Click and Make-Up Beauty Blog: blush

Wednesday

Review | Sleek MakeUP Limited Edition Aqua Collection

It seems like a lifetime since I've had a Sleek MakeUP post for you, but this one was worth the wait. I was sent this collection in February and at the time the weather was so horrendous all the bright colours were a bit much to take. In the past week the warmer weather has made the possibility of bright Spring make up more tangible.

The collection is limited edition and has been available since mid March, so move quick if you want to get your hands on it. Purchase the Lagoon Eyeshadow online from www.sleekmakeup.com or at Superdrug for £7.99 and the Mirrored Pink Blush for £4.49.

The top shade from the Lagoon palette is definitely the pale bronze. I'm a Sleek eyeshadow evangelist because for the budget price the quality is great, more so with the metallic shades. This is a fun palette and if you're into bright eyes this will see you right through to the end of summer.

The Mirrored Pink blush is a masterpiece. It's their cooler toned answer to their infamous Rose Gold which caused such a stir a couple of years ago for being a straight up NARS Orgasm clone. After my initial fling with Rose Gold I had to face the sad truth that it just isn't that flattering on my pale skin. It turns up too orange and warmed toned, making me look ruddy rather than flirtily flushed. For anyone a MAC NC20 or under, Mirrored Pink is your answer. I've used it solidly every day for two months which says a lot considering I have literally a drawer of blushes to choose from. It's even dragged me away from my cream blush obsession. Aside from the beautiful colour, it's amazingly pigmented, so it will last you forever as you only need the tiniest bit. It's also very long wearing, with no need to touch up during a normal 9-5 day. The only drawback is it IS very shimmery which could rule it out for anyone with a sober job! I don't mind the shimmer as it helps me skip the step of going crazy on my cheekbones with a Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick.

I've got a few other new Sleek products up my sleeve and will be revealing all very soon!

Tuesday

Review | Lancome Absolu Voyage Complete Make-Up Palette

Lancome Absolu Voyage Complete Make-Up Palette - Heathrow T5, - £42.20

Make up palettes from high end lines have much improved - I remember when they used to be filled with wacky shades and questionable quality products, and while they were neat and cute to look at, I didn't see myself seriously using one.

Guerlain's Terracotta Make Up Palette which I reviewed here really switched me onto how versatile and practical they can be, as well as beautiful to use. Once you have your base sorted whether that's tinted moisturiser, BB cream, foundation or just bare skin if you're lucky enough this Lancome palette gives you a fully polished look in a few minutes. I just can't get over the dinkyness for everything it contains!

It includes:

6 neutral eyeshadows, the strip on the left side are stunning, but there's also a dark purple to take a look into the evening
Concealer
Blush
Three lipsticks
Face powder - this is very dinky to get your whole face covered with the little pad, but it does the job of sorting out oily patches on your T zone. Of course it's in quite a light shade, so wouldn't be great for deeper skin tones.
Mini Lancome Hypnose mascara (a Holy Grail beauty)
Black Kohl eyeliner
Lip pencil

The only things you'd miss are a dusting of bronzer and dab of highlighter.

The brushes and applicators supplied with many compacts are still questionable, but the little brush in this Lancome palette made a valiant effort at applying just the right amount of blush for an understated glow, and wasn't scratchy. The eyeshadow brush was surprisingly good, as was the lip brush. The Hypnose Mascara mini is just as amazing as a full size as the brush head is the regular size.

The packaging is very cute and saves space by having a little pull-out drawer. It comes in a velvet pouch which make it feel that bit more special and also prevents the items tipping out in your bag if the latch become undone. The mirror in the lid is a great size. All in all it's the perfect little compact to keep stashed in your desk at work for touch ups or last minute nights out. I've even brought it on a couple of weekends away as it's such a great space and weight saver.

The bad news is that it seems to only be available at airport duty free shops - so keep a look out next time you're going away.