Delightful Illusions

Hi! It's a cold, stormy Friday here in the Philippines today and I thought it would be the perfect time to write a blog post. I was supposed to blog about my current product empties but I wasn't in the mood to do that. Then, I browsed some blog posts on Google and I found this tag that has been going around on the beauty blogs and videos for a while named The Blush Tag (from BLOGHER). This tag is so interesting and seems fun to about blushes so I gave it a shot.

Makeup products are my favorite things since I was in College and started collecting on my 2nd year. I have accumulated a lot of stuff but I also got rid of so many. I have always kept my collection on a minimum number because I don't need 20 blushed at the same time. Currently, I have 13 blushes on my stash and I think that would be enough to do this tag. If you are interested on the blushes that I will be showing, just keep on reading. :)

I have to say, this Revlon A Floral Affair Blush in Pinking Of You has the best packaging for blushes. They don't look that much cute or pretty in terms of graphics, but it's so sturdy and survived for 7 years that I have this. It's sleek, fits on any of my makeup bags and is great for travelling. Why is it good for travelling? The packaging doesn't break! This has a strong and stable packaging for drugstore item. A big thumbs up! 

*This was a limited edition but you can still get this on Amazon. Just click the link. :)

PRETTIEST COLOR

The blush on the San San Da Red Collection Face Palette in Flaunt To Impress has a pretty semi-metallic bubblegum pink shade. It glides on smoothly to the skin and blendable as well. I bought this in 2010 and I'm sure that you cannot get this anymore because it's limited edition as well. As far as I remember, I didn't use this much because this is too much for school. It makes my cheeks pop. Haha! :)

MOST PIGMENTED

This e.l.f. Studio Blush in Tickled Pink looks nothing on the pan. Just apply this to your cheeks, blend it, and boom! It looks beautiful! I didn't liked this that much when I bought this (almost 6 years ago) and didn't care that to use over the past years. I pulled this out this year out of my stash because I included this in a project that I currently have. I rediscovered this product and as I use it everyday, I begin to appreciate this blush. It's one those blushes that you didn't like at first, but the more you use it, the more you like it. I love how this can go subtle and be buildable at the same time. This particular shade is perfect for everyday because it goes with any look that I use. :)

PARTY BLUSH

Party blush?? What do they mean by that? A blush that's perfect party? A blush that looks like a party? I'm not really sure. Haha! Anyways, I chose this EB Advance Blush Duo in Golden Goddess as my party blush (the pink one). My camera didn't do justice on how amazing this blush is; it's this fruit punch pink with gold undertones and has gold micro-glitters that is so reflective on the cheeks. The quality of the blush is great; it's pigmented, finely-milled, glides on smoothly, and just gorgeous in general. I think that this is kind of similar to NARS Orgasm Blush, just more pink than coral. This blush will be perfect for parties because it screams "PARTY!!" itself. You'll feel indeed like a goddess when wearing this blush.

REGRET PURCHASING

This blush from elf, from a palette which isn't being sold anymore, is by far the worst. This looks like an ordinary pink blush from the drugstore. But, this isn't a blush at all. As you can see from the swatch below, it doesn't have a decent pigmentation to be called a blush. It's so chalky and powdery; it fades into a a glitter dump once blended on the skin. This wouldn't even work as a highlight. It sucks! I don't even use this and wouldn't bother it until I decide to throw it away one day. 

LEAST USED 

This blush included in the The Balm Autobalm California Face Palette is my least used because I don't want to wear it down yet. The Balm Cosmetics is expensive here in the Philippines, and this baby isn't gonna be used just yet. It's a nice natural looking blush that is good for everyday flush of color on the cheeks. I just don't want to use it yet. Haha! :)

MOST USED/BLUSHES YOU DON'T WANT TO LET GO OF

The Nichido True Colors Collection Blush in Cool Rum is most used blush in my stash. It's great for warming the face, contouring, and just a warm mid-tone blush for everyday use. It is evident in this photo that I love it so much it's half-way gone. I'm so in love with this color! 💖👌

FAVORITE BLUSH BRAND

The Nichido True Colors Collection Blushes, of course. They're affordable, it's only Php 88 each. They have a great color pay-off and an array of color selection which suits Filipina skin. For a start, buy this blush trio which contains a peach, warm mid-tone coral, and blushing pink blushes. I forgot the exact price but I'm pretty sure that they don't exceed from Php 300.

