The Blush Tag

1. Best packaging

Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush Palette Color Wheel (Holiday 2016)

I had never tried Tarte’s Amazonian Clay Blush formula before.  I thought this was a pretty ingenious way to fit more into less packaging.  I use a separate mirror; so, it doesn’t bother me that there is no mirror.

2. Prettiest color

It Cosmetics Ombre Radience in Sugar Plum

This is kind of an odd question for a makeup addict.  "Prettiest Color" is contingent on what makeup it's been worn with, skin tone etc.  

So, I’m calling this the prettiest color based on how it looks in the pan – it’s ombre and has shimmer and is a pretty mauve color..

3. Most pigmented

Coastal Scents Forever Blush

I had heard of these blushes; but, it wasn't until I heard emilynoel83 of YouTube talk about them that I got some.  She was right.  These blushes are PIGMENTED and they last!.  I would say, if you're on a budget and want a blush that you're not going to have to replace very quickly -- this is it!

4. Everyday blush

Cherry Custard by Laura Geller

I don’t have an everyday blush.  But, I thought of what I would reach for if I was in a hurry.  The answer would be Cherry Custard by Laura Geller, which is in the Baked Color and Contour Palette.  The fact that there’s a contour and highlight in the palette makes it very easy to use when I’m in a hurry.

5. Party blush
Makeup Revolution Blush Queen Palette

I'm not sure what a "Party blush" is supposed to be.  Again, it all depends on what I'm doing with the rest of my makeup.  I would probably put something with a touch or shimmer on.  In that spirit, I will say the Makeup Revolution Blush Queen palette which is a palette of eight shimmery blushes.  No matter what I decide to do with my makeup for a party there will be something in there for me.

6. Regret purchasing (Two Answers) 

e.l.f. Blush (A bunch of them)

      YouTubers would rave about these blushes -- how pigmented they are, how beautiful the colors look on the skin.  I bought mine during a sale a few years ago and was severely disappointed.  Mine were so NOT pigmented.  The quad blushes that sell for $6 work just fine; but, the single ones, never work for me.

Cream or Liquid blushes

I like cream and liquid blushes.  However, I have so much makeup that cream and liquid formulas just sit there and go bad.

7. Least used

NARS Exhibit A

This probably doesn't need any explanation.  It looked beautiful in the packaging. There is something about red -- eyeshadow, lipstick, nailpolish that captivates me. It is usable with an ultra light touch.  I think it's the inconvenience of having to be so careful with it that puts me off from using it.

8. Most used

Morphe Brushes 9N Palette

This is easy to grab for.  The blushes are easy to wear -- especially with the bolder eyes and lips of today.  And they are good quality!

8.1 would never let go of.

My two Kat Von D Shade and Light blushes

These were out on the market for a hot minute.  I managed to get my hands on two of them before they disappeared from the market permanently.  I have Piaf/Poe and Bonnie/Clyde.  I wanted Morticia/Gomez; but, alas, it was not to be.  

9. Favorite blush brand
None At The Moment

I don’t know that I have a favorite blush brand at the moment.  I suppose if Kat Von D or even Black Moon Cosmetics were to release some, I would probably be in love with those.

My requirements, now, are:

Cruelty free

Have pigmentation

Have a color I like

Don’t be chalky.

10. Greatest blush discovery of the year
Kat Von D Shade and Light blush

I really liked them and wanted more.  But, like I said, it was not to be.  I was fortunate enough to get my hot hands on two of them.

11. Most practical
Cherry Custard by Laura Geller

(See #4)

12. Least practical

NARS Exhibit A

(See #7)

13. Most expensive

Becca Beach Tint Shimmer Souffle in Guava Moonstone

I think at the time I bought my NARS blushes, they were still around $25.  These are $27.  I love that there's a bit of shimmer in them.

14. Least expensive  (Single blushes)

Nyx HD Blush Amber

 As I don't have my e.l.f blushes anymore, Nyx HD blush at $6.99, is my least expensive.

15. Longest Wearing

Coastal Scents Forever Blush

(See #3)

16. Best Blush Palette

Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush Palette Color Wheel (Holiday 2016)

Not only are these great blushes; but, I love how they fit ten of them into a very compact space by using both sides of the compact.  There are warms, cools and even a highlighter and bronzer shade in here.

Ta Ta For Now!

You Tube Made Me Buy It -- Blushes/Rouge -- Plus My Favorite Blush Brush Ever!!!

There are a lot of blushes pictured here.  These are not necessarily the only colors I've bought of these blushes.  I have hearts next to the ones that I would buy again, if I needed to.These are also not the only brands of blushes that You Tube  "made me buy".  I am working on using up the items I have that are not cruelty free.  And I have not included them here for that reason.  See below the picture for the list of items and also my favorite blush brush. 

1.  Physician's Formula Nude Wear™ Glowing Nude Blush -- I actually got this in a 2014 Holiday palette which also came with the Glowing Nude Powder and the Glowing Nude Bronzer.  I found the whole palette okay.  I used most of the Powder and Bronzer.  I hardly used the blush.  There wasn't a lot of pigment to the blush and it was a basic blush color.  Would not purchase again.

