Two of My Illamasqua Powder Blushers

You know how much i love my Illamasqua powder blush in Lover, and you might have read my review for Illamasqua powder blusher in Tremble. So today i'd post a short comparison review about them ^^~

 

Talking about packaging, i have to admit that Illamasqua is playing around the same design for most of their product.

It's really good to help customers identify their product, but could it be better quality?

I love my blushers and i want to carry them anywhere without worry.

up : tremble, below : lover

If you have many blushes, the clear lid help you to find which one is which.

tremble and lover, heavy swatch

Tremble and Lover, well blended

From Web description, it's clear they're so different.

Lover is soft apricot while Tremble is soft lilac pink

Tremble is much more dupe-able (i cant give you any dupe suggestion though) but if you're craving for Illamasqua's powder blushers quality, go get it.

Lover brighten my complexion in much better way i never think an orange blush will.

Both of them are easy to blend, soft, buildable and best of all : last long.

Illamasqua succesfully set a new standard for my blushers ^^~
Oh how i wish Illamasqua will enter in Indonesian market!

have a nice day~

Swatched : Illamasqua Powder Blusher in Tremble

After a lots of love for Illamasqua Powder Blusher in Lover (wanna read it? here), of course i need another blush from them right?

Well, i bought the one in Tremble, which described by Illamasqua as "soft lilac pink, matte finish".

 Illamasqua Powder Blusher in Tremble

4.5g / 0.15 oz

£21.50

price per 10g £40.00

 

ingredient list on back of box

shade name, back of product

 The packaging as usual, is plastic black with no mirror. The closure have clear, see-through part.

This packaging from Illamasqua is fragile. Many people has experienced broken product, Fortunately not me. I always keep it safe, and most of the time, left it home so nothing dangerous would attack her.

blusher's pan

 In pan, it's not-so-cool pink. I wouldn't judge Illamasqua blusher by it's cover.. Well see Lover, so unattractive in pan but turn to be so deliciously amazing on cheeks (from what i heard, mostly happen to NC 25-30 skintone).

So, How's Tremble?

Is it amazing?

swatch  Illamasqua Powder Blusher in Tremble

 .. Truthfully, yes it's a pretty shade. It's gives you a pretty flush. The color is safe enough for daily use.

Also, being illamasqua's blusher, the texture is lovely. Easy to blend, buildable and last long! What else do you need?

I wish my next blusher would be Naked Rose, also from the same range <3 span="">

anyone wanna sponsoring? :p

Illamasqua Lover Powder Blusher : Review, Swatch & Comparison

So here i am back to my blog, and beside all products i've been waiting to write a review of, i decided to write something i just bought.

Illamasqua haven't have a store in Indonesia, but they do international shipping. As a blush lover, i'm so anxious to try their powder blush. The one i got is "Lover" which described in their web as "soft apricot, matte finish".

I think i would never ever purchase Lover if i could see it personally. Even by online swatches i saw, i never think it would be pretty shade. Please, it's ORANGE and orange never seems good on my face. No.

Pict above is a swatch provided by Illamasqua in their web. So muddy, doesn't it?

However, my anxiousness makes me purchase it. I even feel so guilty while waiting for it.. How could i despite all the things purchasing an orange blush?

But thanks universe, i'm so HAPPY with it. My review below :

the shades name with illamasqua's sign

the ingredient list, click to enlarge

oh hey, it's for your eye candy ^___^

illamasqua lover in pan

 

I'm sorry, but i have to make swatch picture big.

On my arm, it does seems orange, and even in blended swatch (the top one on pict), it seems muddy.

BUT, on my face it does seems like have an soft, pink undertone that makes a HUGE difference. Well, i think apricot doesn't all orange either.

The finish is matte, like it's description, but not totally matte that might seems un-natural.

There's some soft, healthy glow that makes it not seems deadly matte.

About lasting power, it does stay for 8 hours on my oily skin. On 9th hour, i noticed it's fade everywhere but not completely gone. On 11th hour, nothing left.

