Saie operates in the clean beauty and cosmetics space, focusing on makeup products positioned around skin-friendly formulations and everyday wear.
The brand aims to target concerns commonly associated with conventional makeup products, such as heavy textures, synthetic ingredients, and limited skin comfort. Its offerings cover cosmetic offerings for the face, lip, eye, and cheeks, with a portfolio that includes tinted moisturizers, liquid blushes and bronzers, illuminators, lip oils, and setting sprays. However, are the brand’s products safe to include in your daily skincare routine?
In this review, we take a closer look at the brand’s product range, formulation standards, and how the brand positions itself within the clean beauty space. The review also discusses real user experiences with the brand’s offerings and how Saie compares with other clean makeup brands offering similar claims.
Founded by Laney, Saie is a personal care brand focused on makeup products intended for everyday wear with an emphasis on skin compatibility, functional performance, and environmental responsibility.
The brand provides resources such as a Shade Finder that categorizes skin tone ranges from Very Light through Rich, with optional support available through text, email, or social channels for personalized shade guidance based on submitted photos.
Some featured offerings from the brand include the Slip Tint™ Tinted Moisturizer, offering sheer coverage, hydration support, and SPF 35 across multiple shade ranges. Other products in the brand’s portfolio include the Glowy Super Gel™ Multipurpose Illuminator, Glowy Super Skin Tint Foundation, Slip Tint™ Radiant All-Over Concealer, Airset Radiant Loose Setting Powder, and Sunvisor™, which is described as a combined serum, oil, moisturizer, and SPF 35 sunscreen.
Some of the products for the cheek include the Dew Blush™ Blendable Liquid Cheek Flush, Dew Bronze™ Soft-Focus Effortless Liquid Bronzer, Sun Melt Cream-Balm Bronzer, Glow Sculpt™ Multi-Use Cream Highlighting Blush, and SuperSuede™ Baked Powder Blush. Lip care offerings from the brand include options such as the Glossybounce™ High-Shine Hydrating Lip Gloss Oil and Lip Liner 101™ Creamy & Defining Lip Pencil.
The manufacturers state that the brand’s offerings are intended to provide hydration, SPF-based photoprotection using mineral filters such as zinc oxide, and lightweight textures that interact with skin physiology by minimizing occlusion and supporting even pigment distribution. Setting sprays such as CitySet™ Lightweight Setting Spray are delivered via non-aerosol mist systems, supporting uniform application while reducing propellant-related exposure.
As per its official website, Slip Tint™ Tinted Moisturizer comes with SPF 35 and may provide light complexion coverage, daily mineral sun protection, and hydration.
The formula comes in a 40 mL / 1.35 oz size tube and is intended for morning use either on its own or layered over moisturizer. The shade range supported by the product ranges from very light shades to rich.
Slip Tint™ Tinted Moisturizer uses 15% non-nano zinc oxide as its sole sunscreen active, which provides broad-spectrum UVA and UVB protection.
Zinc oxide reflects and scatters ultraviolet radiation at the skin surface, helping reduce UV-induced oxidative stress and supporting long-term protection against visible photoaging and uneven pigmentation.
Hydration is supported through sodium hyaluronate and sodium hyaluronate crosspolymer, which bind water in the outer skin layers to improve plumpness and barrier function. The makers added glycerin in the formula to reinforce this effect by drawing moisture into the stratum corneum, helping maintain comfort throughout wear.
Licorice root extract could support a more even-looking complexion by influencing melanin-related pathways, while bisabolol and aloe help calm visible redness and irritation associated with daily sun exposure.
The formulation includes pansy flower extract, grape seed oil, tocopheryl acetate, argan oil, and jojoba esters for antioxidant support. Such antioxidants may help neutralize free radicals from UV exposure and environmental stress.
Slip Tint™ Undetectable Baked Setting Powder may help set makeup while preserving a natural, skin-like finish.
The powder comes in a 7 g / 0.24 oz compact pack, which offers compatibility for five shades, ranging from translucent 1 to 5. Its baked format produces a finely milled, creamy texture that differs from traditional pressed powders and allows more even dispersion across the skin.
Hectorite and silica in the formulation absorb excess oil while diffusing light to soften the appearance of pores and fine lines. Boron nitride and alumina may enhance slip and optical smoothing, helping the powder remain visually undetectable during wear. Skin hydration is maintained through the inclusion of squalane, sodium acetylated hyaluronate, and glycerin. These ingredients could support barrier function and reduce moisture loss as oil is absorbed.
