Aqualillies for Tarte Amazonian Clay Waterproof Eye And Cheek Palette

"Make a splash with this palette inspired by America’s most glamorous synchronized swimming group! Aqualillies reinvent the classic art of water ballet and mesmerize audiences with their modern strength and vintage beauty. "

Tarte recently released a new collection for Spring/Summer entitled Aqualillies containing several different water/splash proof products.  I decided to picked up the limited edition Amazonian Clay Waterproof Eye and Cheek palette. The Amazonian clay-infused palette contains six new eye shadows, a bronzer, a highlighter, and a limited-edition blush all tucked inside a classically elegant, mirrored compact. It's powered by skin-balancing Amazonian clay and skin-softening mineral pigments to create a splash proof look. 

L to R: Champagne, Park Ave Princess, Captivating

First let's talk about the face and cheeks products in this adorable palette.  Amazonian Clay Shimmering Powder in Champagne is a shimmering pressed powder infused with Amazonian clay that adds a customizable, luminous glow to cheeks, brow bones and décolletage. This powder is super soft and buttery and adds a light angelic glow to the skin. Amazonian Clay Mineral Powder Bronzer in Park Ave Princess (which is one of tarte's top selling products) is a long wearing mineral-based bronzing powder infused with Amazonian clay for a healthy, natural looking glow.  This bronzer is a light yellow gold bronzer with subtle sheen that applies like a dream.   Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush in Captivating is limited edition to this palette. It's a matte warm peach that adds a perfect pop of color to the cheeks. All three powders are highly pigmented and last all day on the skin. 

L to R: Hammock, Bikini, Barefoot, Parasol, Sun Deck, Poolside

Now on to the eyeshadows.  This palette contains six limited edition shades exclusive to the Aqualillies palette; five of which are neutral shades and one pop of color shade.  Hammock is a matte chocolate brown that can be used as a shadow or a liner. Bikini is a golden peach satin duo chrome, Barefoot is a golden nude shimmer, Parasol is a rosy champagne shimmer, Sun Deck is a matte light brown and Poolside is a bright shimmery turquoise.  All of the shadows are soft to the touch and apply/blend perfectly on the lid. The shadows work really great together to great all sorts of looks.  Below is the look card that was included with the palette, both are really stunning. Overall I love this palette and will probably be reaching for it the majority of the summer because all the products I need are there! It will be great  to take on those summer vacation as well!

Tarte 12-hour Amazonian Clay Blush in Fearless

Tarte’s The Journey to Natural Beauty kit comes with the award winning Amazonian Clay 12-hour blush in the shade Fearless. Amazonian Clay Blush a long-wearing, supremely soft blush infused with Amazonian clay harvested from the banks of the Amazon River and naturally baked by the sun. I already own one of these blushes in the color Exposed and absolutely love it, so I am excited to try another shade. 



Fearless is describes as a “warm pink” in the brochure for this kit but to me it’s a bright pink with gold shimmer.  When I first opened the compact I was a little worried that this color might by too bright since this blush formula tends to be quite pigmented. Also when I swatched it, it was definitely quite pigmented but applied the color was quite subtle and beautiful. It give a nice natural flush to the cheeks with a hit of shimmer, it really is stunning.

Fearless swatched

MAC Archie’s Girls Collection…I’m a Betty!

 Due to some unforeseen circumstances (Oh life with kids…), I was unable to make it to my MAC Archie’s Girl appointment at my local MAC counter.  But I was able to stop by and pick up a few things before they sold out. Overall, sadly, I wasn’t too impressed with the collection.  The colors just didn’t really wow me. All the Veronica colors were too cool or bold and some of the Betty colors were just too bright for my taste. Here is a review of what I did purchase, check it out!

Betty Lipglass in Summer Sweetheart $16.50

MAC Summer Sweetheart Lipglass is described as a light peach which is a pretty spot on description. It has a milky peach, creamy consistency and look.  Its looks great on its own (semi-opaque, natural lip comes through) and over top lipstick as well.  Love this color, it’s basic and pretty!

