The Only Thing I Got from Color Craft

There were so many things that I wanted from the Color Craft collection. All those pretty mineralized blushes and skinfinishes..... But I've managed to narrowed down to either Porcelain Pink and Smooth Merge. Sigh.... envy those ladies who can collect them all......














Yesterday, I was at Macy's swatching the colors. Since Porcelain Pink is a re-promote, I was sure it must worth the hype. However, when I tried it on my cheeks, I see absolutely nothing. I'm not sure if it's because of the lighting or because the particular msf didn't have much gold veining. Then, I swatched Smooth Merge, which looks just as beautiful as all the color swatches I've studied before. The two lighter shades look very promising as warm and cool toned highlights, while the middle deep mauve color would serve perfectly as a blush. So I bought it on a whim, well.... everyone is raving about these msfs and I know if I don't grab one now, they'll be gone fast....



































So after I got home, I swatched it again. I realized that it's very very shimmery under the light, more shimmery than pigmented. I tried it again today on my face, all the shimmers just sank into my pores and looked so disco-ball-ish. So I'm a little ambivalent now..... I want a msf, specifically for highlighting. Smooth Merge would have been a very multi-purpose blush/highlighter, only if there was not that much shimmer. Should I return it? Should I exchange it for Porcelain Pink?










Here are some pictures....










Under diff lighting








w/ flash












w/o flash

In love w/ Laura Geller baked goodies.....

So recently, I bought two Laura Geller Blush-N-Brightens from Ebay. (Yay for Ebay!) And I am in love!!!!!! They are very similar to each other, and both seem to be close dupes for MAC Mineralized Blush in Nuance. Don't you just love these baked goodies??!?!?!? Something about the domed shape and the unpredictability of the color payoff just draws me to these products.











First one is Laura Geller Blush-N-Brighten in Apricot Berry (9 g.). There are light pink, rose, golden, and burgundy veinings, but the golden color is more dominating. Isn't it gorgeous? I paid $14 (including shipping) for this baby here.

The second one is Laura Geller Blush-N-Brighten in Golden Apricot (5 g). The color is very similar to Apricot Berry minus the burgundy veinings. Again, the golden color seems to be the dominating one. I guess that's why they look very similar on the skin. I paid $11 (including shipping) for this one.

Here is MAC Mineralized Blush in Nuance

And just for the sake of showing my other beloved mac blush, here is Dainty.

Here is a swatch.....

From left to right: Nuance, Golden Apricot, Apricot Berry, Dainty

w/o flash

w/ flash

As you can see, Apricot Berry, Golden Apricot and Nuance are very similar. The only slight difference is that Nuance has some very fine flecks of shimmer while the LG blushes leave a sheen finish.

Since Nuance was a limited edition blush, for those of you who missed it, here are two super close dupes for a portion of the price. I think Mac Mineralized blushes are 3.2 grams, and the regular price is $21 (although I got mine at $18.50 for my Nuance at a CCO).