Tag Archives: cream blush

CHANEL · Travel Diary Fall/Winter 2017 Collection

For me, there’s few things that are able to take the sting out of Summer ending — one of them being the arrival of CHANEL’s Fall 2017 collection. Taking cues from a California road trip, CHANEL Global Makeup and Colour Designer Lucia Pica created Travel Diary. Inspired by the play of lights & colours on the landscape from earliest dawn to nightfall, as well as the vista from the coastline all the way to gritty downtown LA, these hues capture those fleeting photographic moments … in makeup form, naturally.

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CHANEL · Les Beiges de CHANEL 2017

July 19, 2017

CHANEL has recently added to the Les Beiges lineup with new foundations, blush shades, and finally … an eyeshadow palette. The premise behind this range is all about that ‘bonne mine/healthy glow’ effect that doesn’t involve an armada of products to achieve, thereby living up to Coco Chanel’s beliefs of liberating women from anything confining. Personally, with Summer’s heat (and humidity) upon us, I’m all about easy-peasy makeup that will not only look good but require the least amount of effort on my part to get there. Because I can be lazy like that (but still a little vain, if I’m being honest).

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NARS x Charlotte Gainsbourg Summer 2017 Collection

April 18, 2017

There’s something about François Nars that I really admire, and apart from his obvious makeup artistry & photography skills, it’s without a doubt the fact that he doesn’t compromise his aesthetic vision for the sake of what’s trending. This latest collaboration with French actress/singer/model/muse Charlotte Gainsbourg is a testament to this philosophy, showcasing a selection of products which reflects this icon’s effortless laissez-faire beauty chic — and all without fanfare, bells, or whistles.

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Guerlain Météorites Bubble Blush #01 Pink, Spring 2014

March 12, 2014

New in the Météorites range for Guerlain for Spring 2014, is the Bubble Blush (CAN $48.00) and it joins the ranks of cream blushes that seem to be abounding these days. Available in two shades – #01 Pink & #02 Cherry, this is a dome-shaped blush that applies creamy and comes to a more powdery finish, with its subtle shimmer imparting a softly luminous look to the skin. Redolent with the brand’s signature violet fragrance, the scent doesn’t linger too long – good to know, if you happen to have sensitivities.

The #01 Pink shade I was sent to review, is a ‘macaron pink’ hue that appears to look either warm toned if seen in direct sunlight, or cooler-leaning when viewed in dimmer light (probably due to the ultra-fine silvery shimmer within). Surprisingly and given my skin tone, this colour actually works really well on me to provide a fresh-faced cheek, while the shimmery bits add a nice touch of depth overall to keep it from appearing flat. Lasting power was about average, lasting approximately 7 hours – pretty much what I expected from this finish.

The way I like to use this blush, is to apply it directly to the skin, and then use the heat from my fingers to blend it out, although it does need to be finished off with a buffing brush to prevent it from looking like it’s simply sitting on the skin’s surface.

A word about the packaging: I was a little stumped by why Guerlain, known for some of the most über-luxurious packaging in the industry, would choose a white & seemingly cheap-looking plastic container for this product, but I’ve actually come to appreciate it on several levels. To begin with, you don’t have to deal with the fingerprint mess you’d normally have with a more reflective surface. Secondly, the plastic keeps the cost down and also makes it more lightweight to use. Lastly, I think that opting for plastic packaging, is in line with the whole lighthearted feel of this blush. This might be a deal-breaker for some, but in the end, the product speaks for itself – I’m totally loving everything about this little bubbly beauty!

Guerlain Météorites Bubble Blush #01 Pink

Guerlain Météorites Bubble Blush #01 Pink swatch, in sunlight

Guerlain Météorites Bubble Blush #01 Pink swatch, natural light

Available now through The Bay (Canada) and Sephora stores. Find more info via:

*Disclosure: product sample provided by the company/PR for my unbiased consideration

MAKE UP FOR EVER – HD Second Skin Cream Blush

February 27, 2014

Last Thursday, I had the pleasure to attend the official launch of Make Up For Ever’s new HD Second Skin Cream Blush range, and I’m going to sum it up in a short 3-word sentence:

You need these.

The pioneers of HD (high definition) cosmetics, Make Up For Ever has applied their considerable technology to create blushes that not only apply like a dream and last forever (or at least until YOU decide they come off), but that melt seamlessly into the skin for a perfect flush of colour.

Available in 16 shades and divided into colour groups from light to dark as well as warm & cool undertones, these products were rigorously tested before HD cameras to show how undetectable they are to the naked eye. According to the company:

The perfect balance of Silicone Oils, Dry Oils, and Waxes offer infinite blendability in a long-lasting formula
Silica Powders and Synthetic Mica allow for a smooth, comfortable texture, while delivering a satin, soft-focus finish
Clear Mother-of-Pearl and and Pigments give natural colour with a luminous finish for a radiant, healthy glow

During the event, we were provided with all details on the making of these blushes, followed by a 2-part tutorial, where a makeup artist first applied the blush shade of our choice to one side of our face and we were then tasked with recreating the look on the other side. I did not embarrass myself, lol. Before leaving, I was presented with my very own “ommorphia cartoon” (wearing my chosen blush hue) drawn by Montréal artist Yves Demers, as well as a gift bag containing 2 blushes (#215 that I chose, and #410 the Universal Shade) along with the #150 Precision Blush Brush that was used.

The Make Up For Ever boutique inside Sephora, Ste-Catherine St., Montréal

Make Up For Ever HD Blush display

A closer look at the Make Up For Ever HD Blush display (organized by colour family)

With two of Make Up For Ever’s talented team (*cleavage alert*)

Caricature artist Yves Demers at work

I am now immortalized as a cartoon (with my chosen MUFE HD Blush shade) – love it!

