Lorac Croc Palette

Lorac makes some of the best coordinated makeup palettes that take the guessing out of creating a polished, put together look. I've been using the Snake Charmer for several years now (even though the blush is too bright for me nowadays). It's my go-to item for a shimmery evening look (and it slides easily into the slimmest clutch), but it's a bit bold for daytime. I don't remember why I never paid more attention to the understated Croc palette, but I recently rediscovered how great it is.

The muted rose blush is Soul, one of my current favorites. Three of the eye shadows have delicate shimmer that is daytime appropriate, and the fourth is a suede brown that creates depth. It's not dark enough to use as a liner, but it definitely works well in the crease. The shadows have a delicate smooth texture and they blend together seamlessly. The pigment, like every Lorac product I've ever tested, is rich and the color payoff is great and very true to what you see in the pan. I like playing and creating lighter and darker variations, according to the mood, but I mostly blend the highlighter with one of the darker colors for an effortless, polished but almost bare look. Used over a primer, the eye shadows hold for 14 hours easily with no creasing and minimum fading.

Edward Bess Moroccan Rose Blush Imperiale

Moroccan Rose scared me when I first saw it a couple of months ago. It's such an assertive and pigmented color, and I live in fear of having 80s cheeks. Eventually I was convinced to try (Edward and his team are always right), and another love was born. Moroccan Rose is the darkest and plummiest of in Edward Bess' Blush Imperiale line (these are powder blushes. The three cream ones are Compact Rouge). Still, it has the finest sheer texture that gives you control over the level of pigmentation and works with every good brush I tried, from the superb Edward Bess Face Brush to Chanel #7, Nars Yachio and several duo-fiber brushes.

The color is on the warm side, at least when applied to my skin- it's very pigmented but still lets skin shine through, which is what makes this blush so unique- Edward Bess creates makeup that enhances and defines your features but not covers you up with unnecessary paint.

The texture of Blush Imperiale is as soft and smooth as one would want, and while it's matte, there is still a level of radiance- no shimmer or shiny particles, just some sort of natural glow that might be the result of the way this blush melds and blends with your foundation and the skin underneath. The swatch you can see above was done with the little brush that came in the compact and is not blended or sheered. You can play it up or down according to your own skin tone.

My guess would be that Blush Imperiale in Moroccan Rose would work for most who have light/medium and up skin. If you're very fair you might want to check the other two shades. Next week I'll show and review the one in Desert Bloom. In the meantime you can see Charlsestongirl's review and swatches of this interesting blush on Best Things In Beauty.

Bottom Line: Exquisite.

Edward Bess Blush Imperiale ($48) is available from Bergdorf Goodman, select Neiman Marcus locations (also online) and edwardbess.com.

All photos are mine (and Sophie's).

Benefit Cosmetics Posietint Blush

Some GWP items take you so far out of your comfort zone you might need a passport. Occasionally it can be a very good thing. I would have never bought Benefit's Posietint lip and cheek stain if it were up to me. I don't think I've even gave it a second look. It's a liquid tint and it's petal pink- two things I have no interest in wearing. I never liked the original Benetint, an aggressive wine-colored liquid blush/stain. I've found its application too messy and the shade very off for my cheeks. As for using it for lips, stains and tints are too dry for me. I don't even like the one by Serge Lutens, so that should tell you something.

Posietint is much lighter, of course, making the color more forging and easier to apply and blend without ending up with weird streaks on your face. Still, I was skeptical about this very cool toned pink, especially when first touching it to the skin (see first swatch). However, once smoothed and blended it looks quite fresh and nice. It melds into my foundation and looks like a natural blush. While I'm not too fond of using fingers to apply makeup, I find it really works in this case. The whole thing is quick and easy and the result is surprisingly flattering.

I never tested it on my lips and have no intention to try. I know my limits.

Posietint doesn't have the best staying power, unless you make sure to encore it in place with a good foundation (I find it holds better onto full-coverage products than to tinted moisturizers) and a dusting of a good finishing powder, but that's always recommended. I only wear a light and sheer coat- building up the color brings out the blue-based pink too much and that's not a good thing on a light olive skin. Those who have a better relationship with pink could probably amp it up a little.

Bottom Line: Cute and way better than expected.

Benefit Cosmetics Posietint Blush ($28) is available from Sephora, in store and online.

Photos by me.

Givenchy Le Prisme Blush Blooming Fuchsias Fall 2010 Limited Edition

The limited edition Givenchy Le Prisme Blush Blooming Fuchsias arrived at Sephora just as I thought I was all covered when it comes to blush colors for the new season. But the pretty shade, nice packaging and overall loveliness won me over, so here it is. Givenchy makeup suffers from the Sephora syndrome. It's a great line with high quality products and gorgeous colors; yet many potential customers pass on it since it's a Sephora exclusive. Those of us who avoid the store because of its broken, missing or cootieful testers, horrible loud music and general atmosphere of a high school on the Jersey Shore can always order online, but in many cases (like with this Le Prisme Blush) the photos aren't accurate. I guess that's what beauty bloggers are for.

