The Ride or Die Beauty tag was created by YouTube Guru, Jaclyn Hill in 2016. The premise of this tag is to choose your ride or die beauty products to build your ultimate makeup collection.

As a beauty lover, I enjoy reading beauty tags. If you love tags just as much as me, please keep reading to hear about some of my most loved beauty favorites.

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The Ride or Die Beauty Tag

Face Primer

I don’t have a favorite! I’ve tried so many primers over the year that no particular primer really stands out as a clear winner.

July 2020 Edit: My feelings on primers completely evolved since I originally wrote this post. Check out my primer ranking for oily skin to see how I ranked each primer in my collection.

Foundation

Urban Decay – Naked Skin Weightless Ultra Definition Liquid Foundation (now discontinued)

The best way to describe the Urban Decay Naked Skin Liquid Foundation is that it is “my skin but better.” The coverage of this foundation is light but can be built up to medium. Freckles and discoloration will peak through, but my face looks more even-toned.

The Weightless Ultra Definition Liquid Foundation has a matte finish without looking overly drying. The finish is great for those with oily skin since it does not break apart from facial oils. However, the liquidy formula can sink into fine lines without a blurring primer underneath. See where this foundation lands in my foundation ranking for oily skin.

Price: $40.00

Concealer

Maybelline – Age Rewind Concealer

I love the Maybelline Age Rewind Concealer. It provides solid medium coverage without settling into fine lines or wrinkles. Also, the concealer plays well with other face products and is easy to apply.

That being said, biggest issue with this concealer is sponge tip applicator. Although the sponge tip is the best method to apply the concealer initially, it sucks that it cannot be washed. As a result after several weeks of use, I am forced to remove the sponge applicator. Otherwise, I’ll suffer from a breakout.

Additionally, the concealer has a limited shade range. Individuals with very fair or dark skin may have a hard time finding a shade that works for them. That being said, Maybelline is adding more shades to the line. , but the range is still quite limited. Hopefully, Maybelline will continue to work on diversifying this product.

P.S. The Maybelline Age Rewind concealer was the best selling concealer in the U.S. in terms of both dollars and units sold in 2017-2018, beating out both drugstore and prestige competitors.

Price: $9.99

Face Powder

Laura Mercier – Translucent Loose Setting Powder

The Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder* is loved by so many bloggers and beauty enthusiasts. This well-loved translucent powder sets makeup without making the face look cakey. Currently, this translucent powder comes in two colors – translucent and translucent medium deep.

Price: $38.00

Under Eye Setting Powder

Laura Mercier – Secret Brightening Powder

The Secret Brightening Powder by Laura Mercier* is a great under-eye setting powder. It makes the under-eye area look lighter and brighter, while simultaneously setting the area. Read my setting product ranking.

Price: $28.00

Bronzer

Physicians Formula – Butter Bronzer

The Butter Bronzer* is a natural matte bronzer that blends like butter on the skin. The tone is warm without being overly orange, red, or golden. Anyone with pale skin is likely to enjoy this bronzer since the pigmentation builds effortlessly.

However, like all Physicians Formula products, the Butter Bronzer is expensive for a drugstore product. Look for deals when purchasing this item. The Butter Bronzer comes in four shade variations to accommodate varying undertones.

Is this bronzer still my favorite? Read my best bronzer ranking to find out.

Price: $14.99

Blush

M.A.C. – Mineralize Blush in Warm Soul

Warm Soul was a pivotal product in my collection. This was the first high-end blush I owned. In many ways, this blush taught me to experiment with different finishes and hues. Prior to owning this blush, I mainly wore light pink, matte drugstore brushes.

Warm Soul a shimmery beige blush with gold undertones. The slight golden finish spices up an otherwise basic color. In terms of pigmentation, the blush is light enough to be used as a topper but can be easily built up when worn as a standalone blush.

Price: $30.00

Check out my best blush ranking to discover more of my favorites.

Honorable mention

Tarte’s Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush in Paaarty ($29.00) is a beautiful nudie-pink blush that provides a light wash of color to the cheeks. Although the blush has a radiant finish, it doesn’t look artificially shimmery on the cheeks. I received this blush as the 2017 Free Sephora birthday gift.

Highlight

RMS Beauty – Living Luminizer

The RMS Beauty Living Luminizer* was an amazing find from the summer of 2017. This is one of the most natural, glossy highlighters I have ever used. I prefer highlighters like this due to the way they make the skin look dewy or glass-like.

The only con to this product is that you cannot set your face with powder where the highlight has been applied. Doing so will mattify the highlighter – removing all glow.

PSA: During warm weather, this highlighter may feel more liquid-like in texture. Therefore, I am unsure how this product will hold up since the temperature could cause the product to go bad quicker than expected.

Price: $38.00

Read my glowy highlighter ranking to learn about more of my favorite highlighters.

False Eyelashes

I don’t wear false lashes! 🙂

Mascara

Dior – Diorshow Iconic Overcurl Mascara

Honestly, I wanted to hate this mascara when I received a free sample in my Sephora Play box a few years ago. However, I love it. In fact, I have never received more compliments on my lashes from friends, family, and coworkers than when I started using this mascara.

The Diorshow Iconic Overcurl* adds volume and curl without being clumpy. Although not a promise of the mascara, I find that the result makes my lashes look lifted and longer too.

One thing to note is that this mascara is not waterproof. In fact, the mascara smudges easily if made wet through sweating, crying, rain, etc. Anyone using this mascara should set their face makeup with a setting spray before mascara application, otherwise, the product will smudge.

