Guerlain Meteorites Bubble Blush in 01 Twinkle Pink

When Guerlain released two Meteorites Bubble Blushes for Spring 2014, I debated whether or not I should even bother purchasing one. For starter, the packaging is extremely cheap-looking and by that, I mean plastic packaging -- a total departure from the luxe packaging Guerlain is so well-known for. Secondly, the amount of product one gets by no means reflects the $42 price point for 0.14 oz of product. Ounce for ounce, it really puts Benefit's Rockateur to shame. However, I waited a bit too long and before I knew it, 01 Twinkle Pink sold out both on Nordstrom.com and Sephora.com, my two go-to retailers. (02 Fizzy Cherry is still available at the moment.) Thankfully, a dear friend of mine completely surprised me with it, and I couldn't be happier to add it to my cream blush collection!

If you are a fan of how the Guerlain Meteorites smell, you will fancy the Bubble Blush. If, however, the scent of violets turns you off, this blush is not for you. As mentioned before, I wasn't too fond of the packaging. On the plus side, it is extremely travel-friendly, since it is extremely light (although it might still take up a bit of space in one's bag.)

Formula-wise, this is a cream-to-powder blush. It still does not entirely dry down to a satin finish like the Chanel cream blushes. Instead, it gives a slightly dewy, glowy finish that reminds me a lot of the YSL cream blushes. I do appreciate how it does not stay tacky once the product sets, ie my biggest gripe when it comes to cream products. As far as longevity goes, this lasted a good six hours on my cheeks, which is considerably good for a cream product. Most of them tend to melt off my oily skin by the four hour mark.

I've applied it many ways, and I've found that the best way is over foundation (prior to any powder despite the cream-to-powder claim.) It just applies more easily and more evenly that way. I've also tried applying it with a brush, as well as directly onto my cheeks and then blend with a brush, and I actually prefer the latter. It is more precise and I can tell how much product goes on my cheeks. Do keep in mind that even though you think you may have over-applied, once you set with powder, you lose some of the color. In a pinch, finger application works just as well since the product itself blends so effortlessly.

When blended out, 01 Twinkle Pink is the quintessential Barbie pink blush in cream form. It works beautifully on fair to medium skintones, although I wouldn't recommend it on darker skintones as it'll barely show up. I can see, however, 02 Fizzy Cherry looking lovely on darker skintones. As mentioned, 01 Twinkle Pink is sold out on many places online, but I would suggest checking out your local department stores with a Guerlain counter, as they may still have a few in stock.

Giorgio Armani Belladonna Palette - Highlight

Aside from palettes, a good highlighter is my second biggest weakness. Forget the fact that I probably own multiple highlighters that are practically exact dupes of each other, I still cherish them all equally. It is rare for me to go a day (when wearing makeup) without adding some glow to the top of my cheekbones, down the bridge of my nose, my cupid's bow, and my chin. It is even more rare for me to be able to find a highlighter that serves all said purposes and acts as good eyeshadow when sweeped across the lids. Say 'Hello' to the latest highlighter addition to my collection: Giorgio Armani's Belladonna. A beauty indeed!

At $88, I would be lying if I were to say I had no reservations whatsoever when placing my order. I actually waited several weeks after the product launched before biting the bullet and, boy, was I glad I did. Belladonna is a stunner! Armani had referred to this as a "universal" highlighter, and I could see why. It gives a soft peachy-beige illumination that suits both warm and cool-toned folks. With one sweep of a brush, it gives a subtle glow. However, when built up to three sweeps, it can get quite frosty but never looking over the top.

What sets Belladonna apart from the other highlighters in my collection is how versatile it is. On days when I'm running late, I would quickly sweep the product over my eyes and just apply mascara, and it manages to somehow still give me a polished, wide-awake look. That is definitely something I cannot pull off with all highlighters, as they can make one look rather garish very quickly. The lasting power on the eyes is just as impressive as it is on the cheeks -- a solid ten hours with no signs of fading! Might I also add that the texture is unbelievable! It is buttery and incredibly finely-milled to the touch, and it simply glides on the face when applied with minimal effort.

The compact itself is plastic and a tad bulky for just a highlighter (as opposed to the same packaging which contained previous Armani face and eye palettes.) The bottom tier houses a brush that is a-okay, in my opinion. I still prefer the face brushes that usually come with Chanel and Dior products over the one that comes with Belladonna. For the hefty price, I expected a softer and fluffier brush, but it is still convenient for touch-ups on the go.

Armani's Belladonna is currently showing availability on Nordstrom.com, Neiman Marcus, Saks, and on the Armani site itself. I know Armani offers 20% off from time to time on its website, but if you don't want to risk Belladonna selling out before then, I would highly suggest checking out the closest department store to you instead. It is one product you do not want to miss out on!