Betty Opulash Optimum Black $17.50

One of my local MAC artists has been trying to get me to try out the Opulash mascara because I always comment on her lashes and it’s the formula she wears. My False Lashes is about to expire so I thought what the hey, I’ll try it out (the cute packaging is a plus).  Opulash delivers even color to every little lash with its large, full applicator brush (LOVE!!). The formula adds both length, volume, separates and is buildable without getting clumpy or making lashes look stiff.  It reminds me a lot of Plushlash, which use to be my favorite MAC mascara for years.  The Optimum Black is a super intense black color, more saturated than the regular Opulash. Overall, love this mascara and it might be my new fav!

Pearlmatte Face Powder in Flatter Me $30.00

MAC Pearlmatte Face Powder combines pearlized and satin shades to achieve an array of looks. I can be used for highlighting and blush effects or as an Eye Shadow with a velvet-smooth finish. Flatter Me is the Betty Pearlmatte Powder of the collection and is described as a “golden peach base with coral hearts.” The main color is a warm peach with a soft, frost finish and the hearts are a medium pinky-coral with a subtle golden sheen. When combined the shade of the colors provides a soft peachy sheen to the cheeks and is certainly buildable in color.  The texture is buttery soft and finely milled. On the skin and blended out, it doesn’t look powdery, and the finish is a soft shimmer-sheen so it doesn’t emphasize the skin’s texture or pores.

swatches



Sleek Makeup Face Form Contouring and Blush Palette

Sleek Makeup describes their Face Form palette ($12.49) as “the ultimate contouring compact and definitive accessory for nailing that chiseled supermodel look.” Face Form is available in four shades: Fair, Light, Medium and Dark each containing a contouring powder, highlighter and blush.  I ordered the palette in fair, which happens to work just perfectly on my pale winter skin. 

L to R: contour, highlighter, blush

All three powder products have great color payoff and have a soft texture, which is not chalky. All are easy to apply and blend and when used together, the product make it easy to achieve that beautiful sculpted look  The contouring powder is a matte tan shade that adds the right amount of color without looking muddy on the skin. Be warned though, this product needs to be used with a light hand as it is super pigmented. I learned that the hard way the first time I applied. Hello 1980’s cheeks!! The highlighter is a cream shade with a shimmery pearl finish and provides a subtle glow to the upper cheekbones and anywhere else you would like to highlight. The blush in Rose Gold, a warm peachy pink shade with gold shimmer (similar to NARS Orgasm or theBalm Hot Mama), provides a pop of color to the cheeks.

Overall, a great all-in-one kit for the face/cheeks. You really can’t bet the price for such great product. Every item I have purchased from Sleek has always been amazing quality (I love the i-Divine eyeshadow palettes…Amazing!). Check out all of Sleek’s products at sleekmakeup.com.

Bobbi Brown Desert Twilight Collection: Bronzer/Blush Duo

 I picked up a few items from the Fall 2012 Desert Twilight Collection from Bobbi Brown. I was strolling through Macys and saw the collection displayed, I was immediately drawn to the Bronzer/Blush Duo ($36.) On one side of the split pan is Illuminating Bronzing Powder in Pink Peony and on the other side Shimmer Blush in Bahama Brown, Bobbi Brown describes it as “the perfect way to add a pop of color to the apples of cheeks. Simply use Bobbi's Blush Brush to create a beautifully blended 'late summer' glow."

This limited-edition Blush/ Bronzer Duo is naturally beautiful and different than any blush/bronzer combo I have used. At first glance you would think that Bahama Brown is the bronzer and Pink Peony is the blush, but it’s just the opposite. Bahama Brown Shimmer Blush is a neutral brown with just a hint of pink which prevents this shade from looking muddy on the skin. Pink Peony Illuminating Bronzer is a neutral pink that will suit almost anyone. It’s similar to Maui or Antigua Illuminating Bronzers in permanent collection. It’s a super soft and smooth powder that glides on evenly. Combined, these shades give a healthy glow to the face that would look beautiful on all skin tones. I have applied this product how Bobbi Brown said to use it, apply Pink Peony all over the face for a subtle glow and add Bahama Brown to the cheek for warmth. I think you could easily use it the reverse way to get a slightly different look. I’ll have to try that out next!

