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Saie Beauty Review

The internet loves Saie Beauty's makeup—and I totally understand the hype

Saie Beauty's spread of products. Credit: Reviewed / Timothy Renzi

Recommendations are independently chosen by Reviewed's editors. Purchases made through the links below may earn us and our publishing partners a commission.

The trend of subtle, dewy makeup isn’t going anywhere any time soon. And no matter how many brands I try that cater to this “no-makeup makeup” routine with products like tinted moisturizers and cream blushes, I'm still just as excited to try another. Recently, Saie Beauty is at the center of my makeup obsession, thanks to its array of easy-to-use, glowy products that help me achieve an understated look that takes little time.

What is Saie Beauty?

A woman applying Saie Beauty mascara.
Credit: Reviewed / Timothy Renzi

I put several products from Saie Beauty to the test.

Saie cofounder Laney Crowell created the beauty brand “built on the simple idea of feeling good and doing good,” according to the website. It’s a self-proclaimed “clean beauty” brand, which in this case means the formulas are free of ingredients the brand deems harmful, such as parabens, sulfates, and phthalates. Saie also brands itself as “eco-conscious,” referring to its recyclable or biodegradable packaging supplies, and its certifications from environmental initiatives such as Climate Neutral, 1% for the Planet, Plastic Negative, and Carbon Neutral Club.

Saie offers a variety of complexion products and prices range from $14 for a mini mascara to $37 for a sunscreen, excluding merchandise such as a denim jacket embroidered with the brand’s name. I put the makeup offerings to the test, trying at least one shade or color of each item, and ranked them beginning with my favorites below.

1. Sun Melt

Credit: Reviewed / Timothy Renzi

The Sun Melt Cream Bronzer is available in four shades.

What it claims: Sun Melt is a cream bronzer that claims to have a lightweight feel and “velvet finish” that creates a “sun-kissed glow.” The thinner consistency and cream texture is supposed to make it easier to “build and define your bronzer without overdoing it.” The bronzer is available in four warm-toned shades: “Light Bronze,” “Medium Bronze,” “Deep Bronze,” and “Dark Bronze.”

What it’s like to use it: Cream bronzer quickly replaced its powder counterpart in my makeup routine about a year ago. Since then, I’ve tried several, and Saie is one of the best I’ve used because of how well it adheres to its claims. The cream’s consistency is thin and transparent, so I can layer it on to build up color intensity without it feeling heavy or looking harsh on my skin. I apply “Light Bronze” under my cheekbones, along my jawline, and on my temples up to my hairline to add definition to my face. It’s easy to use and looks natural—like I just came back from a sunny vacation.

$30 on Saie

2. Slip Tint

What it claims: Slip Tint is the intersection of skincare and makeup. The tinted moisturizer contains mineral zinc oxide for SPF 35, hyaluronic acid to hydrate, licorice root extract to brighten, and pansy flower to protect the skin from free radicals. At the same time, the cream’s tint offers light coverage on the skin to even the complexion. It’s available in 10 shades ranging from “Very Light” with pink undertones to “Rich” with neutral undertones. The brand recommends using one to two pumps to coat the face; if you want even less coverage, consider applying another sunscreen underneath the tinted moisturizer to ensure you still get adequate sun protection.

What it’s like to use it: Saie sent me the shade “Two: Very Light” with peach undertones. I describe my skin as very light with neutral undertones. This color was too dark and warm-toned for my complexion, but not so much that I can’t wear it—I just need to blend it down my neck or add some bronzer to my neck.

Shade snafu aside, this is incredible. It’s easy to blend into the skin using a makeup brush (I use Saie’s The Big Brush) or a sponge (my favorite is BeautyBlender). It leaves my skin looking moisturized and dewy, and it glides over dry patches on my skin. Other foundation-like products seem to create dry patches, but this makes my skin look healthier and imparts a sheer amount of coverage that evens out my skin tone. For areas I want more coverage, like my cheeks, I can easily layer on more formula without a cake-y look or feel.

