Gorgeous Cosmetics Perfect Palette

Hi all, 

Gorgeous Cosmetics is a brand that I discovered recently and have been trying to explore a little more. I'm the kind of person that likes to get to know a brand by trying a range of their products, in a short period of time (usually); this especially holds true when it is a brand that I am impressed with! I'll try not to overload you all though! 

I swatched a few Gorgeous Cosmetics eyeshadow and blush shades whilst in store, but couldn't decide on what shades to take home - a common predicament for beauty bloggers I"m sure! So, I just picked up this pre-made palette instead. Sometimes I make good choices, this palette is a winner! 

The Shades 

Top Row: Buttercup, Golden Kiss, Gem & Fudge

Bottom Row: Nude, Peach Glow, Marshmellow & Cheeky

The top row are eyeshadows, and the bottom are blushes/highlighters. 

What I Love 

- The palette is very well put together, and gives you a good taste of the brand. 

- Both the eyeshadow's and blushes are of great quality!

- Very pigmented, creamy and easily blendable.

- Long-lasting, even without a primer. 

- I haven't seen any eyeshadow creasing with a primer.  

- You get a large amount of product in each pan. 

- I love the sleek packaging, I am a giant sucker for some good packaging! 

What I Don't 

- It's a little on the pricey side! Even more so if you buy the shadows individually. 

- I believe this palette was limited edition, although most of the shades are still available. 

Where to Buy: Gorgeous Cosmetics stores & online. 

Price: $89.00 

Swatches

Without Flash

Buttercup, Golden Kiss, Gem, Fudge

Nude, Peach Glow, Marshmellow, Cheeky

With Flash 

It's pricey, yes, but it is also quite wonderful! I think that the depth of the neutral shades is great and have my eyes on their Everyday Palette. I can't help that I'm drawn to the 'boring'! If this palette doesn't tickle your fancy and you aren't ready to fess up the cash for it, I suggest trying a single shadow! They are quite lovely. 

On another note, I have an exciting idea to run by all of you! But, I think that I will give it a post of its very own! 

Hope you all have a great night! xx

Kit Duo Cheek & Lip Crème in Turn It On

Hey all, 

I know that I have apologised a few times to date, but sorry for the lack of posting in the past few days. Sadly, life sometimes gets in the way of blogging! At least I will be getting a large overtime bonus from work this week! 

I have been on a bit of a Kit kick recently, and on a bit of a cream blush kick as well. 

So, ta-dah!

What I Love 

- Gorgeous colour combination that would suit any skin tone. 

- Smooth and creamy product, that is not sticky at all. 

- Highly pigmented and blends easily. 

- Long lasting, especially when set with powder. 

- I adore Kit packaging, absolutely adore it! 

- For an added bonus, it is also made in Australia. 

Where to Buy: Mecca Cosmetica, Myer and Online. 

Price: $34.95 

Swatches

Without Flash 

With Flash 

All I have to say is, it's so purrrrdy! Haha! 

I haven't yet used it on my lips, as I have enough lipstick to get through as it is - but I am sure that it would work just swimmingly! They have another colour pair that I am eyeing off at the moment and I have a feeling that you will be seeing swatches of it very, very soon! 

What is your favourite cream blush? 

Hope you all are well! xx

Stila Custom Color Blush in Self-Adjusting Coral

Hey all, 

I have never been too sure about colour adjusting products. How do they do it? Do they even change that much between each person? I have always had my little suspicious. It's funny how we are always slightly suspicious of what we don't understand! Anyway, I'm not sure whether or not this Stila blush adjusts to my skin tone; but I do love the shade! 

Shade 

A gorgeous peach toned coral with slight shimmer. 

What I Love 

- Gorgeous colour, works wonders at brightening up my face. 

- Smooth, creamy and highly pigmented. 

- Easy to blend. 

- I love how light it feels on my skin! 

- Not too shimmery, and the shimmer fades alongside the colour (so you aren't left looking like a disco ball). 

- I adore all Stila packaging. 

Where to Buy: Mecca Cosmetica, Mecca Maxima. 

Price: $32.00

Swatches 

Without Flash 

With Flash 

Another very pretty coral blush! It's my new staple to compliment day-time looks and I think that it would suit all skin tones. I definitely want to try the Self-Adjusting Pink and Bronze - has anyone tried them? 

Also, what are your thoughts on "self-adjusting" products? Does anyone know the science behind it? 

Hope you all have a great night! xx

On My Cheeks: NARS Blush in Taj Mahal

Hey all, 

We all hear so much about NARS blushes and their high quality, and most of us know the 'famous' shades quite well. Shades like 'Orgasm', 'Deep Throat' and 'Exhibit A' are absolutely gorgeous, but they are not my favourite Nars blush shade. 

Taj Mahal is, and hopefully you shall soon see why! 

