information on: fashion trends, skin care, saving $ on makeup, high end vs. drugstore treasures, shoes, organization, nails, and hair! translation...ALL THINGS soft & pink/girly!
I love NARS Blush! I simply had to purchase this Foreplay palette from my local Sephora.
It retails for $49. Essentially, it is a deconstructed ORGASM palette. ORGASM is their most popular shade of blush. I must say I was at first a bit reluctant to purchase it, as many brown girls have said that it just does not show up on their skin. The idea of a deconstructed palette works for me because I can add more pink or peach to make it pop for my deep skin tone.
Blackberry pic - Swatches
The largest color in the palette is ORGASM, a soft peachy pink with fine gold shimmer.
On my skin, the color is a bit washed out.
I added more peach to amp it up.
There are both a soft blue based pink as well as a peach blush in this palette. Both are matte.
The three blushes in this palette are not available for purchase singularly. However, I suspect that there are other blushes in the NARS line that closely resemble them.
The real appeal for me in this palette is the gold color. While NARS ALBATROSS is my all time favorite highlight, I wanted to try this warmer yellow gold.
Just as I suspected, it is as finely milled as is ALABATROSS.
Blackberry pic
This palette is limited edition. If you are a fan of NARS BLUSH or a beginner who would like to try it, I highly recommend it. I think it would be terrific for travel because of it's compact size.
Pan Size: 1.45 inch 36.83 mm
(This is the same size as a single Make Up For Ever single eyeshadow)
I received these three lovely blushes as a gift from a friend.
They are extremely pigmented and last all day.
I would recommend using a fan brush to apply the blush with a very light hand.
A little bit goes a long way.
Left to Right
MAGENTA Hot Pink matte
PURPLE PASSION Purple satin with slight shimmer
BORDEAUX Wine with lots of shimmer
PROS
Highly pigmented.
Beyond affordable at $2.50 for a single pan without the casing. $3.00 in the pot.
CONS
When purchasing, the wait time for these is more than a week. The orders are processed by hand. It is certainly worth it in my humble opinion for such a pigmented product.
Many of the colors are often out of stock because of the popularity of this blush.
Makeup Boards tout Milani Blushes as dupes for high end Blushes
Milani Powder Blush LUMINOUS = NARS Orgasm
Milani Mineral Powder Blush MAI-TAI = MAC Hipness
Milani Mineral Powder Blush SUNSET BEACH = MAC Raizin
On my MAC NC50 complexion, Luminous barely shows.
I think it makes a pretty highlight.
I prefer the matte mineral powder formulations.
They are highly pigmented. When I set them with transparent powder, and Make Up For Ever Mist & Fix, they last longer than if I used nothing. The general consensus is they last about three hours when worn alone. I need to play with the newer additions to my collection to get a true estimate of staying power. Generally I use a cream base first for all of my powders.
I have just one more color to add to my collection for it to be complete, Sweet Rose.
Do you own any of these blushes?
Swatches Left to Right - Indoor Lighting With Flash
Luminous, Sunset Beach, Mai-Tai
I decided to route through my hardly used box of makeup. I am so glad that I did. It felt like I was shopping. I stumbled upon my e.l.f. Natural Radiance Blusher collection.
These gems are very affordable for $1 each.
I purchased all the colors except for INNOCENCE which I thought would not show up on my MAC NC50 skintone. The lighter colors could easily be used for highlight or stacked over a darker blush.
These blushes give a subtle hint of color. Some are more pigmented than others. When used with a cream base, I find they will last all day on me. The texture can be powdery. I like the convenience of the small packaging.
(Click on any image for larger viewing)
"This exquisite, delicate, pigment payoff makes cheeks radiant combined with a healthy-looking glow. Infused with texturizing agents, skin feels smooth and pores are minimized.
