Name: Blush in Summertime
Brand: Neve Cosmetics
Size: 4g
Price: €12,90

From Neve Cosmetics’s website:
Its bronzy pink hue enhances a tan (even when it’s minimal!!), its slight iridescence sculpts the cheekbones, its multi-use formula allows it to be used as blush, eyeshadow and gloss!

What I liked:
- beautiful shade, enhances a tan
- good color payoff
- gives a radiant glow to cheeks
- soft texture, easy to blend
- multi-use
- mini size is huge

What I didn’t like:
- only lasts a few hours
- can be messy
- full size is quite expensive
- available only in Italy

Summer may be over *sighs* but that doesn’t mean that you have to give up that beautiful summer glow just yet. A bronzy pink blush with a gold iridescence, such as Neve Cosmetics Blush in Summertime, can help you achieve just that. Summertimes has good color payoff: not as pigmented to make you look like a clown, but not so sheer that you’ll have to apply a ton of product for it to show up. Perfect to enhance a tan, on pale skin it provides a subtle and natural tanned look, while the gold iridescence has a highlighting effect that illuminates the complexion.

Summertimes has a very soft texture that blends like a dream, although, like with all mineral blushes, application can be a bit messy so you’ll to be careful. You will also have to reapply it throughout the day. The blush only lasts about 5 hours on me and keep in mind that my cheeks are dry. You can always use a base to make it last a bit longer. When I use it as an eyeshadow, and on top of Too Faced Shadow Insurance, it lasts pretty much the entire day without creasing. Summertime is also lip safe but I haven’t used it on my lips yet.

Unfortunately, Neve Cosmetics doesn’t ship internationally yet so only those who live in Italy will be able to get it. Another con is the price. The full size retails at €12,90, which is quite expensive. However, you can also order a mini size (that’s the one I got), which costs only €3,90, but contains a lot of product so it’ll last you for a good while, especially considering that you only need a little for each application.

Available at: truccominerale.it

Summary
Neve Cosmetics Blush in Summertime is a beautiful bronzy pink shade with a gold iridescence that enhances a tanned complexion while giving a radiant glow to skin. It has good color payoff and a lovely, soft texture that applies easily. In addition, Summertime, can also be used as a blush and gloss. However, it lasts only a few hours without a primer and application can be messy. The full size is quite expensive too.

Rating: 4/5

I am a sucker for cream blushes and I’m really excited that E.L.F. has finally added some to their line.

Their Cream Blushes promise to offer the best of both worlds: their very creamy consistency transforms into a velvety soft powder finish on the skin. The formula is lightweight and oil-fee and provides buildable pigmentation and a natural and beautiful glow that’s supposed to last for hours. So far, it’s available in 6 pretty shades: Heartbreaker, Flirt, Tease, Temptress, Seductress and Vixen.

ELF cream blushes are available on http://www.eyeslipsface.it/ for €7,50 each and on http://www.eyeslipsface.com/ for $6.00 each.

I can’t wait to try these cream blushes! Are they tempting you too?

Name: Powder Blush in n.26 Fuchsia
Brand: Make Up For Ever
Size: 2,5g
Price: $19.00

From Sephora’s website:
The unique texture of MAKE UP FOR EVER Powder Blush is due to its high pigment density, which makes it last and last. You can obtain maximum coverage with the Matte texture; the Semi-Matte has a silky, satiny feel; and the iridescent shades give a transparent sheen.

What I liked:
- very pigmented
- beautiful matte finish
- easy to blend
- soft texture
- longlasting
- the packaging

What I didn’t like:
- small pan
- the price

After almost ten years together, Mr BWB knows that when he goes on a trip abroad and wants to buy a little something for me, the safest thing to do is to head to the nearest Sephora (I’ve trained him well lol ). On his last trip (to France, in May), he picked up Make Up For Ever Powder Blush in n.26, a matte, vibrant fuchsia shade that looks really scary in the pan. Considering how pale my skin is, it’s not a shade I would have chosen myself, which makes me all the more happy that i got it because, applied with a light hand, it’s surprisingly very wearable and flattering on fair skin too.

