In the vast sea of cosmetics brands, Subtl Beauty is making a splash with its innovative approach to streamlined, portable makeup. Founded in 2018 by Rachel Reid, this indie brand is on a mission to simplify your beauty routine without sacrificing style or quality.
With its signature stackable makeup pans and customizable palettes, Subtl Beauty offers a refreshing alternative to oversized, clunky compacts. Whether you‘re constantly on the go or just appreciate a minimalist aesthetic, this brand is worth taking a closer look at. In this comprehensive Subtl Beauty review, we‘ll dive into the story behind the brand, highlight its standout products, and see how it stacks up to the competition.
The Subtl Beauty Story
Pittsburgh-based entrepreneur Rachel Reid created Subtl Beauty after noticing a gap in the market for truly travel-friendly makeup. Despite the abundance of "portable" palettes and minis, she found that most products were still too bulky and impractical for busy lifestyles. Determined to find a solution, Reid developed a line of slim, stackable makeup pans that could be customized to suit individual preferences.
What started as a personal project quickly grew into a full-fledged business, with Subtl Beauty launching online in 2018. The 100% female-run company now offers a curated selection of makeup essentials, all designed with simplicity and convenience in mind. By focusing on multi-purpose formulas and compact packaging, Subtl Beauty aims to streamline your routine without compromising on performance.
Key Features of Subtl Beauty
So what sets Subtl Beauty apart from countless other cosmetics brands? Here are some of its most notable features:
1. Stackable Makeup Pans
The brand‘s signature product is its innovative stackable makeup pan system. These slim, magnetic pans can be easily popped in and out of palettes, allowing you to mix and match your favorite shades. The compact size makes them perfect for travel or on-the-go touch-ups, as they take up minimal space in your bag.
2. Customizable Palettes
Subtl Beauty offers a range of empty magnetic palettes that can be filled with your choice of stackable pans. This customizable approach lets you create your own personalized makeup kit tailored to your specific needs and preferences. No more lugging around bulky pre-made palettes filled with shades you never use!
3. Multi-Purpose Formulas
In keeping with its minimalist philosophy, Subtl Beauty develops versatile, multi-purpose products that streamline your routine. From lip and cheek tints to creamy concealers that double as foundation, these hardworking formulas are designed to simplify your life without sacrificing performance.
4. Clean, Ethical Ingredients
Subtl Beauty is committed to using clean, safe ingredients across its product line. All formulas are free from parabens, phthalates, sulfates, and synthetic fragrances. The brand is also 100% cruelty-free, with several vegan options available. By prioritizing natural, non-toxic ingredients, Subtl Beauty caters to those with sensitive skin or ethical concerns.
5. Inclusive Shade Range
Despite being a small indie brand, Subtl Beauty strives for inclusivity in its shade offerings. Its cream concealer, for example, comes in nearly 20 shades ranging from fair to deep. While there‘s always room for improvement, it‘s clear that the brand is making an effort to cater to a diverse range of skin tones.
Bestselling Subtl Beauty Products
Now that we‘ve covered the basics, let‘s take a closer look at some of Subtl Beauty‘s most popular products:
1. Cream Concealer
This creamy, blendable concealer is a fan favorite for its versatility and impressive shade range. The lightweight formula provides buildable coverage without feeling cakey or heavy on the skin. Plus, the compact pan size makes it perfect for stashing in your purse or travel bag.
2. Lip and Cheek
Streamline your routine with these convenient lip and cheek tints. Available in six flattering shades, these creamy formulas provide a sheer wash of color that can be built up for more intensity. Infused with nourishing ingredients like jojoba oil and coconut extract, they leave your lips and cheeks looking healthy and radiant.
3. Eyeshadow Duos
Subtl Beauty‘s eyeshadow duos take the guesswork out of color coordination. Each compact pairs a matte shade with a complementary shimmer, making it easy to create a cohesive eye look on the go. The velvety, blendable formulas are infused with skin-loving ingredients like chamomile extract and vitamin E.
4. Highlighters
Add a subtle glow to your complexion with Subtl Beauty‘s creamy highlighters. Available in two shades – a champagne "Champagne" and a rose gold "Rosé" – these buildable formulas provide a soft, luminous finish. The compact size makes them perfect for travel or mid-day touch-ups.
5. Bronzer and Shine Control Powder
Rounding out the line are Subtl Beauty‘s bronzer and shine control powder. The bronzer, available in a warm "Latte" shade, adds a sun-kissed glow to the skin. Meanwhile, the translucent shine control powder helps to mattify and set makeup for long-lasting wear. Both come in the brand‘s signature stackable pans for easy portability.
