Swatches + Review: MAC Good Luck Trolls Glow Rida, I'm Into It Eyeshadow, Cremesheen Lipsticks + Pro Longwear Lip Pencils

MAC Good Luck Trolls Beauty Powder in Glow Rida
(Limited Edition, $28 for 10g/0.35oz)

Color: It's a warm peachy beige that leaves a subtle glow to the skin. 

Formula + Application: The pigmentation is very sheer and works best as a highlighter for my NC30/35 skin tone. I recommend using a dense natural brush, such as the Sonia Kashuk #17 (comparison pictures), because dense natural hair tends to pick up and pack on powder products much easier.

I love pairing Glow Rida with matte blushes when I want a subtle sheen on my cheeks. It gives me just enough luminosity without looking too dewy or frosty for day-time office wear. 

Longevity: It lasts at least 8 hours without fading when worn over foundation + setting powder. (I don't have issues with products lasting on my cheeks in general. I also have cheeks that are neither dry nor oily.)

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Swatches + Review: Nars Nordstrom's Best Cheek Palette + Dior Intemporalle Blush Palette

Nars Nordstrom's Best Cheek Palette ($65, Limited Edition) - The palette has the standard Nars rubber packaging and is very sleek. It's valued at $124. Each pan is exactly the same size as the deluxe sample size. 

Scent: It's fragrance-free.

Shades: It comes with 4 blushes, a highlight and a bronzer. So, it basically has all the cheek products that you need and is great for travel. 

• Orgasm (3.5g/0.12oz) is a peachy pink with gold shimmers.
• Deep Throat (3.5g/0.12oz) is a soft pink with a golden sheen. When compared to Orgasm, Deep Throat leans more coral and is less shimmery.
• Albatross (3.5g/0.12oz) is a pale ivory with gold shimmers. When applied to the tops of my cheekbones, it leaves a gorgeous golden sheen and does not look chalky at all. This is a shade that you have to try on your skin because swatches do not do it justice.
• Luster (3.5g/0.12oz) is an apricot shade with a golden sheen.
• Desire (3.5g/0.12oz) is a cotton candy pink with a matte finish. It looks bright when swatched on my arms, but when applied to my cheeks, it looks more wearable and flattering on my warm, NC30/35 skin tone.
• Laguna (3g/0.1oz) is a brown with gold shimmers. The one in the palette looks more neutral toned compared to the deluxe sample, which looks warmer. 

Formula: The pigmentation is sheer, but can easily be layered. They also blend into the skin nicely and are very easy to work with.

Longevity: I generally don't have issues with cheek products in terms of longevity. The ones in the Nars palette last at least 8 hours without fading when worn over foundation + setting powder. (For reference, I have cheeks that are neither dry nor oily.)

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Swatches + Review: Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed Highlighters and Sephora x Disney Minnie's Inner Glow

Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed Highlighter in Opal

(retails $38 for 8g/0.28oz)

Packaging: I got the travel size (2.4g/0.085oz) as a free gift with purchase. The compact is made of plastic instead of Becca's typical rubber packaging. It's also perfect for travel! 

Color: Opal is a champagne shade with gold shimmers. This shade works best as a highlighter for my warm NC30/35 skin tone as it does not add any color to my skin. 

Formula: The Becca Shimmering Skin Perfectors have a very soft, delicate, and creamy texture. They're also very pigmented and a little goes a long way. In terms of performance, they all apply smoothly, blend with ease and just "melt" right into the skin.

They're not as metallic as say, the Mac Extra Dimension Skinfinishes (review), but they're by no means subtle and still provide a high sheen finish. To apply, I recommend using the Inglot 4SS brush (comparison pictures) because it's dense enough to provide a concentrated finish, but it also has enough flexibility to blend product well. The shape also fits nicely on the bridge of the nose and on top of the cheekbones without covering too much area. For a more subtle glow, use a light hand and a fluffy synthetic brush, such as the MUFE #140 or check out the highlighter in the poured version. 

Longevity: All the Becca Shimmering Skin Perfectors last at least 10 hours when worn over foundation + setting powder. (For reference, I have cheeks that are neither dry nor oily.)

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Swatches: MAC Vibe Tribe, Brooke Candy, Simpsons, Style Warriors and Indulge Collection (Limited Edition)

I recently purchased a few goodies from MAC's Vibe Tribe 2016 Summer Collection and plan on picking up the Adobe Brick blush as well, which I will review in a later post.

When I was going through my stash to check for possible dupes, I realized that there were a few limited edition MAC products that I never reviewed on my blog. I decided to include them in this post because maybe you guys have forgotten about them too and this may remind you to use them again? You can also call your nearest CCO (The Cosmetics Company Store) to see if they still have them in stock. (The CCO carries products from Estee Lauder-owned companies, including MAC, Clinique, Bobbi Brown, Origins, Smashbox and Lab Series, and sells them for around 30% off retail price.)

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Review + Swatches - Becca Under Eye Brightening and Backlight Targeted Colour Corrector

Most concealers work well for covering minor blemishes, but finding one that covers dark circles is more of a challenge. Peachy concealers are suitable for counteracting the bluish and purplish undertones of dark circles, while pink concealers work best for those with grey undertones. Make sure you understand the undertone of your dark circles because pink concealers can accentuate the bluish undertones of dark circles (in color theory, pink + blue = purple). 

MAC Pro Longwear concealer in NW20 and MUFE HD concealer in R30 work best for counteracting my dark circles. They both have a pink undertone, but it's not too strong where it would accentuate the bluish undertones of dark circles. They also can be worn alone without having to layer a yellow based concealer on top, even for those who have a warm complexion like myself. They are also one shade lighter than my skintone because I like the brightening effect. I just set it with a powder and they last all day without creasing or looking cakey. R22 has a stronger pink undertone and is lighter than R30. (For reference, I'm a MAC NC30/35, MUFE HD Y345, L'oreal True Match W4, and Dior Forever 021 mixed with 031.)

For those who find that peachy or pink concealers are still not enough to diminish the appearance of dark circles, then I recommend using color correctors. They are not concealers, and instead are intended to correct discoloration. Therefore, they must be used in conjunction with concealers.

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Review + Swatches - Chanel Sunkiss Ribbon Blush + Infiniment Illuminating Powder

You all know I bought the Chanel Sunkiss Ribbon blush and Infiniment Illuminating powder because of their gorgeous embossments. The big question is: Are they just nice to look at or do they wear nice on the skin as well?

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Swatches + Comparison - Collective Haul of Cheek Products

I've been really enjoying products that leave a nice sheen to my skin without the glittery mess. 

The ones mentioned in this post have been great at perking up my dull winter skin.

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Swatches + Review: Summer 2012 Paul & Joe Shimmering Pressed Powder G

If you follow my blog, then you know that B-Glowing had a $15 off promotion a few weeks ago on any products, including Paul & Joe's 2012 Summer Collection. I've never purchased any of their cosmetics before, but I thought it was a great opportunity to try them out because of the sale. I ended up buying the Paul & Joe Shimmering Pressed Powder G, of course. You know I love anything with embossed designs. =)

Packaging: The mint-green compact is embossed with a beautiful floral design on the outside and a lovely butterfly on the inside. It also comes with a small mirror and a plastic cover that separates the powder from the mini travel brush, which is convenient and sanitary. The brush is actually useful and is one of the most softest mini brushes that I have felt. It's not too flimsy or too dense and it's just the perfect size for applying highlight on top of the cheek bones. 

The Shimmering Pressed Powder G consists of 3 main shades, including a beige, pink and peachy bronze shade, with a mint-green overspray that disappears after a few swipes. The pink shade is too light to use as a blusher for my NC30/35 skin tone and although the peachy bronze shade looks gorgeous, it's too difficult to pick up the color individually with a face brush. 

When I swirl all the colors together and apply it onto my cheeks without a blusher underneath, it translates into a light pinky beige shade that looks quite chalky. When worn over a blusher, it adds an extremely subtle sheen to the skin and leaves a ton of micro-glitter particles all over my cheeks that transfer to other parts of my face throughout the day. The sheen is hardly noticeable because the tiny sparkles are so distracting. I don't recommend wearing this during the day unless you want to look like a disco ball. However, the sparkles do look pretty on the decollete and chest area. So, I would reserve this for the night time and for special occasions when you want to look glitzy and glam. 

The glitters are very tiny and they don't feel chunky or gritty at all. However, the powder feels too soft. The design can chip away easily if you don't use a light hand to pick the product up with a brush. If you look at the 8th picture above, then you'll notice that the corners of the left wing are chipped away and flat. The powder is really delicate, so you have to be really careful and I definitely don't recommend travelling with this.