The blush is very pigmented and a little goes a looooong way. I find the best way to apply it is with a duo-fibre brush that doesn’t pick up too much product, resulting in a natural finish. It’s not over the top at all, but gives cheeks a nice pop of color that brightens up the face. The blush has a soft (although not silky-soft) texture that’s not powdery at all and blends easily. And once applied, it will last for the entire day.

The black, square packaging looks sleek, professional and pretty and it has a small see-through section so you can see what color the blush inside is. The only thing I dislike about this blush is that the pan is small, which can put some people off, especially considering how expensive it is. However, you need so little product for each application that the blush will last you for ages and the small size makes it convenient to carry it around with you.

Available at: Sephora

Summary
Make Up For Ever Powder Blush in n.26 Fuchsia is a matte hot pink that, applied with a light hand and a duo-fibre brush, looks very natural and flattering even on pale skintones. The soft texture is easy to blend and, once applied, the blush stays put all day. The small packaging is pretty and handy to carry around with you, but some may considering the pan too tiny for the high price tag.

Rating: 4.5/5

Name: Pretty Compact Blush-On in P115
Brand: Flormar
Size: 14g
Price: €4,95

From Flormar’s website:
Flormar Professional Make-Up develops ultra-fine, smooth and ultra-wearing blush-on. It sets the make-up and at the same time allows perfect touch up during the day. Improved micronizing technology allows the powder to feel velvety and smooth on your skin and under your fingertips.

What I liked:
- good color payoff
- warms up the complexion and provides a nice glow
- velvety smooth texture, blends easily
- longlasting
- the price

What I didn’t like:
- bronzer may not show up well on dark skintones
- the packaging

Flormar Pretty Compact Blush-on, available in six shades (two of which are duos), is packaged in such a plain round white compact that could easily be overlooked when shopping. And it would be such a shame as the product inside is really wonderful. The shade I have is P115, which contains a blush and a bronzer. Both have a velvety soft and smooth texture that’s not powdery at all and blends like a dream. They are also pretty longlasting, staying put for more than 8 hours on my cheeks.

The blush is a beautiful and shimmery peachy shade. The color payoff is just right. It’s not so sheer that it won’t show up on the cheeks but also not too pigmented that you could end up looking like a clown with just one swipe. It’s a very wearable, natural-looking blush that provides a healthy pop of color and a warm glow to the cheeks. The shimmers aren’t over the top either.

The bronzer is a light tan shade that’s chock full of shimmers which makes it unsuitable for contouring. Less pigmented than the blush, it can be used, even by pale-skinned beauties, all over the face for that pretty bronzed look. It doesn’t look too orange nor too muddy but, because of how shimmery it is, you’ll have to use a light hand or instead than a sunkissed glow you’ll just resemble a discoball. However, unlike the shimmers, the color may not show up well on darker skintones. I’m not a fan of the bronzed look so I prefer to use it as a blush or, very sparingly, as a highlighter.

Available at: douglas.de

Summary
Flormar Pretty Compact Blush-On in P115 contains a peachy blush and a light tan bronzer, both of which are chockfull of shimmers and have good color payoff. The blush provides a warm glow on the cheeks while the bronzer can be used to achieve a sunkissed glow or as a highlighter. However, it may not show up well on darker skintones. Their texture is velvety soft, they blend easily and last long. The packaging is not very pretty but helps keep the price very low.

Rating: 4/5

Name: Blush in Suede
Brand: Sleek Makeup
Size: 8g
Price: £4.29

From Sleek Makeup’s website:
Suede is a warm, tawny matte blush that elicits a wintery mocha glow. Use a contour brush to define and sculpt the cheeks, or use a large fluffy brush and swirl the colour on to the apples of the cheeks for a natural, radiant complexion.

What I liked:
- provides a warm and natural wash of color on the cheeks
- doesn’t look muddy
- good, buildable color payoff
- soft texture, blends easily
- matte finish, great for contouring pale skintones
- the price
- the packaging

What I didn’t like:
- may look ashy on dark skintones
- doesn’t show up well on dark skintones
- average staying power

Out of all the products in the Sleek Makeup Nude collection, the Blush in Suede was the one I was less curious to try. I mean, how exciting can a nude blush be? Very, as it turns out. Suede is a peachy brown blush with a matte finish that provides a subtle, very natural tanned look to the cheeks. It is a great blush for everyday and its peachy undertones prevent it from ever looking muddy.

