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I first came across Piper Blue makeup years ago while I was obsessed with the greenwashed beauty products I was using from Sephora. Ok, ok – I’m still obsessed with them. Afterall, they are beautiful, and they perform well, and who doesn’t appreciate that? But the more I learned about how toxic some of those ingredients were, the more important it became to replace those products with something less toxic.
In my search for truly clean makeup, I rediscovered Piper Blue and this time, I was intrigued. The other clean beauty products I had tried were ok, but I had yet to be wowed by them. Doubtful this would be different, I ordered samples hoped for the best. I’ve spent the last few months testing them out for the greater good of the beauty community. Little did I know that I was discovering my next favorite makeup!
Slow Beginnings
When my Piper Blue samples arrived, I was still in the middle of trying other brands of clean makeup. To be honest, my first attempt didn’t go so well. I followed the tutorial on the brand website (pictured below) and used the palette to paint different sections of my face, and I was underwhelmed with the results. So, I put the samples away and continued using the other brands.
Sometime later, still missing my old makeup, I felt inclined to give Piper Blue another try, and I’m so glad I did. This time, I applied the makeup how I normally would – in layers – and I had much better results. The foundation was not as full coverage as I expect a foundation to be, but it was on par with the skin tints I had been using and loving for years. It also wasn’t as dewy – something I wasn’t used to.
However, the more I used Piper Blue, the more I loved it. I realized it was the perfect amount of coverage for everyday use, and I can always add a little glow in the form of a good highlighter (or moisturizer). Plus, it is a bit more buildable than I was giving it credit for. It left my skin looking smoothed, blurred, and not overly matte or overly shiny. Armed with this new knowledge, I ordered an entire palette and began the learning curve.
How I Use Piper Blue Now
Since then, I have been perfecting my application with Piper Blue makeup, and I’ve found some tricks that help refine my technique and give me the exact look I want it to. Slowly but surely, I have fallen in love with Piper Blue. Like look-in-the-mirror-and-can’t-believe-how-good-it-looks-in-love. Here is what I do to achieve a glowy, skin-like finish that lasts all day.
First, I moisturize before applying makeup. This might be obvious to you, but as an oily girl, I wasn’t used to moisturizing in the morning, especially under the moisturizing skin tints that I had been using. I was usually a slick, greasy disco ball by the end of the day, why would I add to it?
Well, Piper Blue doesn’t make me oily, and I find a little moisture brings back some of the glow that I’m used to. Plus, it makes the makeup go on a little bit smoother.
I also apply foundation first, all over my face. The website tutorials suggest you put foundation only where you are not applying bronzer, blush, or contour. But that didn’t work for me. I have large pores (hello, oily skin), and applying blush straight on top of them exaggerates them, even in some of my favorite, greenwashed formulas. By applying foundation first, I give my skin a nicely blurred canvas on which to apply the rest of my makeup.
I don’t set it with anything, and it lasts all day on my skin. It doesn’t fade noticeably, doesn’t get oily, and it doesn’t transfer, so I haven’t felt the need to set it. Piper Blue has a setting spray you can check out here if you’re interested, but I haven’t tried it yet. If you’ve tried it, please let me know what you think in the comments below.
How Do I Rate Piper Blue?
Foundation
The color match for this product is superb. I use two colors – one for my main shade, and one as a highlighting shade. I could probably get away with using either color all over. They have warm, cool, and neutral foundation colors, so you’re not boxed into just a few different colors that don’t suit the nuances of different skin tones. It’s very creamy and easy to get out of the pan and it blends out beautifully. It lasts all day with a light to medium coverage that is suitable for daytime or nighttime wear.
Coverage – 3.5/5
Application – 5/5
Performance – 5/5
Blush
Piper Blue has an impressive number of blush colors. I have trouble finding true winter hues that go with my skin tone, but that is nothing new. Bright, punchy colors are not always the most popular. I do, however, have two colors from them right now that I mix together for a beautiful pop of pink that I love. Also, know that they’re open to feedback about what customers are looking for. I found this out when I asked them about which blushes were truly cool toned. Like most blushes, I usually need to apply this one at least twice before I leave the house, since the first layer seems to dissipate a little after application. This is something I’m used to as I’ve had to do it with most other formulas, too.
Coverage – 4/5
Application – 5/5
Performance – 4/5
Contour
I have to admit that I am new to contour. Since they had a color that worked for my skin – something I could not find elsewhere – I decided to try it. I find that this products sinks into my pores a little bit, but it might be because I don’t apply enough foundation in those areas. Or maybe because I’m not blending it out enough – like I said, I’m new to it. The contour blends out well and lasts all day, just like the other products. I find myself reaching for it day after day and liking the way it looks, so I think I’ll keep trying to make it work.
Coverage – 4/5
Application – 4//5
Performance – 4/5
How To Order Piper Blue?
You can customize your own palette on their website, or you can order a pre-built palette that suits your needs. You don’t have to order a whole palette; they sell everything in singles, but you’ll need some kind of magnetic palette to keep them in. I recommend getting color matched with them through their chat to ensure you get the right colors. I’ve used this chat multiple times and they have been helpful and patient every time. You can also order samples of their products first, which is a good idea if you want to make sure you like the color and the formula before committing to a full palette.
Conclusion
Overall, I give this brand a five-star rating. Just about every makeup product out there has its caveats, and while this is no different, it is such a beautiful, high-performing product that I love to use day after day. I love that Piper Blue is truly non-toxic without sacrificing performance, and it all comes in a conveniently packaged palette that makes it easy to use and travel with. And maybe it’s all the nontoxic skincare I’ve been trying, but my skin looks better than it has in a while, and I can’t help but wonder if this makeup has something to do with it. I’m relieved to have finally found clean makeup that I love and am excited to use – makeup that makes me feel like I’m no longer missing out on those greenwashed beauty products I used to love.
How are you making the switch to non-toxic beauty? Any brands you’ve found that are worth mentioning? Let me know in the comments!
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