Chanel Joues Contraste--Candy

Candy from Chanel is another baked Euro blush in Chanel's Joues Contraste line, it was a Limited Edition from a few years ago and was pretty popular.  Here is a picture of it in the pan

It's a lovely color--on me it is pretty much straight up peach with just a hint of coral.  There is no visible glitter, it just adds a bit of that JC glow thanks to a tiny amount of pink shimmer.  Here is a swatch of it--it's 2nd from the left.

As you can see it is a lovely, bright, smooth powder.  The baked formula glides on easily without being overly powdery or chunky.  It has the signature Chanel rose scent.

Here are the rest of this batch of Chanel blushes:

 

Tomorrow will be the lovely Caprice.  Thanks for your time! <3

Chanel Joues Contraste Blush--Brume d'Or

Chanel's Joues Contraste line of blushes are lovely.  They have a unique glow that is hard to capture with a camera and hard to find in other blushes.  Today's blush, Brume d'Or is one of the baked blushes, usually part of the European, Canadian, and Asia collections.  The baked versions are harder and usually have less color payoff.  The powder on these is very fine and blends well into the skin.  Here is how Brume d'Or looks in the pan.

Brume d'Or is a peachy terracotta brown with very subtle super-fine silver shimmer. Here are the swatches--Brume is on the far left.  It doesn't really capture the glowiness of it.

If you're sensitive to smells, you need to know that all these Chanel blushes have a rather strong rose smell.  I can smell them when they're in the drawer and especially when I open the compact.  Once it's applied to my face, however, I don't notice it at all.  Here's a pic of my first batch of JC's.

You can get Chanel at pretty much any department store, but many of the ones in my collection are the Euro version or discontinued.  Thanks for reading, tomorrow will be the lovely Candy. <3

Cargo Blush--The Big Easy

The Big Easy blush from Cargo Cosmetics is one of those perfect go-to blushes.  The color is a soft nude-pink peach that works perfect on my pale complexion. 

I know it doesn't look like much in the pan, but goes on such a pretty color.  It should work for Fair to Medium skin tones, but might be too light to work for the Medium-Dark ladies.  Here is the swatch, it's the second from the right.

If you have a chance to try it out, I think you'll be surprised by it.  Cargo blushes are smooth and The Big Easy has a lovely silky texture.  There are a couple pieces of ultra-fine glitter, but really the blush just adds a lovely glow.

 

Monday is the last day for this round of Cargo--I'll finish up with Tonga.  Thanks for reading and have a great weekend!

Cargo Blush--Sunset Beach

Cargo's Sunset Beach blush incorporates four different colors into one blush.  I love using this for an easy natural look.  The colors blend together to make a glowy wearable blush.  Sunset Beach is part of the Beachblush line from Cargo and each has four colors in a striped pattern.  Here's how it looks:

The colors are a peachy-nude, brown, pink, and champagne.  They all combine to become a shimmery nude shade.  There is some fine glitter in this one and for some reason it doesn't feel as smooth and soft as my other Cargo blushes. 

I do like that the color is somewhat "adjustable" in that I can pick up more or less of a color to personalize it for my coloring.  Here is the swatch--Sunset Beach is third from the right.

I hope you've enjoyed the Cargo blushes--I really like them and feel they don't get enough attention.  Tomorrow is one of my favorites--The Big Easy.  TTYL!

Cargo Blush--Gold Coast

On the Cargo website, Gold Coast is described as a blend of "sheer coral, sunny bronze, and rosewood."  Although no longer available in stores, Gold Coast is still available occasionally on ebay and blog sales.  This is what Cargo called a Suede blush, which is a blend of colors meant to impart a natural flush.  Here is Gold Coast:

Gold Coast is probably a little warm for me, but swatches a pale corally-peach.  There is some shimmer in this one, so it gives a nice glow.  The swatch is the 4th from the left in the picture below:

It should show up well on light-medium skin, but probably not on the darkest skin tones.  There is virtually no scent and the texture is lovely, just like the rest of the Cargo blushes.

