Ok admission – I’m really struggling to get my blogging mojo back LOL! No idea where its gone to be honest. If found, please return. I may offer a lipstick reward. I have my editorial calendar up but I keep pushing things back. So what better way to ease back into the swing of things than to talk about one of my favourite topics – blush! 😀
I was looking in my drawer a while ago and realised that I have a few distinct categories of blush colours that I gravitate towards. I thought I might like to share little compilations from time to time and here’s starting with a very easy to wear category of light pink blushes.
Light pink blushes are one of the easiest ways to ease into wearing blush, especially if you aren’t too adept at applying them yet. Sure, the common lament is that the colour doesn’t show up. But you don’t want splotches on your cheeks. You want a natural glow to your skin, and if you need more colour, its easy to layer them on. Light pink is a good shade, because the colour is light, it gives you just a gentle perky glow and gives you a bit of colour without looking like you applied makeup. Absolutely perfect for the “Makeup? What makeup?” look. That said, not everyone suits pink blush so I am speaking quite generally here – not gospel ok? 😛
Here are 5 light pink blushes I own, that I like and use quite often to get you started. As a bonus, they’re all very easy to use too, even for newbies! 🙂
1. Guerlain Blush G Sakura (LE – Asia Exclusive)
Ok, I’m cheating a bit with this one, but if you look around, you may still be able to find it. Despite looking very scarily fuchsia in pan, its in fact a soft light pink on skin. Its fresh and gives a nice glow but only really shows up on lighter skintones. On deeper skintones, you maybe apt to see more shimmer which can put some people off. You can read my review of it here for a better idea of how this looks 🙂
2. Giorgio Armani Sheer Blush #2 Pink
This one is the round pan in the middle. I realised belatedly I should have labelled the photo – sorry! 😛 I’ll do better next time. I’ve had this one for ages and there is a tiny dip in this pan already. I picked it up from the local GA counter back when we still had GA Beauty and it was pricey! The texture however is beautifully soft and on skin, imparts a very natural glow with little to no shimmer. Nothing noticeable anyway.
Many people find it too light but I like it because you can apply on a very light layer for a gentle hint of colour or layer it on. It doesn’t look chalky or powdery or thick. Absolutely worth the splurge if you have access to it! The colour is actually a pink-peach, not a true pink but it gives a warm glow to the skin.
3. Benefit Cosmetics Hervana – Good Karma Face Powder
I picked this one up a while ago but I never got round to reviewing it even though I use it quite often. In pan, its a swirl of 4 shades of colour – peach, cream, rose and berry. Don’t be afraid of the colours, you just have to swirl your brush around the pan and it’ll blend and pick up the colour for your skin which appears on mine, as a light pink. Hence its inclusion in this compilation 🙂
I like how this shade gives my skin a peppy glow and colour. Its actually not that light to be honest, especially if you use a dense brush. If you use a soft brush like I do (I use the Lunasol one for all blushes) then it deposits the perfect hint of colour on my skin. I rarely have to layer. Its very pretty and having good karma is nice, eh?
4. Benefit Cosmetics Dandelion – a brightening face powder
Yes, another one from Benefit, and this one is a little controversial. Dandelion falls into the love or hate category. Many people I’ve read love it. Just as many people complain about how it shows up as NOTHING on their skin. Well, lets be fair. it has to show up as something, right?! 😛 The thing about Dandelion is that its marketed as a “brightening face powder” which you can use all over to brighten your skin. Its a very light pink with a bit of shimmer and pink does act as a brightening colour for skin.
But, I hesitate to recommend use of this for all over your face because it really is, pink. You do not want to walk around with a pink toned face. So I prefer to use this one as a blush. If I want something more natural, I just dust on one layer and it gives a hint of colour and brightens the skin. If I want it to look a little better, I apply more layers. Don’t be afraid to layer it on. Unless you apply something like 10 layers, it won’t look chalky at all. I like this one for something quick and easy.
5. Burberry Light Glow Blush – Misty 08
There’s a review of this one here. I must confess that since my review back in 2011 I do find myself rather liking it a lot. In fact, I may have *ahem* picked up a couple others 😛 As I said before, it is pigmented enough to suffice applying with just 1 swipe on skin and then lightly blending it in for a lovely glow to the skin. The etching is still pretty much intact and I use this one quite often.
