Currently Obsessed: Coastal Scents 10 Blush Palette

Hi, everyone! So this is my second "Currently Obsessed" post in as many weeks- I've been lucky enough to stumble across some truly top-notch products of late! Last month I stopped by the FTB Beauty Pop-Up Shop and picked up a few treasures. Among them was one of the best bargain items I've discovered in some time! The Coastal Scents 10 Blush Palette features ten pigmented blushes in one sleek package. Even though my stash was far from lacking in blushes, I ultimately snagged this because each and every shade in the palette looked absolutely beautiful and like something I would wear gladly. Plus, it cost a mere $16.99 CAD, which adds up to less than $2 per colour. Truly a blush- and budget-fiend's dream!

The palette is boxed in an ultra pretty cardboard package with a vibrant multi-coloured design on the front.

The palette itself is basic and no-frills: a slightly reflective black case that's as slim as possible give that it houses ten shades. It tends to fingerprint easily, but this isn't such a problem for me, especially given the price!

The back of the box gives a sneak preview of the shades inside the palette and- ta da!- beneath are the lovely blushes!

As you can see, the blushes come in circular pans that are about three-quarters the size of a MAC blush. 

As for the shades included, here are my best descriptions (and shade comparisons):

Top Row:
1) a neutral dusty rose with plummy undertones (like a slightly lighter NARS Sin) 
2) a warm yellow peach (similar to Illamasqua Lover)
3) a cool candy pink with silver shimmer (like NARS Angelika) 
4) a warm, tawny coral (like a slightly deeper MAC Modern Mandarin)
5) a warm tan plum (like a deeper MAC Margin)

Bottom Row:
6) a neutral to cool baby pink (similar to NARS Desire)
7) a golden nude (similar to MAC Sunbasque) 
8) a warm matte coral-tinged pink (close to NARS Amour)
9) an ultra-cool fuchsia (similar to MAC Full Fuchsia) 
10) a warm bronzy brown (like a slightly more orange-toned NARS Laguna)

Here are swatches of the shades (same placement as in the palette) on my inner arm (MAC NC15 skin tone):

Coastal Scents 10 Blush Palette under artificial light

Coastal Scents 10 Blush Palette under natural sunlight

And now onto the pros and cons!

Pros:

• Perfect mix of warm and cool tones
• Extremely pigmented shades- a little goes a very long way!
• Incredibly soft- these blend like a dream!
• Long-wearing formula really stays put all day long (even in this steamy summer heat)
• None of the shades features over-the-top shimmer or glitter. No disco ball cheeks here!
• These shades should be flattering on most skin tones, with the exceptions of extremely fair or deep complexions
• Sleek, compact packaging
• At only $17 CAD, this is an amazing value!

Cons:

• The texture of these aren't as elegant and finely-milled as more expensive blushes, so it's difficult to achieve a super-sheer application
• Plastic packaging perhaps not the most durable and gets dirty quite easily
• This palette would really benefit from a mirror!

So there you go- one of my best budget buys of all time! I think I've worn 7 or 8 of these blushes so far and I can confidently say that I've been thoroughly impressed which each and every one. They blend like a dream, are vibrant without looking clown-like, and have lasted on my cheeks even on the steamiest of days. At less than $2 a pop, the quality is truly top-notch! I'm so happy I picked this up and can't wait to try more from from the brand. 

Have you tried anything from Coastal Scents? Would a palette like this melt your heart like it did mine? What are your favourite budget blushes?

Thanks for stopping by! xo