Packaging That Looks Like Art: Chantecaille Philanthropy Blushes with Swatches

I audibly gasped when these Chantecaille Philanthropy blushes arrived at my house. They were included with some other things I ordered from Nordstrom, and when I finally unwrapped them the boxes alone blew me away. And then obviously the blushes themselves were an absolute sight to behold. The pictures online don't even do them justice - they are truly a work of art. I'm already a huge Chantecaille fan and have been for years, and love almost anything I try from the brand.

From left to right: Grace Sea Turtle, Bliss Butterfly and Laughter Coral

While obviously I want a product to perform well and look great on my skin, having it come in beautiful packaging makes the experience even better. I think brands are paying more and more attention to packaging and I'm glad because using beauty products should be an all encompassing pleasant experience from the packaging to the formula. And these blushes apply just as beautifully as they look.

The shimmer that is at the top of the blush is just an overspray and disappears with the first swipe. While they are not necessarily a shimmer finish, I wouldn't say they are completely matte. They have a slight luminous radiance that gives the cheeks a fresh glow without being shiny or glittery. And the colors are incredibly pigmented so use a light hand when applying. They can give a sheer wash of color when used delicately or can give a strong punch if applied with a heavy hand. Blending is a breeze as they move easily on the skin and the color stayed put all day. Your biggest challenge with these may be choosing a color because they are ALL beautiful and wearable for every day. If I had to pick one, my favorite would be Bliss Butterfly which is the perfect ballet pink and looks like my cheeks have a gentle healthy flush. I have worn it with various eye colors and it pairs well with almost any shade. 

If you are already a Chantecaille lover, picking up one of these is a necessity. If you are new to the brand, you will not be disappointed if these are your introduction to the brand. For more of my Chantecaille recommendations, scroll through the widget below.

Shop more of my favorite Chantecaille products here:

Review: NARS Unfiltered Cheek Palettes with Swatches

NARS recently released two Limited Edition cheek palettes that will be hitting Sephora any day! They are called the Unfiltered Cheek Palettes and there are two versions - Unfiltered I (top left) and Unfiltered II (top right), and true to NARS quality, the pigmentation is amazing. I was pleasantly surprised to see that neither Laguna nor Orgasm was in either palette! Both of those shades are NARS classics but almost every palette always contains one if not both shades. It was great to see a different selection of colors.

Both palettes are stunning, though I gravitated more towards the lighter palette (Unfiltered II) and found the colors worked perfectly for my peachy-pink preferences. Unfiltered I is a bold palette and the colors would be stunning on anyone with medium to dark skin tones. Unfiltered II is a bit paler in comparison and after seeing the swatches on my arm - I definitely feel it would be more suitable for those with pale to medium skin tones. If you are looking for a cheek palette to add to your collection, NARS is never a bad decision. Each palette offers a good selection of colors to create many different looks. 

*pr samples included

Shop more of my favorite NARS items:

5 Blushes To Try For Spring

It's reached that point in the year when the cold weather is still here but spring fever has kicked in big time. And in no other industry is that more apparent than beauty. All the spring beauty collections are in stores now, and I begin to gravitate towards lighter more pastel shades to bring me out of my winter makeup coma. I'm not a huge fan of pastel shades on the lids, but on the cheeks - YES! Though let's be honest, these blush shades are perfect for all year round but that doesn't stop me from putting them in the category of "here's my new spring makeup that looks oddly similar to my winter makeup but it makes me feel better to say it's all for spring."

1. Lorac Buildable Blushes in Prism and Spectra - For those who want just a hint of color on the cheeks and a foolproof application, these Lorac blushes are for you. The texture is incredibly smooth because the powder is so finely milled and they dust just a hint of color on the cheeks with one swipe. But as the name implies, these can be built up for a more intense payoff. I would normally reach immediately for Prism, but Spectra has been the winner for me these past few weeks since it gives a nice rosy flush to the cheeks. There are a ton of shades in this line that range from subtle neutrals, to a vibrant violet and deep burgundys/matte browns. So while the two colors I have are perfect for spring, there is a shade in this line for every single season.