$35 on Saie

3. Hydrabeam

Hydrabeam Concealer being applied to a hand.
Credit: Reviewed / Timothy Renzi

Hydrabeam Concealer is available in nine shades.

What it claims: Hydrabeam is Saie’s concealer, which claims to offer sheer coverage and hydrate with squalane, glycerin, and cucumber and tomato extracts. You can use it under your eyes, on blemishes, or anywhere you want coverage. Its formula is said to have a “lightweight, whipped texture that blurs, brightens, and creates a fresh and glowing finish.” It’s available in nine shades, from “One: Very Light” with pink undertones to “Nine: Rich” with red undertones.

What it’s like to use it: I’ve tried a few dozen concealers, between testing for Reviewed and my own mission to find something that masks the darkness under my eyes without making them look dry. I’m very picky, and I expect not to like most that I try. Saie’s Hydrabeam in the shade “One: Very Light” blew me away. It feels moisturizing under the eyes and its emollient formula allows me to take my time blending it out using my fingers, a brush, or a sponge without it drying down and looking patchy.

Hydrabeam provides light coverage under my eyes, so I can still see some darkness underneath one layer, but it’s easy enough to layer on more in areas I want it, like at the inner corner of my eyes where I have a vein that tints the area blue. I also don’t mind the sheerer coverage for days when I want to wear little makeup but still look more awake.

$26 on Saie

4. Lip Blur

What it claims: Lip Blur is Saie’s take on matte lipstick. It contains hyaluronic acid to hydrate and plump the lips, olive oil to moisturize, jojoba esters to smooth, and berry fruit wax to create a blurring effect. It claims to offer an opaque color that’s also buildable for more intensity. It’s available in six hues: “Modern” (rose), “Nouveau” (brown), “Dada” (terracotta), “Pop” (berry), “Surreal” (raspberry), and “Classic” (red).

What it’s like to use it: Lip Blur is exactly what I want in lipstick. It’s matte (meaning shine-free) without feeling drying or powdery on my lips, and it imparts plenty of color in just one swipe across each lip. I gravitate toward warm-toned peach or mauve tones, and the shade “Dada” didn’t disappoint with its terracotta tone. When I want a hint of color, I blot the flat-tipped lipstick bullet against the center and corners of my lips and rub my lips together to blend it. If I want a noticeable, bold look, I swipe it along my upper and bottom lips—no extra fuss needed.

$24 on Saie

5. Glowy Super Gel

Glowy Super Gel being applied to a hand.
Credit: Reviewed / Timothy Renzi

Glowy Super Gel is a glowy primer and highlighter in one.

What it claims: Glowy Super Gel is a multi-purpose liquid that imparts a sheen to the skin. You can wear it alone or underneath makeup, mix it into foundation or SPF, or apply it to the highpoints of your face as a highlighter. The gel formula also contains papaya extracts and vitamin C to brighten the skin. It’s available in two shades: “Starglow” (champagne) and “Sunglow” (bronze).

What it’s like to use it: The first thing that caught my attention about this gel, which I have in “Starglow,” is that it gives my skin a glowy sheen without looking shimmery or oily on my face. It also feels very creamy, like a lightweight moisturizer. I tried this in the summer months, but I foresee myself leaning on this daily in the colder season when my skin is more in need of moisture and a healthy glow, especially before makeup. It’s a no-fuss step that pays off in how your skin looks alone or underneath makeup. It’s also nice for a subtle highlight on the cheekbones, but if you want something more intense, you may like Saie’s Dew Balm better.

$28 on Saie

6. Mascara 101

What it claims: This mascara aims to give “long, lifted lashes” with its “thick, buildable formula.” It claims to condition the lashes with beeswax and carnauba wax, moisturize with shea butter, and strengthen with a “hydra-mineral complex” and arginine amino acid. Its wand is a cylinder tapered at both ends with bristles 360° around the brush and jutting out of the top. It’s only available in black.

