Elf Primer Infused Blush in Always Cheeky Review + Swatches

Elf's Primer Infused Blushes won Allure's 2019 Best of Beauty Award, so for only $6, I had to try it for myself. I also heard a lot of hype over this blush on social media and most were singing the praises of the shade Always Cheeky, so I went with that shade to find out what all the hype is about. 

From ELF:

2019 Allure Best of Beauty Award Winner!

This long-wear, matte blush is infused with lock on primer powder to ensure a full day of perfectly placed blush. This blush is easy to blend, perfectly pigmented for ease of application, and grips your cheeks like second skin.

-Available in 7 shades

-Retail $6 for 10 grams

The blush comes in a very large 10-gram pan with basic plastic packaging and does not have a mirror. The shade Always Cheeky appears to be a light peachy shade. I've heard a lot of people mention the "pink" in this shade, however, I do not see pink, personally. 

The blush kicks up a lot of powder when I dip my blush brush into it. It's best to tap the excess powder off of the brush before applying for an even application. This shade barely shows up on my light-medium skin tone unless I build up several layers, but then I lose the sheer, natural look as it will become powdery looking. Since I always wear bronzer, it's even less detectable on my skin. 

The formula is nice for aging skin as it is mostly matte, sheer, and doesn't accentuate texture or pores thanks to the built-in primer. Lasting time for me is average but then again, because it's so light on my skin tone, it's hard to even detect. 

ELF Primer Infused Blush in Always Cheeky in natural daylight

Overall, I like this blush. However, it's lacking that wow factor for me, which could be just because it's just the wrong shade for me. I need something a bit darker and something with a bit of pink or rose to it for my neutral (leaning warm), light-medium skin tone.

I would recommend this blush if you choose the right colour for your skin tone. I think that this shade, Always Cheeky, would suit someone with very fair skin. You can't beat the price at $6 for 10 grams!

*** UPDATE: I ended up liking this blush more and it showed up nicely when I switched to a much more dense makeup brush. It's still subtle,  but shows up, even with my bronzer on and I'm liking it. Very natural but present 😊

ELF Cosmetics is Cruelty-Free! 🐰

 Elf Primer Infused Blush $6 for 10 grams.

Have you tried this blush? Do you love it or not so much?

Have a great week ahead! 

Amy 

#playbeautifully #elfcosmetics

NARS Afterglow Lip Balm in Orgasm Review with Swatches!

Nars Afterglow Lip Balm in Orgasm $28 USD/ 3 Grams

True to other Nars Orgasm products, this lip balm is described as a sheer, peachy pink with golden shimmer. The Afterglow Lip Balm is available in 8 shades.

Described as moisturizing lip balm infused with a blend of antioxidants to condition and protect lips.

Details:

• Sheer coverage
• High shine colour
• Contains Monoï Oil for long-lasting hydration
• Fragrance-free
• Alcohol-free

As I get older, my lips get more and more dehydrated and lined. So I tend to look for hydrating lip products that add a hint of colour and this lippie seemed to tick off all of my boxes. And, with the Nars Orgasm name behind this shade, I was expecting something really special!

I have to admit that the rose gold packaging is stunning! I find the lip balm to be hydrating and it provides a sheer wash of colour to my lips. However, for the price, I was expecting it to have a wow factor. Don't get me wrong, I do really like it and enjoy using it but the wow factor just isn't there for me. I fee that I can get the same look from a lot of tinted lip balms.

It's very sheer, as it claims to be, but adds a decent amount of pink to my lips (this will vary for each person depending on how pigmented your lips are to begin with). It does swatch quite light and I didn't expect it to show up as much as it does on my lips based on that. It's described as a peachy pink with golden shimmer. It shows up as a sheer, shiny pink on my lips, however, I do not see any golden shimmer.

It is quite hydrating, as it should be. I find that the lasting power is average for a balm. Considering the price tag, I was expecting more here as well. After about 30 minutes, the colour, shine, and hydration start to wear off and I feel the need to reapply. However, if I do not reapply, I find that it does leave a very slight pink tint to my lips that does last as does a little bit of hydration.

Below are swatches from various angles during a dreary day, some with overhead lighting and some without.

As you can see, it is quite sheer against my pale skin. Of course, the effect will be different on your lips since they will have more pigmentation.

Here are a few comparisons of Nars Afterglow LipBalm in Orgasm beside ELF's Bare Kiss Lip Balm and Burt's Bees Lip Balm in Pink Blossom.

I read on a very reputable website that ELF's Bare Kiss was a DUPE for Nars Afterglow in Orgasm, so I purchased it right away. As you can see, they are not even close to each other. The formulas are also completely different (ELF is waxy and dry, Nars is sheer and hydrating).

Top: Nars Afterglow in Orgasm, Middle: ELF Bare Kiss, 

Bottom: Burt's Bees Pink Blossom

Below is right after application

30 minutes after application in the car

Overall, I do love this product even though it didn't have that wow factor that I was expecting. But, I also feel that I can get the same effect from many tinted lip balms. I would definitely repurchase this product if the price tag was around $10. But, at over $30 here in Canada, I would say it is very overpriced for what it is. However, I do think it would make a nice gift for someone who likes tinted lip balms as it comes in such beautiful packaging and it is very pretty. It's just not something I can justify repurchasing at its current price.

In hindsight, I would probably purchase the mini Afterglow Lip Balm that comes with the corresponding blush (linked here), and probably will when I finish this balm. 😊

$28 USD (Shop Now)

Once I find a DUPE for this product, I will be sharing with y'all as soon as I find it!

Let me know what your favourite coloured lip product is for aging lips in the comments below!

Not sponsored. Contain referral links. Thank you if you choose to use them!

