Makeup Revolution Pro HD Amplified 35 Palette in Socialite - review and swatches

Makeup Revolution London is a brand known for its affordable makeup and for duping popular or cult products of some high-end brands. As far as I can tell these Pro HD Palettes are not dupes of anything. They have recently came out with 5 of those Pro HD Amplified 35 Palettes in Socialite, Exhilarate, Innovation, Defiant and Smoulder.

Pro HD Amplified 35 Palette in Socialite has 35 eyeshadow pans (each pan contains 0.857 g of product) in different finishes: 9 shimmery shades, 4 satin/matte hybrids and 22 matte shades. As the name Socialite suggests this is a classy looking palette consisting of mostly neutrals with few pops of color.

It comes in a rose gold outer packaging that contains shade names on the back as well as the ingredients list. Palette itself comes in black plastic packaging with see through lid (mine got cracked during transport). It is pretty sturdy and does not feel too cheep.

Now onto shadows themselves. Matte shadows are pigmented and easy to blend, they do have a bit of kick up mind you.They did not get muddied while applied on the eyes and colors stayed true to themselves.  Those weird  satin/ matte shadows with specks of glitter are particularly lovely, they are super creamy and go on like a dream. Shimmery shades go on nicely both with firm synthetic brush or finger and are intense in shine and color without foiling them. Only one shade behaves more like pressed glitter and that is TOFF and I would recommend using a glitter glue with it.They last well without primer and do not budge when used with primer. All in all these are very nice eyeshadows, especially for the price.
They are available on TAMBEAUTY web site for EUR 19.

Swatches were made with finger without a primer, one swipe only except for the lightest shades which I built up a bit to show on my pale skin. Going from top row to the bottom row of the palette. Pardon my translucent skin. It is winter and I am ghost pale.

From left to right: Blaire, Prima Donna, Skinny Latte, Divorcee, Spoilt, Vivacious, Convertible

From left to right: Driver, 1st Class, Plutocracy, TOFF, Debutante, Nouveau Rich, Front Row

From left to right: Pay Slip, Sugar Daddy, Make it Rain, Elite, Blue Blood, High Tea, Throw Shade

From left to right: Rumor Mill, Pyjamas with Heels, Credit Card, Miami Beach, Plastic, Fill It, Video Tape

From left to right: Inheritance, Privileged, Charlie, Cosmopolitan, Nose Job, Let's Do Brunch, Old Money

The eyeshadow names all go along with the theme of socialite and some of them cracked me up (like naming that hot pink shade Plastic).

I found most of the shadow easy to work with and you can get really beautiful both everyday and night out eye looks with this palette. You need to work on blending them a bit more then you would for example with ABH Modern Renaissance Palette or Urban Decay Naked Palettes but the end results are equally beautiful. Matte shadows have some fall out so make sure you tap your brush before applying. I am thoroughly enjoying this palette and would recommend it to anyone that wants a lot of colors to choose from and is not willing to shell out on high end shadows.

PRODUCTS I USED UP

A box full of products I've used up in the last 6 months. Since they are used up I wanted to go through them and write a few thoughts about each. Since there is a lot I decided to divide them into categories to make this easier.

Cleansing products

Illi Total Againg Cleansing Oil -  a hanbang cleansing oil I usually get from ebay, it usually is priced around 19/20 USD. It is really lovely cleansing oil that takes everything off, including eye makeup. It emulsifies really well and is easy to fully rinse off. I will repurchase once I am done with a bunch of other first cleansing products I have.

REN Rosa Centifolia Cleansing Balm -  me and this one were not the bestest of friends. I like the packaging in tube, but there is no emulsification so you have to use it in conjunction with a face flannel. It is a quite thick balm and it had bit of a trouble with waterproof mascara. With a price tag  of around 29/30 EUR it is quite pricey as well. I get my REN products on lookfantastic web site, but I will not be repurchasing this one.

