Blush Collection - Hot Pink

top: Smashbox Blush in Radiance, MAC Mineralize Blush Duo in Band of Roses
middle: Nars Blush in Mata Hari, Bobbi Brown Blush in Pale Pink
bottom: Sleek Blush by 3 in Pink Sprint

There is something about a hot pink blush that I find irresistible. To many it may look a bit scary or intimidating, because of course no one wants to have bright clown cheeks. But a hot pink blush applied lightly and blended well gives such a pretty and healthy look to the cheeks. It is absolutely gorgeous in summer, but also works all year round. These are some of my favourites from my collection.

l to r: Radiance, pink side of Band of Roses, Mata Hari, Pale Pink, center shade from Pink Sprint

Smashbox Blush in Radiance - This was the first blush I purchased in my experimentation with the shade. I purchased this so long ago, and the packaging/formulation has since changed so I'm not exactly sure if the new version (called Blush Rush in Radiance) is exactly the same or not, but it looks similar on the website. Anyways, it is safe to say that this product started my fascination. It looks beautiful on the cheeks and easily blends into a soft rosy cheek. It gives a soft matte finish - no shine. I love it.

MAC Mineralize Blush Duo in Band of Roses - I believe this is from an old MAC collection, but I found it relatively recently on Beyond the Rack. The swatch above is just of the pink side on the left of this compact. This blush is a bit shimmery, but it gives a really pretty glow in the cheeks.

Nars Blush in Mata Hari - I actually wore this one on my wedding day! Of course I blended it in so it wasn't quite as vibrant on the cheek. I read in one of Bobbi Brown's makeup books to use a neutral blush, layered with a bright on the apple of the cheek for a flattering, natural blush look, so that is what I did, using Mata Hari as the bright. It is a bit deeper and more on the berry shade than the other pinks, but still vibrant and gorgeous.

Bobbi Brown Blush in Pale Pink - I think this is one of the more popular and well known blush shades in the Bobbi Brown collection. I only purchased it this year, but it is a great addition to my collection. The shade really livens up my face.

Sleek Blush by 3 in Pink Sprint - The swatch above is just the shade in the center which is called Pink Ice. This pink is super intense. Honestly, out of all of these, this is the one that is trickiest to apply. It is so pigmented. I actually don't reach for it that often because I'm afraid of accidentally over-applying when I'm in a rush in the morning. All three shades in the palette are really gorgeous though. If you want a high-pigmented blush, you should cheek out the Sleek palettes!

Do you have any favourite bright pink blushes to recommend?

Thanks for reading!

Another One From theBalm! Balm Jovi Rockstar Palette

So you have seen me post about theBalm several time before, but this palette deserves a mention because it is simply fantastic. It is Balm Jovi from theBalm! This is a full face palette - my other palettes from theBalm are all just eyeshadow, so this is a little different.

The palette has a rock magazine / album theme and it is just super clever and cute. Inside you get twelve eyeshadows, a highlight and blush, and two lip products. The packaging is extra-great in that the lip products (which are cream), have their own cover and so they are completely away from the powder products. This is perfect because it is terrible when powder gets into creamy products. 

In case you are overwhelmed by all of the colours and options, there is even a little chart to give you ideas on how to create four looks. This is a great starting point, and from there, you can get creative!

On to the swatches:

And here is a shot of the quick eye I did this morning - Alice Copper in the crease, Blink 1982 on the lid and blended out with Third Eye Blinded. 

Thanks for reading!

theBalm Blush Collection

Products from theBalm never fail to get me excited. And for good reason - cute packaging, decent pricepoint, and the actual product always performs. I picked up these blush/shadows on Hautelook several months ago. The brand is featured regularly on Hautelook as I may have mentioned in a past post. It seems that I add to my collection each time I see them on there, so this means I own a lot of their products. 

These blushes are actually marketed as a multi-use product that can be used as either a blush or eyeshadow. I've actually only used them as blushes though. And as a blush, these are really great. 