Bottom Line: The Paul & Joe Shimmering Pressed Powder G is not a true highlighter because it doesn't add a noticeable glow or a sheen to the skin (unless you take flash photography), but if you love to sparkle in glitter, then you'll love this powder. Also, it looks so lovely as a decor for your vanity. I can't even imagine that you would want to use this and ruin the gorgeous design!

Note: The Paul & Joe Shimmering Pressed Powder G contains 10g of product and is limited edition. It's sold out online, but is still available at various boutiques for $40. Click here to find your nearest store. (BeautyHabit says it's on backorder and you can still order it, but they don't know when it will be available to ship.)

*This post contains affiliate links. None of the products mentioned are sponsored.

Did you get anything from the Paul & Joe Summer 2012 collection?

Which products have you tried?

(I've been thinking about getting their lipsticks, but they just look too cute to use.)

Swatches + Review: MAC Hey Sailor! Highlight Powder in Crew

MAC recently launched the Hey, Sailor! Collection and I decided to place my order with Nordstrom since I was getting other beauty stuff as well. =)

Crew consists of 3 main shades, including a pinky lilac, pink and peachy orange, which all have a satin finish. The colored stripes may seem like they are just an overlay; however, the creamy beige shade is actually the one that's an overlay because underneath it, lies the 3 main shades. 

The texture feels smooth and the pigmentation is great (not sheer, but not too pigmented). It applies easily and nicely with a standard blush brush, such as the Studio Gear #13 (full review) or the Japonesque Professional blush brush (mini review). When I mix all the colors together, it translates into a light pinky shade with a hint of peach on my cheeks. It looks a little bit washed out and chalky on my NC30/35 skin tone. However, after I spritz some MAC Fix+ or plain water and wait about 15 minutes, the color warms up to my skin and ends up looking natural without any ashiness or ghastly cast. Also, I like using more of the orange shade because it makes my cheeks look more peachy, which looks more flattering on my skin tone. 

It has a semi-matte finish and it leaves a subtle glow to the cheeks that looks very natural and appropriate for work. It's definitely not an eye-catching frosty highlighter/blush. As for the wear time, it lasted at least 8 hours without fading when worn over liquid foundation + setting powder. 

(The beige overlay is pretty thick. It took me a while to remove it with a dense brush. Once the beige overlay is gone, the blush is actually not chalky anymore and it looks quite lovely on my medium-tan skin tone; however, it will take at least 6 months before seeing the 3 main colors underneath, even if you use it consistently everyday.)

Bottom Line: Crew is labeled as a highlight powder, but it's also a blush that can lean more pink or peach, depending on how you apply it. I love the nautical themed packaging and I'm glad that the colored stripes are not just an overlay & that the 3 main colors are hidden underneath the beige overlay. However, the application can be a little tricky and requires more work for those with a medium or dark skin tone. Lighter beauties will definitely enjoy this more.

Note: The MAC Highlight Powder in Crew contains 10g/0.35oz. It is limited edition and is still available at MAC counters, Nordstrom, Macy's, and Dillard's for $29.

What did you grab from the Hey, Sailor! Collection?

*This post contains affiliate links. None of the products mentioned are sponsored.

Review + Swatches: Sisley Paris L'Orchidee Highlighting Blush

Hey beauties! I bought the Sisley Paris L'Orchidee Highlighting Blush a few weeks ago and it's about time I review and swatch it for you all. =)

Packaging: It comes in a silver compact that's highly reflective and prone to fingerprints. However, the product itself, which is embossed with a lovely petal design, makes up for the exterior packaging. Also, the compact features a full size mirror inside, which is useful for those who apply their makeup on the go or touch-up throughout the day.

(Direct Sunlight)

(Natural Lighting)

The Sisley Paris L'Orchidee blush contains 3 different shades, including a peachy-pink, peachy-gold and a pinky-coral shade. The center of the petal is sprinkled with a shimmery gold and fuschia overspray that disappears after a few swipes. 

The texture of the product feels silky smooth and it applies flawlessly without looking powdery or patchy. Also, it's not too sheer or too pigmented, but it has good pigmentation and is very easy to work with. When I swirl my MAC 168 brush (full review) all over the compact and apply it onto my cheeks, it translates into a pinky-peach shade on my NC30/35 skin tone and leaves my skin with a glowy finish. The shimmers are so fine that I can barely see them, even when I'm up close in the mirror. It just looks like I have a natural gorgeous sheen on my cheeks. Also, it lasts at least 11 hours without fading when worn over liquid foundation + setting powder.

