Illamasqua Cream Blusher in Sob | Review and Swatch

If you've been reading my blog for a while, you'll know Illamasqua is one of my favourite makeup brands (I've blogged about them here, here,  here, and here.) One of the first products I ever bought from them was their cream blusher in Sob. I'd heard so many good things about their blushers, and had never tried a cream blush before. I loved how Sob looked on the website and so ordered it.

The Claim:

'Tease, hypnotise, use to effect. Use Cream Blusher to highlight your cheekbones, shape your face, build and blend with fingers or a brush to create the colour intensity you desire. Use over foundation for impact, or under for a captivating glow. However you apply it, be daring.'

Shade:
Sob is a cool-toned pink colour. It looks quite a bright pink in the pan but it is easily sheered out and can look very subtle on the face. However, the shade can also be layered to create a very pigmented look. You only need a little bit of product, so this blush will last you a long time, even if you use it regularly. The main thing to consider though is that this is a very cool-toned blush, and this may not work on all skintones. I sometimes find this doesn't look quite right on me because I have a warmer undertone, so it is one you may need to swatch in store. 

Illamasqua have a range of cream blushes available, including the shade 'Lies' which is often used as a highlighter.

Application:
Application of Illamasqua blushes is really easy. The formula is very creamy and very easy to apply and blend into the skin. I prefer to use my fingers with cream blushes, but I've also used brushes with this too, and they give a good finish too. It gives quite a dewy finish to the cheeks

Lasting Power:
The cream blushes don't last as long as powder blushes, but I find that is true across all brands. I'd say these last about 6+ hours before they start fading which is pretty good for a cream blush. Wear time can be extended with powder and setting sprays.

Availability and Pricing:
The whole range of Illamasqua Cream Blushes are available from Illamasqua  and Debenhams for £18 each. At £18 they are one of the pricier blushes, more expensive than MAC but still cheaper than Nars. Illamasqua offer one of the best formulations in their blushes that I have ever used, so think the price is justified. They often have sales on their websites, with their blushes sometimes selling for as low as £10.

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Nars Powder Blush in Oasis | Review and Swatch

Shade:
Nars has a huge range available for their powder blushes. They also have a good range of shades available in their cream blusher formulation too, although not as extensive. They often release new colours with their collections and have a number of blushes available in Duos. With 28 powder blush shades currently available on their website, there is a lot to choose from.

The colour I have is called Oasis and it's described as a 'Sparkling Pink Champagne'. On me, I'd say it leans more brown than pink, but I am very fair, so on a more tanned skin tone the blush may lean more pink. There is subtle gold shimmer in the blush but this isn't noticeable on the cheek, you can also tap the shimmer off of your brush if you wish. The shimmer on the cheeks simply adds a radiant glow, it is not like the chunky glitter you see in some blushes. I'd say this blush is good for all skintones, I like how it looks on my skin even though I'm very fair, and I think it would look just as good as somebody with a darker skintone.

Application and Pigmentation:
Nars blushes are very pigmented and you don't need a lot on your brush to go a long way. The application is easy, the blush does not look powdery or cakey at all and is easy to blend into the skin. Nars blushes are also very long lasting, this lasts all day on me without any touch ups needed..

Packaging:
Most people have a love-hate relationship with Nars packaging. Whilst it looks sleek and is very easy to carry about, it is also prone to getting marks from other makeup on it or smudges from fingerprints making it look dirty. I personally like the Nars packaging, it's very easy to put into your makeup bag, knowing that it won't get crushed and product won't break or fall out which has happened with other brand blushes before.

Pricing & Availability:
Nars blushes are certainly one of the more expensive on the market at £21.50 but their high end price tag is worth it due to their pigmentation and consistency. You can buy Oasis and browse the rest of the collection at Nars Cosmetics.

So those are my thoughts on Nars' blush in Oasis, does anyone else own this blush, it seems to be a less talked about shade. I really want to try the Nars blushes in Angelika and Sin next.

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Illamasqua Powder Blush in Katie | Review and Swatch

Illamasqua blushes are one of the most raved about products of their brand, and it's easy to see why. I love their blushes, they're easy to apply, last for a long time and the pigmentation is great. My favourite blush from them, and the one I am reviewing today, is called 'Katie'. It's a light pink powder blush from their main collection.

Packaging:
The blush is housed in Illamasqua's typical sleek, black packaging. What I love most about this packaging is you can see the colour of the blush without opening the packaging up. The packaging is also extremely lightweight so would be easy to carry around with you.

Shade: 
The thing that first drew me to this blush was the colour. It's a pale pink colour that looks lovely on the cheeks. It is quite a natural looking colour so is great for people who like their makeup to look natural. However, the colour can be built up in order to achieve a darker look. The only issue with this blush is that due to its colour, people who have medium-dark skin may find it doesn't show up on them. But for all those as fair as me, this blush will look lovely on your skintones.

Application and Pigmentation:
The blush is very easy to apply, I'd go so far as to say that this is one of the most easy to apply blushes I've ever used. It is very soft and not in the least bit powdery -which is great for my dry skin! It applies easily and also blends well into the skin. The Pigmentation is also good, you can layer it up to achieve a more intense colour, or use less to achieve a more natural-looking blush. The blush also has a good lasting time, and I find I don't need to touch it up in the day.

Pricing:
For £18.00 this blush is one of the more expensive available on the market. However, I think the price is justified for the qualirt. Illamasqua often have sales on their stock throughout the year too, I've managed to pick up blushers for under £8 before!

Availability:
The whole range of Illamasqua Blushes (both Powder and Cream) are available from Illamasqua.

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