Porcelain Doll Pink

Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blushes are oft-raved about but somewhat difficult to acquire outside of the States, so when I spotted Dollface on a local blog sale, I couldn't resist the opportunity to add another Tarte blush to my stash. I already have the neutral Exposed and was eyeing more coral offerings like Tipsy or Blissful to potentially purchase next, but took a chance on the pink Dollface, swayed by good reviews I'd read on various blogs and MakeupAlley.

l-r: e.l.f. Pink Passion, NARS Angelika, Laura Mercier Rose Desire, Tarte Dollface

Tarte Dollface is a light-to-medium, slightly cool pink that imparts a rosy flush. There is a slight sheen to the finish but it applies and appears mainly matte. e.l.f. Studio Blush in Pink Passion is brighter, lighter and more blue-toned. NARS Blush in Angelika is more red with silver sparkles. Laura Mercier Second Skin Cheek Colour in Rose Desire (from the Lingerie Eye & Cheek Palette) is extremely similar, I would say a near dupe, maybe just a touch more fuchsia and fractionally lighter.

I wish I could be more excited about Dollface, but I find my enthusiasm significantly dampened by the fact I have three other blushes in my collection that are nearly identical (Pink Passion, once on the cheeks, gives pretty much the same effect as Dollface, despite looking sufficiently different in the swatch). More problematic is the fact I find pink blushes generally harder to wear for my skin tone than peaches and softer corals. I always feel that they demand an absolutely flawless base to look good, otherwise the colour can emphasise any redness in the face and appear a bit patchy and not perfectly blended. Unintentionally overdoing it can result in a ruddy look suggestive of skin in distress rather than a sweet, "doll-like" flush.

I'm also not convinced by the "12 hour" wear claims. Maybe I'm just using it too lightly, but I don't find Dollface to last significantly longer than the majority of blushes I own. After 4-5 hours it's faded and by the end of the day (around the 10 hour mark), I can't detect much left on my cheeks. The texture of Tarte blushes is on the dry, hard side as opposed to more powdery and soft like Illamasqua or theBalm, though the pigment of Dollface is looser and much easier to pick up on my brush than Exposed, the surface of which has seemingly sealed, though that might just be the one I have.

A definite plus to the two Tarte blushes I've tried is once applied, they impart a kind of lit-from-within radiance to the complexion, which is generated free of any shimmer or dewiness. The shades are mainly matte but they remain brightening rather than dull and flat. The blushes also meld very naturally with the skin, as if the colour is coming from underneath, as opposed to sitting on top.

A Pink Mist

As mentioned in my post on Burberry Sheer Eyeshadow in Pale Barley, a Lip Mist in Camelia Pink (No.207) was included in the gift with purchase that I qualified for after spending over $79 on Burberry at David Jones. I don't have a lot of high end lipsticks because of the crazy number of lipsticks I have from more affordable brands that I find to be just as good in quality, so it was a genuine thrill to be able to welcome a Burberry lipstick to my collection. There's much to admire in the somewhat masculine, architectural packaging with the gunmetal exterior, signature check and nifty magnetic closure. I looked forward to seeing whether a pricier lipstick was really worth the extra dollars.

l-r: Revlon Sweet Tart, Burberry Camelia Pink, Revlon Lollipop, MAC Plumful

Camelia Pink is a sheer but buildable medium hot pink with a distinct fuchsia tone. The colour isn't exactly modern or revolutionary, but you can't go terribly wrong with it either. With 1-2 coats it's fresh and understated, your natural lip colour still visible underneath, but it can be intensified to more of a party/going out lip with several coats. Revlon ColorBurst Lip Butter in Sweet Tart is similar in texture but warmer and more neon. Revlon Lip Butter in Lollipop is significantly darker and more opaque, much more of a true, bold fuchsia. MAC Plumful is darker, more rosy/plummy and overall subdued in colour, not as bright or pink.

What surprised me about the Lip Mist was just how glossy the formula is. It imparts an almost wet-look, lustrous shine to the lips, making them appear hydrated and plump, but not as if covered with a liquid product like a standard gloss. There's the same semi-translucent juiciness as a lollipop that's been sucked on or a slice of coloured jelly. The lipstick itself has a tacky, slightly thick consistency, and there's a bit of resistance as the lipstick bullet tugs against the lips when it's applied. While it doesn't settle into lip lines, it can be a little uneven in terms of pigmentation, particularly after the lips are pressed together to blend the lipstick.

Despite its relative sheerness, isn't what I'd describe as glide-on smooth, creamy and weightless like the Chanel Rouge Coco Shine or Maybelline Color Sensational Color Whisper lipsticks. I definitely get the sensation of something covering the lips, though it's not particularly drying or uncomfortable. One offputting aspect is the smell, which is your traditional 'grandma' lipstick scent, but fortunately it's not too strong.