Innisfree Bluberry Rebalancing 5.5 Cleanser - Second or foaming cleanser with lower pH of 5.5. I get it from Jolse and it is a  nice affordable option for second cleanser with around 9 USD price tag for 100ml. It got a bit chemically smelling towards the end so I probably will not repurchase.

shu uemura white recovery brightening cleansing oil - this travel size bottle was a gift with purchase and I enjoyed it well enough. It is a really nice thin oil that cleanses perfectly. It is just so expensive and there are other cheaper oils that do the job just as well. Will not repurchase.

Sunscreen

Hera Sun Mate Daily SPF 35 - the most expensive of these sunscreens and the one I liked the least. It worked perfectly fine I just did not enjoy the slightly greasy texture. You can find it on Jolse for 26 USD.  I will not repurchase.

A'PIEU PURE BLOCK Natural Sun Cream 45 SPF -  I really enjoy this sunscreen, the texture is great, no flashback and so light on the skin. Besides being awesome it is also really affordable, it is around 11 USD on Jolse. Definitely repurchase.

A'PIEU PURE BLOCK Aqua Sun Gel  50 SPF-  Another great sunscreen. Light on the skin, dries fast, no flashback. I prefer using Gel formula during summer. I get it on Jolse for around USD 13. Already have a backup but will definitely repurchase.

Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence SPF 50 - My favorite outdoor activity in summer sunscreen. This one provides sure protection in the hottest summer. It drys down fast, and is not heavy on the skin. This was my last tube of the old formula, I have purchased the new formula already but I will have to see if I like it as much as this one.

Serums and Essences 

su:m 37 Secret Essence  - Travel size 30 ml bottle I purchased to see if I like it before spending money on this luxury product. Unfortunately, I  love it. I have already repurchased it in full 100ml  size which is currently around USD 66 on Jolse.

Huxley Secret of Sahara Essence:Grab Water - A hydrating essence/serum that has a lovely scent and a cooling effect. I really enjoyed using this during summer and I will probably repurchase it once weather gets hot again. You can get Huxley products on Jolse, and this essence is priced around USD 33.

Tosowoong Time Shift Serum - I liked it. It is a nice affordable anti ageing serum chock full of good ingredients, but unfortunately I think it is getting discontinued.

Goodal water oil firming camellia - I love this product. There is a review of it on my Instagram. I would have repurchased it already but I have a really hard time sourcing it. It is sold out in all my usual shops. I sincerely hope it is not getting discontinued.

The Ordinary Niaciamide 10% +Zinc 1% - I've gone through two bottles of this. I am half done with the new one and have another one as backup. This is my holy grail product and I loooove it. It works and it is very affordable. There is a short review of it here. It costs only EUR 5.90 on Deciem site.

The Ordinary Buffet Serum - an anti ageing peptide serum. I enjoyed using it. As all the Oridnary products it is very affordable with price tag of EUR 14.80 on Deciem site. I am trying out its more advanced and more expensive version Hylamide SubQ Anti-age. I am curious how much better is it as it is double the price of Buffet.If I will not see any difference I will go back to Buffet. It is a good, affordable anti-ageing option.

Creams and sleeping masks 

Laneige Time Freeze Firming Sleeping Mask - I remember enjoying this mask, and will probably buy it full size once I use up at least half of numerous sleeping masks I have.

Beauty of Joseon Dynasty Cream - a lovely hanbang cream with wonderful texture and feel on the skin. Probably my favorite moisturizer. I already have a back up and will repurchase again and again. It is available on Jolse for around USD 17.

the SAEM Urban Eco Harakeke Whitening Cream -Very affordable moisturizer that performs and feels like much more expensive product. I currently have plenty of moisturizers but I would definitely consider repurchasing it once I run out. It is available on Jolse for around USD 13.