Blooming Fuchsias blush comes in the quilted Le Prisme format in a special compact that includes a mini brush in the bottom compartment. The brush is much better than those that usually come with blushes- it's wide enough to cover the skin without streaks, so it's usable if you're stuck without a real blush brush. The texture is sliky soft and has no shimmer. The pattern is this abstract splashes of colors, more peony pink than fuchsia, but I'm not complaining. It combines two shades of pink and two shades of beige/tan, so the final result  is a natural warm pink, quite sheer but buildable to the level you want- one side is darker than the other, so you can customize and balance the amount of pigment you pick.

I swatched with the brush that came in the compact, and only swiped it once before taking the picture, so you can see that the lightest application is still visible on my pale to medium olive skin. I think the color would look flattering on most because it is a very natural shade (seriously, ignore the photo on Sephora's website. It made me question both my eyesight and my sanity), but it's probably too sheer for very dark skin.

Givenchy Limited Edition Le Prisme Blush in Blooming Fuchsias for Fall 2010 ($48.50) is a Sephora exclusive. Thankfully it's available online.

Bottom Line: Lovely.

All photos are mine

NARS Blush Douceur Fall 2010 Limited Edition

Nars Fall 2010 collection is stunning. There's no arguing about that. The eye colors are bold and each one of them can and should be the focal point of a full makeup look. I passed on the lip colors despite their gorgeousness because Nars lipsticks are too dry for me. But I was most curious about the new limited edition blush, Douceur, because the texture is so soft and sheer, and it lacks the gold shimmer found in most Nars blushes.  The question was: would it be too light to show up on my skin?

Some bloggers recommended Douceur for light skin tones and they're mostly right- if you're very tan or dark there's a good chance this blush wouldn't work for you, even when layered heavily. But my medium-pale olive skin actually loves this color because it's visible but looks very natural. I don't need to build the intensity or use a super thick brush. One swipe is all it takes for an easy effortless look.

The swatches show you just how compatible Douceur and I are. I swatched with a regular Chanel blush brush and only swiped once, just as I would do on my face. You can see that awful mosquito bite I got the other day right on my wrist (it hurts like you wouldn't believe), and the blush color is just a natural extension of the shade I get when bitten. Not a recommended method for testing makeup, but it works. You can also see that the NARS imprint in the compact fades as soon you swipe your brush over it. I started using it right away, without taking pictures first, so by the time I got to photograph the blush it was almost gone.

Bottom Line: I hope they reconsider the limited edition thing. I want Douceur in the permanent line.

NARS Douceur Blush ($26) for Fall 2010 is available from most decent department stores, Sephora and narscosmetics.com.

Photos and swollen wrist are all mine.

Guerlain Blush 4 Eclats Fall 2010 Caresse de L'Aube (07)

Maybe I need to rethink my blush application policy. I'm very careful and mindful about keeping things natural looking and avoiding clown face situations. I apply lightly and check how I look under the track lights in my dressing room and in natural-ish light and it looks fine. Then I arrive at one department store or another and the SAs come after me with brushes announcing I absolutely need some blush. Glancing at the mirror I realize that I look deathly pale and also slightly green. Of course, the harsh light at department stores does nothing for anyone's skin tone, but still, looking at least semi-alive is kind of a priority.

The last SA who tried to perk me up was the Guerlain specialist at Bloomingdale's. The husband was with me but all the brush wielding scared him back to the men's department while I surrendered my face to some color. I've always been a fan of Guerlain bronzers and face powders, and the Blush 4 Eclats didn't disappoint. The new fall 2010 color combination, Caresse de L'Aube ("caress of dawn") is warm and light. It would be very difficult to overdo it  with this blush, so I can relax and indulge. As the Guerlain SA showed me how to apply Caresse de L'Aube there was no doubt it did my face a world of good, color-wise. Also, you can swipe from either side to collect more of the dark and warm or emphasize the lighter and more shimmery and also create highlighting and contouring effects if that's your thing. I just like the option to adjust and control the level of color and shimmer.

I've been using this Blush 4 Eclats almost every day in the last few weeks and it's among my most favorites. The texture is as fine as it gets and melts into my face makeup. It's pretty, easy and doesn't compete with whatever else I have going. KarlaSugar has a swatch photo taken in full sun, while mine is indoors under strong lights.

Bottom Line: Pretty and goes well with the stunning eye makeup colors for fall.

Guerlain Blush 4 Eclats ($49) can be found at most decent department stores.

All photos are mine.

