Versed Skincare Now Has an Affordable Makeup Line—and Our Beauty Director Loves It

Ever since moving to the ‘burbs and having kids, solo Target runs serve as a sacred form of self-care. One of the sparkliest sections at Target, IMHO, is their beauty aisles. Whether you need to restock a staple in your routine (say, a CeraVe cleanser) or you just want to try out a trendy new blush, there’s something for everyone. And while not all budget-friendly beauty stores make you feel super-special like the way a Sephora or Ulta might, Target does just that, thanks to thoughtful brands like Versed. From the luxe packaging to the sensitive skin-friendly formulas, the brand has been hitting since its 2019 debut. So much so, that fans of the brand have been asking for makeup, and now, that ask has been answered with the launch of Versed Makeup.

When I spoke with a few of the women behind the new products, they shared some of their priorities: To create makeup that is good for your skin (in fact, the Skin Tint SPF 40 is accepted by the National Rosacea Society), that contains powerhouse ingredients, that has great color pay-off, and that feels like a luxury. After swiping and swatching, I can say they hit a home run. I appreciate all of the easy-to-use sticks and creamy formulas that I can apply on-the-go and that make my 40-year-old skin look luminous.

A Full Review of Versed Makeup

Skin Solution Multi-Serum Skin Tint

If you love a one-and-done, skincare-makeup hybrid, this will be your new favorite product. It’s a serum (with hyaluronic acid to plump and Kakadu plum to brighten), a buildable base in 14 shades, and an SPF 40. If you only get one product from the new line, get this one. It checks a bunch of boxes, plus it leaves skin with a gorgeous glow and doesn’t feel like you’re wearing foundation.

Skin Solution Serum Concealer

To make finding your color easy, the 14 concealer shades correspond with the Skin Tint ones. So once you find your match, you’re golden. My favorite part is the substantial doe-foot applicator that delivers the ideal amount of product. It’s super creamy and even has a bit of a firming effect, thanks to caffeine. I’ve been wearing it under my eyes, on the sides of my nose, and on a chin zit. When I read it was “self-setting”, I had my doubts but was pleasantly surprised that even when I didn’t finish it with my go-to powder, it didn’t settle into my lines. Whoop!

Shade Swipe Blush Stick

Though this one is technically a blush, I love swiping it on my lips too. In five gorgeous shades (from brown to red to pink to nude), the chubby stick takes the stress out of blush. Swipe and blend for a flush of buildable color. Deco, the baby pink, is the standout for me and gives my more expensive Rhode blush a run for its money.

High Points Illuminating Stick

Not sparkly, glittery, or even shiny, this stick highlighter gives you a sophisticated pearly glow that adds some life to your look. In three shades—Baroque (champagne), Polished (pinky peach), and Simmer (bronze)—the stick makes it easy to use on the go. I love tapping it along cheekbones, the tip of my nose, inner corners of my eyes, and my Cupid’s Bow. I even dabbed it along my collarbones for a little extra something on a night out. The jojoba oil leaves skin looking healthy.

Warm Dimension Bronzer Stick

Summer in a stick, this creamy, matte formula takes the guesswork out of bronzing. Even bronzing virgins will feel confident after a few swipes because it’s truly mistake-proof. Simply put it where the sun would hit (along your hairline, cheekbones, bridge of your nose) and blend with your fingers. Voilá—a lit-from-within, back-from-vacation glow (minus any sun damage). I also like wearing it along my eye creases as shadow.

Day Lash Lifting and Defining Mascara

Full disclosure: I wear eyelash extensions so I didn’t test this one but enlisted the help of a friend, who loved how long it made her lashes without any clumping. She also reported that her lashes felt almost conditioned—this was due to the vitamin E and arginine, which help to strengthen those overworked hairs. If you are looking for a super glam mascara, she’s not your girl but for every day, soft, fluttery lashes, this will be your magic wand. It comes in brown and black, and it’s water-resistant (aka, it stays put, but is easy to remove).

Sheer Stay Liquid Eyeshadow

Another standout in the line are the sheeny (read: not sparkly) liquid eyeshadows, which will make you forget all about those three-step smoky eye looks. Brush ’em over your lids, blend with your fingers or a brush, and you’re good to glow with that effortless, Hailey Bieber vibe. I’m obsessed with the bronze shade “vintage” and the olive hue, “mystic”—both make my hazel eyes pop. Bonus: I have oily lids and most shadows crease before lunch but these got me through a long day at the office without moving.

Easy Brow Tinted Brow Gel

In three shades—black brown, brown, and blonde—this tinted detail brush delivers brows that wow in one step. The gel beefs up wimpy hairs, fills in sparse spots with believable color, gives you that fluffy, brushed up look, plus gives lashes a boost with biotin and monoi oil. If your brows are thin, you’ll want to pencil first, but after years of rehabbing my skinny brows, this tube is all I need.

Soft Gloss Tinted Lip Serum

Hearing this click-pen click is the most satisfying sound I’ve heard in weeks (months?). The grown-up gloss delivers shine and a kiss of color without feeling sticky or looking goopy. My dead of winter, dry lips immediately felt more hydrated, thanks to shea butter. There’s a nude, pink, brown, peach, and wine. The serum gives you a juicy, but not dripping wet, pout, which I appreciate. It’s a stick-it-in-your-purse-and-reapply-without-a-mirror kind of product you’ll want in multiple colors.

Cashmere Color Smoothing Lip Blush

If you’re looking for a lip with a little less shine, reach for this guy. It’s a balm with soft matte color (in five shades; I’ve been wearing Scene, a mauve-y, nude-pink) that feels like sweatpants for your lips yet instantly blurs for that sexy, just bitten ScarJo kind of look. I’m swooning over the rounded bullet—so much less fussy than a sharply angled one.

Cloud Wrap Lip Recovery Mask

This vanilla-mint scented mask is a nightstand hero. I’ve been swiping it on before bed and waking up to noticeably less chapped lips. It has yummy mango butter and argan oil to turn even the flakiest of lips buttery smooth.

Cloud Polish Exfoliating Lip Scrub

On days when my lips are really looking rough (hello, New York winter), I buff them with this pineapple-enzyme-packed sugar scrub. It smells like you can eat it (don’t) and gently sloughs off dead skin so that your balm can work even better.

Smooth Skin Face Primer

I went years without committing to a primer until I finally gave the extra step a go and loved how much longer it made my makeup last. I have a favorite, but this one held up. It minimized the look of pores and gave me a flawless canvas. The hyaluronic acid felt like a skin treat. My makeup went on super smooth and looked fresh at my pre-lunch and pre-dinner mirror check. It’s not a need but it sure is a want.

Face Diffuser Multitasking Brush

Fingers work just fine to blend all of the creamy formulas, but if you’re in the market for a new brush, this one is a winner. The vegan bristles are teddy bear soft and the oval head allows you to reach those tricky spots like the sides of the nose. Shoutout to the brand for making one brush that works for everything. We love a tool that streamlines our routines and saves us space in our makeup bag.