Thanks for reading--tomorrow is Gotham.  Have a great day! <3

Cargo Blu_Ray Blush / Highlighter

Cargo blushes are among the faves of my collection.  I love the regular ones in the tins as well as these blu_ray ones.  These come in two colors, peach and pink.  They're fairly light and there isn't a whole lot of difference between the two.  Here they are in the pans:

The peach is a definite peach color and the pink is a peachy-pink.  There is virtually no scent and they have a small amount of superfine shimmer.  It is not overpowering at all, in my opinion.  The powder is very fine and can be sheered out easily for paler skin tones.  For darker ladies, they're probably more of a highlight color.  These are the swatches:

As you can see, they are fairly similar to each other.  They are lovely basic blushes.  Easy to apply and wear for everyday looks.  Next up for me are the Cargo blushes in tins.  Thanks! 

Burberry Natural Blush-06-Tangerine

Today's blush is Tangerine, one of the new releases from Burberry in the Spring of 2011.  Tangerine is a brownish-peach.  When I rub it in there seems to be a hint of a rose undertone.  It's especially lovely on neutral and warmer skin tones.  In my opinion, it's pigmented enough to show on almost everyone.  Here is how it looks in the pan.

It's a gorgeous everyday color (as are most of these Burberry blushes).  The soft powder blends in nicely and gives a natural looking color to the cheeks.  Here are the swatches.  Tangerine is the 3rd from the right.

It has the same luxurious consistency as the rest of the powder blushes.  The powder is ultra fine and silky smooth with a faint violet (I think?) scent. 

These can be purchased online at Nordstrom.com and Saks.com or in select Nordstrom stores.  Thanks for reading and I'll be back tomorrow to describe Earthy.

Week 6, Day 3. Rose Blush--Laura Mercier Rose Petal

For day three of rose week, I chose a blush from one of my favorite brands, Laura Mercier.  This is one of the newer Second Skin Cheek Colors that can pop out of the individual palettes to be placed into a larger 6-pan palette.  This is LM Rose Petal--in the pan it looks just like the color in my head when I think of rose blush.  Very pretty!

 

It is really interesting, because on the skin it transforms from rose to more of a peachy color.  In fact, I'd call the color Peach, with a hint of rose.  I love Laura Mercier blushes, they're fine powders, but not super soft like the US JCs.  And they have just enough pigment to show up, but not look overdone.  I also find the colors to be very wearable. 

As you can see in the swatches, it's peachier, but not as red as Chanel Rose Petale JC and it really doesn't compare at all to Bobbi Brown Desert Rose--they are at different ends of the rose spectrum.

Tomorrow's blush, from Stila is more in keeping of what I would consider rose.  I'm loving all the blushes this week, I hope you are too! 

Week 5, Day 3. Chanel Blush--Fantasia JC

Today's blush is Fantasia, which I've had in my collection for a while, but just tried for the first time today.  The color isn't super appealing to me because I always seem to reach for the pinks.  However, I must say that this color is really beautiful.

The color is slightly warmer than Mocha, less plummy, and more of a reddish terracotta color.  It buffs out to a warm rosy-peachy-brown.  Not really like the pinks that I usually lean toward, but still a great color.  I imagine it would look amazing on ladies with a golden tan.

It has the same subtle rose scent of all the Chanel JC blushes. The texture of the now DC'd Fantasia is very soft and powdery and it gives a great glow. There is a teensy bit of shimmer, but it is very subtle and not glittery at all.  The glow that JCs give is something that makes these blushes really special. 

It's very hard to capture the glow in photographs, but it is my favorite quality about Chanel's Joues Contraste line.  Sometimes Chanel adds other shimmer, glitter, iridescence, but there is always the base glowiness.  If you haven't tried one, do yourself a favor and pick one up and see what the fuss is about.  Tomorrow is Petilant, an old Chanel JC, for a sweetie at MUA!

Week 4, Day 5. Shimmery Blush--Duwop Mango Blushbooster

Day Five of Shimmery Blush Week and I'm in love with this picture of Duwop's Mango Blushbooster.  This illuminating blush is just beautiful.  It's great for you warmer girls who can pull off these peach, apricots, and mango colors beautifully.  Luckily, even cool girls can pull these blushboosters off because they're pretty sheer, so they don't overwhelm the face. 

The Duwop website describes this color as a "shimmery apricot" which I guess is pretty acurate.  I think Mango is actually a good name for it, since that is what it reminds me of.  Well, a pretty, shimmer, peachy-mango. 

The website goes on to say that Blushboosters are safe to use as eyeshadow and are infused with beneficial ingredients:

• Jojoba oils to prevent moisture loss
• Cooling cucumber extract to reduce puffiness and calms the skin.
• Pomegranate extract and Vitamins A and E for their nourishing antioxidant properties.

