Fab trend or Fail trend - BRIGHT cheeks

I'm kind of a blush freak, it's certainly one of my all time favorite makeup items to play with and buy in excess! It's ironic too, because I used to never ever use it (I was a bronzer ONLY type of girl). Personally, I always pack on quite a bit of  blush, because for me and my tastes... it doesn't have to look super natural!

The trend of super pigmented super bright blushes is NOT for everyone, but it is for me :). Even worn in a toned down way.... (just a few dabs, blended extremely well) bright cheek colors really wake up your entire face, this a look that's certainly bold but not clown like if done right!

Here's one of my favorites - a HOT pink color, that has a lovely sheen but no shimmer (if the color is this intense, you should probably avoid the glitter!)

And here it is on my cheeks today... please note that this is just me on a dreary Monday morning... I don't reserve these looks just for the night time - I love a "pop" for work!

Happy blushing!

(slightly belated) Fridays Face - 4/8/11

So I thought since Fridays are my busiest days... I'd do a simple but fun post... face of the day.

Here goes.

This is what I used on my face

*Maybelline fit me foundation (310), Elf bronzer, maybelline pressed powder, maybelline mineral blush (peach), physicians formula shimmer strips highlighter.

This is what I used on my lips

*Rimmel lipstick in Airy Fairy, Sally Hansen Lip gloss in... I forget :(

This is what I used on my eyes

*Stila Road to Radiance Palette, Tarte smokey eye palette, Wet N Wild lust palette, maybelline the falsies, almay liquid liner and Tarte eye pencil



And voila... the finished project!

*excuse the foundation in my hair! (I was in the direct sunlight.... I was definitely glowy but NOT this shiny!!!)

*tweeezers please :)

E.L.F. Contouring Blush & Bronzing Powder.... a review

I'm fairly new to ELF - not for any particular reason, it's just not something I've been too familiar with. About 2 months ago I placed an order (http://eyeslipsface.com) and the one product I knew I was looking for was the Contouring Blush & Bronzer duo, any bronzer that has a peachy blush next to it is worth trying, at least in my opinion.... and for $3.00 it's definitely worth a shot!

Now this product is a clear "knock-off" of the Nars powder duo, in Laguna and Orgasm... even the packaging of this product, and their whole studio line is STRONGLY "inspired" by Nars. I'm fine with it... the packaging feels weighty and substantial and it doesn't cost me $40 like the Nars one does!!!!

The colors might be compared to orgasm and laguna but they really aren't that similar.... Orgasm Blush is actually a much darker shade than the ELF one.... it's much more pigmented and it's a whole lot more shimmery! They are both pinky/peachy colors with a golden sheen - but the one by ELF is much more subdued (ps I love it!). The bronzer doesn't even look that similar to Laguna in the pan, and it definitely doesn't on the skin.... even though laguna is a great non-ommpa-loompa shade, I think it is just a teeeny bit more orange than the ELF... and the shimmer in the ELF bronzer shows up far less on the face than Laguna.

I am thrilled with this product and wear it almost everyday... don't get me wrong, there's a lot to be said for the Nars duo.... pigmentation, softness and blend-ability of the powder, staying power. BUT for 3 dollars the ELF duo is not just a cheap alternative - it's an excellent product, all on it's own!

^ Here's a closeup of the duo with overhead light... pretty

^ Here's a closeup in natural light.... much more subtle!

^ And here's the duo on my mug :) I have foundation on, a setting powder and TONS of both the bronzer & the blush (which is just me.... I did this for work, not just for the photo!)