There are three shades:

• Down Boy - a natural everyday pale pink
• Frat Boy - a perfect peachy pink coral shade
• Cabana Boy - a gorgeous plum

l to r: Down Boy, Frat Boy, Cabana Boy

I really believe that any skintone could wear all three shades. The colour is quite pigmented, but can be blended out easily, so a light skintone could sheer out even the plum shade, to be quite wearable. Actually, the plum is probably my favourite and most worn shade of the bunch!

And on to the swatches:

l to r: Down Boy, Frat Boy, Cabana Boy

Have you tried any of these blushes?

Thanks for reading!

NARS Pierre Hardy Blush Palette

If you are looking for an absolutely gorgeous new blush for summer, you need to take a look at the new NARS Pierre Hardy Blush Palette in Boys Don't Cry. I had heard about this new collection coming out, and had seen photos of the products, but when I swatched this blush, I had to get it.

The collection consists of two blushes - Rotonde and Boys Don't Cry, as well as several nail polish duos. I'm on a bit of a hiatus as far as purchasing nail polishes, so I skipped looking at those. However, the blushes are gorgeous!

top: Rotonde
bottom: Boys Don't Cry
source: Sephora

left: heavily swatched
right: blended out

As you can see from the above swatch, this blush is extremely pigmented, as are most Nars blushes. A light hand is definitely necessary! Blended out however, the look is a gorgeous, healthy, peachy pink cheek that is perfect for summer. Once applied, I wondered if I had something similar to this. I thought perhaps it was similar to MAC's Stereo Rose, which I had picked up recently when it was re-promoted as part of a collection. So I did a couple of comparison swatches:

l to r: Boys Don't Cry, MAC Stereo Rose, Tarte Achiote

Boys Don't Cry is the most vibrant of the bunch. Stereo Rose, while it also gives a peachy pink cheek, it is more shimmery, and less vibrant. Tarte Achiote is probably the most similar colour I own, however, it does not give the same intensity. You might not need to pick up the Nars version if you have Achiote, but I'm sure glad to have it in my collection!

Thanks for reading!

Huge Wet n Wild Haul!

In Canada, it can be difficult to find all of these amazing Wet n Wild products that are so loved in the online makeup community. As someone who rarely shops at Walmart, I would never have stumbled upon the Color Icon trios on my own. I think it was probably Emily at Beauty Broadcast who first introduced these to me in her You Tube videos. In my local Walmart, they do carry the full permanent line, however I have never seen any of the limited edition palettes, or special collections like the Fergie line. But that doesn't stop me! I ended up placing a couple of online orders - one at Nonpareil Boutique and another at Beatyjoint. So yeah, even if you are in Canada, you can get your hands on all of these great products. I think I spent less than $100 and ended up with pretty much the full range, that included the spring limited edition palettes, some of the older limited edition palettes that I had missed, the six-colour palettes, all of the Color Icon blushes, the bronzer, etc. I may have gone overboard, but I always feel like I have to justify the shipping and handling charges, so I buy more. Also, often there are discounts offered for spending a certain amount. 

So anyways, here are some pictures and thoughts on what I got.

Spring Forward Limited Edition Palettes: Going in the Wild and Nude Awakening

Wet n Wild Limited Edition Palette - Going in the Wild

Wet n Wild Limited Edition Palette - Nude Awakening (Sorry, swatches are upside down..)

These two palettes are really pretty. I've read reviews that criticized the pigmentation and mentioned that these are not up to par with the quality of the previously released eight-pan palettes, but I'm not sure that I agree with that. I haven't used them for a significant period of time yet, but they seem to apply quite nicely from what I have seen so far.

The top palette - Going in the Wild is perfect for this spring with the pretty pastels. The purples aren't extremely bold, but it is easy to create a soft pretty look.

The bottom palette - Nude Awakening is the one that has been compared to the Urban Decay Naked palettes. It is full of really great neutrals and is extremely wearable, not only on a daily basis, but in any season of the year. I can see this becoming a go-to item in my collection.

