Fall Faves / Blushes

I love when a new season arrives because that means I get to play with makeup I forgot I even had! It's kind of like wearing new makeup without paying for it :) Now that fall is in full force - ok the weather in Chicago is in the mid/upper 70s but I can see a few leaves falling off the trees, kinda - it's time to show you what will be on my cheeks this season!

 Top L-R: NARS Lovejoy, Sleek Scandalous, NARS Douceur
Bottom L-R: Barry M Terracotta, NARS Taj Mahal

 NARS Taj Mahal

 I don't think it gets any more fall than Taj Mahal. A gorgeous, shimmery dark orange that reminds me of pumpkin pie mmm!

NARS Douceur

A great neutral for my-skin-but-better kind of days. Very versatile, very minimal shimmer and perfect for daytime.

Barry M Terracotta

Just like its name states, it's a very pretty terracotta. It is matter, thus making it easy to wear during the day. Terracotta is one of my go-to blushes for a quick daytime look. It is definitely buildable for a more intense nighttime look.

NARS Lovejoy

 Dusty rose/brown. It is a little shimmery but nothing over the top.

Sleek Scandalous

 Scandalous quickly became a favorite! It's a scary red, I will not blame anyone who is turned off by it right now. But when applied with a stippling brush, it gives cheeks just the right amount of pop of red. I keep the rest of my face pretty neutral when wearing Scandalous.

MAC Blushbaby

 At first glance Blushbaby reminds me of Douceur. When swatched next to each other, Blushbaby is visibly pinker whereas Douceur has a hint of brown. Blushbaby is also matte, Douceur is a little shimmery.

Sleek Aruba

Aruba, even though the name definitely doesn't make me think of falling leaves, makes a great fall blush! It's great for those that want an orange blush but think Taj Mahal is just not doable for them. Aruba should also be applied with caution as it can very easily be overdone.

theBalm Cabana Boy

 My one and only blush in this shade. A gorgeous mauve that compliments pretty much any look! I can see Cabana Boy looking great on many different skin tones!

Annabelle #48
This beautiful shade looks pretty similar to Cabana Boy but is a little more pinker, I think Cabana Boy is bit more purple. Great for days you want a little color that's suitable for day looks.

Laura Geller Blush-N-Brighten in Honey Dipped
This amazing product became one of my favorite cheek products ever since receiving it in my June Birchbox few months ago. It gives my face a glow like no other and looks especially gorgeous with red lips. I included it in this post because I only use it as a blush as it's too shimmery to use as a bronzer for me.

Cargo Topeka

 A shimmery, peach with gold shimmer. What sets Topeka apart from other peach blushes is that while being shimmery, it's still subtle and doesn't make you look like a disco ball. 

L-R: NARS Lovejoy, Barry M Terracotta, MAC Blushbaby, NARS Douceur, Cargo Topeka

L-R: Annabelle #48, theBalm Cabana Boy, Sleek Scandalous, Laura Geller Honey Dipped

L- Sleek Aruba R - NARS Taj Mahal

What are your favorite fall blushes?

theBalm Frat Boy

I'm sure many of you have seen that I've gone a little theBalm crazy at TjMaxx couple weeks ago. If you've missed my haulage post click here. There were a few ladies that wanted me to review Frat Boy first so here it is! ;)

Color

According to theBalm it's peachy/apricot - according to me it's pinky/peach.

Packaging 

Cute, and reminds me of high school! The blush is embedded in cardboard packaging and is a compact with a mirror. I always love to find a mirror in there! I normally do not take blushes with me but it's nice to know that I can if I want to. The compact is pretty thin and light in weight.

Texture/Finish

Velvety smooth and applies like a breeze. It's very easy to blend and I find it to be buildable if you like more color. It is a matte blush thus making it great for those who don't like shimmer or glitter overload products.

 Lasting Power

Lasts between 6 to 7 hours, then starts to slowly fade.

Who is it good for?

