My Autumn/Winter Blush Wardrobe

I must confess that I'm a bit of a blush hoarder.  If there's anything I tend to experiment with aside from my lip shade - it's the colour I dust on my cheeks of a morning!  I love that something so simple and quick can completely bring together a make-up look in an instant and brighten up your entire complexion.  I've had a bit of a make-up overhaul recently and thought I'd introduce you to my Autumn/Winter 'blush wardrobe' - because for a beauty blogger, it doesn't stop at swapping your cami tops for polo-necks does it?! Ohh no - I've swapped around my entire cosmetic collection and placed some of my more wintery shades within grabbing distance.  It's time to put the bright corals to bed! Without further ado, here's 7 of my 'go to' shades for the autumn/winter season and why I'll be reaching for them over the next few months...

Illamasqua | 'Tremble' // The Winter Bright //

I must admit, I'm really not a big fan of pinks - I find that I need a bit of warmth in my blush colour due to my skin-tone but Illamasqua's 'Tremble' is probably one of the only bright pink shades I can get away with. It's showing up a little more cool toned on camera but this is seriously bright - it's not for the faint hearted but when applied lightly it gives such a lovely flush of colour to the cheeks. If you're a fan of Illamasqua's 'Lover' blush (it's one of my all time summer favourites) this is like its pink, wintery cousin... it still has the same brightness to it but looks a little more natural and flattering on dull, winter skin.  I love Illamasqua's blushes - they always look so immaculate and flawless on the skin and are incredibly long lasting. If you're looking for pigmentation - look no further.  I have an ancient review of Tremble here.

Deborah Milano | 'Spicy' // The 'Any Season' Coral //

I know I said I've put my corals to bed but this is the only one I find myself reaching for all year round.  Trust me when I say that this little compact is well loved! If you're looking for a versatile, year-round colour then this shade will be right up your street.  It looks just as flattering on my winter skin as it does when I have a tan - it looks so natural. It's the perfect coral because it isn't too orange or bright - it works whatever the weather, whatever your skin tone and whatever make-up you've applied.  I love the texture of the powder too - it applies so smoothly and effortlessy and it's really nicely pigmented - I've used this to death for around a year and I've barely worn down the surface - well worth the money! I have a full review of it here.

Nars | 'Orgasm' // The Perfect Healthy Glow //

Ooo Beauty blogger classic alert (just look how battered mine is - the poor thing!) Although I can't say this blush is one of my all-time favourites, it's one that I find myself reaching for through the winter months.  It's got a bit of shimmer running through it so it's perfect for those days when you just can't be bothered to highlight as it brings a healthy, natural glow to the face - killing 2 birds with one stone, as they say! I like to use this colour when I'm feeling a little bit under the weather - rosy pink blushes are actually proven to help counteract dull tones and dark shadows under your eyes, and 'Orgasm' does a fabulous job of making me look bright eyed and bushy tailed even when I'm far from it. Its rosy appearance does a fabulous job of brightening the skin and gives a naturally 'blushed' appearance. It's definitely one of my more understated blushes (despite the shimmer) - it's the type of blush I'd pop on for a quick flush of colour if I'm off for a winter walk somewhere.

Nars | 'Deep Throat' // The 'Everyday' Winter Staple //

Oh crikey me - Nars and their naughty names make me blush even before I've swept them on to my cheeks! Despite it's 'out there' name, this blush really is such a great everyday staple. It's like a slightly lighter, less shimmery version of 'Orgasm' with a hint of peachy pink.  I must admit I was never sold on this until I had it applied on me by an MUA in Space NK - it looks completely different once you have it on your cheeks and gives such a healthy flush of peachy-pink to the cheeks. If, like me, you lean towards corals and oranges and want something suitable for the season, I really recommend you check this one out.  It's a lovely 'in-between' sort of shade - I can wear this all year round because it has a good bit of warmth running through it.  It's a good option for paler skin too as it's not overly pigmented - it's very buildable.  I have a full review and photographs here.