2. Gucci Sheer Blushing Powders in Soft Peach, Coral Flower and Spring Rose - If you are a regular reader of my blog (hey guys *insert hand wave emoji*), then you know that Gucci solo shadows are my favorite powder eye shadow formula of all time. Big statement I know, but I truly love them (read my review here). I had not tried any other powder products from Gucci, though the blush shades in the range looked too good to pass up. They all tend to steer towards the neutral end of the spectrum, though there are some deep plums and raspberries in the line as well. The formulation is much denser than Lorac and has a stronger payoff from first swipe. But though they pack a good punch on the cheeks, they are easy to blend and apply evenly with no patchiness. The three shades I have are all in the warm peachy/rose family with only slight variations between each, and all work well with my standard makeup looks. #teamneutrals. If you are new to the Gucci line, I highly recommend trying these out along with the solo shadows if you can't stop at just one product. No judgement here. 

*pr samples included

Shop more of my favorite blush formulas:

NARS Spring 2016 Eye and Cheek Palettes

All of the spring makeup collections are beginning to trickle in and it gives me hope that spring weather will soon follow (I know, slightly delusional but I still hope). One of the first items that I have been testing out are the new NARS L'Amour Toujours Eyeshadow and Cheek palettes. I am already a huge fan of this NARS palette, so I was excited to test out these colors and formulations.

1. NARS L'Amour Toujours Eyeshadow Palette - Just from first glance, the palette looked gorgeous and very wearable with only one wildcard color (bold turquoise), which after swatching it seemed much less crazy than in the pan. I did however anticipate the shades to be frosted and even chunky in their texture, but thankfully most of the shades were extremely buttery and had a medium intensity with regards to pigmentation. The first shade all the way to the left of my arm was the top left shade in the palette and literally disappeared into my skintone so it is a great lid and browbone highlight color for me. The only chunky shade in the palette was second from the left on my arm as it did take a few swipes to get a smooth application. Other than that though, the matte and shimmer shades applied very evenly and were easy to blend. There is a great variation of easy to wear shades rather than the standard brown, beige and taupe so it is a good option if you are looking to step out of your neutral comfort zone with shades that are still safe. 

2. NARS L'Amour Cheek Palette - This is my first cheek palette from NARS and surprisingly I don't have that many blushes from NARS so this encompassed every shade I could want. I felt the color range was good though if it was going to be suitable for all skin tones, I would have liked to see one more very bold shade. But from a wearability standpoint, all the shades are easy to wear and would look good with an everyday makeup look. The only shade that was a bit of wildcard for me was the pale pink (fourth from the left on my swatches - the first swatch is literally the same shade as my skin). It had a ton of glitter, which is hard to see in the photo and is too pale for me. I ended up using it as an added bit of shimmer/sparkle on top of one of the more neutral shades. The first shade in the palette (far left on my arm and top left in the palette) could be a highlight for many but it blends in perfectly with my skin so I have been using it as a finishing powder over my makeup. For those that love a peachy/bronzey cheek, this is a palette that would suit you perfectly. It contains the famous Laguna bronzer and a great contour shade called Paloma (second from the left on my arm), 2 gorgeous peachy tones (2nd and 3rd shades from the right on my arm) and a more rosy shade that I like to add for just a pop of color on the apples of my cheeks (far right swatch). With the exception of the contour and highlight shades, all the colors have a bit of shimmer or sparkle but not too much in my opinion. Hopefully it travels well because I can see this being the only cheek item I would ever need on trips or vacations. 

*pr samples included

Are you planning on picking up either of these palettes? Let me know!

Video: My Favorite Blushes

Here's a look at my favorite blush shades. Enjoy and don't forget to subscribe!

