BLUSH

Giorgio Armani Neo Nude A Blush Review and Swatches

July 17, 2018

Sharing a review for the highly popular newly released Giorgio Armani Neo Nude A Blush today. Just like everyone else, I fell in love with them straight away as soon as I saw the packaging – they are just too cute to be missed. The new Neo Nude collection including the liquid contour and highlighter has just been released in Australia last week (bought them here) and I picked 3 colors (shade 30, 50 and 51) immediately without even seeing them in real life. They are selling out super fast so it’s always a good idea to get them early.

I am normally not a fan of liquid formula for blush as it can look patchy and I find the application can be a little tricky. The Neo Nude Blush has the best formula I have used so far – actually it is much better than all the gel-based and liquid-based blushes I have ever used in the past. It has a lightweight gel-to-liquid formula that applies smoothly and evenly. I am really impressed that the color just blends into the skin seamlessly without looking patchy and leaves no edge. It doesn’t enhance nor settle into the pores and lines. In addition, it works well with most foundation formulas. I have used it on dewy based as well as powdery based foundations and the blush works just perfectly without looking cakey.

The color pay-off is soft and sheer so it gives a soft and pretty flush of colors on the cheeks. The application is a no-brainer for me, as I just apply a few dots on the cheekbones then blend the color with my fingers. The result is incredibly fresh and pretty and last for the whole day that I am completely in love with.

Shade 30 is an orangey coral color.

Shade 50 – My favorite color out of the three. It is a neutral milky pink that works well on fair complexion.

Shade 51 – It is quite similar to shade 50 but a tad darker pink. Works well on fair to medium complexion.

Swatches

Verdict: Must-have blushes of the year! The Giorgio Armani Neo Nude A blush is currently exclusive to Nordstrom only in the US.

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Labels: BLUSH • Giorgio Armani

Exclusive Chanel New In – Joues Contraste Blush Rose Petillant and Nail Color Rose Prodigious

November 5, 2017

Chanel has released some pretty colors lately. The first item that caught my eye was the stunning Joues Contraste Blush ROSE PÉTILLANT. Also swatching the beautiful Le Vernis Nail color 586 ROSE PRODIGIOUS. I am so obsessed with this color that I have been wearing this color repeatedly! Both items appear to be exclusive shades that you can only find on Chanel online or some Chanel Makeup Studios in Australia.

The blush ROSE PÉTILLANT is the most perfect flattering peachy pink with gold shimmer I have ever seen. It’s not the most unique shade ever since Nars introduced his iconic Orgasm blush (aka the universally flattering peachy pink shade), but this color still has the ‘wow’ factor and stands out from every other brand I have seen. The texture is also amazing – it feels creamier and it’s super pigmented and opaque that is different to the regular JC blushes. It is silky smooth to apply and blend, with just a single swipe that is enough to give a flush of color on the cheeks for fair to medium skin. The rose gold shimmer adds a glow and dimension to the cheeks but it is not visible on the skin and will not enlarge pores.

Close-up

Swatch

Chanel Le Vernis Longwear Nail Color 586 Rose Prodigious is a beautiful pink rose with gold shimmer. Flawless and streak-free consistency in high shine gel finish. Swatched with 2 coats.

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Labels: BLUSH • CHANEL • NAIL POLISH

Tom Ford Soleil Eye and Cheek Palettes Warm and Cool Review and Swatches

January 26, 2017

The most anticipated collection of Tom Ford Soleil Eye and Cheek Palettes has finally landed in Australia. Being his loyal fan, I bought both colors on a whim. The cool palette was purchased in Neiman Marcus while I was in the US, and the warm palette was recently purchased back home. Both palettes are still available online in the US, and they are also available online in Australia but the trick is to select ‘store pickup from a store where it has Tom Ford’ otherwise it shows ‘out of stock’ if you choose for home delivery.

I struggle to find words to describe how stunning these two palettes are. As usual, they are on the expensive side, but my justification is that you get a lot of products in one palette (4 eyeshadows, 1 blush, and 1 highlighter in the finest buttery texture) so it is not too bad given how pricey of each individual product is from the brand. The signature limited edition packaging of the glossy white packaging case with golden trim is also to-die-for and it looks and feels even better in real life.