Real Techniques by Samantha Chapman Brushes

I have been a huge fan of Sam and Nic of Pixiwoo since I first started watching their YouTube videos a few years back.  Their tutorials are awesome and on trend; both of them are amazing makeup artists.  So when Sam announced she was releasing her own line of makeup brushes, Real Techniques, I had to try a few of them out.  The whole lines is available at Ulta and I have been able to catch them when they are on sales, usually Buy One, Get one 50% off, which is a great deal (even though they are already reasonably priced).  All the brushes have synthetic taklon bristles and are 100% cruelty-free.  Out of all the brushes I have tried, my favorites have to be the Expert face brush and the Stippling brush.

The Expert Face brush ($8.99 at Ulta) is a small but thick and plump brush that applies and buffs foundation perfectly into the skin. The synthetic taklon bristles are super duper soft and densely packed so you don’t get a streaky application. I have used it with all types of liquid foundations and tinted moisturizers, from thin to thick formulas and have never had a problem getting a perfectly flawless application. This is probably the best brush I have used to apply foundation (I own two!)  and don’t see myself using any other brush.

The Stippling brush ($9.99 at Ulta) is a dual-fiber brush that is great for creating airbrushed, high-definition results with all types of makeup.  I mostly use this brush to apply cream blush or highlighter but it can definitely be used to apply foundation.  The synthetic taklon bristles are the perfect length (shorter than most stippling brushes) and are dense enough to blend into the skin perfectly to ensure a flawless finish.    One of the best things about both of these brushes is that they don’t shed like most other brushes do.  I hate when I dip a brush into a cream product and a bunch of bristles get stuck in the product or you end up with some on your face.  I haven’t had that problem once with either of these. 

All I can say is that I LOVE, LOVE these brushes!!  So if you are looking for great, affordable makeup brushes check out Real Techniques available at Ulta stores/Ulta.com, Amazon.com & Drugstore.com in the US.

Illamasqua Naked Rose Powder Blusher

Naked Rose Powder Blusher ($24) is the first blush I have tried from the Illamasqua range.  It was newly release with the Naked Strangers collection.  Illamasqua blushers are supposed to “Illuminate, radiate, and make your face come alive with the colour and drama of Illamasqua Powder Blusher. Colour-intense and highly pigmented, use it to shade, brighten, enhance and define the shape of your face. Be bold; be daring, be the centre of attention.”

First off, all Illamasqua blushes come in sleek, black compact packaging with a see through top.  The pan is just the right size to allow your brush to pick up the perfect amount of product, a quick swirl and you’re ready to apply.  Naked Rose blusher is a soft neutral pink, with a highly pigmented matte finish. The powder is fine-milled and soft to the touch. It applies beautifully to cheeks and adds a perfect natural pink flush that lasts pretty much all day.  It’s a great shade for everyday and looks fabulous on my lighter skin tone.  I am very impressed with this shade of blusher and the formula.  Definitely perfect for all year round!

MAC Hey, Sailor Blush in Launch Away!

Another item I picked up from MAC’s Hey, Sailor Collection is the powder blush in Launch Away!  It is described as a “true peach” with a satin finish.  In the pot it looks like a light peach but when I swatched, it turned surprisingly pink on my skin.  I was actually pleased with the pinker color because I was afraid that the light peach my get washed out with my skin tone. 

The powder has a soft feel and applies smoothly. The color builds up easily and gave my cheeks a sweet pink flush.  I really like MAC blushes with the satin finish; they always apply with great color payoff and have just a subtle sheen to them.  I am not a fan of shimmer blush, so this formula and finish is right up my alley.  I own quite a few MAC blushes and most are the satin finish.  Overall, this is a great color for summer to add a subtle pop of pink to the cheeks.

Rouge Bunny Rouge for Love of Roses Original Skin Blush

I was super pumped when I heard that Rouge Bunny Rouge was available for purchase at the US site Beautyhabit. Previously this Russian/London based brand was only available for purchase via the UK site Zuneta. As you may know, the exchange rate is quite high, so the products were a little pricier to purchase from the UK. So I am very pleased to purchase this brand in the US. Rouge Bunny Rouge is a very whimsical Victorian-style brand that describes their products with fairytale like names. So far I have loved all the previous RBR products that I have purchased, so I am excited to try out some new ones.