The Ordinary Natural Mousturizing Factors + HA - A simple and serviceable moisturizer, does what it is supposed to do and it is perfect for sensitive skin as it has very limited ingredients and is unlikely to cause mess, it is also perfect for travel as it is in a tube and not a heavy glass jar. The only thing I disliked was it small size of 30 ml. However they have now a 100 ml option which is perpetually sold out. Available on Deciem site 30 mil for EUR 5.80 and 100 ml for EUR 7.70. I will definitely repurchase once they have a 100 ml option in stock.

Make up Fixers

Aritaum All Day Make up Fixer - It was an OK make up fixer. Nothing overly exciting but it did its job. There are so many options on the market and I like trying new stuff I probably will not repurchase. Available on Jolse for around USD 10.

SKINDINAVIA the Makeup Primer Spray Oil Control - I love Skinidinavia make up fixers, I used Oil control primer spray before make up during summer. It helps make up to stay put with heat and sweating. This bottle has a black spray dispenser but I'm currently using it on another make up fixer cause their spray dispenser was crap. This is available on SKINDINAVIA  site for USD 35.

SKINDINAVIA make up finishing spray (full size + travel size) - This is the old packaging. I have already repurchased this in new packaging. It is USD 29 on SKINDINAVIA site.

Make up

Innsfree always new auto liner in  no. 4 brown - Brown liners is something I use daily to tight line. I liked the liner itself but hated the packaging. Especially the screw on cap. I always forgot you had to twist and not pull. Annoying. It is available on Jolse for about USD 8. Will not repurchase due to annoying packaging.

stilla smudge stick waterproof eyeliner in damsel - an excellent eyeliner. I used it to tight-line and it went on smooth and did not budge. I never can find this color though. I received it included in the palette. If I could find this color I would repurchase it.

Clio Kill Brow Tattoo-lasting gel pencil in Natural brown - This was perfect for quick brow in a hurry. It went on easily and lasted long time. It is perfect for someone who does not have to do a lot of work on their natural brows except a quick fill in as it is not a precise pencil. I have a lot of brow products I need to go through but I will probably repurchase eventually.

NYX Micro Brow Pencil  in Ash Brown - A supposed dupe for Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz. I don't know if I got a faulty one but it kept breaking off. It worked well, and pencil is really fine so you can draw individual hairs but it kept breaking off. In the end it lasted less then a month. Will not repurchase.

Estee Lauder Sumptuous Bold Volume Lifting Mascara -I mean, it was fine I guess. There was nothing bold about its volume though. Clearly, I was not overly impressed so I  will not repurchase.

YSL Mascara Volume Effet Faux Cils -  I got this in a set with a perfume. I liked it well enough and one day when I feel like spending an inordinate amount of money on a mascara I might purchase the full size.

Milani Eyeshadow Primer - an excellent budget eyeshadow primer. Already have a back up. Only down side for me is that Milani is not easily available to me.

Nuxe Reve de Miel Stick Levres - not as good as the one in the pot but still an excellent lip balm and essential for handbag. It really sits well under other lip products. Once I use up a bunch of lip balms I have I will definitely repurchase.


I cannot believe I finally finished with this. If you managed to get to the end of this post you deserve a virtual cookie. Now I can finally happily recycle all those bottles and tubes and my husband can stop calling me a hoarder.

TRUE ISLAND HONEY BEE ALL DAY FIXING MIST - REVIEW

If you have been reading this blog you know I love everything that comes from bees. Honey, Propolis, Beeswax, Royal Jelly all of them ingredients that are proven to be beneficial for the skin as they have moisturizing, nourishing and antibacterial properties. So when I received this mist for review purpose I was super excited as it contains Honey, Propolis and Royal Jelly extracts. I use make up fixing mists daily and the idea that they can have additional skincare benefits seemed pretty darn good one and you can never go wrong with honey in my eyes. Adding honey makes everything better.

