Blushing Beauty

I grew up with a perpetual “problem”: rosey red cheeks.  It was non-stop.

My cheeks (and lips) were so red that my mother’s best friend reprimanded my mom for putting makeup on a baby.

I also spent years avoiding anything that made me happy or excited because inevitably my cheeks would flush and would lead to some teasing. 

As I got older I became more confident, discovered foundation and onstage I always swore I didn’t need any blush because of my natural blush.  A few years ago when I visited my first dermatologist in New York, she explained that I actually had mild rosacea (which I now treat) but am still "blessed" with my natural “bloom”.

Me without blush.

For those reasons, in my own makeup routine, I’ve always avoided blush – and I’ve always told makeup artists to not bother with it.  (Thankfully, most of them ignored my advice.)

Recently I went to MAC to pickup a lipcolor to cash in on the “Back to MAC” program.  If you use MAC products, you should totally sign up for it.  You get a free lipstick when you return 6 used MAC containers.  You can save the environment by recycling product, and you get a free lip!

As I was browsing, I was talking to the associate about how I’d love it if I could wear a nude lip, but sadly due to my pale complexion that was not an option.  I always looked “dead”.  He told me the secret was to wear blush, I told him that was out of the question given my blush “baggage” and he brought over the MAC “Warm Soul”. 

I was immediately hooked.  After that I literally had people stopping me to ask my makeup routines, a coworker remarked that I looked so “radiant”, and another friend said things seemed “to be going really great in [my] life”.

All that had changed was me wearing blush, so I decided to take the plunge and try out some blushes and give you my opinion as a new “blush-er”.

MAC ("Warm Soul"):

Honestly, this is my daily go-to blush.  I now feel like I can’t leave the house without it.  I like that it’s easy to apply (and not over-apply), has a minimal shimmer and a nice bronze which I think helps minimize the “pink” that I’ve always avoided.

Applying MAC (Warm Bronze)

NARS ("Orgasm"):

“Orgasm” is always at the top of makeup lists for blush and is a cult favorite (hence the name!).  while I liked it, it was definitely pinker than the MAC so I would probably use it when looking to punch up a look and not necessarily on an everyday basis.

NARS

Milk ("Satin Finish"):

So, I was intrigued because it was a “two-in-one” product, and I thought “Oh, good!  Save space in my makeup bag!”  (Also super fun applicator..)  But as a fairly new blush user, I found the application difficult and hard to control the level of color (since it's a cream).  I was finally able to blend it, but it was definitely more difficult than powder blush. 

MILK

Also, for full-effect:  as a blush and lip color!  (I think I like it better as a lip color!)

MILK

Laura Mercier ("Rose Petal"):

For some reason, and I think it’s just the product material and the applicator, but I found it to be very messy and all of the colors to be very vibrant.  I found myself 1) cleaning up a mess 2) trying to remove color from my brush to be able to apply a desired amount.  I hate wasting product, so this was a bummer for me.

Laura Mercier

Sephora ("Radiant Finish"):

I found it to be a decent second to my MAC fav, I still prefer the MAC one – I think it has more natural shimmer to my skin tone.  But definitely a good option!

Sephora

Tarte ("Amazonian Clay"):

I tried this color because it’s the current free “birthday” gift at Sephora**.  I liked it, it’s a very muted color.  There’s not too much pink or shimmer and it’s very bronze.  I could see using it for some light contouring but definitely not my favorite of the bunch.

Tarte

I love the MAC color, but I was intrigued to try some new ones too!  I like to change up my look every few months because I think it helps boost my confidence and gives me another makeup skill to learn! I'll definitely update this as I try more... so stay tuned!

In case anyone is curious, the bra peaking out of my fav jumpsuit is “Tulip” from Curvy Couture Intimates, they are a great lingerie line I’ve worked with.  They sent me some pieces for a shoot and I’ve been loving wearing them.  So sexy and comfortable! X

**I feel like most people know this, but in case, you should sign up for Sephora rewards because a) you accumulate points which lead to samples of products, b) you get birthday rewards, like this year the Tarte lip and blush, c) they have tiers to their membership which can lead to cool things like discounts, free makeovers and rewards!