Benefit | 'Rockateur' // The Subtle Touch //

I really didn't expect this to become one of my autumn staples, but it has! I actually find this to be quite similar to Nars' 'Deep Throat' blush - just a slightly lighter version.  Again, it's peachy-pink hints work really well on winter skin and the satin finish is really flattering.  It has a subtle hint of shimmer which gives such a healthy glow - another fabulous option if dull skin is your main concern. I find this blush works well for layering becuase it's quite subtle. It's formula is very buildable and if you wish to achieve the colour in the pan, you can, but I actually really enjoy using this alongside Benefit's 'Majorette' - layering this on top of a bright coral works really well. I have a full review here.

Mac | 'Blushbaby' // The 'Depths of Winter' Flush //

Again, this isn't one of my all-time favourites but I really enjoy using this shade in the winter months.  It's a gorgeous, natural shade with a slight hint of mauve - a little more cool-toned than what I usually reach for but with the right make-up it looks so beautiful. I always pop this on if I'm wearing a darker lip colour or if I've opted for a mauve/purple toned lip. It swatches a little warmer than it looks in the pan - it's definitely got a hint of 'brick' running through it (have a nosey at the swatches, you'll see what I mean!) Think bobble hats, cosy knits and hot chocolates - this shade really is my 'depths of winter' blush - perfect for snowy days. I love the matte finish - it works really well with a flawless base and a teeny fleck of highlighter on the tops of the cheekbones.

Mac | 'Harmony' // The Sculpting Shade //

I adore this shade.  It's so multi-functional as it works as a contour shade as well as a blush. It's a cool toned 'brick' sort of colour - very difficult to explain but one that works incredibly well at softly sculpting the cheeks. If you're new to contouring, I really recommend this - all you need to do is sweep some of this onto your cheeks and et voila - instant cheekbones. If I'm in a rush, I'll quickly dust some of this on using a blush brush, but i find that it works really nicely if you use a slightly smaller tapered or 'domed' brush and place the colour on your natural contour line.With 'Harmony', it's so easy to achieve that sculpted appearance without the fuss.  As with most Mac blushes, it's really soft and easy to blend - but isn't so overly pigmented it's difficult to work with. Definitely a staple shade in my collection. I have a full review here.

Swatches L-R | Illamasqua 'Tremble' / Deborah Milano 'Spicy' / Nars 'Orgasm' / Nars 'Deep Throat' / Benefit 'Rockateur' / Mac 'Blushbaby' / Mac 'Harmony'

So there we have it - my Autumn/Winter blush wardrobe. I also love Benefit's 'Majorette' and Illamasqua's 'Lover' blush - but the shades I've featured are definitely the ones I'll be reaching for when the weather really does take a turn for the worst!  My ultimate favourites have to be Deborah Milano's 'Spicy' and Nars' 'Deep Throat' - and Mac's 'Harmony' really is a winter contouring must-have if you're a fan of a sculpted cheek like me.

What's in your autumn/winter blush wardrobe this season?

Lord & Berry | Luminizer Stick

Lord & Berry | Luminzer Stick | £12.00

For a while now, I've been on the hunt for a creamy highlighter that I can carry with me when I'm on the go.  I've had a select few of the Nars Multiples on my wish list for quite some time, and have debated with myself whether or not to invest in Benefit's 'Watts Up' - but really, when it comes down to it, I just don't fancy the price tag.  I wanted to hunt for a cheaper option, and immediately took to ASOS to browse their beauty section (a standard Sunday night past-time I shall never tire of). When I first began writing my blog, I mentioned and reviewed one of Lord & Berry's lipstick crayons (a must-have item for those of you who love a lippie or two..) - it still remains one of my firm summer favourites and when I saw their 'Luminzer Stick' - I threw it straight in the virtual basket.

