As a busy young professional, I‘ve struggled for years to find makeup that keeps me looking put together but fits my on-the-go lifestyle. That‘s why I was so excited to discover Subtl Beauty – this new brand offers high-quality cosmetics in portable, customizable kits for beauty in a flash.
After months of use, here‘s my honest review featuring the products I‘ve tested, how Subtl Beauty compares to other brands I‘ve used, and ultimately whether it‘s worth the investment. Stick with me to see how Subtl Beauty won me over!
Overview: Why Subtl Beauty Caught My Eye
Founded in 2018 by entrepreneur Rachel Reid, Pennsylvania-based Subtl Beauty vows "enhanced natural beauty through clean, quality makeup products."
Beyond this mission resonating with me as a convert to clean beauty, Subtl also immediately grabbed my attention for its stackable, travel-friendly packaging system. As someone constantly reapplying makeup on my commute or before client meetings, convenience is key!
I also loved discovering that beyond multifunctional makeup basics, Subtl Beauty offers fully customized palettes. Being able to personally select my preferred shades was a huge drawcard.
After perusing Subtl‘s website for far too long, I finally bit the bullet and purchased a handful of products. Now, after several months of vigorous real-world testing, I‘m ready share my genuine thoughts. Keep reading to find out if Subtl Beauty lived up to its promises for me!
Trying Out Subtl Beauty: My First Impressions
Eager curiosity was my main emotion as I unboxed my very first Subtl Beauty order. As a longtime lover of cosmetics, something about testing out an emerging new brand felt special.
I decided to dip my toes in with a few key products before taking the full plunge: the Lip & Cheek Multistick (in Dusty Rose), the Cream Concealer (in my ideal shade Brookline), and an Eyeshadow Duo (in the Jubilee palette‘s shimmering coppers and champagnes).
My first impressions getting these goodies out of the minimally branded boxes was an "ooh!" moment – even the packaging made it feel like an indulgent treat just for me.
Swatching each item on my hand, I was thrilled by the buttery textures and vivid hues. The lip and cheek tint felt impressively hydrating, the concealer blended like a dream without creasing, and the metallic eyeshadows dazzled brighter than expected. Read on for more thorough reviews!
First swatches of my Subtl Beauty buys – from left: Eyeshadow Duo, Lip + Cheek, and Cream Concealer
Putting Subtl Beauty to the Test: My MUST-HAVE
Starting with the Lip and Cheek Multistick which fast became my Subtl must-have, what initially drew me to this 2-in-1 was its shades. I‘m very picky about finding the perfect rosy nude for my complexion, and Subtl‘s Dusty Rose looked right up my alley.
Twisting up just a little of the chubby bullet onto my fingertip, I was shocked by how easily it melted into my skin. Blended onto lips and cheeks, the formula imparted a soft veil of color without ever feeling sticky or greasy.
Over an 8 hour wear test, the tint wore smoothly without fading, bleeding or requiring touch ups. By lunchtime, my coworker even asked if I‘d had a facial – the natural radiance was that convincing!
At just $14, I‘d choose these multisticks over pricier competitors like Glossier Cloud Paint ($18) or Merit Beauty Complexion Sticks ($28) any day. Subtl Beauty wins for value!
Concealing in a Flash with Subtl
Like so many women, I‘ve always struggled finding a concealer that doesn‘t crease yet offers enough coverage for blemishes and dark circles. Cue Subtl Beauty sweeping in with its Cream Concealer which literally does it all!
After using their online Shade Finder quiz, I purchased Brookline – a light neutral option. Just a single pump of the velvety formula was enough to flawlessly mask both angry breakouts and bluish undereye hollows.
The lightweight texture blended seamlessly without gathering in fine lines or needing powder to set. Even after a 45 minute HIIT class, my concealer remained crease-free!
For comparison, I also own cult favorites like Tarte Shape Tape ($27) and Nars Soft Matte Concealer ($30). Yet neither offer the same undetectable medium-full coverage and lightweight wear as my new fave Subtl Cream Concealer.
Subtl Beauty‘s Cream Concealer makes short work of hiding dark circles without creasing
Adding Some Sparkle with Eyeshadow Duos
Confession: I own more eyeshadow palettes than I can count. Yet I was still curiosity piqued by Subtl Beauty‘s range of shimmer + matte duos promising colorpayoff in a few easy swipes.
Within the affordable $16 price tag, these tiny pans manage to pack a big punch when it comes to pigmentation. I was blown away by the intense metallic sheen of the Jubilee palette‘s champagne shade, which intensified gloriously when applied wet.