Too Faced Sweethearts Perfect Flush Blush in Peach Beach

If there's one blush I've been reaching for on a nearly daily basis the last couple of weeks, it would have to be the Too Faced Sweethearts blush in Peach Beach. Not only is the packaging super adorable (like most Too Faced products), but the blush itself really delivers a luminous and shimmery finish. Peach Beach is divided into three strips, two of which is slightly larger than the third. The smallest section is a champagne highlighter, while the center and last section is a medium rose and light terracotta bronze shade, respectively.

This blush is very shimmery, and even though the shimmer particles are not as finely-milled as some of the blushes I own, I still appreciate Peach Beach. The blush is designed in such a way that one can easily dip a brush in any of the three sections, so it's basically two blushes and a highlighter all in one. I personally enjoy swirling a brush in all three shades for a glowy peachy pink for the apples of my cheeks. Now a highlighter is absolutely unnecessary when applying this blush, but the highlighter fiend in me still likes to add a slightly bit more dimension to the tops of my cheekbones with either another champagne-toned highlighter or to go in the highlighter portion of Peach Beach with a separate brush.

(Champagne, Medium Rose, Terracotta Bronze, All 3 shades mixed)

One thing I wasn't too keen on, though, is the amount of powder this product kicks back. On my light-medium skin tone, I needed to apply more pressure with the brush into the pan to get the pigmentation I wanted. Because of that, I would notice excess powder accumulating round the edges of the pan. Minor gripe aside, the blush itself performs outstandingly, in terms of its wear-time: a solid ten hours with no signs of oxidation whatsoever. I can see light-to-medium skin tones with warmer undertones pulling off Peach Beach really nicely. Darker skin tones, however, can certainly wear this as a gorgeous highlighter.

I personally enjoy wearing this blush with warm (to neutral) neutral eye looks, which is basically my comfort zone when it comes to eye makeup. But there are days when I've even popped on the highlighter on the lid and some bronzer in the crease, and even that turned out beautifully. Who says cheek products can't be multi-functional, right? Too Faced Peach Beach is available permanently at all retail stores that sell Too Faced products, as well as Too Faced.com.

YSL Rosy Blush/Face Collector Palette

When I saw fellow Instagrammers posting pictures of the Yves Saint Laurent Rosy Blush palette, limited edition for Spring 2014, I knew it'd be mine. I have always had good luck with YSL blushes, whether it be cream or powder, so I had really high hopes for this as well. And how could I not with its lovely design and packaging? I mean, it only took a good two weeks of my having the blush sitting on display on my vanity before I finally dipped a brush in it. It truly is a piece of art in of itself!

However, upon first application, I knew calling the product a blush was very inaccurate. In fact, I had to build up the color in order for it to show up as possibly a highlighter. With one swipe, I was left with silver glitter on my cheekbones. It wasn't until three swipes later, when I was able to see some color with a hint of illumination. As a fan and collector of highlighters, it is safe to say I have quite the range -- from the ones that are blatantly in your face to the most subtle of subtle. Disappointingly enough, I wouldn't even categorize YSL's Rosy Blush as even a subtle highlighter, since it does not give enough luminosity to enhance my cheekbones. It really just sits on top of my blush, while adding a silvery glitter aspect.

(Swatches: Three swipes, Blended)

Collector palette? I couldn't have agreed more, since I feel that this palette does serve that purpose. At a $50 price tag though? I'll leave it to your judgment. I can see this face palette working better and more beautifully on fair skin tones, as well as when paired with a more cool-toned blush. Even then, I cannot wholeheartedly recommend the product, because it is rather chalky and not what I would imagine meeting the standards of folks who are fans of YSL's other cheek products.

I have heard that this palette is selling out fairly quickly. I managed to snatch mine from my local Saks for $50, as Nordstrom was not carrying it. I do want to point out the price difference I had noticed -- it was showing up as $46 on the YSL website but is currently showing out of stock. Therefore, your local Saks or even Neiman Marcus might be your best bet if you are planning on tracking one down.

Dior Rouge Dior in 531 Rose Crinoline

Ever had one of those love at first swipe moments? I knew I needed a back-up as soon as Rose Crinoline went on my lips. The words 'limited edition' basically solidified that notion. Admittedly, I adore pastel peachy coral lipsticks, but finding the right formula to match the right shade can prove to be quite the task. Sometimes, the shade is just perfect, but the formula is either too sheer or is irritating to my very sensitive lips. Other times, the lipstick provides just the right amount of opacity, but the color is a bit off, ie too pale or too coral. Hence, my pile of forgotten lipsticks.