Both palettes contain beautiful neutral colors that I would wear every day, and there is not a single color that I do not like. To me, Tom ford is one of the very few brands that offer many colors in a palette in such a complementary harmony but are not too boring nor too over the top. Apart from the colors, the difference between the two palettes is that the cool has 2 sparkly and 2 satin eyeshadows, whereas the warm has only 1 sparkly and 3 satin eye colors. So if you are not too big on sparkly, I would suggest to go for the warm palette.

Closer look at the Cool Palette

Color Description:

1. Cool medium pink blush

2. Sparkly peachy pink

3. Sparkly lavender

4. Satin true taupe

5. Satin dark chocolate brown with a plummy undertone

6. Pale peachy pink highlighter with shimmer (amazing texture)

Closer look at the Warm Palette

Color Description:

1. Medium Coral blush

2. Satin gold

3. Sparkly golden brown taupe – one the most beautiful sparkly colors I’ve ever come across!

4. Satin medium brown taupe with bronze undertone

5. Satin dark brown

6. Pale shimmery ivory champagne highlighter with the most buttery texture for a highlighter

Bottom Line: Save your money from mediocre products! These palettes will make your heart sing!

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Labels: BLUSH • EYE SHADOW • HIGHLIGHTER • Tom Ford

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Surreal Light Palette Review and Swatch

December 4, 2016

I have been showcasing this beautiful Hourglass Ambient Lighting Surreal Light Palette (bought here with free international shipping) a lot on my insta lately. The marble packaging totally captured my heart. I have lots of individual Hourglass ambient lighting powder, as well as the Ambient Lighting palette. Since this palette comes in 6 new never-before-released shades, that makes a wonderful excuse for me to add it to my stash.

Basically, the ambient powder adds a soft lit-within glow to the face. All powders are not fully matte, but they are also less shimmery than a traditional shimmer product. It imparts a luminous glow to the face that looks good with all age groups (unlike the ultra glamorous finish that you see on Insta which may not look good in real life!), and all powders go on semi-translucent with a tinge of color so it would look flattering on all skin tones. The application is fool-proof as the pigment is soft and easy to blend, and the powder does not enhance the pores.

The palette contains 1 finishing powder, 2 blushes, and 1 bronzer and 1 highlighter. All of them contain very fine micro shimmer that does not look visible on the face.

Surreal Light: A sheer nude finish powder that goes on translucent on my NC15/20 skin tone. I like to use it to set my makeup over the center of the face. It instantly brightens, and makes the face look more dimensional and lifted as the powder reflects light softly, as well as controlling the oil all day long.

2. Surreal Bronze Light: A neutral tan shade. Great for creating a subtle contour, and adding warmth to the face.

3. Surreal Glow: A pale peachy pink blush that looks very delicate on the skin. Can also be used as a highlighter depending on your skin tone.

4. Surreal Effect: A cool, pink rose fused with a soft, warm peach for a pop of flattering color. Goes on quite bright and adds a flush of color to the cheeks.

5. Surreal Strobe Light: A glimmering golden peach powder, and can also be used wet for an intense highlight.

Under the sun

Swatch

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Labels: BLUSH • BRONZER • CONTOUR • HIGHLIGHTER • HOURGLASS

Chanel Libre Holiday 2016 Collection – Joues Contraste Blush Hyperfresh and Rouge Allure Gloss Super Nude Review and Swatch

November 10, 2016

Continuing with my review for the Chanel Libre Holiday 2016 collection. The Chanel Velvet Nail Polish Pink Rubber was reviewed here, and today’s post is for the Joues Contraste Blush in Hyperfresh and the Rouge Allure Gloss in Super Nude. These were the only two makeup items I picked up from the collection. I bought them in a heartbeat as soon as I saw them in the store. Both colors are very pretty, and most importantly, they look very flattering when they are applied and are great for everyday use rather than being limited to a festival makeup.