What Customers Are Saying
So what do actual customers think of Subtl Beauty? Overall, the feedback is quite positive, with many reviewers praising the brand‘s innovative packaging and high-quality formulas. On the brand‘s website, the cream concealer and lip and cheek tints are particularly well-reviewed, with many customers commenting on their ease of use and flattering shades.
One reviewer raved about the cream concealer, writing, "I love this concealer for summer – it‘s weightless and I only need a little to make me feel more confident in my skin." Another customer praised the lip and cheek tint, saying, "This is such a great color on me. I love that it is buildable and easy to apply."
Of course, no brand is perfect, and some reviewers did have minor complaints. A few noted that the eyeshadow duos could be more pigmented, while others wished for an even wider shade range across products. However, these critiques were relatively rare, with the vast majority of reviews being overwhelmingly positive.
How Subtl Beauty Compares to Other Brands
If you‘re considering trying Subtl Beauty, you may be wondering how it compares to other popular makeup brands. While the brand‘s stackable pan system is relatively unique, there are a few companies that offer similar customizable options.
One notable competitor is Makeup Geek, which offers a wide range of individual eyeshadow pans that can be mixed and matched in custom palettes. However, Makeup Geek focuses primarily on eyeshadow, while Subtl Beauty offers a more comprehensive range of products.
Other brands like Buxom, MAC, and Anastasia Beverly Hills also offer customizable palette options, though their individual pan selections may be more limited. Indie brand ColourPop is known for its affordable, high-quality formulas and offers a few empty magnetic palettes, but its range of individual pans is not as extensive as Subtl Beauty‘s.
Ultimately, what sets Subtl Beauty apart is its commitment to simplicity, portability, and multi-purpose formulas. By focusing on a curated selection of essentials rather than an overwhelming array of options, the brand makes it easy to streamline your routine without sacrificing quality.
Is Subtl Beauty Worth Trying?
Based on our research and analysis, we believe that Subtl Beauty is definitely worth checking out, especially if you value convenience and simplicity in your makeup routine. The brand‘s innovative stackable pan system and customizable palettes make it easy to create a personalized makeup kit that fits your specific needs and preferences.
Additionally, Subtl Beauty‘s commitment to clean, cruelty-free ingredients and inclusive shade ranges sets it apart from many mainstream brands. While the prices are somewhat higher than drugstore options, they are still relatively affordable compared to high-end competitors.
Of course, as with any beauty product, individual results may vary. It‘s always a good idea to read reviews from a variety of sources and, if possible, test out products in person before committing to a purchase. However, based on the overwhelmingly positive feedback from customers and beauty experts alike, we feel confident recommending Subtl Beauty as a high-quality, innovative option in the crowded world of cosmetics.
Tips for Getting the Most Out of Subtl Beauty Products
If you do decide to give Subtl Beauty a try, here are a few expert tips to help you get the most out of your products:
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Start with a Starter Stack: If you‘re new to the brand, consider investing in one of Subtl Beauty‘s pre-made Starter Stacks. These curated sets include a selection of the brand‘s bestselling products and are a great way to test out the formulas before committing to individual pans.
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Mix and match shades: One of the biggest advantages of Subtl Beauty‘s stackable pan system is the ability to customize your palette. Don‘t be afraid to mix and match shades from different product categories to create your perfect combo.
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Experiment with multi-purpose usage: Many of Subtl Beauty‘s products are designed to be used in multiple ways. Try using the lip and cheek tints on your eyelids for a monochromatic look, or mix a bit of the cream concealer with your moisturizer for a sheer, tinted base.
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Use the highlighters strategically: Subtl Beauty‘s cream highlighters can be used to add a subtle glow to the high points of your face, but they can also be used to brighten up the under-eye area or even as a cream eyeshadow base.
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Take advantage of the portability: One of the biggest selling points of Subtl Beauty‘s products is their compact, travel-friendly size. Toss a few pans in your purse or travel bag for easy touch-ups on the go, or create a custom palette for a weekend getaway.
Final Thoughts
In a beauty industry that often prioritizes quantity over quality, Subtl Beauty offers a refreshing alternative. By focusing on a curated selection of high-performing, multi-purpose products, the brand makes it easy to streamline your makeup routine without sacrificing style or efficacy.
While no brand is perfect, Subtl Beauty‘s commitment to clean ingredients, cruelty-free formulas, and inclusive shade ranges sets it apart from many of its competitors. And with its innovative stackable pan system and customizable palettes, the brand offers a level of personalization that is rare in the world of cosmetics.
If you‘re in the market for a new makeup brand that values simplicity, portability, and quality, we highly recommend giving Subtl Beauty a try. With its range of versatile products and expert-approved formulas, this indie brand is sure to become a staple in your beauty routine.