The Luminizer Stick simply twists up from the bullet, and can be applied to the cheekbones, brow bone or any other area you wish to highlight. As you're all probably aware, I'm a bit of a contouring addict so having something like this in my makeup collection is very handy for on the go touch-ups.  I usually favour a powder highlight, but just recently I've been applying this over my foundation to give more of a natural, dewy finish and it works wonders. You don't need much at all, and because of the creamy texture it's very blendable and smooths onto the skin easily.  Wear time is a little less than my trusty Nars 'Albatross' - it does seem to fade a little easier but since I can carry this in my make-up bag in a handy little tube, I can overlook this. The consistency is quite thin, and is a little slippery, but I find it very easy to work with as it means blending and smoothing it in is a doddle.

The shade I have leans more towards a yellow, silvery tone and works very well with my skintone as it isn't overly warm. I couldn't see any other shades available on the ASOS website, and I can't seem to hunt down an alternative option on their website - there seems to be little or no variation in the shade selection - but personally this wouldn't fuss me too much as I prefer shades like this compared with warmer, pink shades anyway. The colour really brightens the complexion and I can't wait to bring this little beauty out in the summer once I start moving towards cream products on a more day-to-day basis. On tanned skin I can imagine this will look stunning.

I can safely say Lord & Berry have the potential to become a firm favourite of mine - their prices are spot on, the quality of the two products I've tried so far has been absolutely tip-top and I love the simplicity of the packaging (everything comes in a little box - yippee!) They most certainly need to be more well-known here on the bloggersphere and I urge you all to have a little nosey at the collection. I'm so glad I popped this little gem into my recent order with ASOS, and I can't wait to try some of their eyeliners next - I might even accidentally-on purpose slip another little lipstick crayon in there as well..

You can find the Lord & Berry website here

Or take advantage of student discount on ASOS here

 Have you tried any Lord & Berry products? What would you recommend from the range? Please do let me know if you decide to try anything from them! I'd love to know your thoughts.

 

Benefit 'Go Tropicoral' | Thoughts & Swatches

Benefit | Go Tropicoral | £24.50

A few weeks back now, I left my job of 4 years and decided it was time to move on to pastures new.  My wonderful fellow colleagues decided to suprise me on my last day with some lovely beauty goodies, Benefit's 'Go Tropicoral' being one of them, and needless to say I felt rather spoilt and very, very teary to say the least! As you can imagine, since then, I've been having a great deal of fun trying out the 4 products in the set - none of which i've tried before - a beauty blogger's dream I'm sure you'll all agree! Anyway.. I thought it was about time I took some photographs, and told you all what I think. It would be silly not to!

Go Tropicoral is a wonderfully packaged little set of 4 Benefit products all of which compliment one another, giving you a travel-sized set of all the must-have items for a 'coralista' themed look. The items are all 'miniture' sized, but you still get lots of product to use, and it makes for a perfect gift! Benefit also do the similar sets in different shades and tones - offering up 'Feeling Dandy' (based around their 'Dandelion' blush) and 'Surgarlicous' (including the 'Sugarbomb' blush) - so if coral doesn't float your boat, fear not...

High Beam | 'Luminescent Complexion Enhancer' | This is perfect for highlighting areas of the face, and I use this dotted along my cheek bones and on my brow bone. It brings a certain 'light' to the face that is both subtle, yet very flattering and natural - and it blends effortlessly well into the skin. The pink-y undertones work very well with my wintery complexion, and help to brighten any dull areas. I've also used this mixed in with my daily moisturiser for all over brightening goodness! I used their 'Sun Beam' highlighter throughout summer last year, so this has been a lovely little addition to my collection that is just a really nice all-rounder and one that will compliment most make-up looks and skin tones.

