Lancôme | Miracle Cushion

You wouldn’t be wrong in thinking that lately most beauty breakthroughs have been hailing from Korea; the latest innovation to find its way to the North American market, is Miracle Cushion (CAN $48.00, refill $38.00) compact liquid foundation from the venerable house of Lancôme. I confess that the name initially confused me, did “cushion” refer to the application method or the look upon the skin? As it turns out, it’s a little of both and cutesy moniker aside, I’m now completely and unabashedly OBSESSED with this little piece of beauty/skincare heaven.

Basically, Miracle Cushion is a hybrid-like product comprised of a foundation-saturated sponge in a compact case, with said sponge also performing double-duty as an effective barrier to any contents spilling out, while also offering up excellent control over product usage. The accompanying velvety soft pad applicator is then pressed upon the sponge’s surface to pick up the foundation: the harder you press, the more liquid/product emerges. The foundation is lightly scented: a fresh & pleasant floral-ish fragrance (which I like, but worth noting for those with sensitivities) and there is an instant cooling sensation felt at first contact upon the skin (although that quickly dissipates). Bonus: the compacts are refillable; you can even switch the colour up or down depending on the season.

There are three ways that Miracle Cushion can be used; as a primer (using light pressure upon the cushion for a scant yield), as a BB/CC crème (slightly more pressure on the cushion for more product), or as a foundation with a higher level of coverage (applying an even stronger pressure on the cushion). This foundation is buildable and offers completely weightless coverage along with a natural-looking flawless & softly luminous finish; my pores are minimized, my fine lines seem to disappear into the ether, and my skin tone looks smooth and even. A miracle, indeed.

Enriched with pine needle extract (known for its ‘depigmentation’ properties) to provide a radiant-looking complexion, Miracle Cushion also has ester oil and glycerine for a ultra-hydrated skin feel, Adenosine for its known anti-wrinkle benefits, and a unique polymer gel texture that provides skin with an instant ‘blurring effect’ for a poreless and even-looking complexion. In a Thermographic test, skin’s surface temperature was shown to drop by -2.3ºC upon application of the product, for a instant refreshing feel. As to staying power, I find that my skin continues to look good throughout the wearing without any noticeable creasing, fading, oxidation or even pooling in key areas (around the nose, between the brows, and all other pesky areas), and while Miracle Cushion doesn’t offer up any mattifying properties, neither does it make my combination/oily skin grease up by day’s end either.

Note that Miracle Cushion is available in 6 shades (without SPF) in Canada, compared to 11 shades (that presumable also have an SPF 23 rating) elsewhere.

Lancôme | Miracle Cushion

Lancôme | Miracle Cushion swatches: 01 Pure Porcelaine, 03 Beige Pêche, 04 Beige Miel

Lancôme | Miracle Cushion swatches: 01 Pure Porcelaine, 03 Beige Pêche, 04 Beige Miel (blended out)

Ingredients:Water, Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Methyl Trimethicone, Dimethicone, Diphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone, Glycerin, Lauryl Peg-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Pentylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Trisiloxane, Peg-10 Dimethicone, Magnesium Sulfate, Acrylates/Stearyl Acrylate/Dimethicone Methacrylate Copolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Lauroyl Lysine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Stearic Acid, Alumina, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Lecithin, Isopropyl Myristate, Isostearic Acid, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Adenosine, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Disodium Edta, Phenylethyl Resorcinol, Benzyl Salicylate, Linalool, Benzyl Alcohol, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Fragrance, [+/- May Contain Ci 77891 / Titanium Dioxide, Ci 77491, Ci 77492, Ci 77499 / Iron Oxides, Mica

01 Pure Porcelaine | The lightest of the 3 shades I was kindly sent to try, this is a peachy based hue that is more suitable for lighter complexions. It should be noted that initial viewing of each Miracle Cushion is deceptive and the colour you see on the cushion, is not exactly indicative of what you get – a good thing, in this case as my first reaction to 01 Pure Porcelaine was to completely rule it out for my skin tone. Upon swatching this shade, however, I believe that it should be a good match for me, once cooler weather hits and my light tan has faded into memory.

