Sol days ahead
Foreword
Rare Beauty fans have been looking forward to this day since the viral Soft Pinch Liquid Blush (reviewed here) took center stage. Many of us longed for a contour/bronzer version of the best-selling blush and guess what? It is finally here. Was it something worth waiting for though?
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About the Product
Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Liquid Contour (28 USD; Made in Korea) - is described as a dewy, weightless, and easy-to-blend liquid contour. It promises a natural finish and long-lasting wear.
Packaging: the design of the product is lovely. Even though the bottle is twice the size of the Soft Pinch Liquid Blush it is the same as the Positive Light Liquid Luminizer (reviewed here). The only difference is that the cap is shiny gold vs matte. A small “ball” makes it easy to open and close the product (which is helpful for people with arthritis or other joint pain-related disabilities).
The doe-foot applicator is the same as always with Rare Beauty; it is a bit chunky with a petite reservoir in the middle. More often than not it picks up more product than you need, so be mindful of that. In total, you work with 14.88 ml/ 0.503 fl oz of product.
Recyclable ♻️
Shades: Mellow (contour), Grateful (blush)
Formula: the front-runner of the Soft Pinch Liquid Contour is Hydrogenated Polyisobutene (waterproof emollient), followed by Mica (mineral filler), Octyldodecanol (binder), Trimethylsiloxysilicate (skin-smoothing silicone), and others.
Actual skin-loving ingredients are in lower quantity and are found towards the end of the list. Sunflower Seed Oil (nourishment), Gardenia Fruit Extract (antioxidant that also adds fragrance), Nelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract (antioxidant), and Nymphaea Odorata Root Extract (skin calming).
Vegan 🌱 Cruelty-free🐇
Scent: none is listed, however, the Soft Pinch Liquid Contour has a slight floral touch to it. Could be the Gardenia Fruit Extract mixed with some other flower extracts. Regardless, it is quite faint and not at all long-lasting.
Texture: a mouss-meets-liquid consistency. Neither runny nor thick. The formula feels quite lightweight and creamy.
Finish: natural-skin finish with a touch of dewy.
Shades: currently available in seven shades. I got Mellow (light, cool-brown) which is an excellent choice for a light-neutral complexion. It is the second-lightest shade in the range and not as cool- or warm-toned. It is that ideal light bronze color that warms up the face and does not pull gray, orange, or pink. No shimmer or glitter.
The pigmentation is not as opaque as with the Soft Pinch Liquid Blush, however, you can easily build it up to a desired intensity.
Swatched: shade Mellow (blended vs freshly applied)
Application: from my experience with the Soft Pinch Liquid Contour, a densely-packed (preferably slanted) brush with synthetic bristles is your best friend. Think Soft Pinch Blush Brush, Fenty Beauty Shaping Brush 125, or a more budget-friendly Real Techniques Tapered Cheek Brush.
This formula is good for both: underpainting and building on top of your base. Remember, little goes a long way with most liquid products by Rare Beauty, so either work from the back of your hand or layer the product gradually. You truly do not need ten dots of Soft Pinch Liquid Contour all over your face. A little bit of contour here and there is more than enough to add dimension or color in a tasteful, undetectable way.
A great thing about this product is how seamlessly it blends. It pairs wonderfully with both the Soft Pinch Liquid Blush and the Positive Light Liquid Luminizer.
Wear: the Soft Pinch Liquid Contour lasts for up to 6-7 hours before it starts fading. Neither blotches, patches nor accentuates dryness, pores, or texture. It lasts well through exercise and does not irritate the skin or clog pores.
Verdict
If you are a big fan of the brand's liquid blush, chances are you are going to fall for the Soft Pinch Liquid Contour. While I am not big on contour per se (more of a bronzer gal here), I find that the shade I picked gives me the perfect amount of definition and warmth in the most flattering way. This is a beautiful formula that can be incorporated in both minimal and glam makeup routines. Both flattering and forgiving on a multitude of skin types. It is quite intuitive and almost does the work for you. What can I say? They brew some magic products in Korea and this one is well worth the investment. An A+ from me.
More online:
sephora.com (US)
spacenk.com (Europe, World)
Purchased product; full disclaimer here