If you aren’t too good with applying blush however, it can be easy to overdo. I know, how easy is it to overdo light pink right? Well, its possible. So don’t be too heavy handed with it and blend it out well. I think its a very pretty, uplifting colour for the face, and definitely one to try.
For comparison purposes, here are swatches of them all side by side.
(1) Benefit Cosmetics Dandelion (2) Guerlain Blush G Sakura (3) Giorgio Armani Sheer Blush #2 (4) Benefit Cosmetics Hervana (5) Burberry Misty Light Glow Blush
I swatched these quite heavily more to show you the different nuances in colour, than to show you how they look on skin. They apply much lighter and more natural than this 🙂
My favourite of the 5 is Burberry Misty, followed by Benefit Hervana, GA Sheer Blush #2, Dandelion and then Blush G Sakura in descending order. I know, putting the Sakura last surprised me as much as it does you but I do sometimes find it a little too shimmery.
Are any of these blushes among your faves too? Do you have a favourite light pink blush?
I actually have more light pink blushes so if you like, I’ll do another compilation again. I could quite easily work through the colours in the blush spectrum this way LOL! Oh and I know I haven’t actually reviewed Hervana, Dandelion and the GA blush properly so let me know if you want a full review of it this is sufficient for your needs 🙂
Paris B
Giorgio Armani Beauty isn’t available in Malaysia at this time. Try StrawberryNET.com (affiliate). Benefit Cosmetics is available at department stores and at benefitcosmetics.com. Guerlain is available at Isetan KLCC, The Gardens and Parkson Pavilion. Burberry Beauty is available at Isetan KLCC.
I keep thinking I need Benefit Hervana now that my hair has changed. It looks like something I’d really like now! I need to review that Sakura Blush that my lovely Beauty Enabler sent me. It’s kind of amazing and glowy!
Yes yes! I want to see the Sakura blush on you 😀 As for Hervana, I do like it too. It gives a nice rosy glow and I think it’d be lovely on you too!
Yay lovely post! I’m not normally very big on true pink blushes–I like to go very warm peachy-pink or coraly-pink most of the time. But actually I was just saying yesterday that I had a sudden urge to buy a true pink blush for spring. I’ve heard a lot of good things about Hervana, maybe I’ll give that a swatch at the counter sometime this week. I also LOVE the Sheer Blushes from GA. I HAD #10 but I lent it to my mom for her trip to Italy a month ago and it came back cracked. :/ *sigh* I love the softness of those blushes though–I tend to have a bit of a heavy hand when it comes to cheek color so sheerer blushes are great for me! lol 😛
Eeps! Glad you enjoyed it Becca 😀 I started out using peach-pink blushes (like the Nars Orgasm family ones) but I later realised it didn’t bring out the best in my complexion. Yeah, after collecting a drawerfull LOL! I do like Hervana because it can be built up to a lovely rosy shade, not so much of a pink which might be something you might prefer 😀 I love GA Sheer blushes. One of the best I’ve ever used and I was sad the day they pulled out because it meant I had no more access to them. I only have the 1 now 🙁 Sorry to hear of the accident to your blush – they are so soft aren’t they?
These are beautiful, Paris – thanks for sharing! At this point in time my unexpected favourite light pink blushes are Yves Rocher’s Blush Naturel in Teint Clair Rose and Human Heart Nature’s Mineral Blush in Pink Quartz.
I have been hankering after Hervana for the longest time ever, though – but on principle, I refuse to buy it in Singapore because of the incredible price markup.
Mmmm Human Heart Nature makes blushes?! Ok this I have to check out 😀 I don’t buy Benefit locally too (far too high a markup!) So get them on Strawberrynet or on the Benefit Cosmetics website especially when there’s a free shipping code. So much more worth it then!
So much pretty pretty blush p0rn for me 😛 My all-time favourite pink blush is still The Balm’s Down Boy. It’s matte but not powdery. I often bring this with me when I’m travelling. It’s light, colour’s beautiful and inexpensive (in case it shatters :P).
Teehee I knew you’d appreciate something like this, fellow blush fiend! 😉 I do have Down Boy and now that you’ve reminded me, I should dig it out to use. I didn’t put it in under “light pink” though but “pink” I know, nitpicking right? 😛
These are beautiful! I think I would love the Benefit’s Hervana, so lovely! 🙂
Its both pretty to look at and to use! 😀
I like to use my RMK pressed powder brush (the small one to apply blush) because I don’t like buffing. I feel like I’m buffing away my base and sunscreen. 🙁
I like the finish of Burberry blushes the best. Matte but luminous. I can’t abide shimmer in blush!
