You make me blush....

It's March. And you know what that means- Spring is near approaching (21st offcially) for some of you who live in the colder climates and for us here it the tropics, its just another reason to go crazy with colours. When I think of spring, I think of flowers blooming and the sun shining and the green grass which is probably why this season is all about bright and vibrant colours and also pastels like baby pink and lime green- pinks, oranges, greens, purples, blues, yellows, corals, I'm getting super excited to get some new products. Here is what I want in my spring and into summer makeup arsenal and some looks I did recently with bright colours.

This will be a series of products. First I'll start out with blushes. We don't actually blush us black women but we do glow and we have really good cheekbones so blush is one way to bring them out.

pop of colour on your cheeks does wonders

pink blush and pink lipstick looks amazing on Janelle Monet

Cheeks: Blush- save the bronzer for the summer and try a bright coloured blush.
I am thinking bright coral, peachy, pinks and oranges, maybe even reds on your cheeks. Yes no matter how dark you are you can pull of blush. For those of you who are afraid of blush, how bout trying stila's custom blush colour.($20US)

This perceptive one-shade-fits-all powder blush reacts to skin tone and individual pH to create a perfect, personalized shade. Ultra-blendable, with a velvety-soft finish, this clever powder smooths the appearance of fine lines, leaving the skin with a natural glow and a luminous, flawless flush. Basically changes to match your skin tone.

Physican's Formal Happy Boost Blend in Rose

 If you don't want to spend that much try Physicians Formula Happy Booster Happy Glow Multi-Colored Blush in Rose ($10) on amazon.com. Multi-reflective pearls provide a soft iridescence to highlight contour and add radiance to cheeks. Infused with Physician's Formula Happy Boost Blend, featuring Happy Skin and Euphoryl, natural plant extracts which have been shown to promote a feeling of happiness by mimicking the effect of Endorphins and helping protect the skin from environmental stress. The sweet scent of Violet provides a feeling of joy each time you apply. Hypoallergenic. Non-comedogenic. Paraben-free. Dermatologist approved.

I am currently using Milani Powder Mosaic in Plum  Delish ($7), in which is similar to the Physician's.

For peachy colours there's NARS Orgasm, Taj Mahal and Torrid ($26), MAC Peachy Keen ($18).

MAC Peachy Keen

If you want to try something different how about The Body Shop Tailored Cheek Tint. A high-tech product without the high price to match—this clear gel shifts to a rosy pink when it touches the skin. Available March 14, $15.50. I think Smashbox has something similar called O- Glow. I use their O- Gloss which is clear in the tube and turns a shade of pink when I put it on.

 

On a side note :
Honeysuckle was chosen as the color of 2011. The color is a rosy, pinkish color with peach undertones. Most every woman can wear both pink and peach successfully.

For a steal, try coastal scents blush palette from coastalscents.com or amazon.com (16 US) . I own this palette and it comes with 10 blushes ranging from bright pink to shimmery bronzes.

 

 

 

 

 

Coastalscents 10 pc blush palette

Orange blush is a must for black women. It looks gorg on our skin tone. NYX Cinnamon blush ($6 US) on nyxcosmetics.com has gotten really good reviews. Don't worry it won't make you look like an oompa loompa. The key to putting on blush is to place the product on the brush and tap off any excess then smile and place the blush is a circular motion on the apples of your cheeks up to ur temples. Blend! Blend! Blend! You want blush to look as natural as possible since  black women don't actually get red or "blush" .

NYX Cinnamon blush it looks really orange here

I recently ordered two blushes from sleek makeup.(www.sleekmakeup.com) Its based in the UK Their products get really good reviews but shipping is like 13.50 US because its international shipping. I got flushed  blush ( similar to NARS Exhibit) and scandalous ( a very bright plum colour) 6.50 US each.

Flushed

Scandalous

 

 

My "I wonder if I should spend 28 US on a blush" product would be from benefit. They make amazing blushes. I am currently stalking their Bella Bamba blush on amazon and sephora.com. Now this a pretty watermelon pinky shimmery blush that I am having dreams about. Maybe it will be my birthday makeup purchase.

Bella Bamba from benefit cosmetics

 

 

 

 

MAC Florida

NYX Hot pink

Bright pink ( get ready because this is really bright) I haven't tried bright pink blushes from MAC, I usually get their shimmery corals like Margin or bronzy earthtones like Raisin and format ( for contouring) However I am rethinking my position and hoping to try a very pigmented and bright pink like MAC Florida cremeblend blush.  I found a dupe ( cheaper version) Its NYX hot pink cream blush. Currently my brightest pink blush is from L'oreal ( can't remember the name). I have it on it the pic below. I also use my cream blush from QUO. Its a canadian brand sold in Shoppers drugmart- very pigmented. If you have oily skin like me powder blushes work better than cream blushes. I use my cream blushes sometimes as base to my powder blush to help it stay on longer.

i'm blushing

One last piece of advice, when buying a blush, higher priced brands are usually more pigmented and last longer so you might want to invest in a higher brand blush from NARS or MAC or Benefit. I have tried some drugstore brand blushes and they either don't show up on my skin or they look ashy and gray- no bueno!

Next in the series will be lips and eyes. Stay beautiful and go out and try something new, perhaps a bright new blush!