Current Blush Rotation

As a self-proclaimed blush fiend I have my fair share of cheek colours, but lately I seem to be rotating the same handful of shades and formulas leaving all others by the wayside. Soon I will attempt to branch out into my collection (perhaps a blush challenge is in order?) but for now, these are the blushes that have been gracing my cheeks.

TOP: Alezane, Golden Sun
BOTTOM: Jersey, In Love

Chanel Joues Contraste Powder Blushes in:
260 Alezane
280 Golden Sun
80 Jersey
55 In Love

The Chanel powder blush formula is easily my favourite on the market, and I can even say that Chanel blushes are my favourite beauty product - period! Nothing gives me a thrill quite like adding a new shade to my collection and I've been using my very favourite Jersey (a neutral) as well the coral In Love that Mister bought me for Christmas. Recent additions to the mix are the new Fall 2015 shades which deserve their own post, the shimmery Alezane and Golden Sun. They are so easy to apply, the rose scent is addictive and I highly recommend trying them out if you are a sucker for blushes like I am.

Max Factor Crème Puff Blush in 10 Nude Mauve
Physician's Formula Argan Wear Ultra-Nourishing Argan Oil Blush in Rose

I was apprehensive about these two initially as drugstore blushes find it hard to compete with the likes of Chanel and co, but lo and behold these two hold their own and I'm proud to say I'm a big fan of them. Nude Mauve is my perfect work shade and it brightens my face up with ease, and Rose steps up to the plate when I'm craving a pretty flush of pink for something different.

As you can see, neutral and nude blushes practically rule my makeup life right now! I think I need to dive into my blush drawer and sift through some pans to make room for these new Chanel beauties, but as a blush fiend a clean out is such a hard thing to do...

 

What shades are in your current blush rotation?

What is the best drugstore blush, and which is the best high end you've tried?

-Emma

Currently Obsessed

I've been feeling really good about my makeup collection lately - a few new and exciting pieces have spiced up my routine and have made me enjoy putting on my face each and every morning. I've also rediscovered an old favourite at the back of my stash to pair with the new products which is always a good thing - stash shopping at its finest, amiright?

 

I was looking back over some older blog posts (like this 'The 6 Best Bronzers for Fair Skin') and remembered how intense my love for the Clinique Superbalanced Bronzer* was, so pulled it from the depths of my drawers. Then I did a little hunting around on the internet and I think that it has been discontinued! Isn't it the worst feeling when something you love isn't around anymore? I've been using it flat stick this month and my love for it has grown, so I thought it worth mentioning in case you have it hidden away in your collection, too! I've been pairing it with my new Max Factor Crème Puff Blush in Nude Mauve, which has seriously impressed me and has become my 'work blush' of choice.

Clinique Superbalanced Bronzer
+
 Max Factor Crème Puff Blush in Nude Mauve

Even though I've been loving bronzer and neutral blush lately, my appreciation of the colour pink has slowly been seeping back into my makeup life, too. The first product that really sparked this turn is also the newest recruit to my blush drawers - Physicians Formula Argan Wear Ultra-Nourishing Argan Oil Blush in Rose. Not only is the embossing utterly beautiful, the colour itself is a great pink shade for me and I find that it brightens up my complexion nicely and is buildable, too.

Physicians Formula Argan Oil Blush in Rose

I've also fallen head over heels for a new eyeshadow formula - a cream one at that, which is not usually my fortay! I saw a few whispers about the new Revlon Photoready Eye Art Lid+Line+Lash colours but it wasn't until this post from The Mustard Jumper that I decided I needed one, stat. I went to Priceline when Revlon was 40% off because at the full price of $21.95 it was just too much of a risk for me...turns out that I absolutely adore these! I initially bought Peach Prism because the other neutral was sold out, but I managed to track down Topaz Twinkle at Priceline near my work so I was happy with that. I am considering buying the green version at some stage, but will wait for another sale for that one.

Peach Prism
+
Topaz Twinkle

I love reinvigorating my stash and feel like I'm at a much better place than I was in previous years when it comes to new purchases and shopping habits. I put a lot more thought into the things that I buy (and those that I accept for consideration) and it really shows in my attitude to my collection and how I feel about blogging about things these days.

