Blush Fiends: The Blush That Started It All

Sometime in December, a few of us got into a massive Twitter conversation around our never ending blush collections, and Blush Fiends was born! Over much discussion, we decided to share the blush that started our blush collecting habits!

The first blush that I remember was from Lancome. I was SO EXCITED  that my mom was purchasing it for me. I think it was for Homecoming or Prom or something, and she also got me the Star Bronzer in brush form, which I seriously loved forever. In any event, that first blush was Lancome Blush Subtil in Miel Glace, a gorgeous and subtle shade that seems to work for so many skin tones.

I periodically think about buying a Lancome Blush Subtil again. Perhaps it is just the happy memory of that first luxury blush that was oh so pretty, or perhaps it is just my subconscious remembering that it was my first foray into blushes!

A few years later, when I managed to lose all concept of money in college, the Chanel seasonal collections sucked me in. Chanel Joues Contraste in Rose Petale was one of those early purchases, and it started off a long obsession with Chanel, then Nars, and now Burberry blush, as well as a never ending obsession with bronzer!

I no longer use Chanel Rose Petale, but it is still a pretty shade that I keep in the bottom of my drawer. Why?? I can't explain. Perhaps it is sentimental, or perhaps because it is broken and I'm too scared it will break more or make a mess! I can't even clean it up because a) I can't bear to waste bits of it and b) it will just make more messes. UGH.

But see how pretty it is?? Also, SAD!

So there you have it - the blush that started it all, AND the blush that started a never ending blush and bronzer buying spree. :) What was your first blush? Are you blush obsessed too? I'd love to know! 

Do check out the blush that started it all for some of the other Blush Fiend ladies. We are missing a few lovely ladies - Liz, Lyn, Paris, Tracy, and Xiao, we miss you! We do hope that should they free up, they will join us for the next installment! Anyways, have fun diving into the early stages of our blush collections!

Beautyholics Anonymous
ChloeAsh
Eye Heart It

♥Burberry Complete Eye Palette in Pink Taupe♥

I was so excited when Burberry launched their eyeshadow palettes at the end of 2012. I'm a huge fan of Burberry eyeshadow, and really the entire Burberry lineup. I just can't get enough of how natural everything looks when applied... Now that I'm thinking about it, I really don't think I have talked about Burberry enough! ;) But honestly, if I had to live with one makeup line forever, Burberry would be it!

Anyway, I know you are all excited to see the Complete Eye Palette in Pink Taupe!

The palette itself is the classic Burberry check, and it is the same size as the blush compacts, which could either make things easy to organize or confusing. LOL. The velvet pouch comes with 3 small eye brushes - a liner, sponge applicator, and standard shadow brush.

All of the brushes perform decently in a pinch, which is great. There's nothing really to say about a sponge applicator, but the liner brush does create an even fine line, though I'd prefer something a little denser. The shadow brush is ok for a wash of color. 

I do like that the compact has a very large mirror inside too - handy for traveling with, that's for sure! Now look at all those pretty colors!

I have read on some blogs that the lightest shade is somewhat similar to the now discontinued Pale Barley, and I agree. However, the shade in the palette is slightly darker, and has a less "luminous" effect when applied to the eyes. The almost greenish tinged taupe is quite nice, and even the pink shade wears well on my skintone. I imagine that many will love the darkest shade, which is a nice medium brown with a tinge of the pink tones. To me, it feels a bit like Taupe Brown mixed with Antique Rose, or something of that nature. Check out the swatches below.

Applied with the included applicators and without primer, I can get all day wear on the darker shades. The lighter ones seem to fade by the 6-8 hour. With my own brushes, the shadows last a few hours longer. I can only imagine how they'd last with primer!

Here's a quick phone shot from last week, where I applied this palette very quickly with the included applicators. I think it gives a really nice, natural definition to my eyes. What do you guys think of Burberry Pink Taupe? Have you, or will you be grabbing any of these palettes? I'd love to know! :) 

This Week's Makeup Bag, #2

I've discovered that it is kind of hard to pick makeup for a weekly look... I don't know how any of you do it! Anyway, here's a look at what I've selected - and I'm also using the same cute Sephora makeup bag as last week, as I was too lazy to dig out another one! :)I've stuck with the same products for the skin - my trusty Nars Tinted Moisturizer, the impressive Armani Maestro Eraser, and Fresh Umbrian Clay Concealer. Since I've been hearing so many great things, I pulled out this cute little sample of Clarins Instant Smooth Perfecting Touch. I grabbed my Real Techniques Contour Brush to use with Chanel Notorious.

For eyes, I pulled out Burberry Midnight Brown and Pale Barley, which I LOVE, and I'm excited to use the Lord & Berry Kajal Eye Liner that came in my Sample Society box this month. I've also grabbed my Laura Mercier Full Blown Volume Mascara to use over Diorshow Maximizer, which is a super gorgeous combination - not as intense as last week's Fairydrops Scandal Queen. Last but not least, I'll keep trying to fill in my brows with Clinique Superfine Liner for Brows.

... and I realized I forgot lip products... But more than likely I'll fail to wear anything besides my trusty La Mer Lip Balm anyway!

What do you think about this week's picks? Have you selected anything for a weekly makeup bag? Do share! :)

I'm Stuck on Lush Rehab Shampoo & Veganese Conditioner!

A very long time ago, my friend Marianna and I were browsing at Lush. I think we must've spent an hour in the store, but I managed to walk out with only these small bottles of shampoo and conditioner. I held off on using them for quite some time, as I had others to use up, but I've now been using Rehab Shampoo and Veganese Conditioner for about a month, and I really like them!

Rehab Shampoo ($13.95-$39.95) caught my attention because of its minty-citrus scent. While I do enjoy mint in some products, you all know how much of a citrus fiend I am!   Meant for repairing damaged hair and revitalizing a tired scalp, this shampoo is filled with a number of refreshing ingredients. Peppermint and juniper are probably the strongest scents in this shampoo, and are really meant to stimulate your scalp, while olive and jojoba oil strenthen the hair. Papaya enzymes and almond oil round out the exciting ingredients, and based on this description alone I was a fan!

Once I used this shampoo, I liked it even better. Over the course of the first few days, my boyfriend noticed how nice my hair looked, despite my inability to wash my hair properly on most occasions. (No, seriously, my hair looks much better when he washes it!) A few female coworkers complimented my hair, and one male coworker strangely asked to touch my hair, because as it turns out, it looked soft and fluffy. LOL. My scalp also seems to be in pretty decent condition, considering the weather over here!

Veganese Conditioner ($9.95-32.95) is a creamy conditioner filled with lavender and lemon. To me, it is minty, with a bit of an earthy/herbal scent, I imagine because of the rosemary.  In any case, the promise of shine sounded pretty good to me, so I grabbed it!

I think this conditioner does help my hair have a bit of volume, and at times even a nice bit of texture, instead of my normal straight/flatness. Lol. It does feel nice in the shower, and seems to keep my scalp moisturized and my hair shiny. I don't have too many thoughts about conditioner in general, as I am pretty lazy when it comes to hair, so I can't really determine if this is any better than any other good conditioner on the market... But, I totally like it, so I'm happy! :)

What do you think about Lush Rehab & Veganese? I'm itching to try more Lush haircare, aren't you? I'd love to know your favorite shampoo and conditioners! :)

P.S. Lush is having a great haircare competition on Twitter, Instagram & Pinterest. Through Jan 25, enter for a chance to win 6 months of haircare! More info here.