SPOTLIGHT: Rediscovering Powder Blushes (Part 2)...

Following on from Part 1, here's a few more of the powder blushes that I've been collecting, and am loving right now - one was a freebie, one was a prize, and the other two I purchased. I'm still using Australis Chocolate Truffle cream blush as a base on most days, but adding a couple of flicks of any one of these gorgeous powders is bringing another dimension of colour and shape to my face. I really must have been crazy to give them up for so long...

This first beautifully boxed Benefit blush was one of the delights in the beautyheaven goody bag I scored at the recent Beauty Degustation event. ROCKATEUR is a subtle and soft rose pink embedded with minute particles of gold - it's a tad too reflective for me to build it up enough for sufficient colour, but applied as an illuminator along the tops of my cheekbones, hey I'm ready to rock :-) This is the only really shimmery blush in my kit - I normally avoid them like the plague because the light has a tendency to bounce off them and accentuate my enlarged pores and creases, but not this playful little hotsy totsy. Adore the packaging of this range, which includes an in-lid mirror and baby brush nestled on top of a protective plastic insert - sheer genius ♥

Benefit HERVANA came in my Blogstar prize box - the inspired mix of coloured segments all tone together to create a flush that never EVER looks fake. I have swirl my brush about 6 times (washing machine action lol) to pick up enough pigment to give my cheeks a natural glow, but the result can only be described as "natural radiance". It's not completely matte - there are microscopic sparkles in both the lightest and apricot shades to break up an otherwise flat finish, but not enough to give this older gal any grief. These powders are so finely milled that there's never any excess left in the cute-as-a-button box either - quite remarkable really, but hey for $51, I kinda expect something reasonably close to perfection :-)

And next we have ModelCo PEACH BELLINI. I first encountered this pretty shade as a freebie on a magazine cover, but a few months later I had a severe attack of the clumsies and dropped it on the floor - cracked into several large chunks (and a whole heap of powdery bits) and made a huge mess on my carpet. I was totally bummed because it's a magical hue that goes with almost half my winter wardrobe, and I was tickled peach to find it on special for $10 a few weeks ago at Coles. It blends beautifully, and seems to accentuate my hair colour (not that it needs any boosting lol). The plastic case is modern and comfortingly sturdy, and it came with a baby kabuki brush that's been stashed away in my drawer - too tiny for everyday use, but it will be handy when I'm travelling...

And here's the oldest one in my kit - found this at Aldi on one of those "specials" tables, along with a bronzer (which I've completely used up) and a couple of stunning lip glosses. It's great value for under $8 - a similar shade to the ModelCo one, but a tad more orange, and a notch brighter. The loose powder makes it a bit messy for transporting, but the finish on my cheeks is superb. The problem with gems like this from Aldi is that you only ever see them once, or maybe twice in 12 months if you're lucky. Oh how I wish this Minerals range was included in their standard stock along the back wall...

Well my lovelies, that's it for Part 2, but there's more to come I can assure you :-)

Take care of you,
kats xxx