You're Making Me Blush!

One of the 2 things I cannot live without beauty-wise is blush (the other is mascara).
Blush is used to emphasize and contour your cheek bones, and give you a younger appearance. Women have been pinching and slapping their faces for centuries to redden their cheeks. During WWII women in camps pinched their cheeks to make them look healthy. So basically, blush saves lives :)
One of my favorite blushes is the Nars line. Specifically "Desire".

"Desire" gives you a "just came in from the winter cold" look.

I'm sure you're looking at this and thinking, "That looks like something from the 80's!". And you'd be right. Blush colors haven't changed much of the last couple decades, but the application has. In the 80's we (if you were around for it) used blush to excessively highlight our cheekbones. For example, check out this classic 80's beauty:

In order to have a natural, healthy blush apply to the apples of your cheeks first (smile really wide), then go lightly up the cheekbones.
I always match my blush to my eyeshadow--bright pinks to cooler tones, corals and peaches to warmer.
 You can also get blushes with highlighters in them as well. I do like this, but have a tendency to stay clear as my bronzer is a bit shimmery already.

MAC "Daft Pink"

 I happen to think that all blushes are made equal, expense wise. I do have a couple higher end brands, but drugstore blush works just as well. As long as you use a sealer it'll last all day and well into the night.

Left: Cover Girl in Rose Silk
Right: Cover Girl in Classic Pink

And if you're lucky enough to be one of those people that naturally blushes often, good for you! Blushing is a sign of endearment and being lovestruck :)

Product Warning!!!

 Yesterday I was at Shopper's, and I needed to pick up some new mascara. I saw the new CoverGirl Lashblast 24 hour wear, and decided to try it even against my better judgement. I always use the purple CG mascara and have tried new ones when they came out. Always a disaster. First of all I didn't like the brush as it's too thick--one of the reasons I shouldn't have gotten it in the first place. It's too hard to get the smaller ones and lower lashes properly and fully with the thick brush. But I thought why not?
To begin with it's super thick, but not in a good way. Almost globby. And it smells funny. Must be all the glue they put in it. Went on alright. Taking it off is my biggest problem. Last night I went to go take off my make-up and had to use my make-up remover TWICE. I thought that was ridiculous enough. Then I washed my face and it STILL didn't come off!

 

After 2 rounds of make-up remover and a wash.

To give you an understanding of the above picture--I have BLOND eyelashes!!!! Plus, you can still see how much mascara was left. Unfortunately, I had to go bed like this. My eyes get super irritated if all my make-up isn't off, and I don't like to ruin my sheets.
I figured in the morning it will have flaked off and it would be fine. It barely came off.

Next morning.

I then tried make-up remover again and hopped in the shower and scrubbed it the best I could....

It's still there. I get that it says 24 hour mascara, but in saying that I figured it was like a waterproof. Still eventually washable. I honestly think this mascara has glue in it. It will NOT come off! Not only was it bad for my eyes to continuously scrub and rub at them, but now I have left over mascara which I imagine will ruin my new fresh mascara that I'll put on today. Good thing I always keep my old ones just in case. And good thing shopper's does exchanges!