If it hadn't been included in the gift with purchase, I probably wouldn't have selected Camelia Pink, mainly because I find myself tiring of these bright, blue-based pink/fuchsia shades (I have way too many and I don't particularly love any of them). At least Camelia Pink isn't too cool-toned or vivid, making it a safer pick for a casual wash of glossy colour during the day.

Pitch Perfect Pink

As a lip product junkie, when the Maybelline Color Sensational Color Whispers hit our shores, I was immediately intrigued. Attractively slimmer than the regular Color Sensational line, these lipsticks seemed to be Maybelline's answer to the Revlon ColorBurst Lip Butters. I tried on all of the 8 shades at Priceline (we didn't get all 20 available in the States), but nothing particularly stood out except for Lust for Blush (25). One Size Fits Pearl was basically clear, and the other pink and fuchsia shades weren't all that flattering on me. I wasn't tempted enough to spend $14.95 on one, but with Priceline's half price sale on Maybelline the other week, I couldn't resist snapping up Lust for Blush, along with a Color Tattoo eyeshadow in Barely Branded.

Lust for Blush is one of those finds that I wasn't expecting to like as much as I do. It's an unassuming, everyday pink that doesn't pull too cool on me, which is an extraordinary rarity. Under certain light, it can look slightly purplish on my lips, but for the most part, it stays relatively neutral and subdued. The formula is a bit strange — it's almost too creamy for my tastes and does slip and slide a little. It's not entirely comfortable on the lips, especially the more that you apply. I imagine if you had quite dry lips, this would definitely settle into lip lines. It also has a tendency to separate around any cracks in the lips, so I need to press my lips together to blend the lipstick several times. It has an inoffensive sweet scent and you need only a very small amount with each application (I've used it at least 5-6 times and it looks brand new). Being on the sheer side, you do need a couple of layers to build up the pigmentation, and this isn't a lipstick that will stain or wear for a long time. It's dark enough so that it's not a milky, baby pink, but it's still overall on the light side.

l-r: Maybelline Lust for Blush, MAC Creme Cup, Australis Jive, Revlon Primrose, Maybelline Juicy Bubblegum

I rummaged through my ridiculous pink lipstick collection and picked out several shades that I thought would be close to Lust for Blush: MAC Creme Cup, Australis Color Inject Mineral Lipstick in Jive, Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in Primrose (668) and Maybelline ColorSensational Lipstick in Juicy Bubblegum (140).

To my eyes, Lust for Blush resembles a cross between MAC Creme Cup and Australis Jive. It's more a light-to-medium neutral pink, not as bright or cool-toned as the others. MAC Creme Cup is more yellow pink and nude (beige/peach), paler and milkier. Australis Jive is very similar, but more purple and darker, also more opaque and less glossy. Revlon Primrose is a more pigmented blue-based pink with less of an earthy tone, also with less berry/pinky red. Maybelline Juicy Bubblegum has a similar texture (sheer, glossy) but feels more comfortable, lightweight and moisturising on the lips. It's darker, more mauve-pink, with slight grape tones in comparison.

Lust for Blush is a good pick for those looking for something subdued, easy to wear and on the conservative side. It's light in pigment with just a single swipe but certainly buildable, and the colour is enough to add a bit of tint to the lips, but nothing opaque or obvious. It's not hard to see why this is probably one of the most popular colours in the Color Whisper range.

Bronzed & Glossed

I mentioned in my current wishlist post I've been going through a bronzer phase, and the absence of cult bronzer NARS Laguna from my collection was beginning to bother me immensely. I was researching the most economical way of procuring it, when I came across the NARS Lose Yourself Blush/Bronzing Powder Duo & Lip Gloss Set on StrawberryNET. Released in the middle of 2011 and retailing for $US49, this Sephora-exclusive set contains a blush/bronzer duo in Angelika/Laguna and mini Angelika lip gloss. The blush in Angelika is the same size as a full size NARS blush (4.8g), and although the bronzer is 4.7g compared with the full size 8g, it's more than enough product for me. The lip gloss was basically an afterthought — an inclusion I could've easily done without but wasn't going to complain about, especially since I've never tried a NARS lip gloss before.