The Shade 

A gorgeous orange-bronze, that looks absolutely amazing on darker skin tones. 

It has slight shimmer. 

Isn't as scary as it looks in the pan, and blends out like a dream. 

What I Love 

- Absolutely stunning colour. 

- Highly pigmented, as all Nars blushes tend to be. 

- Smooth, creamy and east to blend. 

- Long lasting and fades out evenly. 

- Sleek and stylish packaging. 

What I Don't 

- The price of NARS products in Australia are quite a lot higher than overseas. I would recommend buying online from the USA; either from a site that ships internationally, or by using a parcel forwarding service. 

Where to Buy: Mecca Cosmetica, Mecca Maxima & Online. 

For online Nars purchases, I like to use - Kiss and Makeup

Price: In store - $45 AUD 

Online - $26 USD

Swatches 

Without Flash 

With Flash 

Blended

Quite a difference, huh? The terrifying aspect of the shade seems to just melt away when it is blended out. 

This is one of my favourite blushes. I have nothing else quite like it, and love it for that exact reason. If you are a darker skinned lady, I definitely recommend that you try it out! 

What is your favourite NARS blush shade? 

Hope you all have a great night! xx

On My Cheeks: Essence Marble Mania Blush in Swirlpool

Hey all, 

Another new, everyday favourite blush from me! It is from the new Marble Mania range from Essence; a range with a multitude of baked, marble effect shades. 

This blush caught my eye from across the Target beauty section, so I just had to pick it up. I love baked blushes, especially when they have a swirled effect to them (I am a sucker for pretty things) - so this blush was a welcome addition to my collection! 

Shade

A gorgeous range of pinks - from deep to champagne, all swirled together. 

Slight shimmer. 

What I Love

- I adore the shade, it is the perfect shade to create a healthy glow on my skin. 

- Highly pigmented. 

- Not overloaded with shimmer. 

- Blends seamlessly into my skin. 

- Very reasonably priced! 

What I Don't 

- I wish that they had more shades. 

- Hard to find, and always sold out! 

Where to Buy: Target

Price: $5.95

Swatches 

Without Flash 

With Flash 

Essence is a well priced brand that continues to impress me. Their products always exceed my expectations, and yet, they manage to keep their prices very low. It makes me wonder whether other brands can justify their mark-ups...but that is a post for another day!

Hope you all have a great night! xx

On My Cheeks: Models Prefer Blush in Desk to Date

Hey all, 

I don’t usually post on the weekends, as I always try and keep them for ‘me’ time. But since I haven’t posted as much as I usually do this week, I thought that I would use this weekend to catch up! 

It seems as though I have been hit with everything at once - bronchitis, a job transition, house renovation issues, and a cat with a cold. To say the least, I have had issues keeping organised this week! The end is in sight though, as they say; and thankfully too - my nail polish is chipped beyond belie and my skin is definitely showing signs of stress. 

I have posted about Models Prefer products a few times now, always with positive reviews.  Their Mattifying Primer and Glitz & Glamour Highlighter are amongst my most reached for products. And with the addition of this blush, I have to say that the brand continues to impress me. 

Shade 

- A gorgeous medium pink that would compliment any skin tone. No shimmer, but has a sheen to it. 

What I Love 
- Gorgeous shade.
- Highly pigmented. 
Creamy, applies smoothly and is easily blend able. 
- Very reasonably priced. 

What I Don’t 
- Get quite a bit of product fallout, as you can see in the below picture. 

Where to Buy: Priceline 

Price: $9.99


Swatches 


Unblended 


Without Flash 

With Flash 

Blended


Without Flash

With Flash

Despite the fallout, this is a gorgeous blush that creates a healthy and natural glow. At $10 a piece, I definitely recommend that you give it a try! 


What do you think about Models Prefer? 


Hope you all have a great night! xx

On My Cheeks: Illamasqua Cream Blush in Libido

Hey all,

I am on a bit of a cream blush crusade at the moment, and have developed a long wish list for when I finish my Project 50 Pan challenge. I always thought that cream blushes would never work for me; as I have quite oily skin, turning into an oil slick is a common concern. But, as soon as I started trying out more and more cream face products, I realised that they were just perfect! 

Definitely a new love. 

I picked Libido up in My Funny Valentine's blog sale for a steal of a price. I must admit that I had a moment after buying it where I thought that I was crazy - it is one hell of a bright blush. I promise you it is not as scary as it looks! 

What I Love 

- Gorgeous shade that is perfect for my darker skin. 

- Creamy and smoothes on like a dream. 

- Highly pigmented.

- Extremely blend able

- Love the packaging and the name as well! 

What I Don't

- Not a suitable shade for everyone

- It starts to melt quickly when temperatures rise (I do I've in scorching hot Brisbane though). 