People who don't like shimmer and just want a flush of color that's easy to wear during the day. It's a great everyday blush!
People who prefer paraben/sulfate/synthetic-free products. Yes, theBalm makes many of their products without many chemicals. Check each product ingredient list, some of them have chemicals that others don't.

As you can see from my photos above, it looks more pink than anything on me and on my swatches. Okay maybe I see a little hint of peach if I focus well!

Frat Boy retails for $21 (.03oz) at Sephora but I scored it for $9.99 at TjMaxx, yeah that was a good day! I do like this blush and have been reaching for it quite a bit these days, I haven't really been wearing a variety of colors for makeup lately. Frat Boy is perfect when I want a little bit of color on my face without the effort. It gives me that healthy look :)

What do you think of theBalm? Any favorites?

Summer Blushes

Today I'm sharing with you all some of my favorite blushes that I'm enjoying so far this summer :) I had a difficult time picking, so I picked 9 (I could easily add a few more!) There is no rule that you must wear brighter blushes during summer but they just put me in a really good mood! Just looking at them makes me appreciate this wonderful season! Sun is shining and birds are chirping! Can you tell I love summer? :)

L-R - Swatches

Barry M Apricot
Bright orange/tomato red-ish. Matte.

Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush in Tipsy
Peachy-coral. Matte. Review here.

Benefit Coralista
Light pinky/peach. Shimmery.

MAC Mineralize Skin Finish in Stereo Rose
Light pink/coral. Shimmery.

L-R - Swatches

NARS Torrid
Coral. Shimmery.

NYC Blushable Creme Stick
Pink/coral. Shimmery. Review here.

Illamasqua Lover
Peach. Matte. Review here.

Milani Baked Blush in Rose D'oro
Warm terracotta/golden peach. Shimmery. Review here.

Benefit Bella Bamba
Light pink with golden sheen. Shimmery.

What are your go-to summer blushes?

Hope everyone is having a fabulous weekend! ♥

Laura Geller Blush-N-Brighten in Honey Dipped

I was one of the luckier people (or at least I'd like to think of myself as such) with June's Birchbox as I have received this beautiful product in it! I had desperately wanted a full size product, but boy was I glad to receive something full size and something I ended up really enjoying.

I have heard of Laura Geller cosmetics before but didn't own anything from this brand prior to receiving this blush. I will definitely be more of a regular now, I am very happy with my first product :)

Honey Dipped is one of the five baked Laura Geller blushes. The packaging is pretty simple; black compact with a window so you can actually see the product inside. There is a mirror inside which is convenient for when you're on the go. The product weighs .32oz/9g and retails for $29.50. On Laura Geller's website, the baked blushes come with a brush and cost a bit more.

 

Depending on your skin tone on shimmer preference, this product can definitely be categorized as a multi-purpose product. Due to the amount of bronze it has, it could be used as a bronzer. However, it is shimmery so some may not like it as a bronzer but rather use it as a blush. I use it as a blush because I prefer my bronzers matte or with minimal shimmer. Sadly the beautiful veining is an over spray but that doesn't make me love it any less.

My swatch on left is a bit heavy as I wanted the color to completey show, I blended out the swatch on the right. Pigmentation is amazing! It gives my face that healthy glow that I usually get after prolonged sun exposure on a sunny vaca spot! I think Honey Dipped  is definitely comparable to MAC Mineralize Skin Finishes in texture. Just like MSFs, it also gets a bit powdery when swirling the brush in it. Surprisingly once applied, it stays put. Since receiving this blush, I've been wearing it almost daily and so far didn't feel the need to touch up once during the day. I'm happy that it lasts all day, I am always on the hunt for long-lasting cosmetics products for hot and humid summer days.

I took a closeup just in case, I personally think you can see the product better on the photo on the left. I like that the shimmer is not overwhelming thus making it easier to wear it during the day :)

Are you familiar with Laura Geller or these Blush-N-Brighten blushes?

Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush - Tipsy

I had been having the hardest time deciding on a color from Tarte's not so new Amazonian clay blush line. Obviously Tipsy is right up my alley, I am known to have an obsession with this color family. However, I did want to branch out and get a shade which I normally don't. I mean how many peachy blushes does one need? Basically it came down to Tipsy and Blushing Bride, a beautiful plum. I gave in and chose the peach once again! Tipsy seemed to be a bit more versatile and appropriate for summer! I can always go back and get Blushing Bride for fall! :D

Tipsy is a stunning matte peachy-coral and is packed with pigmentation. I have swatched all the colors in this collection at Sephora and they are all equally pigmented. Just like with any pigmented blush I think it applies the best with a stippling brush that way there is just the right amount of color with the right intensity. In other words, it's a "a-little-goes-a-long-way" kind of product. Now, Tarte claims these Amazonian clay blushes last 12 hours. Does it live up to the claim? YES! I can't lie, even some of my most loved blushes do not last all day, I love them mostly only because of their pretty colors. This blush on the other hand lasts all day therefore doesn't require touch-ups. I don't know about you but my make-up bag is full as it is, there is just no room for another blush compact AND a brush.

Here's a look at the packaging; It comes neatly packaged in a plastic box.
  The compact is fun and girly. I like that the compact's color and blush color are coordinated. It's not a bulky compact and comes with a mirror so it makes a good take-along product.

Other things to note:

This product is cruelty-free.

It is formulated without; mineral oil, parabens, petrolatum, phthalates, sodium lauryl sulfate and synthetic fragrance.

L- Blended R- Heavily Swatched

Illamasqua Lover (L) Tarte Tipsy (R)

Tarte's Amazonian clay blushes retail for $25/5.6oz. They used to be Sephora-exclusive up until a week or so ago however these days they are conveniently available on Tarte's website and Ulta as well. I purchased mine on their website using the code LUCKYBREAKS1 (30% off) to save a couple of bucks :)

Verdict?

I love Tipsy. It's totally my kind of blush but I'd be lying if I said I am not occasionally daydreaming about Blushing Bride. I may slowly collect all the colors in this collection, they are so charming and pretty to look at! I think they are seriously of amazing quality, formulated without many of the harsh chemicals and the lasting power is just unbeatable!

What do you think about Tarte's Amazonian clay blushes?

Pink Blush Picks!

While going through my previously published posts, I noticed that I have never done a favorite pink blushes post. Shocker I know. If you've been following my blog for a while, then you'd know that I have a slight obsession with peach, coral, orange blushes. Nonetheless, I still love my pink blushes so I decided put  a post together sharing my favorites with you.

In my experience, I have found that pink blushes pair beautifully with any shade of purple eye make-up which I absolutely adore. Purple is one color that suits any eye color, if you haven't tried it then you should. It doesn't have to be bright purple, can be lilac, lavender, etc. I think pink blushes also work well with dark, grey, black smoky looks with light pink lips.

♥

Benefit Bella Bamba

MAC Bite of an Apple

Sleek Pixie Pink

MAC Dollymix

NARS Deep Throat

With Flash L-R: Benefit Bella Bamba, MAC Bite of an Apple, Sleek Pixie Pink, MAC Dollymix, NARS Deep Throat

Benefit Bella Bamba

It's the newest pink blush in my collection. When Bella Bamba first came out several months ago, I hesitated buying it because I honestly didn't think anything of it. Then I gave in and I'm glad I did. It succeeded to be one of my top pink blushes. It is a watermelon-pink with quite a bit of shimmer. While using Bella Bamba, I try to keep eyes a bit more subtle due to the shimmer content so I don't look like a disco ball.

MAC Bite of an Apple

Bite of an Apple was a limited edition blush which was part of the Venomous Villians collection that came out in 2010. It's a bright coral-y pink and has a matte finish. Bite of an Apple will last forever as all you need to do in order to get a perfect color on cheeks is to really lightly touch your brush in pan. I think using a stippling brush works really well with Bite of an Apple because it picks up only bit of a product. Too dense of a brush will result in an overly done blush. It goes on opaque and is buildable. If applied lightly it can definitely be an everyday blush.