Thankfully, Dior's Rose Crinoline provides just the perfect shade with just the right amount of pigmentation. I've always had good luck with Dior lipsticks, to be honest -- whether it be the Rouge Dior or the Dior Addict. I personally prefer the Rouge Diors, since the color is apparent with just a swipe (although there are days where I do appreciate the sheerness of Dior Addicts.) I was able to achieve the color in the tube with just two swipes across my lips.

What I love about the lipstick so much is how hydrating and creamy it is. The sheen the lipstick gives makes lipgloss rather unnecessary, as it would only serve to take away the gorgeousness of the color. Once it goes on, the color stays on for a solid four hours (and through eating and drinking, I should add!) That said, I would still recommend a lip balm underneath.

I strongly suggest giving Rose Crinoline on the lips a chance, even if the color in the tube may seem as though it's out of one's comfort zone. The same lipstick translates differently on everyone's lips, and it is more wearable than some have made it to be. I personally enjoy pairing this lipstick with a brown smokey eye and a hint of pink on the cheeks. Rose Crinoline is still available on Nordstrom, Macy's, and I would imagine your local Dior counters as well.

Tom Ford Cheek Color in 01 Love Lust, 02 Frantic Pink, and 04 Savage

Tom Ford makes some of my favorite powdered blushers -- easily on my Top 3 list along with Burberry and YSL. TF blushes are highly pigmented, super blendable, and incredibly long-lasting. I have yet to come across a single blush from his range that does not meet all three standards -- a rarity in the cosmetics world these days. Tom Ford packaging needs no explanation. It exudes class and quality, and it very well should be at $56 a pop for these blushes!

01: Love Lust
Starting off with Love Lust, ie my first Tom Ford blush, and the one that made me fall in love with his entire line-up. I have heard several beauty bloggers and Youtubers refer to this as a more mature version of NARS Orgasm, and I couldn't agree any more. Unlike the infamous O, I don't see as prominent of a golden sheen when Love Lust goes on my cheeks. The shimmer is still there, don't get me wrong, but it is certainly more refined. Also, the lasting power of Love Lust far exceeds Orgasm and with no oxidation whatsoever. This blush is incredibly pigmented, and one tap into the pan is all that one needs for both cheeks. By default, this is the most universally flattering color from Tom Ford's range of permanent blushes, since it is that neutral peachy-coral shade everyone always seems to gravitate towards. I can see this working on the lightest of skin tones to the darkest of skin tones, since this (and the rest of his blushes) are very buildable.

02: Frantic Pink
I would call Frantic Pink the 'Tom Ford beginners blush', because you simply cannot overdo this blush. This blush is that angelic pink shade that leans slightly on the warmer side. It looks amazing on very fair skin tones to give a flush of color, and it looks just as beautiful on much darker skin tones as a highlighter. I personally enjoy layering this blush on the apples of my cheeks over a matte blush shade. Like Love Lust, this is a shimmery blush, so a highlighter is unnecessary. However, if you are like me, and enjoy highlighters, I would still suggest finishing off with one. It really pulls the look together, in my opinion. Frantic Pink is one of my favorite blushes to go to when I am sporting a smoky eye or when I am trying to achieve a 'no-makeup makeup' look.

04: Savage
Though it may not seem like so from the pan, Savage is actually my most used blush out of the three. In fact, I had to tell myself to use my other blushes at one point over the Summer, because I kept reaching for this. Do keep in mind this blush is extremely pigmented. Consider yourself warned! It is quite easy to go a bit heavy-handed with Savage, thus, giving the sunburnt cheeks effect -- not too flattering, if you ask me. I cannot recommend using a duo-fiber brush with this particular blush enough; I promise you will still achieve that exotic coppery-bronze look with said brush. Even though it may look like a good bronzer shade in the pan, I wouldn't suggest it, because of the frosty nature of Savage. It's frosty, it's shimmery, it will make you look like a disco ball if you attempt to contour with it. Instead, try placing the blush towards the back of your cheeks and above your contour to give your face a more sculpted look.

(L-R): 01 Love Lust, 02 Frantic Pink, 04 Savage

I couldn't pick a favorite out of the three Tom Ford blushes I own if I had to: all three are lovely in their own ways. Everytime I go back to using one of the blushes, I wonder why I needed the rest of my blush collection. Okay, slight exaggeration but you get my drift. Tom Ford Cosmetics is available at Saks.com, Neiman Marcus, and now Nordstrom.com!

NARS Eyeshadow Duo in Kauai

I'm a firm believer in the fact that all makeup brands has its hits-and-misses. NARS is no exception. Despite having fallen off of my radar for a while, the brand has quickly made a comeback with its recent releases for Spring 2014. While I passed on the Nordstrom exclusive Final Cut blushes and lip pencils, I could not resist the duo eyeshadow in Kauai ($34.) In fact, it was practically calling my name the day it launched.