Ingredients and CosDNA Analysis:

Claims:

All day fixing mist keeps your make up all day and gives your skin a matte look by controlling the skin’s oil and sebum

Skin balancing and hydration mist

Enriched with Jeju honey extract, royal jelly extract and propolis extract this make up fixer provides hydration and balances out the loss of skin moisture

Long-lasting makeup holding power

Refreshing fixing mist secures makeup for all day wear and keeps your skin fresh.

Healthy skin care by improving skin barrier

Lime extract provides vitamin C to the skin and strengthens the natural skin barrier.

Boosts skin radiance and luminosity

Contains terminalia ferdinandiana fruit extract, the richest source of vitamin C, has powerful anti-aging effect and improves skin tone evenness with an overall brightening effect. 

(Translation taken from http://nafura.my/ website)

I have been using this mist every day for the past 10 days and as a make fixer it really does its job. After 10 days it is impossible to tell if it has any skincare benefits but my skin did not react badly to it.

What I liked:

•  takes away the cakey /over-powdered look and significantly prolongs the longevity of my makeup 
• feels comfortable and moisturizing on the skin. 
• has a really mild and pleasant fruity/citrusy scent.
• due to its glycerin content you can use it to foil eye-shadows to prevent fallout and to get more intense color
• it did not mattify my skin just made it look healthy and natural 

What I did not like:

• mist spray/product dispenser 

I don't know if I got a product with a faulty spray dispenser but fact is the spray on my bottle is pretty horrible. While the mist it makes is really fine and not overly wet it pushes it out straight away in this really wide spray that if I used it at the recommended distance of 20 cm not a single drop would end up on my face. I have to use it really close to face and do some hand acrobatics to make sure it ends up on my face, and good portion of it still lands on my clothes. It also leaks when used so bottle gets really wet and drippy with each use. Now I really like the juice, so it annoys me that so much of this good product ends up everywhere but on my face. 

If bottle spray would be better this would be one of my favorite mists, as it is, I still like the mist very much and I will continue to use it despite the fact that the dispenser makes me see red every time I use it.   

*product was provided by http://jolse.com/ for review purpose

HERA True Wear Foundation - review

Hera True Wear Foundation is the latest liquid foundation offering from Hera, Korean high end brand. I have not seen a lot of people talk about this which is a shame as this is a rather amazing foundation.  This foundation comes in 30 ml and claims to be long wearing and suitable for all skin types. It comes in 5 shades and I have the lightest one in No.13 Ivory.

Hera's claims:

Long-lasting elaborate look of the skin with an airy, weightless feel True Fit Complex: Texture that’s light and comfortable to wear
Revitalizing Mechanism: Moisturizing serum foundation providing skincare benefit
Lasting Wear Technology: For a long-lasting bright complexion
Beauty Effect Pigment: For naturally beautiful skin with improved texture and complexion

True Fit Complex delicately and seamlessly blends into the skin leaving for comfort and a light, soft finish.

Ingredients with strong vitality extracted from narcissus and birch synergically deliver moisture deeply into the skin for a healthy and vibrant skin complexion.

Coating Pigment fights the skin’s dullness while Stretch Polymer helps to hold an even veil of foundation to keep the skin looking flawless and bright all day long.

Beauty Effect Pigment and Strobing Powder reflect the light to give a bright luminous finish.

Ingredients:

Pure Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Titanium Dioxide, Glycerin, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Cyclohexasiloxane, Silica, Phenyl Trimethicone, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Diphenyl Dimethicone/Vinyl Diphenyl Dimethicone/Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Butylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Pentylene Glycol, Mica, Stearic Acid, Dimethiconol, Sodium Myristoyl Glutamate, Alumina, Acrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer, Tetrasodium EDTA, Sodium Chloride, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, Glyceryl Caprylate, Aluminum Hydroxide, Adenosine, Tocopheryl Acetate, BHT, Tin Oxide, Tocopherol, Narcissus Jonquilla Extract, Glycoproteins, Narcissus Tazetta Bulb Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Fragrance, Limonene, Hydroxyisohexyl 3-Cyclohexene Carboxaldehyde [+/-: Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), CI 77492, CI 77491, CI 77499]

As true high end offering it comes in an elegant black box, and foundation itself is in a heavy glass bottle. I have never seen a pump like the one on this foundation, which completely closes  so no air can enter the product. Black packaging is very elegant but prone to showing fingertips.