And for comparison swatch here i have MAC Cream Soda powder blush and Sleek Suede powder blush. All of them look about the same on my cheek (well, sleek Suede sometimes peachier, sometimes bronzier, depend on condition) but on my arm, i could say they're completely different.

There's definately something alike. I just can't tell you what.

 

So here they're :

Sleek Suede seems like having a red undertone i never noticed before. It seems closer to Tarte Exposed than before. Again, maybe it's because my skintone getting warmer. My original review about sleek suede is here.

MAC Cream Soda seems really soft, a lot way paler than Illamasqua Lover. It's really buildable though. See my complete review here.

Illamasqua Lover is the most orange of the bunch but not as orange as Sleek P Pie (which i completely forgot to do a comparison pict with).

For comparison purpose, i repost Sleek Pumpkin's swatch here (for complete review & swatch, kindly click here) :

 

P Pie has strong yellow undertone compared to Illamasqua Lover, and completely matte. It's definately be muddy on my cheek.

I might post a better comparison pict in future. Maybe. Yeah. 

Conclusion

I'm in love with Illamasqua Lover and have been using it everyday (my favorite before was the balm instain houndstooth, but season changed). It soft, buildable and easy to blend. Lasting power is nice.

But there's 3 things i dont like about it : the fragile packaging (and hard to open), the texture than many people said easy to be broken and the scent.

I could accept the packaging and soft texture, i simply doesnt carry it in my make up pouch, leaving it home instead. But the scent? Well, it smells like MAC's lipstick, vanilla-y and the scent refuse to go right after application. No, you have to wait 15 minutes or so until it completely gone. I'm sick of it.

Again, but, now after about a week, the scent is weaker. So maybe i would purchase some other shades like SOPHIE or Tremble or Naked Rose in future.

Have you tried Illamasqua's powder blusher? i wish they'd open a store in Indonesia!

My 13 Beauty Products for 2013

Happy New Yeaar!

It's been late, yes, but this is my first post in 2014! Yippie!
.. but sadly, i can't provide good pict for this post. I'm trying, but since i'm catching a cold, i only could took one (yes, only one) good picture for this very post.

If you live in Indonesia, you'd know how bad the weather is. Everyone i knew, or at least someone in their family, has got a flu, cough or both since December. I guess now is just my turn T_____T

I saw many bloggers has made their version of 2013 favorites, so there's mine ^___^

i think i haven't reviewed all of them, yes?

Palettes

Urban Decay Naked 2

The famous one, it's my choice whenever i have no idea what shades i want to use.

My favorites are Tease, Half Baked, Snakebite and Suspect.

Too Faced Loves Sephora (15th years anniversary palette)

My favorite one from Too Faced. My only complain is the bulky packaging that i'm worried to bring on travelling. It's tin-can packaging (just like the Naked 2's packaging) with no mirror, but comes with mini TFSI and mini blush brush that i've took out from the palette because i'm afraid they'd make some dent on pans.

This palette is lovely. I know i haven't write about it but soon.

My most favorite is Who's your poppy? blush while the second and third are Sun Bunny bronzer and Jer Jer eye shadow.

Complexions

Laura Mercier Compact Tinted Moisturizer

Mine is in shade "nude". It's giving a medium coverage and the shade is just match my skintone. I found the liquid versions are not as good as this one.

Tarte Provocateur Pressed Mineral Powder SPF 8

I've raved about it here, and has been hit it's pan. Now i'm on the second pan and still loving it.

Blushes

MAC Cream Soda Powder Blush

My favorite one! Seriously, you wouldn't know until you've tried it yourself!

a perfectly perfect flush, if you know what brush for it!

i use ecotools bamboo blush brush and they're amazing together.

Read my review, swatch and comparison here.

The Balm Instain Powder Blush Houndstooth

My second favorite. It's pretty mauve-y shade that can be use sheer or build-up. It's also neutral and i found great for cold or warm weather. The staying power is good too.

Read my review, swatch and comparison here. 

Tools

Ecotools Bamboo Powder Blush

This is the perfect match for sheer blush!