Where to Buy: Myer 

Price: $42.00

Swatches 

Without Flash 

With Flash 

Blended

Not a shade for the porcelain skinned, or the faint of heart. It is definitely a gorgeous shade nonetheless, and has become one of my favourite brights. Who doesn't love a little red after all?

What is the brightest blush that you own? 

Hope you all have a great night! xx

On My Cheeks: MAC Blush in Ambering Rose

Hey all, 

A while ago I never used to play with blushes much. As soon as I started though, I couldn't stop. A blush can change your whole look, and of course, help to create a healthy and radiant complexion (who doesn't want that?!). No one can go past MAC blushes - they have such a large range, and Ambering Rose is one of the first ones that I picked up. 

I have replaced it a few times since then! 

Shade: Terracotta bronze with flecks of gold shimmer. 

Finish: Sheertone Shimmer 

What I Love

- A great shade that can work for all skin tones, it definitely looks gorgeous on darker skin though!

- Smooth and even finish. 

- Long lasting and fades evenly. 

- Highly pigmented. 

- Adds shimmer without being overpowering. 

Where to Buy: David Jones, Myer and Online

Price: $41.00 AUD 

Swatch

Blended

This is definitely one of my staples, and I especially enjoy bringing it out to play in the colder months. Although it may look slightly scary in the pan, it definitely blends well for a gorgeous finish! Good work MAC, good work. 

Have you tried Ambering Rose? What is your favourite MAC Blush at the moment?

Hope you all have a great night! xx

Sleek Blush in Pomegranate - Review + Swatches

Hey all, 

I am on a bit of a blush discovery mission at the moment and have found a plethora of new shades that I love; some expensive, some more affordable. This blush is definitely an affordable product that I cannot believe how much I adore. 

I only discovered Sleek blushes recently, and so far, I love every single one that I own. They are of amazing quality for the price; and you can be sure to find a shade to suit any skin tone! 

This review is for Pomegranate - one of my favourite shades to date! 

What I Love 

- Great range of shades. 

- Highly pigmented.

- Easy to apply and work with, blends well. 

- Long lasting and fades evenly. 

- Sleek, compact packaging. 

- Affordable. 

What I Don't

- Harder to find in Australia. 

- The packaging is hard to get open, and I have lost many a nail! Maybe this is just me though!

Where to Buy: Crush Cosmetics

Price: $12.95

Swatches 

Without Flash 

With Flash 

Pomegranate is one of my favourite shades out of my little collection, and is a gorgeous, bright pink that leaves a lovely flush on the skin when applied with a light hand. It looks scary in the pan, but trust me, it will purr like a kitten! 

Have you tried Sleek blushes? Which one is your favourite? 

Hope you all have a great night! xx

NYX Blush in Mauve - Review + Swatches

Hey all, 

I am a big blush girl, it is one of my favourite type of products to buy and try out; and I feel like a good blush can add a lil something to any look. This being the case, I have definitely tried out a lot of them and have developed a little bit of a collection. 

NYX blushes have always been a stand-out product for me, and I own most of them. Mauve is definitely one of my favourites though, and was the first blush I would pick up when doing my makeup for a long time. It is the perfect muted rosy-pink for me. 

What I Love 

- Highly pigmented. 

- Applies smoothly and doesn't have a chalky finish. 

- Blends well. 

- Wears off evenly. 

- Cheap! 

What I Don't 

- It may not work for all skin tones, swatch before you buy! 

- Harder to find in Australia, I bought mine from Crush Cosmetics. 

Where to Buy: Crush Cosmetics, Groove Stores, porkdaisy on eBay. 

Price: $11.15 on Crush Cosmetics. 

Swatches 

No Flash 

With Flash 

This is a great shade if you're looking for a muted pink that will add colour without standing out too much. 

I recommend all NYX blushes and even if this one isn't the right shade for you, check the others out! 

What is your favourite muted pink blush? 

Hope you all have a great night! xx

Australis Paparazzi Perfect HD Blush - Review + Swatches

Hey all, 

I never used to believe in drugstore blushes. I bought a Maybelline blush a while ago and it resembled faintly coloured...dust; so I never went back. Thankfully, I dived back into some other brands and drugstore blushes have most definitely come a long way! 

I most definitely believe in them now! 

The packaging and bright colour combinations of these Australis blushes were what initially attracted me to them, and I am glad that I tried these beauties out! 

I picked up all four shades: Flash It, Shoot to Thrill, Screen Siren & Poser 

How adorable (and paparazzi related) are the names? 

What Australis Says - Perfectly blended, multicoloured blush allows you to customise and create the exact shade you are desperate for! Formulated with light reflecting and balancing photo chromatic pigments so that you look just as hot in photos as you do in the mirror! The pore-invisible technology blurs pores, fine lines and other imperfections leaving a perfectly flawless and glowing finish. Enriched with jojoba and grape seed oil to lock in skin moisture. 