Price: $29.50

Eyeshadow Palette

Anastasia Beverly Hills – Master by Mario Palette (now discontinued)

The Anastasia Beverly Hills  Master by Mario was a breakout hit from 2016. This twelve-pan, neutral palette uses earthy toned colors in an effortlessly wearable way. The colors transform the eye, easily lending themselves for natural, grunge, or glamorous looks.

Like other Anastasia Beverly Hills shadows, the colors are highly pigmented and blend with ease. The formula is soft and powdery, thus, the palette produces a lot of kickback. However, I don’t find the kickback a deterrent given how easily the shadows blend across the eye.

The only duds in the palette are Bronx and Claudia – the shimmery green and navy colors. These colors are definitely patchier than the other shades. Without a doubt, Claudia is the worst color in the palette in terms of pigmentation and ease of application. However, the actual color itself makes blue seem like another wearable neutral.

Price: $42.00

Read about my experience attempting to pan the Master Palette or check out my honest Anastasia Beverly Hills Palette ranking.

Lipstick

Smashbox Be Legendary Satin Lipstick in Cognac

To quote Drew Barrymore in Ever After, “I could no sooner choose a favorite star in the heavens.” In her case, she was referring to picking a favorite book, but lipsticks can provide that same level of joy, right? 🙂

Given that I couldn’t pick just one lipstick – I’ll narrow it down to two favorites. In general, my three favorite formulas are from NARS, Smashbox, and Urban Decay. Ultimately, Smashbox’s Be Legendary Satin Lipstick in Cognac* is what got me into wearing lipstick. As a result, this color and formula hold great sentimental value.

Urban Decay Vice Lipstick in Liar

In contrast, the Urban Decay lipsticks are newer to my collection – having purchased them in 2017. However, I love this brand, too. Liar* is my go-to nude pink color. Like Cognac, this formula has a creamy finish. However, this color doesn’t have the same sheen of the Be Legendary Satin formula.

Price: Smashbox $21.00 / Urban Decay $18.00

Liquid Lipstick

Anastasia Beverly Hills Liquid Lipstick in Pure Hollywood

I’m not too fond of liquid lipstick, but Pure Hollywood* was my go-to for several years. I don’t find the formula particularly drying, but the products have an awful chemical smell that only worsens with time.

Furthermore, these do not last very long after the expiration date. You’ll know yours has gone bad because it will develop a repugnant chemical odor.

Price: $20.00

Read my liquid lipstick ranking to see how different formulas stack up against each other or read about my favorite formula from Persona Cosmetics.

Lipgloss

While I love lipgloss, I do not currently have a favorite brand. LOL – 2020 me speaking – this is a lie. Read my ultimate lip gloss ranking. I swatch 50+ lip gloss shades and compare a ton of formulas!

Setting Spray

Urban Decay All-Nighter Long-Lasting Setting Spray

Again, I could not pick just one setting spray. These two particular sprays serve very different functions. Urban Decay’s All-Nighter Long Lasting Setting Spray* is my holy grail setting spray for extending the life of my makeup on my oily skin. In fact, when I use this setting spray, I don’t need to set my face with a powder.

MAC Fix Plus Setting Spray

However, the M.A.C. Fix Plus,* is my go-to spray for adding “life” back to my face. This spray will not increase the longevity of my makeup, but it beautifully sets my face. Products melt together in a natural, seamless fashion using this product. If you are prone to cakey makeup, this is worth trying. Personally, I am curious to try the new matte formula.

Price: Urban Decay $32.00 / MAC $27.00

Perfume

Marc Jacobs Daisy

I can’t explain why I like this scent, but I just do. I own Marc Jacobs’ Honey and Dot, too. However, Daisy* is my favorite smell. The packaging is so beautiful that I will keep the bottle once I finish the fragrance. I bought the bottle on sale, so I am unsure if I would pay full price for this in the future.

Price: $118.00

Ride or Die Beauty Tag Additions:

In addition to the categories in Jaclyn’so original Ride or Die tag video, I wanted to include a few categories that were missing.

Brow Pencil

Benefit – Goof Proof Eyebrow Pencil

I’ve been purchasing Benefit Brow pencils for years – long before they were reformulated. The formula of the Goof Proof pencil is stiff and applies with ease for fuller, more natural looking brows.

For the most natural application, I recommend combing a spoolie through your brows after filling in the brows. Also, I am genuinely surprised at how long this product has lasted. (I’ve been using my current pencil for over a year and I am struggling to finish this item.)

Price: $24.00

Makeup Remover

Kiehl’s – Midnight Recovery Oil

If I had enough money, I would buy the Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Oil exclusively because the gentle formula does a great job at removing makeup without irritating or drying out the skin. The formula makes the makeup glide off without forcing me to tug on the skin.

Price: $32.00

Final Thoughts on the Ride or Die Beauty Tag

I’ve seen so many of my favorite YouTubers partake in this tag over the years. As always, challenges like these force me to take a hard look at my collection. Analyzing my favorites in my collection is key to helping me understand the formulas that I’ll like moving forward. Also, I love how these challenges are like time machines helping me to see my favorites during a snapshot of time.

Within this challenge, some categories were extremely hard to choose a clear ride or die  favorite, while other categories felt obvious. Overall, this tells me that, I may want to reduce my spending (and hoarding) within categories where there was an obvious favorite.

Having some variety is great in my collection is good. However, there are specific products that I rely on more than others. Why buy products if I know they’ll sit untouched? Ultimately, knowing what I gravitate towards should help me to make smarter choices in the future.

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Did you enjoy reading my response to the ride or die beauty tag? Check out my take on the Perfect Palette Tag or the Not Your Basic Beauty Guru Tag.

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How would you answer these questions to the ride or die beauty tag? I’d love to know in the comments below!

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