The first product I am going to review is For Love of Roses Original Skin Blush in the shade Gracilis. The Rouge Bunny Rouge site says “Original Skin Blush blends with a sheer, melting touch for a naturally luminous silky glow. A medley of active ingredients, including Uhaloa from Hawaii, (also known as Velvet-leaf) and modern technologies impart a long term brightening effect. Indian Gooseberry Extract stands guard against free radicals. Sheer pearls amplify the creamy soft touch and ensure a limpid glow. Innovative powders entwine with your skin to preserve perfection all day long. Result is 'your skin but better' effect; you’ll wonder how you blushed before.”

The color Gracilis is described on the site as a “Medium rose with a hint of mauve, for a natural glow - Best suited to pale, cool complexions.” That description is pretty spot on. It’s a beautiful, dusty pink that gives cheeks a natural flush. The quality is of this product is amazing. It’s smooth and soft in texture and the color holds up great throughout the day. It’s also easy to build up the color without looking overdone. Overall, love it!

I also received two RBR product samples: Metamorphoses Mattifying Primer & As If It Were Summer Still Bronzing Glow Liquid. It’s always a fun surprise when you get samples of products you actually want to try, other than ones you don’t care for (perfume samples!!). Excited to try both of these. Thanks Beautyhabit!

Becca Mineral Blush in Sweet Pea

To conclude my BECCA cosmetics haul, the last product I am going to review is their Mineral Blush ($32) is Sweet Pea.  First off, I love the name, because that is what my sister Amanda calls my niece Emma.  As it is part of the name of her blog, Simple and Sweet Pea, you can check it out here.  She blogs about her life, crafty & cooking she does.  She is much more the creative/decorator that I am. SO anyway, the name aside, out of the blush colors available, this one stood out to me. 

Sweet Pea is described on the BECCA website as a “Rosy Plum Nude.” That’s a pretty good description of the color, although I don’t really get much plum when I look at it. To me, it’s definitely more of a rosy nude.  A perfect color for summer/fall months when I am a bit more tan, but honestly I will probably use this color all year round.  This blush formula is super pigment, soft and not chalky like other blushes can be.  You get quite a lot of product when you dip your brush in the compact, so I make sure to tap off the excess before I apply.  There is a hint of luminosity to this blush that gives the cheeks a soft, natural glow.  I am so so happy with all of my BECCA cosmetics purchases!! It has become my new favorite brand of the moment.  I still have to try some of their base products (foundation, concealer, powder) but don’t really like purchasing those products online, I like to be color matched.  I believe there is a boutique in my town that sells BECCA, so whenever I find the time, I may pop over and check out those other products.  Until next time!!

Becca Beach Tint in Fig

Becca Beach Tint in Fig ($25) is another item that I picked up from Becca Cosmetics.  Becca describes their Beach Tint as “a beautifully blendable crème stain for cheeks and lips that suits all skin types. Kiss-proof and water-resistant, it dries to a perfect, streak-free, non-greasy and non-drying finish. Each shade is deliciously scented in its synonymous name.” The formula is also oil-free, which is a plus for me.

Fig is described as a Tea Rose Pink on the website and that’s pretty much what you get.  It’s a nice nude pink with a fig scent. It’s great for lighter skin tones, with very soft color and not at all overpowering. The finish is very sheer but can be layered to give a stronger color. Beach tint can also work as a base for powder blush if you would like more color.  I tried this product on my lips but wasn’t too crazy about how it looked.  It seemed to dry them out a bit when applied on its own but I added a little gloss and it looked much better.  Overall I will enjoy using this product in the summer for pool days or days I know I will be gone all day.  So far Becca products are really impressing me. Stay tuned for more…..