Burberry makes beautiful blushes I’d agree! I have to check out their new Coral Pink one. It looks so pretty online! I don’t usually buff on blush too which is why I use a soft brush. It doesn’t pick up too much and I can layer it on to my desired colour strength 🙂
Lovely blushes but unfortunately light pink blushes would never show up on my medium skin tone. I was lemming for a nice pink blush for sometime and was recently gifted Benefit’s Bella Bamba for my birthday and I simply love it! It is such a beautiful blush and I understand the reason it gets so much raves in the beauty world. I heard a lot of good things about Burberry blushes and would love to try them out one day. Pity it is so expensive.
On the other hand, Victoria I can imagine that one of the bright blushes would look amazing on your skintone! 😀 For us fairer skinned ladies, its harder wearing bright coloured blushes without looking like someone smacked us in the face or like we’re auditioning for clown school so there’s a lot to rejoice for medium or tanned skin 😀 I think you picked a great one in Bella Bamba. I love it too!
Gorgeous! My lightest pink blush is from MAC, called Well Dressed. My first blushes, actually 🙂 I’m eyeing that burberry blush. Want them all. Lol!
I’m eyeing the new Coral Pink blush from Burberry – looks so pretty! Just realised I may only have 1 MAC blush LOL I just don’t play well at all with that brand >.<
Benefit’s Dandelion and Hervana is my fave too! The Burberry and GA ones look tempting… *drools* but too bad, one has limited access in Malaysia, and the other one, none at all 🙁 🙁
Psst! Look on strawberrynet! Both are available there – no need to thank me hehe… 😉
My fave in this category is Red Earth’s Pink Paris. I think they still sell it in Sasa, heh heh! I somehow prefer mattes in my blushes. At the peachier side of things, my all-time fave would still be Nars Deep Throat heh heh!
Pink Paris – I like it already! LOL! 😉 I call myself a magpie coz I love shimmer. Gives better dimension to my flat face but it may be because I cut my teeth on a shimmer blush and its just downhill from there LOL! I can’t remember if I have Deep Throat but if that’s the more matte version of Orgasm then yes, that’s a good one!
Gorgeous!! I love them all, but my fave is Guerlain Blush G Sakura. and yes Paris, please do another compilation 😀
Thanks for the support, Emma! I had fun digging through my blush stash too, so yes I will do another compilation! 😀
I can’t stop going back and staring at the pics you posted up there! I love sheer pink blushes because they are the best kind on my skin! I’ve been through almost 5 or 6 boxes of Dandelion and it remains my staple. Save for the Armani one, I have the rest you’ve posted and they’re in my heavily-rotated list 🙂 I love this post. Can you do more blush compilations? They will create more lemmings but I DON’T CARE!
😀 I remember your love for Dandelion so when I included it, I thought to myself “Geek will love this!” 😀 I will come up with more – great way of circulating through my stash to see what I have 😀
Buberry!! Misty is a beautiful colour! I liked the armani one on others but on me it look kinda boring, haha. One of my favs are burberry peony, nars sex appeal and RBR gracilis but I like many blushes 😉
I think GA is just very safe generally 🙂 I have Peony too! Will include it in the compilation and Gracilis – we have similar tastes Claire 😉
Lovely post! I love light pink blushes. I’m not a big fan of blushes but I love love light pink ones. I like the natural glow it gives to my complexion. Guess what? When I saw the Burberry blush you posted, I was like OMG, that’s the exact one I’ve been eyeing for a while now. What keeps me from getting it is the price. Le Sigh. Maybe I should get it soon. I hope it’s not limited edition.
Nope as of now, Misty isn’t limited edition so you have time to save up for it 🙂 A light pink blush can really brighten up the complexion especially if my base is “too perfect”. Funny huh, a too perfect base? 😉
the GA looks so sheer on the pan…is it just my eyes or it does look shimmery?
It is pretty sheer. I wouldn’t say its shimmery, as it is mostly matte but there is certainly a tiny bit of shine so the colour isn’t flat 🙂
My favorite light pink blushes are GA #2 and Shu Uemura M Pink 33e (old version, has since been renamed). I’m a huge fan of NARS and GA blushes but am currently eyeing Illamasqua blush duos and Tarte!