It is a thick foundation when you pump it out but melts on the skin. It applies easily and seamlessly with a damp beauty blender and layers without any issues. It has good medium coverage and feels like nothing on the skin. Hera claims it is skin like, weightless, comfortable, perfecting, long lasting and gives a flawless finish. And their claims are pretty much on the money. This foundation looks beautiful on the skin. It perfects skin texture, reduces the looks of pores, does not emphasize any lines, it is extremely comfortable to wear. It lasts the entire day with minimal wear around the chin area due to eating and wiping your mouth. There is no emphasizing of dry patches or uneven skin texture, no gathering around the nose. It basically gives you photo shopped look while still looking just like skin. It did not oxidize on me.

On the left no foundation on the right with applied light layer of foundation. 

I don't know if it is clear from the photo but when applied it looks like your skin is bathed in soft, flattering light.

All in all awesome stuff. I particularly like how it minimizes the look of pores. It is by far the best foundation I purchased in 2017. If there is anything bad to say about it, it is the limited shade range and no colors for darker skin tones.

Brand review - COLOURPOP!

ColourPop is an USA indie brand situated in California that provides quality makeup for affordable prices. In their own words:

" Made with love in California, it's our mission to redefine luxury beauty by creating amazing products at prices that don't break the bank. Dedicated to newness at lightning speed, we imagine, develop, test, and manufacture all under one roof. We pride ourselves on being cruelty-free, wallet-friendly, and keeping our customers at the center of our world."

They started as an on line store but in the past year or so they have reached the mainstream level of popularity and recently their products are available for purchase in Sephora. Their popularity is well deserved as they truly deliver in what they promise, quality make up for affordable prices. 

I have a small collection of ColorPop products (probably I would have a lot more if they were more easily available  here in Europe) and with bank holiday sales going on on their site right now maybe this helps you in deciding if they are worth a try. ColorPop website offers free domestic shipping for purchase over $30 and free global shipping for purchase over $50 (EU folks be aware you will almost certainly have to pay custom fees and VAT on top of your purchase). 

So let us start this brand overview with a product and formula that lead to ColourPop success, the Super Shock formula.

The Super Shock formula is a weird hybrid between powder and cream product. It feels creamy and bouncy when touched but sets into powder on face. Products that come in Super Shock formula are face products, blushes and highlighters and their most famous and popular product Super Shock Shadows that they promote as pigmented and crease-proof, and they are that as well as really long lasting. I personally find that fingers are the best for applying these products and if not fingers than a flat dense synthetic brush. 
I have a Mile High Super Shock Shadow Collection that consists of colors Truth, Nillionare, So Quiche, Lala, Cricket and Mittens. Also there is a blush Birthday Suit  in Super Shock Cheek Satin formula  and pearlized highlight in Wisp. Blush gives this nice blush from within look and highlight is no joke, it is really intense (bling, bling). 

From left to right: Super Shock metallic shadows in Cricket, So Quiche and Nillionaire, matte shadow in Mittens, satin shadow in Truth and ultra metallic shadow in LaLa, cheek highlight in Wisp and blush in Birthday Suit.

Besides Super Shock formula they also have pressed shadows both individual and in palettes as well as face products in pressed powder form such as blushes, highlighters and bronzers.

Pressed powder highlighter pan in Here Kitty Kitty and pressed powder shadows in Cloud Nine, Locked and Loaded, High Strung, Come and Get it, Made to Last, Wake up Call and Wait for It.