Lancôme | Miracle Cushion 01 Pure Porcelaine

Lancôme | Miracle Cushion 01 Pure Porcelaine swatches

03 Beige Pêche | Based on the names of all three, I was sure that 03 Beige Pêche was my best match, but it turns out to be slightly too peach-based for my skin tone, most notably if I try wearing it as a foundation. My preference for this shade, is to use it as a light all-over base (which provides an effect such as a BB/CC cream would give) and then buffed into the skin with a dense brush to diffuse it further — a light dusting of bronzer effectively pulls the entire look together. Ideal for light-medium skin tones with pink undertones.

Lancôme | Miracle Cushion 03 Beige Pêche

Lancôme | Miracle Cushion 03 Beige Pêche swatches

04 Beige Miel | To quote Golidlocks, “this is one is just right!”, although my initial thinking was that 04 Beige Miel would be much too dark on my skin, even with the light Summer tan I presently have going on. Turns out that I was totally wrong; this neutral beige hue is EVERYTHING and I absolutely love how it blurs out any unevenness on my skin without any of the traditional heavy masking required to do so. Absolutely ideal for light-medium complexions with more yellowish undertones.

Lancôme | Miracle Cushion 04 Beige Miel

Lancôme | Miracle Cushion 04 Beige Miel swatches

Lancôme Miracle Cushion 04 Beige Miel vs Laneige BB Cushion Medium Dark

When I was recently Stateside, I picked up the Laneige BB Cushion in Medium Dark that I had heard so much about, and of the 3 Lancôme Miracle Cushion shades I was sent, 04 Beige Miel appeared the closest. How they compare:

Lancôme 04 Beige Miel: beige hued, adjustable coverage
Laneige Medium Dark: tan hued, sheer coverage, stronger fragrance

The compacts are very similar in both shape and function, each with an inner lid and a flat applicator pad (the Laneige pad is a dark blue compared to the white Lancôme version) with each refillable as well. The price points are quite another story, with the Lancôme weighing in at CAN $48.00 for 14g/0.51 oz compared to the Laneige that retails for US $34.00 for 30g/1.05 oz and which also includes a refill. Even though the Laneige is the better value, it does not offer the same coverage options as does Lancôme’s Miracle Cushion, and the colour options are more limiting (I believe there are 3 shades available, but don’t quote me on that), with the biggest drawback being that this product is only available in the US, now that Target has pulled out of Canada.

Lancôme Miracle Cushion 04 Beige Miel & Laneige BB Cushion Medium Dark swatches

Rarely does the hype for a product live up to its name, but this is once case where every rave is so well deserved. Lancôme’s Miracle Cushion is incredibly lightweight feeling, yet still manages to provide coverage where you want it to, leaving skin radiant-looking and almost magically poreless. I’m a little ambivalent about the applicator; on the one hand, it does provide the most velvety, flawless-looking finish to the skin, but it also absorbs product (which can be wasteful) and will never clean up to its original pristine condition. Still, a small price to pay for a face product that’s THIS good. Bottom line: you need to check these out.

Lancôme Miracle Cushion is available now through The Bay & thebay.com, as well as Sephora & sephora.com. Find more information via www.lancome.ca

Press samples kindly provided for my unbiased consideration/Post may contain affiliate links

Dessange Paris | California Blonde Collection

July 17, 2015

Jacques Dessange is a name that is highly respected in the hair care industry, as this man’s accomplishments are many and quite legendary. Establishing the House of Dessange in 1954 (still open today), his work became famous as France’s most luxurious hair dressing house, coiffing socialites and celebrities alike. As far back as 1958, Dessange had partnered up for the Cannes International Film Festival and was named the Official Partner in 1986 — a title that continues to this day.

