I have very high standards for eyeshadow sticks and how they compare to Laura Mercier or Bobbi Brown, especially shimmers.

For some reason a lot of the cream shadows from other brands simply do not show up well on my lids. Once I blend, they almost always seem to disappear. This is the case with these new Dior Shadow Sticks for my eyes. They swatch SO beautifully on the hands but once on my eyes, they sheer out. They do show up on my eyes, they just don’t have the same impact once blended out.

I do really love the Beige Tulle which is a shimmery champagne (very sparkly). I prefer more impact or color. I do think these are worth checking out though, just because they didn’t wow me doesn’t mean they’re bad. I just usually can’t wear a lot of cream shadow sticks.

Addict Lip Maximizer

There are five new Addict Lip Maximizers ($42 each, Dior). Some of the shades appear to be exclusive to Dior.com but you can find some colors at other retailers like Nordstrom and Macy’s.

I think they’re all beautiful but I would say 053 Golden Hour and 072 Cerulean are a pass for me. Golden Hour is incredibly frosty and pale in an unflattering way and Cerulean is fun and trendy but also not the best look for my lips.

Nail Polish

Last we have a look at two new Dior Vernis Nail Colors ($34 each, Dior, Bloomingdale’s, Macy’s, Nordstrom) for summer.

Sunset is a shimmery champagne gold. It pulls more gold than champagne and matches my skin tone closely. I think it’s a pretty shade!

Azur is a fun pool blue with a tiny bit of shimmer in the bottle, but it applies more like a cream.

Overall a beautiful collection. I really love that after all these years Dior still continues to launch full seasonal beauty collections along with their mini launches.

Did you pick up anything from this launch? What did you think?

Bronzer + Blush

Prada Touch Cream-to-Powder Soft Blur Blush

April 16, 2026

Prada Beauty launched a new cream blush called the Touch Cream-to-Powder Soft Blur Blush ($42 each). I splurged on a few of the shades to try and I think they’re worth the hype! These are cream blushes with an ultra lightweight formula. It blends like a dream without any effort and I love how it sets to a blurred soft matte finish on the skin.

Lasting power is very good for a cream blush although I haven’t been able to put it to the humidity test as it’s a pretty mild spring here in Miami Beach weather-wise.

Packaging is super cute, stackable, unique and I love the pale pink color! Color is easy to blend and build. I do wish there was a little mirror inside, but it’s not a deal breaker. I actually love the minimalist packaging.

Shades I picked out all seem to work well on my medium-tan skin. I’m wearing the Dior Forever Foundation Stick in 3N and the Prada Concealer in MN6. The pigment is really good with these blushes! Not too opaque and not too sheer. It’s just right.

Tulip is a soft medium bright pink

___________

Peach is a soft but buildable peach

___________

Bow is a tan mauve shade

___________

Dahlia is a soft rose pink

___________

Waterlily is a bright pink

Some of these look a little dark or bold in the compact, but on the skin they blend out to a more natural looking finish. It gives that effortless wash of color. Given how natural they look I might try the Cherry shade before the Sephora sale ends!

I’ve been applying with the fingers, but I also love the Fenty Brush 125, Brush 195 or Hourglass Brush 15.

You can find these now. I bought mine from Sephora.

Older Posts

Refy Water Bronzer + Blush Review

Water Bronzer

Skin Base

Dior Backstage Makeup – New Shade Extensions

Addict Lip Glow Butter

Backstage Rosy Glow Blush Stick

Backstage Rosy Glow Blush (Powder)

Pomelo

Dragonfruit

Guava

Goji

Summer Fridays Bronzer Butter Balm

Westman Atelier Sun Tone Bronzing Creme

Chanel Les Beiges Coastal Summer 2026

Les Beiges Healthy Glow Eyeshadow Palette

Rouge Coco Flash

Les Beiges Healthy Glow Blush + Highlighter

New Le Vernis

Les Beiges Serum Concealer

Dior Beauty Summer Collection 2026

Forever Nude Bronze Glow

Forever Glow Luminizer + Glow Maximizers

Eyeshadow Palettes

Diorshow Flash Stick

Addict Lip Maximizer

Nail Polish

Prada Touch Cream-to-Powder Soft Blur Blush

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