Sunday, March 8, 2015

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!

64 comments:

  1. Oh wow this post is just makeup heaven! I'm adding a couple of these to my to-buy list straight away, especially NARS Luster :) x

    Evelyn @ We Were Raised By Wolves

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    1. I hope you do the tag Evelyn :) Hope you manage to try on Luster and that you like it!

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  2. NARS Douceur is discontinued???? Oy, what are they thinking? The new whatsit blushes look HORRIBLE in swatches despite looking very glam in the pan. And I had the same issue with Becca Fig although I liked Watermelon well enough.

    Loved seeing your blushes all together. All the shades are so harmonious and beautiful.

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    1. I know, Douceur is one of those cult classics, I have no idea WTF happened with their decision-making there. I guess it just didn't sell? :\

      You mean the dual intensity blush duo thingies? All of their high intensity shimmery stuff (including the shadows, and the eyeshadow palette) do not appeal at all. Too frosty and the colours are generic.

      I did read your review on the Becca Beach Tints. You swapped out Fig. I did try Watermelon on the lips the other day and surprisingly really liked it.

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  3. Oh my gosh you have an amazing blush collection.. So many gorgeous shades!!!!
    xprincessjas | ♥

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    1. Pretty happy with my collection. I guess I try to make more considered decisions when it comes to blush than other makeup.

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  4. Thank you for tagging me Lena!! This tag is so great, I'm an absolute sucker for blush, which will make it all the more hard to answer these qs! Will definitely have to do it when I have a bit more thinking time hehe :P Love the Stila CCs, Gerbera is such a pretty, brightening pink. I still haven't tried a NARS blush - but am determined to one day!

    Tasha // shiwashiful.

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    1. Haha no worries, can't wait to read your responses! Gerbera is great, I forget sometimes how much I like it. I'm sure you will get your hands on a NARS blush sooner or later :)

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  5. Uhhh I'm taking a few recommendations from this post! specially in terms of the NARS blushes. I've been thinking about getting another one or two - I wanted more bright and happy shades for the summer time - but I think I'll get deep throat for sure (it's been on my wishlist for ages, specially because it's one of those blushes that will look amazing no matter what I am wearing)

    And I have to agree on Sugarbomb, it's amazing! I have a tiny version from one of their little kits and I'll repurchase the big version for sure. I'm still not sure about Hervana and Dallas and I'm kit sad that they discontinued Bella Bamba! It was a quite fun shade and less "main stream". I hope that they get to launch another blush shade like that - Rockateur is quite nice as a everyday blush because it goes well with pretty much anything , but for the more warm and happy days of spring we always want something that speaks out those feelings.I'm quite mad and shad that we can't get Tarte here (yet apparently Marc Jacobs will finally arrive here! I might do the splurge of getting one of their palettes on my birthday)

    Thank you very much for the tag :3 I don't know exactly when but I'l be sure to do it :3 (school has been taking precious time and energy, along side with other problems but I can't wait to blog again soon)
    Take care :3

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    1. Deep Throat is a very popular one, and for good reason! I just saw Lily Pebbles use it in one of her tutorials last night (the one she paired with By Terry Misty Rock and some dark lip consisting of a lip pencil and MAC Rebel).

      I also just have a sample of Sugarbomb. It's decently sized so I don't think I'll be finishing it any time soon! I didn't know they discontinued Bella Bamba. It did appeal to me but I was hesitant to buy it because it looked super shimmery and a bit overly red.

      Tarte blushes were something I was looking forward to acquiring but the 2 I have are kind of underwhelming to me. I'm glad to have Exposed in my collection but it wasn't what I expected and Dollface is a cool-toned pink that's very similar to a couple of existing blushes I have.

      Take your time with the tag! I know how busy real life can get. I'm looking forward to reading your responses when you get the chance :)

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  6. What nice blush choices. I'm not much of a blush person but I want to pick up a few more like a few Benefit blushes.

    Jackie | fashionxfairytale | bloglovin' |

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    1. Benefit make excellent blushes, you can't really go wrong! Though I found Coralista to be a bit too shimmery (in a frosty way) for my liking.

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  7. Great post. I really want to try the Hourglass blushes and Benefit Sugarbomb looks amazing! x
    http://cocoamay.blogspot.co.uk

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    1. Definitely check out Sugarbomb if you get the chance, it's so pretty on the skin!

