Liz Earle Powder Blush : Swatch and Review

If you have read this post, you will be well aware that I totally adore the Liz Earle Cream Blushes. They are some of the best I have ever tried and really create that dewy flush of colour.

I realised whilst sorting through my make up stash that I had rather ignored their powder counterpart- so I just wanted to right this wrong!

This is the Liz Earle Powder Blush in Nude, which is described as a rosy apricot.

It has a matte finish, which is not usually something I go for- I like my blushes with a dose of glow, however this is one of the creamiest matte blushes I have tried.

It is surprisingly silky to the touch, it's not overly powdery, it kicks up very little powder at all in fact and it blends with ease considering it is a matte.

This colour does create a lovely natural flush and I really should make a effort to use it more often!

Do I prefer it to the cream blushes? No. I think if you are dithering between, the creams reign supreme. 

This is a lovely blush though so I have moved things around a bit so I have more easy access to it, the colour reads very autumnal to me and due to its rosy base, it suits a multitude of make up looks.

What do you guys prefer? Cream or Powder? 

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Shopping my Stash : Bobbi Brown Berry Blush

This little blush has been somewhat neglected over the past few months. Its just been sat gathering dust so I thought it was time to dig it out and make a point of using it again. 

The name doesn't lie folks, this is a berry shade- it's very intense and incredibly pigmented as well and I think that's why I haven't been reaching for it. 

However, 95% of my blush stash is of a peachy pink nature so I felt it was time to dig this little guy out as it has Autumn written all over it.

This is the most pigmented blush I own- without fail. It's quite intimidating actually. For those with deeper skin tones, this will look beautiful on you and I doubt you will have the same application issues as I do.
Even if I lightly sweep my finger across the surface of the blush, I am left with a fully opaque berry mark on my finger and you cannot simply brush it off.
The swatch below was only one or two swipes off the surface and my oh my, it does not wipe off. I couldn't just rub it off, I had to whack out the micellars.
If I am in a rush, this is too finicky to do in a hurry, but if I take my time, this is so beautiful.
I tend to use my Bobbi Brown Sheer Powder brush (which I am not mad keen on, but it serves it's purpose well here) and I very, VERY carefully dot my brush into the powder and tap off the excess on my hand. Even if you can't see any product on the brush, just trust me, it is there.

I then carefully and strategically, apply it to the apples of my cheeks in slow, small circular motions, blending outwards. It's not one of those blushes where you can swirl and go- you have to take your time.
If I do not apply in this way, I end up with bright red cheeks that aren't going anywhere. Once I have over applied, blending becomes redundant as this colour does not shift.
However, when I do it right-  it's beautiful. You know that look when you have been walking around outside on a cold day and your cheeks have that real genuine pink/red tone to them? This blush creates that, so when it is done well, it just gives such an English rose appearance to the skin.
It is matte as well so I think it would work beautifully as an eye shadow. I also think it was made in order to be paired with this Charlotte Tilbury lipstick.
I will make a conscious effort to use this more regularly from now on. It's too pretty to be left to collect dust.

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Currently Loving...

I try to shake up my make up quite regularly as I don't really like being stuck in a rut. but I noticed whilst putting on my make up this morning, that I have been reaching for these items almost daily.
So, without further ado...

Liz Earle Cream Blush in Blossom : Does any one know if this is discontinued? It's my favourite product from the entire LE line so I will be pretty gutted if that is the case. It's just my perfect cream blush, for a full review, click here. Also peeps, if this has gone, do you know of any dupes?

Nars Laguna Bronzer : What a cult product hey? Its a medium brown shade with a subtle gold shimmer throughout which never translates as obvious or chunky on the skin. I love applying it with my Bobbi Brown Bronzer brush to add a authentic warmth to my skin. I seem to go in waves of using this, but right now its my fave.

Mac Fluid Line in Blacktracks : I am clearly in a old school mood huh? I have had this for quite a while now so I was pretty certain it had all dried up - its 18 months old but it's still in perfect condition! I'm loving the thick opacity of gel eyeliners right now and this bad boy has some serious staying power. I use my real techniques eye liner brush to add a slim line and little flick to the top of my upper lashline. If smokes out really well so when I am not feeling the harsh look, I blend some eye shadow over top with a pencil brush and I am left with a soft smokey flick. I've used this daily and I won't be changing my ways anytime soon. I've missed you eyeliner.

Yves Saint Laurent Elle Eau de Parfum : Although I love to switch my fragrances up, if I were to have one signature scent, it would be this without fail. I have no idea how many of these I have got through in my time but it is a classic that I always come back to.
With notes of Patchouli, this is a woody and slightly spicy fragrance that has some real depth to it. There is a a floral element to it that stops it from being too heavy, but only a touch. It is very sophisticated and such a unique fragrance. I really cannot stand over the top floral fragrances as they make headachey. This is as 'floral' as I go.

Laura Geller Baked Eye Shadow Stripes in Plum Torte : This trio contains one white highlight, a bronze shimmer and a indigo shade. As pretty as this is to use on the eye, I have actually been using the white shade as a cheek highlight and it is glorious.
This baked white highlight produces the most incredible sheen on the cheek- it is so light catching but due to it being a baked product, it looks so natural and there is no glitter in sight.
I know Laura does a highlight duo which I may have to pick up because this is totally my favourite highlight right now. I dip my fan brush in and dust it on the high points of my face. This doesn't look white or obvious on the skin, it just captures light like nobodies business.

