Review - Pixi Glow Disney Tinkerbell Fairy Face Palette

I recently won a giveaway from the lovely Kat at Click and Make-Up and Angel Armogida  - see her Youtube channel here.

The Pixi Glow Disney Tinkerbell Fairy Face Palette is a complete palette comprising of 5 baked eye shadows, 5 lip creams, a highlighter / blush and a double ended eyeshadow brush, lip brush and blusher brush.  In short, it is everything you need for a neutral, shimmering, pretty look.

I have to warn you that this post will be very picture heavy, but I wanted you to see full swatches of each of the products in the palette.

The first thing I have to point out is that it is very difficult to open and I've already broken one nail and made a slight dent in the blusher when trying to open the palette!  I suppose it is good in that it is very secure and will not ping open in your bag, but it can be a little annoying when you are trying to apply your makeup in a  rush first thing in the morning!

Firstly I will show you the blush which is on the bottom layer of the palette. It is made up of three shades; a light shimmering pink; a shimmering mauve; and a smaller section with a shimmering plum.  

From L to R: Swirled together, top shade, bottom shade, middle shade

 Each of the shades could be used individually but I have been swirling them together for a subtle shimmering look which gives a gorgeous glow.  I feel this would show better on fair skins as it is quite subtle and I can imagine it may make large pores  more noticeable.  The brush included works well, especially as I am often sceptical of brushes that come bundled with palettes, but it is very similar to Benefit's boxed blusher brushes.

The five baked eye shadows are again all very shimmery.  They are a light,pale, champagne, perfect for highlighting the inner corner; a light, iridescent peach; a shimmering light pink; a darker bronzed brown; and a shimmering chocolate.  

I found all of the shades to have substantial fallout if used without a primer, however with a  primer, lasting time was much better and they seemed to adhere well to the lid. I had about 5-6 hours wear before any creasing was apparent.  Pigmentation was even and consistent throughout all the shadows and there wasn't one which I thought didn't perform well.  The chocolate l shade had the least shimmer of the five, but if you are shimmer adverse, these are probably not the colours for you!  The brush that accompanies the set is a sponge applicator which I chose not to use, favouring my Mac 239 for packing the colour on and blending with a fluffy brush.

Finally, the lip creams which are, in my opinion the most under-performing products in the palette.  Included is a light cool-toned pink; a rosy pink; a pale nude; a rose / brown; and a darker, reddish brown.

Pigmentation of the five shades varied, with the nude in particular being almost invisible on my pigmented lips.  I was also not overly fond of the feel of the lip creams as they applied unevenly and felt a little dry on my lips, clinging to any dry patches.  I did try applying a lip balm first but they still had an uneven application, and I found it very difficult to achieve an even colour.  

Verdict

For a pretty, subtle shimmering look, the Pixi Disney Tinkerbell Face Palette contains all the necessary components to transform you into a grown-up fairy princess!  The standout items for me were the eye shadows, with the blush / illuminator also being very useful.  I was disappointed with the lip creams as I felt their consistency left a lot to be desired and they applied unevenly and highlighted any dry areas of the lips.  However, if you are after a super cute palette, and love shimmers, this is a great purchase and the shades are all neutrals that are easily incorporated into pretty, daytime-appropriate looks. 

3.5/5 (would have been 4 but the consistency of the lip products brought it down).

Price - £32

Where to Buy - Pixi Beauty

Mac Fleur Power Blush

I have an unhealthy obsession with peach blushes and whenever I see one, I am instantly drawn to it!  Mac's Fleur Power initially looked like just another peach blush, and nothing that couldn't be duped by something already in my collection.  However, there are many subtle differences that now make it one of my go-to blushers for day-to-day use. 

In the pan, the overwhelming colour is peach and it looks almost matte to the naked eye.  It is however, one of Mac's satin formulations, one of my favourite of their blush formula, as I find them almost foolproof to apply and blend.

When swatched, the colour transforms, and much more pink is apparent. I wouldn't say this is coral, more a pink / peachy hybrid which gives a gorgeous natural flush on the cheeks.  

