ModelCo Cheek + Lips Tint

ModelCo Cheek + Lips Tint* / $24

* I wasn't sent this product, but I did want to include that I received this in a Glossybox!

Real talk: I've never reviewed just one single product from a beauty box before. I've also never used a cheek tint before. When I received this in my Glossybox, however, I was kind of over-joyed. Just because I'd never really looked into tints and stains, doesn't mean I wasn't interested. To be honest, I think I was a bit intimidated by the whole tint thing. Rubbing liquid color into your face? Yeah, that's a recipe for disaster (for me).

Stila Convertible Color Blush in Lilium

Stila Convertible Color Blush in Lilium / $25

As spring comes rolling in, the corals and pinks that may have been dormant over the colder months suddenly come out. Gracing the runway... and then my face. I've got to say, I'm much more of a dark lip/not-so-bright cheek kind of a gal, but whatever. Sometimes I just can't deny that pop of pink. Damn you.

Cream blush was something I avoided for much too long. Why? I was all "I won't like that" "cream blush? HA. Who needs it?!". Well, I do. I'm now the proud owner of two cream blushes — the first being Lilium, by Stila. The pigmentation is incredible. A little goes a long way, people. I usually apply this with a Real Techniques stippling brush, tapping the brush ever so slightly into the blush, ridding excess on the back of my hand, and stippling on. Sometimes if I'm feeling extra lazy, I'll use my fingers. Either way is pretty fail-proof, so go with whatever you're comfortable with. The lasting power is alright — it ends up fading pretty fast on me if I forget to set with powder which is a bit frustrating considering the whole point of cream blush is to add a bit more dewiness, non?  Either way, I'm a fan! I've been wearing this color for a week straight and I'm not sure that'll change anytime soon.

Chanel Joues Contraste Blush in Rose Ecrin

Chanel Joues Contraste Blush in Rose Ecrin · $43

This post feels kind of extravagant but I think it's only because this is my first Chanel purchase ever.

Rose Ecrin is a not too bright yet not too light rosy pink shade. It's definitely not something I'm used to as I like deeper or more neutral blushes — I actually didn't think this blush would look good on my skin tone at all, but alas, I was talked into it. It goes on really nicely and is quite buildable (I had to put a ton on to get it to show up in photos). I do feel like this will be a staple for me come spring and summer. I'm trying to venture into the world of corals and pinks and non-brown eyeshadows but when you're a berry/deep color lover, it's hard!

The only flaw I have with this blush is the smell. Even as a fan of all things rose scented this stuff is soooo strong; I would definitely steer clear if you're at all sensitive to fragrance. I've had it on for about two hours now and I can still smell it, craaaaaazy! While it isn't completely off-putting I would definitely prefer the blush to be non-scented or a little less strong — I don't mind scented blush or foundation but what I do mind is when it lingers for hours.

Would I buy another Chanel blush? Probably not anytime soon. While I really love the packaging and luxuriousness of it, NARS is cheaper and just as good (quality wise), at least to me! The Chanel is a bit silkier but unless you're applying it with your hands (please don't do that) there's not much of a difference when it's on the face!

What do you guys think of Chanel blushes? Worth the price?
P.S. sorry about the lighting! They just cut down 3/4 of a tree and now it's ridiculously bright in my house!

MAC Harmony

MAC Harmony · $20

Now I'm not sure what possessed me to want to buy this — but I think it has a lot to do with my recent MAC haul/obsession. I'll be the first to say it: I know the absolute basics when it comes to contouring and I'm really not all that good at it (yet). That said, I was bored and found myself browsing the MAC counter, swatching Harmony and was basically talked into it. I mean, when you're told you have nice bone structure and that it looks amazing on you, how can you say no? I was sooooo skeptical and still am, but I'm dealing with it.

Harmony is a really nice "muted rose-beige brown" as the MAC website says. Lots of people love to contour with this color but I was afraid it'd be too pink or too brown for me. It still might be, I'm still unsure, but am doing my best to work with it. I think it would be amazing for summer when I'm a bit more tanned but for now I'm just buffing and buffing to make it look as subtle as possible (is it working?). Either way I'm glad to have added this to my collection and hopefully with a bit of practice I'll get better at contouring because to be honest, I'm loving the way it looks!

