cheekylicious update.

i was drooling over Jetties Blushalicious Deluxe Tag Post when i noticed that my own last blush-overview is more than 1 year old and a lot has happened in this area. so much that i was too lazy to dig all of them out to do a photographic update but i only did this for the newcomers of my collection.

so here they are, the new additions to my stash within the last year...

CARGO

1 - Cargo Prague
2 - Cargo Siena
3 - Cargo Key Largo
4 - Cargo SuedeBlush in Gold Coast
5 - Cargo Polynesia

i also did own (and sold) Cargo SuedeBlush in Montebello, Cargo Topeka, Molokai and Louisiana during the last year. am undecided whether to sell Key Largo or not.
i still love the Cargo range - i reviewed each of them, click here to get to the overview page (or on the sidebar). my favourites are (in no particular order) Echo Beach, Siena and Tonga.

NARS

only three new Narsies in the last year:

1 - NARS Torrid
2 - NARS Oasis
3 - NARS Luster

here you can get to my complete NARS blush review series. my favourites are Orgasm, Luster and Gilda.

EDWARD BESS

bought 2 of the now 3 Quad Royales: these are Summer In Capri & South Of France.
will review them soon (hopefully).

BURBERRY

i also had the pleasure of trying the fabulous blush formula by Burberry - here are No.07 Earthy Blush and No.08 Misty Blush. really really want to get some more!

GUERLAIN

1 - Parure de Nuit
2 - Météorites Perles de Nuit
3 - Blush 4 Éclats in #05 Rose Plein Vent

CHANEL

Joues Contraste in #68 Rose Écrin
Soleil Tan De Chanel Bronzing Makeup Base/Bronze Universel
Ombres Tissées in Beiges

BEAUTY IS LIFE

blush palettes for professional use - well, i just bought them for the price advantage compared to the single pots - but don't they look lovely altogether?

warm/cold palette: upper row - Palace, Close Up, Tibet, Almond Soft Glow
                            bottom row - Poesie, Chelsea, Denver, Bolero, Opera

cold palette: upper row - Stage, Swing, Joy, Vendetta, Lido
                  bottom row - Scarlet, Baroque, Sugar, Cassis, Geisha

big review series in the next month!

EDIT: here it is: Beauty Is Life blushes x 20.

LE MÉTIER DE BEAUTÉ

1 - Crème Fresh Tint in Tenné
2 - Crème Fresh Tint in Ginger Lily
3 - CFT in Coral Nymph
4 - CFT in Poppy/Coquelicot
5 - CFT in Mystique
6 - Radiance Powder Rouge in Echo
7 - True Colour Eyeshadow in Tuscan Sunset

another new and addictive brand in my life: Le Métier de Beauté.
i have a review series of their Crème Fresh Tints going on - i own them all ^^.
click here to see an overview.

CREAM BLUSHES

a few more cream blushes:
1 - Giorgio Armani Blushing Fabric #1
2 - Giorgio Armani Blushing Fabric #3
3 - Daniel Sandler Watercolour Blush in Cherub

CREAM HIGHLIGHTERS

1 - Rouge Bunny Rouge Sea of Nectar - sample
2 - Rouge Bunny Rouge Sea of Tranquility - sample
3 - Jemma Kidd Make Up School All Over Radiance Cream in Rose Gold

i'm getting some use out of my samples of Rouge Bunny Rouge's Sea Of Illumination Highlighting Liquids, maybe i should do a comparison to my full size shade in Sea of Showers.

MISCELLANEOUS

1 - Paul & Joe Blue Horizon Bronzer
2 - Estée Lauder Michael Kors Very Hollywood Shimmering Loose Powder
3 - Becca Mineral Blush in Flowerchild
4 - Dior Healthy Glow Summer Powder in Aurora
5 - Clé de Peau Blush Duo in #4
6 - MAC Blush in Style

i'm surprised that there's only 1 MAC product in this whole year.

READY TO LEAVE

a few products i bought during the year but that are already packed for current/future blog sales.

