The Autumn Transition - Cheeks + Eyes

I can definitely feel the chill approaching despite some random hot days in Melbourne, and autumnal colours have begun to creep back into my makeup choices already. This season is probably my favourite of all, with the weather cool enough for boots and cozy knits but not as rainy and miserable as winter can sometimes be. Cracking out my fall makeup picks is something I adore doing, it is probably the season best represented in my stash anyway.

I love palettes, I just can't help but adore the ease of opening one lid for all of the shades I need and they often push me into pairing colours that I might not normally try. I threw some of my most autumnal MAC shades into my iPalette, like Mink & Sable, French Cuff, Outre and Satin Taupe.

 I really haven't gotten as much use from my Chanel Accent blush as I had first thought I might, but now that autumn has technically arrived I think I will enjoy this sheer and sparkly beige shade a lot more. Even if I use this as a highlighting sort of topper for Tarte Exposed, I will be a happy camper and have no regrets about this beauty coming into my blush collection. A direct comparison to my pricy Chanel love is the bargain Calvin Klein blush in Heather Shimmer, a rich shade that will be perfect at giving my cheeks a flush (and would suit my beloved leopard scarf too, non?)

More bargain blushes in this line-up, not intended but there you have it. LYLAS (love you like a sister) from the recent Australis Neon Crush collection is something you could probably still get your hands on, and is a beautifully large duo making it easy to mix shades or use either side individually. I quite like the matte shade for a nice berry toned burst on the cheeks. A cheapie that you most likely won't be able to nab (sorry!) is the Home Sweet Home Knits for Chicks shade from essence that is so pretty in the pan and equally as pretty on the cheeks!

This transition into autumn has spurred me on to use things that I haven't gotten much use from, and the much lauded Lorac Pro Palette definitely falls into that category! I continually see this in favourites posts and makeup looks, but I just haven't had much of a play with this and as yet it hasn't truly grabbed me. This season I'll be pushing myself to give this palette a red hot go!

I'm pretty tempted to add some new things into my autumnal stash (Revlon's new scented polish in Autumn Spice seems fitting, non?) but with the wedding coming ever closer we will have to wait and see if I can splurge on beauty or not. Pretty certain that MAC Cranberry  eyeshadow will be coming home with me as soon as I hit a Pro store though...

Do you feel inspired with the change of seasons?
Why is Melbourne in the 30's despite it being April?!

Emma @ emmabovarybeauty

the power of a pretty essence blush // limited edition blushes

For a blush fiend like me, the lure of a limited edition blush is often too hard to resist. When the price of a blush is on par with a large skinny flat white from Michel’s Patisserie, any strength I might have had against the purchase is completely dissolved.

essence are constantly coming out with strong limited edition collections, with most blushes sitting around the $5 mark in each release. Wonderful for those on a budget or who are only just getting into blush, the pans are generally decent quality and the designs really unique and pleasing to look at. They aren’t overly pigmented, which should suit those with a fear of clown cheeks, and makes it a lot easier to work with for blush beginners.

The essence Marble Mania blush in Swirlpool is my favourite blush release from the brand thus far, and though it now looks a bit tired thanks to the build-up atop the powder, the performance is still going strong and it gives a great berry toned glow to the cheek. My least used essence blushes would have to be the lip & cheek crème’s from the Ready for Boarding collection, in 01 Sending You Kisses and 02 Beauty on Tour. Though I love the small pan packaging and aesthetic of this collection, I consistently reach for my YSL Crème de Blush pots over this, and we all know that YSL is too big a brand to compete with (especially in cream blush stakes, where they really dominate!)

In terms of pure pan P0rn, the Home Sweet Home collection saw the prettiest pan releases for essence. Inspired by a knitted jumper design, 01 Knits for Chicks and 02 Wool-D You Cuddle Me? Are just stunning to look at, and the pigmentation is quite decent as well.  The Cherry Blossom Girl collection and the Asian Sensation blush is a very pretty one, but lacks the punchy pigmentation I tend to prefer in a blush pan.

What features do you look for in a blush?

Luxe or affordable?

Plain or patterned?

Do you struggle to stick to one blush shade, or do you use the same colour every day?

 

*I purchased all of this myself. Beauty blogger blush problems!