Plumping Pink

What's this ... more pink lipstick? After I declared I need to put myself on a ban? To be fair: a) It was purchased before I had imposed the ban b) The ban is more a guide in the right direction and a reminder of my excesses than something to be strictly enforced (i.e. let's face it, it wasn't ever going to happen). I'd asked my friend to buy a couple of MAC lipsticks for me while she was in Hawaii recently, since they're $16 USD ($21) rather than $36 in the land of hideously overpriced makeup known as Australia. She ended up very kindly giving the two lipsticks to me for my birthday. Today I'll review Peach Blossom, but I'll have a post on the other one shortly (any guesses what I picked? Hint: it's a classic!).

As a lipstick junkie, the idea of building a MAC lipstick collection is infinitely appealing. The huge shade range and the popularity and individuality of the colours is a makeup lover's dream. I find the quality of MAC lipsticks to be generally impeccable, so I can justify the cost even if they're more than what I'd normally spend on a single lipstick. I now have 8 MAC lipsticks (Shy Girl, Creme Cup, Viva Glam Nicki, Chatterbox, Plumful, Patisserie, Peach Blossom ... and one to be revealed). It's a good number, in that each and every single purchase was thoroughly researched and considered. I'm currently eyeing Sweet and Sour and Velvet Teddy (and possibly Crosswires), but I know there's no limit to how many lipsticks I could let myself buy from MAC. I have to be content with what I have and draw the line somewhere.

A few things pushed me over the edge to seek out Peach Blossom. First was Amelia Liana's Top 5 MAC Lipsticks video, where she mentions it alongside Rebel, Shy Girl, Diva and Morange. The second was Vivianna Does Makeup describing Peach Blossom as possibly her favourite MAC lipstick so far. Add to that a whopping 4.7/5 rating on MakeupAlley and I was beyond sold.

MAC Peach Blossom (Cremesheen)

l-r: MAC Peach Blossom, MAC Creme Cup, MAC Patisserie, Revlon Petal, Revlon Blush

l-r: MAC Peach Blossom, MAC Creme Cup, MAC Patisserie, Revlon Petal, Revlon Blush

Peach Blossom is a sheer light pink with nude/peach tones. MAC Creme Cup is a cooler baby pink. MAC Patisserie is more nudey-caramel and sheerer. Revlon ColorBurst Lipstick in Petal is a darker candy pink with more pearl. Revlon ColorBurst Lipstick in Blush is also darker and frostier, and more reddish brown.

Excuse the state of my bottom lip. It wasn't a good lip day. Peach Blossom is a Cremesheen finish which isn't my favourite (I MUCH prefer Lustre). Contrary to popular opinion, I don't find Cremesheen lipsticks to be particularly hydrating or even forgiving on flaky, chapped lips. If anything, the formula feels a bit thick and sticky, rather than moisturising and lightweight. Problematically, it also settles into lip lines.

Apart from the less than stellar formula, one aspect of Peach Blossom I never anticipated is the frost content. You can't really tell in the swatches, but it has this silver shimmer running through it. I guess it's meant to give a more glossy look to the lips and it's just subtle enough that I can tolerate it, but still, frost in my lipstick in any form is a huge no-no.

Peach Blossom leans slightly warm, though its sheerness can make it appear a touch cool-toned on the lips. It's a very safe, pretty, "wearable" colour. A good example of a lipstick for those with a light to medium skin tone who don't like or wear lipstick often. It's very unassuming, understated, and at times, hardly looks like you have anything on. Patisserie is still my #1, but Peach Blossom is its girlier, pinkier cousin.

Addicted to Blush Tag

Thank you Emma for tagging me and Kat for creating the tag! While I don't consider myself a fully fledged #blushfiend, I still have more blushes than most people. I think my main issue with blush is I don't find subtle variations show up on my skin. I tend to group blushes into large, sweeping colour families (pink, orange/peach, deeper berry/plum, red, tawny/hybrid bronzer shades and pinky nude), and if I have one or two per category, I feel I'm pretty much done. I certainly don't share that perspective when it comes to lipstick or eyeshadow, hence my compulsion to continue buying despite an existing overabundance. The other thing about blush is application is so hard to get right. My technique is still a constant work in progress. I also find blush requires a truly flawless canvas to look good, and notwithstanding the fact that everything looks a bit worse for wear at the end of the day, most times I don't put in the effort to really perfect my skin other than slapping on my foundation.

1. What colour blush suits you the most?
Definitely peachy pinks or corals. Basically something that's mainly orange with a bit of pink/red in it. I can't wear berry shades at all, most pinks look terrible on me (especially cool pinks ... horrid), and pinky nudes, as much as I want to love them, have generally been underwhelming (I'm looking at you Tarte Exposed and Illamasqua Naked Rose).

