The Blush Tag

1. Best packaging

Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush Palette Color Wheel (Holiday 2016)

I had never tried Tarte’s Amazonian Clay Blush formula before.  I thought this was a pretty ingenious way to fit more into less packaging.  I use a separate mirror; so, it doesn’t bother me that there is no mirror.

2. Prettiest color

It Cosmetics Ombre Radience in Sugar Plum

This is kind of an odd question for a makeup addict.  "Prettiest Color" is contingent on what makeup it's been worn with, skin tone etc.  

So, I’m calling this the prettiest color based on how it looks in the pan – it’s ombre and has shimmer and is a pretty mauve color..

3. Most pigmented

Coastal Scents Forever Blush

I had heard of these blushes; but, it wasn't until I heard emilynoel83 of YouTube talk about them that I got some.  She was right.  These blushes are PIGMENTED and they last!.  I would say, if you're on a budget and want a blush that you're not going to have to replace very quickly -- this is it!

4. Everyday blush

Cherry Custard by Laura Geller

I don’t have an everyday blush.  But, I thought of what I would reach for if I was in a hurry.  The answer would be Cherry Custard by Laura Geller, which is in the Baked Color and Contour Palette.  The fact that there’s a contour and highlight in the palette makes it very easy to use when I’m in a hurry.

5. Party blush
Makeup Revolution Blush Queen Palette

I'm not sure what a "Party blush" is supposed to be.  Again, it all depends on what I'm doing with the rest of my makeup.  I would probably put something with a touch or shimmer on.  In that spirit, I will say the Makeup Revolution Blush Queen palette which is a palette of eight shimmery blushes.  No matter what I decide to do with my makeup for a party there will be something in there for me.

6. Regret purchasing (Two Answers) 

e.l.f. Blush (A bunch of them)

      YouTubers would rave about these blushes -- how pigmented they are, how beautiful the colors look on the skin.  I bought mine during a sale a few years ago and was severely disappointed.  Mine were so NOT pigmented.  The quad blushes that sell for $6 work just fine; but, the single ones, never work for me.

Cream or Liquid blushes

I like cream and liquid blushes.  However, I have so much makeup that cream and liquid formulas just sit there and go bad.

7. Least used

NARS Exhibit A

This probably doesn't need any explanation.  It looked beautiful in the packaging. There is something about red -- eyeshadow, lipstick, nailpolish that captivates me. It is usable with an ultra light touch.  I think it's the inconvenience of having to be so careful with it that puts me off from using it.

8. Most used

Morphe Brushes 9N Palette

This is easy to grab for.  The blushes are easy to wear -- especially with the bolder eyes and lips of today.  And they are good quality!

8.1 would never let go of.

My two Kat Von D Shade and Light blushes

These were out on the market for a hot minute.  I managed to get my hands on two of them before they disappeared from the market permanently.  I have Piaf/Poe and Bonnie/Clyde.  I wanted Morticia/Gomez; but, alas, it was not to be.  

9. Favorite blush brand
None At The Moment

I don’t know that I have a favorite blush brand at the moment.  I suppose if Kat Von D or even Black Moon Cosmetics were to release some, I would probably be in love with those.

My requirements, now, are:

Cruelty free

Have pigmentation

Have a color I like

Don’t be chalky.

10. Greatest blush discovery of the year
Kat Von D Shade and Light blush

I really liked them and wanted more.  But, like I said, it was not to be.  I was fortunate enough to get my hot hands on two of them.

11. Most practical
Cherry Custard by Laura Geller

(See #4)

12. Least practical

NARS Exhibit A

(See #7)

13. Most expensive

Becca Beach Tint Shimmer Souffle in Guava Moonstone

I think at the time I bought my NARS blushes, they were still around $25.  These are $27.  I love that there's a bit of shimmer in them.

14. Least expensive  (Single blushes)

Nyx HD Blush Amber

 As I don't have my e.l.f blushes anymore, Nyx HD blush at $6.99, is my least expensive.

15. Longest Wearing

Coastal Scents Forever Blush

(See #3)

16. Best Blush Palette

Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush Palette Color Wheel (Holiday 2016)

Not only are these great blushes; but, I love how they fit ten of them into a very compact space by using both sides of the compact.  There are warms, cools and even a highlighter and bronzer shade in here.

Ta Ta For Now!

Homage To Dovima

I'm not one to go ga-ga over supermodels --with sole exception of Dovima.  While she was on the screen, I though she stole the show in Funny Face.  I wanted to see more of her!  Not only was she quirky on-screen, with her over-the-top New York accent and comic book.  She was quirky in real life.  She loved comic books and would bring a trunk full of them when on location!  I couldn't help but love someone like that.  Here, is my Homage to the lovely Dovima.  Think of it as a modern day way of playing with paper-dolls.  I imagine what Dovima would wear and like then and now.