Where's the Party Limited Edition Palettes

top: Sparkle Til Morning
bottom l to r: Shimmer The Night Away, Drinking A Glass of Shine

This limited edition collection consists of three palettes: Sparkle Till Morning, Shimmer The Night Away and Drinking A Glass Of Shine. So far, I've only really used the top palette in this collection - Sparkle Till Morning. This is the only eyeshadow that I took with me when I traveled to New York for a week (??!!? I normally travel with much more..), and it was all I needed! Of course the reason I only took this one palette was that I knew I would buy others, but you really can get away with a simple palette like this for a whole week and still be able to create different looks that match to your mood or outfit. I was really happy with this, and really cannot stop using it. That pink shade in the top right corner is sooo gorgeous. I'm obsessed with it. Anyways, I still have to try the other two palettes.

Color Icon Blushes

top row l to r: Mellow Wine, Heather Silk
bottom row l to r: Pearlescent Pink, Berry Shimmer

These blushes are really great. I would say that they are comparable to many high-end blushes out there. Often drugstore blushes lack pigmentation, and you need to really layer them on to get the result you want, but with these, I just tap my brush in lightly, and there is enough product. I'm really enjoying using these.

Color Icon Bronzers

l to r: Goddess and Princess

So far I have tried the Goddess shade, which I thought was very pretty while I was applying it, but in natural light it turned out to be much too pink-toned for me. Since you can see yellow undertones in my neck, it does not look right to have this pink bronzer on my skin. Unfortunately this will not work for me, but I have yet to try the Princess shade. It appears less pink, so hopefully it will work out.

Color Icon Eyeshadow Singles

top row l to r: Nutty, Brulee, Kitten
bottom row l to r: Golddigger, Sellout

I have to say that Nutty is the colour that I reach for the most out of these. It is a really perfect neutral taupe-y brown colour that is great for allover the lid or blending out other colours. I haven't used the others very much, but I'm excited to give them a try.

Color Icon Eyeshadow Trios

I have to admit that I purchased the Silent Treatment trio as a backup. Yes, I already have it. But it is just gorgeous. It is a perfect neutral trio that that can be worn in a more natural way for everyday, or can be intensified for evening. I picked up I Got Good Jeans at the same time because it was something a bit different for me. It is very pretty as well, with the navy and the gold.

Color Icon 6-pan Eyeshadow Palettes

l to r: Greed, Lust, Vanity

The Vanity palette is one that I hear quite a bit about. I was a bit disappointed, however. I found that the matte and shimmery nude/ivory colours were very nice, even the matte light brown was a decent contour shade, but the gold and the two deeper browns did not give me the rich colour pigment that I've come to expect based on the trios that I have already been using. I was able to make a nice eye look out of this palette, but it wasn't the look that I had in mind.

Mega Last Lipstick

901B Think Pink and 903C Just Peachy

Top: 903C Just Peachy
Bottom: 901B Think Pink

I really like these lipsticks. For such a cheap product, I didn't have very high expectations, even though I have heard a lot of good things about them. They are a bit on the dry side, but of course the staying power makes up for this, so layer with a bit of balm, and it isn't really a problem. The colours are both quite pretty.

Tell me, have you been loving Wet n Wild lately?

Thanks for reading!

Favourites - April 2013

I can't believe it is May already! April went so fast for me, but I bought a ton of great things, and all of my April favourites are actually items that I bought in April, but loved so much that have been wearing them basically everyday since. This month was a real mix of both high and low products, which I love because great products can be found at any price point. 

My April faves are:

• Revlon Lip Butters in Sorbet and Juicy Papaya
• YSL Rouge Volupte Shine lipstick in #15 Corail Intuitive
• Cover Girl & Olay Simply Ageless Concealer 
• Cover Girl Outlast Stay Fabulous 3-in-1 Foundation
• Bobbi Brown Blush in Nectar
• NYX Slide On eye pencils

Revlon Lip Butters in Sorbet and Juicy Papaya

Have I ever mentioned on here that I love Revlon Lip Butters? Well I do. And the new colours they recently put out for spring as part of the Pacific Coast collection, are so good. I might have mentioned in a previous post that I just picked up the above two? Well I went back and got the other two as well. I just love these. 

Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Volupte
Shine #15 Corail Intuitive

OK, so another lip product. I couldn't choose one! This lipstick is so pretty - it is a very subtle coral that is just lovely. And of course the YSL lipsticks are some of the best. I'm thinking of doing a post on my full YSL lipstick collection as I have accumulated several. This was one of the items in the picture here, that I picked up at the Sephora VIB sale. I like to take advantage of discounts when purchasing pricey items like this one.

Cover GIrl Simply Ageless Concealer in 205 Very
Light and Cover Girl Outlast Stay Fabulous 3-in-1
Foundation in 910 Classic Ivory

Honestly, I would never have guessed that I would be putting any Cover Girl products in my monthly favourites. Not because I have anything against drugstore makeup - I love the drugstore, but I used to use Cover Girl foundation when I was 14. And it wasn't very good. I've also tried a lot of other Cover Girl products back in my teen days (what teenage girl didn't have a Cover Girl pressed powder compact in their school bag?), but since then, I've found products that are so much better, whether they are low or high-end. So when both this foundation, as well as this concealer started popping up on beauty blogs, I didn't think it was worth checking out. But my curiosity took over and my frustration with my current foundation drove me to Shoppers Drug Mart where I picked up both of these (on sale, I might add). And I'm really glad I got them. I've been using both products ever since I got them, two weeks ago. The foundation shade Classic Ivory is a perfect match (117 in MUFE HD) and I just love the finish that it gives to my oily skin. Anyways, I don't want to do a full review here, but these are products that I will keep using on a daily basis.

Bobbi Brown Blush in Nectar

You may have received the email a few weeks ago about the Bobbi Brown friends and family sale on the website - the discount lured me in and I picked up two blushes, a bronzer and an eyeshadow. This blush in Nectar is perfect. It is such a gorgeous pink with a hint of coral in it that goes with everything. I can't stop using it! 

NYX Slide On Pencils in Gun Metal, Azure, Golden Bronze and Glitzy Gold

These eyeliner pencils are so good. I'd heard that they were similar to the Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencils, but had never tried them. I have to say that they seem like the same formula to me. They have the same creaminess, the same great colour payoff, and they last all day for me. These are amazing, and for the price, I highly recommend these. I will be going back for more colours.

So those are my favourites for April. What are yours?

Thanks for reading!

Top 5 - Blushes

I've accumulated a decent sized makeup collection over the years, so I thought it would be interesting to go through it and see what my favourites are. I'm thinking of posting my top 5 lists for various categories, such as lipsticks, eyeshadows, bronzers, etc. I read a few posts, quite some time ago, by Will Work for Makeup where she compared her top 5 lists to the lists she made in previous years, and thought it was a fun idea to see how your tastes change, or if they stay the same. 

I'll start with blushes. Just by taking a quick look at what I have, it is obvious that I prefer pinkish berry tones, and especially deeper shades. Even with my pale skintone, I think these are super-flattering on me. I just have to remember to use a lighter application with those deeper shades. 

clockwise from top right: theBalm Down Boy, It Cosmetics Matte Sweet Apple,
Inglot Face Blush #54, Tarte Blushing Bride, Nars Sin

Of course no blush favourites list (in my opinion), could be complete without something from Nars and Tarte. These brands just make extremely beautiful blushes, and are super popular. I actually purchased Tarte's Blushing Bride with the intentions of wearing it for my wedding, but ended up using Nars' Sin, layered with their brighter pink shade Mata Hari. I think it was in Bobbi Brown's makeup book that I read about creating the perfect cheek by layering a bright over a neutral, so that is what I was aiming for with this combination. 

