(Not So) New Blush Love - Estée Lauder Pure Color Blush in Wild Sunset

So I've finally gotten around to writing a review about this product!

The Estée Lauder Pure Color Blushes have been out for a while now and I actually got this product while I was in New York in late March (read up on my trip here)(and now I've read up on it, too... I miss NYC so much!), but I didn't actually start using it until much later. Which makes no sense, coz it's so gorgeous.

Anyway, I finally decided to stop procrastinating because Wild Sunset deserves to be talked about....

Here's what Estée Lauder (and I) has (er... HAVE) to say about the Pure Color Blush:

• Fresh, radiant colour lasts all day, won't streak or fade. (True. I wore this blush all day yesterday and it lasted me 14 1/2 hours. I could've probably tested it for longer, but I felt gross, so I washed my face. That said, I think that there was a teeny bit of... Not fading, per sé; it's like the colour softened throughout the day. It was still *very* visible, but not quite as vibrant as when I first applied. Still, I'm very impressed with how well it wore throughout the day, even after blotting!)
• Ultra-silky powder sweeps on sheer for a natural glow. (True and False. It's definitely silky, but there's nothing sheer about this blush! In order to get the right amount of pigmentation, I had to merely tap the brush on the powder and I still had to tap off the excess on the back of my hand. This stuff is pigmented!)
• Builds for contoured and sculpted definition with luminous optic technology. Exclusive contouring brush included. (Yes, this blush, despite already being pigmented, is also pretty buildable. The brush also comes in handy for touch-ups and is the best quality compact brush that I've tried so far.)
• In two finishes, Satin and Shimmer. (Wild Sunset is classified as a Shimmer, but the shimmer is very, very subtle. In fact, it's so subtle, I can't actually visibly detect it, which is awesome! It still gives you a nice glow, but without any noticeable particles.)

I love this gorgeous red-coral shade! It takes more of a pink-coral tone when applied with a light hand, so I can wear my beloved MAC Tinted Lip Conditioner in Fuchsia Fix without the colours clashing. I used it on my friend Missy when I did my Evening Makeup Final exam a week ago and hot damn, it looks GOOD with a red lip...

Wearing Maybelline Color Sensational lipstick in Red Revolution on the lips...

A close up...

Doesn't it?!? I think it does...

I'm wearing the exact same lipstick I used on Missy in these photos; it compliments the blush very nicely and I was so happy with how the look turned out. I also wore this blush in the most recent Lipstick Bandits post, which you can see here.

The Pure Color Blushes retail for $32.00 CAD and it's well worth the price for the amazing pigmentation, gorgeous colours, and incredible wear. Go get one!

Have you tried the Pure Color Blushes?

MAC Lip & Cheek Colours From The Casual Colour Collection - Review

Don't you just love when a new collection comes out and you know exactly which products (or in this case, which shades) you're going to get?

For MAC's new Casual Colour collection, that is exactly what happened. These two shades caught my eye and seeing it in person just cemented my decision. I was immediately sucked in by the idea of Lip & Cheek Colours (it's not an entirely new concept, but these are my first), so I'm really glad that I got my hands on these two shades, which retail for $24CAD each...

As you can see, the two shades I got are Weekend Getaway (a "cool rose") and Out For Fun (a "cool coral"). All the other shades looked too pale or too cool for my skin, which was the main factor for deciding to go with these two shades. Also, they are the colours that I would wear the most.

I love how pigmented these Lip & Cheek Colours are. They're easy to blend and while they feel quite tacky at first, it does settle into the skin. It doesn't settle completely, though. That won't be a problem for dry-skinned lovelies, but for those of you who have combo skin, you should definitely set it with some powder.

Still, even without using a setting powder, I was able to get a solid 9 hours of wear with some minor fading (though I found Weekend Getaway faded in a more uneven manner than Out For Fun). Pretty impressive for a cream product, considering my skin does get oily throughout the day. As for the lips, I find that they tend to accentuate any dryness, even when layered over lip balm. Though I found that if I really rub the product into my lips, it looks much better. And because it's quite pigmented, it doesn't take much to mask the colour of my lips. Huzzah!

Wearing Weekend Getaway on lips & cheeks

Wearing Out For Fun on lips & cheeks

*sigh*

Such pretty colours! 

