Peach Blush Perfection

Getting stuck in a blush rut is pretty frustrating for a #blushfiend - I love so many different blushes but often stick to my neutral loves and neglect the other colour families that should be thrown in every now and again. The ease of a neutral that goes with everything is tempting, but each time I lay a peachy powder across my apples I am reminded of just why these blushes are so darn popular.

All of these are quite pigmented peach shades, all with different shade leanings (some are more pink-toned, whereas orange shines through in others!) The Luma Cosmetics blush in Soft Peach* is the latest to enter my stash but don't let the 'soft' name fool you - this ginormous blush pan packs a punch and needs a light hand to apply without looking a bit crazy. The same can be said for TheBalm's Hot Mama which is the shimmeriest of this bunch, perhaps of my whole collection? (I try to buff the shimmer out for glowier cheeks #HotTip)

MAC Springsheen is the most orange-toned, a rusty sort of peach that I was once afraid of using on my fair skin before true #blushfiend bravery set in years ago. I think the fact that it is a sort-of neutral rusty peach is what redeems it in my eyes, ya know? A shade that needs no redemption is Clinique's Peach Pop*, a shade that consistently impresses every time I swipe some colour from the gorgeous embossed petal pan. More often than not this is the blush that sparks a blush upheaval in the ranks and pushes my neutral blushes aside, which as I mentioned earlier is no mean feat...

Saving the best for last, my beautiful Illamasqua Sophie*. When this hit my desk many moons ago I knew not how hard I'd fall for this stunner - in the pan she appears awkwardly glittery and dry, but on the cheeks she blends and brightens with an ease that makes me sigh every.single.time. It's the pink tones in this that make this so amazing I think, and it really cemented the fact that Illamasqua know how to knock it out of the park with their blushes!

I'm off to scan my blush drawers for more peachy goodness...hit me up with your favourite peach shades, lest I slide on back to my overloved Tarte Exposed...
Emma x

*Provided for consideration. Honesty, always.

Adore Beauty Sampler Bag

I love the idea of sample boxes, but am often left disappointed with the lacklustre contents and unused products that fill my drawers even though I’ve long cancelled any subscriptions. I was elated to see that Adore Beauty have once again brought out some sampler packs, letting customers know exactly what they are getting before they order! All of the products are high quality and decently (cutely!) sized, and I was kindly sent the Skincare/Makeup option as opposed to the Skincare/Haircare option.

Before I hop onto my mini-loving bandwagon, let me mention the other products that fill this lovely sampler bag. The St.Tropez Illuminator is pretty darn cool, I had thought ‘ooh nice brand’ and thought no more of it, but when I swatched it I saw that it is fill of iridescent blue shimmers that have blown my mind. Can’t wait to play around with this and see how I can make it work for me. The Philosophy Purity cleanser is a nice size to get a feel for the brand; I actually have another of the same size in my stash so thumbs up for two travel friendly cleansers to trial!

 

I was also happy to see a nice Rose Balm from Lanolips included, I’ve had lots of experience with their lovely lip products but am yet to try this rose scented tube. Another product I haven’t had much experience with (technically) is the Napoleon Perdis Auto Pilot Primer (not to prime is a crime, as Mister Christopher loves quoting when I apply my makeup!) I have heard that this is the same formula as my beloved Face of Australia Face Base primer, so thumbs up already if that is true.

Let’s talk mini products- I am a huge sucker for them! Look how darn cute the mini products are, Bioderma Crealine h20 comes in a few sizes and I had previously thought my travel sized bottle* was the cutest of the family, but as it turns out this little guy trumps them all! I will be saving this for a weekend away with Mister Christopher, until then the squeeing will continue.

Next to regular sized products from my stash, for comparison

The squeeing continues with the mini Benefit They’re Real, which is adorable compared to the regular sized mascara. I have had the normal tube for so long, sitting unopened in my mascara drawer waiting for the right moment to crack it open. I am a big fan of travel sized mascaras as I find they last a long time without taking up too much space in the makeup bag, so I am going to make an effort to try this highly lauded mascara soon. I have also had TheBalm Hot Mama in my stash for a while and think I might like it more than the famed Nars Orgasm, so when I saw this little baby pan I was thrown into a world of cute! I think it might take a bit of work with a smaller than usual sized blush brush, but seriously, I think I might just keep it out on my desk to make me smile.

So I am happy to report that the sampler packs contain a wonderful group of products to get you out of any skincare or makeup rut, and they each retail for $34.95AUD at Adore Beauty (click this to buy, not an affiliated link) I am pretty chuffed with my super cute mini's and am excited to try out the new products and see how I go with them. In the sampler you also receive a 10% off voucher to use on any full size version of the products included, which is a terrific idea from the Adore Beauty team!


What are YOUR opinions on sample box subscriptions or sampler bags?
Do you wish they were all as good as this one?

*Sampler bag was provided for consideration. Honesty, always.