Back from Hiatus Post: Blushes - Cremes, Gels, Tints Mini Reviews and Swatches

Hi everyone! It has been a while since I last updated my blog. I had a lot of personal issues to deal with during my hiatus - I quit my office job, underwent therapy for my back, my mom had a stroke and had to take care of her until she made quite a recovery, and I'm back to doing freelance jobs online. Before I digress, allow me to get back on track. I decided there is no better way to make a back from hiatus post than to make it about my favorite makeup - blushes. Recently, I found myself gravitating towards creme blushes as they last longer on my skin now than powder blushes do. On my instagram account, I posted a picture of these blushes and now, I'd like to do swatches and mini reviews of all these. So if you'd like to see swatches and find out what I think of each product, then read on.

Let's start with the creme blushes in pans and a pot.

Top: Le Blush Creme de Chanel in Affinite; Laura Mercier Creme Cheek
Colour in Oleander; Becca Creme Blush in Hyacinth
Bottom: Diorblush Cheek Creme in Bikini

Swatches:

L-R: Affinite, Bikini, Hyacinth, Oleander

Mini Review:

1. Le Blush Creme de Chanel in Affinite - This is a gorgeous watermelon pink with a hint of red and coral creme blush. Its texture is quite different from all the creme blushes I have tried that I can't quite put my finger on how to exactly describe it. It's has a dry texture but not as airy as mousse blushes and dries to a powder finish. It lasts for hours on my combination-oily skin while giving a nice flush on my cheeks. It looks scary bright in the pan and it really is pigmented so you should use a very light hand in application. I prefer using my fingers in blending this as it's not as creamy and emolient as creme blushes normally are.
2. Diorblush Cheek Creme in Bikini - Now here's another pretty watermelon pink blush with very fine shimmers that I can barely make out once on the cheeks. It feels like play doh, only a tad softer. It blends well with the skin and gives a nice pop of colour that can surely brighten one's complexion. This, together with Affinite, are my current favourites.
3. Becca Creme Blush in Hyacinth - This was my HG creme blush before I crossed paths with Affinite and Bikini. Unlike the first two, this one is very creamy and emolient and blends so good on the skin making you look like you are naturally flushing. It is reddish pink in colour which can mimic one's color when blushing (although it still depends on your skin tone). This also has good staying power despite the formula and despite my skin type. 
4. Laura Mercier Creme Cheek Colour in Oleander - Unlike the first three, this doesn't have a tinge of brightness in it. It is a nice warm pale pink which can look very nice on those with light skin tones. This is perfect for those who just wants some nice light pink on their cheeks. I find this quite a bit dry and a little bit hard to work with but the end result is still nice. Staying power is also pretty good.  

Now on to the gels and tints.

MeMeMe Poppy Tint; Benefit ChaCha Tint; Giorgio Armani Blushing
Fabric 1 Shimmering Peach; Becca Beach Tint in Guava;
Kose Visee Mineral Liquid Cheeks Baby Finish PK800

Swatches:

L-R: Blushing Fabric 1, PK800, Guava, ChaCha Tint, Poppy Tint

Mini Review:

1. Giorgio Armani Blushing Fabric 1 Shimmering Peach - This is my second Blushing Fabric, the first one being shade 2. I have to say that I am more impressed with this shade than the first one. This gorgeous pink-peach-red shade is absolutely lovely with all the shimmers. It also has a great staying power and with its siliconey texture, it goes on smoothly on the cheeks. This is also pretty pigmented so do not forget to use a light hand in applying this.
2. Kose Visee Mineral Liquid Cheeks Baby Finish PK-800 - Now this looks neon pink and almost fluorescent when swatched but it turns to a nice warm bright pink shade on the cheeks. It is very pigmented and I can truly say that a little goes a long way with this blush. Staying power isn't as fab as other cremes and liquids but I suppose this will stay much longer for those with dry-normal skin.
3. Becca Beach Tint in Guava - Becca. I have grown a certain fondness for this brand and it all began with this lip & cheek tint. It is a very pretty light coral pink shade that looks nice on both cheeks and lips. This little tube that contains only 7mL of product is pigmented and a little goes a long way. I love the fruity scent it has too. Although the staying power kinda disappoints me, I still like using it especially on hot and humid days.
4. Benefit Cha Cha Tint - Coral lovers will like this. Its texture is similar to Posie Tint and not as watery as Benetint so it will give you extra seconds to blend, blend, blend, before it actually stains. I don't like this much on my cheeks because it turns red-orange on me but on the lips, I like it a lot. It is bright and perfect for summer.
5. MeMeMe Poppy Tint -  This is very much similar to Benefit Posie Tint only this one is more watery. I like it but not as much as I like the my other non-powder blushes. I don't normally reach for this although staying power is decent.

