During the cold months, one of my most beloved makeup tricks is to give myself the appearance that I’ve just come in from the cold. Few makeup things please me as much as the appearance of a red cheek in the winter! I don’t actually flush very pretty naturally from the cold air – in fact my face turns blotchy red and I get weird sun sports that appear out of nowhere. BUT, I have this vision of rosy red cheeks that make me look like I’ve been kissed by the cold air and that’s what I try to replicate with my makeup when the air temperature drops.
I’ve picked some of my favourite blushes that help me achieve that red cheek look. As with anything, if the colour intimidates you, try using it with a lighter hand!
With the dropping temperature here in Toronto, I’ve gone absolutely ham on this blush. Clinique‘s Cola Pop looks like NOBODY’s colour in the pan – in fact you’d expect it to just be an eyeshadow with that kind of dark pigmentation.
But on the cheeks this is freaking BOMB! On my NW20 skin, it goes on fairly rosy, but if you have a deeper skin tone you can definitely keep building this up. I’ve started pairing this with dark red lips and it’s a great way to help balance out the colour and make me not look washed out.
It took me a while to pick up Tarte‘s Natural Beauty. It was one of those products that sat in my Sephora Loves list for not just months, but years! And yet, it’s exactly the kind of colour I love to wear.
Because of Tarte‘s blush texture, this goes on my cheeks a little bit softer, so this is a good one for those of you wanting some of that red cheek look without looking like a clown.
A word of warning – Illamasqua‘s blushes are pigmented AF. In fact, the first time I wore this blush I applied way too much and kind of gasped in horror. I’ve since learned the error of my ways and barely touch my brush to the product now. That being said, Tweak is a phenomenal colour that feels rather akin to a “power colour” to me. (Forgive me, I hate that term, but I couldn’t figure out how else to express my affinity for this shade!)
Tweak is easily one of my favourite colours to apply to my cheeks. It gives me look and feel instantly alive. I love how it makes the apples of my cheeks pop and I just really feel good about myself when I’m wearing this colour.
Burberry‘s Lip & Cheek Bloom in Poppy has a mousse texture and can be used on the lips and cheeks. This item was my first foray into Burberry products and it jumped out at me because it was so dissimilar to the rest of their line. In general, Burberry is a beautifully classy line of makeup, so they don’t tend to have shocking colours. So when I saw this one I just gravitated towards it like a moth to a flame.
Due to the mousse texture, Poppy applies more like a cream. I find this to be more of a soft colour, so you’ll get more subtle red cheek glow with this one. (The shot above is with a few layers applied to my cheeks.)
The last one on my list is a liquid stain by Elizabeth Mott that I received in an Ipsy bag a while ago. Tints & Sass, although it’s a stain, does blend out quite easily on the cheek. I apply three dabs to my cheekbones and then blend it out with a stippling brush. Due to the staining nature of the product, I prefer to wear this one when I know I’m going to be outside a lot because even if I end up wiping most of it away, at least I’ll be left with a stain! (Bonus: It smells good too!)
On the cheeks Tints & Sass is glorious. I can get instant red cheeks without much fuss with this product and I appreciate that so, so much. I even brought this on vacation with me last year when I went back to Ottawa for Christmas!
And for comparison, here is each of them swatched side by side. You can see a few of them are quite close in colour, but they all have enough variety amongst them to keep me happy!
So how about you? Do you like red cheeks in the winter?
I thought I may need Clinique Cola Pop, but now I know I need it!!
Frankly, I think it’s an absolute must in a collection. The colour of it is enough to scare almost everyone off, but it looks so damn stunning. I think it’d be a gorgeous complement to your skintone!
All of these look gorgeous on you! I haven’t been wearing much makeup lately, except for on my eyes, so I’m sporting my natural redness. 🙂
Chantal recently posted…FabFitFun: Winter 2015 Spoilers
No time in the mornings? I can’t even imagine with a kiddo around!