What do you guys think of Harmony? What are your favorite contouring colors? 

NARS Douceur

NARS Douceur · $28

NARS Douceur is commonly known in the beauty and blogging world as the "instant model cheekbones" blush and I've got to say, that's pretty much true.

NARS describes this blush as a "soft pink-brown" and in the pan it looks like a beautiful dusty pink — but on the face? It's the most perfect rosy shade to give you both a hint of color and a natural contour. I love wearing this on days where I don't want to do too much with my makeup but I do want a little something to pull my look together. One of my favorite things to do is to pair this up with Tarte Exposed; using this to add a little definition while wearing Exposed on the apples of my cheeks.

I love this blush to bits, especially because it gives your cheekbones a bit of a boost while still doing it's job as a blush. This is most definitely one of those blushes you have to have for autumn and winter. It looks beautiful with a bold berry lip color as well as a more natural looking lip. It kind of gives you that I just walked in from the cold type of look and I really think it's just one of the most beautiful (and flattering) blushes out there!

What do you guys think of this color? What are your favorite autumn blushes?

MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Soft and Gentle

MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Soft and Gentle · $29

I love a little bit of highlight every now and again — though now and again is more like every other day. As the summer fades, so does my tan and sometimes Benefit's Sunbeam is just a bit too bronze for what I'm looking for. That's when I reach for this gorgeous little highlighter.

MAC MSF in Soft and Gentle is the most perfect, perfect, and did I mention... perfect highlighter. Why? Because it looks good on basically all skin types all year round. Not to mention that it lasts forever. I've had this one for a few months now and it looks like I've barely touched it. It's pretty subtle when applied to the cheeks and cheekbones (hence the swatch I did), but still gives you the most gorgeous natural glow. Every time I use it I'm reminded why it's a product that most bloggers/beauty junkies adore and use on the daily. 

What do you guys think of Soft and Gentle? What are some of your favorite highlighters?

Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush in Exposed

Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush in Exposed · $25

I'm definitely not one of those girls who can have only one or two blushes. I like to wear blushes depending on my mood/outfit/weather/etc. Since autumn has just begun, I figured it was time to set aside my summer colors and look for a few new ones for fall and winter. 

I'm not sure about anyone else but I'm definitely embracing the dark lip trend this F/W so I wanted a few blushes that would be subtle and work with the dark plums and dusty roses. Exposed is one of those blushes. It's actually described as "nude" which isn't really true — it's more of a rose than nude but it's still perfect and exactly what I was looking for. It gives me a nice, soft flush of color as if I had just walked in from the cold (I wish, it's so warm here lately). 

As for the 12 hour claim, I don't think it lasts that long but it does last at least 8 hours on my normal skin. This is my first Tarte purchase and I'm sure it won't be my last. I'm really impressed with how wonderful this blush is to apply and wear — and the packaging is adorable! If you're looking for a more delicate looking shade to go along with dark or deep lipstick, you really can't go wrong with this one. 

What do you guys think of Tarte products? Have you tried their Amazonian 12-hour blush?

Laura Mercier Shimmer Bloc in Peach Mosaic

Laura Mercier Shimmer Bloc in Peach Mosaic · $38

I'm a huge fan of Laura Mercier products, or atleast the ones I've tried. I used her Silk Creme Foundation every day and though the thought of trying something else has crossed my mind, I'm not sure I'd ever make the switch. Her products are always really amazing quality so when I saw this I knew I had to have it!

I've had this for quite some time now (three months maybe?) and absolutely love using it as a highlighter on the apples of my cheeks and along my cheekbones. It gives a really beautiful glow and looks even better in the sunlight. I'm really into highlighters and anything that brightens my face so this product is definitely something I love using. The bloc itself is seriously gorgeous, I mean, look at it. I usually use my Real Techniques stippling brush to apply; swirling it in the shimmer bloc and stippling/buffing it into my cheeks and around until I get the finish I like. 

What do you guys think of the Laura Mercier Shimmer Bloc? What are some of your favorite highlighters?