Several unique facts have elevated Dessange above the ordinary, beginning with how he was one of the first hairstylists to “recognize the cut” and how “hair should follow/accompany the movement of a woman’s head” a concept which then evolved into the creation of his famous “Coiffé-Décoiffé” (tousled) look. Thanks to his first wife’s connections as an agent & publicist, he was subsequently introduced to Brigitte Bardot and in 1963, he created her iconic “blonde Dessange” for her film role in ‘Et Dieu Créa la Femme’ (And God Created Woman). Finally in 1983, Dessange invented the ‘California Blonde‘ balayage-style highlights where colour is “painted on” after the haircut. You might say that this is a man who definitely knows his blondes.

Fast forward to 2015, and even though the Dessange Paris haircare range has been available in Europe for some time, these products have only recently hit Canadian shores. After having thoroughly tested the California Blonde Collection, I for one, couldn’t be happier. My hair so totally agrees.

My hair type & colour: long, medium-thick, slightly wavy (the wave began only after I started colouring my hair — before that, it was stick-straight) and processed a pale champagne/baby blonde.

The original blonde bombshell, Brigitte Bardot

Dessange Paris | California Blonde Collection

Illuminating Shampoo | (CAN $12.99) Created with passion flower extracts to provide the hair with lasting nourishment and enhanced radiance, this is a milky white fluid bearing a good consistency (neither too thick nor runny) and a little goes a long way. I usually prefer two shampoos, but have found that one is plenty with this system. The scent is simply DIVINE and I am highly addicted to it, especially when it becomes enhanced by the steam of the shower; once dry, the fragrance becomes unobtrusive and leaves hair smelling wonderfully fresh & clean.

After having already gone through 1 bottle each of the shampoo and conditioner, I couldn’t be more thrilled with the results. In fact, I notice that even before applying conditioner, my hair feels totally manageable as well as clean – I’m not a fan of the squeaky hair feel that some shampoos can leave behind, so this is a huge plus.

Dessange Paris | California Blonde Illuminating Shampoo (ingredients)

Illuminating Conditioner | (CAN $12.99) Bearing the same yummy scent as the shampoo, the creamy white formula bears an excellent consistency, one which spreads easily through the hair upon application.

My usual routine is that after shampooing, I slather on a healthy amount of conditioner (my hair is long and there’s plenty of it, so one dollop just doesn’t cut it) all over my hair; I begin and the ends where I concentrate most of the product, and work my way all up to the roots (yes, I apply conditioner to the entire length of my hair). I then leave that in while I complete my shower, and rinsing out is my last step before finishing. It’s my belief that this system allows the product to properly penetrate (especially using the hot shower steam to work it completely into my hair) and offer up maximum benefit; after rinsing out thoroughly, I’m left with hair that’s so easy to comb through – another plus, as this ensures less breakage and a healthier mane overall.

Dessange Paris | California Blonde Illuminating Conditioner (ingredients)

Illuminating Elixir | (CAN $14.99) Filled with the same heady scent as the rest of this range, this leave-in treatment is a white medium consistency fluid that adds an extra touch of moisture to areas that need it most (such as the ends), while providing an overall radiance to the rest of the hair.

After towel-drying my hair, I dispense about 4 short pumps into my palm and rub my hands together to spread the product out, then proceed to apply this to my hair, starting from the ends and working my way up – although I do avoid the root area. I’ve also found it easier to start with my head turned downwards so that I can grab all then ends in one go. Whether I blow-dry my hair or let it air-dry, the California Blonde regimen — bolstered by the Illuminating Elixir — leaves my hair not only silky soft and smooth, but super shiny and with minimal flyaways (it is Summer here after all; some flyaway are inevitable).