I haven't really noticed any difference between these and regular blushes, but it's good to know. lol.

These blushboosters do go on really smoothly and they are silky smooth not gritty like some shimmery blushes and highlighters.  Tomorrow is day 6 and one of my favorites, Chanel Winter Shimmer JC.  It's really more of a highlighter, but it is pure pale pink gorgeousness.  TTYL!

Week 3, Day 7. Peach Blush--Chantecaille Wind

For Day 7 of the magical week that has been Seven Days of Peach Blush, I will look at Chantecaille Wind.  Like I've said before, Chantecaille makes lovely blushes (and eyeshadow, foundation, etc.).  They're silky smooth, long lasting.  Wind is no exception--it is decently pigmented and matte, yet sheer and glowy at the same time.

I don't know how they can formulate the blushes to do that.  It really is a special blush.  When I use Wind, my cheeks look like they've just been slightly kissed by the sun and wind, it gives me the most natural healthy glow.  The color is a rosy, nudey, peachy color.  Very easy to wear for everyone but the darkest skin.

As you can see from the swatches, it is browner than Reflex and the brownest of all the peaches this week.  If you haven't tried them, Chantecaille blushes have no scent and wear well.  All the ones I've tried are easy to apply and never look overdone.

That finishes up Seven Days of Peach Blush, I hope you enjoyed it.  Starting on the 10th, I'll be doing Seven days of Shimmery Blush.  Since I love shimmer, that should be a lot of fun.  Tell me your favorite shimmery blush, so I can include it!

Week 3, Day 6. Peach Blush--Shu Uemura M Peach 44

Another Shu blush today.  Yay!  Really, did I mention how nice Shu Uemura blushes are?  They are really something special.  These are some of the best quality blushes I have/use and are very reasonably priced (relatively speaking, of course!).  They are smooth, decently pigmented, long lasting, silky soft, and they go on evenly to be the perfect blush for everyone.

Today's blush is Shu M Peach 44, which is a matte blush that goes on the lightest of all the week's offerings.  It is a matte yellowish/brown peach shade that is pretty subtle.  I think it has the least pink and red.  It should work great for warmer toned-skin.  The smooth way it glides onto skin would be lovely for a natural look.

Tomorrow, the last day of the seven days of Peach, will be Chantecaille Wind.  It's a pretty one and it's Chantecaille.  Yay!

Week 3, Day 5. Peach Blush--Cargo Blu_Ray Peach

Cargo Blu_Ray Blush in the Peach color is the peach blush that I wear the most.  It's subtle and very easy to wear.  I love Cargo's blushes, both the ones in the tin and the 2 square Blu-Ray version compacts. This is a beautiful, true neutral peach blush.  It is very finely milled with a touch of shimmer.

I really don't notice the shimmer when I use it, it's just enough to add a bit of a glow, but there are definite little sparkles if you look at it really, really close!  It is adequately pigmented, so it is easy to use--you don't have to worry about it going on too strong. 

It's #5 in the group shot and the swatch shot.  It's the middle of the range, not too pink, too brown, or too orange.  It's very smooth and blendable.  I think the Cargo Blu_Ray peach is a great basic that everyone needs in their collection.

For another gorgeous peach, come back tomorrow and see the beauty that is Shu Uemura M Peach 44.  Let me know what your favorite peach blush is!

Week 3, Day 4. Peach Blush--Laura Mercier Orange Blossom

Today's blush is a shimmery pinky-peach beauty!  This is Laura Mercier's Second Skin Cheek Colour in the Orange Blossom shade. This is a beautiful, subtle blush that would work for fair-medium skin tones.  It is the pinkiest of this weeks blush selections, but I'd still say it is peachy.

Laura Mercier blushes don't get a lot of attention--they're not flashy, but they are lovely, subtle, and glowy.  They have a very nice texture and blend beautifully.  This is one of the shades with some shimmer.  It might even be too much for some people.  If you can handle the shimmer, then be prepared to be wowed by this gorgeous blush. This is just one of the shades of LM blush that I think every woman needs.  There are a few other shades that are gorgeous, too. ( Lotus Pink is amazing!)

As I said, it's the pinkest of the colors, with no real orange tone in it at all.  It also avoids the terracotta and brown/nude tones of some peach blushes. There is no scent and these LM blushes fit nicely into the newer palette system.