Even better since it's synthetic (easier to wash, soft, and animal friendly) and cheap. Also I never found any shedding!

Real Techniques Contour Brush

Sadly this one is not available out of set. It's part of core collection set.

I found it's great for blush and contour (as the name suggest) and very soft.

For me, it's won over the blush brush one.

Eye Liner

K-Palette 24 Hours Eye Liner

Mine is in Dark Brown. I found it's very practical and easy to use than the one in pencil form. I have it since 2012 and still good. But don't wish it would stay for 24 hours (like the claim) without eye primer.

Eye Brow

Skinfood Choco Eye Brow Powder Cake 01

I'm a simple girl with eye brow. I stopped plucking my eyebrow for now, and only filling the "tail" part. Skinfood match my eye brow color nicely and i like the brush they provided.

Read my review and swatch here.

Lips

Benefit Ultra Plush Lip Gloss in Dandelion

Actually, i don't need any other lip gloss after this one. I like the texture and scent, also it has a very soft color which i like. Mine is only sample size but i dont think i've use more than half of it.

Read my review and swatch here.

Oil

Tarte Pure Maracuja Oil

It's a very versatile product, you can use it eeeverywhere!

I use it for acne, moisturizing (any dry area) and for hair.

It's the one i've who always stay in my make up pouch.

Fragrance

Marc Jacobs Daisy Eau So Fresh

I adore many of Marc Jacobs fragrance, but this one took my heart.

It's fresh yet sweet and has refreshing effect for me. I haven't decide if i want the full size bottle (since it's so expensive) because i've used about 3/4 of my rollerball sized.

I've reviewed about it together with three others here.

Have a happy 2014, and always be awesome!

cheers,

The Favorites : September 2013 Edition

Okay let's back to "traditional" post every first week of a month.

I spent last September only between home, my family's store, hospital (because my grandma was there) and my auntie's house (my grandma stay there since 2010). I wasn't meant wearing a lot of make up but they do what skincare can't do for a zombied-panda which what i used to be.

Here they're :

Skincare

Hada Labo Lotion (toner) and Milk

i forgot to add my lotion in pict, but i got it as my favorites too. I tested Gokujyun series last month, and i added it into my faves.

Tarte Pure Maracuja Oil (rollerball version)

It can help me with blemishes, acne scar, panda eyes, itch, iritation, etc. Basically, it's my helper. I've used 1/5 bottle last month alone.

Make Up

MAC got my love last september. I love their Pearlmatte face powder in Flatter Me (review & swatch here), which add color that i want, plus act as highlighter when needed ; Lip Liner in Boldly Bare, which i use alone or under the Drawn to Chic Lip Glass, and dont forget the pouch too! It's unpictured but you can read my review (together with lip liner and lip glass) here.

However, i am still loving my Benefit Hervana blush (review & swatch). It gives a pretty flush, makes me looks healthy and happy ^o^.

Tools

Seriously, if you're a blush addict, you need this Ecotools Blush Brush, no doubt.

It helps a LOT with soft blushes, blend very well, easy to clean, never shed and kinda cheap.. I think it's about $9 in ecotools.com.

Totally holy grail, i need more for back up. Or maybe one for each blush? LOL!

Benefit Box O'Powder Swatchfest!

Benefit with their box o'powder oftenly getting success touching my weakness spot. As you can see through the picture above, i have seven (7!!) shades of them. Crazy, there's so many blushes outta there but i have seven shade from a brand only *gluk!*

There's only Dandelion, Hervana and Bella Bamba in their full size box. Another four are in mini size. See? you dont have to get all of them in full size product. As far as i know, there's mini size benefit blush in dandelion, bella bamba, coralista and hoola that oftenly come in mini set. You can get mini dallas in powderazzi palette (discontinued now), and mini sugarbomb in sugarlicious kit. The only one that's only available in full size product is Hervana.

This post will only contains of mini review of every shade. I've reviewed 6 of them (minus bella bamba) previously. Link of each post will provided in the end of post.

