Currently Loving | The Glowy Blush Edit

I have a thing for blush. I love how it instantly brightens my whole face. It is a step in my daily makeup routine that I never miss. Ever. If I did, I'd feel like I had forgotten to put my knickers on.

Having spent the last few months experimenting with contouring and highlighting, and using three different products on my cheeks, I was recently inspired to pair it back to one product... a glowing blush. One sweep, one product, glowing cheeks. Yes please.

I have managed to edit my favourites down to a mere eight ( only eight Lou? ), and thought I would share some swatches with you today. They all have some degree of sheen or shimmer, without being glittery. I have a fairly even mix of both affordable and high end options. Most of these shades have enough depth to also add a little dimension to your cheekbones, and enough glow to negate the need for a separate highlighter. 

A bowl full of blush... heavenly.

Milani Baked Powder Blush   Berry Amore

Swatches from Left - SAVVY by DB Silky Pink,  Physician's Formula Happy Booster Blush in Rose,
 Milani Luminoso,  Milani Berry Amore,
Benefit Rockateur,  Nude By Nature Virgin Blush,  NARS Lovejoy,  HOURGLASS Mood Exposure.

Swatches from Left - SAVVY by DB Silky Pink,  Physician's Formula Happy Booster Blush in Rose,
 MILANI Luminoso,  MILANI Berry Amore,
Benefit Rockateur,  Nude By Nature Virgin Blush,  NARS Lovejoy,  HOURGLASS Mood Exposure.

SAVVY by DB, available nationally in Priceline Pharmacies, make some really lovely affordable blushes. Silky Pink is a beautiful mauve toned pink, with a subtle gold sheen. Very pigmented and very soft, definitely tap off your brush with this one. Love.

PHYSICIANS FORMULA Happy Booster Glow and Mood Boosting Blush in Rose is a true pink, with a lovely sheen. I can't really comment on the mood boosting claims, all of the blushes in this post boost my mood! This one screams Spring to me. So pretty and youthful! 

MILANI BAKED BLUSH in Luminoso receives accolades from Beauty bloggers and vloggers across the globe. It really is the perfect, glowy peach toned blush. If you don't have it...you need it.

MILANI BAKED BLUSH in Berry Amore is probably in my top five all time favourite blushes. To me, it is a beautiful rosy, warm neutral blush, that has the loveliest finish on the skin. Again, if you don't have it... you need it!

BENEFIT Rockateur is the only Benefit boxed blush that I own. I purchased mine from Adore Beauty last year, and immediately fell in blush-love. The formula is incredibly smooth and silky, it just glides onto the skin, and has very pretty pink reflect. It is in fact, very similar in tone to Milani's Berry Amore, just a touch lighter. I have put each of the shades on my cheeks, and could see very little difference at all... just sayin'...

NUDE BY NATURE Mineral Blush in Virgin Blush is also similar to Benefit Rockateur and Milani Berry Amore, just a touch less pink I feel. Equally as gorgeous, and Aussie to boot. Have a swatch next time you are in Priceline or Target... she is just lovely.

NARS Lovejoy is such a stunning blush that I have previously dedicated an entire post to her. Not one of the NARS blushes that you hear a lot of people talking about, but beautiful none the less. You can see how she differs from the other neutrals to the left, I think with more of an earthy, terracotta undertone, but still rosy, with a beautiful gold reflect. Don't be worried by the rather strong and intimidating heavy swatch, this blush has a sheer, but buildable formula. If you are in the market for a high end blush, I cannot recommend this one enough!

HOURGLASS Ambient Lighting Blush Mood Exposure is probably best captured in the last of my swatch photographs. The perfect neutral, glowy blush. Do forgive me for using a much overused term, but the glow from this blush truly makes your cheeks look "lit from within". Absolutely worth the splurge! I purchased mine from Mecca Maxima last year, and I am itching to add more shades to my collection. If you like neutral blush shades, this is an absolute must have!

What are your favourite go-to blushes? Do you prefer a matte finish, or do you like a little bit of glow like me? Do leave a comment below if you would like to!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Blessings!