What it’s like to use it: Mascara doesn’t often impress me—or leave any impression—as I find most options suitable for adding volume and lift to my already-long, curl-holding eyelashes. (Sorry for the humble brag.) But Saie’s is memorable. Its wand is small enough that I’m able to reach the shorter eyelashes toward the inner corner of my eyes, and the wet formula is easy to glide on my eyelashes without tugging, clumping, or smudging.

As the mascara dried up after a few weeks of use, I saw more clumps while applying it, but I could brush through them easily enough to separate my lashes. I also appreciate that the slim tube and wand are easy to both maneuver around my eyes and store when I’m done.

$25 on Saie

7. Dew Balm

Dew Balm being applied to a hand.
Credit: Reviewed / Timothy Renzi

Dew Balm is available in three shades.

What it claims: Dew Balm is a shimmery highlighter that aims to provide a “gorgeous, wet sheen” to the skin. It claims to plump and moisturize the skin with ingredients like jojoba esters, glycerin, and olive oil. It’s available in three shades: “Lilac” (light purple), “Rosy Gold” (champagne), and “Nectar Bronze” (peachy bronze).

What it’s like to use it: Dew Balm is a creamy highlight that’s easy to spread and blend into the skin anywhere I want a glossy look, like on the tops of my cheekbones or the tip of my nose. I tried the shade “Lilac,” which is pretty, but if it was in stock, I would have preferred “Rosy Gold” better on my skin tone and with the warm-toned bronzer and blush I like to wear on my cheeks.

Still, the lilac tone looks subtle enough—I can see the purple shift when I tilt my head toward the light, but it’s not a strip of color on my cheeks. Similar to the Glowy Super Gel, this manages to give a moisturized-looking sheen without actually looking like glitter on the skin, which is my ideal scenario for a highlight.

$18 on Saie

8. Dew Blush

What it claims: This gel blush claims to give a subtle flush to the cheeks that can be built up for more intensity. Saie says it’s “never streaky or patchy” and “melts right into the skin” for a natural-looking, dewy wash of color. It uses evening primrose to moisturize, elderberry to protect the skin, and mulberry to brighten. It’s available in six tones: “Peachy” (light peach), “Rosy” (peach-pink), “Poppy” (bright coral), “Dreamy” (berry), “Chilly” (muted berry-mauve), and “Spicy” (brick red).

What it’s like to use it: Dew Blush, which I tried in the shade “Poppy,” is similar to other liquid blushes I’ve tried, like the popular Soft Pinch Liquid Blushes from Rare Beauty. They feel creamy and easy to blend, but offer intense color with a single dab on the cheeks.

Dew Blush has a doe-foot applicator that holds a lot of formula at once, so I need to use a light hand when I apply it to not overdo it. I like this blush, but I prefer a solid cream formula that I can dip a brush into and be more careless with while getting ready. If you know you like the liquid blush formula, there’s no reason not to try this—it’s pigmented and leaves a pretty flush.

$24 on Saie

9. Liquid Lip Balm

A tube of Liquid Lip Balm
Credit: Reviewed / Timothy Renzi

This lip balm comes in one pink hue

What it claims: This lip balm claims to have a “light, emollient formula” that moisturizes dry lips with squalane, beeswax, and a blend of oils. It has a sweet scent from coconut oil and comes in one “universal pink tint.”

What it’s like to use it: Liquid Lip Balm grew on me after a few days of using it. At first, I thought the mousse-like formula felt powdery on the lips, almost like they had a film on them. But the more I wore it, the better I liked the texture. The formula is comfortable, moisturizing, and long-lasting. The pink tint appears clear on my lips, so I reach for this during the day to add moisture over a lipstick I’m wearing or right before I head out to the gym or hop into bed. It’s a no-fuss product, and I think the scent is light and pleasant, too.

This makes my lips feel moisturized for the entirety of the time I’m wearing it, and it lasts a few hours. The only reason this is lower on my list is because I don’t think it’s anything revolutionary, and it’s not where I’d suggest you start if you purchase something from Saie—I’d go with a Lip Blur over this for a pop of color and moisture.

