The Lip Series: My Winter Lips on Rotation

I feel like I might possibly love winter, for the simple fact that I love the lip colours you can get away with at this time of year. Deep tones, rich shades and cool tones. It's basically my favourite time of the year for lipsticks.

Trends | Powder v Cream Blusher

I've been having this as an internal debate so I thought I'd bring this debate to you guys. Now, it's a big one and of serious importance... Powder v Cream Blusher...! I know, it's a dilemma... So let's get onto each side of the debate!

Powder

One of the reasons I like powder blush so much is that I get oily skin and powdered blushes don't tend to aggravate this or clog up those oily pores. Not all cream blushes do this, but it's definitely something to think about when trying to decide over a powder or cream blush.

I also find them a lot easier to apply and build on, it's just a matter of swirling your brush in and brushing across your cheeks, adding as much or as little as you like and you control where it goes. I find cream blushes are near impossible to apply with a brush, it's definitely a finger application.

My favourite powder blushes are Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush and also No7 Natural Blush.

Cream

I have found that cream blushes tend to last longer, as a product and on the skin as a blusher. I find it sinks into the skin a bit more, just clinging on that little but longer so you don't have to worry about topping it up every couple of hours.

Having said powder is easier to apply, I find cream blushes are great for on the go, as it's just a case of popping your find in and blending it. There is never as much control as with a brush, but it's a great just to carry around with you if you need a rushed top up.

I prefer the finish on a cream blusher than a powder blush. I think with a powder blush it's usually obvious that it's a powder blush (if that makes sense) whereas cream blusher is easier to blend into the skin and tends to look a lot more natural and for me just has a much nicer finish.

My favourite cream blushes are Topshop Cream blushes, Max Factor Miracle Touch Creamy Blush and Revlon Baby Stick.

Overall, both have some really great merits. I tend to prefer cream blush in the summer as it gives more a dewy natural look, which I love in the hotter months (which we'll get at some point, right?). But I also love my powder blushes. It's a hard choice - but at the moment I am definitely sidling towards my cream blushers. I'm using them a lot more than my powder ones and when I go shopping I always go towards the cream versions instead of the powder. So this one goes to cream!

Which do you prefer? Powder or Cream?

Battle of the Blushes

Following on from my "War of Concealers" post which you all seemed to love, I thought I would do one on the blushes in my collection that seem to fight against each other to be worn... So let's take a look at the contenders!

No7 Natural Blush in Soft Damson
This was the first blush I've every really loved and as you can see, it's near the end of its life. It's a deep natural pink that lasts a good couple of hours. It's a lower end blush so it's great just to apply on days you can't be bothered to get all made up.

Rimmel Wake Me Up Instant Radiance Shimmer Touch in Radiant Rose
A creamy blush with a hint of shimmer, it's definitely once that combines a blush with a highlighter. It applies really easily for a cream blush and it stays for a good couple of hours, but it is definitely an evening out blush thanks to the shimmer. It's not too much of a day blush. I do really like this though.

Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush in Dollface
This here is the best blush I have ever had the priviledge to use and is my everyday blush. Its the perfect nude pink for my skin tone and literally lasts the entire day without a touch up. However, you can only get it from the US, the No7 blush is a fantastic dupe for when it eventually runs out.

All three of these have a place in my make up bag, the Tarte blush is definitely my favourite and I would highly recommend it to anyone, but the No7 one really is a good dupe!

How many blushes do you live with?

Tarte Amazonian Clay Eyeshadow

Tarte Amazonian Clay Waterproof Cream Eyeshadow in Slate and Seashell Pink $19 each

Let me introduce you to my new best friends, Slate and Seashell Pink. My Dad went to Seatlle for work a couple of weeks ago, so I gave him some leftover dollars from New York and instructions to find his nearest Sephora and visit the Tarte counter. Boy, did Dad do me proud!

I asked him to get me these as I was so impressed with the Amazonian Clay Blush that I wanted something else that had this amazing amazonian clay, so hello eyeshadows. Slate is a deep grey with a hint of purple in it. I've been wearing this A LOT since I got it, it's become my everyday eyeshadow teamed with a flick of eyeliner. Seashell pink is a very shimmery girly pale pink, which is perfect for days when I don't want a dark eye, but more of a natural look.

The eyeshadows themselves are a bit wow. I'm not usually a fan of cream eyeshadows as I always think they just settle in the creases and are difficult to apply. Now, these aren't easy peasy - the pots are quite hard to get the brush in and you have to really swirl it around to get a good amount of product onto it. But after that they go on really smoothly and don't require much blending. After that comes the magic.

So, I put my eyeshadow on about 8am, to go to work. I come home around half 5 (so a good 9 and a half hours later) and oh my god. It's still here. It's not stuck to the creams, it's not faded, it's still all there. First time I wore this I was convinced I was seeing things, or it had permanently dyed my eyelids, but no. It did the same the next time, and the time after that. Another thing I love about it, and don't ask me how this works cause I have no idea, but when I put my Pixi Lash Line Ink over the top it doesn't transfer onto my upper lid like it usually do - go figure!

So yes, in summary before I babble on and on about how much I love these, new best friends, best eyeshadows ever. Go to America JUST to get some Tarte products. Yes yes.