The Inglot and It Cosmetics blushes are must-try products. Such beautiful colour payoff. The It Cosmetics blush is actually a powder stain for the cheek, so it is a bit unique in that regard. 

I've been obsessed with theBalm lately, and have collected a good portion of their whole collection! I haven't been disappointed with any of their products. 

swatches are in the same order as above,
from top to bottom:
theBalm, It Cosmetics, Inglot, Tarte, Nars

What are your favourite blushes?

Thanks for reading!

Favourites - February and March 2013

So I'm combining February and March into one favourites post because I was out of town for most of February and since I was trying to pack light, I didn't really get to experiment very much. I did pick up several beauty products, however, and I have been posting about these, but I do have some favourites that I have been using in the time that I have been back in town. 

• Youngblood Ultimate Concealer in Fair - this mini compact is perfect for carrying in my purse for touch-ups during the day. The product itself is very creamy and provides a nice level of coverage.

• Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder in Diffused Light - this is a soft, warm pale yellow powder that I use as a setting powder. I find that it really smooths out my skin and minimizes the redness.

• Sephora Microsmooth Blush Duo in Tea Rose Tickle - a very pretty blush duo with a dusty rose and a paler highlighting shade. I blend the two shades together and then brush a bit more of the highlighter on the tops of my cheeks. 

• Burberry Lip Cover Soft Satin Lipstick in no. 27 Tulip Pink - this is my first Burberry makeup purchase and it is very nice. The formula is smooth, fairly long-wearing and this colour in particular is gorgeous. 

• Urban Decay Naked 2 Palette - I love my original Urban Decay Naked Palette and use it all the time, but Naked 2 is not something that I pull out all that often. I decided to try to use this more this month, and I've really been liking it. The specific eye that I have been doing is like this:

• Crease - Tease
• Lid - Verve
• Outer V and blending into crease - Pistol
• Outer V - Blackout
• Highlight - Foxy

This is a much more cool-toned eye look than I am used to. I normally try to incorporate       some warm tones, at least for blending so this is something different that I am really liking at   this moment.

So those are my favourites for now. I'm looking forward to trying new things as well as using up old products in April.

Thanks for reading!

Current Wishlist - March 2013

What's on my beauty radar these days? Read on to find out. It wasn't hard to put this list together - this is what is currently in my shopping cart on www.sephora.com, just waiting until I can justify purchasing some new products :)

• Make Up For Ever Pro Finish Multi-Use Powder Foundation - I almost purchased this the other day, but was able to redeem my Shoppers Optimum points for the Lancome Dual Finish powder, so I'll pass on this one for a little while. I do want to try this one eventually.

• Too Faced Sweethearts Perfect Flush Blush - this blush is so gorgeous! I think it looks like a perfect colour for pale skin like mine.

• Too Faced Chocolate Soleil Matte Bronzing Powder - I'm currently using up my Make Up For Ever Matte Bronzer, but once it is finished, I will pick this one up.

• Too Faced La Creme lipsticks in Naughty Nude and Spice Spice Baby - I can't decide on  one colour, I may have to pick up two!

• Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder in Mood Light - I'm just in love with complexion enhancing powders like these. I actually like every colour that Hourglass has put out, but I think I would try this one first. Looks beautiful.

• Urban Decay Naked Basics Palette - I'm kind of surprised I do not have this yet, but I have so many items in my collection that can be considered similar (NYX Butt Naked palette, for one). So I have waited on this. I may pick it up one of these days though.

• Prada Candy - I tested this fragrance the other day and while I did not like it on the card, I did like it once I wore it on my wrist for awhile. It is light and sweet, and perfect for any occasion.

• Victor & Rolf Flowerbomb - rarely have I had two fragrances on my wishlist at the same time, but Flowerbomb is amazing. And it is really popular right now, so I'm not the only one who thinks so!

Yikes, this is quite a list. If I purchase any of these items, I'll be sure to post a review for anyone who is interested!

Thanks for reading!