Screen Siren & Shoot to Thrill

Flash It & Poser 

What I Love 

- It definitely does photograph well!

- Gorgeous colours & highly pigmented! 

- Blends evenly and smoothly. 

- Long lasting colour. 

- Not drying and doesn't get flaky.

- Contains jojoba and grape seed oil. 

- Absolutely gorgeous packaging! 

- Very reasonably priced! 

Where to Buy: 

Price: $12.95

Swatches: Priceline, Big W, Target and Kmart

Flash It, Poser, Screen Siren & Shoot to Thrill

Australis' claims seem to be quite truthful, this blush really is wonderful and does photograph exceptionally well on the skin. I don't really have visible pores or fine lines on my cheeks so I can't say much about the claim that the blush blurs them. 

Definitely some of my most reached for blushes at the moment! 

Have you tried them? What do you think? 

What's your favourite drugstore blush at the moment? 

Hope you all have a great night! xx

Sleek Blush in Life's A Peach

Hey all,

Who doesn't love a good blush? Personally, I emerge from bed in the mornings looking less than radiant and definitely need the help of a magic product or two to manage something that even resembles a 'glow'. This product is something that has been achieving that for me, so I thought I would share! 

Until a while ago, I had not tried any Sleek blushes, although I had always heard great things about them - but I am glad that I finally bit the bullet and bought a few! This blush has been a favourite of mine since I purchased it a couple of month's ago & I still find that it is the first blush I will reach for out of my collection - generally a good sign! 

Colour: Gorgeous light peach shade that would compliment any skin tone. Gives the complexion a natural, healthy looking glow & just the right amount of colour. 

What I Love 

- Absolutely gorgeous colour that suits my skin tone perfectly (NC42).

- Easy to work with - blends well, doesn't streak. 

- Highly pigmented - great colour payoff! 

- Long lasting & when it does start to fade, it does so evenly. 

- Packaging is sleek, attractive & makes the product easy to store. 

- Cheap! 

What I Am Not So Crazy About

- Harder to find in Australia.

- I found the packaging difficult to open (although I am pretty weak!).

Price: $12.95

Where to Buy: Crush Cosmetics

Swatch

Sorry the quality is a little off on this picture, I just couldn't get a good one!

All in all, this has definitely become my holy grail of blushes & I have already purchased two backup's...just in case. 

If you're on the hunt for an amazing peach toned blush that will give you a radiant and natural look, I definitely recommend that you give this one a try! 

Hope you all have a great night! xx

MAC Her Blooming Cheek Review!

Hey all, 

I'm definitely a sucker for bright shades, especially in summer! So it is no surprise that this blush excites me to the stars and beyond. It has been a favourite of mine for a while now; and although it was on the back bench during the colder months, it's out to play again! 

Her Blooming Cheek is a vibrant (and drop-dead gorgeous) hot pink, with the most subtle hints of purple through it. And although it does look almost terrifying in the pan, trust me - it looks amazing applied with a light hand! 

Just the touch of colour required now it's heated up! 

What I Love

- Applies evenly and smoothly

- Long lasting and doesn't turn patchy at the end of the day

- Gorgeous summer shade! 

What I Am Not So Crazy About

- Limited edition (harder to find)

Just a warning, this colour may be a bit too bright for those of you gorgeous ladies with very fair skin tones; it is definitely perfect for you darker beauties (like me) though! 

And sorry guys, I'm pretty sure it was a limited edition blush! But I am sure you will be able to track it down somewhere! 

Hope you all have a great day! xx

Face of Australia Blush Review

Hey all, 

I am definitely a big fan of FOA products in general. They are cheap, and are usually amazing quality for  the price. So of course I had to try their blushes! They only have three in their range currently, which is a bit disappointing; but the three they have are such pretty, wearable shades, that I think would suit any skin tone! 

Although they aren't as pigmented as some other blushes (for example, MAC & NARS), they definitely add some gorgeous colour to your cheeks! 

These are definitely going to get a lot of use this summer! 

Nutmeg, Primrose & Terra

What I Love 

- Absolutely gorgeous shades, that would suit any skin tone

- Don't leave a powdery look

- Easy to apply and blend 

- just the right amount of shimmer

- Packaging is simple, sleek and stylish

- Cheap! 

What I Am Not So Crazy About 

- Not very pigmented, you do have to apply them with a heavier hand (especially if you have dark skin like me) 

- Tiny shade range with only 3 shades available 

Swatch

Nutmeg, Primrose & Terra

As you can see from the swatch, they do leave a gorgeous hint of shimmery colour to my skin. They do have a decent amount of pigment to them & would swatch a lot brighter on lighter skin tones. 

Price: $9.45

Where to Buy: Priceline, Big W, K-Mart and online at Fashion Addict 

Hope you all have a great day! xx