The mini lip gloss in Angelika at 3.7g is just under half the size of a regular gloss. Described as a "cotton candy pink with gold and silver sparkle", Angelika is a bright, blue-toned pink with silver/diamond shimmer that isn't all that noticeable until the gloss is taken off. It has a vivid, bubblegum quality without looking too purplish or fuchsia on my lips. The formula has a tendency to settle into lip lines, but nothing that pressing the lips together to blend the gloss can't solve. It has a somewhat thick texture which makes it opaque and glossy, but it's not uncomfortable to wear or physically sticky on the lips.

l-r: Angelika, Laguna

The Angelika/Laguna duo comes in a compact nearly double the size of a normal blush. Rather than a rectangular pan, the individual blush and bronzer pans have rounded edges. The mirror is a lot larger which means you can actually see most of your entire face with it. The obvious downside to having two products together is that if you only want to use one of them, the other half is forever tagging along, taking up unnecessary space. At the same time, the two do make a natural match, and I very rarely pack powder products or apply them on the go, so it doesn't make a difference to me if it's only going to be kept at home.

l-r: Bourjois Rose de Jaspe, Rimmel Genuine Plum, e.l.f. Pink Passion, NARS Angelika

I remember watching Tanya Burr mentioning NARS Angelika blush in her "Products I Regret Buying" video, which made me a little wary I'd share the same sentiment. Most pink blushes tend to look quite red on me, and Angelika is no exception. There is silver and gold glitter in it, but it's not all that detectable on the cheek. I pulled out three other blushes that I thought would be close to Angelika — while none of them are identical in the swatch, once worn, they pretty much give the same effect (though e.l.f. Pink Passion is a bit paler, brighter and fresher). It's fairly easy to work with as it's not super pigmented, nor does it go on patchy, but it's best sparingly applied and blended well, otherwise it can leave me looking ruddy and sunburnt.

l-r: NARS Laguna, Benefit Hoola, Stila Shade 01, Bourjois 14, Napoleon Perdis Ultimate Contour Palette

The Laguna side of the blush/bronzer duo was 70% of my motivation for buying this set, and thankfully it doesn't disappoint. I think part of its enduring appeal is that it's relatively sheer but very easy to blend. You can use it concentrated across the cheekbones to contour, or more liberally as an all-over bronzer. It can be anything from a barely-there hint of warmth and definition, to a full-on, summery golden tan. My favourite brush to pair with it is the Models Prefer Mystique Angled Blush Brush, as the shape enables me to use it to contour, but it's fluffy enough so that any product and edges are well blended.

Comparing my other bronzers, I don't have anything exactly like Laguna, which is warm, golden, with a subtle gold pearl. Benefit Hoola is dirtier (more taupe), matte, darker. Stila Sun SPF 15 Bronzing Powder in Shade 01 is more of a matte ochre colour, an orange-leaning golden brown that's ultra smooth and soft in texture. I had to scratch my Bourjois Délice de Soleil Bronzing Powder SPF 15 in 14 with a toothpick because the surface had completely sealed off. Even after I managed to release some pigment, it was still chalky and patchy. The colour is too dark for me anyway, a slightly burnt and muddy orange brown. The contour shade in my oft-neglected Napoleon Perdis Ultimate Contour Palette is more a caramel/toffee brown. It's matte, lighter, a tad more red than the others, with a very smooth texture but somewhat powdery.

The entire Lose Yourself set just screams summer to me, especially if all the products are applied together. I'm not a huge lip gloss fan, but I ended up liking the Angelika gloss more than I thought I would, mainly because of the colour and the texture. I wouldn't mind tossing it in my makeup bag over a lipstick for a night out. I'm a little bit underwhelmed with the Angelika blush, though I might get more use out of it when the weather starts heating up. Laguna is an instant hit with me and has motivated me to toss out some of the now vastly inferior options in my bronzer collection.

Partial to Pink

You may or may not know of my occasionally tortured relationship with pink lipsticks. I gravitate towards them as if it were programmed in my DNA, despite having a less than stellar experience with the multitude I've tried. There have been many times when I've been forced to conclude that "flattering pink" is an oxymoron. My weakness definitely lies with milky, pastel pinks and bright, blue-based pinks. I always marvel at how pretty they look in the bullet or swatched on my hand, convincing myself I could totally make them work if I applied them lightly, or layered them with other colours, or used the right foundation and accompanying makeup, only to take them home and concede they're simply horrid on the lips. The wrong pink can make me look clownish, washed out, green-tinged and sallow, or like oxygen has stopped circulating to my lips. I generally fare better with dusty medium pinks, berry tones and warm pinks with a touch of coral. Here are five pink lipsticks that are actually close to wearable on me.

l-r: Revlon Pink Rose, L'Oréal Shiny Grapefruit, Maybelline Juicy Bubblegum, Revlon Strawberry Shortcake, Clinique Woppin' Watermelon

Revlon Beyond Natural Protective Liptint SPF 15 in Pink Rose (000)
I've always kept this in whatever makeup bag I'm toting around, because it's the perfect go-to pink. A bright coral pink that's shimmery but not at all frosty, it's very comfortable and moisturising on the lips. It's quite pigmented for a so-called "tint" — one layer gives a juicy pop of colour to the lips, but it can also be built up to a full on, warm rose pink (with a dash of orangey red) lipstick. Bonus points: smells of berry candy.