The coordinating matte copper brown created depth and definition effortlessly. Compared to luxury brands like Natasha Denona averaging $30 per shadow, Subtl Beauty shadows perform on par for half the price.
Over 12 hours of wear conducting client meetings and social events, these duos passed the longevity test with minimal fading or transferring onto lids. Now that‘s impressive for a brand so new to market!
Taking the Plunge: My Subtl Beauty Custom Kit
Already thrilled by the standout quality of Subtl Beauty‘s core range, I decided it was finally time to test drive one of their signature customizable kits.
Opting for the brand‘s popular ‘Starter Stack‘, I handpicked my perfect shades across concealer, highlighter, bronzer and more. Landing on my doorstep a week later, I was buzzing to create my own Subtl Beauty lineup.
One happy customer later, I can officially say this $60 stack gives you far more value than the price tag suggests. Just the luminous Champagne highlighter alone would cost $36 from Pat McGrath Labs.
Across all 5 core pieces – Face Powder, Cream Concealer, Highlight, Bronzer and Lip + Cheek – everything blended like a dream while unifying my complexion.
From brightening concealer to sun-kissed bronzer, my Subtl Beauty stacked kit makes glamming up so much faster
Even with daily use, I‘m nowhere close to hitting pan in any item after 2 months. In terms of cost per use, I know this starter kit will take me well into 2023 and beyond. When it comes to makeup that goes the distance, Subtl Beauty can‘t be beat!
How My Friends Rated Subtl Beauty Products
Convinced my new fave brand was as great as I believed, I excitedly gifted a few Subtl Beauty lipsticks and eyeshadows to friends for their summer birthdays. Hey, the best gifts are for sharing!
My gal pals seemed equally as enamored after testing Subtl Beauty products themselves:
"That Lip + Cheek you gave me for my birthday LIVES in my handbag! It‘s the perfect rosy flush for touching up on the go. I‘ve never found anything cruelty-free as smooth and pigmented. I‘m obsessed!" – Jess T.
"Babe OMG, these Subtl eyeshadows! I wore the pink one you gifted me on our cocktail night and got so many compliments. I ended up buying two more duos the very next day! Who knew clean beauty could sparkle this bright?" – Leila D.
Clearly my Subtl obsession is spreading, with all my besties now just as hooked! Hopefully their glowing feedback convinces you to give this fabulous brand a first-hand try.
How Subtl Beauty Stacks Up: Price & Sustainability Facts
Diving deeper into the data, I wanted to highlight some key statistics proving why Subtl Beauty outperforms many competitors when it comes to value and ethics:
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| Subtl Beauty | Industry Average | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Product Price | $14 | $25 |
| % Cruelty-Free | 100% | 50% |
| % Vegan Options | 35% | 25% |
As you can see, Subtl Beauty is certainly competitive when compared to standard industry benchmarks for cosmetics pricing and ethical standards. Given their impressive quality too, Subtl Beauty is quite simply leading innovation when it comes to convenience plus sustainability.
The Expert View: Editors & Influencer Feedback
Scrutinizing online reviews, I wanted to highlight what professional beauty experts are saying about Subtl Beauty too:
"Subtl Beauty is onto something special with its easy-to-stack makeup.Customization options and clean ingredients set the brand apart as an exciting newcomer bringing something genuinely new to market." – Harper‘s BAZAAR, March 2022
Beauty influencer Danielle B also assessed Subtl Beauty for her 1.5 million YouTube subscribers: "For the quality and price point, I‘m confident giving Subtl Beauty products my recommendation, especially for beauty lovers wanting effortless, everyday glam.”
Hearing such positive feedback from those established experts in evaluating the latest cosmetics made me feel reassured in my own glowing assessments of Subtl Beauty. This brand truly has nailed it!
Subtl Beauty Review: My Final Verdict
If it wasn‘t already clear, I am 100% obsessed with Subtl Beauty and so glad I made my first purchase. Cruelty-free, thoughtfully formulated and perfect for busy lifestyles, Subtl Beauty has won me over through and through.
Sure, the product range could still expand a little into more color cosmetics. But for versatile basics spanning complexion, lips and eyes that get the job done quickly and ethically? I firmly believe Subtl Beauty can‘t be beaten.
So if you‘re looking for convenience without sacrificing self-expression, I couldn‘t recommend Subtl Beauty more. Their customizable setup makes it so effortless to build your own collection suited to your exact needs and preferences.
Through sublime textures to helpful shade finding, every detail has felt carefully considered from a female-led brand genuinely understanding women‘s beauty pain points. I for one will be staying loyal to Subtl Beauty for the long run – try them yourself and I‘m sure you‘ll feel the same!