Talking about the packaging.. Aren't they're beautiful?

I know, i oftenly stated about how not travel friendly they're. But i almost keeping a place for at least one of them, simply because they're so pretty.

Too bad they have low staying power. They stay about 3-4 hours in good day (could be longer under Guerlain Meteorites) and only about 2 hours in hot day.

And here they're .. The Swatches.

The whole gang : dallas, coralista, dandelion, bella bamba, hervana, sugarbomb and hoola.

My favorites shades are : coralista (the flattering daily shade), dandelion (as finishing powder), hervana (pretty shade!) and bella bamba (don't judge it by it's pan!).

Dallas is a lovely shade but most of the times, it turns muddy on me.

Hoola is pretty, but sometimes it turns orange on me. It's a good match for coralista, though.

Sugarbomb is pretty, it's fool proof and a good choice for my no-blush days.

Dallas is a beautiful muddy-plum shade. It's so boring in pan, but turns pretty on my cheek in the first 30 minutes. In a good days, it will stay good, nothing too muddy. But in bad days, it seems like i'm wearing a bad contouring shade. 

Coralista is a soft, pinky coral with subtle sheen. I'm in love with it and use it everyday in a hotter days.

Dandelion is a soft baby pink with micro golden shimmer. It could be a lovely finishing powder if applied with synthetic brush, or a soft baby pink blush if applied with natural haired brush.

Bella Bamba is a 3D watermelon shade. I'm not sure what 3D means here, but it does doing the job to brighten my face in tired days. It's the most pigmented one in the bunch, so it need more attention to apply.

Hervana is the most popular one. It's warm pink with peach undertone while blended together. This one is pretty for day and night use. I highly suggest you to use natural haired brush with this baby.

Sugarbomb is a warm peach blush. It's more to be sugary cheeks for me. In my opinion, it's the least pigmented of the bunch.

Hoola is matte medium cocoa brown that can turn orange when oxydized, so i don't wear it that often.

I know there's a new shade from Benefit named Rockstar out there. It's such a pretty shade but i don't think i'd put my little paws on it. Benefit blushes are getting more expensive per oz these days, and i think i have too much experience with them now.

Benefit Box O'Powder are retailed for $28 (i don't know how much does it in Indonesian Store).

Last, here's the link for my review of :

Benefit Box O'Powder Dallas, Coralista & Hoola

Benefit Box O'Powder Dandelion

Benefit Box O'Powder Hervana

Benefit Box O'Powder Sugarbomb

MAC Flatter Me Pearlmatte Face Powder (Review, Swatch, Comparison)

Hello Dolls, i'm just back from hiatus.. I know i'm not always be there for you, but you know i'll be back someday ^o^

Continuing my series about MAC Archie Girls Collection, today i'd write about their Flatter Me Pearlmatte Face Powder. Like Cream Soda blush (my review is here), it's from Betty Cooper's side. According to the stories, Betty is a girl-next-door kind of girl. She's sweet and have a kind heart. Physically, she's fair and blonde. I think she's the first girl in Archie's story.

Product Information

Brand : MAC

Product Name : Flatter Me Pearlmatte Face Powder

Size : 10 g

Price : $30

Limited Edition : Yes and it's not available anymore, but once in blue moon, MAC will repromote their limited edition product.

Both of Pearlmatte face powder has the same packaging. Betty in left side and Veronica in right side of Archie. Such a lucky red haired man, huh?

The back side seems very lovely, with the white background and black sticker.

This compact is very sturdy and has a full size mirror.

Box is unpictured, but it has the same design with product cover's.

Okay, you can definately see that only 3 hearts are in coral. The rest are in golden peach base.

I've used it in a month, and everything seems like new. Means they're embossed very well.

However, the design is not all original. Physicial formula has a heart embossed blush almost look like this.

Picture above is an eye candy for you.. The mirror showing my cream soda blush in behind. So lovely.

I've tried to swatch them to my arm, but really hard to make them shown. So there's a fingers swatch for you.