Cha Cha Tint | Mango Tinted Lip & Cheek Stain |  Cha Cha Tint is such a lovely strong peach shade that has a similar texture to that of High Beam. The only thing I'm not keen on with this is the fact that you have to work very quickly with it in order to get an even finish. I think I prefer it as a lip stain - it looks lovely on the cheeks too but I much prefer a cream or powder blush as opposed to a stain on my cheeks. I might change my mind in summer once my skin feels a bit more moisturised and smooth though, and I'm still very pleased to have it in my collection. Definitely will be saving this little beauty for summer..

Coralista Powder Blush | Oh my goodness. I'm so chuffed to bits that I've discovered this blush and it has to be my favourite of the bunch. I adore it. I've been wearing it almost every day and it provides such a lovely flush of colour to the cheeks. The texture and finish reminds me very much of Nars' 'Orgasm' blush - as it is fairly sheer and has a slight shimmer to it.  It's just beautiful.  When swatched, you don't get the full force of it - but it applies amazingly well with a fluffy blush brush - and sweeps on to the cheeks with ease, creating amazing definition and a beautiful coral flush to the cheeks that instantly brightens your skin. When this runs out, I think I'll be buying the full version. It really is a must-have in my collection as I'm a massive fan of coral/peach shades, and I really think this will look amazing on tanned skin in summer (all we need is a big fat dose of sun now please!)

Coralista Ultra Plush Lip Gloss | Lip gloss, I'll admit, is usually a dodgy area with me. It's very rare I find one that I can happily keep on my lips for longer than 5 minutes. This one, I can bare. Obviously, it still feels like you have gloss on your lips but it doesn't feel sticky or uncomfortable at all and it provides a lovely sheer wash of glossy coral colour.  I suspect this will look amazing paired with Cha Cha Tint in Summer once I manage to work up a bit of a tan. That said, it looks lovely worn on it's own even now, and I've taken to wearing it over Mac's Lady Danger for an extra bit of 'oomph'. A really versatile little lip gloss and one that's just my kind of colour! It also smells really fruity and yummy... 


Overall, I'm as happy as larry to have this little box set in my cosmetics collection! It really brightens up these long winter days and adds a little bit of fruity punch to my everyday makeup - what more could a girl ask for?! I love how it comes with a little 'Tips & Tricks' booklet, showing you how to use the products in different ways - it adds a nice little finishing touch to the set - it opens up to reveal a pretty decent sized mirror too. I really cannot wait to get some use out of this in the summer months, and I'll definitely be taking it away on holiday with me, that's for sure!

Have you tried any of these products? What's your favourite Benefit product right now?
♥

Illamasqua Powder Blush in 'Tremble'

Illamasqua Powder Blush in 'Tremble' | £18.00 |

Illamasqua's blushes have to be among some of my ultimate beauty 'must-haves'. I think it's fair to say that I have fallen completely, head over heels in love with them ever since I first bought their 'Lover' blush around 2 years or so ago now (seen in this post) - in fact, I cherish their very existence. Massively-over-the-top statement there, but I kid you not - I'd be lost without my little collection.  The newest addition to my Illamasqua 'blush-crew' is Tremble - a beautiful warm toned soft pink. I've had my eyes on this one for ages - its such a pretty colour and one that compliments my paler skin throughout the winter - it brightens up my complexion and wakes up dull skin in a flash.

I've found that their powder blushes on the whole are very pigmented and provide impressive colour pay off - they can be sheered out for a subtle wash of colour or built up to provide a more intense 'doll-like' finish. I apply them with my Real Techniques powder brush (seen in my collection post here) and they sweep onto the cheeks so smoothly and effortlessly - they don't feel chalky at all and are incredibly soft and smooth. I genuinely think my skin looks instantly brighter and smoother when I've applied these blushes - and they also stay put all day, providing the perfect finishing touch to your makeup. Also, they last an AGE, let me tell you! I've had the 'Lover' blush for quite some time now and I've barely made a dent in the surface - and that's with daily use over the course of a good year or so! 

