I’m seeing a lot of strong looks this Fall/Winter of 2009, first with Lancome Declaring Indigo and then with YSL Cosmetics. Guerlain too seems to have taken the same road as has Dior I read. Guerlain’s theme is Beauté Slave or Slavic Beauty – beauty inspired by the Russians… not by slaves ok? 😛
A new item in this collection is a liquid blush named aptly, Russian Doll. Russian Doll comes in a slim cylinder with a pump. The cylinder has these beautiful filigree artwork on it that’s really pretty.
The colour is a bright rose red when pumped out. This is where I have a little grouse. The pump is really hard to control so I always end up pumping out too much. You only really need very very little for this color to show up, especially if you are fair.
However, what you tend to get every single time is a dollop as what you see in the picture above. Quite a bit of wastage there since I use so little.
The colour looks scary pink but if you use very little of it and blend it into your skin properly, it gives a most gorgeous just in from the cold flush. I squirt it on the back of my hand and use the Lumiere Skunk brush to apply.
In terms of staying power, I find that it stays on my not very oily skin, but it does fade a little by the end of the day, unlike Benetint that stays on and on. If you like, layer a pink powder blush over Russian Doll and it’ll look really pretty.
There is a signature Guerlain fragrance added and I believe this might be limited edition. Here’s an approximation of how it’ll look when applied on the cheeks:-
I stipple it on with a skunk brush and then swirl to blend. It does not set as quickly as Benetint and thus is easier to work with for me. I keep it light so all you really see is a slight pink flush which is how blushing should be eh? 🙂 (I hope it shows on your monitor. If it doesn’t sorry!)
Available at Guerlain counters in August 2009 and will retail for RM130.
Do you have tips to work liquid blush?
I don’t know. Liquid blushes really fly under my radar despite all my love for blush. I am always so afraid of making mistakes and ending up looking like Mr. Bozo the clown. Its a phobia I should surmount I think.
I’ve been experimenting with I Nuovi cream/liquid blush and Benefit Benetint and so far, its been quite a positive experience. Russian Doll is my 3rd liquid blush. I like the barely there blushing from within look it gives but I’m still quite ambivalent about whether I’d keep liquid blushes as a staple in my lineup.
How are you for liquid blushes? What’s your fave?
Stay beautiful,
Paris B
Jenn says
July 15, 2009 at 10:41 amOMG this one looks so pretty on you Paris!! 😀
I only have the Benetint and the TBS Lip & Cheek Stain liquid blushes. I love Benetint, but i always travel with the TBS one since it’s more sturdy! 😀
ParisB says
July 15, 2009 at 2:18 pmThank you Jenn! 🙂
I have a sample sized Benetint – its the BEST size ever! They should make it for sale 😛
Connie says
July 15, 2009 at 10:53 amThe packaging is too cute! (LOL! Slaves…) And it looks great on you 😀 Yet another rare FOTD ;p
I’m all for I Nuovi Cheekblush. It blends so easily, goes over powder, smells good, not sticky and forgiving if I apply too much. I usually just tone down with some powder over it
ParisB says
July 15, 2009 at 2:19 pmHiya Connie
Coming from the maestro – thank you! 😉 I haven’t been using the I Nuovi one enough to form much of an opinion. Most of the time, I look at liquid blushes and decide to forgo it in the mornings just in case I make a mistake 🙁
Tine says
July 15, 2009 at 11:24 amI like to rub my hands warm first before applying liquid/cream blush. For liquid, just to make sure I don’t get awful streaks, i swipe the blush on the back of my hand, swirl my middle finger on it, and then quickly apply on the cheeks. The third finger gives me the best control 😉
ParisB says
July 15, 2009 at 2:19 pmHi Tine
Thanks for the tips! Thus far, for Benetint, I’m doing the 3 stripe and pat to blend thing. For creamier textures, I use a skunk brush. I dare not trust my fingers just in case I don’t spread it out nicely
KS says
July 15, 2009 at 12:30 pmI am a big fan of liquid blush! After trying Benetint, I went on a liquid/gel blush obsession and bought Sephora Red Wine Lip and Cheek Stain and theBalm Stainiac Lip and Cheek Tint. I tried iNuovi yesterday and I quite like it too! My favourite is still Benetint, but I found a cheap alternative in this brand called MeMeMe which does a perfect dupe of Benetint. 🙂
I find them easier to work than cream blushes actually. I still have not figured out how best to use my Laneige cream blush.