GREATEST BLUSH DISCOVERY

This blush duo is my greatest discovery just yet. I didn't imagine that a drugstore brand from the local market could produce such good quality products that costs only Php 220. I recommend buying one of these. You won't regret.

MOST PRACTICAL

The San San Age Defense Blush in Peach Glow is the most practical in my collection. It does give a natural peach glow in your face, has age defense ingredients, protects the skin from the harmful rays of the sun, and nourishes the skin with Vitamins A,C, and E. It's a makeup that beautifies and takes care of the skin. So practical!

LEAST PRACTICAL

None. I don't have any.

MOST EXPENSIVE

It's also the Revlon blush I have talked about earlier. I forgot the exact price, but I paid for Php 700 or above for the blush. 

LEAST EXPENSIVE

The same San San blush I mentioned above is my least expensive blush. It only costs Php 125, sold exclusively at HBC stores. What are you waiting for? Go and grab one! 

This tag is so fun. I enjoyed going through my collection and swatching the blushes. I rediscovered things and I want to use some of these in next days. I tag all of you to this because blushes are too beautiful not be to be talked about and shared. I hoped you liked this post and do this as well. Please leave your post's link or video link on the comments area if you have done this tag too. I'll read them. Thank you so much for dropping by and read this blog. I hope you are all having a great day. I'll talk to you soon. Stay safe. 💕

           Hey, guys! Welcome to my new post. Today, I will be showing you the makeup items I have bought for the past couple of months. One of the the challenges I am doing this year is the Project Makeup Low Buy which aims to control my impulsive shopping for makeup, invest on some good makeup brushes and save money. I am allowing myself to buy one makeup item per month, two products if there are sales going on. I am doing good so far, but I just can't that 1 product per month rule. It's just not working for me. Haha! I will not make this post long so I'll go ahead. If you are interested on products I hauled, just keep on reading. :)

March Items:

          Ever Bilena Advance Blush and Bronzer Duo (Golden Goddess). Lastly, I bought this blush and bronzer duo because people raves about this new products from Ever Bilena. This new additional products to the line came out around January and people were hauling them. This brand has stepped-up the game on their makeup; this brought so much excitement and joy to the people because another affordable makeup products with good quality has entered the market. After a couple months, I decided to jump into the bandwagon and try this particular product because this is the one that kept my interest the most. I have swatched the other duos the have and this is the one I liked (second from my first choice). My first choice was actually out of stock so I picked this one. I love how the bronzer is not overwhelming; I could definitely use this for contouring and get away with it without being noticed. It's matte, not powdery, super soft and glides into the skin smoothly. The blush is gorgeous as it gives a golden sheen on the cheeks; you don't need a highligther with this product. It's not powdery as well and not glittery at all. This duo is good for light-skinned people. Give this a try and you'll love it.

April Items:

          AVON Super Extend Extreme Mascara (Black Brown). I don't like this mascara at all! It's not super extending at all. It's just a regular mascara, in an expensive price. I paid Php 299 for this and I didn't get what I paid for. The wand is so weird; it's big and the brush is sparse. I don't think this applicator will give a extended look. Don't buy this. You'll get pissed. Boo! 

         Those are the products I bought in March and April. I know, I didn't follow my own rules. I'm sorry! But I did good in not spending too much money on makeup. Yay! If you want an in-depth review on any of these products, please let me know. I will gladly do it. I hope you enjoyed reading and learned something in this post. If you have any questions or suggestions, you are welcome to leave a comment. Thank you so much for reading. I hope you are having a great day. Stay safe. XOXO