Tremble gives a matte/slightly satin finish to the cheeks - there's no shimmer in there at all which I personally prefer - I believe this helps to even out the skin and also gives a natural finish. The colour is also really girly and fresh - I often opt for peach tones on my cheeks so this one fills the gap in my collection for a really flattering warm-pink. There is no doubt that I'll be buying more of these blushes - if you're after some top notch colour pay-off for your cheeks then they are really worth investing in - they're worth every penny and the shade range is just fabulous - there's some really beautiful colours and tones available. Actually, I defy you all not to have a little nosey! - you can find the range here at Debenhams Online.

If you wish to see a 'face of the day' with this blush - then it's the one I wore in my photograph for my '50 facts about me tag' here.

Have you tried Illamasqua blushes? Love them as much as me? What are you favourite shades?

♥

Nars | Highlighting Powder in 'Albatross'

Nars Highlighting Powder in 'Albatross' | £21.00 | John Lewis (link)

Nars is fast becoming one of my go-to high end brands for makeup. Their eyeshadows are among some of the best I've ever tried, and I must admit I'm a huge lover of their 'Laguna' bronzer and blush powders.  Next on my list of things to try was their ever popular 'Albatross' highlighter - a beautiful white powder that blends into a yellow-toned bright highlight colour, perfect for cheekbones and contouring.  During the winter, my skin can tend to look very dull and lifeless, and I often feel as if it needs a little bit of lift; this is the perfect product for doing just that, as it brings light to the cheekbones and generally just makes you look more awake and fresh-faced. Perfect for those mornings when you feel far from bright-eyed and bushy tailed!

I apply this using my Real Techniques contouring brush (seen in a recent post here), and just the tiniest amount is all you need as it's very decently pigmented, - you do have to build it up rather than applying lots to begin with.  I'm really into contouring and concentrating on my skin-base at the moment, and I've been using this daily since Christmas - to say I've hardly tapped into the surface says a lot about the quality of Nars products - they last ages. 

The powder looks pure white in the pan, but when blended merges into a gold/yellow toned white that looks both natural and flattering as a highlighting colour.  It also doesn't look overly shimmery which completely wins me over when it comes down to highlighting products - there's nothing I hate more than leaving the house, glancing in the mirror and realising I look like I've been in a fist-fight with the glitter-fairy! 'Albatross' provides just the right amount of 'sheen' and looks lovely in both photographs and natural light (you can see it in action in my makeup posts here and here).  Needless to say, I'm superly-duperly chuffed I have this in my collection - it's the perfect compliment to the 'Laguna' bronzer and the yellow tone looks really soft and natural.

Have you tried Nars highlighting powders? Any others you could recommend?

♥

Festive Makeup | Eyes, Lips, Cheeks - 11 Festive Items

I can't believe it's Christmas Eve already! December has absoloutely flown by! The party season is well and truly upon us and for me, that means getting festive with the makeup...glitter, golds, deep wines and smokey eyes - anything goes for the Christmas period and it's the one time of year that we can all be experimental with our makeup, and above all it gives us a jolly good excuse to go glitter crazy! I thought i'd put together a post of some makeup items I've been using, or plan to use for Christmas partys and New Year celebrations...

| Eyes |

Look Beauty | 'Statement Eyes' eyeshadow | 'Shade 13' - A gold eyeshadow is a must-have item in my festive makeup bag! This one is perfect - it's so pigmented and has little glittery chunks all the way through it.  I love the consistency of these eyeshadows - I've been so impressed and really recommend them. They're really soft and creamy - they don't feel at all 'powdery' and apply really smoothly.

Illamasqua Eyeshadow | 'Obisidian' - A matte black shadow is a must in everyone's makeup collection. I tend to see them crop up more in my makeup application around this time of year though, and complete the look to any smokey, dramatic eye.