Sleek Pixie Pink

Pixie Pink is a bright bubblegum pink and is super pigmented. It is also quite opaque and has a matte finish.  It looks beautiful when I pair it with MAC's Nocturnelle, Digit, Shale - all shades of purple. I think it also compliments dark blue/green looks.

MAC Dollymix

MAC describes Dollymix as "pure candy pink". It's in Sheertone Shimmer finish. I think its description sounds like it'd not be an everyday kind of blush but I think it totally is due to its sheerness. I wear it during the day quite a bit. I think it's also essential for days you're in a hurry but want a pop of color.

NARS Deep Throat

I added Deep Throat to my list because even though NARS describes this blush as "peach with shimmer" once applied, it looks pink on me :) Even in pan, I see a light pink blush maybe with a hint of peach in it. It has a generous amount of shimmer but I don't think it's anything overwhelming. Deep Throat is a very versatile color that goes with pretty much any look. Like Dollymix, it's one of my go-to blushes when I'm in a hurry but don't want to leave the house without some color.

Natural Light

 What are your favorite pink blushes? Which pink blush should I get next?

Hard to pick only 5! / Blushes

This post was initially going to be about my top 5 blush picks but I just couldn't leave any one of these babies out, so here I am with 6 of my favorite blushes!

NARS Lovejoy

This is a very unique color for a blush, it's not pink, nor red or brown. It's a reddish brown with a touch of pink! Lovejoy has been my go-to blush in fall/winter season, it's perfect for both seasons but I can still see myself rocking it during summer nights!

NARS Taj Mahal

Newest addition to my ever-growing blush collection. I knew I would immediately fall in love with Taj Mahal at first swatch and I did. It does look a tad scary in swatches, both because it's not blended out and because it is a powerful color.

Benefit Coralista
Coralista is made for summer; it's a pretty light coral/peach with just the right amount of shimmer to give a beautiful glow to the face.

MAC Blushbaby

Love me some Blushbaby paired with heavy black/gray smokey eye make-up. It really brings the whole look together!

MAC Dollymix

Dollymix was my first pink MAC blush and it's now my favorite pink blush! I enjoy wearing this when I feel extra girly, I mean look at it, it has 'I am such a girly girl' written all over it!

Illamasqua Lover 

Anyone that knows me knows that this is my favorite blush ever. It's almost identical to MAC Peaches. Click here to see comparison of the two! If I was to have only one blush on a stranded island, Lover would be the one!

With Flash

Top L-R - Illamasqua Lover, NARS Taj Mahal, MAC Dollymix, Benefit Coralista

Bottom L-R - NARS Lovejoy, MAC Blushbaby

Natural Light

If you could have only one blush in the world, what would you pick?

Milani Baked Blush Rose D'oro

Not too long ago Milani has brought their new baked collection to life. Rose D'oro is only one of the 9 baked blushes. For some reason, no matter which Walgreens, CVS or Target I go to I am only able to find 5 of the colors. However, they are all available on Milani's website. My favorite one of the ones I could see in person was Rose D'oro. Why? Well...because I am a coral addict.

 The blushes come in this gold packaging with a clear top that way you can actually see what the color looks like. I would say the color can easily be predicted just by looking at the packaging, I think it's pretty accurate. There are two parts to the packaging; top part obviously has the blush and lifting the top reveals another compartment with a little round mirror that has the brush in it. I think the mirror is a nice touch! I personally carry whatever blush I am wearing that way along with me throughout the day because you never know when you may need a touch-up :D I don't really use the brush but again it's convenient to have it there, not taking any extra space in my make-up bag, in case I do need to touch up my blush.

Rose D'oro is a subtly shimmery coral with gold veins on it. This blush is insanely pigmented and can easily be built up. I personally like to wear it more intense because I want the color to show thoroughly. When swatched, you can see the flecks tiny gold glitter in the blush but once applied it leaves a non-overwhelming sheen on your face.