So that is all. I hope you like this post and if you have favorites or suggestions, please leave a comment.

Have a wonderful day, super awesome peeps!

Cheers,

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Current Favorites

Hello dearies. It's a rainy start of the week, I hope you all stay warm and safe. August is finally here and in a few days, I'll be a year older again. Anyway, I'm sharing my favorite products at the moment and a brief explanation as to why they made it on the list.

Let's start with skin care products

1. Clinique Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief - I've never had any luck with Clinique's skin care products so I had to keep my fingers crossed that this would work for me without causing me to break out, but didn't have high hopes for it either. Much to my surprise, it works! And it keeps my skin hydrated while keeping the oilies at bay.

2. Caudalie Paris Vinoperfect Night Correcting Cream - I like how my skin is softer, smoother, and brighter upon waking up. First time I used a night cream and I wasn't disappointed at all.

3. Eyebrow growth accelerator - my brows are no longer as thin and sparse as they used to be :D

4. Kanebo Freshel White C Mineral BB Cream UV - I wear this when I don't feel like wearing foundation even though this seriously feels like foundation. I like how my skin looks glowing and radiant when I'm wearing this.

5. Becca Mineral Powder Foundation - I initially disliked this product because it didn't do much for oil control but eventually learned to like it. I found out that it does not work with one of the products I use before applying it. I like how it makes my skin tone look a bit more even while providing light coverage.

6. Sigma F80 brush - this is a bb cream/liquid/cream foundation's best friend. It applies makeup flawlessly without eating too much product. It's as if it makes the skin absorb the product, thus, using less and not wasting a lot.

7. Korres Lip Butter Glaze in Pomegranate - I ♡ it because it is coral pink and it keeps my lips moisturized. I can get away wearing just this and no other lip products.

8. Dior Addict High Color Melting Shiny Lipcolor in 432 Rose Orgasme - love the texture of this lipstick, how smoothly it glides on the lips and how gorgeous it looks when paired with Korres Lip Butter Glaze in Pomegranate

9. Kiehl's Lip Balm #1 - I apply this before going to sleep and I wake up with smoother and softer lips.

10. Benefit Posietint - I use this when I want to look fresh without much effort. It instantly brightens the cheeks and a very pretty poppy-pink shade

11. Benefit Coralista - I pair this with Benefit Posietint when I want an added coral-pink glow on the cheeks. Plus I find the tropical scent addicting. :)

12. Maybelline Dream Mousse Concealer - I recently reviewed this and love it to bits. I only hope it won't dry out too soon. :)

13. ELF Eyebrow Treat & Tame in Ash - digging the Treat (clear) one as I use it as a base for my eyebrow pencil. I then use Tame to soften the intensity of the pencil's color.

And last but not the least,
14. VO5 Curl Up Control Curl Defining Mousse - my permed hair is no longer all over the place because of this. It does what it's supposed to do and that is to define the curls.

I also have other favorites that are non-beauty related but I'll probably end the post here. I hope you all have a great week ahead of you. :)

What are your current faves?

Happy Monday night, everyone! :P

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Swatches: Christian Dior 5-Colour Eyeshadow in 820 Moonray

This'll just be a very quick post and I'd like to share swatches of the Christian Dior 5-Colour Eyeshadow in 820 Moonray. I saw a tester of this being sold online so I immediately purchased it even though I thought the colors would just show up the same since they are all very light or pastel shades. When I swatched them, I was "Wow'ed" because they do not look boring and chalky at all.

I researched about this palette and found out that this was released way back in 2003. Now that made me wonder if this tester I got, although labeled as new, is still okay for use because it has been 8 years now. But then again, I still see some Guerlain Divinora testers on eBay so it could probably still be safe to use. It has a 4.1 rating at MakeUpAlley so it was pretty good then.

Closer look

And the swatches. They look almost holographic. I love how each shade reflects the light. The lilac one, however, does not have the same iridescence as the other shades. My faves are the yellow and green ones. I used yellow yesterday and it's such a pretty shade.

Have you tried Dior quints?

