Beauty in a tick: Becca's Beach Tint Shimmer Souffle in Raspberry/Opal

Becca's Beach Tint Shimmer Souffle

A blush hybrid combining the pigmentation from Becca's Beach Tint, a glint of sparkle imparted by the Shimmering Skin Perfector and loads of pearls to give this blush its squishy-like consistency.

Raspberry/Opal

Swatch of Becca's Beach Tint Shimmer Souffle in Raspberry/Opal

This blush is scent-sational (smells like raspberries), and aims to be goof-proof in the application department for blush noobs and expert makeup mavens alike. Personally, I prefer to apply Becca's Beach Tint Shimmer Souffle with a proper blush brush as my fingers have a tendency to deposit too much product in random spots. Nobody likes a patchy/splotchy blush situation.

The soft wash of colour across my cheeks is natural and effortless. An easy like Sunday morning kind of thing.

There are five other shades available for your smelling pleasure if Raspberry/Opal doesn't really float your boat.

Wearing Raspberry/Opal on my cheeks

The Bagful breakdown:

Total amount for Becca's Beach Tint Souffle:

• $45.00 AUS / $27.00 USD

Value for money spent (performance and quality):

• 8 out of 10 bags — Solid, but I think I was too safe with my colour choice. Until next time, Papaya/Topaz.

Would another purchase be on the horizon?:

• Absolutely kicking myself for not picking up the Shimmering Skin Perfector Spotlights. Totes passes the Gift Giving Guidelines.

Beauty in a tick: Bobbi Brown's Rose Shimmer Brick

Bobbi Brown's Rose Shimmer Brick

Have you ever built something up so much in your mind that the idea of it (whatever it is) proved to be more exciting than the item itself? I really have no words for the sort of disappointment and regret I feel at this moment, to the point where I feel so uninspired to even write about Bobbi Brown's Rose Shimmer Brick. I picked this up last year during an adrenaline fuelled shopping trip through Ala Moana Mall -- I shopped 'til I dropped. The time I allowed to pass by since buying this lacklustre blush should've served as some sort of indication that A.) I really didn't need it and B.) it's a stinker, a bomb, a dud. I hate it.

While pretty in the pan, it did very little to brighten my cherub-like cheeks. IMHO there's certainly room for improvement as the texture is gritty to the touch and I found the finish to be a tad too powdery for my liking.

Individual swatches of Bobbi Brown's Rose Shimmer Brick (left) and blended (right)

Wearing Bobbi Brown's Rose Shimmer Brick on my cheeks

Blush? What blush?

If you're looking for better colour payoff, do me a favour by chucking this imposter in the bin and pick up something else like NARS Orgasm or one of Clinique's Cheek Pops.

Normally I don't like to be so negative, but I'd be doing everyone a major disservice by not saying anything at all.

The Bagful breakdown:

Total amount for Bobbi Brown's Rose Shimmer Brick:

• $72.00 AUS / $44.00 USD

Value for money spent (performance and quality):

• 1 out of 10 bags — So happy I didn't buy this in Australia.

Would another purchase be on the horizon?:

• Not at this stage.

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush

If a freshly cut stone could talk, it would say, "I so know how Hourglass' Ambient Lighting Blush came to life. Just think of me, time, the combination of elements and the acceleration of said time."

Igneous rock in a pressed palette

I'll spare you with too many thoughts about Hourglass' Ambient Lighting Blush.  Suffice it to say, it's [the blush] proving to be more popular than their Ambient Lighting Powder. On a whim I snatched up Radiant Magenta and Dim Infusion during a pre-release sale from Sephora -- I knew my patience wouldn't stand for the trans-Pacific lag time between the US and Australia.

Radiant Magenta (golden fuchsia) 

Swatch of Radiant Magenta

Wearing Radiant Magenta on my cheeks and Burberry's Sweet Pea on my lips

Radiant Magenta is a power player as it's always prepared to go big with very little effort.

This is my fresh from the gym flush minus the workout.

If you love NARS Orgasm, then you'll certainly cherish Radiant Magenta.

Dim Infusion (subdued coral)

Swatch of Dim Infusion

Wearing Dim Infusion on my cheeks and NARS New Lover on my lips

Dim Infusion is timid, but give it time -- with a little convincing Dim Infusion will come out to play.

Lusting for a Hawaiian glow? Dim Infusion is the mai tai of your eye.

Swatches from left to right: Radiant Magenta (left), Dim Infusion layered over Radiant Magenta (middle) and Dim Infusion (right)

Four other shades are ready for the taking (as described by Sephora)...

• Diffused Heat (Vibrant poppy blush combined with Diffused Light for a subtle halo effect)
• Luminous Flush (Champagne rose blush fused with Luminous Light to evoke a candlelit glimmer)
• Mood Exposure (Soft plum blush fused with Mood Light to brighten the complexion)
• Ethereal Glow (Cool pink blush fused with Ethereal Light for a moonlit luminosity)

The Bagful breakdown:

Total amount for Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush:

• $50.00 AUS / $35.00 USD

Value for money spent (performance and quality):

• 7 out of 10 bags — Hourglass could've been more generous with the palette size.

Would another purchase be on the horizon?:

• If Hourglass offers a blush trio similar to the Ambient Lighting Palette released for Holiday 2013, I'd plunk down money for that.

A peek at the cheeks: Clinique's Cheek Pop in Peach Pop

Clinique's Cheek Pop in Peach Pop

The Gerbera Daisy is perhaps my favourite flower. A handful of people can attest to this fact.

Spring is blooming in Clinique's world and there's a bouquet on offer for every gal.

Swatch of Peach Pop

Of the four colours available for the taking (Ginger, Peach, Berry and Plum), I picked Peach Pop -- it's really difficult not being pun-y here. Peach Pop is a coral pink infused with rose gold light reflecting particles. The rose gold is undetectable in the pan, but it comes to life as soon as the light dances across your cheeks.

Tickling the petals with your finger tips or blush brush pulls away enough colour to give your cheeks that just been pinched rosy hue. If you desire the colour as seen in the swatch above, simply brush on a tiny bit more. The finish was luminous and never appeared powdery.

At first glance: NARS Gilda (left) and Clinique's Peach Pop (right)

Comparison swatches from Left to Right: NARS Gilda, Clinique Peach Pop and NARS Orgasm

Peach Pop in the pan closely resembled Gilda, but upon seeing the colours side by side on the inside of my arm it is evident Gilda is a matte orange-y peach. Orgasm, however, is on the sheerer side and the gold shimmer is easily detected in both the pan and the swatch.

Wearing Peach Pop on my cheeks

Christine of Temptalia put together yet another amazing round-up of all four Clinique Cheek Pop colours. Her rave review of Peach Pop is what swayed me to put it on my must-buy list.

The Bagful breakdown:

Total amount for Clinique's Cheek Pop in Peach Pop:

• $40.00 AUS / $21.00 USD

Value for money spent (performance and quality):

• 10 out of 10 bags — isn't it just the sweetest?!

Would another purchase be on the horizon?:

• If my budget allows, I might order the three remaining colours.