Tarte Amazonian Clay 12 Hour Blusher in Tipsy

It's been a while, crocodiles! Hope you're all well? I've been so busy working 6 day weeks that blogging has felt impossible lately. The last time I posted, we were in the midst of a beautiful summer and now we have all of a sudden been plunged into autumn. I for one, am a big fan of Autumn - I much prefer the deep and rich berry shades for lips and cheeks but one product I am finding hard to put down is my Tarte Amazonian Clay 12 Hour Blush in Tipsy. 

My best friend recently picked this up in Sephora whilst she was in the states (she's a keeper!) and I have never been so excited by a product. Admittedly, after hearing several of my favourite guru's talking about this blush I had joined the bandwagon and I could not stop lusting after the blush. 

Tipsy is a corally orange blush that's perfect for summer, but whilst the colour is amazing, what really drew me in was the claims for lasting power as I find blush can be one of the first things to fade. The blush is extremely pigmented, so a light hand is necessary during application. Every time I apply this I feel instantly 'perky' - the colour really brightens the complexion giving you a healthy glow. As for longevity, this blush does not budge. After wearing a full face of make up for over 12 hours, I can still see the blush exactly where I left it. 

The packaging is compact and hand for travel with a mirror inside. Like most brands now, Tarte use the same colour as the product for the packaging, making it easier to find in amongst my other blushers (yes, I have that many). These blushers will set you back $26 in the states but I'm completely head over heels in love with the formula and would definitely consider stocking up on more shades.

Have you tried the infamous Tarte blusher?

April Favourites

So let's begin the post with a cliche.  I can't believe it's May already, it feels like it was Christmas only yesterday, but alas summer is slowly creeping up on us and it's time for a monthly favourites post.  As you may know, I've been a busy bee with university work this month, but that could never stop a girl from indulging in a little beauty every now and again.  Needless to say, my make up has been very minimal this month, needing the extra minutes in bed over a perfect eyeliner flick.  

Lets start with my only skincare item to make the cut.  The Emma Hardie Amazing Face became a saviour this month after I began running low on my beloved Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish.  I had thrown this to the back of my stash but after pulling it out, it has reigned supreme as my go to cleanser this month. The product is a balm that requires a little water to make it slightly less thick, before massaging into the skin.  It melts away every trace of make up whilst thoroughly cleansing the skin and leaving it feeling fresh and hydrated.  

Moving onto make up and onto the blushers, you know I've been loving the Stila Convertible Color in Gerbera, which I talked about earlier this week.  It's the perfect spring/summer shade and is so easy to apply.  When I'm not feeling the dewy look as much, I've been turning to NARS Douceur blush.  Douceur is perfect for fair skinned girls, it's a gorgeous peachy brown shade which gives off a subtle flush of colour and can even be used as a soft contour. I'm definitely finding myself falling more and more in love with the NARS blushers every time I use them. They are soft and pigmented and apply seamlessly onto the skin, without leaving you looking like you've been running around in the cold.  

For the eyes, again I've been keeping it simple.  If I chose to wear eyeshadow, I just dusted the darker, purple-taupe shade from the NARS Tokyo duo across my lids for a soft wash of colour.  Other days I've gone straight in with the mascara.  A recent discovery is the Rimmel Scandaleyes mascara which I got free in Superdrug when it was on offer.  Admittedly, I hadn't had high hopes for this mascara but yet again Rimmel pulled it out of the bag.  The formula gives volume without leaving clumped up spider legs behind and the wand is tappered, allowing you to really get hold of every single lash. Another Rimmel product that's got the seal of approval is the Kate for Salon Pro nail colour in Soul Session. I spoke more in depth yesterday about the range and mentioned that this particular shade has taken the top spot in my nail colour preference (sorry Models Own Pink Beige, you're still number 2).  

I've been into my MAC lipsticks again this month, in particular Myth and Hue.  Both nude shades, I usually wear them together as I find Myth gives too much of a concealer lip look.  Together they create the perfect nude but sometimes I will just pop Hue on.  Myth is a matte formula, whilst Hue is a glaze. 