Shadows are pigmented and soft, they have a bit of fall out but they blend well and smoothly and do not get muddied. Metallic/shimmery shadows are best when applied with finger or flat synthetic brush. Highlight is finely milled and goes on the face nicely but it has micro glitter in it so be aware if you have aversion to glitter but note it does not make you look like a disco ball. I was truly impressed with their pressed shadows and I like them as much as Makeup Geek ones or even my high-end shadows like MAC or Tarte. 

From left to right: pressed powder shadow in High Strung, Come and Get It, Wait for It, Cloud Nine, Made to Last, Wake up Call and Locked and Loaded, the last is pressed highlighter in in Here Kitty Kitty

 Another thing ColourPop does especially well are lip products.

 I am a particular fan of their lip products, especially Lippie Stix Matt formula. They also have liquid lipsticks on offer in both satin, matte and glossy formula but as I am not  the biggest fan of liquid lipsticks I have none of those. They often have their lip products on offer in various bundles which make an even more affordable way to try them. 

From left to right: Free mini I received in color ASAP, matte lippie stix in Tootsi, matte x lippie stix in Pillow Talk, creme lippie stix in Aquarius, matte lippie stix in Contempo, matte lippie stix in Taurus, matte lippie stix in Lumiere ( a favorite), matte lippie stix in Brink.

From left to right a mini lippie stix/lip pencil combo: LBB/LBB, Chateau/Dukes, Trust me/Bossy, Cami/Bound (a favorite), Cookie/Skimpy.

They also have concealers on offer. They are very pigmented but dry down  very fast and very matte so I personally find them to drying on my normal skin. They also oxidize somewhat. They come in 4 g bottle which is less than usual but they are extremely affordable (usually $6 but currently on sale for $4.80). Personally this is not a product I would recommend unless you have oily skin.

No filter concealer in light neutral

And last but in no way least are their brushes. Which I really enjoy. They have both face and eye brushes on offer, however I only purchased eye-brushes and they have become some of my most used eye-brushes. 

From left to right: small shader brush, pencil brush, tapered blending brush (a favorite) and medium shader brush

 Small and medium shader brush are ideal for packing shadow on the lid, tapered blending brush is perfect for crease work and blending, it is so nicely tapered that it is easy to control even if you wish to do a more precise application of crease color and pencil brush is also shaped in a way that blends the lower lid shadow application quite nicely. Eye brushes are usually priced around $6 which is really affordable for the quality. 

They also have a lot of shadow palettes on offer priced around $16 and knowing the quality of their pressed shadows I am looking forward to giving them a try.

All in all, ColourPop is a brand whose products I enjoy and I like the idea behind the brand that quality makeup need not be a luxury. 

Dior does lip tint - Dior Addict Lip Tattoo Review

Whenever I see a western brand release products inspired by Asian beauty I cannot help but be curious and wonder "Did they get it right?!"

Dior has recently launched a line of lip tints called Dior Addict Lip Tattoo as part of their Backstage Pros Range. Dior claims "The shades boost the natural color of the lips with a subtle luminosity. Long wear tint with extreme weightless feel: Dior color technology blends stains and pigments to create no-transfer shades with a weightless, comfortable, bare-skin sensation. "

Photo credit: https://www.dior.com

Lip Tattoo comes in 5 shades (at least in Europe) : Natural Pink, Natural Cherry Tint, Natural Coral Tint, Natural Berry Tint and Natural Rosewood Tint.

I decided to buy the most unusual color of the bunch: Natural Rosewood Tint. 

Dior Addict Lip Tattoo in 491 Natural Rosewood

Tint comes in matte plastic container with Dior embossed on one side and name of the product in silver letters on the other side. Container itself is in the color of the product, which makes it easier to pick the one you want if you have more than one. Color name is stated on the sticker on the bottom of the product as well. Packaging is gorgeous as expected of Dior. 
Applicator is a foam applicator that follows the lip contours easily and does not take too much product. 

Color itself is gorgeous. A warm mauvey/rosy brown. It is very flattering color that can be applied in one layer for natural look or built up. 