The blushes mentioned in my video:

Chanel Rose Initial Blush 

Chanel Blush in Accent (discontinued but this is similar) 

By Terry Densiliss Blush in Platonic Blonde
Burberry Blush in Tangerine No. 6 

Bobbi Brown Antigua Illuminating Bronzer 

Tom Ford Blush in Frantic Pink 

NARS Blush in Deep Throat
NARS Blush in Amour
Guerlain Terracotta Four Seasons in 00 Nude
Giorgio Armani Blush in Shade 10 (discontinued) but Cheek Fabric in Shade 503 is almost identical
Neutrogena Healthy Skin Blends in Pure 22
Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush in Mood Exposure
Dior Blush in 943 My Rose 

Review: Too Faced Love Flush Long Lasting 16-Hour Blushes with Swatches

I've spoken about my love for Too Faced a few times on this blog. Though I fully admit that I judged them as a "tween" brand, products for teeny boppers - basically nothing that I felt resonated with me and my style. Welp, they have proved me wrong time and time again. Between the Chocolate Bar Palette and Semi-Sweet Chocolate Bar Palette, the Chocolate Soleil Bronzer, the Natural Mattes Palette, the new Born This Way Foundation (read my review here) and now these Long Lasting 16-Hour Blushes - Too Faced is basically killing it. These blushes are their newest launch and are an absolute stunner. The pigmentation is INTENSE so make sure you use a light hand, but the good news is these would be perfect for a ton of different skin tones! 

Swatches from left to right: Your Love is King, Justify My Love, Love Hangover, I Will Always Love You and Baby Love

I didn't even need to build up the above swatches to get them that intense. My favorite shade was of course Love Hangover - I live for a peachy-pink on my cheeks. However, I have had Baby Love and I Will Always Love You in rotation regularly as well. Justify my Love is a bit too much of a blue-based pink for my liking, but Your Love is King is surprisingly imparts the most gorgeous looking flush onto the cheeks. I didn't time them to see if they lasted 16 hours, but I can tell you that my cheeks were still in full blushing force after I got home from a full day of work. So as long as they get me through that, I am a happy gal.

*pr samples included

Have you tried any of these new blushes? I would love to hear your thoughts!

Review: Stila Summer 2015 Collection

While I will forever be #teamneutrals in both my makeup and fashion preferences, I can't help but be drawn to the vibrant colors that are found in summer beauty collections (and clothing - I love a good print!). Stila's newest summer collection is not for the faint of heart, but after playing with it all, I was happy to see that there is a little bit of something for everyone.

1. Aqua Glow Watercolor Blush - The swatches may look beautiful in the pictures, but to truly appreciate the beauty of this product you have to physically touch it. It's a mix between a gel and a liquid that applies a sheer wash to the skin or can be built up to give a bolder color payoff. There is a little bouncy netting in the actual pot that helps to keep the product from spilling out everywhere and I find that dipping a sponge, brush or fingers into it once gives enough for a single application. The colors wear all day and disappear into the skin completely giving that nice "flushed from within" look that everyone craves in the summer. And the pigmentation and shade range is perfect for any and every skin tone.

2. All Day Bronzer for Face and Body - There are three shades to this bronzer formulation though I found the light was perfect for me. It is matte with a hint of radiance and applies evenly to the skin. It is not as finely milled as other formulas I have used, but it was the color that won me over with this bronzer. The shade is a yellow-brown which doesn't sound appealing but when on the skin makes my complexion look bright and healthy.

3. Aqua Glow Perfecting Primer - If there is ever a time that you want to put a cooling primer on the face, it is summer. This Aqua primer stick has a gel texture that immediately feels cool on the skin and helps to give a nice burst of hydration. I didn't find that this kept me very matte unfortunately, but for those with dehydrated or drier skin types, this is absolutely the most refreshing product to apply under makeup in the morning. Makeup applied beautifully on top and it made my skin look fresh and smooth. In fact, I don't see this being only a summertime priming option. This would be perfect for the harsh winters up here in NYC when skin needs the most moisture to deal with the frigid temps. Ok, let's not even talk about it - I shiver just thinking about it.

4. Stila Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick - If you have never had the pleasure of owning a Stila Liquid Lipstick, please do me a favor and pick one up immediately. Start with Fiery or Beso for the most perfect red.  You won't be disappointed. They are a liquid lipstick formula with a matte finish and last ALL. DAY. LONG. You will most certainly need a cleansing oil to get these off but surprisingly they stay comfortable on the lips despite their intense staying power. There are a few new shade extensions for summer and they are bold, bold, BOLD. The hot pinks in Bella and Amalfi were naturally my favorites, while the vibrant purple shade called Como is definitely for those that prefer a lip color that makes a statement. It's a bit too out of the box for me, but I can't deny that it feels like velvet on the lips. 

