Summer to Fall Blush Switch

In honor of the lovely fall weather (and my summer tan doing a disappearing act) I’ve decided to switch up my blush. After my NARS fiasco (my Orgasm blush broke into pieces…twice) I purchased Bella Bamba by Benefit. I loved it for summer – it was so bright, pinky & punchy and looked great with my tan.

Now that the fun and sun is over, I wanted a blush that was more natural that I could use everyday.

Smashbox has long been a favorite brand of mine.

This is the first Smashbox blush I've purchased =)

Smashbox Blush Rush in Silhouette

It's a lot darker and more brown than Bella Bamba

Swatch

It's been working out great so far! Since it is a more natural shade, I do put on a few layers of it. It gives you a nice flushed look without looking overdone.

Benefit Packaging Fail

Do you guys know what this is? No? Well that's OK, because it WAS my Benefit Bella Bamba blush. After using it daily, this is what the outside looks like now - all chipping and gross. It annoys me, because I really do love the product, but when it looks like THIS i'm less than excited to pull it out of my makeup bag and use it.

UGH.

Urban Decay + Benefit = My New Favs

New shadow from Urban Decay!

Perfect for every day



Urban Decay 24 / 7 Glide-on Eyeshadow in Midnight Cowboy

La Bamba blush by Benefit



Fresh & fun!

I love the new shadow and blush I bought! I've been wanting to try the UD 24/7 shadow for a while - I have the 24/7 pencil and have heard great things about the shadow too. I really like it! The chick at the store saw what I was buying and said "this eyeshadow is awesome. it won't come off...seriously." HA! I do like long-wearing makeup in lighter colors - when i'm at work or out somewhere, I don't want to worry about my eyeshadow creasing or rubbing off. This shadow truly did stay on all day and did budge.

The La Bamba blush is also great - since my NARS blush fiasco (see earlier post of the cracked remains) I've been trying out various cheek colors. This blush may not be for everyone though - it does have a bit of shimmer in it - but I think it brightens up the face and is adorable! Unlike most other blushes, it actually lasts a while instead of fading after an hour. Since I bought both products, I've been using them every day because they just work so well.

Has anyone tried either? =)

tokidoki Robbery Palette

Ahhh!!!!!!!!!

OK I love this. A good friend gave it to me as a gift and I think it's amazing for a few reasons.

One: Obviously, the packaging is adorable/fun and I love the brand.

Two: Great color combos

Three (and probably most important): The palette comes in a huge tin. BUT - the 3 mini palettes are detachable (as shown above) and are super thin and compact for travel/touch-ups.

I usually have to resist purchasing any type of gift set, even though I really WANT IT REALLY BAD. But what I find happening, is I like maybe one or two things within the set, then i'm left with a ton of product that I don't like or use. Also, the gift sets/tins/etc are usually big and bulky and I have nowhere to store them (even though this one is reallyyyyy cute i'll have to find a place for it!)

The Arlecchino palette (the middle palette above) made me go out of my comfort zone of warm/golds/nudes. I've been using Ninja Dog (the fun purple shade) a lot, and have been getting compliments on it! I also like using the shades Bullets, LA Gun & Candy Cane for the inner corners.

Bottom line: Love the shadows. Love that the palettes are detachable. I've begun using purple shadow. The end.

What do you guys think? Any other palettes you are loving? xoxo

Stop, You're Making Me Blush

Hi Pretty Girls! I've reviewed four different types of blush for your reading pleasure!

Smashbox – Gel Cheek Color
Shade: O-Glow



I’ll be honest, I have a love/hate relationship with O-Glow. I think it’s absolutely fabulous in the winter time when your skin is on the dryer side. After applying foundation and a little finishing powder, O-Glow looks flawless when applied to the apples of your cheeks. I like the hint of pretty pink color it gives your cheeks - kind of that…is she? isn’t she? wearing blush look. I like the gel texture of the product, it feels gentle on your skin when applying it. However, I find myself steering completely clear of O-Glow in the summer months. Your skin has a lot more moisture (and potential oil) in the summer, therefore gel based products tend to sweat or wear off my skin super-easily – not cool at all!


Tarte – Solid Cheek Stain
Shade: Natural Beauty



This solid cheek stain had a lot of potential. I thought the chubby little stick it came in was very cute, and the color looked pretty too. However, I was disappointed. I felt like I had to continuously rub the cheek stain on my cheeks, and there was barely any color on my face. Now, I understand the shade is called NATURAL beauty, but the blush almost had no color at all! It’s possible that my skin tone was a little too dark for this product (I have olive skin), so maybe it wasn’t meant for me. So for you Tarte lovers, speak up and let me know if you disagree! =)


Benefit Cosmetics – Liquid Tinted Cheek and Lip Stain
Shade: Benetint



Benetint is an interesting animal. I like the color it provides the cheeks, and it seems to stay put throughout the day. I do find it a little difficult to apply to the cheeks though, since the brush is very skinny and tough to work with. You usually end up trying to blend the Benetint with your fingers, causing you to look like you just committed blush murder. Keep in mind, that Benetint also doubles as a lip stain. If you’re not crazy about using it on your cheeks, it’s actually an amazing lip stain in my opinion. After it dries, I love putting some clear lip balm or clear lip gloss over it for a really powerful set of lips!


NARS – Powder Blush
Shade: Orgasm



For me, NARS Orgasm Blush has been the reigning Queen of all Blushes. I find myself purchasing other blushes, but going back to NARS in the end. It seems to be the perfect shade on almost anyone! It surprises me that even in the summer when I have a tan, or in the winter when I’m paler, it still looks flawless. It also has just the right amount of shimmer in it – not too much shimmer so you look like a clown (god FORBID) or too little shimmer so your skin looks matte and boring. Until I find something better, NARS wins my heart in this category!

So, what will it be ladies? Gel, Solid, Liquid or Powder?