These are my monthly favourites, but what are yours?  

Stila Convertible Color in Gerbera

As Spring is slowly creeping up on us, it's time for a make up change over.  I've been opting for more 'dewy' looking products that make me look fresh faced and feel more in touch with the changing season.  A multi-tasking product that has swept over the blogosphere is the Stila Convertible Color.  There are eight different shades in the collection, including the gorgeous Gerbera who now lives in my stash, usually in my trusty travel make up bag.  

Gerbera is a beautiful coral colour and the product is multi-purpose, so you can use it both on your lips and on your cheeks as a stain.  Although I sometimes use it on my lips, I find it works best as a blush, as on the lips it can be a tad drying.  Firstly, it packs serious punch. The product is extremely pigmented, you only need to dip your brush (or fingers if you prefer) once to get the right amount of colour.  I've hardly touched the product, although I've used it countless times already.  As it's a cream formula, it gives off a slightly dewy look and really helps to brighten up your complexion. Oily skins need not steer away from this, I don't find it makes me any more oily during the day.  Secondly, the colour doesn't budge until you take it off in the evening. The product comes in a compact packaging, which includes a mirror, making it the perfect travel companion.  The colour of the packaging also reflects the shade of the product inside, so you know exactly what colour you're getting when searching through your stash. 

This is my first Stila product and I am really impressed with the brand thus far, I'm definitely tempted by a few more of the Convertible Colors (I'm looking at you Fuschia and Gladiola).  At £16.00, it's not the cheapest product out there but the fact that you need only the smallest amount of product, I feel you would more than get your moneys worth with it. I've also noticed that you can buy them in a three pan palette for a limited period for £23.00 (tempting little bargain).    

Have you tried the Stila Convertible Colors?

NARS "The Happening" Palette

Your eyes do not deceive you, I have written a new blog post.  I've been a busy bee the past couple of weeks organising and going to photo shoots for my Final Major Project, which left me both uninspired and with no time to blog.  While I can't promise that my usual blogging routine will be back up and running as I have a lot of work still left to do, I will try and pop the odd post here and there. Apologies over, today I want to talk to you about one of my new favourite palettes, 'The Happening' by NARS. 

I first spied this back at the beginning of February and put it to the top of my lust list.  I then got an email from ASOS who kindly gave me free next day delivery and 25% (I believe) discount for my birthday.   Obviously, I took the opportunity and bought this without a second though, as NARS' limited edition palettes often sell out quite quickly (still kicking myself that I never purchased the Danmari palette).  The Happening contains two of NARS most infamous products, Orgasm and Laguna, as well as four eyeshadows. 

Night Star is a gorgeous creamy beige with chunks of golden shimmer, which makes for a great base to an everyday eye or as a highlight for a more dramatic, smokey eye.  

Gstaad is the next shade, a slightly darker taupe with golden shimmer to it.  Great on its own as an all over lid colour or in the crease for a bit more definition to the eye.  Gstaad is exclusive to the palette.

Kuala Lumpur is described as a shimmery berry shade and was the colour that drew me to the palette in the first place.  Again this shadow has shimmer to it so would be best as a lid colour.  

Coconut Grove is the only matte eyeshadow, great for crease work for an intense smokey eye or as a softer alternative to liquid eyeliner.  

I was dubious to try Laguna, although hearing so many good reviews about it, I thought it looked too dark for my pale complexion.  I am so happy to be proven wrong, it's the perfect shade to give a natural glow and it buildable depending on how strong you want your contour.  It's already on my 'to-buy' list when I hit pan on it.  I haven't used the Orgasm blush in this palette as I received a full size of the blush for my birthday, but I do love the colour.  It's a peachy pink blush with golden shimmer and seems to be pretty versatile, looking good on any complexion.  It's a blush I plan on using a lot over the summer, but I seem to gravitate towards it whenever I want to brighten up my look.  

At £45.00, some might argue this is slightly overpriced but if you think about it, it's actually a bargain.  NARS blushers are £21.50, Laguna is £26 and NARS eyeshadow duos are £25.00.  It's a good way to try some of NARS' most popular products, as well as some new and limited edition colours.  It's also perfect for travel too.  

