Illamasqua Powder Blush in 'Lover'

I was like an over excited child when i recieved a parcel off Mr. Postie yesterday, let me tell you! I more or less snapped his hands off in eagerness and tore open the cardboard box without the aid of any sharp, 'box opening' tools as soon as i shut the front door. I ordered my first.ever. Illamasqua blush off ASOS on Saturday night and have been waiting for it to arrive ever since. I have to say, even though i've only had the pleasure of owning it for a mere 24 hours or so, i absoloutely am in love with it. The packaging itself is something that attracts me to Illamasqua as a brand. The shape of the blush compacts are just really pleasing somehow.. and of a really decent size. As a brand they just intrigue me. I love the way they marketed their "Theatre of the Nameless" collection last year: they just seem to have a bit of a quirky, dramatic edge to their brand which other makeup lines are missing. 

The colour of the 'lover' blush is something i have been after for ages. I've always wanted a peachy toned blush and have struggled considerably to find one to suit my skin tone, and more importantly, one that looks natural (they're always too orangey or too coral). This one ticks every single box for me. Infact, i think it's taken over Nars 'Orgasm' in the favourite blush stakes - i know, extremely big claims to make after 24 hours of owning it but it's not often i feel so strongly about a product after first use..

I was impressed with how soft the powder is. It blends effortlessly, feels weightless on the skin, and applies very smoothly. The powder is also amazingly pigmented and lasted me all day - i felt no need to top up, it didn't go patchy in the slightest and it still looked exactly how i'd applied it in the morning at the end of the day. The powder is of a matte finish (which i prefer in a blush - it looks more natural) and therefore it gives quite a flawless effect once applied and made my skin look radiant and smooth.

The colour really brightens up my complexion. My skin tends to have quite dull, greyish undertones in the winter months and this instantly brightened it up and made me look altogether more awake and healthy. Also, with Spring just around the corner i think this is going to be a lovely shade for the upcoming season, and will probably be a staple in my makeup bag well into Summer. 

I think it's safe to say my hunt for the perfect peach blush has come to an end. I've tried all sorts and always found them too pinky or too orange and false, but this one is just beautiful; a perfect pastel shade which i can only describe as very 'peach-melba-esque' :)

I wore it today with some mint green shorts and a neutral coloured blazer and it seemed to set off my whole 'spring pastel theme' quite well. I'll definitely be ordering another one of their blushes soon; infact my mother saw it on my cheeks this morning and it's now on her wish list (this year's Mother's day present = sorted - glad that dilemma has been solved..phew..)

Where to buy Illamasqua & Student discount with Unidays: 

I bought my blush off ASOS but i made sure i grabbed the 10% student discount at the till. If you haven't got a student card like me, then i suggest signing up to a website called 'Unidays'. If you sign up to them then you get a discount code to use on ASOS each time you shop and they often up this to 20% exclusively for their members (it's free to sign up! You just need to enter in college/university details and prove you're actually there) - theres also discount of lots of other brands and shops.

Links:

ASOS - Illamasqua Powder Blush - £16.50

Unidays

What are your thoughts on this colour for Spring?