2. Pressed/cream/loose blush?
Pressed. I never wear loose blush (don't have any, not interested), and while creams have their strengths and serve their purpose, they're just that extra bit fiddly compared with pressed powder blushes.

3. Favourite shimmery blush?
Benefit Sugarbomb. I put it in my 2013 Favourites and it's still one of my all-time favourite blushes. Probably top 3. It looks like it might be too light judging from the pan, but it builds up to a fairly pigmented sherbet orange with a luminous golden pearl. Special mention goes to Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush in Diffused Heat. More coral than Sugarbomb and less intensely shimmery, it has a beautifully soft texture, good lasting power and really perks up the complexion.

Benefit Sugarbomb

4. Favourite matte blush?
Easy. NARS Douceur. I can't believe NARS discontinued it. NARS, what were you thinking?! This is a rare pinky nude blush that works for me. I use it with my Ecotools Blush Brush in a tapping motion up and down my cheekbones to sculpt my face. It's not so brown that it belongs in serious contouring territory, but it's not overly red/pink so that the placement looks slightly strange. The overall effect is subtle and sophisticated. I should really reach for this one more.

NARS Douceur

5. Favourite cream blush?
Another obvious choice. Stila Convertible Color in Gerbera. I love this cream blush. It is one of very few pinks that I can pull off, it applies in a non-patchy manner and has a beautiful dewy finish that instantly adds life and freshness to the face. It goes on easily with the fingers, but for best results I like using the Real Techniques Expert Face Brush, working the product from the temples downwards onto the cheek.

Stila Gerbera

6. Favourite drugstore blush?
This was a recent rediscovery. Rimmel 3 in 1 Powder Blush in Autumn Catwalk. I mainly use a combination of the first two shades and steer clear of the third (not that there's anything wrong with it, but I prefer the look of the first two pinks combined). While lasting power could be improved, I just love the warm, sweetly youthful shade of pink this blush creates. The shimmer in the middle section is not frosted or whitish but actually pink-based with diamond sparkles, which I find very rare in a drugstore blush.

Rimmel Autumn Catwalk (l-r: first two shades combined, third shade by itself)

7. Favourite high end blush?
I took this question to mean favourite line/brand of high end blushes, as opposed to favourite specific high end blush. I'd have to say NARS. I've built up a little collection that I cherish. While there have been 1-2 semi-duds (more on that later), overall, they make my favourite blushes. Flattering shades, extremely pigmented, unparalleled lasting power and excellent quality in general. Runner up would be Benefit. You already know my love for Sugarbomb, but Hervana is a perfect everyday blush and Dallas is beautiful in the cooler months.

l-r: NARS Orgasm, NARS Deep Throat

8. Favourite bright blush?
This was easy to answer because there aren't many contenders to begin with. I'd have to go with e.l.f. Studio Blush in Pink Passion. While it looks frightening (or glorious, depending on your blush proclivities) in the pan, it's almost tame when blended out on the cheeks. You do need a light hand and something like the SUQQU Cheek Brush to diffuse the intense pigmentation, but once properly blended, it gives an earthy rosiness to the cheeks that looks surprisingly natural.

e.l.f. Pink Passion

9. Biggest blush disappointment/regret?
I didn't get along with the Becca Beach Tints at all, which was extremely disappointing given they seem to enjoy a good reputation. Fig barely showed up on my skin (making it effectively useless), and while Watermelon didn't have the same problem, I disliked how it looked on me. Not a fan of reddish berry shades with my skin tone, especially since every bit of redness in my face gets highlighted. Watermelon fared much better on the lips, though it's nearly the same colour as Revlon Soft Rose, so why bother.

While I said NARS made my favourite high end blush, there have been a couple of disappointments. I never managed to make Sin work for me, despite repeated attempts. When swatched, it's the most unique, captivating, berry-purple with gold shimmer, but on my face, it either looks like a disturbing bruise or a sheered out, complexion-draining, ruddy mess. Enchanted seems like a peachy cream blush, but it's a straight up glittery highlighter. There's barely any pigment, but rather, CHUNKS and flakes of glitter. Don't get me wrong, the glitter in this is stunning in action, but it's the least inconspicuous highlighter you could find. I love glitter as much as the next person, but unfortunately daily office life doesn't call for it.

NARS Sin

NARS Enchanted

10. Best blush packaging?
Surprisingly, there wasn't one blush that really stood out for me. I picked Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush in the end. I like the sturdy feel, gold exterior and square shape, plus the inside is gorgeous.

11. What's on your blush wish list?
Quite a few blushes! Perhaps doing this tag has reignited my blush spark. Top of my wishlist are the newish Bobbi Brown Brightening Bricks. I have my eye on Pink or Tawny. I'm sure I'll love Benefit Rockateur and feel that it's only a matter of time before I cave and buy it. Apparently I need NARS Madly. I've been eyeing Burberry Light Glow Natural Blush in Earthy as well, though it's closer to a bronzer. Chanel Joue Contraste Blush in Jersey looks like a blush staple I NEED (I trust both Emma and Temptalia). The Charlotte Tilbury Cheek to Chic blushes and Clinique Cheek Pops are also mightily tempting.