I love how easy these Lip & Cheek Colours are to use! These babies are definitely going with me if when I go traveling. They would make touch-ups so convenient since the pots are so small (they are the same size as MAC's Tinted Lip Conditioners) and they act as both blush and lip colour. Which, let's face it, you can do with a lipstick. But for some reason, I feel more comfortable using a cream blush on the lips than I do using a lipstick on my cheeks. Please tell me I'm not the only one who feels this way!

Anyway... These Lip & Cheek Colours = LOVE! So easy apply, they look fantastic, they last on my skin for a good amount of time, and the colours are fab!

Are you a fan of lip & cheek products?

Physicians Formula's PH Matchmaker Products - Cool Concept, Awesome Results!

I'm not much of a scientist.

I did enjoy mixing things in Chemistry class and I enjoyed Biology immensely, but my knowledge of the term pH is limited at best. So I'm going to let Physician's Formula explain what these products are all about:

Introducing the first ever pH powered makeup that adapts to the pH of your skin and your lighting environment to create the perfect shade for you in less than 60 seconds.

pH Power Complex transforms into your perfectly personalized hue:

• Flourescein Based Dye - senses the pH level of your skin and adjusts within 60 seconds to create your perfect shade.

• Photochromic Powders - light adjusting pigments adapt to your environment so colour looks the same indoors and outside 

Very cool concept, no? But does it work?

Read on to find out, my lovelies!

pH Matchmaker pH Powered Bronzer in Light Bronzer

When I first saw this bronzer, my first thought was, "that won't show up on my skin." Well, Physician's Formula didn't give this product the "matchmaker" moniker for nothing, because it definitely suits my skin tone. This bronzer has shimmer particles that are visible (if you look very closely), but still delicate. I also like that it doesn't look orangey on me, which is a problem I have with a lot of bronzers. Because the bronzer adapts to my skin, it makes for a very flattering shade; and seeing as the bronzer looks quite light in the pan, I'm definitely impressed that it morphs into something that looks so wearable on me. 

Something else that impressed me was the pigmentation. I've tried another PF bronzer in the past (I believe it was the Cashmere Wear bronzer) and was really disappointed in the lack of pigmentation. With the pH Matchmaker bronzer, I don't even have to apply much before I see the evidence on my skin. 

pH Matchmaker pH Powered Blush in Natural

I was also very impressed with the pH Matchmaker blush. It's a lovely pink blush that applies smoothly and effortless onto the skin. Like the bronzer, there is some shimmer action involved, though the particles are not too big. I definitely like the shade, as it's the kind of colour I reach for day to day. The only thing I don't like about this product is that when used in conjunction with the bronzer, it changes colour, making the blush lean a little towards coral. Which makes sense, since it's a "matchmaker" product and it adapts to whatever colour my face is.

It's not really a problem, nor is it a deal-breaker; I just have to wear it on its own or with another bronzer if I want to stick with the pink. Problem: solved!

pH Matchmaker pH Powered Lipgloss in Pink

The pH Matchmaker Lipgloss is probably my favourite out of the 3 products. It's not too sticky, though there's still tackiness involved, and it doesn't make my lips feel uncomfortable. Some lipglosses give me a reaction if I've worn them for longer than say, 4 hours; but not so with this one. 

Also, the shade is gorgeous! It's such a fun, shiny, vibrant pink that's perfect for Summer days or nights out with the girls. When I first applied it, I thought, "oh, this is pretty." But a few minutes after application, I looked in the mirror again and saw this...

That is one sexy pink! The shade turned deeper and brighter - I like this shade much more than the initial one, that's for sure. The only thing to watch out for is that this lipgloss stains your lips a bit. I'm not sure if that concerns any of you, but there you have it. 

I really like this lipgloss and shall be permanently placed in my makeup bag all Summer!

Just a note that the lip swatches were taken at night with an OttLite. To see a lip swatch in natural light, read further!

Am I impressed?

Swatches from L-R: Bronzer in Light Bronzer, Blush in Natural, and Lipgloss in Pink

In one word: YES!

All the products are so pigmented and look absolutely lovely on. The packaging is really neat, too! The LED lights will come in handy with the lighting situation is less than ideal. How cool is that? There is an option of turning it on and off, too; so if you don't need it, don't turn it on. 

The bronzer and blush have also lasted through one of my long days (work + rehearsals), too. Which is always something I appreciate. Especially now that my schedule's crazy hectic. 

