Blushes…I’ve got plenty

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)

Blush Utopia by Chanel Swatched
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

Cream Blush by Olay and Covergirl Lush Berry
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

Blush by Bobbi Brown Pale Pink
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

Blush by Tarte Exposed
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

Blush Orgasm by NARS
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

Blush by Tarte Amused
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)

29 Comments

  1. LoveT.
    August 21, 2012 / 8:50 am

    Wow ,great Shades! :)Have a happy Day xoxo

    • Ella Pretty Blog
      August 21, 2012 / 4:26 pm

      Thanks!

  2. pearls and green tea
    August 21, 2012 / 2:41 pm

    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

    • Ella Pretty Blog
      August 21, 2012 / 4:27 pm

      The brushes are SO important – they really can make ANY blush look good 🙂 You definitely should check out the Tarte and cream blush!

  3. Anonymous
    August 21, 2012 / 3:03 pm

    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

    • Ella Pretty Blog
      August 21, 2012 / 5:44 pm

      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.

  4. Canadian Beauty
    August 21, 2012 / 4:16 pm

    thank you for all the swatches! I think exposed looks gorgeous!Check out my LippyGirl Blusher giveaway!

    • Ella Pretty Blog
      August 21, 2012 / 5:38 pm

      Thanks – glad you liked the swatches – they were so hard to capture LOL!

  5. Beautygirl24
    August 21, 2012 / 4:28 pm

    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!

    • Ella Pretty Blog
      August 21, 2012 / 5:40 pm

      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!

  6. Anonymous
    August 21, 2012 / 5:32 pm

    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

    • Ella Pretty Blog
      August 21, 2012 / 5:42 pm

      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 🙂

  7. Mehreen
    August 21, 2012 / 6:21 pm

    i love love love blushes ! nice post and thanks for the swatches 🙂 Mehreen

    • Ella Pretty Blog
      August 21, 2012 / 6:42 pm

      Thanks Mehreen – blushes are one of my weaknesses – so hard to resist when I read about a new one!

  8. Lindy May
    August 21, 2012 / 7:55 pm

    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.

    • Ella Pretty Blog
      August 21, 2012 / 8:58 pm

      Oooh – a Korean Beauty Supply store sounds so interesting. I've heard so many amazing things about Korean skincare and makeup.

  9. alison*elle
    August 21, 2012 / 11:10 pm

    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

    • Ella Pretty Blog
      August 22, 2012 / 12:10 am

      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.

    • Lindy May
      August 23, 2012 / 10:09 pm

      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!

  10. Skylette from Sequins&Stilettos
    August 22, 2012 / 5:02 am

    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. :-/

    • Ella Pretty Blog
      August 22, 2012 / 5:07 am

      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 🙂

  11. Halima
    August 22, 2012 / 9:31 pm

    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

    • Ella Pretty Blog
      August 23, 2012 / 6:10 am

      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 🙂

  12. Harija
    August 23, 2012 / 2:17 pm

    love the review =)Neat post and love your blog… would you like to follow each other!My Lyfe ; My Story@MyLyfeMyStory 

    • Ella Pretty Blog
      August 24, 2012 / 6:21 am

      Thanks – I'll definitely check out your blog 🙂

  13. z1477
    August 23, 2012 / 3:34 pm

    I prefer lighter colors in blushes. Do you have any of those?

    • Ella Pretty Blog
      August 24, 2012 / 6:22 am

      Do you mean almost skin colored and non-existent looking 😛

  14. z1477
    August 23, 2012 / 3:36 pm

    BTW – you have a really nice cheek!

    • Ella Pretty Blog
      August 24, 2012 / 6:22 am

      Why thank you – so does my sister!

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