*pr samples included

Shop more Stila recommendations:

Glowing Cheek Colors

I may not get tan during the summer but I still love a glowing sun-kissed makeup look. Whenever I am trying to create one of those looks, cheeks are the single most important part of the look. Finding colors that create a nice flush or give a radiant glow are paramount to achieving that beachy look without actually having to be at the beach.

1. Clarins Blush Prodige Illuminating Cheek Color in Sweet Rose - This blush was part of the new Spring collection and truth be told, I was not overly jazzed about it when I first saw it. Boy was I wrong about this one. After finally giving it a go, it was stunning on the cheeks. The formula is lightweight and doesn't apply too heavily, allowing for easy application on my fair skin. There is a slight luminescent property to it that makes my cheeks glow without any glitter or shimmer. And the best part is that it pairs well with absolutely any eye or lip look I choose.

2. It Cosmetics Hello Light Illuminating Powder -While I love the look of highlighted cheeks on others, my oily skinned self is always hesitant. A great highlight can quickly turn to a greasy mess if I'm not careful. I'm already a fan of a ton of It Cosmetics products (this cc cream, this brow pencil, this lipgloss in the shade Naturally Pretty - seriously, I could go on and on), so I had high hopes for this illuminator. It does give a strong shine so I find it wears best at night or with a very light hand for day, but the magical part of it is how it transforms to a "my skin just had a facial" sheen rather than and overly made up contouring fail. And we all sadly know what that looks like. Yowza.

3. Estee Lauder Pure Color All Over Illuminator - Peachy, radiant, sun-kissed gorgeousness in a stick. That is what they should have named this product. Though it would be highly unprofessional, it would adequately describe how your skin will look after using this. I like to apply it as a blush but those with darker skin could get away with using this as a stunning highlighter for the cheekbones. I find using a brush or my fingers works well, but the key is to really buff it into the skin so that it looks like you have been lounging on a boat all day (but really we are just at our desks at work - womp).

4. Stila Cosmetics Convertible Color in Gladiola- This one is an oldie but a goodie. Stila Convertible Colors for the lips and cheeks have been around for ages, and still work as well as they did 10 years ago. Just a quick dab on the apples of my cheeks creates a bronzy flush which is a nice change from the pinker based hues I tend to gravitate towards. I love doing a monochromatic look with this cheek color adding in a orangey-bronze on the lids and a sheer coral gloss on the lips. 

*pr samples included

Bobbi Brown Hot Collection

It wasn't too long ago that Bobbi Brown was touted as the neutrals queen. Heck, I even used to breeze by the counter without stopping because there was not enough "ooomph" to draw me in. But those times have changed - significantly. The collections and products she releases still have a great "neutral" quality to them, but the color ranges, formulations and innovations are holy grail worthy. And what impresses me even more is the fact that any and I mean A-N-Y skin tone can find a full look from Bobbi Brown - all the way from foundation and concealer to lipstick and blush. Many of my holy grail items (this finishing powder in Porcelain Pearl, this lip formula in Sunset Orange and this lip formula in Razzberry) come from BB and I'm sure the list will continue to grow with each new launch!  Here's a look at her newest Hot Collection that certainly does not disappoint!

1. Cheek Palettes in Calypso and Pink - Remember how I was saying that any skin tone can wear Bobbi Brown? Well, these palettes are a perfect example of that. The pigmentation is rich, yet surprisingly easy to blend out to a more sheer application. The coral palette immediately elicited a gasp when I opened it. I mean - can you imagine a summer look without the complementary peachy flush on the cheeks? I guess you can, but who would want to? And while pink cheek colors are not entirely my bag, Bobbi managed to make these wearable for my pale skin by giving the effect of a rosy glow that looks great with the accompanying punchy pink lip colors in the collection. 