 Here are some of my other blushes in similar shades which I thought would be comparable to Rose D'oro

L-R: Rose D'oro, Coralista, Dainty, Stereo Rose

With Flash

As a result of this comparison, MAC MSF in Stereo Rose is the closest to it of the 3 which is not even that close. Benefit Coralista is lighter and has more pink in it. MAC Mineralize blush in Dainty has just a hint of coral, much less shimmer and is also much lighter than both Rose D'oro and Coralista. Stereo Rose has more of a satiny finish and is also lighter than Rose D'oro. When all four are compared side by side, I feel like Rose D'oro is actually more of a orange/light copper shade. 

I really think that this was a great purchase, at this point Rose D'oro holds the "my favorite drugstore blush" title. I don't think I ever purchased a drugstore blush that feels comparable to a higher end blush. This much pigmentation from a blush that retails for $7.99 (which will most likely go on sale or bogo at one point) is amazing! I love that there are a total of 9 shades in their baked blush collection which means there is a color for everyone! I hope I will be able to find all of the colors somewhere soon.

What do you think of Milani's baked blushes? Have you bought any of the colors?

NARS Taj Mahal

Taj Mahal has been on my lust list for longer than I can remember! So when 'opportunity' came around, I took it and made this beauty mine! I am a sucker for NARS blushes in general and have always had an excellent experience with them; with the exception of Orgasm only because I find the texture to be a little too glittery for my liking.

I don't have an excessive blush collection but I think I have all the colors I would ever want minus a shade like Taj Mahal! So it was meant to be. It does look a bit scary in the pan because it is an unusual orange color. It is very pigmented that you really need to very lightly touch your brush to the blush to get a beautiful color pay-off.

No Flash

Taj Mahal is a exactly what I would call a burnt orange shade that would be just perfect for the fall season, because it fits right in! In pan it looks like it's matte but if you look closely you can see teeny tiny flecks of micro glitter in it. Once applied, it instantly adds warmth and glow to complexion without any visible glitter but more of a sheen.

L - Natural Sunlight  R- Flash

When lightly applied, it looks more like apricot on me. I have not tried to play up the intensity with it just yet, because honestly I am scared to look like a clown! I think this blush will look amazing on darker/tan skin tones. I would probably stay away from it or use it very cautiously if my skin were any lighter than it currently is. Overall, I am very very happy with Taj Mahal.  NARS quality is undefeatable when it comes to blushes, what can I say? I can't wait to use it as part of many other looks!

I used my Sigma Angled Top Synthetic Kabuki brush (F84) to apply this blush. I think I dipped a little too much in the pan so I ended up with way too much color on my face as you can see below.

Oops too much blush!

So I went back and tried again with a super light hand. I think that resulted in a better look!

What do you guys think about Taj Mahal?

High on Blush

Who doesn't love blushes? They can do wonders on a face; creating a radiant glow, a healthier and youthful appearance, and the list goes on. My favorite blushes have usually been from the orange family. I love me some peach, apricot and coral blushes. I love them mainly because I think they suit my complexion the most. I have been loving all my peach blushes so much for so long, my collection has nothing but. I decided a while ago, it was time to branch out and explore the other shades. Lately, more neutral and lighter toned blushes are getting my attention. Especially now that it's winter and I'm nowhere close to being my usual NC40 self, I am able to pull of these shades much easier! Here are a few that I am enjoying.

NARS Lovejoy

There is no doubt that NARS blushes have the most hype of all blushes out there. I can't blame you. NARS offers a variety of colors and great pigmentation when it comes to blushes. I have seen Lovejoy on many, many blogs and heard about it on videos. This is a shade I don't even have anything similar to. I absolutely love this color, I would describe it as a bronze-y/rose! It has tiny bits of gold glitter in it which may put questions in one's head but you can be sure that it's nothing over the top. Definitely nothing like that of NARS Orgasm which was too much even for me and I like glittery blushes. So Lovejoy isn't exactly a light colored blush but for someone who wears nothing but peaches, it is a bit more toned down. :)

NARS Douceur

Douceur is a limited edition blush that NARS brought out for their Fall 2010 collection and is now the lightest shade of blush in my collection. This is actually pretty good because I have been looking for a nude blush just like it! I think this is the first time ever NARS has etched their logo into a blush! It will disappear after several uses but it's pretty to look at while it's still there! I would call Douceur a soft pinky-brown. If you look at it carefully you will see some a tiny bit of glitter scattered around the blush, regardless I consider it to be matte.

