As an acne-prone beauty editor—this skin-loving make-up brand has kept me glowing all winter

My make-up bag just got an upgrade

Valeza wearing and holding her best Vieve products
(Image credit: Future)

As someone who has acne-prone skin with uneven texture, I’m always on the lookout for make-up products that’ll benefit my skin too and give me a smooth base. Well I've definitely found them in Vieve. Created by professional make-up artist and content creator Jamie Genevieve, Vieve’s make-up products aim to elevate your natural look using high-quality formulas that actually perform - no gimmicky products here. Each one is infused with skin-loving ingredients (think hyaluronic acid, vegan collagen and squalene) and is designed to make the skin look healthy and hydrated. Which is exactly what the best Vieve products do.

The dream for dull winter skin. The trouble is hydrating make-up products tend to, at best, exaggerate my skin’s uneven texture and, at worst, break me out. I usually have to be super careful with new highlighters, blushers and foundations for precisely this reason. Luckily, not one of the Vieve complexion products that I’ve tried has done either. In fact, my skin has never looked better. 

The rest of the Vieve collection - including the mascara, eye liner and lip products - is a dream to use too, with long-lasting, highly pigmented formulas. I’ve found myself reaching for them more than my tried and tested favourites of late. 

Here's a round-up of my best Vieve products...

1. Skin Nova Radiant Makeup Primer

Valeza wearing the vieve skin nova

(Image credit: Future)

vieve skin nova primer

(Image credit: Vieve)

Vieve Skin Nova Radiant Makeup Primer

Reasons to buy

+
Blends well with other formulas
+
Illuminating effect.

Reasons to avoid

-
You'll go through it like water

Vieve’s illuminating primer is, in my opinion, pure magic in a bottle. It layers nicely over my moisturiser and SPF and gives my foundation a lovely glowy base.

The true beauty of this product though, lies in its versatility - I’ve tried mixing it into my moisturiser and even foundation to sheer it out and give it an extra illuminating effect. It adds a glowy finish without making the skin look at all shiny or oily.

2. Vieve Modern Lip Definer

valeza wearing vieve modern lip definer

(Image credit: Future)

vieve modern lip definer

(Image credit: Vieve)

Vieve Modern Lip Definer

Reasons to buy

+
Comes in loads of shades
+
Long lasting

Reasons to avoid

-
A bit pricey for a lip liner

I like to wear lip liner all over my lips and layer lipstick on top, serving the dual function of improving the longevity and tweaking the colour of my lipstick. Vieve’s Modern Lip Definer delivers on all accounts. I own the shade Velvet Sands and it’s the perfect brown-toned nude.

It’s creamy yet long-lasting, has a sharp tip for precise application and comes in 11 versatile shades. Next, I have my eye on the rosewood-toned Brat and classic red Muse.

3. Vieve Modern Mascara

valeza wearing vieve modern mascara

(Image credit: Future)

vieve modern mascara

(Image credit: Vieve)

Vieve Modern Mascara

Reasons to buy

+
Separating
+
Easy to layer

Reasons to avoid

-
Formula is quite thin at first

Not only does this mascara look super luxe, but the volumising brush grabs every. Single. Lash. It sets really well, so it holds my curled lashes all day. One thing I will mention is that the formula is quite thin on the first few uses, so it takes a few days to thicken into the perfect consistency. Now that it’s reached that point, it’s become my go-to mascara when I want beautifully separated lashes. 

4. Vieve Sunset Blush Balm 

valeza wearing vieve sunset blush balm

(Image credit: Future)

vieve sunset blush balm

(Image credit: Vieve)

Vieve Sunset Blush Balm

Reasons to buy

+
Adds a hydrated effect
+
Easy to build

Reasons to avoid

-
You have to use a fair bit to get a strong colour

Possibly my favourite product of the lot, the colour of this liquid blush might look a little alarming straight from the tube, but it blends into a beautifully subtle flush when applied to the cheeks.

My favourite way to apply this liquid blush is after I powder my whole face. I know this sounds unconventional but hear me out - I don’t like my face being too matte as this can make it look quite dull in the winter, so I apply enough powder to set my make-up, then add my liquid blush and highlight on top. 

This technique doesn’t work with most liquid blush formulas mind you, but the Sunset Blush Balm doesn’t look at all cakey or obvious on top of the product underneath. Instead, it gives a healthy tinted sheen over the parts of my face I want to glow the most. If a fully matte face doesn’t cut it for you, this adds a fabulous (yet subtle) glow to your finished look.