Physicians Formula Butter Bronzer in Bronzer #Review

I finally "hit pan" on my Physician's Formula Butter Bronzer in the shade Bronzer. This bronzer definitely took time to grow on me. The formula is fabulous, it's soft and buttery just as the name implies. The shade can look a little muddy on me though because I find the Bronzer shade to be more of a contour shade, so I use a light hand. I like to bronze all over for a sunkissed look, because of this, I actually prefer bronzers with a bit of a red undertone to mimic a fake tan. I find the darker shade from this line "Dark Bronzer" (which is waiting patiently in the wings for me to use it) has more of a red undertone, so I prefer that one for an all over bronzed up look . These bronzers do have a sweet tropical scent which fades once applied. I'm really not offended nor sold by the scent. I actually prefer unscented beauty products but it wouldn't stop me from purchasing this product. 

My all-time favourite bronzer is still Laura Geller's Bronze n' Brighten and it's been my favourite for at least 10 years! But since I like to try new products, I had purchased the Butter Bronzers to give them a go. You never know if you'll find a new favourite, eh? Until I use this up, I will alternate my PF Butter Bronzers and my Laura Geller one, which I use in medium, btw.

Overall, the formula is fantastic and now there are 4 shades to choose from Light, Bronzer, Deep,  and Sunkissed, so there is something for everyone. Physician's Formula is a Cruelty-free brand. Plus, they are accessible and affordable if you wait for a sale. Right now all shades are half price at $7.69 on Amazon.com.

Shop Physicians Formula Butter Bronzers HERE.

What's your favourite bronzer? 

Hope everyone has a great week ahead. 

XO's Amy

*not sponsored. Some links are referral. Thank you if you choose to use them!

Philosophy Renewed Hope in A Jar Peeling Mousse, Refreshing and Refining Moisturizer + Time in A Bottle Serum Review

I had the pleasure of testing out Philosophy's Renewed Hope in A Jar Peeling Mousse, Refreshing and Refining Moisturizer, as well as their Time in A bottle Resist, Renew and Repair Serum thanks to Topbox Circle. 

*All links provided in this post contain pricing and product information

Although each sample was only 7ml's they did last me for a week, using AM + PM. Granted, this isn't nearly enough time to gauge any long term effects but it was enough time to notice some results.

Firstly, I love that these products are unscented. Although, I'm not against products with fragrance, I definitely prefer products that do not have any fragrance.  I have aging, combo, dehydrated and reactive skin. I was actually having a breakout all over my face from some other products that I had just started using when I received these samples. I started the Philosophy samples right away and found them very soothing on my skin. When I woke the next morning, my breakouts were going away already! I was already a fan based on that alone.

The Peeling Mousse is similar to some other products that I've used in the past where it's supposed to exfoliate your face as you massage the product into your skin, and your dead skin cells bead up and roll into little balls. I have never been sure if this is actually skin or the product that's beading up. However, I can say that my skin looked clearer, fresher, softer, and brighter after using this exfoliator. 

The Renew and Repair Serum, also unscented, absorbs nicely and doesn't leave my skin with any sticky residue or greasy feel. It's perfect under the Refreshing and Refining Moisturizer and also underneath makeup. It adds a bit of hydration and is very gentle on my reactive skin. I would love to see the long term benefits, if any, of this product as it has some great anti-aging ingredients. 

From Ulta's site:

An exclusive liposome complex stimulates skin's natural repair functions to help repair skin damage at its source. Next, potent vitamin C8 and a patented antioxidant complex neutralize damaging free radicals to help renew skin's protection from daily aggressors; and third, extracts from rare Himalayan red rice, red grape ferment and plantain leaf help reactivate skin's natural age-resisting mechanisms, for results you can see and feel.

The Refreshing and Refining Moisturizer was also a delight to use. Fragrance-free, extremely soothing to my dehydrated skin, and really does provide long-lasting hydration. Again, no sticky or oily residue with this product either. My skin was left so soft that I couldn't stop touching it for a while there. hehe. I know, that's a no-no. The other noticeable difference was the rough, bumpy texture, especially on my forehead was gone and smoothed out after using these products for a week!

In Summary:

My favourite products are the serum and moisturizer. With the moisturizer, I had immediate benefits and it gave me long-lasting hydration. The serum has such great ingredients that I would have like to continue using it in conjunction with the moisturizer to see if I would experience any anti-aging benefits. I could take or leave the peel. Although, my skin did look fresher and brighter after using it, I can get that from most exfoliators. However, I do prefer a chemical exfoliator over a physical one, and the peeling mousse is a chemical exfoliator. Overall, I find that these products do what they claim. They offer fabulous hydration without being heavy or greasy and would be suitable for all skin types including sensitive and reactive skin like mine, and the prices are reasonable.

Have you tried these products? What is your favourite?

Thank you to Topbox Circle and Philosphy for sending over these products for me to test out.💗

#notsponsored #freesample

*This post contains referral links. Thank you in advance if you choose to use them.

Hello + New Blog Schedule!

Hi Everyone!
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I know it's been a while since my last post, almost 2 months now. I had no intention to just stop posting suddenly, but personal issues and serious family medical issues have taken over my life for the last couple of months, leaving no time for other things that I love. I have definitely missed posting here and have thought about it often but family and health matters will always be my priority. I'm sure many of know how draining and all-consuming it can be when you're dealing with serious medical issues in your family and such.

Regarding my schedule here at HGB, I hope to be able to come back and start posting again. I'd like to aim for one post a week, most likely every Sunday. Even if I just have a quick post to share, I'd like to try and keep this schedule up for the next little while until hopefully things settle down 🙏

I hope things are good on your end and I hope to see you here on Sundays! 🤗