Dessange Paris | California Blonde Illuminating Elixir (ingredients)

CC Brass Color Correcting Crème | (CAN $14.99) A deep violet-coloured cream product with the same scent as the rest of this collection, meant to counteract unwanted brassiness in blonde hair (like someone might actually want brassiness? Right.)

I’ve only used this once thus far and the way it works is that you apply it after your shampoo & conditioner, leave it on for about 5-10 minutes, then rinse out thoroughly. This can also be alternated with the Illuminating Elixir, although I always use a leave-in treatment just the same. Since my colour isn’t brassy (thanks to my incredibly talented colourist), I can’t really say how effective this product is, but violet-coloured treatments similar to this are well-documented in their brassy-tone cancelling effectiveness. If I were to judge by the rest of this series, my hunch would be that this Color Correcting Crème is worth investing in for those whose blonde needs a lift. Bonus: an excellent product to have on hand when travelling, to help cancel out any potential damage from either chlorinated or salt water.

Dessange Paris | California Blonde CC Brass Color Correcting Crème (ingredients)

In all my blonde mane glory!

I am a bit obsessed with moisturizing: my skin, my body, and most importantly, my hair. It’s a fact that blonde hair actually absorbs light more than dark hair does, which in turn makes it harder to look as shiny; the Dessange California Blonde Collection not only protects my hair, but leaves it feeling nourished, smooth and above all, ridiculously shiny. Add in the dreamy fragrance, and we’ve got gold … or rather, blonde. I’ve used many different regimens geared towards my hair type & colour, and at varying price points; the fact that this collection is readily available and at a cost that won’t cripple the bank account + the proven results (well, at least proven to me), makes it so worth looking into. Indulge, and then sit back to reap the compliments. You’re welcome.

Apart from the California Blonde Collection, the following ranges are also available: Solar Blonde Naturale Collection (clarifies & lightens natural blonde hair), Color Restore Collection (for colour treated hair), and Oleo Miracle Collection (intense nourishment for restored & healthier hair).

Available exclusively through Shoppers Drug Mart/Pharmaprix locations across Canada.

Press samples kindly provided for my unbiased consideration

CHANEL Les Beiges | Healthy Glow Sheer Colour Stick Blush N°21

July 16, 2015

Building upon the huge success of the CHANEL Les Beiges range of products, the brand recently introduced Healthy Glow Sheer Colour Stick Blush (CAN $51.00 available in 3 shades), a portable crème blush format to help you achieve that healthy, sporty, nature-induced glow. No perspiring required in getting it, either.

Crème blushes may be all the rage of late, but I’ve always been somewhat ambivalent about using them, as my skin tends to run combination/oily and applying any kind of cream product – especially during the Québec Summers we get here with their ridiculously high humidity factor – is asking for a hot makeup mess. Adding a powder blush on top to set said blush, basically defeats the purpose (not to mention being rather redundant), so it was with some hesitation that I began testing this new CHANEL stick version in N°21 that I was kindly sent to try.

The short answer? I have been using this blush DAILY. That about says it all, wouldn’t you agree?

CHANEL | Healthy Glow Sheer Colour Stick Blush N°21

Healthy Glow Sheer Colour Stick Blush N°21 | A warm-leaning rosy pink hue with visible ultra finely-milled shimmer, that translates more as a ‘lit-from-within’ type of radiance upon application. Created with cotton and rose extracts, along with beeswax for that creamy second-skin finish, this blush definitely appears pigmented at first swipe, but sheers out beautifully & effortlessly, melding seamlessly into the skin. Bearing the same fragrance as CHANEL’s Hydra Beauty line of skincare (or at least, that’s how it smells to me), the scent is a pleasant fresh-floral, but worth noting for those with sensitivities.