Chanel Fall 2010 Rose Temptation 60 Joues Contraste Powder Blush

We continue our tour of the fall collections. It looks like everyone has a new blush out and the colors are pink and tempting, which might explain why all of a sudden I felt the urge to get a Chanel blush, even though it's the one Chanel product that never really rocked my socks. My issue with them was more about the colors than the texture, but I figured that the new (to the US) baked formula might also bring a change in pigment.

Choosing a color was easy. Rose Temptation (60) is a beautiful rose mauve that works well with my funky skin tone and looks very natural on my cheeks, despite the tiny shimmer particles (I could live without those, but Rose Temptation seems to have less of them than the lighter colors in this collection, at least from the testers at my local Saks).

While I'm not thrilled with the messy debris created when swiping a brush over the blush which means annoying loss of product as well as pink paw prints all over my dressing room, the texture actually works well on my face and blends evenly. I took note of Amy's advice on Cafe Makeup and started using this Joues Contraste with a dense brush- Sephora brand angled blush brush seems like a very good fit. Also, making sure to have a smooth and supple base (serum/moisturizer, primer, liquid foundation/tinted moisturizer) is a good way to ensure the blush sits well and looks good. So far I haven't experienced any chalkiness, but then again, I've been testing Rose Temptation over three or four weeks of extremely humid and swampy weather. Seriously, dry skin hasn't been a concern since some time in May, despite having the a/c blasting 24/7 for weeks now. We'll see how it goes when fall is actually here.

Chanel Joues Contraste Powder Blush in 60 Rose Temptaion ($42) is a limited edition for fall 2010. Available right now from most decent department stores and chanel.com.

All photos are mine.

***On a completely unrelated note, last week has been sad and absolutely horrid for me, and the weekend brought on some extra unneeded stress. I did my best to maintain my regular posting schedule, but I'm very far behind on replying to comments, not to mention emails and direct tweets. Things are getting better now, so I'll try to catch up throughout the week, but please don't take it personally if it takes me longer to get back to you.

Julie Hewett Cheekie Palette & Brush

Cream blush is everywhere. Pans, pots, sticks- they come in several formats and sheerness levels and are winning even reluctant hearts and faces including mine. Three or four years ago I had a hard time finding even one cream/gel blush I liked. Now I have several in my regular rotation and I can mix, blend and choose.

Speaking of mixing and blending, the Cheekie Palette from Julie Hewett has become a favorite (despite one big flaw. See below) exactly because of the endless customizing options it allows. The four Cheekie colors look intense in the pan but they apply sheer enough and blend well, so you don't end up with clown cheeks. You can wear them alone or blend two or more, which is what I usually do. Jami, the neutral rose-mauve is the only one I wear on its own because it looks very natural and the color is easy and as unfussy as it gets. I mix  Rosie or Peachie with Natural to bring them down a notch or two and get a color that has just the right amount of red or coral for me and adjust the levels of each shade according to mode, time of day and the other makeup I'm wearing.

The final effect is very nice natural flush. Just like Scarlett O'Hara biting her lips and pinching her cheeks in preparation for some flirting. Cheekie can also be used on the lips, but I prefer not to do that- most of the colors are too sheer to do anything for my pigmented lips.

The funny looking brush is very effective. It grabs enough color, blends it easily and isn't abrasive on skin. It covers just enough face space so you don't go overboard (blend well to avoid streaks).

The one big issue with this Julie Hewett product is longevity. The texture is pleasantly thin, but it also tends to fade and disappear within 6 hours if you don't do a meticulous job of cementing it into place between two coats of face powder. Otherwise it just melts right into your foundation. So this is certainly not a touch-and-go   blush, and it requires that you take your time doing your face and find the right combination of products that work for you and for these cheeks color (some HD powders tend to mute these blushes a little too much. I prefer a finishing powder that has a little yellow pigment).

Another thing of note: I own several other Julie Hewett products (lipsticks, balms, eye shadows and liners)- all of them are made in the US. The Cheekie palette is the only one made in China. I've noticed other brands that do the same- most of the line is manufactured in the US or Europe, but a handful of items are outsourced to China. The annoying part is that you usually don't have this info when ordering online (QVC is the only place I've seen that discloses the country of origin).

Bottom Line: Great concept, less than perfect implementation.

Cheekie Palette ($52 with brush, $42 without) is available from juliehewett.net (in the Palette section of the site, oddly missing from the Face category. The colors can also be purchased individually ($24 in a pot, $18 as a pan in a mirrored compact).

All photos are mine.

