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In Search of the Perfect Blush
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The holidays are right around the corner and many women are in search of the perfect makeup to make them look beautiful from beginning to end. With numerous family gatherings and lots of holiday parties to attend, they aren’t willing to settle for anything but the very best.
In earlier articles we explored the best mineral makeup and long wearing lip colors on the market today. In this piece we will go in search of the perfect blush. There are certainly enough brands and varieties to choose from. But which ones really work? The answer isn’t simple because different women have different types of skin.
Powder blushes work well on virtually every skin type. They are easy to apply, simple to control, and can be found in a wide variety of colors. Most cosmetic brands make at least one type of powder blush. Most tend to be matte in finish while others may contain a hint of shimmer. Two of the best powder blushes on the market today include:
Lorac Powder Blush, which can be found in many upscale department stores and beauty outlets like Sephora. There are more than a dozen colors and corresponding shades to choose from in pink, rose, peach, plum, gold, spice, and crimson. The powder comes in a container with a powder "puff" top for easy application and perfect storage. Each blush retails for around $20.
Bare Minerals Blush is pure micronized minerals that are easy to apply with a soft brush. The blush comes in 30 different colors that range in shades of gold, apricot, peach, coral, pink, rose, plum, berry, and more. They can be worn alone or mixed together to create a special custom color. The product retails for less than $20 at QVC, on the Bare Escentuals website, or through beauty outlets like Ulta.
Cream blushes work particularly well on dry skin, however, they can also be worn on normal and combination skin that is not oily. While there aren’t as many cream blushes available in the marketplace as there are powder ones, many leading cosmetic brands offer at least one in their bag of tricks. Two of the best include:
Paula Dorf Cheek Colors - - a favorites of many Hollywood celebrities and New York socialites. It can be found in trendy beauty boutiques or purchased online at various sites. The blush comes in more than a dozen different shades of pink, peach, mauve, red, plum, spice, and more. Each cheek color retails for around $20.
Bobbi Brown Blush is another favorite among celebrities. Perhaps that is because she is always working to improve the product. The newest version has an even softer feel and glides on with just the right amount of beautiful matte color. It comes in approximately 20 colors that range in shades of pink, peach, poppy, berry, rose, spice, and more. The blush retails for $20 online.
Stick blushes are often the hardest to apply. They can appear heavy on the skin because the color pigment is so intense. They can be difficult to blend because they usually dry quickly. It takes a very practiced hand to achieve a natural look with most stick blushes. However, there is at least one on the market that stands up well under scrutiny:
Too Faced Flush Blush combines two coordinating shade of color. The lighter shade is made to highlight the cheekbone while the deeper color adds contour. Unlike many stick blushes, Too Faced Flush Brush offers a creamy product that gives the wearer time to blend before dries. It comes in several shades and retails for just over $22 at beauty boutiques and online.
Gel blushes are great for women who just want the perfect hint of color. Because gel blushes dry quickly, it is best to apply them in thin layers. That will help avoid streaking or smudges that can look less than attractive. While gel blushes can be tricky, there are some excellent products to choose from including:
Revlon Pinch Me is one of my favorites. It goes on in a sheer wash of color that looks very natural. Whether you apply a little or a lot; it’s almost impossible to apply too much of this product. Although Pinch Me only comes in four colors - - pink, peach, cherry, and plum - - it still manages to work with almost any complexion. Pinch Me retails for around $10 at discount department and drug stores, beauty outlets, and online.
Bonnie Bell Gel Blush is a real bargain at under $5. Like Revlon’s Pinch Me, it only comes in a handful of shades. But Bonnie Bell’s colors blend beautifully with virtually any complexion color. Sheer and easy to apply, this blush may well be one of the best bargains ever.
Whether you’re looking for a blush that can be worn every day or something special just for the holidays, one of the above cosmetic brands is sure to have something that speaks just to you. Have fun, experiment, and look stunning this and every holiday season.