Lou xo

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Benefit Fakeup Crease Control Hydrating Concealer | Review and Swatches

On a recent trip to Brisbane in January, a good friend and I hit the shops at Carindale for a little retail therapy. We treated ourselves to a brow wax and tint at the Benefit Brow Bar in Myer ( highly recommend!!) After you have your brows done, you head over to the other side of the counter and have some finishing touches done to your makeup, and have the opportunity to try other products that may interest you. I was keen to try the Benefit Fakeup under eye concealer, and the very lovely MUA recommended my shade and applied it for me...I was hooked.

Benefit Fakeup Hydrating Concealer in Medium 02

As you can see from the photos above, the core of pigment is surrounded by a hydrating solid, gel like moisturiser. I apply it straight from the bullet to my under eye area, concentrating it where I need the most colour correcting. To blend it in, I pat it with my fingertip. Easy.

I am so glad the MUA recommended the shade Medium 02 for me. I have discovered that using a concealer that matches my skin tone directly under my eyes is the most flattering for me ( at my age! ).

If I choose to do some highlighting, I will place it further down near my orbital bone, and away from the bluish tones that I have in my inner corners and under eye. For me personally, using a very light concealer directly under my eyes only serves to make the discolouration, and any puffiness seem more prominent, and it looks unnatural.

In my experience Benefit Fakeup is not a full coverage concealer. But it doesn't need to be. The added hydration makes it creamy but not greasy, and it manages to soften and blur the look of fine lines around your eyes. In short, it gives me medium coverage, whilst making my under eye area just look fresher and more youthful.

I was told to set it with powder by the makeup artist, that it was designed to be set because it is so hydrating. I have experimented with some different powders in my collection, ranging from translucent loose setting powders, mineral powders, and powders like Maybelline Superstay that offer decent coverage as well as setting properties. My only advice would be to use a very light hand with your powder, but any of these work well for me. I have also used it without powder, with impressive results.

Benefit Fakeup is the most "creaseless" concealer I have tried. For me, it does live up to its' claim of "...hiding dark circles and diffuses fine lines for a silky smooth ultra-natural look."

I reach for it every day...every day!!

I paid $35.00 AU and purchased from the Benefit counter in Myer. 

It is also available to purchase online here

Have you tried Fakeup? Do you have a favourite under eye concealer?

Do leave a comment below!! I love reading them!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Blessings,

Lou xo

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Benefit Lollitint: Photos,Review and Swatches

One day last week I was having a mooch around Instagram and came upon a post from Sweaty Betty PR, offering a free Benefit Lollitint to those who placed an order for Roxy Jacenko's new novel,"The Rumour Mill".

The offer was current for one hour only, and before I knew it ( well...not really ) there was an order confirmation email in my inbox...I couldn't pass up the offer of a great read, and a full size Benefit product that retails in Australia for $52!!

Benefit describes Lollitint as;

"The flirtiest flush you can get from a bottle! Our candy-orchid tint treats your lips and cheeks to a "pop" of dreamy sweetness"

Yes...I would have to agree with that!

Benefit's Lollitint is due for release in Australian stores February 15th.

Left -  Heavy swatch straight from brush applicator
Right - blended out with fingertips

Left - The stain left from my swatch!
Right - blended out with fingertips

All Lolli'd up on the lips and cheeks!

Application

I used the applicator brush to dot the tint onto my cheeks, and then used the elf Small Stipple Brush to blend it out. The pigment sinks into the skin very quickly, I found it best to just dot one cheek at a time and blend quickly! I used two layers of the tint on both my lips and cheeks for the photo above,just to see how the colour built up. Lollitint definitely packs a bigger, brighter punch than its warmer toned sister, Posietint.

Pair it with...

..the Essence Stay With Me Lipgloss in the shade "Deep Rose" is a pretty neutral/cool toned pink gloss with a hint of very fine shimmer, and looks really pretty over the tint. I find these tints a little too drying on the lips to wear alone, and will continue to experiment with some other shades and combinations.

Is a flirty flush your cup of tea? ...Like a pretty pop on your kisser?...Then Lollitint will be for you!

Thanks so much for stopping by,

Blessings,

Lou xo

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