Blush has made a comeback. It didn't really leave but I feel like bronzing and highlight/contouring took the center stage for a while and blush was getting the shaft. Don't get me wrong I love chiseled cheeks and a glowy bronze look. It's basically my go-to on a daily basis. I just forgot how much blush can awaken the complexion.

Blush is the "I got eight hours of sleep after spending the day in Cabo on the beach and had a multiple O last night" makeup product.


The tip to creating a glowy I just spent time in the sun finish is choosing a blush with a burnt red tone. Not a blue toned red but a bronzed red.

My apologies for being MIA for the past month! Things have been hectic. We just got back from Disney World on the 19th and now it's right into the holiday season! But enough of my rambling...

A long time ago in a galaxy far far away there was an out of this world brand called Urban Decay...

Seriously though, Urban Decay knocks it out of the park over and over again with color and quality! They are definitely in my top ten brands. There hasn't been anything I've purchased that I haven't loved.
So we come to their new and permanent Afterglow 8 Hour Blushes... sigh. These are so gorgeous. I have purchased four shades, Bittersweet, Rapture, Kinky, and Video. All are super pigmented and finely milled. They blend effortlessly. Bittersweet and Video are matte shades while Rapture and Kinky are more of a satin finish. These really are multi purpose too because they would make great eyeshadows.

Bittersweet - A hot violet that is so trending right now. I was looking at this shade for a while but wasn't sure if I could pull it off. I was in Ulta and an Urban Decay rep was there so I had her test it on me. She actually used it as a contour and it looked awesome! I'm obsessed.

Rapture - I haven't played with this one much yet but I have a feeling it will be a Fall season favorite. It's a gorgeous plum with very very subtle shimmer. I can totally picture this with thick black lashes and a matte plum lip next season!

Kinky - Kinky is a golden peachy color. There is a soft golden sheen to this that really gets the skin glowing. It really is the perfect beach accessory this Summer. Throw this on with some mascara and lip balm and you are all set.

Video - This is the perfect matte neutral blush. It can work as contour or as an all over flush of color. It's almost like a bronzer color but with more a blush undertone. I would call this a rosy nude. I think if you are looking to try out the formula and not sure which shade to get this would be a safe bet.

(Left to Right) Bittersweet, Rapture, Kinky, & Video

Heavily swatched (left) & Blended (right)

Starting from the left, individual shades. Last swatch, all shades blended.

blended and heavily watched

SO PRETTY!

I guess you could say I've been on a little bit of a blush and bronzer kick lately. I've been searching for some new products to add color to my everyday look. I recently dyed my hair back to black and I need a little glow to boost my complexion.

So as I perused Sephora in my local JC Penney's last night I came across the new Nars' blush in Unlawful. It wasn't a color I would have gone out to specifically purchase but in person, wow it is stunning!

At a quick glance it looks like Orgasm or Super Orgasm but when you take a closer look and swatch this bad girl, it's a beautiful iridescent rose gold with silver glitter. It is truly a multidimensional shade and I couldn't think of any blushes like it in my collection. Pictures will not do this justice. It's really a product that needs to be seen in person.

Morphine & LSD

Mac has a beautiful and wide range of blushes. Everything from shimmer to matte and from pure red to ivory. I've been on the hunt lately for a lavender blush and I think I've found it in Full of Joy by Mac. The below photo is not very true to color. It appears more lavender than pink on my skin. It has a very find shimmer that glows in almost a silver sheen. The color is different, not something I would have thought I would wear but that's also why I was on the hunt for a color like this. I wanted something different. It really is gorgeous and I can see this working really nice as a highlight on deeper skin tones. It does seam like more of a spring shade but since it's a new find I plan on making it work for upcoming seasons. 

definitely showing more cool toned pink than lavender here

more true to color