5. Vieve Skin Dew Liquid Highlighter

valeza wearing vieve skin dew highlighter

(Image credit: Future)

vieve skin dew liquid highlighter

(Image credit: Vieve)

Vieve Skin Dew Liquid Highlighter

Reasons to buy

+
Skin-loving ingredients
+
Gives an unreal glow without emphasising texture

Reasons to avoid

-
Stays tacky to the touch

As soon as I did a bit of a deep dive into the Skin Dew highlighter I knew why my acne-prone skin loved it so much. It’s infused with Dragon’s Blood extract, which my skin absolutely drinks up thanks to its anti-inflammatory benefits. The ingredient features heavily in my serum collection and it never fails to make my skin feel plump and hydrated.

The effect of this skin-loving ingredient combined with the delicious shimmer of the highlight is pure magic. It has a skin-blurring effect, so rather than exaggerating any texture (as highlighters usually do for me) it smooths it, leaving me with a beautiful glossy sheen.

6. Vieve Lip Dew 

valeza wearing lip dew in rosa

(Image credit: Future)

vieve lip dew

(Image credit: Vieve)

Vieve Lip Dew

Reasons to buy

+
Long-lasting formula
+
Great colours

Reasons to avoid

-
More of a light tint than a strong pigment

While we’re on the subject of shimmering formulas, I have to give a shout out to Vieve’s Lip Dew. The brand views each of its products as a ‘small luxury’, and that’s definitely true of this lip oil.

If you’re after a long-lasting, genuinely glossy lip oil with a great shade selection, this is the product for you. I’ve been rinsing the soft pink Rosa shade (as worn above) during the colder months, but the Original Lip Dew, scattered with subtle gold flecks, makes me crave the warmer months to come.  

7. Vieve Power Ink Liner

valeza holding vieve power ink eyeliner

(Image credit: Future)

vieve power ink liner

(Image credit: Vieve)

The name of this product really doesn’t lie - it performs just like a highly-pigmented ink. I’m a huge fan of the applicator (which comes to a very fine tip, perfect for precise application) and the luxe gold packaging. 

The formula is super long-lasting too, I’ve worn it for a full 24 hours (don’t ask) and it didn’t smudge at all. This eyeliner is not at all watery, super long-lasting and satisfyingly precise. I’m obsessed. 

Vieve Modern Radiance Cream Bronzer

Dionne Brighton and Jamie, CEO of Vieve after using all of the best Vieve products

(Image credit: Future)

Product shot of VIEVE Modern Radiance Cream Bronzer

(Image credit: Vieve)

Vieve Modern Radiance Cream Bronzer

Reasons to buy

+
  • Gives a natural finish
  • Super easy to blend
  • Lightweight
  • Buildable
  • Provides a natural sun-kissed glow
  • Reasons to avoid

    -
  • You prefer a powder bronzer
  • "I could wax lyrical about how much I adore this bronzer. Not to be dramatic, but it’s the best cream bronzer I’ve ever used. I’m typically very picky about my makeup, and bronzer is no exception. This one blends like a dream, giving a lifted yet natural look that stays on all day. I love that you can use a small amount for a subtle bronzy glow or build it up for a more sculpted look appearance. When a product claims to ‘melt into the skin,’ I’m usually skeptical, but this one truly does. It blends seamlessly and provides a sculpted but natural glowy finish." Dionne Brighton, Social Media Editor

    Vieve Invisiveil Setting Spray

    Product shot of Vieve Invisiveil Setting Spray

    (Image credit: Vieve)

    Vieve Invisiveil Setting Spray

    Reasons to buy

    +
  • Keeps makeup in place without a super matte finish
  • Hydrating
  • Lightweight
  • Infused with skin-loving ingredients
  • Smells incredible
  • Reasons to avoid

    -
  • If you prefer a super matte finish
  • "Honestly, I didn’t use a setting spray before trying this one, and now I’m converted. The setting spray has a gorgeous, calming scent—it’s the breath of fresh air I need after sitting and doing a full face of make-up. Not only does it keep my make-up in place all day, but it also provides a soft matte finish that powders can’t match. My skin looks glowy and still like skin, while everything stays in place all day long. Plus, the niacinamide helps even out my complexion, and now I can’t imagine doing my makeup without using a setting spray." Dionne Brighton

    Valeza Bakolli
    Junior Shopping Editor

    Valeza Bakolli is Marie Claire’s Junior Shopping Editor, and as such, she’s made it her mission to encourage people to shop mindfully and with purpose. In her role, she covers all things shopping - from thoroughly road testing the best fitness kit to keeping a finger on the pulse of what’s new in fashion and beauty. She dedicates hours of her time every day to scouring the online stores, finding the best products online so you don’t have to (from small and sustainable businesses wherever possible, of course).