For my latest "
I've got plenty" post, I'm featuring my FAVORITE makeup product: blushes. I love how they brighten your face and give a glowy, youthful look - they make SUCH a difference in your appearance. Read on to find out which ones I can't live without:
1) Name: Chanel Blush Ireelle in Utopia (discontinued)
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Left: Swatched on paper; Right: Applied on my cheek |
Color: Coral-Orange with a few specks of finely-milled shimmer
Comments: Although this blush is no longer available, I had to include it as it was my first high-end blush - and I used it a LOT. The quilted pattern on this blush is uneven because I have to scrape the surface every once in a while! I have the European version of this product - which is baked. Over time a film builds up over the surface and it has to be scraped off...if I ever purchase another Chanel blush, I'll make sure it's a US non-baked version!
2) Name: Covergirl & Olay Simply Ageless Sculpting Blush in Lush Berry
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Left: Swatched on paper; Right: Applied on my cheek |
Color: Matte orangey peach
Comments: My most-used blush - as you can tell from the
not-pretty product picture! On its own it provides a pretty flush of color - but it's not memorable or long-lasting. However,
this blush + any powder blush = AMAZING! It's
the secret to all day blushed cheeks - if your blush disappears within a couple of hours - you need this product! I apply it with a synthetic brush and then top it with any of the powder blushes pictured here. As this is a cream product the surface can develop a film - I wipe it down with rubbing alcohol and a tissue - this wastes some of the product - but even with monthly wipes, this blush has lasted me ages! Dupe for
MAC's Ladyblush.
3) Name: Bobbi Brown Blush in Pale Pink
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Left: Swatched on paper; Right: Applied on my cheek |
Color: Cool blue-toned pink
Comments: My most-pigmented blush - you only need the slightest dab for seriously bright cheeks! Although I usually stick to warm-toned make-up, I love this shade - I layer it on top of a warm coral blush and it brightens up my whole look. This is the blush
Kate Middleton wore on her wedding day.
4) Name: Tarte Amazonian Clay 12 Hour Blush in Exposed
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Left: Swatched on paper; Right: Applied on my cheek |
Color: Bronze-y Pink
Comments: I love this blush - it looks gorgeous on everyone I've seen it on! On paper it looks like a bronzer - but on your skin it transforms into a gorgeous flattering shade - on me it looks like a dusky rose, while it looks pinker on my fairer-skinned sister. It's the perfect blush for a sun-kissed look and works well with dramatic eye makeup or bright lips. Definitely worth trying on in store.
5)
Name: NARS Blush in Orgasm
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Left: Swatched on paper; Right: Applied on my cheek |
Color: Pinky-Peach with gold shimmer
Comments: My most-hyped and least-used blush. I bought this because of its cult status - but it's not a good match for me. The color is too light and hardly shows up, while the overdone shimmer does not suit my skin - especially in its current problematic state. I prefer using a matte blush and applying highlighter where needed rather than having shimmer all over my cheeks.
6)
Name: Tarte Amazonian Clay 12 Hour Blush in Amused
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Left: Swatched on paper; Right: Applied on my cheek |
Color: Hot pink
Comments: A warm-toned alternative to my Bobbi Brown Pale Pink blush. It's not really a must-have. Although I enjoy wearing it, I probably won't repurchase it. These Amazonian clay Tarte blushes are meant to be super long-lasting - but I haven't really found that claim to be true. However, since I ALWAYS layer over cream blush - it doesn't really matter - ALL my blushes last all day.
OVERALL THOUGHTS:
A) Makeup Brushes are VERY important -
the right blush brush can make even a cheap blush look good - while
the wrong brush can make even the most high quality blush look chalky and patchy.
-For powder blushes I recommend
this Bobbi Brown brush or
this MAC brush.
-I'm still searching for the right synthetic brush for cream blush. I currently use
this ELF brush and
have ordered
the Real Techniques one to try next.
B) Definitely try using a cream blush as a base for all your powder blushes
C) My must-have blushes are my Covergirl
Lush Berry cream blush, Tarte
Exposed and Bobbi Brown
Pale Pink. PLEASE swatch Exposed in store and tell me if you love it as much as I do!
What's your favorite blush?
DISCLAIMER: I purchased all these items myself (I used my Shoppers Drug Mart points to buy the Covergirl Blush)