2. Sheer Lip Colors in Berry and Pink - I am already a fan of the Creamy Matte lip colors (I LIVE for Razzberry), so this formula was equally as fabulous though in a sheer texture. But though they fall more towards that sheer end of the spectrum, they still give quite a good amount of coverage as you can see from my swatches above. These punchy lip colors scream "pool party fabulousness" - am I right? Can't you see these with larger than life sunglasses, a panama hat and a dress with a pattern so busy that it makes your lip color look tame? If you can't imagine that, well then....we need to work on your imagination. LOL 

3. Art Sticks in Hot Berry and Hot Pink - HOLY GRAIL ALERT. I repeat, HOLY GRAIL FORMULA ALERT. As soon as these Art Sticks launched last year, I snagged one in Sunset Orange and after only using it one day, it became a holy grail. These Art Sticks are how every matte lip color should feel on the lips. Creamy, smooth, non-drying and velvety with incredible staying power - yet still emollient enough that it doesn't take 3 years and 15 bottles of cleansing oil to remove! (you know those kinds, right? Ugh.) And of course in keeping with the bold and bright "hot" theme, these colors are sass incorporated. They ARE the look. Fresh skin, mascara for days, a bronzy cheek and these lip colors make for the perfect easy summer look. 

Shop other great Bobbi Brown products:

The Blushes Currently In My Muji

It's been a long time since I have done a blush post, so I felt it was finally time to do one. I tend to keep the same blushes in rotation for weeks at a time, and here is a look at the ones I've been wearing regularly this fall.

1. Charlotte Tilbury Cheek to Chic in First Love - I was not excited about this color when I first saw it because it seemed so dull and drab, but it's become one of my favorite neutral blushes that goes with any and every eye/lip combo I put together. That is the sign of a good blush, amiright? I like swirling the colors together rather than using them separately and find that it gives me a nice rosy flush without appearing too ruddy or boring. Available at Nordstrom and Bergdorf Goodman.

2. NARS Blush in Sin - It's taken me a long time to finally try this cult classic color, but I am happy to join the party at last. The color looks a bit too deep for my pale skin in the pan, but after I dust it on my cheeks, it imparts the most beautiful plum-gold color which is perfect for the colder weather. I love wearing this when I have a dark, vampy lip and tons of mascara. But as with most NARS products, a light hand is essential and it's always better to start small and build as needed. No clown cheeks here, thank you very much. Available at Sephora, Nordstrom, Saks and Bloomingdale's.

3. By Terry Densiliss Blush in Platonic Blonde - Never has I met a blush that felt smoother and more silky in my life. I have a lot of blushes in my collection, and even more that I always think are the smoothest - but now I can definitively say that this By Terry Densiliss formula wins over all of them. It feels so delicate, yet packs quite a punch when applied. The powder disperses evenly on the cheek but there is a significant amount of pigmentation behind it so start small and build up if necessary. The color is the ultimate peachy glow that we all want for our cheeks but can't seem to find that right shade. Well here it is. A back-up will most certainly be necessary with this gem. Available at Space NK and Barneys.

4. mark. Touch & Glow Shimmer Cream Cube - Since my skin is not as oily during the colder months as the spring and summer, I like to wear a shimmer blush now and then. I recently received this mark Shimmer Cube and fell in love with the pattern and color before ever even trying it. It comes out quite pink on my cheeks which is nice when I want a brighter pop of color. However, the gold portion of the cube helps to balance it out nicely so it never looks too intense. Use a light hand with this however, because it can build up quickly. Available on the mark. website here.

5. Charlotte Tilbury Filmstar Bronze & Glow - I've been wearing this bronzer non-stop since I got it as either a cheek color or slight contour (though I am loving this palette as my regular contour staple). I don't wear the highlight each time I use the bronzer, but when occasionally I will dust along the cheekbones for a subtle glow. I need to use just the tiniest amount because it shows up immediately and is quite pigmented. For my everyday highlight, I have been using the Bobbi Brown finishing powder for almost a year now and swear by it. But when I want to take it up a notch, this Charlotte Tilbury fits the bill. Available at Nordstrom and Bergdorf Goodman.

*pr samples included

Video: October Beauty Favorites

So many great favorites from this past month - it was hard to narrow them all down. Many of these you may have seen me talk about recently in previous videos or on Instagram, but they were all so great that I had to mention them again. I did swatches below of both the By Terry Baume de Rose and the new Lancome Grandiose mascara. I also showed swatches of the new Gucci shadows on Instagram - see picture here.