INGREDIENTS: Talc, Mica, Paraffinium Liquidum (Mineral Oil), Zinc Stearate, Titanium Dioxide(CI 77891), Kaolin , Petrolatum Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Iron Oxides(CI 77491 , CI 77492 , CI 77499), Red No.6 Lake (CI 15850), Ultramarines (CI 77007)"
COY mauve with shimmer
FLUSHED bubble gum pink with shimmer
SHY soft matte baby pink
GLOW soft pinky - coral with micro fine shimmer
BRONZED gold with shimmer
I love them all.
I give these 4 out of 5 stars. Why 4? Used alone, these blushes do not have staying power. When stacked over a cream blush base, and set with translucent powder. For me, they work just fine. The powdery texture may be off putting to some. This could get pretty messy if you are not careful.
I use this for conditioning hair treatments, roller sets and wraps. I love the fact that mine & my daugthers' hair can dry quickly without neck searing heat.
Mega Care Tea Tree Oil (Manufactured in Patterson NJ, by Sunflower Cosmetics)
Natural antibacterial oil with extra protection for your hair and body.
DIRECTIONS: - Use for skin irritation and oily skin. - Prevents itchy, dry scalp. - Anti- dandruff and antifungal. - Use as a massage oil or while in sauna.
HOW I USE IT - My scalp tends to be super dry. This treatment helps me to exfoliate dead skin cells from my scalp. I use it as a pre-poo treatment before washing my hair. My scalp absorbs it. My hair LOVES it! - I also use this on my tween daughters' scalp after a shampoo. It keeps them from suffering from itchy scalp and flakes. - It has a pleasant scent that reminds me of my childhood. - This is very affordable. I pick it up for $1.00 from a Mom & Pop dollar store in my area. I have seen it at local beauty supply stores for $1.99.
Photo Credit: Bath and Body Works C.O. Bigelow® Mentha Cinnamint Lip Shine
"Our Cinnamon and Mint-infused lip balm provides a glossy high shine with a refreshing cooling sensation. Lips stay moist and protected while Cinnamon and Peppermint give breath long-lasting freshness.
Gives breath long-lasting freshness Contains active levels of therapeutic apothecary ingredients Contains no artificial colorants and not tested on animals Developed by Bigelow Chemists Best of Beauty This CEW finalist for ™Lip Treatment Under $14™ (2007) is a shining example of how hardworking a lip gloss can be."
MY THOUGHTS This is an oldie but a goodie! If you ever have scaly chapped lips, just using a little of this will help them to peel within minutes. The cinnamon oil has a plumping effect. Overall, this is my favorite conditioning lip treatment. I believe these are on sale right now at Bath & Body Works (Buy 2 Get 1 Free)
MAC Ripe Peach Blush Ombre
A powder blush featuring a shade wave of gentle ombre hues. Ultra-fine formula provides the cheeks with flawless, medium-buildable coverage and lightly pearled, natural-looking radiance. Limited edition.
MY THOUGHTS Initially when I got this blush, I was surprized by the size. It is 9grams vs. a normal sized MAC blush at 6grams. I didn't think the lighter portion did anything for my complexion (MAC NC45). I had to play with it a few days before I decided that I loved it. I was not prepared for all of the "male attention" I received when I went outof doors wearing this blush. (I'm pretty sure that's a CON for me.) I stacked paired it with L'Oreal Hip ENAMOURED cream blush as a base. I used NARS Taj Mahal on the apples of my cheeks. The overall effect was that the blush imparted a youthful glow. LOVE THIS product!
New Born Free FREYA
- Synthetic Full Cap Wig Special thanks to April (muffinismylovers) from YouTube for putting the spotlight on this wig. I call her my Niecy Nash wig. She doesn't tangle like some of my other synthetic pieces. She is not as heavy or dense. Manufacture/Wigsite Photo shows her worn with part in center. Like April, I prefer my part on the side. It means the eartabs are off kilter, but oh well. She only has adjustable straps, so I use bobby pins to make sure she's secure.
Favorite Blogger
Photo Credit: CosmeticQT
One of the lesser known gems on Blogger is CosmeticQT Life Of a Makeup Addict She does some beautiful soft and pretty eyeshadow looks. Please check her out. You will not be sorry.