**You might have noticed blogger is having hiccups in the comment section. Some of you are getting errors when trying to upload a comment even though it actually goes through and gets sent to my email. Also, I'm unable to approve and publish your comments. Blogger usually fixes these issues withing 24 hours and comments aren't lost in the process, but in any case I'm saving the emails and will enter them into the Aftelier giveaway regardless if they end up actually posted. I'll reply to comments when everything is fixed, but if you have a more urgent question that requires a prompt reply you may want to contact me by email or on Twitter**

Hourglass Cosmetics Illume Creme-to-Powder Bronzer Duo (Sunset)

When I first saw this cream bronzer/blush from Hourglass Cosmetics the intensity of the colors scared me. A lot. The first swatch can tell you why. It's when you actually blend the colors and apply them the way you're supposed to- either with a wide and fluffy synthetic blush brush or your fingers- and blend them , that you get the right effect and sheer finish. And it's quite nice.

The cream is soft and easy to work with. The colors blend smoothly with each other or any other face product I've been using. The formula is wax free and oil free, so I haven't experienced any skin issues. Used over a good foundation/tinted moisturizer and topped with a finishing powder the color stays put all day, even when I spent time outside in the soupy NYC weather.

Hourglass labeled Illume as a bronzer and highlighter duo, but I suspect that it's only true for the other color option, Bronze Light that is a beige and bronze combination . The one you see here, Sunset, with its warm pink and brown shades is actually a blush-bronzer and should be used as such. I like the way the brown balances out the intensity of the pink, but you can also use them separately if your skin tone allows it.  The colors give a summery sun-kissed look and would probably look most flattering on darker and tanned skin. I use very little and make sure to blend within an inch of the colors lives, but when I'm done the result is a healthy and outdoorsy look.

Bottom Line: Nice, versatile and needs more color options.

Hourglass Cosmetics Illume Creme-to-Powder Bronzer Duo ($40) is available from Barneys, Sephora and hourglasscosmetics.com. I received the press sample directly from the company.

All photos are mine.

Edward Bess Cream Blush Compact Rouge For Lips And Cheeks (After Sunset)

Edward Bess keeps showing his talent for creating makeup elegant items that enhance and compliment the face and natural coloring without stealing the show. His colors often appear deceivingly demure but upon application you see how rich and flattering they are. The cream blush (called "Compact Rouge For Lips and Cheeks") is such an item. It comes in two shades, Island Rose (a cool-toned pink) and my choice- After Sunset- a warm pink with mild brown undertones that can go on sheer and light for the naturally pale or be built up for a summery sun-kissed glow. The texture is not greasynot greasy or shiny and looks very natural on the face.

I use just a little either on the apples of the cheeks or when I'm in the mood to go for a more defined cheekbone look. The blush blends easily and seamlessly either with one's fingers or a synthetic face brush (synthetic fibers don't absorb cream and liquid products). I tried using this rouge on the lips, but the texture is not quite as creamy as I would have liked and the color is too sheer to show (my lips are naturally a dark rose color). So for me this Edward Bess blush is a cheek-only, but I'm perfectly fine with it. It's quick and easy to apply and very foolproof- I can put it on when in a hurry and not worry about messing it up. The slim compact in its little sueded pouch is also great on the go and doesn't take up much space (I just wish it was easier to open without endangering my nails).

Bottom line: An instant classic.

Edward Bess Cream Blush Compact Rouge For Lips And Cheeks ($38) is available exclusively from Bergdorf Goodman (in-store only) and edwardbess.com.

All photos are mine.

Le Metier de Beaute Blushing Bronzed Duet- Traviata, Romeo & Juliet

It must be summer. Most brands have come up with new and improved bronzers to keep the color in our (well-sunscreened) cheeks. Le Metier de Beaute's latest offering is the multi-tasker Blushing Bronzed Duet. A two-sided and rather large compact that has a blush on one side and a bronzer on the other. They come in two versions, cool and warm, and are oddly named after tragic love stories- Traviata and Romeo & Juliet.

Traviata is the one that has Le Metier de Beaute's gorgeous Echo blush on one side and Sun Kissed bronzer on the other. Thet work well together or alone, and I've been experimenting both with layering them and with swirling the brush over both and using them as a single item that allows you to balance and tailor the color to your exact preference. While the pressed product has a light shimmer, once on skin the effect is more of a subtle sheen or glow, with no obvious shimmer particles.

Romeo & Juliet is the cool version. The blush is a blue-toned pink that looks fresh and natural. I can easily wear it with or without the bronzer, which speaks volumes about the quality of Le Metier de Beaute's pigments. So many of them are universally flattering, plus having such a silky and blendable texture that allows the color to meld with your skin. The intensity can be built up considerably, but I apply both Traviata and Romeo & Juliet with a light hand, blending the colors together just so.

As I said above, the compact is quite large (easy to work with a wide brush) and holds quite a bit of product. This makes the Duet a pretty good deal since the bronzer alone retails for $55 and the blush is priced at $30.

Bottom Line: true love.

Le Metier de Beaute Blushing Bronzed Duet ($65) is available from Bergdorf Goodman and Neiman Marcus.   I received both from the company's PR team.

All photos are mine.