Hyperfresh is an ultra vibrant warm pink blush. Chanel is known for their subtle and elegant color payoff, but every now and then, they make the most vibrant and rich hues that you can’t miss such as this color. There is very subtle shimmer in it, but once applied the shimmer is not detectable on the skin. As usual, it gives a lovely flush of pink color with a soft glow. Since it’s ultra pigmented, I would suggest using a very soft and fluffy brush (such as the HG Suqqu Cheek Brush) for the application.

Hyperfresh is a vibrant neutral pink color with a hint of coral undertone. It may look like a hot pink blush from the picture but once it is applied the warmth comes through.

If you have been following my blog for a while, you would know that I have been obsessed with nude to brown lips lately. The Chanel Rouge Allure Gloss in Super Nude is perfection. I was wowed by how flattering it looked on me for a nude color. I would describe it as a medium beige shade with a peachy undertone so it doesn’t wash you out. To me, this color is right on trend but also elegant, and is easy to wear.

As for the formula, in general, the Rouge Gloss has a lovely moisturizing and creamy consistency, and you can find a detailed review here for other colors. It goes on semi-opaque in a high shine finish and gives a plump effect.

Super Nude Swatch

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Labels: BLUSH • CHANEL • Holiday 2016 Collection • LIP GLOSS

Marc Jacobs Beauty Air Blush Soft Glow Duo Review and Swatch – Lush & Libido and Kink & Kisses

October 10, 2016

I haven’t bought any new blushes for a while, as there wasn’t anything exciting until the launch of Marc Jacobs Beauty Air Blush Soft Glow Duo. I knew I would like them as soon as I saw pictures starting to trickle around on the internet, and they certainly did not disappoint when I finally got them on my hands. The colors I picked were Lush & Libido and Kink & Kisses, and they were bought on Sephora AU Online. The current stocks are quite limited as they are selling out really fast.

Marc Jacobs Beauty is certainly a relatively new beauty brand that is growing on me. As you can see my collection is growing, and I still have a big wish list for them – currently eyeing on this to-die-for palette which is not available in Australia yet! The Air Blush comes in its signature black and round compact case. What sold me to these blushes is because of this short clip – it looked so promising and as I read the info, I found that this blush was made with a new ingredient called Japanese Airy Powder with a process called Soufflage (French for “air-whipped”). How intriguing!

The Air Blush definitely lived up to my high expectations after putting it to the test. It has a buttery and silky soft texture, and it imparts a soft natural luminous glow to the cheeks. The finely-milled airy pigments are almost undetectable on the skin, as it goes on ultra lightweight like a feather and gives a super natural flush of color. It blends effortlessly with no visible edge. The finish is beyond pretty – it doesn’t have any shimmer to it but it still adds a touch of satiny radiance which makes your cheeks pop and plump that look very youthful.

The multi-striped colors give a dimension to the color. I like the thoughtful design as there is enough separation between the light and the darker colors, so you can add one or the other color more for your preferred finish.

I picked up two colors that I know would work for my complexion (NC15-20).

Lush & Libido is a soft cool-toned pink in satin glow

Kink & Kisses is a universally flattering peachy pink in satin glow

Swatch

Closer look at how finely filled the texture is and the beautiful luminosity

Bottom Line: Must-have! One of the best new blush formulae released this year.

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Labels: BLUSH • MARC JACOBS BEAUTY

Tom Ford Soleil Color Collection – Soleil Contouring Compact, Bicoastal Sheer Cheek Duo, Ultra Rich Lip Color Review, Swatch and FOTD

June 12, 2016

Believe it or not, Tom Ford Soleil Color is the only 2016 summer collection that I picked up this year! (yep I skipped the Chanel..and many others) Normally summer collection involves lots of bright colors and bronzers which are not of my best interest, so for me it’s the easiest season that I can save my money from lol! With the exception of the always breathtaking release from Tom Ford. I managed to pick up some highly popular items including two beautiful face palettes – the Contouring Compact (limited edition) and Bicoastal Sheer Cheek Duo, and one lip color in Les Mepris on the first day of release. The entire collection is available on David Jones Online in Australia.

