Blush Collection 2: MAC, Cargo, MUFE, Sleek, Benefit & NYX

Ok so here's part 2 of my blush collection... (click here for part 1)

Dainty - I don't love this.. It's nice but I don't love it.. It's a pinky peach.. More on the pink side with very fine gold shimmers that don't show up that much on the cheeks.. It does give you a nice fresh look.. The perfect spring blush but not my favourite at all..

Cubic - I have a problem with this blush.. It's such a pretty shade.. Very natural.. But this particular one I got is just so hard to even swatch.. The top layer is all weird and hard and doesn't give colour.. So when I use this, I have to scrap of the top layer and then run my brush on it.. Too much work.. But it's lovely blush that looks boring in the pan but is a nice dusty pink on the cheeks..

Margin - This is one of those underrated MAC blushes.. It's a peachy gold that instantly gives your complexion such a lovely summery glow.. Only issue I have with this blush is that it's a little too shimmery for my taste so I tend to use it as a highlight instead..

Warm Soul - I haven't had this for that long but it definitely jumped into my top 5 blushes.. It's a gorgeous peachy pink with fine gold shimmers that are not too shimmery at all when applied.. Love this blush.. Read my full review on it here

Pinch Me - This also is a super gorgeous blush! Looks too dark in the pan but with a light hand, it gives you that deep peach look that is just stunning! It's a matte finish which I love.. It adds this beautiful peachy warmth.. Perfect for medium to dark skin tones..

Bite of An Apple - A beautiful limited addition coral.. Before this came out, I was dying to get my hands on it.. It's just such a beautiful coral.. And when I got it.. I fell in love with it.. Except for the fact that I find it does not blend very well for some reason.. But still a shade worth having in my collection..

Her Blooming Cheek - Another limited edition blush.. But this one I wasn't planning to get at all.. It was just sort of an impulse buy.. And boooy am I glad I got it.. It's the perfect winter blush as it gives you that natural flush like you've been out in the cold.. Looks scary in the pan.. Very bright pink magenta shade.. But with a light hand, it's just lovely!

LadyBlush - This is in the old formula.. I don't usually wear this on it's on as I find it too be a little too pastel looking for me (I like my bright blushes =P).. But it makes a beautiful base for my pink blushes.. And adds that dewy look..

Virgin Isle - Ahhh now this is one I absolutely adore! Looks like a bright orangey coral but when blended on the skin, it is just superb! I love this cream colour base so much.. See how I like to wear it here

Echo Beach - Cargo blushes are up there for me with the Illamasqua blushes.. They're so pigmented and soft.. Very easy to apply and blend.. Echo Beach is a rosy bronze.. It is a gorgeous summer blush! Gives you that tanned look without the burn.. The shimmer in it is also not too much when applied.. A keeper for sure..

Tonga - This is such a creamy non-cream blush if you know what I mean.. It's just so smooth.. Very natural.. A perfect everyday blush..

Blu-Ray Pink Blush/Highlighter - I don't use this as much.. It's made for photographs and it does photograph nicely.. It's a very light pink and when applied, you don't noticed the highlight part of it as much as you do in photographs.. You don't need a highlighter with this as works as both a blush and a highlighter.. The colour a little too light for me but would be perfect for fair skin tones..

MUFE Aqua Cream #9 - I love this shade.. It's a bright peach that can be used as a blush, lipstick and eye shadow.. The thing with the aqua creams is that you gotta work super fast with them as they dry so quickly.. And because they're waterproof (like literally waterproof) once they're dry, they don't budge.. So they are a bit tricky but really great for those living in humid conditions where your makeup just slides off your face.. This does have little shimmers that also don't show very much when applied.. I love how this shade brightens up my complexion

MUFE HD Blush in #6 - This is a pink coral blush that also needs to be blended in quickly.. This stays on pretty well but not as long as the aqua cream..