Chanel Loose Powder in Féerie, Smashbox Fusion Soft Lights in Blushing Pink and a Giorgio Armani Face Highlighter.



if i'd compile the past blush-year my highlights were Burberry, Le Métier de Beauté, Dior Aurora and Paul & Joe bronzers. but what truly made my heart beat faster were definitely and absolutely the amazing blush brushes i could try. this was my best brush-year ever. and i thought i was set for life when i went out of a parisien Sephora 3 years ago and held a big bag of MAC brushes in hands ;D
now i have experienced the softest softness there could be as far as brushes go (MAC brushes i would almost consider as quite scratchy now that i'm stuck on squirrel hair ones) and am overly happy to call a selection of probably the best blush brushes on the market my own. could only top it with a range of Chikuhodo Z brushes, but the year is not over yet ;)

unlike Jettie (whose blogpost i linked above) i think it's the experience of the heavenly soft brushes of the best quality pampering your skin that puts my blush application onto a whole other level of joy and delight. for me, it's not only about the final result, but also about the process of applying the refined colour to your cheeks. but that's another ramble. now -

... MHHH, THE BRUSHES!

a selection of the best blush brushes of my last year - intimidating that these are not all of them, but hell yeah, i love brushes!

1 - Lunasol Powder Brush N sometimes for bronzer
2 - Lunasol Blush Brush N
3 - Hakuhodo B505BkSL Blush Brush M round and flat
4 - Hakuhodo G5519BkSL Blush Brush
5 - Hakuhodo G5552 Powder & Liquid Brush round/angled for cream, gel & liquid formulas
6 - Ipsa Brush 2 sometimes for contouring
7 - Ipsa Squirrel Brush L
8 - RMK Cheek Brush
9 - Chikuhodo Z4 Blush Brush
10 - SUQQU Blush Brush




37 products are gone or almost gone since May 2011 (plus about 15 that i'm undecided about). i have sold them in blog sales, have them prepared for future blog sales or gave them to friends and family. there's also a bunch that i just stored away and now that i see the photos of them again i realize that i don't reach for them anymore and also haven't missed them (mental note for the "to sale"-box). makes my balance quite humble with "only" 37 new blushes - ok, not so humble anymore if you count each Beauty Is Life blush from the palettes individually = 55 products.


and this was my stock 1 year ago...
(copied from my "Cheek product heaven"- post. products that i don't own/use anymore are crossed out, products, that don't get much love are bracketed)

first come the peachy blushes: 

1 - Laura Mercier Second Skin Cheek Colour in Orange Blossom
2 - MAC MSF in Stereo Rose
3 - Chanel Joues Contrastes in Espiègle
4 - theBalm Hot Mama
5 - Illamasqua cream blush in Rude
6 - Estée Lauder Sea Star Bronzing Blush
7 - NARS blush in Gina
8 - MAC Hipness
9 - MAC Melba
10 - Chanel Joues Contrastes in Candy
11 - NARS blush in Gilda
12 - MNY 301
(13 - Kryolan TC 2)
14 - Benefit Coralista
15 - Cargo The Big Easy
(16 - Maybelline Pure Blush in Mineral Coral)
17 - P2 Home Sweet Home Cream Blush Stick in Fresh Apricot
18 - Maybelline Dream Touch Blush in 02 Peach
19 - Cargo blush in Cannes

the red/coral blushes

1 - MAC Highlighting Powder in Marine Life
2 - NARS blush in Amour
3 - NARS Orgasm
4 - NARS cream blush in Cactus Flower
5 - Kryolan blush in R 6
6 - Cargo blush in Rome
7 - Cargo blush in Mendocino
8 - Rouge Bunny Rouge Blush in Orpheline
9 - Essence eyeshadow in It's Up To You
(10 - Max Factor Miracle Touch Creamy Blush in Soft Cardinal)
11 - Yves Rocher liquid blush in Coquelicot Léger
12 - MNY liquid blush in 112A

the neutral blushes

1 - Guerlain Blush 4 Éclats in Rosée du Printemps

(2 - Catrice blush in Light Burgundy)

3 - NYX blush in Taupe

4 - MAC Harmony

(5 - NARS Madly)

6 - MAC Mineralize Blush in Happy Together

7 - NARS Zen

8 - Guerlain Blush 4 Éclats in Caresse de l'Aube

9 - MAC Cubic

10 - Giorgio Armani Sheer Blush in #2

11 - MAC Blushbaby

12 - Giorgio Armani Sheer Blush in #10

13 - MAC Mocha

14 - Cargo blush in Tonga

15 - Cargo Beach Blush in Echo Beach 

16 - Cargo Beach Blush in Cable Beach

17 - Cargo Beach blush in Miami Beach

the pink blushes

1 - NARS Deep Throat

2 - Guerlain Blush G

3 - Benefit Bella Bamba

4 - MAC Dollymix

5 - P2 Home Sweet Home Cream Blush Stick in Soft Pink

(6 - NARS Angelika)