Do you own any of the NARS palettes?

Maybelline Dream Bouncy Blush in Peach Satin

I was really excited when my order of American goodies arrived on my doorstep and since then I've used the majority of them everyday.  One of the products I picked up was the Maybelline Dream Bouncy blusher in shade Peach Satin.  It's a gorgeous peachy coral colour, which brightens the skin and gives a healthy looking flush of colour.  These blushers were released in America last year and caused quite a storm but they've yet to surface on Maybelline stands in the UK.  

Firstly, lets talk texture.  Although it's in the name, I still found myself surprised at the fact that the blush   is a bit like memory foam when you apply pressure.  Play time over, the bouncy texture helps give a great colour pay off.  The blush is pretty pigmented after a few swipes and applies to the skin well.  It's comparable to a cream blush in touch, as it's not a milled powder but it still applies like a regular powder blush.  I've been wearing it everyday since it arrived and I think it goes well with a peachy lip colour, like Rimmel's Apocalips in Luna or a nude such as MAC's Hue.  It's definitely more of a spring/summer blush and one I'll get more wear out of in the warmer months.  

The packaging is simple and does the job.  If I were to drop the product, I can't see it smashing (although I wont try to guarantee) thanks to it's memory foam like texture.  At £6.99 it doesn't break the bank, it's just a shame that Maybelline haven't launched these in the UK yet - luckily, they are available with shipping to the UK here.  If you're looking for a high street or drugstore blush that is highly pigmented and has good staying power, this could be the one for you.  

Have you tried the Dream Bouncy blush?

Natural Collection Blushed Cheeks in Peach Melba

When I first started dabbling in make up, Boots own brand Natural Collection was where I found myself, pocket money in hand.  Back then, I wasn't as clued up with make up as I am now, but it was good enough at the time and some products still are.  If you're on a budget, some of the Natural Collection products get a huge thumbs up, especially the blushers.  After lusting after MAC's powder blush in Melba, I decided to give the Natural Collections dupe, aptly called Peach Melba, a try.  

Peach Melba is a soft peachy pink shade which is perfect for an everyday flush of colour.  A little goes a long way with this blush as it's extremely pigmented. Unlike a lot of the blushers I have, it's fragrance free which is great for those with sensitive skin as it's less likely to break them out.  The best part about this blusher pot is that it only cost £1.99! Natural Collection is known for being on the cheaper side but they still manage to produce top quality products. I don't know about you but I'd rather pay £1.99 over the £17.50 that MAC now charge for powder blushers.  The only downfall with this product is the shade selection as there is only four.  

I'm looking forward to trying out some other shades, particularly Rosey Glow, which I've heard great things about. Natural Collection is available online and in most Boots stores.  

Have you tried any of the Natural Collection products?

Bobbi Brown Blush in Desert Rose

When I first became interested in the world of beauty and its many brands, the first high end purchase I dabbled in was a blusher from Bobbi Brown.  Up until then, all the blushers in my collection were garish, unwearable pinks and I found myself always using blusher instead.  I remember standing at the concession in House of Fraser, overwhelmed by all the different colours (oh how times have changed). I eventually chose shade #15 - 'Desert Rose', with the help of the BB make up artist.  It's a blush I come back to every now and then, especially when I 'shop my stash'.  I've now placed it in my everyday make up bag, along with a few other blushers I alternate from time to time.  

'Desert Rose' is a gorgeous browny pink colour which gives my fair skin an instant boost when I apply it.  It's very pigmented and I have to be careful just how much my blush brush picks up, but I'd much rather that that having to scrape the product.  The blusher itself is Bobbi Browns award winning formula - silky, smooth and long lasting.  It's a matte blusher, so looks far more natural on the skin than one that has shimmer.  Unlike the other blushers I favour, it has no smell to it meaning it would be better for those who have sensitive skin.  

At £18 it's certainly not the cheapest cheek product around, but if you're looking for a product that's highly pigmented, lasts for hours and compliments your complexion - it might be worth the splurge!

What's your favourite Bobbi Brown product?