Sleek Blush in Scandalous - You can easily look like a clown with this blush.. But if applied properly with a light hand, this gives you that beautiful sunburnt look.. This is an excellent dupe to NARS Exhibit A blush.. A good one to have for the summer time..

Dandeloin - Many use this as a face powder as it's very sheer with very fine gold shimmer that gives a glow to your complexion... I however use this as a blush if I do use it.. I find it to be a little too light for my taste but paired with a cream blush underneath, it does work very nicely in giving you that fresh faced look..But definitely not a must-have..

Benetint - This is one of the first blushes I owned.. It's gives a very long-lasting stain on the cheek.. But this can look so blotchy if you don't move fast with it..

NYX Peach Powder Blush - I don't really see the peach in this but I use this on the apples of my cheeks on top of my bronzer to add that lovely hint of pink when I'm rockin' a bronzy look..

NYX Glow Cream Blush - This to me seems very similar to MAC's Posey in the old formulation.. Very easy to blend.. Instantly adds a glow to the face.. And is a dewy finish..

Phew that was a lot! Glad I'm finally done with this..

Next will be foundations.. Stay tuned ;)

Peace

Cream Blushes

So let's talk about my favourite topic.. BLUSH!

I thought I'd start with cream blushes as my cream blush collection isn't as big as the powder blush collection..

So let us begin....

Shiseido Accentuating Color Stick - S2 Peach Flush

I keep forgetting that I have this blush.. It's a gorgeous peach.. Applies sheerly but is definitely buildable.. Gives such a nice flush to the face.. It has tiny tiny gold shimmer that is very subtle when applied to the cheeks.. It is not dewy but not completely matte either..

Swatch:

When I apply this on its on, it doesn't stay on for long on my cheeks.. But if you apply a nice light peach (e.g. NYX Peach or Illamasqua Lover) or any pink powder blush on op, it makes your powder blush pop! So I'd use this as a base for my powder blush.

Bobbi Brown Pot Rouge - 11 Pale Pink

This is such a lovely barbie pink colour.. It's not as sheer as the Shiseido one but is not scary to work with either.. It gives your cheeks that dewy look without the sticky feeling.. The formula is so easy to blend and it lasts a fairly long on your cheeks..

Swatch:

There are so many other shades that are really beautiful.. I would recommend this for those who want to start with cream blushes..

Makeup Forever HD Blush - #6

When I used this the 1st time.. I was in love.. The formula is so light and blends easily.. It gives your cheeks a nice rosey coraly matte flush which I like as it looks very natural.. This did not stay put as long as I expected it to but it did pretty well..

Swatch:

I highly reccomend this product for those who like a matte flushed cheek.. I'm thinking of grabbing a few more of these.. The colour range available is stunning!

NARS Cream Blush - Penny Lane 

I had such high hopes for this cream blush but it was such a disappointment.. NARS powder blushes are so amazingly pigmented and long-lasting.. This was the total opposite.. The formula is extremely light that you need to pack the product on to get the colour to show on your skin (well on my skin tone at least - NC25-30)

Swatch:

The colour is really pretty and it gives a lovely glow to the cheeks.. So I guess I'll be using this as a base for better pigmented powder blushes..

NARS Multiple Duo - Orgasm & South Beach



Another disappointment from NARS.. I've heard such great things about NARS Multiples and I have been wanting NARS Orgasm Blush for the longest time.. So when I saw this, I thought PERFECTION! Just what I'm looking for.. My excitement however soon disappeared when I applied this on my cheeks.. The colour barely showed up on my skin and I had to rub such a huge amount of product to get the colour pay off.. The formula is exactly like the NARS cream blush.. It feels oily a lil so I did not expect it to stay on for long..

Swatch:

So since these don't work so well on my cheeks.. I only use them as eye shadows.. And the colours are really amazing for eye shadows.. But then again.. They don't stay on for that long unless you have a good primer underneath.. NARS should really look into changing the formula of their cream blushes..