There are several factors to recommend Blush N°21:

portability – a slim tube that will fit in basically all makeup bags
use – no specific beauty tools other than your fingers needed for application
colour – the payoff is excellent with options to build up the intensity as desired

As stated above, fingers are usually the best tools for applying a crème product such as this, although using a soft buffing brush (such as the Real Techniques Expert Face Brush) yields good results as well. With its buildable formula, you have excellent control with how much colour gets deposited on the skin, while the slim tubular shape offers precision placement not found with powder blushes. Coming to a luminous satin finish, wear time will depend on your skin type – enduring longer with drier complexions, less so with more ’emollient’ (read: oilier) types such as myself. Overall, I get better longevity when I wear this blush over foundation, with minimal fading by the 8-hour mark — not too shabby for a crème blush, at all. Of the 3 shades available, I suspect that Blush N°21 is the most universally wearable hue and will suit basically all skin tones across the spectrum.

CHANEL | Healthy Glow Sheer Colour Stick Blush N°21

CHANEL | Healthy Glow Sheer Colour Stick Blush N°21 swatches (in sunlight)

CHANEL | Healthy Glow Sheer Colour Stick Blush N°21 (alternate light)

CHANEL | Healthy Glow Sheer Colour Stick Blush N°21 (ingredients list)

CHANEL has elevated crème cheek colour to new heights with the introduction of this Healthy Glow Sheer Colour Stick Blush, a product that looks as stunning as it is easy to use. Application is a no-brainer as well, with the formula merging so seamlessly on the skin, that it would be basically impossible to screw it up. Bottom line: I can’t recommend this enough. If you’re a blush fiend like me but have never jumped onto the crème blush wagon, here’s your chance to see what the fuss is all about. Moral of the story: I have to run out to my nearest CHANEL counter now and pick up the rest …

Available now through The Bay and thebay.com, Holt Renfrew, and Murale stores across Canada. Find more information via www.chanel.com

Press sample kindly provided for my unbiased consideration/post may contain affiliate links

NARS | Black Moon Audacious Mascara

July 14, 2015

Following the huge success of the Audacious Lipsticks (Raquel reviewed here), NARS is expanding on this range with the upcoming release of Black Moon Audacious Mascara (CAN $34.00 available August 1 exclusively at Sephora, September 1st at all other NARS retailers) for Fall 2015.

What makes this mascara stand out from the herd, is the exclusive “lash-catching” brush head with its over 200 molded bristles & lengthening hooks that are meant to evenly grip and coat each lash from root to tip, simultaneously ‘separating, lengthening, and amplifying with every stroke‘, while the tapered tip makes reaching the lower lashes as well as the inner/outer corners, effortlessly easy. The unprecedented fluid ‘first-to-market‘ satin finish formula, combines the balance of flexibility and suppleness with iron-clad staying power, making it buildable (which also allows for reapplication during the day, if needed or desired) as well as enriched with humectants and conditioners to help keep your lashes plush to the touch with a silky finish — all without any smudging, clumping, or flaking. Considering all that it gives your lashes, Black Moon Audacious Mascara is surprisingly lightweight and never feels heavy, stiff, or crunchy (is there anything worse than crunchy lashes?), and is easily removed at the end of the day without any major effort required. Sounds too good to be true? Fear not … this is what mascara fiends like myself dream of.

Black Moon Audacious Mascara | A rich ebony shade in a formula that leans more to the wet side with the first 2-3 uses, but then becomes slightly more dense after that (every time you open your mascara tube and allow oxygen to enter, the density of the formula starts to change and thicken), although it still displays an excellent fluidity, applying smoothly and evenly. The scent is so light as to be almost undetectable – major points scored for that, while the sphincter guard at the tube’s opening ensures you don’t wind up with tons of excess that then needs wiping off = less waste. Points scored, again.