I definitely recommend all three products. They work well, they look great on the skin, and they apply effortlessly. That said, the lipgloss is a real showstopper product for me. The colour is just so gorgeous and it feels so comfortable to wear. Still, I'm so pleased and really impressed with how these three have been performing in the last week. I've been wearing them every day for the past (nearly) 2 weeks and they have not let me down!

Are you a fan of "matchmaking" makeup products?

*Disclaimer: This product was a PR sample sent for review consideration.

With MAC's New Très Cheek Blushes, I'm Three Steps Closer To Blush Fiend Status!

It's kind of funny how crazy into blushes I've been this past year. And by funny, I really mean alarming.

When I first got wind of this new blush collection by MAC, I was immediately taken by the following shades: Immortal Flower, Modern Mandarin, and Lovecloud... Initially, I had only purchased the first two (along with Whisper of Gilt); but I couldn't stop thinking of Superb, so I eventually went back to MAC and surprisingly, it was still available. So then I made a stop by the Très Cheek display and swatched Lovecloud again and decided to pick one up as well.

It's rather unusual for me to purchase so many items from collections at once. I normally end up returning one or two products, but I still happily own all the items I picked up from the In Extra Dimension and Très Cheek collections; which says something about how much I'm loving them, me thinks.

Immortal Flower is a lovely peach blush with a satin finish. Peaches, corals, and oranges are not well represented in my modest blush collection, so I was immediately drawn to this shade (along with Modern Mandarin). Despite being a satin finish, it doesn't have much of a sheen and leans more towards matte, though it isn't completely matte.

I was a little worried that Immortal Flower would be too similar to Cargo's Tonga blush, at first. But Tonga is definitely more pink.

I've had a soft spot for oranges lately (and not just because of this whole Tangerine Tango business). As I mentioned previously, oranges are largely underrepresented in my collection so along with Immortal Flower, Modern Mandarin was a must have.

Modern Mandarin is a pretty bright shade and is definitely not for the faint of heart. It has more of a satin sheen than Immortal Flower, which gives it a softer appearance than a matte powder would. Orange (and any bright shade, really) can be difficult to wear, but the satin finish makes it more wearable. Also, a light hand is your best friend when it comes to this shade.

To Lovecloud or not to Lovecloud... That was my question.

I love pink blushes. I have enough of them, I think. So did I really need another? Though as a blogger, was "need" really the requirement? After all, I don't need the majority of what I own.  Furthermore, what is the meaning of life? (#WrongBlog) (#YesIUseHashtagsOutsideOfTwitter) (#DontJudgeMe) (#YouCanLaughAtMeThough)

In the end, what won me over was the finish. Yes, all Très Cheek blushes have a satin sheen, but it's more pronounced in some and less so in others. Lovecloud is one that falls in the former category. Since I didn't have a blue-pink blush with this kind of finish before, I thought it would make a fabulous addition to my budding stash. It has also become my most reached for blush in the last few weeks.

Top to bottom: Lovecloud, Immortal Flower, and Modern Mandarin

What else is impressive about these blushes, aside from the shades and the finish? Well, they stay put, for one. As I write this, I have swatches along my arm and they are not budging, despite my efforts to rub them away. Don't get me wrong, they do fade during the day (especially if my skin is particularly oily), but I love that they can stick around me on a full work day (plus rehearsals!). This is good news for someone like me who has chubby cheeks and could use all the definition she can get!

Great pigmentation, gorgeous texture and finish, plus beautiful colours make each blush (at $24 CAD a pop) well worth it. I'll be getting a lot of use out of these blushes in the near future, that's for sure!

*Apologies for not having "face swatches." You will be waiting a long time for this post if I decided to include them. Dani has been a big lazybones lately. Bad beauty blogger! >:@

Are you a fan of blushes with a satin finish?

Meet The Most Vibrant Blush I've Ever Come Across...

I was immediately drawn to this amazingly bright shade and who could blame me? It was practically begging me to pick it up! This baby is Maybelline's Clear Smooth Shine Free Blush in Fresh Berry. The Clear Smooth line is not available anywhere outside of Asia, unfortunately; and that's a shame, because this blush is gorgeous and fantastic quality!

Here's some info from Maybelline regarding their Clear Smooth Shine Free Blushes:

1. Velvety, matte colour:
Pure colour pigments blend into skin for a naturally shine-free flush.

2. Lasting oil control:
Micro-fine oil-absorbing powders remove shine for a clean, shine-free look that lasts for hours and hours.

