Bobbi Brown Blush in Tawny - Review

Bonjour!

Good grief I've had this blusher for ages ... it was a belated Christmas present (the Christmas before last) from my brother which I got to choose myself!  I knew that if I didn't buy myself something special I'd just fritter the money away on bits and bobs - anyone else guilty of this?  I therefore set out with the intention of obtaining one of the iconic Bobbi Brown Pot Rouges and came back with a powder blush (as you do!) - the Bobbi Brown Blush in Tawny ...

I think it was the swatch (as you can see above) that did it for me - I've got a thing about pinky brown, fleshy type blushers - you know the sort that you reach for when you want a bit of something that's not too obvious. bright or shimmery.  I must admit, I was a bit disappointed at first that once applied and blended it seems to take on more of a paler pink tone than I'd expected, so although it's sits fine over a full foundation, I tend to use for a wash of natural colour on BB or CC days and for this purpose it's perfect - plus it can always be added over the top of a bronzer for a deeper flush. Once on it seems to stay put for hours and has a refined, silky texture and a soft, matte finish - you only need the tiniest amount as it's pretty well pigmented (this is not one to swirl around with your brush as you'll pick up far too much product, just a light tap is all that's required).  Although it's definitely a luxury buy at £19/3.7g, I can see it going on for ages and ages!

Over a BB'd kite ... no idea why I have such a starstruck look on my face ... !

So that's my first blush from Bobbi Brown - looking at the range of gorgeous colours I'm hoping it won't be my last!  Have you tried the Bobbi Brown Powder Blush? Which is your favourite?

Jen x

Makeup Revolution Blush & Contour Palette in Hot Spice - Review

Bonjour!

As it was Valentine's Day yesterday I had to share one of my current loves ... the Makeup Revolution Blush & Contour Palette in Hot Spice.  Bought it back in September and been using it loads ever since ...

It comes in a sleek black case with a mirrored lid and consists of  8 pans, a mixture of matte and shimmer in shades from darker to lighter, some more warm peach and some more of a pink tone, 1 baked blush and 1 baked highlighter (on the right there). Because of the range of colours I can see this palette being suitable for most skin tones.   The blushers have a lovely texture and the pigment is crazy (once on they last for hours and hours!) so you only need to touch your brush to the pan - any more and you'll end up looking Aunt Sally!   I'm not very good at this contouring lark and have only really had a bit of a go with the top left hand corner pan but as these shades are on the warm side I mostly just sweep from apple to temple, sometimes it's a matte, sometimes a shimmer and sometimes add a bit of highlight - I couldn't tell you which is my favourite, I like them all!

Swatches ... top row on the left and bottom row on the right ...

And on the kite ...

This has been my go-to palette for the last few months - a pop of warm peach really helps wake up the complexion on these cold, grey mornings and keeps me from looking too much like an extra from The Walking Dead!  Hot Spice is excellent value for money considering it's priced at £6.00 and the quality is amazing.  I may have just put in a cheeky order for a couple more bits from Makeup Revolution - there may be another palette or two on it's way!

What do you think of the Hot Spice palette?  Have you tried any products from Makeup Revolution?

Jen x

Natural Collection Blushed Cheeks in Rosey Glow - Review

Bonjour!

This is my Natural Collection Blushed Cheeks Blusher in Rosey Glow.   I once read that it is a reasonable dupe for Benefit Dallas, which I've used, loved and finished a good long while ago but have never got round to repurchasing.  I dithered around for ages over Rosey Glow and then picked it up the other week after reminding myself that it was only £1.99!

This does seem like one of the palest blush powders I've bought.  A fleshy pink in the pan with a touch of the nude vibe? It's not matte, nor shimmery but verges on 'ever so slightly pearly' in finish. The pigment is surprisingly good but I do have to layer it up a little to achieve a decent 'flush' of colour - being a bit darker skinned and all.  Buffing it in with my Real Techniques Blusher Brush seems to work well, although I do find the formula a little powdery - it fluffs up 'Puff the Magic Dragon Style' when you touch the brush to the pan so a good blow/tap is advisable before applying but it lasts well on - most of the day in fact (again surprisingly) - without going patchy.  Rosey Glow does have a tendency to look a bit 'candy pink' when swatched but once on, it's actually quite a flattering tone, not overly colourful on my skin tone but with a pleasant warmth to it, which is sometimes all you want/need on your kite - particularly at this time of year when skin can start to look a little grey?

Swatched below and blended above ...

And on the kite ... ignoring the shocking dark circles please ...!

And here's a quick swatch of Benefit Dallas on the left and Rosey Glow on the right - only snapped on my phone in Boots (as you do - hence the weird angle and bad lighting!).  Dallas is much deeper with more of a burnished tone to it don't you think?

Anyway back to Rosey Glow ... overall I think this a very decent little pot of blusher, especially considering it's £1.99 - isn't that the price of a Starbucks Cappuccino (my favourite by the way!)?  It's a great 'everyday product' and is one that I could probably apply in the semi-darkness of the morning without making too many mistakes - now there's a challenge!

Have you  tried any Natural Collection Blushed Cheeks colours?  What do you think of Rosey Glow?

Jen x