Usually it takes me about 5-6 uses before I can proclaim myself on a mascara, but here’s an ommorphia first: Black Moon Audacious Mascara is phenomenal from the get-go. If anything, it gets even better with each subsequent use. I also have specific criteria for a mascara to pass muster: I want a deep black hue (unless I’m wearing a coloured mascara. Duh, right?) that won’t flake, smudge, leave those dreaded half-moon shadows under the eyes, lasts all day but can be removed easily at day’s end – without having to tug half my lashes out in the process. Score high points once again to this mascara for meeting every single criteria listed. Clumping is not an issue with me, especially if I can comb through any clumps before the product sets, and for those with thin and/or sparse lashes, a little clumping can give the illusion of a denser fringe, or even one of the more editorial lash looks as seen on all the recent fashion runways.

From the first application I get enough length and volume that I can easily stop there, and my lashes look ‘done’; a second coat amplifies all that to the next level of lash lushness. The brush head is long but not overly wide, making it easy to reach the tiny lashes at the inner corners, as well as the lower lashes – all without fear of either jabbing the head into your eyes or accidentally smearing product on the skin. I always start by curling my lashes (I alternate between the Shu Uemura and CHANEL lash curlers) and prefer to work on one eye at a time, upper lashes first then lower – and always 2 coats. Before the first coat is allowed to fully dry, I go in with my second coat – this makes it easier to remove any excess and properly separate the lashes, before the mascara sets. For lower lashes, I usually start at the inner corners (applying the lightest pressure) and work my way outwards, holding the wand vertically for more application control. Tip: after the first run on the lower lash line and before going in with a second coat, I like to work the brush under the lashes (in particular the outer corners) – this method not only gives a bit more fullness, but a better and more complete coverage as well.

NARS | Black Moon Audacious Mascara swatches: bare lashes, 1 & 2 coats

For many years, my mascara holy grail has been Le Volume de CHANEL, and while I still love that one for the incredible volume it gives my lashes, I’ve always had an issue with how quickly the formula seems to dry in the tube. NARS Black Moon Audacious Mascara is EVERYTHING. In fact, I’ve been using this daily since receiving it and at this rate, I’m sure to finish the tube before the official store launch – that would be yet another first. To summarize: this is the mascara you’ve been looking for. The one mascara to rule them all.

Available August 1st exclusively at Sephora and sephora.com, September 1st all other NARS counters. Find more information on the brand via www.narscosmetics.com

Press sample kindly provided for my unbiased consideration/post may contain affiliate links

Urban Decay | Afterglow Blush in Crush, Bittersweet & Quickie

July 13, 2015

Recently launched from Urban Decay, Afterglow Blush (CAN $31.00 available in 10 shades, 12 in the US) claims to provide 8 hours of continuous wear, in an innovative lightweight formula that comes in a variety of both matte and lightly shimmered hues. Urban Decay is a brand that continues to push the envelope, both in terms of formulation as well as the provocative product names, yet one thing remains a constant: quality, and from the 3 blushes I was kindly send to test, that last factor certainly holds true here as well.

Housed in gunmetal-coloured cases with a nice heft to them and a magnetic closure, each Afterglow Blush has a mesh window of the Urban Decay initials on the cover, so you can easily see the shade within. Bearing a new and exceptionally finely-milled powder formula that feels creamy to the touch, Afterglow Blushes are said to be sheer yet highly blendable; my experience with these three is that they are all certainly quite blendable and can be easily buffed into the skin for a seamless finish, but I definitely found them also quite pigmented – a fact to consider in order to avoid loading up your brush too much from the start. I also suggest not diving in too aggressively with your blush brush, in order to minimize any powdery kickback – but that’s nothing a quick tap of the brush couldn’t solve. Overall, the flawless application of colour these blushes provide more than offsets any drawbacks, and as to that 8-hour lasting claim? All true … and then some.

