Urban Decay Afterglow Powder Blush in Video

In case you haven't noticed yet, I can't stop buying products from Urban Decay.  Everything I've bought lately has really impressed me, which only makes me want to buy more. It's a vicious circle.

I didn't have a nude blusher in my collection, and I wanted something matte to pair with a vampy lip.  After a bit of research, the Urban Decay Afterglow powder blush in Video found it's way into my basket and I've used it every day since.

I love the packaging.  It's completely different to anything I have from other brands, the huge sticker on the back makes the shade really clear, and it feels really sturdy.  There isn't a mirror inside, which doesn't really bother me, but it's something to consider.

When it comes to the shade, I'm thrilled.  Video is described as a "soft nude" by Urban Decay.  It's a warm toned rosy brown which is so easy to wear.  It pairs beautifully with any lip/eye look, and the matte finish means I can pile on as much Mary Loumanizer as I fancy.

There is a tiny bit of fall out in the pan, but it doesn't look at all chalky or cakey on the skin, and it blends like a dream.  The colour is long lasting and doesn't seem to dull at all as you wear it.

I am over the moon with this little purchase, and I am finding myself reaching for it every single day lately.  It's perfect for every occasion; ideal paired with neutral makeup for an every day look or makes my skin look healthy when partnered with a bold eye/lip.

Summer Lips and Cheeks

When it comes to beauty looks, summer is my favourite.  I am a sucker for anything peachy or coral, I love a pop of colour and I can't get enough of the lightweight, healthy, slightly tanned glow.  These are my favourite bits for lips and cheeks when the weather is warmer, and they'll be my go-to options when it comes to holiday packing.

Clinique Chubby Stick Cheek Colour Balm

As an oily-skinned girl I can't help shying away from cream blusher/bronzer/highlighter.  Something about it makes me think my cheeks will end up as a greasy shiny mess.  A long time ago I gave the Topshop cream-to-powder blushers a shot, but that's where my creamy cheek experiences end until now.  I had a couple of pounds in Boots Advantage Card points to spend, and a lot of positive reviews of these twist-up blushers on my Bloglovin, so I bit the bullet.

Beauty Review: Illamasqua Tremble

I feel like everything Beth from Birds Words recommends, I end up buying.  Since reading this post on a blush she's fallen in love with, I haven't been able to get it out of my head.  A few months ago I couldn't resist any longer and bought the Illamasqua powder blush in Tremble, and I've worn it every singe day since.

This is the first Illamasqua product I've ever bought and I'm so impressed.  The blusher it such a gorgeous pale pink shade which has no shimmer and gives my skin a natural flush.  It's so pigmented and finely milled - it's an absolute dream to apply and blend, and it lasts all day.

I adore everything about this blusher, I can't stop wearing it or lusting over other Illamasqua blushers - I've got my eye on Lover next!

MAC Stereo Rose Mineralize Skin Finish

After years of lusting over this well-known beauty blusher from MAC I finally got my hands on Stereo Rose in the Fantasy of Flowers collection and I'm not disappointed - it's a stunner!

Five Favourite Cheek Products of 2013

Following on from yesterday's post on my top picks for your lips of 2013, today I've got my favourite cheek products to show you.

NARS One Night Stand Cheek Palette

Nars One Night Stand Palette

After dreaming about this beautiful limited edition palette for weeks, how could I resit treating myself when its release date came three days after pay day?  Released as part of the Holiday 2013 collection, this collaboration with Guy Bourdin  is the perfect companion for travelling.  Recently I'm forever on a train visiting friends, family and my boyfriend at various universities across the country, so I'm a sucker for anything travel-friendly.  Although the palette is compact, the pans are big enough to fit a blusher or bronzer brush in.

MAC Prom Princess Blush

How have I got through an entire year of visiting my boyfriend at Portsmouth University without realising that there is a Cosmetic Company Outlet (CCO) in Gunwharf?!  These outlets aren't very common, but if you do come across one you need to pop in! High end make-up from brands like MAC, Clinique and Estee Lauder is sold at discounted outlet prices.

Top Summer Blush Picks

Look Beauty Make Me Blush in Flirt, Laura Mercier Second Skin Cheek Colour in Lush Nectarine, Benefit Powda Wowza (Hoola, Coralista and Bella Bamba), Nars Desire, MAC Melba, Sleek Blush by 3 in Sweet Cheeks.

I love summer blushers.  Although when it's sunny I don't always go for a full face of makeup, I never skip a hint of colour over my cheek bones.  Shimmer, frost, matte and cream formulas in varying shades of pink and peach are right up my street.  These are what I regularly reach for when the sun comes out to add a hint of colour to my face.

Benefit Powda Wowza

 Benefit Powda Wowza - £19.50

I have lusted after this product for over a year now - I love Hoola and use if on a daily basis to contour and bronze my face and have really fancied trying a benefit blusher for a while.  Powda Wowza seemed like the perfect way to do so, in a compact box which is perfect for taking away with me.  When I spotted this on a blog sale I pounced, and I'm so happy it's mine!

Powda Wowza is packaged in a typical Benefit cardboard box split into four sections.  One contains a small (pretty useless) brush, one for Hoola, one for Bella Bamba and one for Coralista.  The only downside of the packaging is the lack of a mirror, but that doesn't particularly bother me.

Hoola is the perfect bronzer for my skin tone.  It isn't too warm toned, so doesn't appear orange on my skin, and is matte, making it perfect for contouring.  It blends really easily, and a little goes a long way.

Bella Bamba is a pretty pink shade packed with shimmer.  This does have more shimmer than I'd usually reach for, but it actually leaves a pretty glowy sheen on the cheeks which I really like.  It blends easily, and is really easy to apply.

Coralista is a Benefit blush shade I've wanted to try for quite a while.  It's a gorgeous peachy shade with a hint of gold shimmer running through it.  I really like this shade, its very easy to wear and apply, and looks pretty with a range of makeup looks - my favourite of the three!

I really do love this, it's really easy to pop in my makeup bag when I go to visit my boyfriend in university and have two blushers and a bronzer all in one place.  The only thing is that I've developed a obsession with this sort of palette, I now have my eye on Urban Decay's Flushed palette - so gorgeous! I'd 100% reccommend this!

Laura Mercier Second Skin Cheek Colour in Lush Nectarine

Laura Mercier Second Skin Cheek Colour in Lush Nectarine - £20.50

This blusher has been in the back of my mind for absolutely months, but I always put off a sneaky purchase because of the price - £20.50 for 3.5g?! Not something my student loan stretches to unfortunately!  When I saw this for much cheaper on a blog sale I snapped it up quickly and here it is - the perfect blusher.

This is a beautiful peach with a hint of pink and subtle shimmer throughout it.  I'm not usually a shimmery blush girl, always opting for a matte formula, but I actually really love this.  It adds a flush of colour to the cheeks without being over powering, and can be worn with almost any lipstick.  It's soft, pigmented, easily blendable and gorgeous, leaving a lovely wash of colour on my cheeks and will be perfect when spring comes around.

I enjoy wearing this blusher and have reached for it regularly lately, which is definitely a good sign!  Have you tried any of Laura Mercier's Second Skin Cheek Colours? Which shades do you recommend?