Make Up For Ever – HD Second Skin Cream Blush

These new blushes have a texture that is completely unique, going a long way towards making application totally effortless due to the somewhat slippery yet emollient consistency – it literally glides along the skin. Incredibly pigmented, I was stunned by how little is actually needed to provide coverage and I recommend beginning with a scant amount on your brush, then adding more as needed. Once the blush is properly applied (see the chart below for some blush placement techniques), there are no demarcation lines to be seen, no residue sitting on the surface level of the skin, no excess shine — just a gorgeous and luminous tint to the cheeks, completely natural and seamless. What initially feels like a cream, quickly dries down to a ‘second-skin’ feel; not quite a powder or a gel, but colour that seems to be emanating from your own skin. Lasting power is impressive as well, going easily past the 10 hour mark without any visible fading at all.

Make Up For Ever – HD Second Skin Cream Blush with #150 Precision Blush Brush

Make Up For Ever – HD Second Skin Cream Blush

Make Up For Ever – HD Second Skin Cream Blush, ingredients list

Make Up For Ever – HD Second Skin Cream Blush swatches, in sunlight

Make Up For Ever – HD Second Skin Cream Blush swatches, natural light

Blush techniques

Make Up For Ever – Blush Techniques Chart

#215 HD Second Skin Cream Blush (CAN $31.00) – A soft pink hue with an apricot undertone to warm it up, this shade works perfectly with my skin tone, surprisingly, as pink is a colour I haven’t been able to wear with much success in the past. When applied with a light hand, this shade gives a slight flush to the skin – think baby cheeks, but it can be deepened for more impact.

Make Up For Ever – #215 HD Second Skin Cream Blush

Make Up For Ever – #215 HD Second Skin Cream Blush swatches (in sunlight)

Make Up For Ever – #215 HD Second Skin Cream Blush swatch (natural light)

MUFE #410

#410 (Universal Shade) HD Second Skin Cream Blush (CAN $31.00) – Known as the Universal Shade, this is a few degrees peachier than #215 and with more obvious warmer tones, although it apparently works well on light skin as well, provided it’s not applied with too heavy a hand. I love this shade for a brighter pop of colour, but I can’t stress enough how you really need to start with just a hint of colour on your brush to avoid looking too flushed.

Make Up For Ever – #410 HD Second Skin Cream Blush

Make Up For Ever – #410 HD Second Skin Cream Blush swatch (in sunlight)

Make Up For Ever – #410 HD Second Skin Cream Blush swatch (natural light)

As this is quickly turning out to be the ‘year of the blush’, I pulled out a few similar hues from my collection – here’s how they compared:

CHANEL #69 Intonation vs MUFE #215 – bears a slightly drier consistency in the pan, several degrees brighter (more rose leaning), similar lasting power although not quite as seamless in its application
CHANEL #62 Présage (reviewed here) vs MUFE #410 – bears a slightly drier consistency in the pan, very similar in colour – but a touch more orange tinted, similar lasting power although not quite as seamless in its application
Dior #651 Panama (reviewed here) vs MUFE #410 – a spongier and more lightweight consistency in the pan, similar colour family but the sheerest of them all with more obvious shimmer (quite fine, though), lasting power significantly less than the rest

Make Up For Ever – HD Second Skin Cream Blushes #215 & #410 with comparisons, natural light

#150 Precision Blush Brush (CAN $46.00) – Part of Make Up For Ever’s new range of Artisan brushes, this is a synthetic wavy haired brush, with densely packed bristles and bearing a slightly bevelled angle for precise cream blush application. According to the company:

“After five years in development with makeup artists and fiber experts, MAKE UP FOR EVER Artisan Brushes are a revolution in brush craftsmanship. The 100-percent fiber brushes are available in a range of 76 handcrafted styles, each with the perfect balance of straight and wavy fibers that replicate natural hairs. Beveled tips create a two-in-one makeup brush and tool, while innovative hair density and brush head shapes optimize every stroke for ideal makeup application. To achieve the ultimate collection, every brush has gone through 25 production stages by 30 craftsmen and has been checked for quality 50 times”

The bamboo handle gives a nice weight to this brush and I absolutely LOVE how perfectly it works with the new HD Second Skin Cream Blushes, as well as all the other cream blushes that I own and tried with with. I’ve even seen a gorgeous application using this with several powder blushes, although it does take a bit more skill, especially since the brush head is rather dense and thus prevents a larger sweep of powder colour from being deposited to the skin.

Make Up For Ever – #150 Precision Blush Brush

MUFE HD Cream Blush lineup

Make Up For Ever – entire HD Second Skin Cream Blush range

In the past and with my combination/oily skin, I have always avoided cream face products like the plague. In fact, the cream blushes I remember from back in the day, used to be goopy, blotchy, and somewhat slimy, if truth be told (or the reverse: Sahara desert dry). We’ve come a long way, baby (props to anyone who can remember that slogan). The new crop of cream blushes are unlike anything seen in the past, combining hybrid textures such as cream/gel/powder, to create a product that is effortless to apply, long-lasting, and looks natural. Make Up For Ever takes this to a whole new level with their new HD Second Skin Cream Blushes, offering a product that looks believable and in a range that fits all skin tones, then throws in a goof-proof application – no specific makeup artistry required. Seriously, do yourself a favour and go check these out. You won’t regret it.

Make Up For Ever products are available through Sephora nationwide. For all updates, feel free to follow via: