Category: Beauty

UPDATE February 2021: Becca Cosmetics has announced they will be closing their brand in September 2021.

This has to be one of the least talked about blushes these days.  I used to hear the occasional mention of them, but lately, it is all about the Cover FX blush duos or more recently cream blushes.  I typically stick to matte blushes because I often get breakouts on my cheeks, but I was pleasantly surprised that these look more satin once applied.  They do not accentuate any texture that I have and I haven’t used any other formula that looks as healthy on my dry skin.

While this formula is easy to blend, it is quite pigmented.  I suggest using the fluffiest blush brush you own and starting with a small amount.  Snapdragon is not as luminous or as pigmented as blushed copper and dahlia.  So if you are nervous about the pigment level but still curious to try out this formula I would give Snapdragon a try first.

The luminous blush line has a total of 6 colors and they retail for $34.00.

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Make Up For Ever (MUFE) Artist Color Eyeshadows, $17.00

If you are not familiar with these eyeshadows, they are sold individually in a plastic case that is intended to be temporary.  MUFE is a makeup artist brand, so the intention is that you build the palette you need for the jobs you work.  The brand does obviously cater to the general public as well, but they stick to their artistry roots.  So you will have to purchase a sturdier case for these items unless you already have space in a zpalette or similar magnetic palette.

$17.00 per shade (compact to hold the pan is not included)

All compacts regardless of size are $2.00 (you need the extra small size to hold 1 eyeshadow)

Bundle prices:

Buy 2 shades + a small compact, $29.00

Buy 3 shades + a medium compact, $39.00

Buy 4 shades + a large compact, $49.00

Buy 6 shades + an extra large compact, $59.00

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These blushes are quite hard to capture on camera, but I did my best.  While both colors have shimmer in them Dominate has a heavier sheen and more noticeable shimmer particles than Savage. 

(discontinued) NARS Dominate, $30

NARS describes the shade Dominate as a shimmering deep plum.  When applied sheerly on the face, the plum tone is more pronounced.  I do not enjoy the shade dominate for my preferences, I find it has too much shimmer in it.  When I look at it on my skin the shimmer particles sink into my pores.  Unfortunately, I couldn’t capture the sparkles in either shade on camera without losing the actual color of the blush.

Update 2024: NARS has reformulated their blushes to be talc-free. Click here to see swatches of some of the reformulated shades.

(discontinued) NARS Savage, $30

NARS describes Savage as a shimmering red brown and when applied to the face you can see that reddish tone come through more than the way it swatches.  Savage is my favorite of the two shades.  It has a less intense shimmer running through it that makes me look healthy and doesn’t accentuate my pores.

Update 2024: NARS has reformulated their blushes to be talc-free. Click here to see swatches of some of the reformulated shades.

Both shades are buildable, so I think they would work for several different skin tones.  I was pleasantly surprised that dominate was easy to apply lightly.  In my past experience, NARS blushes apply better with natural hair brushes and these are no exception.  They always apply splotchy when I try to use synthetic brushes.  I think NARS blushes are ok, but I’m never blown away by them.  I think there are better formulas at lower price points. However, if you are looking for great colors that work for a variety of skin tones, they definitely excel at that.

NARS blushes retail for $30.

What’s your take on NARS blushes?  Are they worth the hype?

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Disclaimer:  I purchased all products featured with my own money.  For my full disclosure policy, click here.

The blushes in this collection are being marketed as having a “Fingertip-friendly bouncy powder” formula.  They retail for $29.00 wherever bareMinerals is sold.  I don’t have a lot of experience with this type of formula, but I’d say they are like the Colourpop super shock formula.

Continue reading “bareMinerals Bounce and Blur Blush Swatches” →

If you are interested in these or any Clinique products, now through March 21, 2020, Clinique loyalty members can get 30% off any order (exclusions apply).

Clinique Lid Pop – Willow Pop, $19.50

When I purchased Willow Pop I was hoping for gold that leans green, but this shade is definitely a straight-up green.  So basically, the name is accurate.  The shade is very pretty and it works well, it just wasn’t suited to my taste.

Clinique Lid Pop – Grape Pop, $19.50

Grape Pop has a nice texture, it is smooth and buildable.  But there is something about the color that ends up looking a little dull once it is on my eyes.

Clinique Willow Pop and Grape Pop Swatches

These are decent shadows, but I think their All About Shadow line of eyeshadows is better quality for the price.  Some of my favorites are the quad in morning java (see swatches here) and the single in chocolate covered cherry.

Update February 15, 2022: Clinique Lid Pop Eyeshadows seem to have been discontinued, but if you can find any remaining inventory, they retail for $19.50.

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Disclaimer:  I purchased all products featured with my own money.  For my full disclosure policy, click here.

I was very excited to see some of the new NARS eyeshadow singles pop up for sale on Nordstrom Rack.  I have really enjoyed the formulation and have wanted a few more shades but never got around to buying them.  As far as I can tell these items are just overstock and the shades are still available as part of the permanent range from NARS. If you have been wanting to try their new eyeshadow formula but didn’t want to pay that much for a single shade, now is your chance. 

Here are swatches of the 3 shades I already own.

The 1st and 3rd shades swatched are $9.97 on the Nordstrom Rack website as of March 6, 2020:

Guayaquil, bright metallic rust ($19.00 regular retail)

Fez, shimmering cocoa ($19.00 regular retail)

The center shade (Noumea) is not on sale right now on Nordstrom rack, but it is a permanent shade available for regular retail and available wherever NARS is sold.

Noumea, Sienna, $19.00

Are you a NARS eyeshadow fan?  What shade is your favorite?

If you enjoyed this post, please consider sticking around. You can check out my Brands A-Z index if you want to know what products I have posted about in the past.

Disclaimer:  I purchased all products featured with my own money.  For my full disclosure policy, click here.