Does anyone know of anywhere you can get Tarte products in the UK?

Wishlist: Tarte

This little brand wishlist is probably aimed more for my readers over the pond than those in the UK. Tarte is a brand I had read about on essiebutton where she raved about their blushes, so when I was in New York I picked one up and it is honestly the best product I own. My Dad actually went to Seattle last week and I sent him on a hunt to get me some Tarte bits as well so! It's just such a shame we can't get it here - devastated doesn't even cover it!
So, if you are in the States - take my advice and get some of Tarte's products, you will NOT regret it - and if you're feeling super generous send some over? Ta!

1  |  Glamazon Pure Performance 12 Hour Lipstick in Bold $26.00
I saw this on a haul video from essiebutton and fell in love with the colour. It's a gorgeous red berry colour and I just love the packaging. It's all wooden with super cute patterns on the lid. The product itself is infused with its clay properties and if it's anything like it's clay blush it'll be there for 12 hours easily!

2  |  LipSurgence Lip Luster Tint in Glisten $24.00
This is kind of like the Clinique Chubby Sticks and Revlons Just Bitten Balm Stains and the luster in the name makes me think it will have the same glisteny finish of the Mac lustre lip sticks. The colour itself looks to be a nice pinky coral, perfect for spring and I just love these types of lip products.

3  |  Amazonian Clay 12 Hour Blush in Frisky $25
I have this is Dollface and it's honestly the best purchase I've ever made. The colour is really gorgeous and buildable and the product stays on for hours - much longer than anything I have ever used before. And I just love the packaging, each case is a different colours depending on which shade you choose. Frisky looks like a gorgeous orangey red that could give you that classic snow white look.

4  |  Amazonian Clay Matte Waterproof Mineral Powder Bronzer $29
Again, if their bronzer is anything like their blusher than this is definitely a must have buy. I love bronzers in the summer teamed with blush and I've started using them in the winter as well for a bit of colour, but am still to find the perfect one - who knows, this could be the answer to my bronzer questions. I just need to fly to the US to get it...

5  |  Amazonian Clay Waterproof Cream Eyeshadow in Slate $19
My Dad has actually bought me back a couple of these from Seattle so there will be a review up soon about these. What drew me to them is, again, that it's the same amazonian clay as the blush, and i've gotten really into eyeshadows lately and I loved this colour. I'm hoping it lives up to my expectations - I will keep you informed!

This is where I wish I had moved to New York when I'd finished Uni, but I made my choose and it made me Tarte-less. Sad sad times! I hope those over the pond have enjoyed this! I love that I have American readers so thanks for taking the time to look! And for all those everywhere else, if you ever go to the States - keep an eye out for Tarte!

What American brands do you love? Does anyone know where we might get Tarte in the UK?

The Favourites | Best of 2012... Make Up

Welcome to the first in a little mini series of the Best of 2012! The first is make up, as that seems to be the product I talk about the most of here and probably the hardest category to fill... So let's give it a go!

Clinique Stay Matte Oil Free Make Up
My favourite foundation of all time. The perfect partner to my oily skin and complexion. It lasts for a good few hours and is the closest colour match I've ever had. Bit pricey but worth it for me!

Mac Mineralize Eyeshadow in Smutty Green
The perfect colour for the Christmas season, long lasting and ridiculously easy to apply. I would love to try this in other colours as well to see how they all come out!

17 Mirror Shine On Lipstick in Belle
Under a fiver and literally the perfect everyday lipstick. It's a nude pink, with a tint of gloss and really long lasting. It's recently been repackaged and some new lines added, definitely check it out.

Pixi Lash Line Ink
The easiest and longest lasting eyeliner I have ever used. Glides on with a very crisp and clean line, it's a very solid black - not a namby pamby black and the packaging is o so cute!

Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush in Dollface
All the way from the US, this blush is the most incredible blush I have ever used. Lasts longer than my foundation and is the perfect flushed pink colour. Magic!

What's your top 5 make up picks on 2012?

Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush

Tarte Amazonian Clay 12 Hour Blush in Dollface $25

Okay, so when I went to America I really wanted to pick up this blusher. I had seen it on Kat's blog here and seen it on her in person and knew just what an incredible product it was. So I dragged my Mum into Sephora (my first ever trip eek) and we went round loads and I tried all the different colours until I settled on Dollface.

I like my deep, nude pink blushes (like my No7 Soft Damson) and Dollface fitted that category perfectly. So did it live up to the hype? Um. YES! It applies like a dream, you only need a little bit on your blusher brush and the colour is instant. Be careful though as if you do use too much you can look a bit clownish. Blended in though it looks natural and you end up looking beautifully flushed all day. Yes, honestly. ALL DAY! First time I wore this I popped it on at 10am, went to work at 12, came home about 9 and I was still blush perfect. I was incredibly impressed.

I don't think you can get it anywhere in the UK. I have had a look on eBay and I think that's probably the best bet.. so anyone going to America in the future will be getting a Tarte order from me - when I come close to running out anyway.

Definitely fallen completely in love with this product. The picture of me above doesn't do the colour justice I'm afraid but hopefully it'll come out better in another post I'm planning to do of a FOTD!

What US products would you recommend? Have you tried Tarte before?