It blends like a dream, and although it looks a little powdery in the swatch below, it is very finely milled, which makes application extremely easy to control.  I was impressed with the pigmentation too, and found that the satin finish of the blush meant that it didn't accentuate any of my pores - instead it gave a healthy, natural looking flush to my cheeks, which is buildable if you want to create a look that really 'pops'.

Lasting time for Fleur Power was similar to other Mac powder blushes, and I tend to get about six hours wear on my oily cheeks before it starts to fade a little.  Due to its peachy pink leanings, this would be a great blush for those who usually wear pink blush but would like to try something a little different.  It would also be perfect for those who like the look of Nars Orgasm, but are searching for something with less shimmer and sparkle.

I could see this  blush suiting most skintones, although it does lean a little to the warmer side.  I've been wearing it with a fairly neutral look of a coral gloss and lashings of mascara, and have been reaching for it a lot as it seems to go with more looks than I initially thought.

Verdict

I tend to be fairly impressed with Mac's powder blushes from their permanent line and Fleur Power is no exception.  As a shade which is much more complex than it initially seems, this is great for a natural pop of everyday colour, or it can be built up to be more intense, flamboyant look.

4/5

Price - £17.50

Where to Buy -  Mac, Debenhams, Selfridges, House of Fraser

Mac Melba is Just Peachy!

I've never been a big experimenter with blusher, instead preferring to go with tried and tested options that I know suit me, and often veering towards peachy shades.

Mac's Melba is a gorgeous peachy shade which is just perfect for Spring!  I am usually more of a fan of blushes with a slight shimmer, but during a recent trip to the Mac counter, the MUA tried this on me and I was smitten! 

 

A matte formulation, the shade looks to be a straight-forward peach shade, and this translates very well to the skin when swatched.  As with other Mac matte blushes, it does look a little dusty when swatched, however it blends out well and can be buffed into the skin to give a gorgeous, natural flush.  It really perks up the skin and I can see it looking fab on both lighter and darker skintones as it can be built up easily.  

I get a good six hours of wear before it starts to fade, which is common for me with Mac's matte blushes.  I tend to find the matte blushes last longer on my oily skin than the ones which contain shimmer.  

Verdict

For peach blusher lovers like me (!), this is a great staple to have in your make-up collection.  Some may find it a little dry or dusty, but it is easy to use and well-pigmented.  It is very easy to build up, if required, and gives a gorgeous, natural everyday look.  I will be wearing this a lot during the Summer!

4/5

 

Price - £17.50

Where to Buy -  Mac, Debenhams, Selfridges, House of Fraser

Review: Daniel Sandler Watercolour Blush in Flush

I had been hearing a lot of raves about Daniel Sandler’s Watercolour blush recently, so when I was lucky enough to win a bottle of it in ‘Flush’ from the lovely Jen at A Beauty Junkie in London, I was very excited!

The major difference that you will notice with the Watercolour blushes is that it comes in a small bottle rather than the traditional compact for a cream or powder blush.  In that respect, I find it very like the Nars Illuminator products in that  you can dispense a little onto the back of your hand or fingertip, before blending in.

The bottle, although small, will last for ages as you only require the tiniest amount for each cheek.  You have to be very careful when tipping it out though as it can be quite runny and you also need to remember to shake it before dispensing as the liquid within can separate a little.

The colour when dispensed is very pigmented, as you can see from the swatch.  This was only the tiniest amount too!  When blended however, it gives a gorgeous natural flushed look, which I can imagine would be very buildable if you wanted to create a more obvious, brighter look.

Daniel Sandler recommends using the accompanying Watercolour Brush to apply and blend the product, however I have been using my fingers to apply and it blends very easily, so I guess it is a personal preference whether you prefer to apply face and cheek products with your fingers or a brush.

Lasting time was at least 6 hours on my oily cheeks, and it left a slight sheen, which I would imagine is due to the silicone content.   Those of you with normal or dry skin may find that it lasts for longer.