Mac Eyeshadow | 'Cranberry' - Eeeeek how much do I love this little beauty?! It's been a firm favourite all the way through Autumn for me and it's creeping back into my makeup routine recently. It looks amazing when blended with deep browns and purple-y tones, and adds a bit of festive cheer to your peepers.

Collection 2000 | Glam Crystals in 'Rock Chick' - These little glitter eyeliners come in rather handy around this time of year! I did a post on them earlier this year (click here to have a look if you want to see some other shades). They just add a little twist to any makeup look and look really nice applied under the lash line for a pop of colour or instead of your usual liquid liner.

Barry M | Dazzle Dusts | Silver '4' Grey '91' Gold '41' - Ohh come on.. who doesn't have at least one of these babies lurking at the bottom of their makeup drawer?! These little pots of glittery-dust have been around since I can remember (in fact I think the first 'proper' makeup product I ever owned was one of these!) Yes, they're messy. Yes, they're a little bit tacky but oh my goodness how they do come in handy for creating amazing eye looks. They also come in handy for creating glittery festive nail art... 

| Cheeks |

MUA | Blush | Shade 2 - I'm a massive blush fan - I have such a collection of them but one that I'm wearing just recently is this little plum coloured offering by MUA. It adds a lovely flush of wintery colour to my skin and doesn't look too 'overdone' with statement eyes or lips. Perfect understated wintery christmassy blush-goodness!

| Lips |

Rimmel | Kate Moss lipstick in shade '107' - This was sent to me by the lovely Sophia when I was lucky enough to win her recent giveaway! I was so excited to try this lipstick as I'd seen it in so many posts. It's the most perfect wine colour, and applies really well. It's becoming a new favourite of mine and I shall definitely be wearing it on Christmas day!

Maxfactor | Lipstick in 'Ruby Tuesday' - I included this in a recent post on my 'Top 5 Berry Lipsticks' (seen here), and it's still a firm favourite. It has to be one of my most favourite reds I've ever owned. It's so pigmented and feels moisturising on the lips at the same time as having some impressive staying power! It's such a good little all-rounder.

Barry M | Lipgloss | 'Glitter Red' - This lipgloss smells of cherries. Enough said. As well as smelling good enough to eat it also looks lovely applied on it's own - but I prefer it over a red lipstick because it adds so much depth and a bit of much needed sparkle for this time of year! The glitter can get a little annoying but Barry M lipglosses aren't sticky in the slightest and feel lovely and light on the lips.

Revlon | Lipstick | 'Cherries in the Snow' - If the name itself isn't enough to get you in the festive mood, then the beautiful berry colour surely will! If you aren't a red lipstick kind of girl then this is such a good option. It's a gorgeous berry pink shade. It applies like a dream and lasts all day (I've worn it for uni on a couple of occasions!) it looks lovely for day or night.

Estee Lauder | Lipstick in 'Tiger Eye' - I know what you're thinking. Bronze glittery lipstick, Beth are you actually a nutter?! I kid you not, this is the loveliest shade of lipstick for this season - it puts a little twist on a 'dark nude'. It applies fairly sheerly and gives a wonderful wash of bronze-y nude to the lips - it looks ridiculously glittery in the bullet but gives more of a frosted finish once it's on.  It's not everyone's cup of tea but it's a little bit different to anything else I own and it looks really nice applied in the middle of the lips over another colour if I'm not feeling brave enough to wear it full-on.

So there you have it girls. A selection of some of my festive makeup choices this season. I can't wait for Christmas now - I've finally finished wrapping all my presents and all that's left to do now is settle down on the sofa and indulge in some chocolate biscuits and Glitter Berry J20's (let me know if you're also addicted to these amazing thirst-quenching beverages!) 

I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and hope the bearded chappy leaves you lots of lovely presents under your tree tomorrow morning! I'm sure I'll speak to some of you on Twitter at some stage.

What's in your Christmas Day makeup bag this year?!

 ♥