Estee Lauder Sumptuous Extreme Mascara : I have had this sample for a while now but for some reason I never gave it a proper go.
The brush on this is really quite big - it is a thick, long bristle brush - perhaps it was that which put me off, but I love it. It builds up volume super fast which I really appreciate as layering endless coats of mascara first thing in the morning isn't ideal. This creates very thick black lashes. I love it and when it runs out I will pick up the full size.

Essie Nail Polish in Chillato : I just can't get enough of Essie at the moment. This is part of their summer collection and I just had to pick it up. It's very unique in my nail polish collection, it is a pastel lime green, I have pastel mints a plenty, but a lime version is such an interesting addition. I have repainted this countless times.

What are your current favourites?

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If You Can Find It, Buy It : Nars Douceur

Okay, I will start this off by saying I do feel really mean for talking about this product...

Nars Douceur is one of my favorite blushes of all time- it is a gorgeous pink tinged brown that looks beautiful with all types of make up- minimal looks to heavy smokey eyes and bold lips.

The formula is incredible- it applies quite sheer but it can be built up- but it just means that you can't really overdo it. I have never ended up with any harsh lines.

This was my first ever Nars product- I have bought blushes since but this still remains the best.

There still seems to be some confusion as to whether this is discontinued or not.

I bought this at Christmas time and that time everyone was saying it was discontinued- but I found it on ASOS and even now it is still listed as permanent on Temptalia and one of the ladies I spoke to on the Nars counter still had them in stock- but they are not on display- so even though you can't see it, maybe ask. 

 I know it doesn't look like a whole lot of fun in the pan, but trust me, it acts as a blush and a bronzer all in one. It is beyond me why this would ever be discontinued!

 If Douceur appeals to you- have a look for it- ask around.

If you can find it, buy it.

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The Blush That Made Me Fall In Love With Blush

Hello everyone! I hope you've all had a lovely weekend.

I thought I would kick off this Mondays post with a product that, no joke, I have been hunting for, for OVER a year.

Yep.
18 months by now actually.

Blush is easily one of my favorite products- I love how it perks up the complexion, and there is just something classic and timeless about it. 

However, even though my love for blush has been at an all time high for over a year, it was actually the last product I got into...I've always loved eye make up/ lipstick, but I was slow on the blush train. 

Until I tried this.

Enter Bobbi Browns Pink Coral. 

It has now been renamed Pretty Coral - the numbers are the same, both are No.31- I ordered Pink Coral off Debenhams and then it arrived and was called Pretty Coral. After nearly having a tantrum, I realized the numbers are the same.

Phew.

This is a fresh, pink coral matte blush- which is VERY unusual in my collection...I'm not sure I own any true matte blushers so this is an even more welcome addition.

Due to it being matte, you can choose whether or not to add highlight and when you do it's up to you where you choose to place it.

I think the reason I fell so hard for this was because it was the first time I'd properly worn a blush and thought wow...I look so healthy. It was just the right amount of subtle pink and I finally got what all the fuss was about.

However, after I tried this on, they were out of stock and (shock horror) it was limited edition. I have been on the hunt ever since, so the moment I saw it on Debenhams I grabbed it without even thinking.

I am so happy I finally own this blush, and honestly, I will treasure it.

The formula isn't perfect, it is quite powdery when you swirl our brush in it (although this is just often the case with mattes) and it requires more blending then some of my other blushes, but it still performs just as beautifully as it did when I first discovered it. 

I've been quite loving having a matte shade, it means I can apply my super sheeny highlighters without the fear that it might get a little space age. 

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If You Treat Yourself To One Thing This Month...

You may have seen I very briefly touched on this here, so I thought it was time for the full review.

If you want to treat yourself to one high end product this month, make it this.

This is Charlotte Tilburys swish and pop cheek to chic blusher in Love Glow.

I have a few of her blushes but I just can't get enough of this one at the moment.

I have used this so much, but as you can see I have barely scratched the surface.

This is an expensive product at £30, but as you get 8g of product you get almost twice as much as you do in a Nars blush.

This is a beautiful pink shade with a delicate gold sheen. Part of the reason why I love this so much is that it's so easy to use and the golden sheen just makes you look radiant and healthy. It's not at all frosty or fake looking.

As you can from the picture, there is an inner circle of pale pink, and the other circle is more of a peachy pink.

I understand the concept here- one is meant to swirl a brush around the outside shade and use all over the cheek, feathering towards the outer perimeters of the face, and you are meant to use the middle shade for a pop of colour on the apples.

I have to say I don't really do this, I swirl my brush around the entire thing and then gently dust on my cheeks.

I love using either my Charlotte Tilbury blush brush or my Real Techniques duo fibre face brush (which I freaking love btw) and it works so beautifully.

What appeals most to me about this blush, aside from its luminous finish, is that it's near impossible to over do.

I often end up, after applying my blush with a hard block of colour on my face that just looks unnatural.

If this happens to you- try a duo fibre brush as it will pick up less product, but regardless, you can't achieve a harsh look with this blush and hence the main reason why I adore it so.

The first swatch is the outer shade, and the second, the inner. Sorry it was pretty hard to get a good picture of this, but you can see the shades are similar, one is just more peach, and the other, pink.

If you are looking for something beautiful to invest in this May, or you are a blush fiend like me, check this one out, the texture is so buttery smooth you won't believe it.

This will be a favorite for a long time to come.

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