My Current Top 5 Blushes

2nd post of the day for me....

It's recently dawned on me that a definitely favour certain shades in my blush collection lately so i thought i'd do a post and tell you what they are and why i keep reaching for them again and again. This post is in no particular order, they are just the top 5 that i never fail to reach for. 

I don't tend to favour a particular brand when it comes to blushes. Don't get me wrong, I have brands that i prefer, but i won't judge a product on the brand. I prefer to try the product and then judge it on shade and formulation. Obviously if it's a range i know i like, then that's going to be a major factor. Like i just ADORE the Sheertone blushes from MAC for the fact that they are amazing shades but don't flood the cheeks with colour, which means that i can build to the intensity that i want. It also makes them more versatile for day to night wear. I have included two of these in my Top 5.

MAC Sheertone Blush in Pink Swoon

This is the first MAC blush i've had that i've actually had to repurchase so far. I used all of my first one and i went back for more. It's just the prettiest pink which can be used as a subtle flush or built to achieve a POP of pink. I've worn this to work as well as on a night out and i love how versatile it is. I'd totally recommend it for anyone who likes the idea of a vivid pink blush, but is a little hesitant to just slap it on. It's hard to go wrong with this shade in my opinion. 

MAC Sheertone Shimmer Blush in Sunbasque

This is a new find of mine but i've been obsessed with it ever since. I spotted this in a blog sale last month and just had to have it. In the last month, especially as the weather in London has been so stunning, i have gone for gold/bronze shades in a big way. This is going to be a firm favourite of mine for some time to come i think. I love it for the same reasons as i love Pink Swoon. Just a sweep gives a lovely sheer glow to the cheeks, or you can concentrate it on the cheekbones for a more dramatic effect. And the shimmer is stunning. 

Illamasqua Cream Blush in Dixie

I featured this blush in my August favourites, but it's a permanent favourite in my collection. I tend to try and rotate my blushes but this one is almost permanently in my everyday makeup bag. i absolutely adore the shade, which is a slightly reddened, warm pink and the cream formula means that you hardly need any on the brush to give a decent colour. This is one that looks vivid when you first apply it but then buffs out like a dream and gives a perfect colour. I can't wait to purchase 'Rude' next. I'm totally sold on Illamasqua blushes.  

BeneFit Coralista

This is an old school favourite of mine and i've made no secret throughout my time on this blog of the fact that i love it. Amazingly, I'm still on my first one and haven't even hit pan yet. I put this down to the fact that i go through phases of not being able to put it down, but then i'll put it away and use other products for a while. Currently, it's not top of my list but it holds a special place in my heart and it will probably be making a reappearance very soon. It's a perfect pinky coral that works all year round. I find BeneFit blushes to be VERY pricey, but the packaging is as beautifull as the blush itself and these little boxes look amazing sat on my vanity.

Fashionista Blush in Shade 10 (Butterscotch)

This is a blush that i had previously written off. I have this in a palette of 4 with other blushes and a highlighter and, to look at it, this is the least visually eye-catching of the 4. I did initially doubt that it would show up on me (it looks a lot lighter in the flesh than in these photos), but when i did finally develop the curiosity and swatched it i was amazed at how pigmented it is! I actually find it quite similar to MAC Melba. It's a similar matte formula and very similar in shade, but slightly more pink. It gives a lovely glow to the cheeks and i think i will be loving it even more for A/W 2012. The pigmentation of Fashionista blushes also means that you need very little on the brush, which makes a drugstore product even better value for money in my opinion!! 

So those are the blushes that are currently floating my boat. One or two of these are probably have 'all-time favourite' status, but as i said before, my favourites tend to switch around from season to season and depending on what i want from them at any given time. For now though, these 5 are my dream team.

What are your go-to blushes of the moment?? Which shades can't you live without?? What formulas get you going??

All Loved Up with FashionistA...

Good evening my lovelies!!

Even though i live on my own with two ferrets and not a whiff of a man (as if i'm bothered), the approach of Valentine's Day this month has got me going all romantic. Not for a boyfriend, but for MAKE UP!! Recently I've been going a bit bonkers for pinks and this time of the year (although a totally pointless occasion in my opinion) is the perfect excuse to get all pink and romantic. And i received some products recently that really fit the bill!! They're from the MAC of the drugstore world.... FASHIONISTA!!

