The original Naked Flushed didn’t do much for me but Strip is gor-ge-ous. Use individually or blend them together to get a pretty, healthy glow. The color is pigmented and are supremely flattering. Strip has a deep bronze shade with a hint of shimmer, a golden shimmery highlight, and a deep mauve blush that when swirled together with a fluffy brush gives you a sun-kissed look.
Note: be careful when traveling as I had one that cracked and powder landed everywhere. Not sure how or why it happened but the cashier at Sephora told me the same happened to her and a few other customers.
Urban Decay’s NAKED Flushed Palettes are available at Sephora stores or online for $30/each.
If there’s one thing NARS knows how to do right, it’s blush. The newest addition to the 413 BLKR collection, this blush ($30) is a beautiful rosy pink with cool undertones that gives off a rich, pop of pink on the cheeks. This is pretty pigmented and oh so lovely on dark skin so I can’t recommend it enough. I’ve been wearing this exclusively whenever I reach for a blush for at least a month - love at first wear. The finely milled powder glides on - and stays on - and I never worry about applying too much (I also swear by the brand’s Yachiyo Kabuki Brush, $55!)
413 BLKR Blush is available exclusively at NARS boutiques and on narscosmetics.com.
Disclosure: I received a sample but opinions are all mine.
If you’ve fallen in love with Make Up For Ever’s HD range, you need to check out their new HD Blushes. The HD Blush ($26) melts when applied to skin and provides a natural looking flush of color. While I may not be in front of HD cameras in my day-to-day, I appreciate that my blush won’t look patchy. It’s formulated with silicone oils, dry oils and waxes allows you to blend while the silica powders and synthetic mica provide a smooth texture that delivers a satin finish. There are 16 shades in the cream blush range so there’s most definitely something for everyone. I’ve been wearing shade 215 (Flamingo Pink) and it’s the perfect barely there pink.
Also new the the brand’s lineup is the HD Pressed Powder, $36. The HD Pressed Powder is a talc-free, silky, lightweight finishing powder that offers the same benefit of the brand’s HD micro finish loose powder, but is molded down into a purse friendly compact. No loose powders spilling in your purse, yay! Although it’s powder white in the pan, it didn’t come off as grey or ashy on my skin when applied. HD Pressed Powder is used to help soften the appearance of fine lines and pores while creating a soft focus effect on the skin.
The new MUFE products are available in Sephora, Sephora.com, and MUFE Boutiques.
I mentioned it before but Clinique has been surprising me as of late. When their new Cheek Pop collection landed on my desk, I instantly fell in love because your girls loves blush!
These vibrant blushes are bright but leave a natural flush on your cheeks. The silky smooth formula goes on effortlessly and lasts all day. Developed with patented technology, Cheek Pop’s formula begins as a smooth liquid which is then transformed through a slow baking process into a completely new distinct powder that feels luxuriously lightweight in texture and silky smooth to the touch. When I swirled by blush brush (my current fave is NARS Yachiyo Kabuki), I did have to go at it a while for it to pick up any color. I’m sure a brush that’s more densely packed wouldn’t run into this but that did stand out to me at first. The formula is sheer but buildable.
Berry Pop: as described this is a berry shade that complements dark skin beautifully
Ginger Pop
Peach Pop
Plum Pop
Clinique’s Cheek Pop ($21) is available now and come in a clear compact. Each pretty blush is embossed with a beautiful gerber daisy.
Disclosure: samples were provided for editorial consideration.
This year, more than ever, I discovered that women of color are afraid of wearing blush. At first, I thought it was just my close circle of friends who had this fear, primarily because they do not wear makeup as regularly as I do. I brushed aside their complaints with the thought that I, their fearless, blush loving leader, can lead them down the right path. It wasn’t until I started going to more events this year and meeting more women of color in the biz who uttered the same words my friends did.
“I’m too dark to wear blush.” Girl please, blush is for white people.” OH NO YOU DIDN’T!
Excuses like these get me riled up because women of color do not realize their potential. The various shades of brown, olive and beyond are PERFECT for blush. Our skin tones are capable of sporting shades so vibrantly hued, our pale counterparts wouldn’t know how to handle it!
So in my crusade to change the perception of women of color everywhere (or at least those who read MissWYA), I’ve created Got Me Blushin’- a series of posts introducing women to blushes (and bronzers!) that work. I cannot take credit for this though, because my girl (and forever BFF in my mind) Brittany of Clumps of Mascara also has this series called ‘Brown and Blushin”.
What better of an introduction to blush than the ones by IMAN Cosmetics. Supermodel/ mogul, Iman, knows first hand about the troubles women of color face so it was only natural for her to create her own line catering to this demographic. I’m a major fan and advocate so it felt right for me to introduce you to a staple in my makeup bag- Luxury Blushin Powder Duo in Posh.
Posh is a natural looking, long lasting blush presented in two complimentary colors. The duo - a medium shade of pink and deeper rose color - is quite pigmented with a subtle hint of shimmer. This color can actually suit a variety of skin tones. If you’re a fair to tan colored girl, you can apply this with a light hand for a nice, just got out of the cold glow. If you’ve got a more olive to chocolate hue, you can pack it on a bit for beautiful rose colored cheeks. I actually wear this everyday (applied lightly) for a nice warm flush. The consistency is commendable for a drugstore and I rarely apply in the evening (unless I am going somewhere after work, in which I tap on a bit to perk up my face and make me look less tired).
IMAN Cosmetics are available at drugstores nationwide and online.
Sample provided for editorial consideration. Please don’t forget that you can still help the people of Haiti, donate to the Red Cross today. Thank you.
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