BYS Blush Trio - 4 Blush Palettes to Drive You Wild!

 

When I saw these gorgeous BYS blush trios for $4.50 at my local discount store, I knew I had to take them all home with me. The RRP price is $6.50, and I would still happily pay that per palette, no problems. I love the idea of having three blush shades in one handy palette, and I love that the packaging is clear on top so that you can see which palette you are picking up at a glance.

 

The packaging, while feeling a little cheap, is still really sturdy and has the positive feature of being really slim so it sits in my blush drawer with ease. I have a stack of the BYS blush singles which I also like, but I really think they’ve stepped it up with such bright shades this time around! All you need is the Real Techniques Stippling Brush for these to all be wearable, and just remember that a light hand works wonders with blushes like this and you’ll be fine. I have been wearing primarily these for well over a month now, and am showing no signs of stopping!

My obsession with bright pink cheeks has meant that On The Brightside has really won my heart over. I would say that I wear all 3 shades from this one pretty regularly, including the matte coral pink and the shimmery paler pink as well. For dolly pink lovers (Chanel Pink Explosion, MAC Dollymix, etc.) this is a bargain.

 Endless Summer is the next shade in this line up, a beautiful trio of burnt coral oranges that looks great on pale skin and darker skin alike. This might be best suited to lovers for shades like Nars Orgasm, or other coral toned shades like MAC Springsheen.

 

I would have to say that my very favourite palette from the 4 available is Coral Me In, and it is all because of that shimmery centre shade. I fell head over heels for this pretty shade, and the shimmer is so beautiful when buffed into the skin with my stippling brush that I just can’t get over it. Signs of blush obsession, anyone? It really makes me look 'glowy' rather than shimmery, and we all love that!

The fourth and final palette to choose from is probably my least favourite, though I think it would be the most wearable for the masses if my guess is correct. Heart Skipped A Beat is a trio of paler pink shades, one with a nice plummy tone, one a candy floss sort of tone and a mid tone in the centre. I think they are still really pretty and have been wearing them quite a bit as well, but we have to pick favourites in this beauty bloggin’ biz, ya know?

 

All of that being said, I would highly recommend that you grab a palette or two if you happen to track them down. They are being released as we speak, with lots of shelves already full of the bright trios. While you aren’t getting Burberry quality silkiness in the formula (or the luxe packaging) these are much better than their price tag suggests, and I have had no problems with them being too chalky or powdery since I apply them with the best brush - Cough buy the RT stippling brush cough.

 

Which palette would you grab for first?

Do you prefer shimmery blushes to matte or satin finishes?

 

 

*I purchased all of these with my own money. Honesty,always.

 

Australis Neutrals & Neons

Most of my readers know that I am a sucker for a pretty palette, and when I heard that Australis had released a palette mixing neutrals with neons for less than a tenner, I was all on that like a hound dog!

 

The shadows were surprisingly smooth to swatch and apply, though as expected they are not as silky as brands like Urban Decay and less pigmented also. I was pleased with how wearable the neutrals in this palette were, and I feel like Australis have made an exciting step with the nicely executed neon shades while still making the palette marketable to those who primarily wear ‘safe’ eye shades.

 

Considering this palette only retails for $9.95 AUD I was really impressed not only with the quality of the shadows but the sturdy black & pink palette packaging and the beautifully designed box in which it was housed. I was talking with my sisters about how much Australis has changed since they were my age (16 years ago!) and it really has kept up with the times and seem to be pushing the envelope with new exciting releases all the time. I am lucky enough to sometimes get sent products to try from the brand, but I don’t hesitate to recommend their products to everyone I know and hand over my hard earned cash for their products a little too frequently, so believe me when I say they are one of my very favourite brands!

 

My favourite neutral shade is second from the left in the palette, I think it looks beautiful all over the lid or as a crease colour when paired with the first shade next to it. I think the mix is quite a good one, with the shades being pretty versatile and quite pigmented for the price.

As a neon and bright eyeshadow wearer, I’m elated to see how well these swatch and apply on the eye. I will have no problem integrating the green into my routine as I often wear similar shades, but I am most excited to try the silky smooth and pigmented pink which has my heart racing!

 

For less than $10 I think you would be crazy not to pick this up, even if the thought of crazy neon shadows scares you senseless! Sometimes you need a few ‘out there’ shades to play around with when you’re bored, and these will definitely entertain. I have a makeup look coming up tomorrow using this palette, so do keep an eye out and then let me know which shadows you’d like me to use for my next look!

*I paid for this myself! Honesty, always.

Cherry Blossom Girl

 

When I spotted the adorable new essence Cherry Blossom collection out at my local Priceline it was a typical scenario of moth to flame. The blush was a no brainer, and though I was intrigued by the intricate paper lashes and thick/thin liner hybrids, I was sensible and took home the lip crayons instead.

The Dreaming Under a Cherry Tree shadow palette was a nice addition to the collection, with a coral shade sitting beside a peach, a beige shot with silver and my favourite, a brown toned taupe. These swatched nicely, and I am happy to have another pretty essence quad in my eyeshadow drawer.

 

 

The Asian Sensation blush is imprinted with a stunning design, and once again essence impresses me with their ability to provide pretty powders for prices so incredibly low. Whilst the beautiful new Chanel highlighter from the Spring 2013 collection has a detailed and extravagant imprint, I think I will stick to my $5.95 blush shade and call it a day. Okay, I will admit that I’m planning to buy the new Chanel blush, but that is it! Oh okay, and the eyeshadows…but anyway! The essence powder itself is very smooth to blend and nice to swatch. It’s quite pigmented for my fair skin and enjoyable to look at. $5.95 well spent, I say!

 

 

 

The lip crayons are a trend train I am all aboard, though this particular formulation is less Chubby Stick and closer to the old style interpretation of a crayon. I prefer the perky coral Cherry Cherry Girl to the awkwardly named It’s Peach Not Cherry, but still prefer my Revlon and Clinique sticks to these little lads overall. The peach shade, as you can see in the swatch, was so soft that the slightest pressure to apply it against my arm caused it to squash and crumble. These aren’t the hardiest of lip products, and at this time of year (and this weather!) I need something sturdier on a day to day basis. Though some may think ‘it is just a lip product’, you have to think about how it will fare in your handbag day after day…you need a fighter!

 

Also available in this Oriental inspired collection are paper lashes, a shimmering body powder, highlighter, a range of polishes, two in one eyeliner and the above products. Ranging in price from $3.50 to a massive $5.95 (paper lashes for $4.50!? Awesome!) I suggest you hot foot it to your nearest Priceline! Cherry Blossom Girl is exclusive to Priceline (or my Mecca, as I call it!), is only available for a limited time and will sell out fast, I'm sure.

 

So, what are your thoughts on coral eyes and paper lashes?

 

*These products were all purchased by me. Honesty, always.