Marc Jacobs Beauty Air Blush Soft Glow Duo - Flesh & Fantasy

Marc Jacobs launched the Air Blush line a couple months ago. It is marketed as a palette that lets you use either side individually or combining the shades, thus giving you three color options from the one blush. As an aside, I had to chuckle at the description stating that this gives a "dance-floor flush" because it has been some time since my clubbing days, which makes me feel old. I digress... I chose the color Flesh and Fantasy, as it seemed like a nice neutral to see if I like the formula and I am definitely not disappointed.

The blush itself is housed in a nice shiny black package. It is plastic, but does not feel cheap. I like the metal push button opener; it feels more special than just pulling the blush case apart. The pan is a really large size, which is nice considering the cost of the blush is $42. You can sweep the color on the left side for a lighter, more highlighted shade, or the right side for a deeper blush. The brand recommends sweeping a brush over the palette vertically to get the colors from the sides, which I did find worked pretty well. If you are truly looking to get only one of the colors without any hint of the other, you are going to need to squeeze your brush to do so.  The color is a light, nude blush that I can pair with more vibrant eye or lip looks. It lasted all day on me when tested.

Close up of the pan:

Swatches below. All swatches in order of first photo.

Outdoors:

Indoors (no flash):

Indoors (with flash):

I am happy with this purchase, as I like the customization aspect of the blush. It has a really nice finish and blends so well. The shimmer is noticeable but not overly dramatic, and it can be worn during the day/at work. If you are looking for a neutral blush that adds a light flush to the skin, you should definitely look into this. I purchased mine at Sephora, but it is available at Marc Jacobs Beauty stockists. There are four other shades available if you like the idea of the palette, but not this particular shade.  Have you tried any new blushes lately? Any tried and true favorites?

Bright Summer Lip Looks

Today I thought I would share a quick roundup of some of my favorite bright lip colors for summer. I find that bright colors are so much fun for lips in the summer, especially since I tend to wear less makeup everywhere else due to the heat. I think these colors help liven up the complexion and make me look more put together.



I picked the Fresh Sugar Tinted Lip Treatment in Tulip, Marc Jacobs Lip Creme in Je T'Aime, tarte Amazonian Butter Lipstick in Coral Blossom, YSL Volupte Tint-in-Oil in No 5 Cherry My Cherie, Chanel Glossimer in Amour, and Nars Lip Gloss in Salamanca. See swatches below.

In direct sunlight:



Outdoors in shade:



I hope you enjoyed these favorites. What are some of your favorite summer lippies?

Besame Cosmetics Lipstick Matches - American Beauty

I bought the Besame Cosmetics Classic Color Lipstick Matches on a whim during the Sephora Rouge sale. The packaging is just like the name describes, an old matchbook. It definitely has an old Hollywood vibe (or a modern vintage, like Dita Von Teese). I purchased the color American Beauty, which is described as a cool berry red.




In order to use the product, you have to fold along the perforated edge and then tear off an individual stick, much like a regular matchbook. The compact size and style of the package makes it perfect for putting in a clutch for a night out.




The color payoff was surprising. According to Besame, each stick is one application. I think that is fairly accurate, as I used one match to swatch on my arm and test on the lips. I have to say that I was very surprised by the color payoff and the lack of any drying feel, even though the shade is definitely a matte when put on the lips (I did notice that it swatched a bit more creamy on the arms). The match was fairly easy to apply, but I do recommend prepping the lips first to ensure even application. It works wonderfully as a stain as well. The lipstick lasted a few hours for me and left a very nice berry stain after that I applied gloss over.

I pulled a few different shades in my collection to see how the Besame compared. The color looks much darker in the matchbook and on the stick than it does swatched on the lips or arm. See swatches below.

Outdoors in full sunlight:



Outdoors in shade:



Swatches from top: Besame Cosmetics American Beauty, Nars Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Cruella, Marc Jacobs Lip Creme in So Rouge Le Marc, L'Oreal Colour Riche in British Red, and Nars lipstick in Gipsy.

Overall, I think this was a really fun purchase and I love the vintage vibe of the line as a whole. I am interested in trying some of the full size lipsticks and do wish that they would expand the matchstick line to include a few of their other lipstick colors. Currently, they only have the matchsticks for their reds, but I would love this in some of the pink shades.

Besame Cosmetics Classic Color Lipstick Matches currently retail for $6 and are available in 6 shades. I found mine at Sephora and they are also available on Besame's website. Have you tried anything from Besame before? What is your favorite red lip?

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