Verdict

I think one of the main selling points of this product is the unique formulation, along with the fact that it looks so darn cute in the bottle!  The colour is very buildable, so I could see it suiting a variety of skintones and I love how natural it looks on the skin too.  I think this is going to be one of my staples for a fresh Spring look.

4/5

Price - £12.50

Where to Buy – Very, Feel Unique, Escentual

March Favourites

This will be a quick post this month as I haven't really been using many new products, although I have been using a lot of old ones up.  Plus I am still feeling the after effects of a long day with lots of wine at a friend's wedding yesterday!  Thank goodness it is a short week this week - I can't wait for a four-day weekend!

Estee Lauder Pure Colour in Crystal Baby - review here

This has been my go-to shade for those days when I just can't think if what lipstick to wear.  It imparts only a bare minimum of colour but helps to give a more groomed appearance.  

OPI Holland Collection, Kiss Me on My Tulips - review here

I liked OPI's Holland collection and I wore this plum / fuchsia hybrid quite a few times over the past month.  The quality of OPI polishes is, as always, superb and I love the mini bottles as I never finish a full one.  

Daniel Sandler Watercolour Blush in Flush

A fab blusher which gives a gorgeous, soft pink dewy look.  This was my first watercolour blush and I am intrigued to try some of the others.  A review and swatches of this will be coming up later this week. 

The Body Shop Chocomania Body Scrub - review here

Despite the fact that this scrub can cause a right old mess if you are not careful, I love this as it is sufficiently 'scrubby' whilst feeling very moisturising and the smell is amazing.  It is a love it or hate it scent though so I would recommend having a sniff of it before purchasing.  I think this is limited edition but itshould be available in stores until June.

Charles Worthington Full Volume Shampoo and Conditioner - review here

A great shampoo and conditioner that when used daily give sufficient volume to the hair, without weighing it down. They have not replaced my Tigi Dumb Blonde but I am very impressed with their performance, especially for the price.

What have been your favourites this month?

Review: Illamasqua Promise Cream Blush

Despite reading a lot about the brand in various blogs, I'd never actually tried anything from Illamasqua before and when I saw this cream blush become available on BuyaPowa I snapped it up. 

 

I'm usually not that adventurous with blushes, preferring to stick to something peachy from the Nars Orgasm family.  Over the past year, I have started trying some cream blushes and have been very impressed with offerings from both Bobbi Brown and TopShop.  So how did Illamasqua fare?

First off, I have to say that I really like the sculptural designs of Illamasqua's packaging.  It is just really ergo dynamically pleasing.  It doesn't feel; luxurious in the same heavy way that brands such as Chanel and YSL do but it does seem as though a lot of thought has been put into the packaging.

 

The cream blush itself is a bright, cool-toned bubblegum pink in the pan (even more pink than it appears in these photos) and it feels quite soft to the touch, although not so soft that it is tacky.  I have to admit that it was with some trepidation that I tried this as I thought it would be way too bright and out of my comfort zone.

 

As you can see from the swatches below, it does apply fairly bright initially, but then blends away to a light pink, subtle glow with a  dewy finish, which actually looks very natural on my NC20 skintone.  If you require a brighter hue, the colour is very buildable, so it is certainly possible to apply a couple of layers for extra intensity.

 

Lasting time on my oily / combination skin is unfortunately only about 4 hours after which it seemed to vanish on my skin.  I do have rather oily cheeks but I did find the wear time a little disappointing as the Bobbi Brown Pot Rouges last all day on me!

Verdict

For cream blush lovers with dry or normal skin, I think this product would work very well on you and have good lasting power.  If you have oily cheeks however, you will probably need to either set this with another pink powder blush or retouch after 4 hours.  A little does go a long way and for a healthy pink flush, this is certainly a great buy which I think would look fantastic on those with fair skintones.

