PHOTO: ISTOCK
Spring is coming. Contentious politics may have us feeling like it's only getting darker, but I promise, Spring IS coming.
Still not feeling it? Fake it. Blush is my favorite pick-me-up to give my face a cheerful glow. Add a little sparkle, and I swear I can almost feel the promise of new life and warmer weather. The days are getting longer, so let's start enjoying it. Blush is undoubtedly the best way to fake a healthy, warm-weather, well-rested glow.
Beautiful Basics
You cannot go wrong with a cream or gel blush. Especially in winter, when skin is probably drier than usual, a little moisture is always welcome. These two luxe options also offer skincare benefits with the perfect pop of color.
Cream blush: Tata Harper Very Charming, $36
Light and easy to apply, this cream blush and lip color delivers a subtle hint of pink when and where you need it.
Gel blush: NOTO Botanics Multi-Benne tint, $26
More of a gel, almost, than a cream, this multi-use pot is a unique, orange-red that combines coconut oil, shea butter, and jojoba oil for a moisturizing glow. Peppermint makes it feel fresh and acts as a disinfectant to keep the makeup fresh since you're using your fingers.
Multi-sticks
No time for brushes? Can’t handle applying more than one product on your face each morning? For you, a multi-use stick is perfect. Dab some on your cheeks. Dab some on your lips, and ta da! All set, and ready to face the day. Whether you prefer sparkle or not, we have an easy-to-use stick blush for you.
Matte: HAN Skincare Cosmetics Cheek & Lip tint, $14
Not only vibrant and fun, but super affordable.
Shimmer: Vapour Organic Beauty Aura multi-stick, $36
These are stunning, easy to use, and super healthy. I'm a big fan of shade 205 (Intrigue), but there's definitely an option for everyone.
Powders
Some of my earliest makeup memories are of using my mom's shimmery powder blush (with her permission, of course). And as a teenager and 20-something, NARS Orgasm powder blush was my everything. But these days I prefer these ones.
Pressed powder: NU Evolution, $28
Flushed is described as a "morning after glow" and it's fresh and sweet and perfectly pink.
Loose powder: Alima Pure, $24
Try luminous shimmer in Leigh, the perfect pink with shimmer.
Combos: Bronzers and highlighters
If you're not really a pink person, you can still get the healthy-looking effect with a little bronzer. Or you can find that lit-from-within joyful look with some highlighter.
Bronzer: Root Mystique Blushing Bronze, $14
Root's awesome bronzer/blush combo comes in several wearable shades.
Highlighter: Au Naturale highlighter powder in Begonia, $22
This one has plenty of shimmer.
Liquid Blush
Like a serum that makes you look well-rested and healthy, liquid blush is a wonderful thing. Come for the color, stay for the skincare-like benefits.
This one comes in two lust-worthy shades and contains broccoli seed, rosehip, and castor seed oils, so it nourishes your skin as you glow.
Birchrose + Co. Glow Serum, $18
This brand-new, gorgeous, shimmery serum is easy to bring with you wherever you go, thanks to the small, rollerball container. It comes in four different shades, and you will want to own them all. Thanks to essential oils, they also smell terrific. An instant mood-booster.
Get Creative
Who says that blush has to be blush? Eye shadows can add just the perfect hint of flush to your cheekbones. Natural lipstick is safe (and healthy) to put on your skin anywhere you want it.
If you see a color in your makeup kit that you think would look great on your cheeks, who cares if it’s not "technically" blush? Try it. Here are some of my favorite rule-bending options:
Modern minerals eye shadow, $13-16
Modern Minerals makes several blush-worthy shades, both in their Purely Mineral Eyeshadows and their Sphere Eye Shadows.
Axiology lipstick, $28
This lip color is as pure and vibrant as they come. I saw someone using it as blush on Instagram and was immediately sold.
RMS master mixer, $38
Cult-brand darling RMS Master Mixer is the ultimate game changer. Like a scarf that multiplies your closet, this creamy pot adds shimmer to matte, makes too-dark shades lighter, turns powder into cream, layers on top of blush for contouring— the possibilities are endless.
Suddenly, Spring is just around the corner.
instant happy in your
mailbox every day.