Btw, would like ur advise on the iNuovi blush, do u apply it b4 or after foundation and/or loose powder? Benetint works well both before and after foundation and loose powder, but I am not sure for other cream/gel/liquid blushes.
ParisB says
July 15, 2009 at 2:21 pmHi KS
For most liquid or cream blushes, I put them on before or after foundation but always before loose powder. I use loose powder to “set” all the cream/liquid on my face. Comparing liquid and cream pan blushes, I think I prefer liquid too – its easier to work with than a pan of cream blush.
Nikki says
July 15, 2009 at 12:45 pmWould you believe I never own any liquid blush? But I’ve tried them though!!!! This blush looks too dark on your hand but wonderfully natural on your cheeks!
ParisB says
July 15, 2009 at 2:22 pmNikki! No! :O
LOL… time to get a liquid blush? 😉 How would you recommend to apply it?
Synaesthesia says
July 15, 2009 at 1:26 pmI’ve tried Red Earth liquid blush many years ago and find it very pretty. My only problem is I have no idea how to apply liquid blush properly without being uneven and patchy…
ParisB says
July 15, 2009 at 2:23 pmHi Synaesthesia
For me, the skunk brush is my friend. Pat on cheeks or on the back of the hand and blend with the skunk brush. It gives it a lovely diffused look I can’t match with my fingers. 🙂
Renee says
July 15, 2009 at 1:36 pmHey Paris, the blush looks great on you, looks really natural! A little off topic, but I have a question. I love the look of liquid, stains and cream blushes but I’m so paranoid of breakouts because I am prone to them.
Have you ever experienced any breakouts, reactions, etc when using these types of blushes?
Thanks! 🙂
Renee
ParisB says
July 15, 2009 at 2:24 pmHey Renee
Thank you! As with everything, the ingredients could play havoc with our skins. I’ve never experienced anything untoward with cream or liquid blushes *touch wood* but that’s not to say I never will. If you know you are sensitive to certain ingredients and they are present in the liquid/cream blush then you will risk a breakout.
Vonvon says
July 15, 2009 at 1:39 pmHaven’t really tried liquid blush, except when testing out Benetint at the counters. I have the Bobbi Brown cream blush but haven’t used it yet. 😉
ParisB says
July 15, 2009 at 2:25 pmHi Vonvon
Isn’t Benetint pretty? I had a Bobbi Brown cream blush in a stick once. I decided I don’t quite like those kinds of texture as I find it hard to work with. Liquid or creamy-liquid blushes are easier to work with for me 🙂
Shorty says
July 15, 2009 at 4:57 pmYou look so fresh and radiant here! 🙂
Me luv Benetint … smells yummy looks pweeetty … criss cross and pat pat pat away! But so expensive … hoping someone will come up with a more economical version of Benetint 🙁
ParisB says
July 16, 2009 at 9:26 amHiya Shorty
Thank you! I have to agree with you about Benetint – it gives a lovely flush but it already lasts practically forever doesn’t it? 🙂
jojoba says
July 15, 2009 at 7:42 pmcream or liquid blushes are my enemies. i have spots on cheeks and they just don’t agree with concealer. if i use it, i have to show my spots. so i don’t….
looks very fresh on you and i like to see your face!
ParisB says
July 16, 2009 at 9:27 amHi Jojoba
Erm… I have spots too but doesn’t stop me LOL… Thanks!
Shanghainese Dumpling says
July 15, 2009 at 11:15 pmWow this look so natural and pretty on you, I don’t have any liquid blush, because I really don’t know how to work it, but I do own Laura Mercier’s Cream Blush, a little bit easier to control I guess and pick up the right amount of product with fingers.
I wouldn’t mind trying that at the store 🙂
ParisB says
July 16, 2009 at 9:28 amHi Shanghainese Dumpling
Thank you! I find cream blushes that come in a tube easier to work with than cream blushes in a pan. Perhaps wait till Russian Doll comes out at a Guerlain counter near you and test it out. I think it’ll look pretty on almost anyone.
Marina says
July 17, 2009 at 12:57 amthank you for review! such a pretty blush and it looks awesome on you! so cool that Guerlain was inspired by Slavic Women beauty. and so nice to be one of them 😛