4/5

Price  - £16.50

Where to Buy - Illamasqua, Selfridges, Debenhams, ASOS, Cult Beauty

Review: Mac Blushbaby Sheertone Blush

I’m not a blush fiend as, on the whole, I tend to stick to my tried and trusted peachy blushes such as Orgasm and Coralista. However I was in the mood for something different recently and decided to try a blush with less shimmer and a more subdued, matte finish for a change.

Mac Blushbaby is a Sheertone formulation, which is indeed very sheer but can be easily built up to be much more pigmented if you desire. 

The colour in the pan looks like a very ordinary cool-toned, pinky beige and doesn’t scream ‘use me now’! However, its understated first impressions belie the fact that it is a very hard worker and goes with a multitude of looks from smoky eyes to brighter lips giving a fresh, natural rosy look on the cheeks.

In the swatch, on the left you can see a pigmented swatch, whilst on the right, I have blended it a little to show that it can be sheered or built up as required. It is a very easy-to-wear everyday blush that I can see becoming one of my staples, and due to its buildability, both fair and medium-toned skins could wear this.

Verdict

Mac Blushbaby is not an all-singing-dancing shade, but it is superb neutral colour that I think will go with most skintones. I haven’t heard much about this blusher but I really think it is a suits-all gem hidden away in Mac’s permanent collection.

4/5

Price – £17.50

Where to Buy – Mac, Debenhams, Selfridges, House of Fraser

2011 Favourites: Part 1- Makeup

I’m a little late with this but I wanted to do a short list of my highlights of the last year. There are some gaps, especially around the skincare and bodycare, mainly as there have not been any stand out superb items this year in these categories. I am still searching for these!!

 

Perfume of 2011 – Viktor & Rolf, Flowerbomb

http://www.julietinton.com/

I adore this and chose it as my wedding scent in June. It is a lovely sweet floral scent with an undercurrent of pepper to it and is very distinctive. I am on my second bottle of it already!

 

 Lipstick – Chanel Rouge Coco Mademoiselle(review here)

 

Bought on a whim, and my first foray into Chanel’s Rouge Cocos, this is a neutral, easy to wear shade which goes with everything. It helps me to look polished and pulled together in one easy swipe.

Lipgloss - Benefit Ticket to Glossytown (review here)

There has not been one outstanding lipgloss for me this year, however I have enjoyed using Benefit’s Ticket to Glossytown set, which was a set of 6 mini lipglosses from their permanent line, suitable for all occasions. 

Lip Balm- Carmex Moisture Plus Ultra Hydrating Lip Balm in Peach  

I reviewed this in full here but it has been my staple through all of summer, during my holidays and into the winter. It keeps my lips feeling super smooth and provides a hint of colour which warms up my skin.

 

Eyeshadows – Chanel’s Illusion d’Ombres (review here)

I started with one and swiftly bought another two shades, and I have a feeling there will be more purchases in the future…. These are really easy to use and stay put for hours. I reviewed these here.

 Mascara – L’Oreal Volume Million Lashes Mascara

 

This was the mascara that finally made me shift my allegiance from Max Factor False Lash Effect. It applies easily, has a wand that I haven’t managed to poke myself in the eye with yet, and stays on all day without flaking or smudging which is a rarity for me!

 

Foundation / Tinted Moisturiser – No 7 Triple Protection Tinted Moisturiser (review here)

 

This was a winner for me and I’m onto my 3^rd bottle! I have been using this daily for over a year as it evens out my skin tone and provides a small amount of coverage for those days when I don’t want to wear full foundation.

 

Blush – Benefit Coralista

 My go-to everyday shade for an easy flush of colour without too many sparkles. It is very similar to Nars Orgasm.

 

Concealer – Bobbi Brown Touch up Stick in Warm Sand

A HG product for me, I have been buying this for several years now. In stick form, it is very handy for touch ups throughout the day and blends effortlessly to cover blemishes and imperfections whilst never caking.

 

Nail Polish – Chanel Graphite

I did a recent NOTD using this for New Year’s Eve and it is the polish I have worn most over the past 6 months. I never have a problem with wear time with Chanel polishes and this glides on beautifully and is unique to my collection.

What were your makeup hits of 2011?