Slip Tint™ Undetectable Baked Setting Powder contains jojoba esters, which help anchor the powder with a flexible, skin-like film. Octyldodecanol in the formula improves blendability over liquid or cream products.
The manufacturer states that the powder is non-comedogenic, dermatologist-tested, fragrance-free, and suitable for sensitive or blemish-prone skin.
According to its official site, SuperSuede™ Baked Powder Blush is intended to deliver soft, diffused color with a blurred finish.
The product comes in a shade range that includes six options, such as Amore (bright fuchsia), Stella (bright coral), Mia (soft rose), and Grazie (bright berry).
The hand-whipped, Italian-baked process creates a finely structured powder that melts into the skin rather than sitting on top, reducing visible texture and improving blendability.
Mica and synthetic fluorphlogopite in the formulation could provide smooth glide and luminosity. The inclusion of kaolin, silica, and hectorite may help gently absorb oil and diffuse light on the skin’s surface.
Lip Liner 101 is a creamy, defining lip pencil formulated to enhance natural lip shape with a soft matte finish and a nourishing wear profile.
As per its official website, the liner comes in a 1.41 g / 0.05 oz classic wooden pencil format, intended to minimize excess packaging while supporting precise application. The product features five neutral shades designed to pair easily with a variety of lip products, including glosses.
The creamy texture of the liner is driven by a blend of plant-derived oils and waxes, including hydrogenated jojoba oil, candelilla wax, and carnauba wax. Inclusion of these ingredients could help reduce mechanical stress on the delicate lip skin, which typically lacks oil glands and is more prone to dryness and micro-irritation than facial skin.
Nourishment and moisture retention are supported through ingredients like shea butter, jojoba oil, meadowfoam seed oil, and mango seed oil. Shea butter contains fatty acids that may help soften and condition the lips while reinforcing the surface barrier.
Jojoba oil closely resembles human sebum, supporting compatibility with the lip’s natural lipid layer and improving comfort during wear. Mango seed oil contributes emollience that could reduce flaking and rough texture.
Glossybounce is a hydrating lip gloss oil formulated to combine the slip and nourishment of a lip oil with the visual impact of a tinted gloss. The product comes in nine sheer shades and three shimmer shades, offering both subtle tint and light-reflective options. These shades are formulated to deliver a translucent wash of color rather than opaque coverage, allowing natural lip tone to remain visible beneath the shine.
Castor seed oil, jojoba seed oil, and coconut oil form the base of the Glossybounce™ formula, providing high refractive shine while maintaining a smooth, non-tacky feel. These oils help reduce transepidermal water loss on the lips, which are typically more prone to dehydration.
Hydration and plumping effects are supported by sodium hyaluronate and polyglycerides. Sodium hyaluronate helps bind water at the lip surface, increasing perceived fullness and softness. Polyglycerides act as both emollients and humectants, helping distribute moisture evenly while improving cushion and slip.
Glossybounce™ also contains shea butter and carnauba wax. Shea butter provides fatty acids that soften and condition lip skin, while carnauba wax could help stabilize the formula and lock in moisture without creating stiffness.
Hydrogenated castor oil and polyhydroxystearic acid further support texture consistency and smooth application, allowing the product to maintain shine over time without migrating or feeling heavy.
As per the official website, Dew Bronze is a soft-focus liquid bronzer developed to create subtle definition and targeted warmth with a natural, skin-like finish. The product is available in six shade ranges, covering cool to warm undertones.
Dew Bronze uses a lightweight liquid base that melts into the skin upon blending. The soft-focus finish is supported by silica, a mineral known for its ability to diffuse light and visually smooth texture. Silica helps scatter light at the surface, which may help blur the appearance of pores and unevenness, allowing the bronzed pigment to appear more natural and less defined by edges or streaking.
Hydration and skin comfort are supported through plant-derived glycerin, a humectant that draws water into the outer layers of the skin. Glycerin helps maintain moisture balance and surface plumpness, which could improve how liquid pigments spread and adhere.
Brightening and tone-refining support is linked to licorice root extract derived from Glycyrrhiza glabra. Compounds within licorice are known to influence pathways involved in pigmentation and redness, supporting a more even-looking complexion over time.