Lip Tattoo in Natural Rosewood freshly swatched

Stain left behind by Lip Tattoo in Natural Rosewood

This feel like nothing on lips. It sets really fast and it is extremely comfortable to wear, not drying what so ever. Once it sets it is 100% kiss and transfer proof. It will survive talking and drinking but not eating. Eating will erase it completely. It can be removed easily by micelar water or oily make up removers. To me it seems different from other tints as it does not sink into and color your lips but it forms a super light, thin film of color that seamlessly clings to your lips. I am really impressed with the formula as it is actually something new for me. Formula feels and looks like a super light watery gel that smells vaguely of mint candy.
Now application can be a bit tricky as this sets really fast. Unlike Asian tints it is not suitable for ombre look as it just not malleable enough to achieve it easily. Also for some reason the color comes off more intense on my bottom lip than my upper lip. I solved this by adding additional layer to my upper lip once it dried down. This is easy to do as it is very buildable. On my pale skin I can build this color until I achieve this vampy but still natural look. 

What I liked: color, longevity, feels like nothing on lips, 100% transfer proof, easy to remove using makeup removers, buildable, very comfortable and not drying, product lives up to company claims

What I didn't like: expensive, takes a few tries to get the application right, not suited for ombre look

To be honest I did not want to like this as much as I do as it is very expensive but I am impressed and this is a great product. Well done Dior. They took and Asian beauty staple and gave it their own very successful twist.

Summer Corals

In summer I tend to gravitate towards warm orangey corals and peachy colors for my lips and cheeks. There is just something uplifting and cheerful about them that screams summer and hot weather to me. Summer comes and I go crazy for coral.

These are some of my favorite coraly makeup items in summer.


Blush

Cargo Los Cabos, Tarte Tipsy, Benefit Galifornia, Clinique Peach Pop, Laura Mercier Lush Nectarine

Let's start with the powder blushes. Something all of these have in common is that they are pigmented and long lasting and able to liven up your face.

From top to bottom: Laura Mercier Lush Nectarine, Clinique Peach Pop,
Benefit Galifornia, Tarte Tipsy and Cargo Los Cabos

Laura Mercier Second Skin Cheek Colour in Lush Nectarine  - described as soft peachy coral it has slight glow to it. It looks beautiful on skin.  Formula is awesome, it goes on smoothly, it is easy to blend and long lasting. 

Clinique Peach Pop- I love cheek pop formula. It can go from sheer to intense as it is very buildable. Silky smooth with a beautiful sheen. Peach pop is a gorgeous warm coral with satin finish. 

Benefit Galifornia - described as golden pink blush, but leans way more coral on my skin. It is very pigmented and smells divine (not important) of vanilla and grapefruit. It has a luminous finish with very fine golden pearl that does not emphasize skin imperfections. 

Tarte Amazonian clay 12-hour blush in Tipsy - it is a long lasting pigmented matte blush. I would describe it bright coral. On me it lasts long and makes me look alive. 

Cargo Swimmables Water Resistant Blush in Los Cabos - as its name suggests, is a water resistant blush that is perfect for those humid sweaty days. Color is described as soft tangerine with gold sheen.

I love my cream blushes as well. My favorite summer picks are:

Illamasqua Cream Blusher in Rude, Becca Beach Tint Shimmer Souffle in Watermelon/Moonstone, Skinfood Rose Essence Soft Cream Blusher in 4 Orange Rose

These are creamy and soft looking and pretty long lasting for a cream blush (6 -7 hours).

From top to bottom: Skinfood Rose Essence Soft Cream Blusher in 4 Orange Rose,
Becca Beach Tint Shimmer Souffle in Watermelon/Moonstone,
Illamasqua Cream Blusher in Rude

Skinfood Rose Essence Soft Cream Blusher in 4 Orange Rose - super soft and creamy blush that melts under your fingers. It is a fairly pigmented soft coral. I find it easiest to apply and blend with fingers. Finish is subtly glowy due to it being a cream blush. 