I either tend to love or hate NARS permanent range eyeshadow singles and duos, but I can safely say that Kauai has won a place in my heart. It is probably the best duo NARS has released in quite a while. The left shade is described as a gold lamé, and I could not have said it any better. It is an ultra-shimmery golden taupe that leans neither too cool nor too warm. On the right, we have a shade NARS claimed is an iridescent smoky orchid -- accurate once more. Duochrome in nature, it can pull a vibrant bluish-purple under some lights and a reddish-purple under others. It's truly a chameleon of a shade.

The first look I created (purple on the lid, gold in the crease) resulted in a rather editorial, work-inappropriate look on me. My quick fix by layering the gold over the purple resulted in a discovery: when layered, the two shades boast a stunning, metallic purplish-taupe! Needless to say, it is my favorite way of wearing the duo. Who would have thought that Kauai is a triple threat in disguise? Of course, I will let the swatches show just how nicely the two shades came together...

(L-R: Left shade, Right Shaded, Gold layered on top of the purple)

NARS has recently reformulated its eyeshadows, starting with the Guy Bourdin collection, and I must say it has taken me by surprise. NARS rarely lacked in pigmentation in the past, although the products weren't as soft and buttery as they could be. With these shadows, you barely need to dip your brush into the colors and you get enough pigmentation... for both eyes. The lasting power of these shadows are just as impressive -- easily 10+ hour wear with no signs of fading nor creasing even after a workout! 

I know Kauai has been selling out online. I was pretty frustrated when I was not able to track one down myself. However, I was able to find mine at my local Sephora store, which was fully stocked (even when it is not showing up on Sephora.com yet!) No worries, however, as this duo is now part of the permanent range -- like all outstanding products should, right?!

Anna Sui Rose Cheek Color: 100, 300, 301

Let me admit up front that I'm a sucker for packaging. I also love rose-scented anything. Therefore, it should not come as a surprise to anyone that I absolutely adore Anna Sui's makeup line, particularly her Rose Cheek Colors. Within the past six months, my collection has grown quite a bit. (I blame my friend who originally lived in Canada and, thus, had easy access to Anna Sui products for kickstarting my love for these blushes, as she had sent me my first one in #300.)

What I love so much about these blushes is that you can customize each one to your liking effortlessly. It can be coral if you prefer coral cheeks. It can be pink if you want your blush of the day to be on the pinky side. And if you are not feeling like having shimmery cheeks, just work your brush around the shimmer bloom present in each one of her blush. Don't even get me started on how easily these blushes blend! Do keep in mind that since this is an Asian brand, you will not over-apply at first swipe. Instead, you will have to build the colors. Do not confuse this as a less-than-stellar product, however. Buildable doesn't always translate to bad products nor poor pigmentation. Rather, it gives you more control as to how much product goes on the cheeks.

 

100: Mystic Rose
This is my latest acquisition, and the one that had intrigued me the most. Of all the blushes available from her line, I really feel this truly reflects Anna Sui's fairy theme. What does Mystic Rose do exactly? It's a great blush topper, especially cool-toned blushes, as it tweaks the color just slightly while adding some dimension. I'm hesitant to fully call it a highlighter, since I prefer wearing on my cheekbones layered over other blushes. When applied slightly heavy-handedly down the bridge of my nose, it was very unflattering. It pairs quite nicely with NARS Desire and Gaiety, as well as the next Anna Sui blush I will be talking about...

 

300: Romantic Rose
Like the name implies, this is a rather rosy blush that leans more cool-toned pink. Most days I prefer swirling my brush onto the entire pan for that shimmery, angelic pink. There are days when I really want that flushed look, in which case, I would just concentrate a smaller blush brush on the lower left hand quadrant. Built up, the color you see in the pan will translate onto your cheeks much in the same manner.

301: Dreamy Rose
Without a doubt, Anna Sui's most popular blush from her line-up. This shade is always sold out, so I would suggest snatching it up whenever you see it available. It is popular for justifiable reasons: it is that peachy pink blush that so many of us (yours truly included) simply cannot get enough of! Admittedly, it is the shade I find to be the most flattering across all skin tones. However, you can get a pretty vibrant orange blush if you focus on the top and bottom right hand corners of the pan.

Swatches: (L-R: 100 , blended; 300 heavily swatched, blended; 301 heavily swatched, blended)

Will I be picking more Rose Cheek Colors? You bet! Not only are they long wearing on the cheeks (well over the 8-hour mark before I notice slight fading), but they do not oxidize either. I am already eyeing her two brand new, limited releases for Spring in the colors Lovely Rose and Magical Rose. These blushes, along with the rest of the Anna Sui line, are available on Beauty.com, Urban Outfitters, and Beautylish.