Below are all the products mentioned in my video. Click on each to shop them. 

1. Ovando Candle in Posada 

2. Lancome Grandiose Mascara

3. By Terry Terrybly Densiliss Blush in Platonic Blonde

4. By Terry Baume de Rose in Toffee Cream

5. Cle de Peau Beaute Gentle Balancing Lotion

6. Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick in Bronze (am also wanting to pick up this one next)

7. Rouge Bunny Rouge Finishing Powder

8. Estee Lauder Double Wear Brow Lift Duo in Rich Brown 

9. Gucci Eye Shadow in Oxydus and Starlight 

Don't forget to enter my NUDE Skincare giveaway!!! Click here to enter.

New In and Loving: Shiseido, Perricone MD and Nyakio

A body scrub with the most delicious scent, a finishing powder that gives my cheeks the most radiant glow and a skincare based makeup line from one of my favorite brands - this post has it all!!! Some products in this post were exactly in line with my expectations, and some were a complete surprise. Aren't beauty products great that way? Just when you think you will dislike something, you turn around and LOVE it. 

1. Nyakio Giant Fig Body Scrub - The first thing to pull me in with this scrub was definitely the scent. Fresh, fruity and sweet but not overwhelming at 7 am in the shower. Side note: don't you hate those products cant' be used too early in the morning because the scent is just too powerful? Yeah, I hate those too. The texture is somewhat solid and easy to keep together in your hands as you are scrubbing which is one of my favorite features of this product. Nothing worse they taking a scoop of body scrub and having it all run through your fingers before you even get through exfoliating one arm. 

2. Shiseido Face Color Enhancing Trio - This was the product I was referring to that was the complete surprise. I love multi-color finishing powders that help to color correct, give the skin a glow, add radiance, etc. But truth be told, the color range in this palette was not hitting my fancy - with the orange looking too orange and the yellow shade giving me the jitters, I was prepared for the worst. Boy was I wrong! This palette wowed me and then some! It was absolutely stunning and radiant on the skin. And I know what I am about to say next may seem too outrageous to be true....*whispers* but I like it better than the Chanel Les Beiges Summer powder (reviewed here). OMG!!!!!!!! I know, I know...that is a huge statement but it's the truth. Even since I received it (in the shade peach - you need to check out the other colors as well, see them here), I can't stop wearing it. It does tend to be a bit dusty when dusting the powder through, but who cares when the color is this beautiful? Ok, I have gone on enough about it. Onto the rest of the products.

3. Perricone MD No Foundation Foundation - Yes this completely lived up to my Perricone loving expectations. What a formula! Extremely sheer with a natural satin finish but truly looks like second skin when on. I do need to use a setting powder as I can get a bit shiny mid day with this formula, but it is still wears beautifully all day. Even with such minimal coverage, it gives me a flawless look (see it on me here). For the days I want a bit more, I add a dab of a heavier foundation on the nose, forehead and chin. And with there only being two shades in the range, I was quite sure it would be too dark but it surprisingly self adjusted to my skin tone.  

4. Perricone MD No Concealer Concealer - Again, a total winner for me. The color below looks waaaaayyy off, but surprisingly looks perfect under the eyes. The texture is beautiful and blends right into the skin as if nothing is there. 

5. Perricone MD No Lipstick Lipstick - My favorite product of the entire range!!!!! I know, I know - another lipstick? But this is truly one of the most moisturizing and nourishing lip products I have ever used. I think it's the skincare properties that make it unique to any other lip products and applies as a solid but feels almost like a serum on the lips. And the color? Absolutely stinkin' perfect. I don't think I will ever be without this product again. It is a forever staple in my lip wardrobe, and will be the perfect color to layer with, wear alone or use to treat my lips when dry or chapped. Perricone MD really knocked it out of the park with this.

