too faced papa don't preach and collection 2000 shimmer shades review

I like to sleep. I really do. I think this weekend alone I might've slept more than 24 hours in total. That also probably explains why I don't really have time to choose a different blush colour every morning before heading off to work. I can't explain it but when in doubt, this is my most reached for blush colour. It is also the blush that I dump into my bag when I'm heading somewhere at night and I need to touch up my blush. It's the Too Faced Papa Don't Peach Blush.

It comes in a very retro, very cute cardboard magnetic case, which I have to say, is very hardy considering how much I throw it around. This photo was taken after about a year of usage (and mind, it was the only blush I used for 5 months abroad because it was all I brought and didn't have a choice), and the cardboard is still quite dog-eared free though how the powder looks might not fare well with some people (for that I apologize). It is not that compact but compact enough, sitting nicely/squarely in my palm. Also comes with a mirror, which I've never used, but again, might be useful for some. No brush, but brushes that come with blushes usually are quite terrible, so no complaints there.

I paid SGD$20 for it from smoochiezz.com, though it's not available anymore through there, + that site is quick becoming very overpriced. I think it's much more expensive when bought in store (google tells me USD$20) but I'm going to tell you why it's worth it.

It comes with 6.69grams of product, more than the 6grams that you get with the mac powder blushes (though I don't know how this compares on $/g) and practically lasts forever. As mentioned, I've used it for a year and there is not even a dent in my compact. 

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The colour is a wonderful wonderful peachy coral colour that has fine golden and silver shimmer. I say both colours because the sheen that arises from the shimmer seems to lean warm when I'm wearing warm clothes and cool when I'm wearing cool clothes. It truly is amazing. And also, on close inspection it does look like there's both shimmers involved. Fear not, there is no chunky glitter in this, only healthy glow! The colour doesn't apply too intense, but can be built up in just 2 coats, so really just anybody can wear this. It will suit you pale, tanned, warm, cool, everyone!

It is a super duper fine powder that applies so creamily and silkily on the skin. If I may say, this melts into the face and you can't see the powder at all.

credits: http://bunbunmakeuptips.com/too-faced-papa-don%E2%80%99t-peach-blush-review-for-beautiful-warm-peachy-cheeks/#more-3412

It is mentioned on some blogs for being a dupe of Nars Orgasm. I do not own Nars Orgasm, but I think the above review mentions some wonderful things with a great photo. Well, imo, not at all close on the swatch, but, the funny thing about Papa Don't Peach is that it turns pinker the darker it is swatched. See my swatch below.

It's plenty pink and less peach right? I did a much darker swatch because I'm ... obviously more tanned. If you compare my swatch and the swatch above, I would say, pretty damn similar. Well then again, wouldn't know unless I had the Orgasm, which I don't see the point in buying because I love this. 

I did also find a cheap dupe for Papa Don't Peach. People in the UK, you are so lucky. Collection2000 shimmer shades in Blushalicious is a palette that I love. 

For those who don't know how it looks like, here's a picture. The middle swatch is the bottom right peachy shade, and the last swatch is the bottom 2 shades layered together to try to achieve a more intense colour. The reason why the colours don't look as intense as Papa Don't Peach in the swatch is because they were more shimmery and hence the shimmer showed up more than the colour when the photo was taken. But trust me on this, they are pretty damn close in real life. 

So, using basic logic, Papa Don't Peach = Nars Orgasm. Collection2000 Shimmer Shades = Papa Don't Peach. Collection2000 Shimmer Shades = Nars Orgasm! For cheapos like me THAT IS PERFECT. 

Unfortunately for me, my own Collection2000 Shimmer Shades HAS SHATTERED AND SO HAS MY HEART. Kidding I'm not that dramatic, but really, I was quite sad when I took it out of my handbag one day and found it in pink dust. Luckily for me, the Boy is in London right now so I will definitely be asking a little favour of him. (:  I will do a proper review on the Shimmer Shades when I get a new one because I can't really take photos of a shattered one. If you can't wait then I thoroughly recommend it as awesome bang for buck!

Here's my face with Shimmer Shades on the right (left cheek) and Papa Don't Peach on the left (right cheek). Lasting power is crazy. I don't have oily cheeks, but this IS Singapore after all. Temperatures are a daily 36 degree celsius and I SWEAT. I sweat from every pore of my body. (That sounds disgusting, especially for a girl, but oh well). There are days where I get dragged to the construction site in afternoon scorching sun(yeah, balls for that part of being an architecture intern) and I literally wipe off the makeup on my face because sweat is just pouring down my face. But whaddaya know when I check my face in the mirror after I get home, my cheeks are still pink! Collection2000 definitely doesn't compare to this in terms of staying power though it's not too bad itself. 

This is hands down, the best blush that I have owned.

Summary:

Pros:

• Beautiful colour that will suit everybody
• No glitter, just gives a healthy glow
• Super fine powder that melts into skin
• Nars Orgasm Dupe (if you're into that sort of thing)
• Stays PUT

Cons:

• Cardboard packaging may feel a tad cheap
• Does not come with brush