Blush is an often underrated must have in any makeup bag. Many worry it can venture into clown territory, but when you choose the right shade and product for your skin type, it can give you a nice glow, accentuate your cheekbones, and bring out the color of your eyes. Watch how to find the right blush for you.
Long-lasting, highly pigmented cream blush tends to be expensive; a good stick can run you upwards of $30. So that's why I'm going to let you in on something I recently discovered while wandering around Walmart: Bonne Bell Blush 'N Go ($5). I purchased the Petal Pink shade on a whim, and I've been using it for two weeks now. Surprisingly, not only does it have excellent pigment payoff, but it spreads beautifully, lasting just as well as most cheek stains nearly six times its cost. To see how the shade looks on and find out what pricey products this one resembles, just keep reading.
A couple weeks back, I took home an unassuming little pan of MAC's Cream Colour Base in Tickle Me Pink ($16.50), and I've worn it almost every day since as a blush, lipstick, eye shadow, or some combination of the three. I usually find that multi products are really just a thin cream blush masquerading as more, but Colour Base really is just as versatile as it's made out to be. As blush, the color melts nicely into skin for a natural look. On lips, it's creamy and pigmented, and it really pops on eyes. My only issue here is that as a shadow it requires a good primer, since it slides around a little. I also have dry skin, so cream formulas work well for me, but if you're very oily, you may want to test this a couple of times before buying.
Remember that trick about using a blush brush with foundation for a faux airbrushed makeup look? It turns out, the blush brush is more versatile than you might imagine, especially when it comes to cream blushes. Cream formulations, which are perfect for creating a dewy glow (and also work well on dryer complexions), are typically applied with a sponge or fingers.
However, by lightly dunking your blush brush into a cream blush or bronzer, and then gently stippling the product onto the face, you'll get a beautifully even application. Layer on more color for a dramatic finish, or use this technique to get the faintest of color. Best of all, this stippling method won't disturb your foundation or concealer beneath.
That healthy flush celebrities get this time of year isn't just from Golden Globe nomination excitement. Bright pink blush has long been a cold-weather makeup kit staple because of its ability to give any wearer a rosy flush that looks like you just came inside from making snow angels. And because it's pink, not red or brown, your skin doesn't look ruddy or wind-burned. Depending on your skin tone, you'll want a bright pink with either a tad more purple (cool tones) or orange (warm tones), though both dark and fair skin look amazing in a highly pigmented, eye-popping bright pink. To see which shade suits you best, just click through.
After chatting with La Prairie's color ambassador, Raychel Wade, I was impressed with her simple makeup tips. Earlier, I shared with you her advice on lip-color essentials for your purse and her foolproof way to wear a dark lip; today, it's all about her blush and concealer how-tos. They struck a chord with me, and I think they will with you, too. To check them out, keep reading.
After 27 hours of travel to get home for the holidays (yeah, really!), I arrived home looking a bit haggard. As I slabbed on the concealer and swept on the powder blush in attempt to hide my jet-lagged appearance, I couldn't help but wish I had some cream blush instead. The powdered blush just seemed a little flat and settled into my parched skin in the most unflattering way.
So, I made a pit stop at the only place that was open: the drugstore. I'd heard some decent things about Maybelline Dream Mousse Blush ($6.89) on the blush pages of our Product Reviews website, so I picked up two: one for my mom and one for me.
The Dream Mousse comes in six shades ranging from a bronzy brown to a bright pink. I tried Peach Satin, a slightly shimmery peaches 'n' cream glow, and my mom tried Soft Plum, a natural rose.
The verdict? We both agreed that a little goes a long way, making this light-as-air blush a great bang for your buck. We also liked how easy it was to blend and that it didn't get cakey or emphasize any rough patches or wrinkles. As for my mom, she was pleased as punch (her expression) that this creamy blush took the paleness out, leaving her with a natural radiance. As for me? I wish the color lasted just a bit longer, but all in all, mom's always right. This affordable whipped blush is a keeper.
Ever since I started toying around with cream blush about a year ago, I've been hooked. I'm not really into anything too shimmery — I like to leave that to the more spreadable luminizers — but I've been having a field day with pinky-brown tones like By Terry's Rose de Rose Sheer Liquid Blush in Fresh Rose that I told you about earlier in the week. Each of these items leaves my face looking flushed, hydrated and even a little dewy in a natural way. It's as though I've just drunk a bottle of water and gone for a brisk walk. Here are my other four fave cream blush discoveries; what's your top pick?
I've got a crush on a new cream blush! Cosmetologist Terry de Gunzburg, creator of the iconic Yves Saint Laurent Touché Éclat and founder of By Terry, brings us a new (and, might I add, sensational) blush that I'd like to categorize as a cream blush. It's called Rose de Rose Sheer Liquid Blush ($52), but it's really a cross between a cream and a gel texture.
The luxe formula is outrageously silky, light and scented with a delightful, barely-there rose essence. It is made with rosaliss (an extract from white-, black-, and pastel-colored roses) and rosamine (a pigment that comes from rose petals). It creates a flush that's lighter than a stain, but deeper than a tint.
It's a relatively new product, yet already the lightest shade is sold out at Barneys. Clearly I'm not the only one infatuated with Rose de Rose. It is available in three shades (Fresh Rose, Coral Rose, or Amber Rose) and I consider it a must-have for attaining stunning, yet understated summertime skin.
I first told you about the launch of Scott Barnes' Cream Color ($25) back in the Fall, but until I recently tried them I had no idea just what I'd been missing. It's no secret that I'm a huge Scott Barnes fan. Everything from his loose powder shadows, to his lip slicks tickle my fancy, but these take the cake.
All you need is the tiniest amount to create a natural looking, almost dewy (without looking too slick) finish. I'd love to say that Sway (a medium beigy-pink) is my favorite color for my cheeks, but the truth is that mixed with the smallest schmear of Flush (a bright peach) I look like a burst of sunshine.
Did I also mention that they can double as lip stains and even eye shadows too? I love Delish (light mauve), Native (deeper mauve) and Bloom (bright pink) for my lips, and Luster (pearl) creates a glowy, ethereal effect for eyes and upper cheekbones. To apply, all you've got to do is smile and in small, circular motions blend the blush from the apples of your cheeks along your cheekbone with your fingers. They also look terrific layered over powder, bronzer — anything you like really, without it creating a muddy, overdone effect. Welcome to the greatest beauty gift for under $25.
