Rouge Bunny Rouge Blush Wand Cheeks In Bloom in Titian

I have been in love with the Russian brand Rouge Bunny Rouge ever since I first read about them on Drivel about Frivol, but I had never really considered buying anything from there as they don't have any physical stores in the UK and, up until I bought this blush, I was quite wary of buying without swatching first. But when I was browsing Beauty Bay for cream blushes (side note: I had actually started out with the intention of buying Becca Beach Tint but they are currently not being sold anywhere in the UK. I hope this gets sorted out soon!) and I saw that Rouge Bunny Rouge made a blush stick I decided immediately that I needed one. I went for Titian, or Тициан as I like to say - pretentious? Moi? - as I wanted something quite subtle that I could wear on days where I don't feel like wearing anything too bright on my cheeks, but still need to wear something so I don't look like a corpse.

One minor thing - even though it quite clearly states that there is 4ml of product, I wasn't expecting something this small. If you wind it up, there's around 1.5cm of product in the stick.

This was such a challenge for me to photograph accurately as my photography skills leave plenty to be desired, so above L-R: Outdoors in direct sunlight, indoors in sunlight, indoors in sunlit room. Its a warm peach-apricot shade that sometimes turns a little more orange on me.

This is me wearing one layer of Titian blended along my cheekbone with a second layer blended into the apple of my cheek. Here is a rouge diagram, courtesy of Microsoft Paint:

It's not drying at all and lasts around 3 and a half hours on me. It costs £24 from Beauty Bay (or £26 from Zuneta...) Next I'd like to try Manet, which is a warm coral, and Vermeer, which is a slightly cooler rose colour.

Wearing OPI Gouda Gouda Two Shoes on my nails and Clinique High Impact Extreme Volume Mascara on my top lashes only.

Blush Collection

I currently own 3 blushes: MAC Mineralize Blush in Gleeful, Rouge Bunny Rouge Cheeks in Bloom Blush Wand in Titian and MAC Cremeblend Blush in Ladyblush.

L-R: Ladyblush swatched heavily, blended out, Gleeful swatched heavily, blended out, Titian swatched heavily, blended out.
The first two were swatched and blended with my fingers, Titian was swatched straight from the stick and blended with my fingers.

Gleeful is described on MAC's website as a "deep dirty blue pink with gold pearl". On my skin it appear much more orange than in the pan. I bought it because I was in World Duty Free and I thought the colour was nice. I have yet to work out whether it actually suits me, but I do find it difficult to apply as it is so pigmented and dark. It has a fairly long lasting formula, I can still see it on my cheeks after 6 or 7 hours, blends easily.

Titian was a move in the opposite direction. I wanted something dewier and a much more natural colour. It is described in their typically whimsical style on Rouge Bunny Rouge's website as "semi-transparent beige-rose with the barest hint of peach". It is pretty sheer but it just prevents me from looking totally washed-out. (Maybe covering up the bags under my eyes would help, but somehow I prioritise cream blushes over YSL Touch Eclat.)  I'll probably go for this one a lot more in the winter. I love the formula as it's slightly dewy, but not in any way oily looking. I do wish it would last a little longer.

Last weekend I purchased Ladyblush. It is described as a "warm neutral coral". It looks much more orange in the pan than it does on my cheeks. It is a middle ground between Gleeful and Titian in terms of both colour and pigmentation. I adore the formula, I didn't take off my make up last night (cardinal sin #1) and when I woke up my blush was still in tact.

You would have thought it would be slightly easier to get good, sunlit swatches at the end of May, but no. I'll post cheek swatches when the sun comes out.

If anyone has any recommendations for blushes they love, especially creme blushes, I'm all ears! I'm a recent blush convert and am looking to expand my collection.

Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Pur Couture Glossy Stain in #9 Rouge Laque

I thought it would be sensible to start off with my long-term favourite lip colour, YSL Glossy Stain in Rouge Laque. I get compliments virtually every time I wear this. It's bright, warm toned and impossibly glossy. The shine lasts for a couple of hours on me and holds up relatively well through drinking and snacking, less so through a meal. The stain it leaves behind is opaque, though my lips are fairly pigmented so it may well vary from person to person.

First I must say that I'm using my webcam for photos and my University bedroom, which is about 6' by 9', has appalling lighting. Hopefully I'll remember to send off my phone insurance form to get a replacement iPhone 4 as my temporary iPhone 3G simply cannot take a colour-accurate or focused photograph. I am going home on Wednesday so may update with improved photos.

This is me with only Vaseline on my lips.

This is one coat of the Glossy Stain. Lots of previous bloggers and reviewers have said that one coat can be used for a more subtle and less opaque colour. I find that one coat is definitely not subtle, and slightly patchy.  I have only tested this colour and suspect that for less vibrant shades such as #15 Rose Vinyl, which I love but do not suit, one coat would have a better effect.

This is two generous coats. Boom! Even with these poor-quality shots it is clear how glossy and enormous my lips look.

Though I'm sure you're aware of what the tube looks like, here is a photo. I am a sucker for YSL packaging and I love that there is a window on it for easy reference (if you're lucky enough to have more than one shade this is a great feature.)

And the applicator. A huge flat doe foot. This is one of my favourite applicator styles as it makes application so quick. Definitely stick to this applicator instead of using a lip brush.

This baby cost me £22.50 but some shades will cost £23.50. Not sure what the idea is behind the price discrepancy. You can buy them at all the usual places, and on YSL's UK website you can purchase Vintage shades. I have my eye on a couple but am hesitant about purchasing blind, especially when I know that none can beat this shade for me.

On my face: YSL Glossy Stain #9, Rouge Bunny Rouge Blush Wand in Titian, Clinique High Impact Extreme Volume Mascara.

*Just in case you're wondering, those aren't affiliate links!