Becca Beach Tint Shimmer Souffle in Watermelon/Moonstone - is described as coral red infused with pale gold, on my skin it comes out as subtle pink coral with gold sheen. Formula is really interesting as it feels cool to the touch and whipped. It goes on as cream but turns to more powdery finish. Very buildable with gorgeous shine (no need for a highlighter) that does not emphasize imperfections. Probably my favorite summertime blush. I love it.  

Illamasqua Cream Blusher in Rude - now this sucker is pigmented so it needs a light hand. But it is gorgeous. it is described as warm peach pink. On my skin it comes out as soft orange, no pink in it. It is very dewy, giving you that dewy/glowy look that makes you look healthy without looking greasy. 


Lip products

Missha Poptastic Jelly Tinit in Hot Coral, Holika Holika Enamel Volip Tint in Flash Coral,
YSL Rouge Volupte Shine in 12 Coral Incandescent, MAC Cremesheen lipstick in Sunny Seoul,
Mammonde Oil Shine Stick in 10 Coral Star, Clarins Rouge Eclat in 8 Coral Pink,
Clinique Chubby Stick Intense in 04 Heftiest Hibiscus, Mamonde Creamy Tint Color Balm Intense in 7 Let's kiss

In summer I like a glossy, shiny finish to lips. No matte products here. 

From top to Bottom: Missha Poptastic Jelly Tinit in Hot Coral, Holika Holika Enamel
Volip Tint in Flash Coral, YSL Rouge Volupte Shine in 12 Coral Incandescent,
MAC Cremesheen lipstick in Sunny Seoul, Mammonde Oil Shine Stick in 10 Coral Star,
Clarins Rouge Eclat in 8 Coral Pink, Clinique Chubby Stick Intense in 04 Heftiest Hibiscus,
Mamonde Creamy Tint Color Balm Intense in 7 Let's kiss

Missha Poptastic Jelly Tinit in Hot Coral - long lasting and comfortable tint. Hot Coral is a vibrant pink coral that is almost fluorescent when first applied, it dries down to fully wearable pink coral that leaves behind a nice even tint. 

Holika Holika Enamel Volip Tint in Flash Coral -  superbly pigmented and long lasting tint. Very glossy when applied. Color is beautiful pink coral and formula is very kind to lip imperfections as it does nor emphasize any dryness. One of my favorite tints for sure.

YSL Rouge Volupte Shine in 12 Coral Incandescent - this is a pure luxury piece. It is a lovely formula but let's be real you are paying a hefty price tag for gorgeous packaging and YSL name. I would describe the color as bright watermelon coral. Formula is buttery and shiny and very moisturizing, This particular color is very pigmented. It lasts 3-4 hours on the lips. 

MAC Cremesheen lipstick in Sunny Seoul - a warm pink with pearl finish and touch of coral. It is a very comfortable and very wearable color. 

Mamonde Oil Shine Stick in 10 Coral Star - very glossy and moisturizing formula that is slightly sheer on the lips. Coral Star is very pretty pinkish coral. 

Clarins Rouge Eclat in 8 Coral Pink - very hydrating, lightweight satiny lipstick. Coral Pink is a vibrant pink with a splash of coral. 

Clinique Chubby Stick Intense in 04 Heftiest Hibiscus - pigmented, creamy lipstick with slightly glossy finish. Heftiest Hibiscus straddles the line between orange and coral color. It is a good color for people that want to venture into orange hues but find them intimidating.

Mamonde Creamy Tint Color Balm Intense in 7 Let's kiss - this is basically a Korean version of Clinique Chubby Stick in watermelon pink with a touch of coral. Easy to apply, pigmented and comfortable. 

And there you have it, my summer lip and cheek wardrobe. I have few more weeks of basking in bright coral goodness before I start yearning for darker and more subdued tones of autumn.