Annabelle

Annabelle appears to have changed the name of these blushes to "Perfect Blush," but I believe they still offer the same shades and high quality product. I recently repurchased Rosewood, and love this blush. It is heavily pigmented, so you have to use a light hand when applying. It's a matte, brownish/reddish/mauve shade that gives you that outdoorsy, wind-chapped look ... a healthy, tawny glow. I have light/medium skin with freckles, and this colour is very close to my natural, reddish flush. Despite its matte texture, it applies smoothly, without patchiness when I use a good blush brush. It doesn't emphasize my wonderful laugh lines that have developed with time. Unfortunately, when they changed the name, they also changed the packaging, and it doesn't seem as sturdy to me, so I deducted one lippie for that. Time will tell if the new packaging holds up.

All in all, a high quality blush for the money (about $5 Canadian). I would definitely repurchase Annabelle blushes.

This is a beautiful, natural blush that gives just the right flush of rosy colour - that post-outdoor exercise glow. It is a true rosy pink and, on me, doesn't oxidize to orange. The pigmentation is great - not so overpowering that you have to be super careful, but strong enough that a few swipes give you good colour. It does have some very fine shimmer if you look at it in the pan, but this just translates to a soft glow on the cheeks - never sparkle. The lasting power is quite good - it lasts throughout the day, but does fade by supper time. I think these Annabelle products rival higher end products at a fraction of the price (I've found it for around $5.00 Canadian!).

I have another Annabelle blush that I really like (Rosewood - a heavily pigmented, matte brownish-reddish/mauve that requires a light hand, but gives you an outdoorsy, wind-burned look), and I would purchase other shades. Really love these blushes.

I’ve never really liked or even been remotely drawn to peach shades of blush but something about this one piqued my curiosity. It comes in a no-fuss type of packaging. A simple acrylic round container just large enough to hold the blush and nothing else. The shade is a coral peach, very fresh looking and the name describes it perfectly. “Spring Petal” - exactly a shade I love to see in bloom during springtime. Texture of the blush is typical, not overly buttery soft and also does not kick up any powder when swatching or dipping a blush brush into it. Applies easily and I would recommend a light hand as it is quite pigmented. I find myself reaching for this often this time of year, it is cheerful and cheap and a nice change from the pink/mauve tones I’ve been drawn to in past.

Feels like a dupe for the Sephora Brow Pencil. It has the same crazy comb end instead of a spoolie. But you know something, I am really digging this brow liner. It is ultra skinny which is the only type of brow liner I seem to be able to master. Maybe because my brows don’t require a lot of filling in, maybe because I am just super clumsy and can’t control the tear drop or triangular shaped pencil ends. Regardless of the reason this one just works for me. I purchased the Universal Dark shade which is a medium/dark brown but could be deeper in tone in my opinion. The texture is sufficiently soft yet waxy enough that it draws on easily, is smooth but still lasts all day long. I’d rate this 4.5 lippies (half a point off for the comb end vs spoolie) but have rounded up because it has a wide variety of shades, is long lasting and the formula performs extremely well. Bonus points for being cruelty-free, affordable (drug store) and Canadian made!

I haven't liked most Annabelle products I tried, but I was looking for a taupe eyeliner and this is the only one I found. Black or dark brown eye pencils now look too harsh on me at my age. This gives a perfect understated eye makeup when used with mascara. It doesn't drag on the skin too much when I warm it on my hand for a second. I use the side of the pencil, not the point. I also go over it with a tiny bit of eyeshadow for a smokier eye.