Sunday 16 October 2016

SEASONAL CULL: Blushes...

Hmmm, this seasonal cull wasn't quite as productive as the first exercise, but while concealers and blushes are both vital makeup items, they're hardly comparable hey  The spectrum of blush shade families, textures and finishes available is pretty much unlimited, and I for one delight in having lots of choices - hence the collection below  But still I reckon it's worth reassessing every now and then, if for no other reason than to keep a mindful eye on storage space ... 


I started by sorting them into formulas and colours - first separating creams and powders, and then grouping them into pinks/purples, oranges/corals, and mauves/bricks/plums. Below are the creams, which I use when I want a more dewy finish, or as a base to boost the powder topping, and make it last all day. The lidless pots are by Lacura, and the Lip & Cheek Rouges are by DB Cosmetics. That Australis one on the far right is the last of the handful I bought when it was discontinued years ago, and it's STILL viable...



These are the two I decided to dispose of because I hardly ever wear them - the Lacura one because it's so very pale on my skin, and the Maybelline hue, well it just isn't quite right...


And here are the powders sorted into colour families...



I started with the corals and oranges - nothing pricey at all here, and more than enough to cover every need for this autumnal hue. Top left is NYX Ombre, and the bold trio in the middle is by Sleek...


I made up my mind to ditch the BYS Endless Summer palette as I've only ever used the middle pan, plus it's many years old. The two essence blushes are fairly recent additions, but again, the hues aren't quite flattering enough for my complexion, and the matt touch one has very little colour payoff...


Next up were the pinks and purples - without a doubt my passions, especially when wearing black/white outfits. Although I call myself a "warm", I'm actually a neutral, and can therefore wear some of these ever so pretty cooler tones. The purpley one without a label is by Real Purity, and was sent to me by a darling friend (♥), and I'd forgotten all about the Mirenesse one top left - found it in my work room on the "must swatch before reviewing" shelf, so I'll be giving that a go shortly (once I've swatched it lol). Top right beauty is by NYX, and the middle trio is by Sleek...


Couldn't bring myself to toss out very many here as they're all quite different, and equally gorgeous. However the essence blush up has seen better days, and I only ever wear the colour on the left side of the pan. The BYS palette is another ancient one, and well, it was time to say goodbye...


I tend to wear the mauves, plums and bricky reds more often in Autumn and Winter, although the mauves really have a place all year round. The one on the top right (no label, another gift) is the second untouched one I found on my shelf, and bottom left is the only Laura Geller makeup item in my kit, and it's divine - must explore this brand further! Bottom right is by Ulta3, my most treasured plummy cheek enhancer, next to it is a duo by BH Cosmetics, and the patchy looking one in the middle top row is NYX Ombre - seems to be have been moisture affected, but whatever I did wrong, it still lays down magnificently...


Could only give one the flick here - I do love the colours in this Maybelline pan, but it's just too shimmery, and gives me trouble in my EOTD photos because the particles always seem to spread up to my under-eye area, and accentuate my wrinkly bits...


I excluded these two palettes from the cull because they're indispensable - the big one by BH Cosmetics has such a fabulous assortment of shades, and the Hourglass one, well, besides being so beautiful, how could I throw away an Hourglass anything? ...


So there you have it - started with 40 in total (13 cream & 27 powder), and reduced them down to 32. Not quite the ruthless result I'd planned, but not a bad effort considering my fickle nature. I can't possibly label any one of these as my HG, but below are my personal faves and the ones I reach for most often - for their stunning colours, impressive pigmentation, and silky formulas ...


Haven't decided what I'll cull next - I'm torn between eye liners and foundation. I reckon the liners will be a breeze (thanks to Eye of Horus Cosmetics), but the foundations will be a challenge as there's so many I love ha ha ...

Take care of you,
kats xxx

P.S. Adding this to Ingrid's Monday Madness Link Up Party  - the pick of the bloggers crop...

