Examples

Example 1

Bruno didn't appreciate his mother's allusions about Beary Connick, Jr. If he wants to sleep with a teddy bear, that's his business—even if he is seventeen.

We won't judge you, Bruno. The snuggly call of the teddy bear is hard to resist at any age. In this case, since Bruno's big-mouthed mama is making indirect references to the fact that her son still sleeps with a stuffed animal, allusions is the correct word.

Example 2

The makeup artist applied blush to Madison's face liberally, trying to give the illusion of high cheekbones.

Since the shrewd makeup artist is trying create supermodel cheekbones where there aren't any, illusion is the way to go here.