Discover fabulous mineral cheek color. Mineral blush gives you a beautiful, healthy tone that looks natural. Create a soft, radiant glow that\'s ideal for all skin types. An ultra-lightweight, velvety formula ensures smooth, effortless application and is long-wearing for true all day color.
Comes in 24 colors!
Plum Just Peachy Tender Rose Tickled Pink Autumn Dewy Afterglow Tenderling Naturale Pink Suede Dusty Rose Golden Flushed Pinch o Pink Harmony Sunkissed Pearly Pink Chai Very Berry Spiced Rum Sheer Bliss Blushing Pink du Jour Coral
Click on the highlighted text to get a gander at the colors
Until Friday 6/19, enjoy complimentary shipping with any order of $25 or more @ www.narscosmetics.com
Check out my swatches!
CRAZED, EXHIBIT A, TAJ MAHAL, LOVEJOY, ALBATROSS
crazed. shimmery raspberry red exhibit a. matte tomato red taj mahal. shimmery orange coral lovejoy. shimmery dusty rose albatross. subtle shimmery gold
you can buy NARS blush for $25 @ www.narscosmetics.com www.beauty.com www.sephora.com www.nordstrom.com
If you take advantage of this deal, please share ur haul in the comment section.
Last May I was able to pick up two Clearance blushes from CVS for $.89 each. These items are no longer on local pharmacy shelves. I was able to procure the rest of my collection from different sellers on ebay.
Manufacturer suggests applying with fingers. Since it is highly pigmented, a little bit goes a long way. The consistency is superblendable! Most often, I use my e.l.f. foundation brush, or 148 cream brush (auralinebeauty) to apply this foundation. It is awesome for the colder months. However, I have been stacking powder blush on top as of late. They make excellent bases & can actually change the tint of the blush. They make the powdered blush application last longer.
I was very pleased with my previous blush/highlighter/bronzer purchase, so I decided to invest in some wishlist NARS Powder Blushes to see what all the hype was about.
NEW members of my blush collection include:
NARS Crazed NARS Exhibit A NARS Taj Mahal
These come highly recommended from many in the Makeup Community on YT. The shades I selected were reported to be especially flattering on darker skin tones. I wear MAC NC50 Select SPF.
I hear that NARS blushes are universally flattering on all skin tones. They are highly pigmented, so please build application slowly. I suggest using a fanbrush or a duo fiber brush so as not to apply too much product.
I found the level of pigment saturation to be superb. The texture of the blush is of the superfinely milled! However. When comparing to drugstore blushes I already own I found that the e.l.f. brand closely resembled the final result. Of considerable note, an outstanding difference is I only needed to do one swipe of product for NARS & three of the other brands to get the equal intensity of pigment. The e.l.f. has slightly more shimmer. If you are on a budget, I recommend investing in the e.l.f. products. Perhaps you can treat yourself to a NARS on a special occassion.
Swatches coming soon. Plz ck back for updates! NARS-Crazed vs. e.l.f. Natural Radiance Blusher-Flushed
NARS-Crazed vs. Jesse's Girl Color My World Baked Eyeshadow-Volcanic
NARS-Taj Mahal vs. e.l.f. Natural Radiance Blusher-Glow
NARS Powder Blush $25 vs. e.l.f. Natural Radiance Blusher $1 Difference $24 savings. The Choice is yours
To date, I am NOT compensated for my use/review of products. I buy 99% of the products that I use. If I ever receive anything as a gift, I will state it in that specific post. I am NOT affilated with any fashion, cosmetics or hair company. I offer my sincere, unbiased opinion on how the products work for me. No warranties, expressed or implied are intended. Please use discretion in selecting products and suggestions at your own risk. I am not a professional. Unfavorable reviews are not malcious, nor are they intended to harm any company. Reviews are my own opinon. Information posted on this blog is for educational purposes.