The Soleil Contouring Compact in The Afternooner is beyond gorgeous. If you own the Illuminating Powder Duo (reviewed here), you will love this palette too, as it includes a highlighter and a bronzer that are just as gorgeous as the duos, with an additional blush that makes this palette very versatile and practical to use. I won’t go into the details of the quality in this post, as they are always consistent with Tom Ford’s items from the past and permanent collections which I have reviewed many times. Overall Tom Ford is known for their cream-like powder based makeup with an ultra buttery and smooth texture for an effortless application.

Color description:

Highlighter: A soft nude shimmer highlighter with a pale gold undertone. On the swatch it leans slightly warm. However on my cool toned NC15 complexion, I am glad that it doesn’t pull too warm on me as some other golden highlighters do. I normally apply a sheer layer on top of the cheekbone, and it goes on translucent and gives a beautiful natural looking glow.

Blush: A semi-matte coral pink blush that gives a pretty flush of color and looks flattering on any skin tones.

Bronzer: A semi-matte sable brown color that compliments my skin-tone. It particularly goes well with the blush and highlighter – when all three colors are applied, they give a harmonious and sophisticated finish. The bronzer looks great for contouring the cheekbone, or dust a little all over the face for a bit of sun-kissed look. The color is too warm for my complexion as a real contouring product for the jaws and nose.

Swatch

The Tom Ford Bicoastal Sheer Cheek Duo is another palette not to be missed from the collection! It’s my kind of blush color that I can wear all year around. It has the two prettiest shades of pink in different finishes housed in the signature TF white and gold compact. On the top is a baby peachy pink shimmer highlighter. The blush at the bottom is a semi-matte rosy pink. I like to mix the two colors together for a natural and pretty glowy effect . Both colors go on sheer, so I prefer to use a dense powder blush for application, and they can be easily build up to a more vibrant finish.

Group Swatch

Tom Ford released two sets of lip color collections in this release. I passed on the entire Moisturecore Lip Colors as I just did not like the finish on me. With the white tube Ultra Rich Lip Color, I have an eternal affinity with them. They are beautifully packaged, feel luxurious with a creamy and silky formula. I only picked up the color Les Mepris so far, but in the back of my mind I kept on thinking about Purple Noon and Revolve Around Me which are more edgy colors. Les Mepris is a go-to pretty pink coral color that is universally flattering for all complexions. It goes well with any makeup look, and it instantly brightens up my complexion for a youthful appeal.

Sharing some of my FOTDs wearing the Soleil Compact with all three colors applied and Lip Color Les Mepris.

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Labels: BLUSH • FOTD • HIGHLIGHTER • LIPSTICK • Tom Ford

MAC Flamingo Park Blushes Review and Swatch – LIFE’S A PICNIC and WHAT I FANCY

February 28, 2016

MAC Flamingo Park is a whimsical collection for anyone who loves pretty and girly makeup. I was instantly drawn to the new Flamingo Park Blush colors – it’s like an array of the prettiest pink and peaches that were calling my name. I could have easily picked up 4-5 colors that I wanted, but I narrowed them down to 2 must-haves for me – the LIFE’S A PICNIC, and WHAT I FANCY.

left: LIFE’S A PICNIC right: WHAT I FANCY

The quality of these blushes are the same as their permanent powder blushes. They are nicely pigmented and smooth. The powder is soft enough to be picked up by any brush and apply evenly. Both colors do not have shimmer, and gives a semi-matte finish with a soft glow.

My first pick was the LIFE’S A PICNIC. Reason being it instantly reminded me of my all time favorite Chanel blush Vibration (reviewed here). It’s a beautiful and unique pinkish coral red color that just instantly brightens up my complexion. It’s ultra bright and pigmented, so application has to be very light-handed. Using a soft brush gives a sheer wash of naturally flushed cheeks.

WHAT I FANCY is another pretty and soft spring blush color to wear. It’s a pastel milky peachy pink that gives an innocent and angelic wash of color to the cheeks. To me it’s a fool proof color that can be worn sheer, or built up to accentuate the apples of the cheeks, but regardless it will always make you look young and fresh.

Swatch

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Labels: BLUSH • MAC

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