MAC Blushbaby

Blushbaby is a beiged dusty-rose/pink blush in sheertone finish. As you can see in the swatches below it is unexpectedly the shade right between NARS Douceur and Lovejoy. It has a very silky and soft texture and applies very easily. I think this is one of those rare shades of blushes that will work with any skin tone whether with cool or warm undertones. Because it has a sheer finish, you can build it up until desired intensity is reached. I can see Blushbaby being one of my favorite blushes as it is very versatile. It's perfect for everyday use but will also compliment heavy eye make-up looks.

L-R: Douceur, Blushbaby, Lovejoy

L-R: Douceur, Blushbaby, Lovejoy

What kinds of blushes are you guys enjoying lately?

My Highland Honey

Hey loves!

As you may already know, MAC's new collection A Tartan Tale hit stores in North America last Friday. There was only one product I wanted from this collection and that was My Highland Honey - this was before even seeing any swatches. Basically all it took for me to want this blush was the description of it ~ bright coral with soft gold pearl. Woooo, sounds just like me! I placed my order on MAC's website on the 27th and got my package delivered on the 29th. Perfect!

I fell in love with it the second time after I received it however couldn't help but notice how much it, at first glance, resembled both MAC Peaches and Illamasqua Lover.

My Highland Honey (L) No Flash, (R) Direct Sunlight

Illamasqua Lover, My Highland Honey & Peaches

Lover, My Highland Honey, Peaches in different lighting

My swatches proved me wrong! They only look similar in the pans. As we can see, My Highland Honey looks nothing like Lover or Peaches. It's a coral-y apricot shade with a sheen. Lover has a bit more orange to it while Peaches has more pinks in it. I'm just glad that My Highland Honey didn't end up being a dupe of a blush that I already had! My Highland Honey has great pigmentation; you can sweep a bit of it for pop of color or if you want bright orange cheeks that's also doable as it's very buildable. I know I will be enjoying this blush a lot because I just love orange and shades of it when it comes to blushes.Only thing I didn't like about this blush was the packaging. I think MAC has done a good job by choosing plaid but why are the only individual blushes in this collection in regular packaging? I would have loved to see this in a Limited Edition plaid packaging!

What do you think of My Highland Honey or other products in A Tartan Tale collection?

E.l.f. Contouring Blush & Bronzing Powder

Hey lovelies!

I know for many of you, Elf has been there for a long time. For me, however, it's pretty new. My Target recently started carrying this brand so I just had the pleasure to try it out few months ago. You may think, but there is their website. I confess, I am a cheapo when it comes to shipping costs, that's all I'll tell you :p Here is one of my most recent finds from Elf...

Both the packaging and the colors are somewhat similar to the NARS Orgasm/Laguna duo. (which I no longer have :/ )

Comparison to the Orgasm/Laguna Duo..

- Elf packaging is a bit cheaper as it is plastic, NARS packaging is more sleek and has that rubbery feel 

- Elf blush is a more pink-er/red-er, more pigmented and a bit more powdery and chalkier than Orgasm

- Orgasm is more on the peachy-pink side, more sheer and seems to be more shimmery than Elf

- Laguna is a slightly lighter and sheerer than the elf bronzer

- Elf duo; $3 and NARS duo; $39

Both pictures are of the elf duo, just taken in different lighting. 

I know that a lot of people think "NARS obviously makes their products with better ingredients" hence the more expensive products. I don't think that's the case at all. Ingredients for the NARS duo include just about the same ones in the Elf duo. NARS ingredients also include parabens and Elf ones surprisingly don't. Keep in mind when purchasing high end products, we are paying for the name as well!