Oh boy! You just reminded me of the Shu Uemura M Pink 33E! I loved that one too 😀 I don’t even know what its called now, or what the new Shu Uemura colours are called. I didn’t feel the new ones were up to par in terms of quality but I might just be too picky 😛 I like Tarte blushes – absolutely worth picking up!
Hello Paris, I was just thinking if you could show us on how u store ur make ups/ beauty items/ skin care.
Maybe you have done this before but it is always interesting to see what you have in your handbag from time to time.
Some other ideas: make up look/ dress up on different occasions e.g. During family get together, to the market, work, special celebrations, etc.
There you go, hope that helps with ur blog. Keep on going coz there’s never a day passes by without me not wanting to go to ur webbie.
Hugs.
Hi Ana, thank you so much for the ideas and for helping to give my missing mojo a jumpstart! Let me send you a lipstick 😉 I had to laugh though, at looks going to the market. I can tell you what I wear – old shorts and t-shirt with flip flops and no makeup 😀 Thank you so much for your support – it means a lot to me!
Dandelion is on my wishlist for a long time but as you said some people rave about it and other just hate it so I was not sure whether I should get it or not because I have a medium skin tone and a lot of people say it won’t show up on that what would you say ?
I love pink blushes I hope you will share more from your stash in your future posts
Hi sataa, I am medium skin tone too. I am not sure how tanned is your skin but I am between NC40-NC42 in MAC if that is of any help. My advice is not to get Dandelion as it would not show up on medium skin tone. You should either get Coralista or Bella Bamba and you can control the pinkness of the blush with a good brush. Hope that helps!
I am slightly tan than you ,thanks for the suggestion 🙂 I will try the bella bamba I have seen it on a few blogs and it looks gorgeous
oops just realized I posted slightly tan I wanted to say slightly light as I am around NC 30 going up to 35 in summer but thanks again for your suggestion I really appreciate your help!!!
If you can, Sataa I will suggest going to a Benefit Cosmetics counter and see if they can try it on your skin. I’ve read of some people who have darker skintone who use it as a “glow” without seeing colour. However, most people can’t wear it because it doesn’t show up at all and its just a waste of money putting on loads of layers and not seeing anything 🙂 You could try Hervana or Bella Bamba for stronger colour that will show up better 🙂 I will dig for more compilations to come. It has been fun! 😀
Actually we don’t have benefit in my country so I have to buy them online but I trust your opinion .Sine both Victoria and you suggested Bella Bamba and Hervana I will try them , Hervana’s swatches in your post look pretty so I plan to get it soon.Thank you so much for helping :)I will be looking forward to more pink blushes posts because it’s my favorite blush color
Ah I see, yes it does suck to have to buy online without first checking out swatches. I was planning to do a Benefit Blush post one day – would you find that helpful? 😀
Hi Paris,
It’s like you’ve read my mind or something. I was really just thinking of picking a blush – my first one ever!! 😛 and I was wondering which should I get. What would you recommend for a first timer like me (i.e someone who’s not sure how to really use a blush and terrified of ending up looking like a clown on the loose). What would be the ultimate light blush you would recommend?
Haha I’ve been told I’m psychic once too often, I’m starting to believe it! 😉 Ahhh… first blush! Much will depend on budget. From the pharmacy, look at Majolica Majorca, Revlon and even Maybelline for some pretty decent quality blushes. For the mid-end range, look at Benefit Dandelion, Hervana or Bella Bamba, Lancome Blush Subtil, Lunasol Cheek Modelling blushes (soft, light & very easy to use) and Shiseido. For high end, look at Dior, Burberry, Giorgio Armani, Chanel. I know it could be potentially very confusing 😛 But one of my fave places to start would be with Lunasol.
For me, the secret lies not in the blush but also in the blush brush that you use because some brushes pick up more colour than others and apply them more strongly than others. If you want to go all out, I suggest that you get the Lunasol Cheek Brush N and a Lunasol blush and start from there. Otherwise, the mid-low end has a lot of choices too! Happy hunting!
Just on time, thank you Paris. I currently use Benefit Coralista and Sugarbomb blushes. I guess they are in the range of coral blushes? From the swatches above, i think I definitely need to go and check out the GA sheer 2 and Benefit’s Hervana. 🙂
Ooh yes Coralista is a coral blush but its so pretty isn’t it?! I think you’ll like Hervana Undraa 😀