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!

Ipsy Glam Bag - August 2013

I continue to be impressed with the items I receive each month in my Ipsy Glam Bag, August was definitely no exception! As usual, I received five items and a cute cosmetics pouch. The items are as follows:

• Michael Todd Pumpkin Nutrient Rich Facial Mask - I love Michael Todd products. I've found that my skin responds much better with natural skincare, and therefore, this line of all natural products has been my go-to for the past several months. However, I had not yet purchased this pumpkin mask (I love their Kaolin Clay Mask), so I'm really excited to try this one out. The size of the sample is so big! Very nice.

• Urban Decay Revolution Lipstick - I received the shade 69 which is a deep red (see swatch below). The lipstick is extremely creamy and feels quite luxurious. I have been wanting to pick up a couple of these, although this would not have been the colour I picked out, but it is still nice to give it a try.

• Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer - I think I first tried this primer over ten years ago when primers still seemed very new and exciting. Back then I thought they were a bit of a gimmick, but now, I am a believer and use one almost everyday. This is a very nice primer, and I'll take this mini with me when travelling for sure.

• Pixi Beauty Lash Booster Mascara - Who doesn't love a mascara sample? I can usually get several weeks out of a sample size mascara. Actually, I haven't purchased a mascara since last year because I'm trying to use up the massive collection in my drawer. Interested in giving this a try.

• Mica Beauty Eye Shadow in Bronze - This is a loose pigment eyeshadow. It is a gorgeous colour (see swatch below). I'm sure I have tons of similar shadows in my collection, but nonetheless, this is really pretty and I love it.

Swatches of Urban Decay Revolution Lipstick in 69
and Mica Beauty Eye Shadow in Bronze

So, I repeat myself every month, but I loved my bag again!

Thanks for reading! Have a great weekend!

Look I'm Loving

Today's look I'm loving is an eye look. It's super easy to create and takes only seconds in the morning, so it's perfect for me when I sleep a bit late! Here it is on my eyes today (this is after 11.5 hours of wear!):

Products used

• MAC paint in Bare Canvas
• Smashbox Limitless 15 Hour Wear Cream Shadow in Stone
• MAC eyeshadow in Cork and Soft Brown
• MAC eyeshadow in Blanc Type
• It Cosmetics Hello Lashes Mascara

Application

First I used my fingers to smooth the MAC paint in Bare Canvas from my lashline to my brow to prime the lid. This step is probably not entirely necessary as the cream shadow will act as a primer as well. 

Next I used my finger again to blend the Smashbox Cream Shadow in Stone over my whole lid and blending out the edges with a clean finger so it fades evenly. I also smudged a bit of this cream shadow under my lower lashline with a pencil brush.

Then take a fluffy blending brush with a neutral matte brown shadow and blend out the edges of the cream shadow, taking the colour slightly higher than the crease. I used a mixture of Cork and Soft Brown, but any matte brown will work.

Lastly, take a clean blending brush with a light matte highlighting shade such as Blanc Type and run this under the brow and into the inner corner of the eye.

Finish with a black eyeliner pencil to line the top lid and bottom, if desired and coat the lashes with mascara. 

That's all! Hope you enjoy this easy eye look!

Products to Use Up in 2013

So, like many of us who are a bit beauty product obsessed, I have amassed quite a collection of makeup. I really love everything I have and don't regret purchasing, but I do feel quite guilty when I have to toss a lipgloss that is more than half full because it has started to smell funny. I watched a video on YouTube by MakeupTIA the other day that inspired me to select a few products that I haven't been using regularly, but would like to use up this year. I've made a significant dent in all of these products, but for some reason just have never finished. Here is my list:

• Stila Lip Glaze in Kitten - I loved this gloss for a long time, but when it started to get low, I stopped using it because I didn't want to run out (?? crazy, I know.. )

• Stila Eyeshadow in Kitten - I am so close to being done this and I already have purchased a back-up.

• Natural Beauty by Carmindy for Sally Hansen Lipgloss in Pink Blush - I was pretty disappointed when Carmindy's line was discontinued as I enjoyed quite a few of the products. This gloss for example, is really pretty, not sticky, and lasts a significant amount of time. Oh well. I want to finish this one before it goes bad.

• Lorac Blush in Dazzle - very pretty plum color, but I've had it for several years. I don't even think they make this color anymore.

• Garnier 2-in-1 Anti-Dark Circle Eye Roller - I like this product, but don't love it. Plus, I have several other concealors to get to.

• Smashbox Lights Up Blush Trio - this is a pretty trio that I received in a gift set. It has a bronzer, highlighter and blush all in one. I like to swirl it for an allover color.

• Urban Decay Primer Potion - I have a couple of these that came in sample kits, etc. I generally prefer primers that are a bit more opaque than this. Also, I'm loving my Maybelline Color Tattoos as primers these days, so I probably won't repurchase this anytime soon.

• Makeup Forever HD Microfinish Powder - another sample size. I don't love this setting powder. I'd rather just use the Rimmel Stay Matte powder, but I don't want this one to go to waste.

• Also, I'd like to make a dent in the pile of mini mascaras that I seem to have unintentionally collected. When sorting through my samples last month, I found that I probably should not have to buy a new mascara all year if I just use these samples.

So there you have it. I'll check back in at the end of the year to see how I've done and select new products for next year!