6. Perricone MD No Mascara Mascara - Another sleeper hit for me. Since I prefer an intense dramatic lash (we all know this one and this one are the ones I talk about all the time), I was rather disappointed when I saw the brush. Stiff wands like this often deliver thin, wimpy lashes. Nope, not this one. It actually gave me a beautiful, voluminous and defined lash, without even needing to layer. The shade is more of a brown/black, but shows up as intensely as any black mascara in my arsenal. And like it's other No Makeup Makeup family members, it is chock full of good ingredients to help nourish, condition and strengthen the lash with each use. Music to my ears.

* press samples

Have you tried any of these products? What was your experience? Leave me a comment below! 

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Beauty Bits: Getting Cheeky

Now that it is moving into the pitiful portion of the year when it only remains light outside for my 20 min lunch jaunt and the only sun that my body is getting is shielded by the 18,257 layers of clothing I am wearing to keep warm, my blushes and I are becoming super tight all over again.  I need some life brought to my cheeks during grouchy old man winter.  So I figured I would share what blushes are in my stash, and have become my favorites.  Now I should preface this by saying many people may have Fall shades, and Winter shades, followed by delightfully adorable Spring shades.  I may have something on heavier rotation during certain times of the year, but on the whole I'm an equal opportunity season blush wearer, which I'm sure is the technical term.  Let's start with my nude shades, ones that work well with just about any look, especially those intense eye or lip looks that need a supporting cast not willing to compete.  

1.  Laura Mercier Second Skin Cheek Color in Barely Pink - supremely sheer and pale - beautiful none the less but works best on gals whose skin tone resembles transparency.

2.  MAC Powder Blush in Tenderling - I have probably had this color for the past 7-8 years (no it hasn't gone bad, trust me I keep certain makeup for eons and my face stays in tact somehow) and find that it's always my trusty neutral shade.  Could even be used slightly as a contour shade on the cheeks if you are so inclined - or know what the heck you are doing.

3.  Giorgio Armani Sheer Blush #10 - A little tidbit for you - I worked for Armani for a few years so I came to intimately know the brand.  This is one of their top selling blushes and for good reason.  Slightly more rose/plum on me but still beautiful and natural.  A bit more shimmer than the other two so powder for me is a must with this blush.  

Now that we have successfully navigated the land of the neutral blush, here is a snapshot of my favorite brighter blushes that really give me that pop of color that can be so fresh and lively on pale, dull skin. I do tend to steer more towards peach and coral tones rather than cool blue-based pinks, so all probably resemble each other in a certain way, but if one is good, 10 is probably better.  

1.  MAC Blush in Pinch O' Peach - I have also had this shade for a hot minute (I worked for them as well for a few years - told ya I been around) and loved it back then and still do today.  One of the sheertones, which are more finely milled and glide on beautifully, it's a matte peach shade that works for a wide spectrum of skin tones from pale to deep.  

2.  NARS in Outlaw - A newbie to my makeup collection and recently one of my monthly favorites, this color is extremely pigmented so just a smidge will work on my pale skin.  Sometimes I just stare at it and wish it on my cheeks because I need so little.  But the color reads so well on my skin and gives me a beautiful rosy glow - perfect when paired with a strong lip.  To see how it reads, click here to see my Polka Dot post where I wore it with my fave Bobbi Brown Creamy Matte Lip in Razzberry.  It is slowly becoming my fave makeup combo.

3.  Laura Mercier Second Skin Cheek Color in Lush Nectarine - Opposite to the aforementioned Barely Pink, this color gives your cheek a punch of color.  Named appropriately, the color reads as a rich coral and is perfect for almost any skin tone.  Every brown eye shadow you own will rejoice when paired with this color.  Impending nuptials for sure. 

4.  Shu Uemura Rhythym - Ok don't be mad but this color is limited edition. eek!  I know, I know, I hate it too.  But this is more a testament to Shu Uemura - an amazing makeup line that is still so under the radar.  The shade is coupled with a bronzer at one end which when swirled together seems to create the healthiest, have-you-just-been-to-the-islands, no-I-haven't-my-it's-just-my-makeup cheek.  Highly pigmented so don't let its subtlety fool you - this color can serve some serious payoff, as does the entire line.  Sadly it's only online for those in the U.S. but true makeup junkies do not let boundaries such as the internet or thousands of miles keep us from obtaining the best products out there!

What are some of your favorite blushes?  Any brands that you swear by?