In addition, Suede also provides a slight contouring effect. I actually prefer to use it to contour my face rather than as a blush. That’s because, having pale skin, it is really hard for me to find a good bronzer that’s not too dark, too orangey, too muddy or too shimmery. Suede, instead, is none of those things and thus perfect for contouring pale skin tones. Those with pale skin will also love that, unlike the other Sleek Makeup blushes which are insanely pigmented, Suede has good but buildable color payoff. It’s one of those blushes that’s just impossible to overdo.

However, darker-skinned beauties may find the blush won’t show up well on their skin. And if it does, it may look ashy. If you have dark skin, I highly recommend you test it at the shop before purchasing. But what about its texture? That’s velvety soft and smooth. Suede applies and blends effortlessly but doesn’t last that long on the cheeks. I only get about 4 and a half hours of wear before it starts to fade, which is only average, especially when you consider that my cheeks are dry.

Available at: sleekmakeup.com

Summary
Sleek Makeup Blush in Suede is a matte peachy brown that provides a very natural, slightly tanned look to the cheeks. The texture is smooth and easy to blend and the pigmentation is buildable. It also great at contouring pale skintones. However, it may look ashy and not show up well on darker skintones. In addition, staying power is only average.

Rating: 4/5

Name: Blush in Aruba
Brand: Sleek Makeup
Size: 8g
Price: £4,29

From Sleek Makeup’s website:
Aruba blush provides the ultimate colour of paradise, sweep on lightly for a tropical wash of coral or layer to build an intense holiday hue.

What I liked:
- beautiful and pigmented shade with a matte finish
- will suit most skintones
- texture is soft to the touch
- longlasting
- pretty and sleek packaging
- the price

What I didn’t like:
- texture is a bit powdery
- because it is pigmented, you need to be careful with application (especially if you have pale skin)

Makeup rarely scares me. I love wearing bright and vivid eyeshadows, wouldn’t hesitate at using red eyeliner and if I wear a minimal eye look, I’ll gladly pair it with bold lips. But when I first laid eyes on Sleek Blush in Aruba, a bright orange blush with a matte finish that’s part of their Summer Caribbean Collection, I thought there was possibly no way a fair-skinned girl like me could rock it.

Gladly I was wrong. Aruba is very pigmented and intense so, unless a bright pop of orange is what you want, you’ll have to be careful with application. I took my duo fibre brush, swiped it on the blush with a light hand, applied it on my cheeks and started blending away. Application turned out to be pretty easy and this way, I managed to apply a sheer wash of orange on my cheeks, which looked very flattering and warmed up my complexion. I think it would look even better on those with dark skin or a tan.

Aruba has a soft to the touch but slightly powdery (not enough to bother me though, especially considered the price) texture that lasts long on the cheeks. The weather is very hot and humid here at the moment, but still Aruba lasted about 8 hours on my dry cheeks before it started to fade. But unless you’re going out in the evening, there really is no need to reapply it.

Available at: Sleekmakeup.com and Superdrug stores throughout the UK

Summary
Sleek Makeup Blush In Aruba is a beautiful and bright matte orange shade. Very pigmented, it needs to be applied with a light hand and will suit a wide variety of skintones: more flattering on those with dark skin, pale princesses will be able to rock it too. The texture is soft to the touch but a bit powdery. And it’s pretty longlasting too.

Rating: 4/5

Name: Silky Touch Blush in Secret It-Girl
Brand: Essence
Size: 5g
Price: €2,99

From Essence’s website:
a fresh and healthy complexion is the perfect accessory during any season. with this silky-soft rouge, you can create gorgeous, natural-looking highlights on your cheeks.

What I liked:
- sheer but buildable color payoff
- looks very natural on
- subtle shimmers give a very natural sheen to skin
- texture is very soft to the touch and blends easily
- longlasting
- the price

What I didn’t like:
- too sheer for those with darker skintones
- the packaging

I love pink. It’s my favourite color and I am obsessed with everything pink. Especially blushes. I have way too many pink blushes in my stash and whenever I buy a new one, my friends are like “But you already have lots of blushes like that!” Well, actually I don’t. They are all different shades of pink but that can be really hard to explain to someone who isn’t into makeup. *sighs*

But lately something weird has happened. Pink blushes are starting to bore me *shock! horror!* and I am now becoming obsessed with peach blushes. Maybe it has something to do with all the peachy spring collections popping up everywhere, or maybe I just need a change, but I really love the warm glow peach blushes give to my pale skin.