2.  Physician's Formula Happy Booster™Glow & Mood Boosting Blush -- Heard about this from emilynoel83. This blush actually has decent pigmentation. Plus it smells really good and looks darling.  Of the three blushes by Physician's Formula I have on this page, this is the only one, I feel, is decently pigmented and performs well.

3.  Hard Candy Blush Crush -- I love these!  I've come to really appreciate a blush with some shimmer to it.  I have Living Doll (pictured -- Heard about this from emilynoel83.) and Bombshell.  I love the healthy glow it gives to the skin (as I am one who likes to use face powder). Would repurchase again.

4.  Nyx HIGH DEFINITION BLUSH in Intuition-- I have this in Intuition (Heard about this from emilynoel83.) This particular color has some gold shimmer in it.  Very pretty!

5.  Physician's Formula Sexy Booster™ Sexy Glow Blush --  This looks so pretty in the container & the packaging adorable; but, for me it lacks pigmentation.  Will not purchase again.

6.  Milani ROSE POWDER BLUSH -- I have this in Tea Rose. This is a good blush.  I have so many blushes that for me, this is a novelty item.  But, if I didn't have a slew of blushes, I would definitely repurchase. (Heard about this from emilynoel83.)

7.  Milani BAKED BLUSH -- This blush has been talked about all over You Tube.  I have Dolce Pink.  Like the Hard Candy blushes, most of the baked blushes have some shimmer to them and impart a lovely glow to the skin.  (Could use less packaging with these, though.) Would definitely repurchase!

8.  Wet n Wild Color Icon Blush -- These blushes were talked about all over You Tube, as well.  I think I had Heather Silk or Pearlescent Pink.  It was a long time ago.  They are really decently pigmented blushes.  They've been repackaged, recently to have slightly less packaging.  I wish they'd do away with the useless applicators altogether, though. 

9.  Nyx ROUGE CREAM BLUSH -- I have mine in Orange.  I heard these were good, on You Tube, and I was looking for an orange cream blush.  I've been discovering, however that cream blush is not very practical for a makeup addict like me.  While I really like this blush I will not be purchasing any more cream blushes for a long time.

10. Sleek Makeup Blush -- I heard about, not only, this brand of blush; but, Flamingo from emilynoel83.  Her sister gave this to her as a birthday/Christmas gift.  Beautiful color and nicely pigmented.  Sleek only puts packaging around the blusher itself.  No extraneous packaging or useless applicators.

11. Colour Pop Blush -- These are great blushes with nice pigmentation.  This is a sort of cream/powder formula.  I love these; but, again, for someone who loves trying new makeup all the time.  I'm finding that cream formula's are not that practical and carry with it a certain pressure and guilt.  LOL

12. NARS Blush -- NARS has a reputation for great blushes and they do not disappoint in this area.  Pictured is Angelika.  I've also had the famed Orgasm; and, I also have Exhibit A - a very pigmented red. I believe Goss Makeup Artist is responsible for my purchases of Angelika and Exhibit A.

13. Coastal Scents Forever Blush -- Another emilynoel83 recommendation.  These are VERY pigmented.  So you may have your compact of blush, literally, FOREVER.  Could do without the sliver of a mirror in the compact (Why?  It's useless!) .  But otherwise, great blush!

14. Sleek Makeup Blush by 3 -- Yes, emilynoel83!!!  I got mine in Pink Lemonade, which is the shade she had.  It has a cream blush in the middle.  Very beautiful palette.  But, again, there's the cream blush dilemma.

15. e.l.f. Studio Powder Blush Palette -- This was actually very nicely pigmented.  Which is odd because as you'll see, I find the single blushes to be very hit and miss.  

16. e.l.f. Studio Pressed Mineral Blush -- The texture on these is nice but the pigmentation is very sheer, I find.  Not something I want to repurchase.

17. e.l.f. Studio Blush -- These were abuzz on You Tube.  I have found these to be hit and miss. Some are decently pigmented, some are chalky, some have practically no color.  I pretty much give up with getting any more of these.

18. Makeup Geek Blush Pan -- When these came out, You Tubers were going gaga over these.  After getting a set of them a few months ago, I see why.  They are talc free and have a very natural but nicely pigmented look to them.

19. Laura Geller Baked Color & Contour --  This is a cool palette.  It's about the size of the It Cosmetics Vitality palette.  The Baked Vanilla highlighter has just a touch of shimmer so can ever be used under the eyes.  The bronzer is not very dark and is a good color for me to add some color to my hairline and under my cheek contour.  The Cherry Cobbler blush is a beautiful shimmery pink shade with a hint of warmth.

20. Morphe Brushes 9B Palette --  Young Wild And Polished turned me on to this palette.  It is a gorgeous palette of both brighter and muted blushes.  Very nicely pigmented!  Great for travel!

My Favorite Blush Brush

The e.l.f Small Stipple Brush

I found out about this brush from -- you guessed it, from the number of times I've mentioned her channel above, emilynoel83.  Ever since I got one for myself, I've been hooked.  I not only use it for cream blush, as she prefers; but, I use it for powder blush as well.  I find the size ensures that I don't get a big patch of blush on my face, and the stippled bristles prevent too heavy an application.  I have many backups of this brush and have given this brush as a little "stocking stuffer" gift, many a time.

Ta Ta For Now!