Bottom Line: I love that it gives me a gorgeous flush of color and the illusion of radiant skin without looking overly shimmery or sparkly. It just makes me look fresh, awake and most importantly, natural. Also, it feels so lightweight and silky smooth on my skin. Not only is the quality amazing, but the packaging is simply irresistible. I'm considering getting a backup!

Note: The Sisley Paris L'Orchidee Highlighting Blush contains 15g. It is available at Saks and Nordstrom for retail price and StrawberryNet for $98, which is about 9% less than retail price and they ship worldwide for free.

*This post contains affiliate links. None of the products mentioned are sponsored.

Have you tried this blusher?

Review + Swatches: Pixi Nude Shade Wardrobe Eye & Cheek Palette in Café Au Lait

Pros

• texture feels silky smooth
• good color payoff when layered and when used with a primer
• blends easily
• applies smoothly
• minor fallouts during application
• doesn't crease when used with a primer
• lasts at least 10 hours without fading (when worn on the eyes and used with a primer)
• can be used on the eyes and face as a highlighter, blush or bronzer
• price is reasonable because it's multi-functional & it contains a good amount of product (18 eyeshadows & 16.12g of product)
• great variety of matte, satin and shimmery shades
• no chunky glitter
• lightweight and ideal for travel

Cons

• palette gets really dusty and messy because the eyeshadows are too soft
• color starts to fade after 6 hours when worn on the cheeks

Packaging: The Pixi Nude Shade Wardrobe Palette comes in a light green cardboard packaging that's light weight and travel-friendly. When you pull the ribbon on the side, the palette slides out and reveals a mix of matte, satin and shimmery nudes that ranges from "creamy vanilla to deep cocoa and every shade in between." 

The first column can be blended together with a fluffy brush, such as the Inglot 4SS (full review), for a gorgeous glow on the cheeks, bridge of the nose, cupid's bow, chin or anywhere else you want to highlight. The third row on the left palette can be blended together with the tip of a paddle brush, such as the Studio Gear #13 brush (full review), for a nice flush of color to the cheeks. On my NC30/35 skin tone, it just creates a light rosy pink shade. The entire left side of the palette can be swirled all together for a beautiful touch of warmth to the cheeks with a hint of a medium rosy pink color. The finish does not look overly shimmery or frosty. It just leaves a nice sheen to the face because the matte shades balances out the finish.

(Swatched Heavily)

(Blended)

You could, of course, just use the eyeshadows individually because all the shades are very wearable and fool-proof. Also, the possibilities are endless because there are a variety of lid shades, different tones of browns, a pink-toned highlight that's suitable for cool skin tones, a neutral-toned highlight that's suitable for warm, yellow & practically any skin tone, and a matte black color that's great when you need to smoke out your look for a night out.

In terms of quality, these eyeshadows apply smoothly onto the skin with good color payoff when layered and when used with a primer. They also blend like a dream because they're really silky and soft, but because of this, they also get quite messy in the pan and there are minor fallouts during application. (To prevent major fallouts, remember to tap off any excess before applying.)

As for longevity, they last at least 10 hours without fading when worn on my eyes (with a primer). However, the color starts to fade after 6 hours when worn on my cheeks, but the glow and sheen lasts at least 10 hours (over foundation + setting powder).

(left 9 shades)

(right 9 shades)

Bottom Line: Café Au Lait is the perfect everyday neutral eyeshadow palette because it contains a variety of shades that are suitable for all skin tones and the looks that you can create with this are endless. Moreover, you can use it on your face for a nice flush of color, a sun kissed look or a gorgeous glow without worrying about it being overly shimmery, frosty or glittery. Overall, this palette is great for travel and for creating fresh and natural looks at a reasonable price. 

Note: The Pixi Nude Shade Wardrobe Palette in Café Au Lait contains 16.12g of product and retails $26 at Pixi's online store and Target.

*This post contains affiliate links. None of the products mentioned are sponsored.

If you follow me on Twitter, then you know that Pixi currently has a 25% off coupon deal on all of their products. You can also enter my current giveaway (valued up to $185) for a chance to win the Pixi Lumi Lux Bronze Palette, Pixi Nude Shade Wardrobe Palette and much more. ^_^