Blush & Highlight Combo

An oldie and a newbie make the perfect flawless complexion. 

Growing up my mom always told me to wear blush. I rebelled like any teenager and avoided blush. I didn't want to look like a crazy clown. 

Well, like many things in life, my mom was right. Wear the blush. 

Blush does something to the face, it lifts, brightens, and adds color. Blush wakes up the complexion and makes us look youthful and healthy. 

A rediscovery and all time favorite blush of mine is mac's warm soul. This blush is the perfect mix of mauve, pink, brighting, slight shimmer shade for almost all skin tones. I have yet to find someone this blush doesn't look good on.

I heard that mac recently reformulated this perfection, and I'm sad about the news. I have yet to buy a new one, but when I tried it on in store, It was still beautiful with the reformulation.

Want to really brighten your face and wake up? Try a highlight. I'm loving this new discovery from Laura Geller. The Baked Split Highlight has the best of all your highlighting needs. You have a non shimmery, pearly highlight for daytime or natural looks. Swipe this on your highlight points and look like your woke up glowing. Use the shimmery peachy tone for a bit more drama and intensity. Both shades look beautiful on the eyes and inner corners as well.

In a hurry? Swipe warm soul on cheeks around the face, over the lids and add this highlight on your highlight points, few strokes of mascara, and a lip balm, your good to go and no one would be the wiser.

What are some of your favorite blushes and highlights? Did this post inspire you to dig through your makeup collection and find an old favorite? Tweet me your pics @sereinwu

XOXO

Serein

Let's Get A Little Cheeky

I kicked myself all year for not getting last year's limited edition cheek palette from NARS. You can bet the second I saw this years Virtual Domination Cheek Palette I added it to my shopping cart first thing and bought the beauty. 

NARS has a way with packaging unlike any brand out there. Everything they do is so sleek and sophisticated. Just look at this white & red packaging and the flower inlay detailing on both the cardboard box and the palette itself. 

I was quite please to find out that this year's cheek collection included 4 shades I do not own plus the ever trusty laguna bronzer that has become a makeup artist and lover's staple in his or her's collection. 

- 0.15 oz Miss Liberty Highlighting Blush Powder 
- 3 x 0.15 oz Blush in Sex Fantasy (pale lavender pink), Deep Throat (sheer peach), Final Cut (peach coral) 
- 0.35 oz Laguna Bronzing Powder (brown with gold shimmer)  

Swatches from left to right Miss Liberty, Deep Throat, Sex Fantasy, Final Cut, Laguna

What I love so much about this palette is that it gives me the idea of only bringing this baby for travel. I'm notorious for over packing especially in the makeup department, which is crazy since most of the time when I'm on vacation I keep it very simple and minimalistic, so who knows why I pack 3 of everything... minimum. 

By including a subtle highlight powder and neutral golden bronzer, it really is the perfect cheek and contour kit all in one.

I have to admit I'm not crazy about the very pinky based vibe of the blushes for winter, but I know I'll love these come spring and summer. The pigmentation is good, not as strong or vibrant as NARS original formula in the full sizes, but they definitely will do for travel and on the go.

Will you be picking up the NARS Virtual Domination Palette this year? What are you looking forward to in this year's holiday makeup collections?

XOXO
Serein