12. Number 1 holy grail blush?
This one was hard, but I think I'll have to go with NARS Luster. It's a foolproof option that complements my skin tone and does it all. If I'm running out of time in the mornings and can't be bothered with separate contouring, highlighting and blush, I'll whack on a bit of Luster and be done. It's sculpting, injects warmth and colour, and imparts a soft, golden glow.

NARS Luster

And those are my responses. I now tag Cherie, Michelle, Jennifer, Tiffany, Kelly, Shari, Pam, Sharlynn (the blush queen!), Amanda, Diana, Coco, Tasha, Sheri, Evelyn, Karen, Jennie, Amy, Emma and Tram. Think I may have gone just a touch overboard with the tagging there. But basically, anyone who feels like joining in!

February Favourites

We're well and truly settled into the new year with February done and dusted. I can't remember much about February except watching the Oscars and buying too much makeup. Unfortunately, the second thing seems to have carried into March. Most of my picks for February have been products I've mentioned before, so I almost didn't want to do a post to avoid repeating myself. But I guess that's how you know if something's good: when you keep coming back for more.

Melvita Damask Rose floral water
A very straightforward rosewater toner that I've been routinely spritzing after washing my face in the morning. It's a good alternative to my Avene Thermal Spring Water to re-hydrate my skin after cleansing. If it's left to completely evaporate off the face, it can feel slightly tightening and drying. For this reason, I prefer to apply my serum (back on the Indeed Labs Hydraluron, trying diligently to finish it) and moisturiser when my skin's still a little damp from spraying this. Because of its basic, pure composition, I don't find it irritates or stings, even when I get it in my eyes.

Bottom to top (from the Charlotte Tilbury Filmstar Bronze & Glow): Highlight, Sculpt

Charlotte Tilbury Filmstar Bronze & Glow + Charlotte Tilbury Powder and Sculpt Brush
This could've easily been featured in last month's favourites as well, but I was toying with the idea of dedicating a separate, full post to it instead. I'll just rave about it here. These two products are worth every penny. Admittedly, the brush can feel a bit stiff initially and it takes some time and a couple of washes to fluff up and become more pliable, but once it reaches that stage, it's the single most effective contouring tool I own. The shape just works for my face in a way no other brush has. The Filmstar Bronze & Glow is an utter revelation. I've used it almost every single day since it arrived. It gives the face a healthy, lifted luminosity and earthy warmth and definition. Charlotte Tilbury absolutely nailed this one. It's honestly surpassed my every expectation. I'm calling it now: I'll be VERY surprised if this doesn't end up in my yearly favourites.

Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturiser
My preferred weekend base when I usually can't be bothered with a full face of foundation. My love for the Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturiser in Nude is still strong, though I suspect my tube is dangerously close to its expiry date (if it hasn't already surpassed it). It's not applying to my skin as smoothly as before, but it's not a total write-off. I just need to put more time and effort into prepping my skin and blending the product in. It's worth it when the result is luminous, dewy, natural-looking skin.

Rimmel Wake Me Up Concealer + Real Techniques Deluxe Crease Brush
Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturiser looks even better when I conceal areas of redness, blemishes, and neutralise uneven skin tone with my Rimmel Wake Me Up Concealer in Classic Beige. The best tool I've found to apply it is the Real Techniques Deluxe Crease Brush. It works just as well as the Domed Shadow Brush which was my concealer brush discovery in July 2013. The Pixiwoo sisters use the two interchangeably to apply their concealer, and it's not hard to see why. The brushes are small enough for fairly precise application (though pinpoint concealing this ain't), but soft and rounded enough to blend product in seamlessly. Sometimes I really wonder why I don't always bother with concealer after my base. The effect might be subtle, but that final skin-perfecting step really does make all the difference.

Australis Velourlips Matte Lip Cream in Pa-ree
"Kylie Jenner lips" seem to be all the rage now, and this is the closest product I've found that achieves that look without going overboard. At first I was intrigued by the shade Pa-ree because I heard rumblings on Instagram it was something of a dupe for Lime Crime Velvetines in Cashmere. While I don't have Cashmere, judging from swatches online, Pa-ree looks to be a much more "wearable" version. It's a contemporary reddish nude that gives the appearance of full, plumped, rosy lips. I would almost go as far as to say this might be my holy grail nude lip colour. It's not "nude" in the pale beige/flesh tone way, it's a "my lips but better" nude that tones down and perfects the natural colouring of my lips, while adding a lil somethin' extra. The matte finish also gives finesse and sophistication. I LOVE the formula of the Australis Velourlips. They're incredible for the affordable price point ($10). I don't find them overly drying and most miraculously, they don't settle into lip lines. I usually apply it straight from the tube haphazardly, then press my lips together and dab with my finger to spread/blend the product. The end result looks like you put in a lot more effort than you actually have.