MAC Blushcreme - LadyBlush

I don't even think that this product needs an explanation.. I'm sure most of you have this or have read reviews about it.. I was a little hesitant before purchasing this cream blush.. I thought it might be sticky and just too dewy.. But oh was I wrong.. This is such a beautiful cream blush.. It beats MAC's powder blushes hands down.. Gives such a glow and the colour is one that suits all.. It also makes a great blush base for any powder blushes.. I'm so disappointed that MAC has discontinued these.. Luckily I got mine before it's too late =P

Benefit - Benetint

I used this a long time ago when I was a teenager and when I came across it again one time, I just had to repurchase.. This is the only VERY long lasting blush I came across.. It gives your cheeks such a beautiful rosey tint.. Applies lightly at first.. But is surely buildable.. The only reason I don't wear this as much as I would like to is coz of the streakiness that may come with this product if not applied VERY carefully.. This stains your cheeks within seconds of application so you have to work VERY fast with it.. Also, I really don't like the nail polish brush type of application.. Wish it came in different packaging AND in various shades too.. But still a really great blush for those who do not like to reapply.. oh and it smells like rose water..

Last but definitely not least....

NYX Cream Blush - Glow & Golden

Now these were such a surprise.. But in a very good way.. They're sooo creamy and melt into your skin like a dream.. Glow is beautiful pink with no shimmer.. I thought it would be similar to MAC Ladyblush but it's brighter.. It's actually the reason why I did not purchase MAC's Posey Cream Blush as I thought it was very similar to it..

Golden on the other hand is a peachy beige with gold shimmers.. Makes an amazing highlighter and a perfect base for bronzers.. I love this colour.. When worn by itself it gives your cheeks the loveliest healthy glow.. If you're looking to get NYX cream blushes, you must try Golden.. Especially now that summer is comin up..

Swatch:

The formula of these cream blushes is the best I've come across.. They're so much better than MAC's Blush Cremes and a lot more pigmented too.. So you need only a tiny bit to get a really good colour pay off.. These give your cheeks a nice dewiness without the stickiness.. NYX Cream Blushes honestly surprised me..

And that is the end of my Cream Blush review... I really wanna try Illamasqua's cream blushes so I'll get my hands on those as soon as I can..

Do you wear cream blushes? If so, what are your favourites?



My Bronzer Collection

Here's my collection of bronzers and a brief review on each one...



Top Row - L-R: Soleil Tan De Chanel (Bronze Universal); Korres Monoi Oil Bronzer - 02 Sunglow Warmth; Benefit Hoola
Middle Row - L-R: Sephora Blush Me Twice!; Benefit One Hot Minute; Pout Bronzer Duo - Sunkissed & Sun Blushed
Bottom Row - L-R: Guerlain Terracotta Blush & Sun - 01 Sun Light; Bare MineralsWarmth; Nyx Rouge Cream Blush - CB10 Golden; Orlane Bronzing Pressed Powder - Terre 07



Ok so let us begin with the famous..

Soleil Tan De Chanel - I hesitated a lot before throwing my money on this product. I went to sephora and asked them to scoop out a sample for me and they did! Which was awesome! And which is the reason why the product in the pot looks odd (I poured my sample in it).

So on to the review.. I'm not gonna go into the price and packaging..

Product: Sooooo smooth and blends soooo easily onto the skin.. It literally melts on your skin giving you that natural warmth.. It's also good for those who like soft contouring.. I use this with Illamasqua's blush brush which is amaaazing as it does not shed like MAC's brushes.. I've tried applying with MAC's 188 + 187 but felt that Illamasqua's blush brush worked best for this product..

Staying Power: Hmmm I'm not so sure.. It might slightly melt of but that could be coz of the humid weather I live and plus my combination skin..

Shade: It comes in one shade only which I think suits most skin tones except perhaps very dark ones.

Would I buy this again? Hell to the Yah! It's truely lovely. 

The next three bronzers are ones that I use often for each one has their purporse...