Flatter Me is described as "golden peach with coral hearts".

 Base shade is a warm golden peach with frosted finish. Some people side it's the same with Cream Soda blush. Well, perhaps. Cream Soda is less frosted and cooler.

Heart shade is medium pink coral with subtle golden sheen. It's impossible to catch the hearts color only with your blush brush. They're too small and hard to pick their color.

.

In my opinion, together they create a gorgeous coral shade for your cheek, if you take it using natural haired brush (ecotools blush brush is one of the example).

If you take it using fluffier brush (powder brush, bronzer brush etc), it would be a nice warm based setting powder, with subtle sheen (just enough to make your face glowing).

In the term of texture, it's really soft and finely milled. It doesn't emphasize your pore size and last for 6 hours before start fading on my oily-combination skin. 

And here's a swatch comparison for you..

As pictured above, pearlmatte face powder is HUGE compared to regular blush (cream soda).

[the picture above is originally posted in my review about MAC Cream Soda blush]

MAC Cream Soda shown most clearly of the three on my arm. While Benefit Sugarbomb is the most frosted shade.

MAC Flatter Me is somewhere in between. It's frosted but not as frosted as benefit sugarbomb and not shown up as Cream Soda.

I'd love to see another pearlmatte face powder from MAC in future. It's un-understand-able but so lovely!

MAC Archie Collections : Cream Soda Blush, Review & Swatch.

Hi, it's me again! ^^

I know it's not good to write about discontinued product, the one you hardly get. But it's MAC. You know, MAC tend to repromoting their popular (or sometimes not so popular product), because they have soooo many collection every year. And this one might back somewhere in future.

I was pessimistic seeing Cream Soda blush in real life (i bought it online). It's looks like pressed powder omg! For the name of blush, it's as beige as my own powder! Gasp!

I walk through blogosphere, seeing how people loving cream soda blush.. and i decided to try it. I know it's kinda impossible for super-pigmented-blush lover like me, but i love it. Scroll and see how it looks like .. even you might have see it somewhere else.

Because it's MAC limited edition product (from Archie Girls Collection, spring 2013), it has limited edition packaging.

Cream Soda blush is from Betty side collection, so it has betty's old face in the front cover. Like regular MAC blush, it has clear font so it's easy to see the product inside.

Oh, forgot to tell you. MAC Archie Girls is my very first MAC product. This collection really caught my heart. I own 2 lipstick, 1 blush and 1 pearlmatte face powder. I will review every items, in case they'll come back in future.

The back side looks so professional (in my opinion, heee heee). It's white with black sticker. So lovely.

Too bad i forgot to picture the outside box. Will update my post.

The product inside.. See what i mean with powder-like?

Cream Soda is light neutral coral with satin finish.

I bet you don't believe how different the swatch with how it shown in pan. Me either!

After read another review about mac blushes, i noticed some other blushes are the same. My conclusion is it's because the product packed with lots of pigment that doesn't show in pan. It's very pigmented and buildable. The heavy swatch above swiped with 4-5 layers. And i always build the intensity with 3-4 layers every usage.

I think if i would ever finish a blush, cream soda will be the one.

It's so interesting that christine from temptalia.com said that the peachy tone in cream soda should help to neutralize redness on cheeks. I have a lot of redness, and so happy with that fact. However, Cream Soda seems a lot way pinker on me than on her.

But since Cream Soda is very soft, it's really hard to caught in picture. Whenever i pictured with Cream Soda, i only get a lil bit healthier cheeks. No color at all.

If you still doesn't get the idea about how Cream Soda looks like, here's my comparison picture :

If you're a fan of MAC Flatter Me pearlmatte face powder (also from Archie Girls Collection, Betty side) of benefit Sugarbomb, and looking for a tad more pigmented blush, then you would love  MAC Cream Soda.

Benefit Sugarbomb is peachier, more shimmery. MAC flatter me is less pink and a tad more shimmery but it's a good subsitute for Cream Soda.

What do you think about sheer blush? Love them? Hate them? or in between? :)