The manufacturers state that Mini Glowy Super Gel supports illuminated, primed, and dewy-looking skin. It is available in a 15 ml / 0.5 oz pack and is formulated to be worn alone, layered under foundation or tinted SPF as a primer, mixed into base products, or applied over makeup for added luminosity. The mini format is offered in the shade Warmglow, with the brand also providing added shade options such as the Starglow, Sunglow, and Roseglow.
Mini Glowy Super Gel focuses on hydration, barrier comfort, and light diffusion. Plant-derived glycerin and propanediol function as humectants that draw water into the outer layers of skin, supporting surface hydration and improving skin suppleness. Squalane in the formula could help lower transepidermal water loss, contributing to a smoother, more conditioned feel.
Ethically sourced mica and synthetic fluorphlogopite are also included in the formulation. Such ingredients contain fine micropearl particles that may reflect light evenly without creating chunky glitter. The controlled light-scattering effect may produce a soft-focus radiance that brightens the appearance of the complexion while maintaining a skin-like finish.
Nourishing and brightening support comes from botanical oils such as rosehip fruit oil and papaya seed oil. Rosehip oil contains potent antioxidants and fatty acids that may help support skin tone clarity. Papaya seed oil contributes lightweight emollience that may enhance softness without adding to heaviness.
Glowy Super Skin Tint Foundation is formulated to deliver medium coverage with a luminous, second-skin finish. It comes in a 30 mL / 1.01 oz format and is designed to be applied with a press-in technique similar to skincare serum application. The product is available in multiple shade ranges, including very light, light, medium, medium to medium/tan, deep, and rich categories.
The manufacturer states that Glowy Super Skin Tint Foundation is composed of approximately 85 percent skincare serum and 15 percent weightless pigment. Such a structure allows active ingredients to remain in direct contact with the skin while pigment provides tone evening without heaviness.
Hydration and plumping effects are driven by a combination of hyaluronic acid, polyglutamic acid, and glycerin. Hyaluronic acid binds water at the surface and within the upper layers of the skin, improving smoothness and hydration.
Polyglutamic acid complements this action by forming a moisture-locking film that helps retain hydration over time, supporting a plumper appearance and softening the look of fine lines and pores.
The formulation also contains rice bran peptides and sugar-derived squalane. Rice bran peptides may help fade the appearance of fine lines, pores, and uneven tone by supporting skin renewal and brightness pathways.
Sugar-derived squalane acts as a skin-identical lipid that may help reduce moisture loss while providing antioxidant support, contributing to a smoother surface and improved light reflection.
Indian gooseberry extract is further included as part of the Hydrobounce™ active skincare complex. The extract is known for its antioxidant properties, which could help support skin brightness and resilience against environmental stress. The Hydrobounce™ complex is designed to absorb quickly while locking in hydration, allowing the formula to sit comfortably on the skin without heaviness.
Saie obtained Leaping Bunny certification in 2021, a standard that requires ongoing audits and comprehensive supply-chain oversight to ensure that neither finished products nor ingredients are tested on animals by the brand, its suppliers, or affiliated third parties worldwide. This level of verification places Saie among beauty brands that adhere to internationally recognized cruelty-free standards with external accountability.
The brand claims the cruelty-free commitment extends beyond formulations to its resources and accessories. Makeup brushes such as The Base Brush, Double Brush, and Fluffy Brush are produced using ultra-soft synthetic bristles, intentionally avoiding animal hair while aiming to deliver application performance comparable to traditional brushes.
The brand also communicates nuance and transparency in its cruelty-free positioning. Saie openly acknowledges the use of ethically sourced beeswax in select formulations, describing it as responsibly obtained without harm to animals.
The brand frames this disclosure as compatible with its Leaping Bunny certification while clearly differentiating cruelty-free standards from an absolute vegan claim. At the same time, the brand offers fully vegan products, such as Glowy Super Gel, allowing you to make informed choices that align with your individual values.
Saie emphasizes ingredient transparency and a science-informed aesthetic, but lacks product-specific clinical validation. There are no publicly available peer-reviewed studies or independent randomized controlled trials evaluating the brand’s finished formulations using objective cosmetic science measures.
Claims associated with products such as Lip Liner 101, Glossybounce™, or Dew Bronze are not supported by published data using standardized resources like corneometer measurements for hydration, transepidermal water loss assessments for barrier integrity, or blinded grading protocols to substantiate claims related to comfort, hydration, or finish.
The brand frequently highlights its internal concept of “Saie Science” and points to well-established emollients and conditioning ingredients such as shea butter, jojoba oil, meadowfoam seed oil, hyaluronic acid, and squalane. Such components are individually supported by a strong body of cosmetic science literature demonstrating benefits for skin hydration and barrier support.