KIKO Glamorous Eye Pencil in Golden Hazelnut (401)
This has barely left my lower lash line the whole month. I don't know if I've come across a better pencil to define my lower lash line. The metallic copper shade is perfection (goes with almost any eyeshadow, or at least the neutral shades I stick to, and adds more "pop"/liveliness than a black, grey/taupe or darker, conventional bronze), it's long wearing, applies smoothly without tugging on the skin, and doesn't irritate my eyes. It was also €4.20, or $6. Basically, KIKO need to open up a shop in Australia.

l-r: Charlotte Tilbury Highlight, Charlotte Tilbury Sculpt, Australis Pa-ree, KIKO 401

Pouting Pink

As mentioned in my last lipstick post, my newest lipstick additions didn't stop at two She lipsticks. Yet again, I was swayed by a buy one, get one free offer. This time it was the L'Oréal Colour Riche line. L'Oréal lipsticks are a ridiculous $21.95 each in Australia, so the BOGOF placed them at a much more reasonable price point. Initially, I contemplated one of the celebrity-endorsed nude lipsticks ("Collection Exclusive Nudes"), specifically Eva, but I found the formula to be drying. The colour also wasn't anything amazing — it reminded me of a less pigmented, more beige Colour Riche Extraordinaire in Nude Vibrato. I then spotted the Colour Riche Moisture Matte range and began swatching the shades on display. Sakura Petal (P501), a bright but pale, yellow-based pink, immediately drew me in.

l-r: Sakura Petal, Cherry Crush

L'Oréal Colour Riche Moisture Matte Lipstick in Sakura Petal (P501)

Let me tell you something about yellow-based pinks. I'm always on the lookout for them. I find them to be the rarest breed of pink at the "drugstore". There are many, many, cool-toned pinks, from your milky lavender/sheer baby pinks, to mid-tone purplish pinks, to fuchsia/hot pinks and deep berry/plummy shades. But I don't see warm pinks around very often, unless they're vibrant coral pinks like Revlon Matte Lipstick in Pink About It or Sportsgirl Rosie Posie.

The only drugstore yellow-based pinks I can recall are the limited edition Revlon Matte Lipstick in Sky Pink (one of the very first lipsticks I purchased at the start of my makeup obsession — at an obscene $21.95 too), Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in Pink in the Afternoon and Revlon ColorBurst Matte Balm in Elusive. Along with MAC Viva Glam Nicki, those are probably the only yellow-based pinks I have. It doesn't help that the natural pigmentation of my lips turns almost any pink more blueish and cool-toned, especially if the formula is sheer.

When it comes to lipstick, I'm all about brights and the novelty of the colour itself. Sakura Petal is one of those crazy grandma shades in that it's both old-fashioned and clownish. It also makes my teeth look frightfully yellow. But I don't care. It's magic.

l-r: L'Oréal Sakura Petal, Revlon Sky Pink, Revlon Pink Lemonade, Sportsgirl Beauty Queen, MAC Creme Cup

Revlon Matte Lipstick in Sky Pink is close to Sakura Petal but lighter. Sportsgirl Beauty Queen looks similar but due to its sheerness doesn't translate as very yellow-toned on the lips. MAC Creme Cup is more pastel and dusty, not as neon as Sakura Petal. Revlon ColorBurst Lip Butter in Pink Lemonade is much paler and more of a milky peach.

Speaking of coral pinks, I tried on Cherry Crush (P502) from the same Moisture Matte line and was sold. What was happening — two warm pinks?! The texture is a lot smoother and it's more forgiving on the lips than the drier, patchier Sakura Petal which requires a perfectly primed pout.

l-r: L'Oréal Cherry Blossom, Revlon Pink in the Afternoon, Maybelline Vivid Rose, Sportsgirl Rosie Posie, MAC Chatterbox

Annddddd I think we've found our "drugstore" MAC Chatterbox dupe. Chatterbox might be a touch more pastel, but we're splitting hairs. Of course, the finish is entirely different — Chatterbox is creamier, with a satin rather than matte finish. Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in Pink in the Afternoon is more peachy nude in comparison. Maybelline ColorSensational Vivids Lipstick in Vivid Rose, which I thought would be similar, is hugely more neon and saturated in high-intensity pigment. Sportsgirl Rosie Posie is more orange/coral, less dark pink.

Now that we're done with that, it's evident I need to consider a serious pink lipstick ban. I was going to say lipstick ban period, but let's not be overly ambitious. Baby steps.