Summer Favorites: Blush

✵✵✵

In the summer, bright and vibrant shades of cheek color is a surefire way to look younger and healthy. Use these products to emphasize a tan, create a youthful flush or mimic a lit-from-within complexion.

Start by choosing the right shade for your skintone. To find your go-to blush shade, pinch your cheeks and then pick a color that mimics your natural flush. This trick will ensure that you’re choosing the most flattering color for your skin tone. If you have fair skin, try a cool pink. Medium skin looks great in vibrant apricot/peachy hues, and darker skin tones look radiant in fuchsia.

Cream blush is a great way to instantly look fresh and dewy. Although it’s staying powder is not the best, especially in higher temperatures, cream blush is a nice alternative for dry skin. To ensure staying power on oily skin, first prime the skin and then set with a powder blush or translucent powder. To apply cream blush, smile and lightly focus the blush onto the apples of your cheeks. Then blend softly back and up toward the hairline. If you apply too liberally, tone down heavy application by blotting the excess color with a clean makeup sponge. Or, use a sheer, luminizing powder to diffuse excess color. The blush then looks like it came from within the skin versus sitting on top of it.

FAVORITES:

Dior Rosy Glow Healthy Glow Awakening Blush: I am a sucker for these gimmicky products. However, this one is fantastic. The formula magically adjusts to your skin’s natural chemistry to create a universal shade. It produces an angelic pink glow that makes you look “lit-from-within.”

It Cosmetics Vitality Cheek Flush Powder Blush Stain in Peony: The most long-wearing powder blush I have tried. The waterproof formula mimics the lasting power and glow of a cheek stain with the easy application of a powder. Packed with anti-oxidants and anti aging properties, this blush gives new definition to a “healthy glow.”

Youngblood Crushed Mineral Blush in Rouge: These blushes are incredibly pigmented and easy to work with. They blend beautifully and last all-day. They feel lightweight on the skin and never settle into lines. A small amount goes a very long way, apply with a light hand for a sheer wash of color or add more for vibrant glowing skin.

Kevyn Aucoin The Pure Powder Glow in Myracle: Full Review HERE.

NARS Cream Blush in Cactus Flower: On trend for summer, this bright coral blush is beautiful on both the lips and cheeks. The velvety texture is extremely easy to blend and apply. Subtle gold shimmers hide in the coral to help create perfectly flushed, luminous skin.

BECCA Beach Tint in Guava: This is the perfect color for summertime. It resembles the act of playing in the sun a little too long. The water-resistant formula can be used on both the cheeks and lips. Produces the most natural-looking flush and smells like summer.

Urban Decay Afterglow Glide-On Cheek Tint in Quickie: A lightweight cream blush that does not pull or disrupt a base. It can be used on top of foundation, powder… anything. The formula is sheer but buildable. The staying power is not the best, but I am obsessed with this color. Quickie is a sheer bubble gum, electric, cotton candy pink. The minute it is applied, it creates instant youthfulness.

Cheek-Y Cheek Stains

✯✯✯

Love the look of a natural flush? Here are a couple of my favorite cheek stains that give the “just-pinched” appearance without the pain.

Tarte Cheek Stain:  This product is a water-based gel with all-natural ingredients. The stain is light but build-able and leaves no sticky residue on the face. The large mouth on the product is perfect for applying directly to the apples of the cheeks.

Josie Maran Magic Marker Lip & Cheek Stain:  This stain is great for both lips and cheeks. Its versatile formula reveals a natural rosy-flush when applied. Paraben and Sulfate-free, this product contains Hyaluronic Acid which smooths away lines and wrinkles by locking in moisture. The packaging is a little troublesome due to the size of the applicator, made more convenient for lips.

Hourglass Aura Cheek Stain:  This is a water-based stain that gives cheeks a radiant glow. The colors are very pigmented, hydrating and long-lasting. The packaging is great for on-the-go application.

Benefit Benetint:  This is the original cheek stain and still noteworthy. The company is diversifying it’s color range with a new launch of Cha Cha Cha (coming in June), a mango-colored stain. All colors are moderately pigmented, buildable and waterproof. The packaging is similar to a nailpolish, which makes application careless.

Givenchy Blush Gelée Jelly Blush:  This limited-edition blush melts into the skin exquisitely. The stain looks extremely natural and feels cool and fresh on the skin. Play around with application of this product, the stain is extremely sheer and needs extra building. Tip: Apply this product in layers – make sure each layer is dry before adding a new one.