One of my favourite peach blushes, and one that I have been using a lot lately is Essence Silky Touch Blush in Secret It-Girl, a warm peach blush with very subtle shimmers which provide a nice sheen and prevent the shade from looking dull. I wouldn’t call the texture silky, but it is very soft to the touch nonetheless and it blends effortlessly into the skin.

The color payoff is sheer but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. I have pale skin so I love sheer blushes as I don’t risk looking like a clown if I’m not extremely careful with application. One layer provides a nice, soft pop of color on the cheeks, but you can easily build it up if you want a more intense effect. However, I don’t think this will work too well for those with dark skintones as you would have to apply several layers for the color to show up properly so you may wanna invest in a pigmented blush instead.

Once on, the blush lasts for hours on my cheeks and I don’t have to retouch it throughout the day. The only thing I’m not too keen on is the packaging. It’s a simple, round plastic compact that looks really cheap but then this is a cheap blush (it retails at only €2,99). Besides, the circles pattern on the blush is really cute and more than makes up for the packaging imo.

Available at: ulta.com

Summary
Essence Silky Touch Blush in Secret It-Girl is a peach blush with subtle shimmers that provides a soft and warm pop of color to the cheeks that lasts for hours. Color payoff is sheer (too sheer for those with darker skintones) but easily buildable while the texture is very soft and blends effortlessly.

Rating: 4/5

Name: Blush in Rose Gold
Brand: Sleek
Size: 8g
Price: £3.99

From Sleek’s website:
A highly pigmented blusher to brighten and define cheekbones. The silky-fine formulation provides long lasting blusher which helps to create a subtle but radiant cheek area.

What I liked:
- beautiful shimmery shade that looks great on most skintones
- very pigmented
- texture is soft to the touch
- powder is finely milled
- longlasting
- the packaging
- the price

What I didn’t like:
- because it is so pigmented, application can be tricky especially if you have pale skin

Peachy pink blushes are one of my weaknesses so when Sleek released a new shade of Blush called Rose Gold a while ago, I just couldn’t resist. I had to get it! Rose Gold is a stunning warm peachy pink with golden shimmers. From the reviews I’ve read online, this seems to be a close dupe for Nars Orgasm but without the glitter, but since I don’t own that, I can’t compare.

Rose Gold is a very, very pigmented blush. Very flattering on darker skintones, fair-skinned girls like me need to be very careful with application if they don’t want to look like a clown! That’s what happened the first time I used it even though I was careful to pick up only a very small amount of product lol! A little definitely goes a very looooong way with this blush!

I think the best way to use this blush is to apply it with either a big fluffy blush like ELF Studio Complexion Brush or a duo fibre brush. Both types of brush don’t pick up too much product, providing a natural and glowing effect that would be flattering for most skintones. And it lasts all day too!

In addition, the texture is quite soft to the touch and the powder finely milled and easy to blend (but again, make sure you use a light hand!). I have to admit I wasn’t expecting it as drugstore blushes are often chalky and powdery, but not this. It’s actually creamy and really great quality.

I also like the packaging. The black compact looks sleek and it comes with a mirror, which is a nice addition. Instead, it doesn’t include a brush but I don’t mind that as it would have been useless (brushes that come with makeup products are very rarely decent after all).

And don’t forget to check out Emma’s review at Birds Decorate Branches to see how Rose Gold compares to Nars Orgasm!

Available at: Sleekmakeup.com or Superdrug stores throughout the UK

Summary
Sleek Blush in Rose Gold is one of the best drugstore blushes I’ve ever come across. Finely milled, the powder is creamy to the touch and applies smoothly. In addition, it is also insanely pigmented, so use a light hand with application if you don’t wanna look like a clown! But if applied carefully, it provides a natural and glowy flush to the cheeks that’s flattering on most skintones. Oh, and it lasts all day too!

Rating: 5/5