Smashbox Blush/Softlights Duo

'Ello, everyone! How have you all been? Work has taken over my life even though I haven't been working everyday, most days, but not every day. When I get home I jump into my jammies, into my bed and just watch heaps of Once Upon A Time (which is an AMAZING show) So now that I have a spare second and have watched just way too many episodes, I thought I'd share with you my latest favorite cheek duo from Smashbox! This is another one of those 'one blogger's trash, is another blogger's treasure' products that Andrea from FromInsideMyCloset had sent to me! I'm not sure they sell this duo packaged like this any longer but I do know that they sell these two cheek products individually. The Smashbox Passion Blush and Shimmer Soft Lights duo is my absolute go to as of late. Passion blush is a matte rosey mauve that creates the look of a slight autumn chill mixed with the last of the summer heat hitting your face. It's a bit more subdued in opacity than the swatch on my arm. The Soft Lights in Shimmer is an excellent highlight to pair with the blush. It's not a gold or copper colored highlighter, which is what I'm rather used to, but more so a pinky-pearlescent shade. It's gives a nice radiant glow to the face that catches the light so nicely when smiling! It blends with the blush to finish off a seamless cheek. The pigmentation of the both of these is quite average and I don't mean to say that negatively. They're not overly pigmented which I like because any more pigmented and I think they might be a bit overpowering. The powder is soft, not buttery soft, but smooth to the touch- a powder or blush brush would pick up just enough for both cheeks! I would seriously recommend this duo if there is a way for you to get your hands on it, but if not, I'd really recommend taking a look at the blush! I've never used Smashbox products before but now I'm really interested in seeing what other shades they offer. Passion would be great for the autumn and winter months to create natural 'autumn-y' cheeks! I'm just glad I have this handy duo that I can carry around me :D

What's your go-to autumn cheek product?

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Tipsy on Tarte

Coral is everyone's best friend in the summer season, is it not? Well it's def. mine and it def. was last year! In the summer of 2012 everyone bat-crazy with coral shadows, liners, and blushers. One of the most amazing coral blushers that I came across was Tarte's Amazonian Clay Blush in Tipsy. Tarte's Amazonian Clay Blushes are the bees knees in every aspect. I got mine at Sephora for $28 and it'll honestly last you forever! The packaging is simple, yet quirky with their logo printed on the top and the individualized color. I love that about their blushes - each blush compact represents the shade of the blush inside so it's a no brainer when you go looking for one! If you'd like to see my more in-depth review on these blushes you can check out my review on Natural Beauty (which is what's called, a complete natural beauty!) over here. Actually, head on over there to read about the blush and I'll just reiterate cause this formula of blush needs to be praised. The pigmentation of Tipsy is SUPER, well, pigmented, haha! You need the lightest of taps with your brush to get a really nice color. It's easy to overdue because of the crazy pigmentation, but the good news is it's also quite blend able - not to the point where you blend everything away, but it blends to look more natural. Am I making any sense at all? Probably not, but we'll move onto the shade. Tipsy is the perfect coral shade. I thought it might lean more orange since the packaging is totally orange, but it's the perfect blend of orange and pink tones. It's not a hard blush to pull off even though it may seem a bit intimidating. It looks great with natural looks and has always been the greatest compliment to more colorful eye looks, which sounds weird, because it's color on color, but trust me, it works! I managed to include a cheek swatch (that doesn't sound right, haha) to show you how it blends and looks on the face. Plus, I'm wearing some ridiculous gold and purple liner combos, and it still looks ah-smha-zing! (what?! haha, I'm sorry, it's the caffeine talking) I love having this color in my collection and it's def. worth looking into!

What Tarte blushes are/would be a must have for you?

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Batiste | Dry Shampoo

I bought this, took its picture, uploaded it to a post, saved it to a draft, and waited for the day I knew I would right only a lackluster review on this product. I've never been one to jump on the dry shampoo wagon because, let's be honest here, I didn't really think some magical powder would suddenly soak up all the oily bits in my hair and BABAM, fresh and cleaned. Loads and loads of bloggers hoot and holler and rave about the Batiste dry shampoo so of course I got super curious, but still, didn't think it would be magical.

Welp ... I was so totally wrong. Now I'm going to join the herds of bloggers raving about this product! This magical canister of powder is amazeballs to the max! Let me start with the superficial; the packaging on this can? product? is so cute. I love the little flowers and the cute blue font. It appeals to me in so many ways that I actually wouldn't mind having it out as a mini desk decoration (I'm odd, I know). Next, the smell. Oh my guacamole, the scent is delicious and I want it made into a perfume. There are cans? bottle? (what the heck do you call this thing?!) with different scents and even powder colors (for those with darker hair) but I picked up the Floral & Flirty. I was actually looking for the one with the Union Jack but seeing as how I live in America, I can see why they don't stock it, LOL. Anywho, the scent is nice and sometimes I find myself just spraying this in my hair so it has a lovely scent to it. I wish I could describe the scent properly to you all but just ... I can't see anyone disliking it! *knocks on wood* 

The product itself is something to get used to if you, like me, have never used dry shampoo before. You're supposed to pick up your hair and spray at the roots, with the can? bottle? (please someone tell me!) about 5 inches from your hair and spray! At first it looked liked it wasn't doing a darn thing and I put it away thinking "I knew it, nothing special..." It says to massage your hair after spraying, but I found it works WAY better if you just leave it and let it be for a few minutes. When I massaged right after spraying it was like I rubbed all the product out. But it actually works, it really does! How do I know, for sure? On Saturday it had been 3 days since I'd washed my hair (don't judge, let's just pretend I was doing it for the sake of experimentation ;) ) and I had to go to work that day. My hair was looking like an oily mess and I looked at this bottle?! can?! product?! and thought "now is the time to prove yourself" Prove itself it did! My train wreck of a do turned slightly more voluminous and made it look like "2nd day hair" Sure I sprayed a gallons worth but it worked and I looked totally presentable for work! My verdict is that everyone needs at least one dry shampoo in their collection of hair products for emergency uses. It's seriously a life saver and the Batiste one works magnificently! I wash my hair every other day, but when I don't feel up to it, this is so handy to have!

I found this at my local Stop N' Shop for around $9 but I'm pretty sure you can get this at a drugstore or and Ulta, as well! If anything you can always order it off of drugstore.com (they have the one with the Union Jack!)

What do you guys think of the Batiste dry shampoo? Have you tried any others? Let me know!

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