L'Oréal NutriShine by Colour Riche in Shiny Grapefruit (FR102)
I was surprised to see how this swatched nearly identically to Pink Rose. Shiny Grapefruit is basically a slightly darker version of Pink Rose, with more of a 'wet' lip gloss look and dazzling silver/white microshimmer. It has a very hydrating, glossy texture that's not thick and creamy, waxy, or thin and greasy in any way.

Maybelline ColorSensational The Shine Lip Colour in Juicy Bubblegum (140)
When I first bought this, I really wasn't all that enthused. It just didn't stand out to me in the sea of pinks that I had and similarly felt underwhelmed by. I think it was Emma's love for it that made me reevaluate Juicy Bubblegum, and I've done a complete 180 now. I freakin' love this lipstick. This dusty mauve pink smells deliciously sweet and fruity, is very moisturising, glossy and forgiving on the lips, and is a total breeze to wear. Yes, it does have a slight purplish edge against my skin tone, but it's a non-issue as the lipstick is relatively understated and sheer, and the overall colour doesn't pull too cool or cartoonish on me.

Revlon ColorBurst Lip Butter in Strawberry Shortcake (080)
One of my absolute favourites from the Lip Butter range, Strawberry Shortcake is about the most blue-based pink I can get away with. I resisted this shade when I first went positively bonkers over the launch of the Lip Butters in Australia, but it was inevitable I would crack in the end. Strawberry Shortcake encapsulates what I like about pinks (in theory): fun, playful, girly, flirty, youthful. I've also heard it's very close to NARS Roman Holiday — I immediately thought of Strawberry Shortcake when I saw this swatch of Roman Holiday from Amy's pure eye candy Instagram. The Lip Butters have a thicker, stickier texture compared with the other pinks I've featured here, so they do feel a bit heavier on the lips. There is a dash of silver shimmer running through the colour, but I don't find it noticeable until it's taken off.

Clinique Chubby Stick Moisturising Lip Colour Balm in Woppin' Watermelon (06)
A subtle, natural rosy pink that looks effortless, feminine and pretty. While pigmentation is on the sheer side, like almost anything, it can be layered for greater intensity. Ideal to pop into the handbag for when you want a fuss-free, modest tint to your lips. Foolproof and exceptionally easy to wear, this Chubby Stick sinks into the lips without emphasising lip lines or leaving a stain.

Someone Like Yu

My last HQhair order contained not just NARS Satin Lip Pencil in Biscayne Park, but also Yu. It was an immense struggle to pick just two colours, but any more would've been too much damage to my wallet. I was set on the nude Biscayne Park, but allowed myself to pick just one more pencil. I was so close to choosing the coral Lodhi or pinkish-red Luxembourg (and even contemplated the deep garnet Majella), but in the end, my eternal devotion to pink prevailed, and Yu was placed into my cart.

l-r: Maybelline Vivid Rose, Revlon Fuchsia, NARS Yu, Revlon Smitten, MAC Chatterbox

Yu is a bold dark pink with raspberry and fuchsia tones. On my lips, it's darker and more muted than expected. It's not the bright, vivid, shocking pink that I thought — it's closer to a dark, reddish magenta that almost drains my face rather than brightens it. Like Biscayne Park, I honestly don't think the colour is anything special, despite how incredibly good the texture of the NARS Satin Lip Pencils are. I find it too dark for the daytime (unless lightly applied over a lip balm and blotted with a tissue), but not bright and eye-catching enough for going out at night. For the evening, I prefer something either distinctly darker and moodier (like Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Crush) or happier and more neon (like the Maybelline ColorSensational Vivids or MAC Viva Glam Nicki).

Unlike Biscayne Park, Yu does leave a stain when it's taken off. I actually prefer the colour of the stain mixed with a bit of clear balm for a sheerer, lighter version of the full opacity of the pencil. It just looks fresher, more easygoing and youthful. The NARS Satin Lip Pencils are on the softer, creamier side compared with the drier, harder texture of the Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stains. The Revlon Balm Stains have much longer staying power (especially the ultra-staining Sweetheart and Smitten) and less transfer. The pigmentation of the NARS is unreal and they're comfortable and lightweight on the lips.

Despite the superior quality of the pencils, the colours are very dupeable. Pulling out a few shades that I suspected would be similar to Yu, it looks like Revlon ColorBurst lipstick in Fuchsia is the closest, though it's a touch darker and less pink. Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Smitten is a bit more purple and applies more patchily, it's also less opaque and not as bright as Yu. MAC Chatterbox is the most dissimilar, it's lighter, dustier and more pastel in quality, not as fuchsia, more of a coral yellow-pink. Maybelline Vivid Rose clearly lives up to its name — it's far brighter, more red, not as purple. Given Revlon Fuchsia and Revlon Smitten are close enough to Yu once on the lips, I don't feel Yu was a particularly good selection. Maybe I should have opted for Lodhi instead...