L-R:  Korres Monoi Oil Bronzer - 02 Sunglow Warmth; Benefit One Hot Minute; Benefit Hoola



Korres Monoi Oil Bronzer - This bronzer is one of the many reasons why I love Korres so much. It has bit of an orange undertone but it does not make you look like one.. Unlike my other bronzers, I feel that this gives me a brightening warmth if that makes sense.. Meaning it doesn't just add that I've-been-in-the-sun-all-day look but it also brightens my face making me look fresh.. I wear this on days when I wanna just look natural and effortless.

Another thing I love about this bronzer is the fact that it has natural ingredients which feed and hydrate your skin.

Would I buy this again? I would for sure.

Benefit One Hot Minute - This is a loose bronzing powder and it comes with a fan brush.. It's rose bronze so this is a good product for those who are too afraid to use bronzer.. It has tiny shimmers that don't show up on your face but still give you that lovely glow.. I use this when I don't want that overly bronzed look.. Just a nice rosey bronze. 

Would I buy this again? Hmmm probably not coz I'd like to try other bronzers out there.

Benefit Hoola - This is a matt bronzer with NO orange undertones which makes it a perfect product for contouring.. Also comes with a brush.. This bronzer is dangerous.. As it can look pretty muddy if not used with a light hand and the right amount.. It could be the reason why many people get turned off bronzers in general.. So although it's a really good product you gotta be reallly careful with it.

Would I buy this again? Also for the sake of trying something else.. I probably wouldn't repurchase straight away but I know I'll come back to it some day (hahaha that rhymes =P).

The list goes on...

L-R:  Guerlain Terracotta Blush & Sun - 01 Sun Light; Bare MineralsWarmth; Nyx Rouge Cream Blush - CB10 Golden

Guerlain Terracotta Blush & Sun - I have had this for such a long time and I love it but I use it in occasions as it is very shimmery. In the swatch above this looks very pinky but on your cheeks it gives that beautiful shimmery bronze so don't be fooled by the swatch.. It is the only guerlain product I own.. I tried their other bronzers in the store but felt that they had too much orange going on. 

Would I buy this again? I would. And I do reccomend everyone to check it out and try on their cheeks before walking away from it.. It's very flattering.

Bare MineralsWarmth - I literally panicked when I opened my BareMinerals starter kit and saw this product.. But once I put it on my face with the smallest amount and the lightest hand, I was so pleased with it. I keep forgetting about this product but every time I pull it out and dust it on my face, I'm must say, I'm impressed with it all over again.. And to my surprise, many very fair bloggers also use this and it looks wonderful on them.

Would I buy this again? Yes I would.

Nyx Golden Rouge Cream Blush - I'm really into cream blushes at the moment and when I came across Nyx cream blushes they were such a pleasant surprise. When I swatched this on my hand in the store I fell in love.. It is a beige pink blush with gold shimmer that is not so overpowering.. This goes on very sheer and I don't find that it gets too dark when I build it up.. I use this under my matt or not so shimmery bronzers to give them that  lasting power and that gorgeous shimmer.

Would I buy this again? As lovely as it is, I won't repurchase because as I said the colour doesn't really build up.

And finally.. My neglected unrepurchasable bronzers..



L-R: Pout Bronzer Duo - Sunkissed & Sun Blushed; Orlane Bronzing Pressed Powder - Terre 07; Sephora Blush Me Twice!



Pout Bronzer Duo - Sunkissed & Sun Blushed - I got  this as a gift and I really liked it at first but then found that it was just too goldy looking on my cheeks. It might work well as highlighter.

Orlane Bronzing Pressed Powder - I got this a veeery long time ago.. It's a nice product overall but too orangey.

Sephora Blush Me Twice - Now this isn't a bad product at all.. I only stopped using it coz I bought better bronzers. This is a good duo for those who like to travel light. The bronzer in this duo is actually pretty nice and gives a beautiful summery glow. Maybe this won't be so negleted after all.

And that is it for now my lovelies.. Hope this was helpful.. Do let me know what your favourite bronzers are..

Peace