New Favourite | Clinique Cheek Pop Blush

Clinique Cheek Pop Blush in Berry Pop, £16.50

First of all just look at how beautiful this blush is - I absolutely adore the flower design! I thought it might fade after use but due to the texture it has kept the design almost perfect.

This was a bit of a post-exam treat that I bought, after finally deciding on which shade I wanted I managed to find Berry Pop in House of Fraser. Boots and Debenhams were sold out completely, even House of Fraser only had this and Plum Pop in stock. The sales assistant mentioned that very few of each colour were actually sent out to stores, explaining why it took so long to find one! All four colours are available on Clinique's website and they offer free delivery. I must say that Peach Pop is looking pretty tempting!

The texture is quite unusual for a blush - it is solid not powdery, without being creamy. A quick sweep of my Real Techniques buffing brush picks up just a little product. While it looks very bright in the pan, once applied it is much more subtle though it can be built up for more colour. I can't get enough of it, the pop of colour looks perfect and really natural. I didn't use blush on a daily basis until I bought this, it is definitely a firm favourite!

Although it is small and you only get 3.5g, a little bit goes a long way and it will last a long time. I just love that it's so quick and easy to use.

Has anyone else tried these? Any recommendations on shades?

Quick Tip: Pressed Powder

After a crazy two weeks of work, revision and other events I have finally had time to sit down and write a blog post! It is good to be back! Anyway, onto the make-up related goodness..

Have you accidentally bought a pressed powder that's one or two shades too dark for you? After a hasty swatch in Superdrug last week I ended up with a MUA pressed powder that just doesn't work for me. Even though it's only £1, I still won't let it go to waste.

I was about to push it to the back of my drawer when I had an idea. I have discovered that instead you can use it as a subtle contouring product. Using a small brush such as the Real Techniques Contour Brush to define my cheekbones ever so slightly, and add a little highlighter (current favourite being the MUA Undress Your Skin Highlighting Powder).

I think it's a great use if you aren't too confident with contouring or if you're worried about being too heavy-handed with regular contouring kits. I really don't like products going to waste so I'm glad to have found a different use for it!

Has anyone else found this with any other products that initially didn't work out?

Revlon ColorStay ShadowLinks

Revlon ColorStay ShadowLinks, £2.99 each

I admit that I was drawn to these by the novelty factor of making up your own palette. You simply buy as many of the individual shadows as you want and click them together to form your own customised palette. You can switch them around so easily it would be great for travelling as they are compact.

I chose three light spring-themed colours as they were on 3 for 2 at the time: Lilac, Petal and Oyster. There are plenty of shades in the range so you could make a great collection for yourself.

The shadows themselves are soft and easy to blend. On their own they last quite well, but much better with a primer.

Has anyone else been tempted by these?