$16 on Saie

10. Sunvisor

What it claims: Sunvisor is a tinted mineral sunscreen, meaning it contains zinc oxide to protect the skin from the sun’s rays. It claims to be a serum, oil, moisturizer, and SPF all in one, with ingredients like brightening vitamin C and hydrating hyaluronic acid, aloe vera, and vitamin E.

What it’s like to use it: At first, Sunvisor feels very creamy while I’m spreading it across my skin, but the more I massage it in, the drier and grittier it feels—a definite turn-off. Still, I brought this on vacation with me to give it a real chance. A few days into my lakeside vacation, my skin felt irritated—not uncommon for me after multiple days in a row in the sun. But I became weary of using Sunvisor because of the rough texture against my skin and irritation post-sun exposure.

It’s not that Sunvisor is a bad product—in fact, I had no clue it was a mineral sunscreen at first because of how well it blended into my skin without leaving a white cast—but it wasn’t my favorite of the bunch, either. If your skin is less sensitive and you’ve been looking for a mineral sunscreen for your face that won’t leave you looking ghostly (a feat), consider this option.

$37 on Saie

11. Brow Butter

A Brow Butter tube and applicator.
Credit: Reviewed / Timothy Renzi

Brow Butter is available in four shades.

What it claims: This brow “butter” aims to volumize the eyebrows and create a feathery look using plant fibers. It also contains cacao seed butter to condition the hairs, jojoba esters to moisturize, vitamin E to hydrate, and candelilla wax to smooth. Its tiny spoolie is supposed to make brushing through the brows easier. It’s available in four hues: clear, blond, medium brown, and dark brown.

What it’s like to use it: Brow Butter falls so low on my list for a single reason: It’s just fine, nothing impressive. The wand is tinier than I’m used to, but effective enough to brush through my brows hairs—I like to comb them upward for a feathery, uniform look. The gel leaves my hairs feeling soft and doesn’t give them a shiny or hard cast, which I appreciate. But the hairs don’t seem to set down well to stay in place all day. I wouldn’t say to avoid this product, but I’d point you in the direction of Glossier’s Boy Brow, as it comes in similar tones but has a larger wand for quicker grooming and offers a better hold on the hairs.

$37 on Saie

12. Airset

What it claims: Airset is a loose powder with claims to give a velvety appearance to the skin while providing a glow with shimmery flecks from mica. It contains squalane to hydrate and plump the skin as well as prevent a cakey or dry appearance. It’s available in three translucent shades, ranging from very light to deep skin tones.

What it’s like to use it: I’ve had a harder time nailing down my thoughts on Airset compared to other products from Saie. On one occasion, when layered on top of Sunvisor and Slip Tint, I thought it may be the culprit of what was making my skin feel dry. Other times, when dusted on very lightly under my eyes and in my T-zone, I thought it looked invisible and felt comfortable. My skin can fluctuate with dryness and powder doesn’t always help the situation, so I’m not the best endorsement for any setting powder. I’ll continue to try Airset, but my feelings on it may be as finicky as my skin’s moisture.

$30 on Saie

Should you try Saie Beauty?

A woman showing off applied Saie Beauty.
Credit: Reviewed / Timothy Renzi

Saie Beauty’s products are available in bundles that offer a 10% discount.

Yes—isn’t that obvious?

I liked every single thing I tried from Saie Beauty, down to the two brushes they sent me to use with the products. While I reached for some items more than others—the Sun Melt bronzer or Hydrabeam concealer, to name a couple—I didn’t dislike anything. The hits were hits and the misses were just a matter of my preferences for my makeup routine.

Now that I’ve given quite the endorsement to the Saie line, you may be wondering where to start without handing over a huge chunk of change at once. I recommend trying the Slip Tint and/or Hydrabeam if your makeup routine could use an improvement when it comes to complexion products—after all, these are the base for all of your makeup. Otherwise, I’d say to begin with the Sun Melt bronzer or Lip Blur to add some warmth to your face. You can’t go wrong here. And if you’re still struggling to decide, Saie offers bundles that allow you to try two to four products at a 10% discount. Get shopping!

Shop on Saie

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