Happy Wednesday-Thursday, super awesome peeps! :)

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Product Review: Dior Addict High Color Melting Shiny Lip Color in 432 Rose Orgasme/Joy Pink

Here is another lipstick review that will prove I was on a high end lipstick phase. WAS is the operative word which means I am done with it. Haha! Back then, I really couldn't justify spending more than a thousand bucks (Philippine Peso) for a single tube of lipstick but thanks (or a sarcastic thanks, perhaps) to Chanel Rouge Allure in Comedia, I understood why it is in a way worth every cent. This time, it is from Dior - Dior Addict High Color Melting Shiny Lip Color in 432 Rose Orgasme/Joy Pink.

I find the packaging cute. It has a doorknob-like tube and it also ensures that the cap is secured. I find the blue cap less appealing and would've preferred something clear or pink but it's still cute anyway and it's not as if I can have the sales assistant switch the caps, right?

It looks like a pretty coral-peach-pink shade on the tube. I love how pretty this colour is. It's also a big plus that it is non-drying and glides so smoothly, you'll even think it's butter, on the lips. It is glossy and shiny sans the shimmer so I find this somewhat like a hybrid between a lipstick and a lip balm that is not in any way waxy. I also like that it's not fragranced like Estee Lauder.

But do not be deceived by the color on the tube because it goes waaay lighter once on the lips. It turns to a cute pale coral pink shade on the lips. It is pigmented and it's not as sheer as I prefer on lippies - this one is kinda opaque. I think this lip color is great for smokey-eyes or when you wear a dark shade of eyeshadow or when you simply want nude lips but not corpse-like nude as this will add a hint of pink or coral depending on how pigmented your lips are. Mine are not super pigmented for reference so it pretty much stays true to its color, perhaps like 80% or so.

Another look at the lippy.

Overall, I really like this lippy. I only wish there is more coral or pink to it so it can instantly brighten up my face. I would repurchase another Dior lipstick but I only need to fnd another shade that will catch my fancy. The only drawback is that it is quite pricey for a lipstick for Php1400 at Rustan's but again, if you buy it at Duty Free, you will save a few hundred bucks and just add a few more for another tube of lipstick. Haha!

Swatch

On the lips.

Have you tried Dior lipsticks? How do you find them?

Happy Sunday, super awesome peeps! :P
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Dupe Alert: CD Diorblush Passion Fruit and Shiseido Majolica Majorca RD255

I just discovered something and I don't know if I should jump with joy or pout all day. When I was debating on whether or not I should swatch the Guerlain blush I got yesterday, I decided to just swatch the others because I really can't bring myself to touch it. I was waiting for my family to get back so I can leave and run to Guerlain again so I played with some of the blushes. And then, I got confused between these two blushes - CD Diorblush in Passion Fruit and Shiseido Majolica Majorca - because they look awfully similar. Furthermore, I decided to take pictures of the two blushes and their respective swatches and yes, they look so much alike.

The blushes up close.

Swatches.

A closer look.

Now please tell me, do they really look the same or do I simply need to wear glasses again? Haha! If I am right about these two, then those who want Diorblush Passion Fruit at a fraction of the price should try Majolica Majorca RD255. If not, then go for the real deal. :)

Happy Tuesday, super awesome peeps! :P
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New Year Mini Makeup Haul

"Ooops! I did it again!" - that's exactly what I've been singing for the past couple of hours. Yeah, I dropped by the mall again earlier today on my way to the hospital. I really should never be allowed to go anywhere near a mall, specifically EDSA Shang as I think you already know by now what will happen next. I dunno what's happening to my control over my spending habits. Do I hear anyone say "rehab"? Or am I just imaging that word glaring at me somewhere inside this room? Anyway, here's my first mini haul for 2011.

Dior Addict High Color in 432 Rose Orgasme (Joy Pink). Now who said only NARS has Orgasm? :P

Christian Dior Diorblush in 533 Passion Fruit. I want the Strawberry Sorbet one again! I passed on it earlier because this caught my eye.

NARS Laguna Bronzer - I finally have a decent bronzer! :P

 
Kanebo Coffret D'or Blush in PK-222 (Not on the picture because I originally bought this on the 31st but I dunno where else to include this and that was almost NY so I guess this is alright.)

And two more skincare items - Queen Helene Mud Pack Masque and Alba Botanica Acne Dote Oil Control Lotion.

 

That's it for now, ladies. Lots of reviews soon! :)

Happy 2011, super awesome peeps! :P

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