Anyone who tells you that all blushes are basically the same is a liar. Or delusional. There are powder blushes, cream blushes, liquid blushes, pink blushes, red blushes, apricot blushes, orange blushes, matte blushes, blushes with shimmer – the list goes on and on and on.
So I decided to try and help you figure out which blush is next on your beauty hit list. I tried five different blushes over five days – a rose pink, a peachy colour, a cream blush, a cheek tint, and a really bright pink. Read on to find out the results…
DAY 1: CLINIQUE BLUSHING BLUSH POWDER BLUSH IN SMOULDERING PLUM
I decided to start the week with a powder blush shade that was kind of like my lip colour – a rosy pink shade. The powder applied like a dream and felt silky soft on my skin. I really loved the flushed finish this blush gave my cheeks – vibrant without looking too pink or over the top. The blush also didn’t have too much shimmer in it, so it gave me a soft glow that wasn’t too glittery. It also lasted the entire day, which was a win for me. A darker pink is perfect for those looking for a naturally flushed finish. For a similar result, you can also try: Laura Mercier Crème Cheek Colour in Blaze, ck one cream + powder blush duo in grace, or Models Prefer Blush in Beauty Addict.
DAY 2: ALMAY SMART SHADE POWDER BLUSH IN CORAL
I’m normally a pink blush kinda girl, so I was a bit apprehensive of trying this one out. Despite the orange appearance in the packaging, the blush came out a more apricot/peach in tone. It was a really nice and subtly hint of colour that complemented my bronzer perfectly. I felt like the mix of orange-based shades in the Almay compact gave my skin a really nice glow and left my cheeks with a beautifully natural finish, but I think I prefer the ‘I’ve-just-run-up-the-stairs’ result that a pink blush gives. A peach or apricot shade is perfect for those who have a warmer skin tone and prefer a more bronzed complexion. For a similar result, you can also try: Covergirl Clean Glow Blush in Peaches , Smashbox Halo Long Wear Blush in Peachy Dream, or Face of Australia Blush in Nutmeg.
DAY 3: MEMEME BOHO BALM CHEEK & LIP TINT IN PINK ROUGE
Not being someone whoever really wears cream blushes, I was a bit shocked when I first applied the reddish shade to my cheek. The colour was incredibly vibrant, but once I blended the colour into the apples of my cheeks, I was really pleased with the result. Although red in the pot, it turned into a gorgeous pinky hue once spread on my cheeks. The texture also looked (and felt) really natural on my skin. I found that the cream blush lasted a touch longer than a powder blush. Oh, and an added bonus – the creamy texture means it’s the perfect formulation to wear on lips, too! A cream blush is ideal for those who want a long-lasting finish without any shimmer or shine. For a similar result, you can also try: Bobbi Brown Pot Rouge in Powder Pink , Elizabeth Arden Ceramide Cream Blush in Nectar , or Designer Brand Lip & Cheek Rouge in Glamour.
DAY 4: KIT COSMETICS CHEEK & LIP TINT IN ROSY BLUSH
Was I a teensy bit apprehensive when I laid eyes upon the deep cranberry shade of this tube? Hell yes! Did I have to redo my make-up a couple of times until I got the hang of a tint? Absolutely. Cheek tints seem scary – the colour is deep, the texture is watery and if you don’t have the technique down pat, the results can be… interesting. The trick to tints? Apply small amounts in a dabbing motion and blend. Keep blending until the pink looks more natural. After mastering the art of a tint, I was truly pleased with the pink colour and the long-lasting finish. A tint is perfect for those who want buildable colour that really pops. For a similar result, you can also try: Estée Lauder Pure Color Cheek Rush in Fresh Sheer , ModelCo Cheek + Lips in Rosy Red , or L’Oreal Paris Nude Magique BB Blush.
DAY 5: THEBALM INSTAIN LONG WEARING STAINING POWDER BLUSH IN LACE
If there’s one piece of advice I can give you when applying a blush this vibrant and pigmented, it’s to be gentle when loading your brush with the product. While the colour is gorgeous and certainly pops, apply too much and you’ll be entering clown/classic 80s make-up territory. Lightly – and I mean lightly¬ – dust a shade this pink on the apples of your cheeks, ensuring to blend it in. Done right, the colour is truly wonderful. A brighter pink blush is perfect for those who prefer a more vibrant colour on their cheeks. For similar results, you can also try: Clarins Blush Prodige in Lovely Rose, Yves Saint Laurent Blush Radiance in Radiant Blush , or Lancôme Blush Subtil Rose.
STOCKISTS: Laura Mercier Crème Cheek Colour, $35, 02 9663 4277 Smashbox Halo Long Wear Blush, $32.95, www.kitcosmetics.com.au Kit cosmetics Cheek & Lip Tint, $22.95, www.kitcosmetics.com.au theBalm Instain Long Wearing Staining Powder Blush, $26.95, 02 9430 2200 Clarins Blush Prodige, $50, 02 9663 4277
Have you tried any of these blushes? What do you look for in a blush?