1. Dovima in photo shoot for Vogue -- Check out that fierce winged liner and those uber arched brows!
2. Black Moon Cosmetics Liquid Lipstick in Sanguis -- Per their website -- This is the perfect blue-based red.  It's a vintage va-va-voom red perfect for the era Dovima embodied.  
3. NYX Micro-Brow -- A very fine point for those flawlessly drawn, perfectly arched brows!
4. Physicians Formula Eye Booster 2-in-1 Lash Boosting Eye Liner + Serum in Ultra Black -- for that fierce winged eyeliner.
5. Christian Louboutin Eloise Small Two Handle Bag -- Dovima was known for being Richard Avedon's muse.  As such, she was dressed in some unique fashion.  I think this handbag is glorious and fits that perfectly -- elegant with a touch of edge.
6. Ultra-Lounge Mambo Fever -- If you love fun, classic movies that embody Dovima's era, you'll love this CD!
7. Zoya Pinta -- Zoya describes this color as a dark purple creme with very strong blue undertones.  For a more edgy look; or, for black and white photo shoots.
8. Black Phoenix Alchemy Liz perfume oil from their Hellboy collection -- A light, feminine vanilla floral perfume and a swirl of smoke and leather. As I said at the top, Dovima loved reading comic books.  So I thought it only fitting that she have a perfume named after a comic book franchise and character.
9. NARS Dovima Nail Polish -- Yes!  There is a nail polish named after her!  This is a beautiful tomato red.
10. Noir Jewelry Gotham City DC Comics Stackable Ring Set -- She loves comics and she's from New York.  Perfect!
11. Noir Jewelry Gotham City DC Comics Bracelet -- An edgy beautiful bracelet detailing Gotham City.
12. Bite Beauty Amuse Bouche Lipstick in Black Truffle -- A beautiful blackish violet lipstick for an edgier look or for black and white photo shoots.
13. DC Comics Guardians of The Galaxy -- I thought she'd enjoy this humorous offbeat comic.
14. Robert Piguet Fracas -- With it's white floral and tuberose notes, Fracas is ultra feminine, modern and sexy, like the model herself.
15. Suva Beauty Hydracream Base in Pantyhose -- Dovima was often made up in intensely colored blue or green lids.  Pantyhose is the perfect cruelty-free dupe for MAC's Painterly -- to prime those lids for long lasting and more intensely colored shadow application.
16. Noir Jewelry Pow/Bang DC Comics Statement Necklace -- A fun, humorous necklace to proclaim Dovima's love of comic books.
17. Christian Louboutin Dorispiky Pumps -- Edge and elegance combined into one drool-worthy red-bottomed pump.
18. Makeup Geek Poolside Eyeshadow Pan -- Dovima's eyelids were often done sharply in bright ocean blues or greens.  In keeping with that, I chose this slightly shimmery shadow.
19. Suva Beauty Hydracream Base in Satire -- this is a matte cream base for the eyelids.  Perfect as a base for Makeup Geeks poolside or any sky to medium blue.
20. Dovima in Funny Face -- Kay Thompson: "What are you reading, Marion?"  Dovima: "Minute Men From Mars!"

Ta Ta For Now!

You Tube Made Me Buy It -- Powders -- Plus My Two Favorite Powder Brushes.

1.  Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder -- Diffused Light -- I love, love, love this powder especially for under the eyes.  The slight yellow tint helps hide any residual darkness after concealer and the texture and slight sheen of the powder keeps the undereye area from looking dry and powdery.

2.  It Cosmetics Bye Bye Pores Silk HD Anti-Aging Powder -- Another Powder I really love.  This is not unlike most silica powders, w/the exception of it containing skin care ingredients. It really does help diminish the look of pores and a little goes a long way.

3.  Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder -- Mood Light -- I used to love this powder when my complexion was darker.  

4.  e.l.f. High Definition Undereye Setting Powder -- I have to try this more to figure out what I really think of this.  I've used this a few times.  I think having to unscrew a little tiny container just to put powder under my eyes, makes me lazy about using this more.  LOL

5.  e.l.f. Mineral Booster -- Gives a bit of a peach color to complexion.  Really good for mattifying.  Still on the fence about how I feel about it for long term use.  

6.  e.l.f. Mineral Eye Brightener -- I like this better than the bareMinerals Concealer.  Not as thick.  Have to use it more to see if I like this for long term use.

7.  Physician's Formula Nude Wear Glowing Nude Powder -- I got this in a holiday palette in 2014.  It came with the Powder, Bronzer and Blush.  The powder and bronzer are O-kay.  Nothing to write home about for me.  Would not repurchase.  And I never seem to have any luck with Physician's Formula Blushes.  The Happy Booster Blush wasn't bad.  The Sexy Glow blush was really lacking in pigment for me.  This blush was the same -- lacking in pigment.

8.  NARS Soft Velvet Loose Powder (?) -- They don't sell the powder in this square container anymore.  It was fine.  Nothing I was over the moon about.

9.  e.l.f. High Definition Powder in Sheer -- This I really like.  I stopped using it for about a year.  Then I decided to try it again, and didn't know why I stopped using it.  You don't need much at all.  It helps diminish the look of pores and is really sheer.  Plus, you can't beat that price!!!

10. NYC Smooth Skin BB Radiance Perfecting Powder -- I wanted to like this.  The powder was SO soft!  I should have passed when I noticed that the lightest color was slightly too dark for me.  What I wasn't prepared for was the way this powder would instantly oxidize and darken once it hit my skin.

11. bareMinerals Concealer -- I don't know if they even make this anymore.  It covers dark circles but it looks quite dry and cakey under the eyes -- my eyes at least.  So will not repurchase.

My Two Favorite Powder Brushes

This is e.l.f.'s Powder Brush which looks much like a flat top foundation brush except it's not as dense.  I personally prefer flat top brushes for powder because, I can press the powder in, like I would with a powder puff or sponge.  Powder should be pressed into the face rather than swept on the face.  This does the job beautifully and for only $3!!!

This is e.l.f.'s Small Tapered Brush.  I love, love, love this brush!!!  This brush is excellent for patting powder over concealer and for brushing shimmery highlight on the cheekbones or on the bridge of the nose.  I have many backups of this brush because I never quite feel right if this brush is misplaced or in the process of drying and can't be used for a day.  Also $3!!!

Ta Ta For Now!!!