Back to the Elf duo...I think this is a great product at a very reasonable price. It does exactly what it says and the quality of both the blush and bronzer is just amazing. They are both very pigmented and last all day on my face. One thing I am not too crazy about is that the blush is a bit too powdery for my liking. When I dip my brush in the blush pan, the blush gets so powdery it lands all over the place in and out of the compact. However, it's not that big of a deal since the product really delivers. I am definitely a devoted bronzer user so I need my contouring color and blush to show up over my bronzer and they both do a great job and show up beautifully layered over my bronzer. I personally don't like to use the bronzer color as a bronzer but for contouring purposes. Application and blending are a breeze and both colors while pigmented can be built up. This is definitely a product I'll repurchase and I recommend it to anyone who has been wanting somewhat similar colors to NARS Orgasm/Laguna but don't want to shell out a fortune for it. Though the colors are not exact dupes of each other, I think this is a great alternative.

NYC Blushable Creme Sticks

Hey chicas!

Happy hump day! This is more of a rave than a review, well a little bit of both! Ever since I saw these 'blushable sticks' on YT, I have wanted them or more like craved them! I initially thought they only came in two colors. How would I have known that there are more? I have been to numerous Walgreens, CVS and Target throughout the entire Chicagoland and couldn't find a single one. I was getting frustrated (I know, getting frustrated because you can't find a blush is insane, but I am crazy when it comes to make up and even crazier when I can't find something I want! lol) and I even tweeted about it. Then my lovely friend who you may know as Obsessed.Makup.Addict came to my rescue and got them for me in 5 different shades! She was able to find them all the way in Canada and I couldn't find a single one here.Then a week after I received her package, I go to Ulta and see that they started getting them! So if you're after these babies, you better go check out your local Ulta. They will more than likely have them.

Plaza Pink

I believe Plaza Pink was the most raved about in beauty blogosphere and I don't blame anyone for doing so. It really is gorgeous. I would describe the color as nude pink/coral. I usually wear it alone but if I want a more vibrant color then I layer it under a powder blush such as Benefit Coralista, MAC Dainty and Elf Candid Coral.

Big Apple Blush

This shade is pink but to be more specific I would say it's dusty rose type of color. I personally don't wear this layered with anything else. It's beautiful as it is.

South St. Shell

Don't let the container fool you, as you can see the actual color is not even close to the color of the tube! It's a darker peach/nude color. This blush looks great if you have gone smokey on the eyes and nude on lips. Definitely a favorite for nighttime looks.


Mauvin' Uptown

Bronzey mauve. I don't really wear this in full force (like it is in my swatch above) as I don't want to look like a clown. This color is good for when you're tanned and you want a glow on your face and a tad of color.

Urban Spice

Gold/bronze with shimmer. If you want to draw attention to cheek bones then this is a great tool to achieve that. It's great for highlighting. In addition to using it on cheek bones, I do a quick sweep of this down my nose. This can also easily be used as a nighttime bronzer, just make sure you use a brush ;) I wouldn't use it as a daytime bronzer as it is shimmery.

My thoughts and notes...

Considering the price you pay for these blushes, you get quite a bit of product, great color pay off and pigmentation in one sweep. Because of their creamy consistency, application and blending these are a breeze. While they do end up being sheer after blending, they are pretty buildable to your liking. I personally don't like sheer blushes that much, if I don't see some color on my cheek then what's the point of wearing it in the first place? (But that's just me) When it comes to finish, they are neither matte nor shimmery, so you get the best of both worlds and for that reason they give off a healthy and dewy glow to your cheeks! They are not sticky or greasy after drying, in fact they are pretty light after application. It takes about half a minute for them to dry, keep in mind they are creamy so you don't have to rush to blend them in. On my combination skin, I do have drier cheeks, they last a long time and even longer if I set them with powder blushes. These have quickly become my favorites. They are of very good quality being from the drugstore. I wish they came in more colors/shades though. I am sure they would have attracted  more people if they had a bigger color selection. As far as I know there are a total of 6 colors, the one I don't have is called Berry Newyorker. They also had two other LE shades called, Pink Flash and Wild Berry.