Urban Decay | Afterglow Blush compacts

Urban Decay | Afterglow Blush in (left to right) Crush, Bittersweet, Quickie

Urban Decay | Afterglow Blush

Urban Decay | Afterglow Blush swatches

Crush | A medium pink shade that leans warm and will be particularly suitable on light-medium to darker complexions. Highly pigmented, you’ll need a light hand to start with as Crush can pack quite a punch otherwise, but the colour blends so seamlessly into the skin that it’s almost difficult to overdo. The finish is matte but not of the light-absorbing variety; instead, all three shades shown here display an ultra soft shimmer that adds a beautiful radiance to the skin — without ever coming off as too glowy. Personally, I’m absolutely loving how Crush brightens my face and adds that lit-from-within kind of luminosity; think of it as the whoopee-flushed look, but without the exertion involved in getting it.

Urban Decay | Afterglow Blush in Crush

Urban Decay | Afterglow Blush in Crush swatches

Ingredients: Isoeicosane, Silica, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Zinc Stearate, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Polypropylsilsesquioxane, Polyisobutene, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Hexylene Glycol, Methicone, Tin Oxide.
May Contain:
Mica, CI 77891 (Titanium Dioxide), CI 77492 (Iron Oxides), CI 19140 (Yellow 5 Lake), CI 15850 (Red 6), CI 45410 (Red 28 Lake), CI 15850 (Red 7 Lake)]

Bittersweet | Not for the faint of heart, this is a strongly vibrant purple hue that is more suitable as an eyeshadow on my skin tone, than a blush shade. That being said, by using a light hand it becomes more wearable and can actually provide a nice contrast when paired with a brighter-coloured blush (sort of like ‘blush contouring’, if you will) but Bittersweet needs to be properly buffed into the skin to avoid any “bruised” appearance. I suspect this is one of those shades that will look amazing on darker skin tones but that should probably be avoided by those with the palest complexions (to eliminate above-stated bruised look), unless you’re going for a more editorial feel. Still, I can’t help but want to really make this shade work, mainly because it’s just so unique – both in my blush collection and experience.

Urban Decay | Afterglow Blush in Bittersweet

Urban Decay | Afterglow Blush in Bittersweet swatches

Ingredients: soeicosane, Silica, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Zinc Stearate, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Polypropylsilsesquioxane, Polyisobutene, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Hexylene Glycol, Methicone, Tin Oxide.
May Contain:
Mica, CI 77891 (Titanium Dioxide), CI 15850 (Red 6), CI 45410 (Red 28 Lake), CI 77742 (Manganese Violet), CI 42090 (Blue 1 Lake)]

Quickie | A vivid blue based pink that definitely leans cool, but can also be made to work on medium skin tones – provided one’s undertone isn’t too yellow leaning (then you’ll be looking at a serious colour clash). Darker complexions can benefit from this shade as well, as Quickie will provide an impactful spot of colour without coming off as ashy. I am continuously drawn to electric pinks such as this, and while the majority fall short against my skin tone, Quickie (gotta love the name) seems to work like a charm, adding a youthful-looking flush and works best when I pair it with a smokey eye, a perfectly “sweet” counterpoint to a dark and/or edgy makeup look.

Urban Decay | Afterglow Blush in Quickie

Urban Decay | Afterglow Blush in Quickie swatches

Ingredients: soeicosane, Silica, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Zinc Stearate, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Polypropylsilsesquioxane, Polyisobutene, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Hexylene Glycol, Methicone, Tin Oxide.
May Contain:
Mica, CI 77891 (Titanium Dioxide), CI 45410 (Red 28 Lake), CI 15850 (Red 7 Lake), CI 77007 (Ultramarines)]

Other than mascara, few beauty products can give your face that instant boost quite like blush can – although one should never rush the process of application (hello, clown cheeks?). The new Urban Decay Afterglow Blushes are well worth looking into and investing in – especially if you’re a blush fiend like I am, as the quality (from what I’ve seen thus far) delivers on all its promises and there’s no doubting the sensual radiance your skin receives. Yes, sensual. Or even raunchy … depending on your which way your colour selections swing.

Available now through Sephora and sephora.com, and select Shopper’s Drug Mart locations (Canada). Find more information at urbandecay.com