(7 - Top Shop Cream Blush in Pinch)

8 - NARS Desire

9 - MAC Mineralize Blush in Gentle

10 - oops, i somewhat forgot this number, so we'll go on with:

11 - NARS Mata Hari

12 - MAC Pink Swoon

13 - MAC Well Dressed

14 - MAC Pinch O'Peach

(15 - Top Shop Cream Blush in Flush)

(16 - Top Shop Cream Blush in Neon Rose)

17 - Clinique Tuxedo Plum

18 - YSL Crème de Blush in Powdery Pink

19 - Bobbi Brown Pink Coral

20 - Chanel Joues Contrastes in Pink Explosion

21 - MAC MSF in Petticoat

22 - Essence eyeshadow in Go All Girlie

23 - MAC Mineralize Blush in Dainty

24 - MAC Mineralize Blush in Rhapsody in Two

25 - MAC Mineralize Blush in Hang Loose

(26 - Maybelline Pure Blush in Moonlight Mauve)

27 - Cargo Beach Blush in Sunset Beach

28 - Cargo Blush in Catalina

29 - Yves Rocher liquid blush in Corail Nude

30 - Essence Blossoms etc. Liquid Blush in Flowerkissed

31 - MNY 111A

(32 - Max Factor Miracle Touch Creamy Blush in Soft Pink)

some bronzers

1 - Edward Bess Ultra Luminous Bronzer in Daydream

2 - Chanel Bronze Rosé

3 - NARS Bronzer Multiple in Cap Vert

(4 - Terra Del Sol bronzer in #4)

5 - Rimmel matte bronzer in Sunlight

6 - Benefit Hoola

one is still missing and on its way - the Dior Aurora Bronzer.

highlighting products + some shimmery finishing powders

1 - Dior Amber Diamond

2 - MAC Beauty Powder in Shell Pearl

3 - MAC MSF in Blonde

4 - Laura Mercier Shimmer Bloc in Mosaic

5 - MAC MSF in Perfect Topping

6 - MAC MSF in By Candlelight

7 - Kanebo Transparent Loose Powder

8 - Chanel Poudre Libre Universelle in 50 Peche

9 - Guerlain Météorites Pressée in 01 Mythic Parfait

10 - Guerlain Météorites Pearls in 01 Teint Rosé

11 - Guerlain Météorites Pearls in 03 Teint Doré

12 - NARS Albatross

13 - MAC Beauty Powder in Too Chic

(14 - Lorac Perfectly Lit highlighter in Spotlight)

(15 - Shiseido blush in BE206 Soft Beam Gold)

16 - Essence eyeshadow in Mystic Lemon

17 - Manhattan highlighter from a LE

18 - Rival de Loop young highlighter pearls

19 - FAKE benefit high beam

20 - The Body Shop Tinted Glow Enhancer in 02

21 - real Benefit High Beam (to go version)

22 - Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector in Pearl

23 - Rouge Bunny Rouge Seas of Illumination Liquid Highlighter in Sea of Showers

24 - Guerlain Perles D'Or Highlighting Pearls

25 - Guerlain Terra Inca

26 - MAC Magically Cool Liquid Powder in Truth & Light

Guerlain holiday 2011: Météorites Perles de Nuit.

today i finally want to review the Guerlain Météorites Perles de Nuit from Guerlain's holiday collection 2011. seeing the preview pictures for this look, the new Météorites was the item i mostly anticipated.
i ordered them right when they became available on douglas.de about a month ago, they cost about 44.90€ and are probably still available at many counters although they've sold out in a few online shops. like the regular version, this contains 30g of product, which is quite a good value for your money.
the packaging is beautiful and really showcase-worthy on your dressing table, it's similar in design to the regular container, but coloured in rich peacock blue with black enamel design in the middle of the lid.
the inside is of black plastic. it comes with an aweful black latex sponge which is a big turn-off for me. where are the velvet poufs? well, they weren't of high quality or even useful, but definitely nicer to touch and to look at than these nasty sponges.

with some codes i could grab a few nice goodies!

it comes in a box with black & turquoise zebra design inside

these Météorites have a peachy colour harmony, consisting of 5 different coloured pearls:

• a pearly golden tan/beige and a pearly white to enhance luminosity and add a nicely balanced glow
• a matte pink to brighten the complexion and make it appear youthful
• a matte peach to make your face look fresh and healthy
• a silver pearl of tiny glitter bits: well, i always remove these from my container whenever i use it.