However, ingredient-level evidence does not directly translate to finished-product performance. Factors such as ingredient concentration, formulation balance, delivery systems, and interactions within the full formula play a significant role in real-world outcomes and require controlled testing to validate.
Westman Atelier is positioned as a premium, artist-led clean beauty brand shaped by the professional makeup philosophy of its co-founder, Gucci Westman.
The brand is built around edited routines, complexion mastery, and makeup essentials. The brand’s product lineup is intentionally narrow, concentrating on complexion, cheek, and skin-prep products.
As part of its product portfolio, the brand offers signature offerings such as the Vital Skin Foundation Stick and Vital Skincare Complexion Drops, which are offered across more than 20 Atelier-numbered shades. Skincare is integrated as a functional foundation for makeup wear, with the brand providing Skin Activator Serum and Suprême C Serum to reinforce the brand’s emphasis on prep as part of the makeup system rather than a separate category.
Cheek and sculpt products from the brand include options such as the Baby Cheeks Blush Stick, Face Trace Contour Stick, Baby Cheeks Powder Blush Duo, and the Lit Up Highlight Stick. Lip care offerings from the brand include the Lip Suede Matte Lipstick and Squeaky Clean Liquid Lip Balm.
Formulation philosophy at Westman Atelier is framed around strict ingredient exclusions paired with skincare actives used at functional levels within makeup formulas.
The brand emphasizes the absence of phthalates, parabens, PEGs, mineral oil, synthetic fragrance, and animal testing across its offerings. Sustainability efforts focus primarily on materials and packaging, including partnerships with Pact Collective for recycling, sugarcane-based plastics, apple leather components, and recycled shipping materials.
Meanwhile, Saie operates from a more accessibility-driven and scale-oriented clean beauty framework. While grounded in clean formulation philosophy and skin-first performance, the brand also emphasizes supporting glow, comfort, and ease of use through its offerings.
Complexion and glow products form the core of the brand’s lineup, with some signature products like the Slip Tint™ Tinted Moisturizer, Glowy Super Gel™, Dew Blush™, Glowy Super Skin Tint Foundation, Slip Tint™ Radiant All-Over Concealer, Dew Bronze™, and Sun Melt. Lip care products from the brand include options such as Glossybounce™ and Lip Liner 101™. The brand also offers brushes, minis, vanity cases, and bundled sets, which are positioned to support routine building and everyday use rather than singular use cases.
The brand’s formulation standards emphasize vegan positioning where applicable, fragrance-free development, and the avoidance of ingredients such as gluten, synthetic dyes, essential oils, dimethicone, and soy, depending on the product. Sustainability is more structurally embedded and externally validated, with commitments including 1% for the Planet membership, Certified Plastic Negative status, and Leaping Bunny certification.
When comparing the brands, both Merit Beauty and Saie function within the modern clean beauty space, sharing an emphasis on skin-first makeup, everyday usability, and ingredient responsibility.
However, the brands have some nuances in terms of their core philosophies, breadth of offerings, quality/manufacturing standards, and approaches to sustainability.
Founded in 2021, Merit Beauty frames makeup as a supporting layer to real life rather than a creative or expressive exercise, which is reflected in its tightly edited catalog of around 30+ products.
Some featured offerings in the brand’s lineup include the Minimalist Perfecting Complexion Stick, Flush Balm, Bronze Balm, Day Glow Highlighting Balm, Clean Lash Mascara, and Shade Slick Tinted Lip Oil.
The brand also offers curated bundles such as the Five Minute Morning, The Core Collection, The Intro Set, and The Bestsellers Set.
Complexion and skincare function as a routine approach, with products like the Great Skin Serum, Great Skin Moisturizer, and The Uniform Tinted Mineral Sunscreen SPF 45, positioned as preparatory layers that may enhance skin appearance rather than correct or transform it.
Meanwhile, Saie approaches everyday makeup through versatility and glow rather than reduction. While also positioned as easy to use and skin-comfort focused, the brand maintains a broader and more flexible product ecosystem that supports layering, customization, and routine expansion.
Some featured offerings from the brand include the Slip Tint™ Radiant All-Over Concealer, Glowy Super Gel™, Sun Melt bronzer, Airset Radiant Loose Setting Powder, and Slip Tint™ Tinted Moisturizer. Beyond these, the brand also offers curated bundle offerings, such as the Blush n’ Glow, Lip Combo, Slip Brush Duo, and Saieglow™ Duo.
