Weekly Round Up: Blush

Blush has taken me a long time to love and understand how to use. A lot of people say to apply it to the apples of cheeks when you are smiling but I find that when you stop smiling it tends to make your cheeks look lower. Instead I sweep it upwards along my cheek bones, this gives my face a bit of definition also. Here are my favourites.

1. Phoenix cosmetics Hush pink Mineral Matte Blush: The great thing about this blush is the girls at phoenix matched it to my skin tone through my custom blend foundation, so I know it suits me. The powder is build able so I can choose how intents I go. The powder sits seamlessly on top of my custom blend foundation from the same company.
2. Jordana Blushing Rose: Such a beautiful colour and blends really well. The deep rose is probably more of a winter colour as it is very dramatic. There is a slight golden shimmer to this which makes it very wearable for night time.
3. Kleancolor American Chick in Fruit Sorbet: Never mind the very low price tag for this the blush, the colour is absolutely beautiful. A nix of hot pink, lavender, tone balancing yellow and much more. This blush gives a stunning effect on the skin, with a small amount of product going a long way. My favourite low cost blush. 
4. Elf St Lucia: This is the blush from the blush and bronzer palette. I have never touched the bronzer but this dusty rose and gold shimmer blush is almost gone. It adds a lot of warmth to the face and works well to add some definition. Elf is a great quality low cost brand

After I wrote this I noticed my lack of blush! Leave a comment and let me know which ones I should try!

weekly roundup - Highlighters

With the new trend of "Strobing" highlighters are in the spotlight at the moment. They are an easy way to make you appear fresh and glowing. Highlighting the high points of your face is also a great summer alternative to contouring and highlighting as you don't need to wear as much make up on a hot day.  Below are my favourite products to highlight with.

1. Lush Feeling younger: This cream highlighter is the first one I ever used. When the make up line first launched at Lush we were taught how to apply the product, little did I know at the time they had just taught us how to strobe. The cream is easy to blend and doesn't have any glitter chunks that sometimes get left behind. A small amount of product goes a long way.
2. Bossy cosmetics Strobe effect highlighter: I had heard a lo about this product so I had to try it. The powder is easy to work wit and a small amount will go a long way .  It can be a bit to glittery to pass as a natural glow but none the less the highlighter really makes an impact.
3. Mellow Baked eyeshadow in Peach: That's right, this is an eyeshadow but it makes such a beautifully natural highlighter. The peach colour is similar to skin  tone so blends flawlessly, leaving behind a pearlescent glow. Very build able and easy to work with. 
4. No 7 Illuminating lotion: A lovely pink pearlescent lotion that is natural enough to be worn as a highlight with no other makeup on. It can feel a bit heavy If it is used with a full face of makeup but the effect it gives you is fantastic. Start with small amounts as the effect can go from natural to heavy fast. Easy to blend with fingers or a blender.
5. Mellow Baked eyeshadow in Cream: She product as the peach but this is a simple off white  version. I find this colour great to add to the inner corner of the eye to make you look more awake also. 
6. Sleek Precious metals palette: This palette is stunning, the colours are so pretty. The creams are easy to apply and blend. The four different shades are great to use on the different parts of your face. The product is build able so you get control over a subtle look or a more dramatic look.

I would love to know if you have tried any of these or what your Favourites are.

Weekly Round up: Foundations

A good foundation is so important if the rest of your make up is to look flawless. It can take some time to find the right formulation, colour and the way to apply it. This website will help you to find the right colour and this weeks round up may give you an idea of some foundations to try.

1. E.L.F - Flawless Finish in Porcelain. This is a great everyday foundation. It's affordable, provides good coverage, light weight and long lasting. I am a big fan of E.L.F, I think they have wonderful ethics and they products are pretty good quality for the price. This is the best foundation from their range. Best applied with: Beauty Blender
2. BYS - Complete Coverage in Light beige. This foundation is a little dark for me in winter but blends well as I get slightly more tanned. As it says, the coverage is very good however this formulation doesn't last that long on my skin (which is oily) without a setting spray. Best applied with: Beauty Blender
3. W7 - Sheer in Natural Beige. W7 is really hard to find in New Zealand which is such a shame because it is such a great brand. This foundation is super lightweight, long lasting and gives a really natural finish. It will be my go to in summer. Best applied with: Brush or Beauty Blender.
4. Phoenix - Matte in custom blend. Phoenix is a brilliant New Zealand cosmetics company that a friend of mine got me hooked on. You can choose between a Matte or a Dewy finish and they will blend the colour to match your skin perfectly. This foundation is so long lasting and looks like air brushed skin. It is the top end of my current foundations but worth every penny. Best applied with: Brush
5. Bourjois - 10 Hour Sleep Effect in Rose Clair. This does what it promises! My skin looks so refreshed and awake with this foundation. The colour is slightly dark for me but it is long lasting. This formula in a dewy finish which can make my skin look oily towards to end of the day so does need to be touched up. Best applied with: Beauty Blender. * I recently found out, through a lot of investigation that this brand now sells in China, meaning it has to be tested on animals. I will not be replacing this*

Which brands do you love?