together this is a soft peachy pink powder with pearl shimmer and tiny silver glitter bits (you can avoid these when you remove the silver pearls beforehand). i would use a softer brush (for example my Lunasol Powder Brush N (review) or my SUQQU Face Brush) than my Le Métier de Beauté Powder Brush (review) that i normally use to apply Guerlain's Météorites since i find that the finish of the Perles de Nuit is much glowier than of the regular version so i like to apply it more sheerly.
it adds some healthy brightness to my complexion and a beautiful glow. it has a strong soft-focus effect, even more than the regular version. my skin looks soft and even, unevenness and large pores are less obvious. these glowy Meteorites don't have that nice oil-control quality like the regular version, at least i get shiny a earlier with these than with the regular shades after about 5-6 hours.
i like to wear it sheerly all over the face, but if i'm in the mood for, i also use a smaller brush to add a bit more to my highlight-areas.
the pearls are scented of violets like the permanent Météorites, i'm not a fan of that scent (reminds me of eldery women) but i am used to it by now.

compared to the Météorites in #2 Teint Beige (review) which is the most similar (in my stash) to these colour-wise, the Perles de Nuit are more shimmery and have a more intense soft focus effect and create a pearly glow instead of the velvety satin-matte finish of the Teint Beige.

only slightly blended

tihilw

only foundation - with Guerlain Perles de Nuit

with Perles de Nuit - full make up

comparison

Météorites #2 Teint Beige - Météorites Perles de Nuit - Météorites Perles d'Or (holiday 2010)

Guerlain holiday 2011: Parure de Nuit.

i have it for about a month now and today i finally want to share my thoughts on Guerlain's Parure de Nuit powder from their holiday collection 2011 with you.
i ordered at douglas.de and with some coupons, i could grab nice goodies (check Frau Shopping for ongoing codes). it did cost around 55€ and contains 10g of product.
it comes in the same packaging like the Blush G, star product from their spring collection 2011 (reviewed here), but with a teal colour scheme.
there is a nice velvet pouch with teal lining. the glossy black compact has the powder and a big mirror on the upper compartment and a thin brush with teal dyed bristles in the bottom level. the brush looks exciting but i don't find it usable because it's too thin and too scratchy. the case is pretty but a bit too bulky.
the powder itself is beautiful to look at: it has a pinky beige base with 3 delicate peacock feathers embossed, the eyes as three dots of colour with a outer rim of white, the main part as a coral and a dot of teal in the center.
the powder has a clear sparkly overspray that can be easily brushed away before the first use. it's intensely scented of a sweet floral perfume, much stronger than the Météorites (reviewed here and here). this could be quite annoying for sensitive noses.

in sunlight

in daylight

with flash

in sunlight, without overspray

Guerlain Parure de Nuit swatched in sunlight: beige part - red part - mixed - mixed & blended

the packaging says this to be a Pressed Powder & Blush, and i also use it as that.
it has a silky texture with a very fine silver pearl. although i first hesitated to swirl my brush generously in the pan because of the 3 blue dots, i learned that they don't interfere much with the overall resulting colour as opposed to the coral parts - the result on my face is much too pink. the coral circles are highly pigmented and a few sweeps diagonally over the three coral dots make a pretty pearly pink blush. i find the blush colour just ok, though, a bit too ordinary.
i need to use a smaller brush to carefully concentrate on the beige part if i want to apply the Parure de Nuit to the rest of my face. the beige part is quite firmly pressed and doesn't have a high pay-off. it creates a pearl glow on my face when i use it as a finishing powder, not a subtle luminescence like the Météorites Pearls that also mattifies. it is a gorgeous glow, though, it polishes my skin beautifully without emphasizing on enlarged pored or tiny bumps. if i apply it a bit more intensely, i can also use it as a highlighter.
it doesn't have any mattifying qualities, so if i get shiny after about 4-5 hours, i can't retouch with this at all because the pearl shine particles would pile up and make me look very greasy.

overall i like this powder as a soft highlighter, but i don't prefer it over the Guerlain Météorites as a all over finishing powder. i think it's a beautiful finishing powder for people with normal to dry skin, but still find the handling quite uncomfortable. the blush colour you get from this is quite average.
it's not a must-have for me.

tihilw

 only foundation - with Guerlain Parure de Nuit all over the face)

here you can see the shine better, also the blush colour.

this is how it looks with a full make up.