Formulation philosophy further separates the two brands. Merit Beauty defines its standards through formulation practices aligned to strict EU regulations, which exclude the use of more than 1,300 harmful ingredients in the brand’s products.
Products from the brand are positioned as vegan, cruelty-free, Leaping Bunny certified, and Sephora Clean. Meanwhile, Saie also maintains vegan and fragrance-free standards where applicable, but places greater emphasis on skincare-aligned ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, squalane, aloe, colloidal oatmeal, vitamin C, and licorice root in its offerings.
In terms of accessibility and engagement, Merit Beauty emphasizes friction reduction through fewer choices, smaller shade systems, and pre-built routines, appealing to those who want makeup to be nearly invisible in both application and decision-making.
Saie leans into digital interaction and personalization through resources like the Shade Finder, Saie Concierge, and lifestyle extensions such as Saie Vintage merchandise, making the brand more interactive and community-facing over time.
Our evaluation of Saie is based on the real user feedback of the brand’s two core offerings on Amazon. It reflects real customer experiences with the brand’s products, focusing on wear, texture, finish, scent, pricing perception, and day-to-day usability.
The Glowy Super Gel holds a 4.5 out of 5 score from more than 2,600 reviews. Many users described the product’s finish as naturally radiant rather than glittery, with a dewy effect that enhances skin without looking oily or heavy. Texture is noted as lightweight, silky, and easy to spread, working well both on bare skin and layered under or mixed with other makeup products like foundation, blush, or bronzer.
Several users appreciated its versatility, mentioning use as a primer, liquid highlighter, or standalone complexion enhancer. However, smell was a recurring concern, with some users enjoying a light floral scent while others described it as unpleasant or unusual. A few users also noted mild stickiness after application or felt the glow faded faster than expected.
Slip Tint Tinted Moisturizer is rated 4.2 out of 5 based on over 1,000 reviews shared across Amazon. Light coverage and a skin-like finish were the most frequently praised features, with many users describing it as suitable for evening out skin tone without masking natural texture.
However, texture and finish drew varied reactions depending on skin type. Some users found it slightly greasy or shiny and felt it required setting powder, particularly in the T-zone, while others appreciated the dewy look. Shade matching was a recurring concern, especially among some fair-skinned users who felt the lightest shades appeared darker than advertised.
Our evaluation of the brand’s real user reviews indicates that satisfaction appears highest among users looking for lightweight, natural-looking complexion products rather than full coverage. However, recurring criticisms related to price, scent preferences, and suitability across skin tones appear in these user experiences.
To evaluate Saie, we looked at the brand’s operational history, background, and standing across authentic review forums.
On the Better Business Bureau, the brand maintains an “F” rating, despite the brand’s profile indicating six years of business operations. BBB reviews and formal complaints demonstrate a clear pattern around fulfillment disputes, lost or incomplete deliveries, and rigid refund policies.
Many users noted situations where orders marked as delivered were not received, with Saie offering replacements or store credit instead of refunds to the original payment method.
While the brand consistently responds to BBB complaints and often cites its published policies, the friction arises from how those policies are applied in edge cases such as missing packages, time-sensitive purchases, or partial deliveries.
Meanwhile, the brand maintains a 4.5 out of 5 score on ThingTesting based on 180+ reviews. Feedback on the platform is positive and centers on product texture, finish, ease of application, and everyday wearability. These reviews tend to separate product satisfaction from operational experience, with minimal discussion of shipping, refunds, or customer service processes.
Saie aims to support various beauty care needs through its range of mineral-based products, wide shade profile, and skincare-aligned formulations intended for daily use.
The brand’s cosmetic offerings emphasize sheer to medium coverage, hydration support, and breathable wear. Ingredient selection is consistent with the brand’s minimalist standards, which rely on familiar humectants, emollients, and mineral pigments rather than complex delivery systems.
However, the brand’s finished products lack clinical testing or peer-reviewed trials to back their performance and safety claims. Although the brand avoids synthetic fragrance and common irritants in its offerings, the presence of botanical extracts, plant oils, and waxes means that highly reactive or allergy-prone skin types may experience skin irritation.
Before opting for the brand’s offerings, it is advisable to consider factors like any pre-existing sensitivities, the lack of clinical backing available, budget constraints, and the potential for occasional skin irritation, depending on skin chemistry and layering habits.
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