What are you currently obsessed with?

- Emma

Pretty Heart Blushes

The much lauded day of romance that is synonymous with hearts and flowers has passed us once more, and yet still love remains in all facets of life. Rather than sharing these beautiful product images on February 14^th, I chose to withhold them and celebrate love in an everyday setting- today is just a regular day, and here they are! I am a strong advocate for pretty cosmetics, and blush is just about the prettiest a product there is. Patterned blushes are among my favourites within my blush drawer (yes, I need a whole drawer just for them!) and these sweet choices make me swoon with ease.

Physician’s Formula are known for their interesting powder designs, and this Happy Booster Glow & Mood Boosting Blush in Rose ($21.95 AUD) is no exception. Comprised of various shades of pink ranging  from baby pink to neutral and plum toned pink, the overall shade is best described as a hot pink shade. The formula leaves a great glowy look to the cheek, thanks to the multi-reflective pearls within the powder itself. Though I can’t vouch for the plant extracts that are there to produce endorphins to promote a feeling of happiness, I definitely break out into a smile every time I see this pan of hearts so I guess it works anyway.

The Stila Make me Blush powder is yet another stunner that was sadly limited edition from a few years back. The great news is that Stila are definitely on the pretty blush bandwagon, and each year release a new heart designed blush around this romantic time of year. The 2013 offering (a 4 square pale pink pan, check 'emmabovary' on Instagram for an image) is better suited to fair complexions, whereas Make me Blush is perhaps a tad darker than necessary. A light hand is vital for a nice application on Snow White cheeks like mine.  Much more red-toned when compared to the PF Rose, the fine golden overspray imparts a warm shimmer to the cheeks before revealing coral hearts underneath, and the true colour of the blush is definitely coral overall. I use a stippling brush when I wear this, and prefer the shade that sits under the hearts rather than the initial shade with the overspray included. The great thing about the Stila limited editions is that they retail for around $25 AUD, making them much more affordable than the majority of blushes us Aussie’s have at our disposal, pretty or otherwise.

Are you one of those people who love pretty blush pans but don’t actually use them, or are you like me and snap a million pictures before throwing it onto your chipmunk cheeks? What do you think of the over the top heart craze?

*Both of these were purchased by me. Honesty, always.

What I Wore on My Face // L'Occitane Drinks Edition

Earlier in the week I spent the day Christmas shopping for all of the little ones in my family, and spent the evening having Christmas drinks with the lovely ladies at L'Occitane. I had been hanging out to sniff the new Magical Leaves collection, and was happy to finally get a chance to look at it!

The beautiful Melbourne Central store front.

Some gift packs from the new Marvellous Flowers and Magical Leaves collections.

Norlin getting a hand massage with some L'Occitane products

 

I decided to rock a taupey purple eye look to go with my purple statement necklace, but I ended up forgetting to wear the beads to L'Occitane anyway! I used a mix of brands to get my purple look, and was happy to get some compliments from staff when I was buying gifts during the day.

 

 

Eyes:
L'Oreal Infallible in Metallic Lilac
Clarins purple from the Enchanted palette*
Inglot purple shade
Physicians Formula purple liner (from the Brown Eyes Trio)
Face of Australia Impact Curl mascara

Cheeks:
NYX Peach blush
Clarins Bronzing Duo in 03 Dark*
BYS Fierce Fuschia blush

Face:
Illamasqua Skin Base
Face of Australia Outback Translucent Powder*
Maybelline Dream Matte powder (for touch ups)

Lips:
Clinique Chubby Stick in Whole Lotta Honey*
Smashbox gloss in Overexposed*

I felt really nice with this eye look on, it didn't photograph as well as it looked in reality (in my opinion) I highly recommend every eye product I used for this look-very happy with them all! The lip duo is something I've been wearing almost every day lately, I can easily put it on without a mirror and it keeps my lips happy and goes with the dramatic eye looks I've been wearing.

What do you think of my eye look?
What is your favourite L'Occitane product? The almond range has stolen my heart!

*The Clinique product was won in a competition, and marked items were provided for editorial consideration. Honesty, always.