Here are swatches of the MAC blushers I tend to reach for again again.  None of those are MAC Pro colors so you should be able to find them at any counter. 

Fever and Dollymix can be bold colors, so you'll want to apply them with a careful hand.  The others are just perfect for nearly every skintone and can be built in coverage from quite sheer to very bold.  To see some of my favorite blushers from other brands, check out my reviews here.  If you need any more swatches, just drop a line!

Posted by theworldsdresser at 2:59 PM EDT

Updated: Thursday, 17 September 2009 3:02 PM EDT

Share This Post

Post Comment | View Comments (3) | Permalink

Several posts ago, I wrote that I'd picked up Laura Mercier's cheek color in Blushing Apple and that I'd review it after giving it a whirl.  Well, it's been whirled and it's awesome.  In fact, I've pretty much worn it every day since it arrived in the mail.  Yeah - that good.

It looks beautiful on darker skin tones, but just as wonderful on fair skins as well.   It can look a bit ruddy on tan skins so if you fall in the middle, you'll want to test it out first.  This beautiful, warm, blush goes on ever so softly - just a dab with your brush is all you need (I suggest MACs 129).  It provides one of the most natural flushes I've ever seen.  If you're getting married and want a my-cheeks-but-better-look, then this is the blush for you.

In other news, I have a few photoshoots coming up soon and I'll post pics of my work here! 

Posted by theworldsdresser at 5:45 PM EDT

Share This Post

Post Comment | View Comments (1) | Permalink

Remember that awesome blush/bronzer duo I got from elf a couple of months ago (link to pics here)?  Well, I was so impressed that I went ahead and ordered the rest of the Studio Line face products!

Golden Bronzer:

Warm Bronzer:

Cool Bronzer:

Translucent Matifying Powder:

Complexion Perfection:

I remain shocked at the quality of these products.  For only $3 bucks, I can get a great product that will last a long time.  Will it replace my higher end brands? No, but daaaannnng they make for a good, cheap thrill. 

Posted by theworldsdresser at 12:01 AM EDT

Updated: Tuesday, 14 July 2009 7:42 PM EDT

Share This Post

Post Comment | View Comments (5) | Permalink

Yesterday while looking for earrings, I stumbled upon some blush at the local mall.  I KNOW that I was very ANTI-Hello Kitty, but when I found that my local MAC counter still had Tippy available, I had to buy it.  No, I'm not proud of myself.  Yes, I still find Hello Kitty stupid.  Yes, I love the color. Clearly, I am a woman at odds with myself.   Other items include WnW's Spotlight Peach and Warming Organics by Physician's Formula.

I am just loving Tippy, but the other two are much too similar to other blushers that I own.  Oh well!

Posted by theworldsdresser at 10:16 AM EDT

Updated: Sunday, 5 July 2009 10:27 AM EDT

Share This Post

Post Comment | View Comments (2) | Permalink

This is a two part series of e.l.f.'s (eyes, lips, face) new Studio Line.  When it was first released, they billed the items as replacements for more costly versions. I've had experiences with e.l.f. in the past and most have been unfavorable.  While their eyeshadow brushes are fantastic, I've found all their other brushes scratchy, their eyeshadows unpigmented and their blushes powdery. It was only after hearing lots of chatter about their new line did I decide to give them another chance. I'd heard that their Contouring Blush and Bronzing Powder Duo was meant to be a dupe in quality and design for NARS items.  Being a huge fan of NARS, I had to try it out.   Here is a standard sized Nars blush (Taos) compared to the e.l.f. item:

Packaging: All NARS powders have a hard, rubbery shell that feels like buttah in the hands. Conversely, the e.l.f. feels like a cheaply made plastic toy.  The size is comparable, however to the NARS Orgasm/Laguna duo.

Both companies have large mirrors inside, something some companies, *coughMACcough* seem to forget that we need.

Texture and Pigmentation: NARS consistently wins awards because of the pigmentation and color range of their blushers. With shades that compliment the fairest and darkest among us, users have many options to choose from.  Currently, e.l.f. just has this one color option in its Studio Line.  While the e.l.f. is more powdery and less pigmented, it DOES do a pretty good job, but does not last as long as the NARS and requires reapplication after a few hours.

The above picture was taken in the late afternoon, in natural light - as you can see, both sides of the e.l.f. duo show up beautifully.  As great at NARS?  No way, but still pretty good.

Price:  NARS single blushers are $25 for 4.8g and their duos are $37 for 9.9g.  The e.l.f. duo was only $3 for 4g.  Because of the price, I'm willing to cut e.l.f. some slack - fillers aren't nearly as costly as color and so it stands to reason that it is more powdery than NARS.

At the end of the day, I can't say that e.l.f. is an exact dupe of NARS - it isn't something that can be purchased instead of the original.  I can say that its a pretty good product, worthy of exploration.  For $3, its something you can throw in the car, a desk or gym bag and not be too heartbroken about if it cracks.  For the price, it make a great gift for someone new to makeup or to a makeup junkie who just needs a quick fix.  While I won't be buying backups of this one, if e.l.f. ever releases this in new shades, I'll be sure to purchase.

Stay tuned for Part II of e.l.f. Studio tomorrow!

Posted by theworldsdresser at 12:01 AM EDT

Updated: Monday, 23 March 2009 11:17 AM EDT

Share This Post

Post Comment | View Comments (1) | Permalink

I decided to try Cargo's Cable Beach, unsure of how it would play out on my skin in terms of color and texture.  To both points, I give Cargo a big thumbs up.  The product blends well into my skin and the slight shimmer that comes from the product can either be amplified or buffed out completely.  The standard Cargo tin makes it easy and safe to travel with for touchups during the day.

Each color can be used individually or together.  The first four swatches are of each separate shade and the last (at the top) is of all the colors blended together.

Posted by theworldsdresser at 9:14 AM EST

Updated: Monday, 16 March 2009 12:41 AM EDT

Share This Post

Post Comment | View Comments (2) | Permalink

This is one of the few universally flattering blushes working well for pale, tan, olive and dark skin tones.  Depending on the veining of your particular compact it could have more or less shimmer, but for the ones I've personally seen the veining is *just* enough to add "umph" without being over the top.  In short, this is the first true rose blush that I've really fallen in love it.

What is most important I think is that is just as flattering on my 60 something year old mother (medium) as it is on me (DDD).  This is one of the few that everyone should have - or least try.  If you're new to blush, this is a good one to start on, as the color is buildable - you don't have to worry about walking out the house with a 1980s streak across your face.

I purchased mine from Sephora, but this color is frequently out of stock online.  I've seen some stellar deals on QVC.com, so be sure to check there or try a Sephora brick and mortar store to find it.

Posted by theworldsdresser at 10:06 AM EDT

Updated: Monday, 16 March 2009 12:54 AM EDT

Share This Post

Post Comment | Permalink

Ok folks, it is time to give a huge shoutout to Origins for one of my favorite cheek stains ever.  Coming in three colors: Brownberry, Coralberry and Raspberry, these stains give a natural flush to the cheeks without making you look made up.  5 stars to this product for making a shade to suit every skin tone.  To use, just take a dab on your fingertip and quickly blend in.

 This I highly recommend for all skin types and all skin ages!  Give it try and give it as a gift.  Also, check out the price - you can't be it!

$11 for 3ml

Posted by theworldsdresser at 12:49 PM EDT

Updated: Monday, 16 March 2009 1:11 AM EDT

Share This Post

Post Comment | Permalink