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  8. Thank you for tagging me, as soon as I saw this on my bloglovin' feed I knew it was right up my street! I'm hugely tempted by the Charlotte Tilbury blushes and I would definitely love one of the Hourglass blushes in my collection, I'm yet to decide on a shade though because they all look stunning. I can't believe Douceur is discontinued either, it's a real beauty xxx

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    1. I just read your post, thanks for doing the tag! :) Agreed about Douceur - makes me feel lucky I managed to get my hands on it. Deciding on an Hourglass blush would be a difficult choice. If you like your soft pinks for pale skin maybe Ethereal Glow? Dim Infusion and Diffused Heat seem to be the two most popular though!

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  9. I'm addicted too, and really want to try Dallas out now!
    Maddy, xo // UNSTITCHEDD

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    1. Dallas is so underrated! Though I think it depends a lot on your skin tone. It's pretty flattering on Asian skin tones like mine.

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  10. I need to get back into using dallas! I really like BECCA Beach Tints actually, I think it's about finding the right colour for you! They feel great on the lips as well :)

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    1. I like the look of Dragonfruit for the lips (thanks to Karima McKimmie) :p

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  11. I am in love with this post!

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  12. you have an awesome blush collection! I was tempted to try the Becca beach tint since I love their beach tint souffle so much. I'd better swatch them in store to see the shades before I decide.

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    1. I think I'd get along with the souffles a lot better. Lychee/Opal looks so gorgeous!!

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  13. Your blush collection is breathtaking x

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    1. I'm sure yours is too Coco :) Would love to see you do this tag!

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  14. I'm a blush addict! I wish the peachy/ oranges looked better on me - they're my favourites but they tend to wash me out! But the berry/ tawny shades look better on my complexion. I would love to get my hands on a Suqqu cheek brush too!

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    1. Aww, that sucks. Like any other makeup, so much depends on whether a colour suits our skin tone. Berry shades look awful on me though they always appeal to me in the pan. The Suqqu brush was such a splurge but it's just so beautifully soft.

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  15. I have yet to become addicted to blush. I have naturally pink cheeks and wear very minimal foundation. Blush hasn't been a "necessity" for me.. but these shades... they look too pretty NOT to want to buy and try.

    Connie | Sponsored by Coffee | Bloglovin’

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    1. I guess if you have a natural flush then blush can be a bit redundant. I didn't get into blush until a bit later in my "makeup journey", haha.

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  16. You have so many lovely colours! Blush is something I really haven't gotten into yet, but I do want to experiment with it more. A palette is something I need to pick up to learn what colours I do and don't like with my complexion.

    nueyork.blogspot.com

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    1. There aren't that many blush palettes out there sadly! I wanted the NARS Joie de Vivre palette a couple of years back but since then I've bought a few individual NARS blushes so none of the palettes they release tempt me too much. Plus it was impossible to get a hold of!

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  17. Great picks! I'm a big fan of Stila's Gerbera too! x
    Madeleine, The Daily Mark

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    1. It's gorgeous! Makes me want to try more of the Stila CCs!

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  18. You have so many blushes! I am officially jealous!

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  19. I love love blushes. And that hourglass one looks amazing. My go to blush is definitely Nars deep throat. I absolutely love it
    xx
    http://diamondsandtulips.blogspot.com.au

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    1. NARS Deep Throat is another favourite of mine! Such a great shade :)

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  20. Love your collection. I actually quite like Sin, it's very unusual. I think hourglass would be my most reached for lately, I like to mix the 3 in the palette, so pretty.

    http://thebeautybloss.com

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    1. I love the look of Sin on others but it just doesn't work for my skin tone unfortunately. The Hourglass blushes are lovely, though very pricey!

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  21. Thanks for the tag! You seem to have a good decent collection, whereas mine is a bit out of control because I bought a few blush palettes in addition to the singles. I have yet to try the Hourglass blushes but they look absolutely gorgeous! I pulled another one of those moments where I am regretting not getting the trio palette when it came out :T I guess I'll just wait for another chance lol. The Stila Gerbera blush looks something right up my alley. Do you know if it's still available? :P

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    1. It should be!

      The sad part is this isn't even my whole collection, it's about half. Lol.

      Is the Hourglass blush palette LE? I guess it is. It didn't really appeal to me, mainly because I thought the packaging was a bit awkward. I prefer the individual blushes and being able to pick exactly the colour you want. We're pretty lucky in that Hourglass is reasonably priced in Australia compared with other brands like MAC or Benefit that have a huge markup.