When i first read about these Plumping Lip Glaze glosses I did wonder if i really needed them.... after all i did have a bit of a lip gloss HAUL not so long ago with the MUA 'Out There' plumping glosses but, as these were referred to as a 'glaze' rather than a gloss i was a little curious. I was promised amazing pigmentation and lips that are truly irresistible so how could i say no to THAT?!?!

Anyhoo here are the shades i received.....

Fashion Fuchsia 

As i expected these have a lot more of a sheen to them than the MUA glosses. This shade is almost a ringer for the MUA Pin Up Pink, until you consider the finish and texture. This gloss is a lot more sheer on the lips and has a little bit of a sparkle to it. Pigmentation is great, although it does give a more subtle finish. Fashion Fuchsia is a lovely reddened pink that would suit most skintones.

Hollywood

To look at them in the tube you can't really tell much of a difference between the two shades i have. But once you swatch them and wear them on the lips you see a marked difference. Hollywood is much cooler toned than Fashion Fuchsia and has even more of a sparkle to it. I'm not a fan of sparkly lips AT ALL but this does not seem too much and i have found myself reaching for this shade the most out of the two, which is a bit odd as i'm quite warm skinned. 

HEART SHAPED SWATCHES FTW!!! 

I really am surprising myself lately at how open i am to lipglosses. I have never been a fan of the texture or feel of gloss on my lips. I think it feels like i've been snogging a candle!! However, just like the MUA glosses i don't find these sticky and obstructive on my lips at all and i forget they're there after a while. They contain the exact same 'Maxi-Lip' ingredient as their MUA counterparts which gives you that gorgeous tingle for a fuller pout. Perfect to pucker up with on Valentine's Day if you have that special someone.... or if, like me, you couldn't give a HOOT and just want great lips.

I've been mulling over the price of these in my head. They are £5 compared to £2 for the MUA glosses. I've come to the conclusion that they SHOULD be higher in price for the reasons that you get a WHOPPING fat tube and they feel more luxurious on the lips. They also have a sweet taste to them while the MUA glosses have none. In terms of longevity, i haven't fully tested that out yet, but they're not in a hurry to rub off thats for sure. 

FashionistA Plumping Lip Glaze comes in 7 different shades and retails for £5 from selected Superdrug stores. I must stress to you that these were sent to me as samples, however this does not make me more or less likely to rave about them. I just happen to LIKE them!!

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While we're on the subject of FashionistA products, i realised whilst taking the photos for this post, how neglectful i have been towards my FashionistA Blush Palette that i picked up from TOWIB back in October!! It has been on my to-do list for ages and i've never taken the time to fully play about with it. So i thought i'd tell you a little bit about it and show you the swatches NOW!!

These palettes are fully customisable and the eyeshadow/blush shades sold seperately for you to mix and match as you please. I'm not surprised that this brand has been dubbed 'the drugstore MAC' as you really can make your palette however you want it and change it around (even get 2 or 3)!! 

My palette came with these shades already in it and contains 3 blushers and an eyeshadow/highlight shade. I chose this palette (there were three variations available).

Swatches (L-R)

Juicy Apricot

Blushing

Butterscotch

Bella (Shadow/Highlight)

This selection was inspired by catwalk trends for Spring/Summer 2012 so is BANG ON for the upcoming new season. They are lovely, soft shades so fit with the Valentine's theme perfectly!! Pigmentation is very good and i had no problems swatching them. They are also easy to blend. I did have  a little trouble getting Butterscotch to show up on me (I'm medium skinned) but for paler ladies this would be a great shade!!

Now that i've had a proper play with the palette i've really been enjoying it. It is PERFECT for travel. You can put whichever shades you want in it and just GO! The mirror is also HUGE. I took it to London with me last week when i attended the ZOMGbloggersbash. 

FashionistA products are available in selected Superdrug stores. I, unfortunately, do not have one locally which stocks it so i am so greatful for the products i have received and feel very lucky indeed. I'm secretly hoping that FashionistA and Look Beauty will suddenly APPEAR in Chesterfield Superdrug very soon so i can have a proper play with the products.

Have you tried FashionistA products?? Do you like the idea of an affordable custom palette?? What lip shades will YOU be rocking this Valentine's??