Top 5 - Highlighters

I think highlighting products are my favourites! I might have said that for lipsticks and / or blushes as well, but highlighters are so beautiful and are just so fun to purchase. I've accumulated several, but here are my top 5.

clockwise from top left: Dior Amber Diamond, Laura Mercier Shimmer Bloc in Pink Mosaic, Stila All Over Shimmer Duo in Kitten, It Cosmetics Hello Light Powder Illuminizer, theBalm Mary Lou-Manizer

l to r: Dior Amber Diamond,  Laura Mercier Shimmer Bloc in Pink Mosaic, Stila All Over Shimmer Duo in Kitten - lighter side, Stila All Over Shimmer Duo in Kitten - darker side, It Cosmetics Hello Light Powder Illuminizer, theBalm Mary Lou-Manizer

It has been really interesting doing these top 5 posts, because in each of them (blush, lipstick, and now highlighters), I have been able to notice trends in my preferences. Based on the swatches above, I obviously really like the more peachy/pinky, skintone highlights, rather than the white highlights such as MAC's Lightscapade. 

Some closer shots and my thoughts on each:

Top 5 - Lipsticks

Part 2 of my Top 5 series is lipsticks. Lipsticks are probably the most fun product to shop for as there is so much variety, and you can really have fun with colour. However, my favourites always end up being pretty safe choices. 

l to r: Rimmel Lasting Finish Lipstick in Airy Fairy, Dior Addict Lipstick #583 Backstage, Revlon Lip Butter in Sugar Plum, Chanel Rouge Coco Shine #54 Boy, Too Faced La Creme Lipstick in Spice Spice Baby

As you can see, these are all fairly conservative choices that can be worn with a variety of eye looks, and in any situation. I can reach for any of these colours without worrying about looking inappropriate, or like I'm overly made-up.

You might have seen my post on Rimmel's Airy Fairy here. It is a fairly nude shade, but with pinky-mauve undertones, it is very flattering. I usually stay away from true nudes that are more towards the concealer-lip look as I find it does not suit me at all. Airy Fairy looks great alone, but even better with a gloss layered over it.

Dior's Backstage is the lipstick that I bought for my wedding. It is a sheer berry that is so pretty. The formula is so moisturizing and easy to wear. I just love this lipstick. I posted a picture of it on my lips in this post.

Revlon Lip Butter in Sugar Plum is actually a fairly deep shade on my lips. With a couple of swipes, the shade could easily be worn for evening. But of course, one swipe is definately appropriate for day. I bought this because I read somewhere that this colour is very similar to MAC's Syrup. I don't own Syrup, so I cannot say how close they are, but I do love the Revlon Lip Butter formula for an everyday lipstick.

Chanel's Boy is an extremely popular shade. I'd been hearing about it forever before I actually picked myself up a tube of it. I got it in a duty free shop when travelling as I love to treat myself to a high end makeup purchase when I'm in international airports. I really don't think the prices are actually any better than at home, but it's just a fun treat. Boy is a "my lips but better" shade for sure. It is very sheer and on my lips, it looks very natural. It is somthing that I can apply with any makeup look and it just always works. 

I just posted a review on Too Faced La Creme lipsticks here. While I love both of the colours I purchased, Spice Spice Baby is the one that I reach for more often and will likely be something I repurchase when I run out. It is a gorgeous, wearable, everyday colour and the formula is moisturizing and extremely comfortable to wear. I just love it.

top to bottom: Too Faced La Creme Lipstick in Spice Spice
Baby, Chanel Rouge Coco Shine #54 Boy, Revlon Lip
Butter in Sugar Plum, Dior Addict Lipstick #583 Backstage,
Rimmel Lasting Finish Lipstick in Airy Fairy

I have actually purchased a couple of new lipsticks recently that I'm really loving, but I have not had them long enough to be considered favourites. It will be interesting to revisit my top choices in the future to see how they change!

What are your current favourite lipsticks?

See my Top 5 - Blushes post here.

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!