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  22. I love blushers!! In love with hourglass :)

    https://aspoonfulofnature.wordpress.com/

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    1. Hourglass seems super popular! A lot of people mentioning their love for them in this post :)

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  23. Thanks for the tag Lena, I have been so out of touch from the beauty blogging world lately (haven't posted in half a year!). I actually don't have many blushes at all, and really want to get a hold of the Hourglass ones as they look gorgeous! The only ones I have in my blush collection are NARS Deep Throat which I love for everyday wear, and I have a Tarte blush which is in the Rainforest in the Dark palette! Love them both. Looking at the swatch for NARS Sin, I'm not a fan, and I can definitely see how it can appear looking like a bruise on the skin! Sugarbomb looks gorgeous, I have always neglected the Benefit blushes because the boxes are too clunky for my liking so I might give them a chance now :P

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    1. No worries, couldn't forget you Karen :) This tag does seem to be targeted at those who are quite enthusiastic about blush since you need at least 10-11 to do it, haha! Definitely give Sugarbomb a look, it's really one of my ultimate favs!

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  24. Ah talk about Blush heaven!! I love the look of all the blushes you've mentioned, particularly the Stila blush!! A few to add on my wishlist :)

    Neelam // neelamjayna.blogspot.co.uk

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    1. The Stila is such an excellent cream blush, highly recommend it :)

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  25. Ah talk about Blush heaven!! I love the look of all the blushes you've mentioned, particularly the Stila blush!! A few to add on my wishlist :)

    Neelam // neelamjayna.blogspot.co.uk

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  26. I've been wanting Nars Orgasm for ages, it's such a pretty shade. Your blush collection is amazinnnggg!

    The Velvet Black // UK Style & Beauty Blog

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    1. That's a cult classic for sure! It was my very first NARS blush that I purchased :)

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  27. Thanks so much for doing this tag! I love some of the products you mentioned (especially Luster) and have added some to my wish list. Thanks again xx

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    1. My pleasure! The questions were so well thought out and they were really fun to answer :) Hopefully most of the people I've tagged also post their responses!

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  28. THERE WAS NO WAY I WAS GOING TO MISS THIS POST! Loved LOVED reading it! I'm such a huge fan of the neutral/warm toned blushes you have in your collection! Totally envious of your Nars, Tarte and Benefit blushes! I've been dreaming of a box set of blushes from benefit or at least the rockateur or sugar bomb blush! Surprisingly although I own many blushes and have no qualms dropping $150 at the drugstore here on make up, I don't have many higher end blushes but I love seeing what other ladies covet and own! This tag was a great read and I'd love to own some of Becca's mineral blushes soon! I've got one of those, a benefit and a tarte blush down on my wish list! And thanks for tagging! I was already contemplating this tag once I saw it on another girl's blog! Hehehe...blush queen...some reason you're not the only one who thinks so! I can't wait to do the tag :p

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    1. The box set of Benefit blushes is such a good way to try out their blushes and relatively affordable too. I believe the samples are 3g which is a very decent size given full size NARS blushes are 4.8g (I think). I can't imagine myself finishing a blush anyway! I think there are certain products we're willing to splurge on and others we're fairly content with just buying at the drugstore. For me, drugstore lipsticks and mascaras are such fantastic quality that I don't feel the urge to buy higher end most of the time. But for some reason I'm quite attracted to high end blush! Can't wait to read your responses Blush Queen ;)

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  29. Luster is my fav holy grail too! Thanks for the tag!

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  30. Yay! I enjoyed reading this post so much! I couldn't believe NARS discontinued Douceur either, so glad I have one to hold on to. Out of all the Stila convertible colors, Gerbera is definitely the one I'd wanna try. Gerberas are one of my favourite flowers and also the name of my old dog, PLUS it swatches SO pretty!!
    I really want to try the Charlotte Tilbury blushes too! Anything from her line really.

    Chloé⎪ status.chlo

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    1. Me too, makes me so thankful I managed to buy one when it was still widely available! I wanted to buy Madly the other day and it was sold out at both stores I visited ... geez NARS can be hard to get a hold of sometimes :p Awww, hope you manage to check out Gerbera. I think you'd like it if the idea of peachy pinks appeals :)

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  31. Wow so many blushes out there, definitely an impressive collection.
    I am currently in the state where I step the blush, I don't why I feel lazy, that's it :D but I would say definitely I love all the pinks blushes like the ELF's pink passion here.
    That Stila cream blush looks gorgeous. I have only tried Revlon cream blushes and I'm not impressed with the formula nor the pigmentation; the Stila one looks highly pigmented though.

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  32. Loved this post! Blush is probably one of the makeup item I like the most, I just can't get enough of them! I absolutely adore Sin though, but I can see it's a shade that won't look good on every skin tone. For the most part I tend to gravitate to coraly/peachy pinks.

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  33. What an awesome post!
    There's just SOMETHING about Gerbera - I don't know, really catches my eye.

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