Tomorrow, is another wonderful day with Cargo Blu_Ray Peach blush.  The best, basic, true peach that is easy to wear!

Week 3, Day 3. Peach Blush--Chanel Reflex Joues Contraste

When I first received Reflex many months ago, I looked at it and then closed the lid and stuck it in the bottom drawer, thinking I would never use it.  Over the months, it got uglier and uglier in my head.  When I pulled it out for this week, I looked at it in a new way, it was a beautiful peach with lovely gold shimmer.  Why didn't I notice that before?? 

It has the signature Chanel Rose scent, and is one of the more shimmery Joues Contraste blushes.  It is a lovely rosy peach and the gold just adds a lovely glow.  To me, the glow that these Chanel blushes is what really makes them unique.  My only wish is some different colors, it seems like Chanel  is hesitant to venture far from the Rose family.  As you can see, Reflex (#3 in the picture below) is pretty well pigmented (especially as it is one of the Euro formula) and is more rosy than the Shu (#1) and darker than the Chantecaille (#2)

It's a gorgeous peach that would work on any skin, but probably especially well on medium-dark warm skin.  I would think it would give the nicest peachy glow.  It makes me smile just thinking about it.

I'm loving the peaches, I hope you are too!  Tomorrow we go to the pinky-peach of the week--Laura Mercier Orange Blossom. 

Week 3, Day 2. Peach Blush--Chantecaille Delight

I'm getting more and more exicted about peach blushes.  Today's blush is by my favorite all-time brand, Chantecaille.  Their blushes are lovely to work with, as soft and smooth as they come, and give a glow that rivals those of Shu and Chanel blushes.  Firstly, I have to apologize for the gaping wound in the middle of my blush.  It usually lives in a Chantecaille palette and somewhere along the line of potting/depotting it got messed up.  Despite that, Delight is a beautiful peach blush.  

The color looks a little more rosy in the pan than it does on the skin, where it looks more like a warmish rosy-peach. It's #2 in the swatch picture below.  Beautiful, right??

The Chantecaille blushes cost less than other high-end blushes, only $28 for a compact, only $21 for a refill if you're looking to fill a palette.  If you haven't tried these yet, give them a shot, the colors are pigmented, but wearable.  Here's a look at the rest of the week:

Tomorrow is #3, Chanel Reflex Joues Contraste!  I can't wait.  Let me know what your favorite peach blush is!

Week 3, Day 1. Peach Blush--Shu Uemura P Peach 47

Kicking off Peach Blush Week with a gorgeous shimmery peach, Shu Uemura's P Peach 47.  The P in the name, refers to the finish-Pearly, but this one seems more shimmery than most.  It is a darker peach that leans more orange than pink.  I really love the texture and finish of Shu blushes.  Even though I said this was shimmery, it is still subtle and wearable by all.  I've never encountered a Shu blush with visible glitter, they just give the nicest, freshest glow.  They go on smooth and they're nicely pigmented.

It's gorgeous, right???  I know.  This week may change my mind about Peaches.  I can feel my mood shifting already from Pink to Peach.  Yay, it'll be fun!
Here's what's going on this week.

Below are the swatches.  As you can see, P 47 is on the left, perhaps the most orangy of the batch. Not so dark to be overpowering on my NW10ish skin.  I could see this working on almost everyone because of how easy Shu blushes blend. 

Stay tuned for tomorrow for Chantecaille Delight.  It's a beauty too!

Week 3--Seven Days of Peach Blush

This week is peach.  I'll be honest, the color confuses me, is it a pale orange or what?  So according to my good friend Wikipedia, "Peach is a color that combines pink and orange colors."  I guess that helps a little.  As makeup (and blush) lovers, we all know that a beautiful peach blush is one of the basics of every blush wardrobe.  Keeping the definition in mind, This week I've tried to select a range of 7 peaches from light to dark, both matte and shimmery.  Some lean more pink, more orange, and more brown.  Hopefully they still fall in the range peach.

 Here's the picture of this week's lucky blushes:

And they are:

1. Shu P Peach 47
2.  Chantecaille Delight
3.  Chanel Reflex
4.  Laura Mercier Orange Blossom
5.  Cargo Blu_Ray Peach
6.  Shu M Peach 44
7. Chantecaille Wind

Here's the swatches

The Seven Days of Peach begins today with Shu P Peach 47.  Yay!  Tell me what your favorite peach is!