28 comments:

  1. Wow Kat, what an amazing collection again! Thanks to you, I think I fell in love with the ombre blushes from NYX. They look stunning, beautiful and those colors? I think I should step out of my comfort zone and try one of these crazy colors. :D
    Michelle Morchella

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lol Michelle, the NYX blushes come in a few other colours which aren't quite so loud and that might be more suitable - they're all absolutely gorgeous, and I plan on acquiring the whole set ♥

      Delete
  2. Kat, you have such a beautiful collection! You did well culling even a few. Well done x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Gee Barbe, it wasn't that long ago that I only had three, and no powders! Will have to stop soon though - not enough space, and only one face lol xxx

      Delete
  3. Nice job culling! That rippley flower is an MBA blush bouquet �� It needed the right kinda brush to apply perfectly �� I love those NYX ombre blushes! I bought one to wear to work (the mauve shade). It is so pretty seeing all your blushes laid out, what a rainbow! ��Christina

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi beautiful! Thanks for confirming - I should have known although I wasn't sure, I'm amazed there are several companies all selling something similar, and with the same name! And oh yeah, the NYX blushes are absolute stunners - can see you in the mauve one, tres gorge ♥♥♥

      Delete
  4. I have a really hard time letting go of blushes too. I'm one that really needs colour in my face so I LOVE my blushes and bronzers! I'm at the point where unless it's something that's gone bad and has to go, I swatch and if I have 2 that are identical I try to part with one. xo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Me too Amy - I look ill without blush and/or bronzer, on weekends sometimes that's all I put on, makes a massive difference xxx

      Delete
  5. Great collection! Hourglass blushes are indeed amazing. I have two (won 'em) and they are just gorgeous to look at, never mind to wear!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Aren't they something else? - I have a bronzer from their range too, it was a gift from a mutual friend, and like her, it's fantabulous ♥♥♥

      Delete
  6. Wow so envious of your collection! I think you did well, at least you managed to cull some out after all haha Jackie - Lipstick, Lattes & Louboutins

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lol I could have done a lot better if I'd REALLY tried Jackie, but it's a start, and I'm delighted to have made even a small dent in my kit ♥

      Delete
  7. What a comprehensive blush collection! I've mainly been using my NARS Orgasm blush for ages which is my holy grail of blushes. Unfortunately I have now hit pan for quite some time, so I'm doing the opposite to you and expanding my blush collection to try some more variety of shades.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well I shall very much look forward to seeing some of what you amass Ingrid - I'm starting to feel the same about blushes as I do about lipsticks, can never have too many ha ha ♥♥♥

      Delete
  8. WOW! You have an amazing blush collection Kat! I am a bit of a makeup hoarder so my hat goes off to you to have seasonal culls, especially when you have such a beautiful collection! But out with the old and in with the new, right?! Always plenty of room for more :) xxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's my motto too Marisa - honestly these days they make blushes that are works of art, and I'm determined to get my hands on at least one or two of those super special ones by Chanel or Dior just so I can look at them ♥♥♥

      Delete
  9. I don't buy many cheap blushes so I don't think I could get rid of many of mine. Blush is one of my fave products - I wish I had the hourglass palette!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Alinta - no need to get rid of them if you love them ♥ I'd be no good with expensive blushes - I'd just stare at them all day long, and never use them lol xxx

      Delete
  10. Great collection Kats! I'm not a fan of blushes, but you have some really nice ones :) Tal xo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you sweet Tal - we all have our fave makeup products hey. Can't believe there was a time when I only had three, now I'm a blush loony! ♥

      Delete
  11. You have an awesome blush stash! I prefer peachy/apricot/terracotta blushes on my very yellow-toned skin (or even bronzers). Or rose golds, like Nars Orgasm, which is my all-time favourite.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Renu thanks hon - those colours you mentioned sound gorgeous. I sometimes wear just a bronzer too, so long as it has a bit of oomph to give me a bit of a glow ♥ Gee I might have to get that Nars Orgasm, it sure seems to be popular xxx

      Delete
  12. Great job! Love your colourful collection, the different hues are just gorgeous to look at!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Darling Di - they usually live in drawers, so it wasn't till I gathered them all together that I could appreciate how pretty they are. Believe it or not I manage to use ALL of these lol! xxx

      Delete
  13. Wow - you did an amazing job. I don't think I could part with such pretty makeup haha! xx

    Jasmine / sweetaholic-beauty.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well Jasmine I admit I did feel a bit sad when I looked at them plonked in the bin, but hey, I didn't toss all that many - glad I made some room for a few more beauties though xxx

      Delete
  14. Another lovely seasonal cull article :) I love blushes and I don't think I can let go of any of mine! I have the same Hourglass and Sleek ones as you and they are my favourites.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hey stackcats, the Hourglass one is one of my faves too - thankfully it was a gift as I nearly fainted when I saw the price at Mecca lol ♥♥♥

      Delete