Laura Geller Baked Beginnings Kit

I picked up the Baked Beginnings Kit from Laura Geller because I wanted to try out two other products of hers, Bronze-N-Brighten and Blush-N-Brighten. This kit comes with three mini sized products and a mini kabuki brush. The products include:

• Balance-N-Brighten in Regular
• Bronze-N-Brighten in Regular
• Blush-N-Brighten in Berry


All together this is a nice to kit if you want to try out all of the popular baked face products. It was nice to get the Balance-N-Brighten in Regular to use in the warmer months instead of the fair I already have. It’s not too much deeper than the fair and will be perfect when I get a little color from the sun. I love this powder because it doesn’t feel heavy on my skin.

Bronze-N-Brighten is a matte baked bronzer with bronze, cream and pink rosy colors swirled throughout. I do have to say that this product in this color applies a little heavy and dark for me right now. With a light hand I am able to apply lightly to add some color. This product will be great when I am tan and I can easily pop it into my purse to take anywhere with me.

The only product I was a little leery about was the Blush-N-Brighten in the color berry. In the product photos it looked deeper berry and I thought it might not be a good color for me. I was pleasantly surprised when I saw the color I received had more pink in it than berry. Swirls of shimmery pink, berry and gold mix together to give a healthy glow to the cheeks. Really love the color and is easy to apply with the mini kabuki brush in the kit.

Overall, I am happy with the Laura Geller products I have purchased and can’t wait to see if she introduces some new things for summer.

L to R: Balance-N-Brighten in Regular, Bronze-N-Brighten in Regular, Blush-N-Brighten in Berry

Clinique Spring 2011 Milly Pretty in Prints Palette

 The Pretty in Prints palette from the Clinique 2011 Spring collection is simply perfect for Spring. The colors are soft, simple and feminine, perfect for the girly girl. This is the palette Clinique designed and collaborated with Milly designer Michelle Smith. The mirrored palette contains a Colour Surge Eyeshadow Quad in Printed Pinks and a Blushing Blush in Precious Posey. The palette also comes with 2 brushes, one for eyes and one for blush. The palette also comes with a small drawstring pouch in a signature Milly pattern and a look instruction card. I have been a fan of Milly for a few years now and love the prints that Michelle designs. Her clothes are very chic and classy and that is exactly how I feel about this palette. Now onto the colors…

Colour Surge Eyeshadow Quad in Printed Pinks contains an ivory shade, a shimmering bronze, a soft shimmering medium pink and a matte chocolate brown. I love chocolate shades mixed with pinks, its very girly and feminine looking. Precious Posey Blushing blush is a beautiful color for spring! It’s a gorgeous melon pink shade with golden shimmer and complements the eye shadow quad and Milly Pink lipgloss perfectly. Overall a great pink (I mean pick) for spring! Go check it out soon because it is limited edition.

Colour Surge Eyeshadow Quad swatches

Precious Peony blush swatch

Cute Milly drawstring bag!

Face Chart included with palette

MAC A Tartan Tale: Hark the Heraldry Face Kit

I picked up this kit up after taking a second glance over the MAC Holiday collection. I hadn’t really paid much attention to it the first time around but I when I saw it the other day when I was at my local counter, I decided that I just had to have it. The colors in these kits are none that I really have in my collection so it was a perfect purchase for me. When it comes to blush, I normally stay in the peach/peachy pink/bronze zone. The Hark the Heraldry kit offers cool tones in the two blushes and beauty powder it includes. Here is a breakdown of the colors in the kit…

Left to Right: Oh So Fair, Dame, Plum Foolery

Oh So Fair is a beauty powder that was most recently released with the Disney Venomous Villains collection. It’s a soft pink with very subtle sheen, no shimmer. The beauty powder formula is very sheer and is suppose to give a subtle glow to the skin.

Oh So Fair Beauty Powder

Dame is a blue toned medium pink with no shimmer. It is a sheerer blush and the color can be built up to be very bright. This is a permanent MAC blush shade.

Plum Foolery is a sheertone shimmer blush that gives a beautiful rosy plum glow. I don’t have anything really like this shade, so I am excited to try it. I think this color would work very well on all skin tones.

L to R: Dame, Plum Foolery

Overall, this is a great palette to have or to give as a holiday gift. Definitely recommend!