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)
Wow ,great Shades! :)Have a happy Day xoxo
Thanks!
Ooh…excited to try the Tarte one! And I totally agree about the brushes. Wait so I'm curious about the cream blushes. Never tried them..www.pearlsandgreentea.com
The brushes are SO important – they really can make ANY blush look good 🙂 You definitely should check out the Tarte and cream blush!
Totally agree Ella that NARS Orgasm is over-hyped and apparently suits all skin tones…yeh right! This was my first NARS blush and I was a 'little' underwhelmed you could say! I much prefer the more pigmented blushes like Taj Mahal, Exhibit A and Taos! x
I have heard NARS blushes are as long-lasting as Tarte ones – but I haven't really tried anymore after Orgasm – I really dislike how the shimmer makes my pores look larger – yuck! I may try it out as a highlighter instead – just to use it up.
thank you for all the swatches! I think exposed looks gorgeous!Check out my LippyGirl Blusher giveaway!
Thanks – glad you liked the swatches – they were so hard to capture LOL!
I love blush too, and have quite the collection. It's actually embarassing how many I own! The Tarte Exposed is one of my overall favorites, and I especially wear it in the Fall/Winter with smokey eyes. It's great when you don't want your blush to overwhelm you! I also love that Chanel blush, although I don't own any myself. They look dreamy though! I hope you enjoy the Real Techniques blush brush when you get it. I've been using it non-stop! I love these posts Ella, so keep them coming!
You said it so well – Exposed is GREAT for when you don't want your blush to overwhelm you!!! It's definitely there – but it doesn't compete with your other makeup. My RT parcel just arrived – super excited to use the brushes today – I can't wait LOL!
I love this feature of yours–so clever! I agree on the Nars Orgasm, it isn't my favorite either. I love the Tarte AC blushes, I've been meaning to try a Bobbi Brown but I always en up getting skincare or a lip gloss instead, haha
Thanks Andi – glad you like this feature – they're fun to do and it really makes me think about what I currently have – and see what I need and what I don't. If all Bobbi Brown blushes are as pigmented as Pale Pink – I'd definitely purchase more. Love how tiny the packaging is and how long the product lasts 🙂
i love love love blushes ! nice post and thanks for the swatches 🙂 Mehreen
Thanks Mehreen – blushes are one of my weaknesses – so hard to resist when I read about a new one!
I love the first tart one and the covergirl blushes. Both are beautiful colors and look wonderful on your skin. 🙂 I have a ton of blushes and switch up all the time. My current favorite is a cheapie bronzer I bought at a Korean Beauty Supply store (I think it was like $2, lol) but it has a really nice rosy undertone. I don't normally use a bronzer as a blush but the color is great and it looks natural.
Oooh – a Korean Beauty Supply store sounds so interesting. I've heard so many amazing things about Korean skincare and makeup.
Blush is my absolute fave makeup product too! Definitely agree that Orgasm is over-hyped (Sin is actually my fave NARS blush). Also adore the now discontinued Rock & Republic blushes and MAC Dollywink is one of my daily staples.xo, alison*elle
I've never seen the R&R blushes – but I've heard a lot about them on FrmHeadtoToe's youtube channel. I've also never tried any MAC blushes (shock horror!!!) but I definitely will.
Ella, you will love the MAC blushes. It's been a bit since I bought one, but they last forever and the colors are wonderful!
I just pinned the Bobbi Brown blush to try when I need more blush. I agree about the NARS though – I also bought because everyone swore it was just.so.awesome – but I find it to be pretty lack luster and need to reapply on my lunch break. :-/
You will LOVE the Bobbi Brown blush. You should definitely pick up the covergirl blush (or any cream blush) to use under your current blushes – you'll never need to reapply blush on your lunch break again 🙂
My NARS Orgasm is also the least used blusher. I prefer *ahem* Deep Throat, it's much more flattering on my skin tone. Another fave of mine has to be Taj Mahal, looks scary in the pan, but needs to be applied light handedly. xx
I so wish I had picked deep throat up instead !!! I bought orgasm due to magazine reviews – now I know to only trust blogs and makeup alley lol! Will have to swatch taj mahal next time i'm at sephora 🙂
love the review =)Neat post and love your blog… would you like to follow each other!My Lyfe ; My Story@MyLyfeMyStoryÂ
Thanks – I'll definitely check out your blog 🙂
I prefer lighter colors in blushes. Do you have any of those?
Do you mean almost skin colored and non-existent looking 😛
BTW – you have a really nice cheek!
Why thank you – so does my sister!