3. Silky smooth texture:
Ultra-blendable powders glide like silk and melts smoothly only skin.


Shades specifically developed for Asian skintones
Dermatologist-tested, Non-comedogenic, Fragrance free & Oil-free

Because of the high temperatures and humidity, the majority of Asian beauty products cater to oily skin*.  This oil-free blush is perfect for such weather and also for those with oily skin to begin with. The texture is amazingly smooth and feels really soft. It blends wonderfully as well; a plus, considering how crazy pigmented this blush is. For reals, I only tap my brush to the pan once and I still need to tap off the excess on the back of my hand, it's that bright!

*Asians are also obsessed with whitening products. Practically every skin care or makeup base product involves "whitening properties." I can't even count how many times an SA looked at me like I had two heads when I said I wasn't interested in anything that would whiten my skin (it was their number one selling point).

Holy Moly! :o

That said, there's absolutely no need to be frightened. Because when applied properly, it looks very, very pretty! Fresh Berry is a bright fuchsia shade with red undertones, definitely not something I have in my humble stash. Even if you are a bit heavy handed (as I sometimes most of the time am), it's also easy to blend with either your fingers or a brush, to make the colour less intense.

But the best part is that it's long wearing. Again, with products marketed for Asia, it's important to have matte finishes and also long wearability. Because, and I kid you not, once you step outside, it takes less than 5 minutes for your skin to get a bit oily due to the humidity. Now that I'm back in Canada and the weather's cold, that's not much of a problem for me. However, my skin still gets a bit oily near the end of my day. Still, I find that the Clear Smooth blush sticks around on even my longer days. The vibrancy diminishes a tiiiny bit, but I can still tell I'm wearing blush, which is the most important part. These chubby cheeks need some definition, yo!

I am so impressed with this product and it seriously needs to make an appearance on North American shores; I'm sure oily-skinned ladies would absolutely love it. And even if you have normal to dry skin (which I do), this would still be suitable for you, because it doesn't accentuate any dry areas at all...

...Now I wish I had gotten all the other shades!

Are you a fan of BRIGHT blushes?

Get A Pretty Flush With NYX Cosmetics' Rouge Cream Blush In Natural

I never used to like cream blushes, mostly because I could never apply it properly with my fingers. I still have trouble, if I'm honest; but I've recently added another cream blush to my burgeoning collection: NYX's Cream Blush in Natural. That brings my collection to a whopping 3! I'm out of control, guys...

So the first part of this post was written back in the Summer. I thought that in order to give it a more thorough review, I should also test it out in the Fall when the temperature drops; it might give you guys a better idea of how this product works in the heat and in the cold. 

From NYX Cosmetics: More delicious than peaches and cream? We like to think so. Our velvety smooth mineral Rouge Cream Blush offers a sheer wash of radiant color. The glorious payoff is dewy, sultry and long-lasting. Available in 12 shades.

I really love the dewy finish it gives, it looks so pretty on the skin. Although, unlike the Joe Fresh cream blushes, these remain tacky. So while the weather is still quite warm and my skin somewhat oily, I make sure to only wear this blush when I don't have to be out for very long or on those odd Vancouver days when the temperature drops. 

That said, I find that even though my face has gotten oily, the blush stays put. I'm wearing it as I'm writing these very words, 6 hours after I first applied it and it's still with me. Might I add that it was quite hot today with a high of about 25°C (yes, that's hot to me) and it somehow didn't melt right off my face?

After 6 hours, I blotted my face and it didn't come off. Two hours after blotting and the blush is definitely not as vibrant but it's still there; so I'm seriously quite impressed with the wear time. It's not super long lasting and I'll probably have to touch up if I happened to spend a lot of time running around from place to place, enduring the combination of heat/sweat/oiliness (how lovely)... But 8 hours is still pretty darn cool.

Fast forward to today, November 8th and I still love the product & love the shade. Now that the weather is much cooler, I find that the product settles onto the skin much better and has a drier finish. That said, it still gives a nice, dewy flush. Obviously, the wear time is a bit extended as well because there's no heat t melt it off my face :p.

I currently use Sigma's F15 brush, but I find that it's much too big and I don't enjoy how it feels on the skin when applying blush. If anybody has any recommendations for brushes that would apply cream blushes beautifully, please hit me up in the comments section!

NYX Cosmetics' Rouge Cream Blush retails for $9.99 CAD and are available at PriceSmart, Save-On Foods, and the freestanding NYX Cosmetics store in Surrey's Central City mall.

What are your favourite cream blushes?