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 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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Bespoke with Bourjois

Hello Beauties!

I thought I would share some of my current Bourjois favourites today. The colour adjusting Rose Exclusif Lip Gloss and the cream to powder Blush Exclusif.

The theory behind these products is that when they come in contact with your skin, their 'pigment' will develop to a certain depth depending on the ph of your skin. You are left with a bespoke tint of pink on your lips and/or cheeks that gives you a healthy, natural flush of colour. Nice.

Love the sleek packaging

The gloss has a small, precise brush tip applicator

Swatched in natural light L- Blush Exclusif
R- Rose Exclusif gloss

Apologies for the mug shot.
Just to show you the products on ma face!

The Blush Exclusif is a cream to powder formula. I find it easiest to apply with fingertips, and then blend out with either fingertips or the Real Techniques expert face brush. It is not the most long lasting cream blush, and I find it will fade quite a lot after about 3 hours on my skin. However, the petite packaging means that it is no trouble to pop in your makeup bag for touch ups during the day/evening.

The Rose Exclusif is quite a sticky formula, which I don't mind too much. Thanks to the small brush tip application can be very precise. It will leave a gorgeous pink stain to the lips long after the gloss itself has disappeared. Really pretty!

I purchase my Bourjois products from Priceline. Bourjois are also available on ASOS, and other online locations.

I would love to hear from you if you have tried these products, or have any other Bourjois favourites?

Thanks for stopping by!

Blessings, 

Lou xo

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