Part of it is lack of time and part of it is that I don’t want to ruin my makeup when I play with her, or transfer any on her, so I prefer to play with her and keep my makeup to just my eyes. I apply pressed powder over the rest of my face after I’ve dropped her off at daycare. But depending on when she wakes up, if she’s with me for most of my getting ready time it’s hard to apply makeup while keeping an eye on her (the ensuite and master bedroom aren’t full baby proof).
Chantal recently posted…FabFitFun: Winter 2015 Spoilers
All of that makes perfect sense. I wouldn’t want to get makeup on my kid either (if I had one)!
Oh wow, Cola Pop looks freaking scary in the pan but so so pretty on you. It’s definitely my favourite of the bunch!
Shireen L. Platt recently posted…Blurring Out Imperfections with NanoBlur Instant Skin Perfecting Cream
I know right? Like it legit looks totally uninviting, but like you said… it’s one of the most gorgeous ones out of the whole lot!
Wow, Clinique Cola Pop looks totally unwearable in the pan. But on you it looks amazing! Totally the perfect “just in from the cold” flush!
Megan Joy recently posted…Holiday Gift Guide: Skincare For Everyone On Your List!
I know! Cola Pop looks like something you would never want to wear. It was Jen of Vibrant, Vivacious, Veracious that showed me just how lovely it could look!
Cola Pop is such a perfect winter blush shade! I’m obsessed with Milani Luminoso lately and haven’t even come close to touching anything else, but I do really want to start playing with more blush colours.
Jodi recently posted…Tea Time: David’s Tea Ginger Beer
I liked Luminoso, but never quite fell for it like everyone else did.
I find blush can be hard to play with. I’m never convinced I know what I’m doing when I’m trying to pair it with makeup looks. Neutrals, sure… easy enough. Colour? Dear god… help me…
I love ALL these shades although I don’t own any of them…have to fix that eventually!
Zoe recently posted…Formula X in Alchemy II Swatches
I think the Burberry Poppy one would look amazing on you with your dark hair!
aww. yeah I do love my cream blushes too! I was so sad the shade I tried was too light on me. I may have to pick that one up to try…
Zoe recently posted…Formula X in Alchemy II Swatches
I know, that was really sad. 🙁
love these shades and yes to illamasqua blushes. so damn pigmented.
jenn f recently posted…Strange Conclusions with Thierry Mugler’s Alien*
Like… frighteningly pigmented. I remember going back to the counter (when it existed) to buy another shade after I learned how to apply it and I told the woman about my experience and she was like “OH MY GOD, I should’ve told you. I’m SO SORRY!” I had to laugh – cuz seriously… these blushes are not to be trifled with!
I reaaaaally need to try a Cheek Pop!
I bought the red cream blush from essence’s Mountain Calling collection and it’s quite nice and under $4!
Steph recently posted…Scent Sundays: Elizabeth and James Nirvana Black
Cola Pop is my first and only Cheek Pop so far… but it’s so damn good that I want more. But like… do I NEED more blush? Eek!
I need to take a closer look at the Mountain Calling collection. Think I’ll go hunting for it in some drugstores later on this afternoon. The online shots I’ve seen of it so far look amazing!
Red cheeks are my absolute FAVOURITE, especially in the winter. They’re a must! And wow…. I think I’m gonna need me some Cola Pop…
Megan Streich recently posted…Addicted to Blush Tag
Cola Pop is just one of those shades that everyone MUST own!
Ooh, why don’t I have Tweak in my life? I love Illamasqua blushes and this one looks fab. It’s great on you! Cola Pop is also in my reddish winter blushes rotation (go figure), as is MAC Frankly Scarlet and ColourPop Jelly Fish 🙂
Jen recently posted…Snow-Like Skin with Tatcha’s Yuki Pure As Snow Holiday Set
Oooo I had eyeballed Jelly Fish but never took the plunge. Tweak would look amazing on you! Just a bit harder to find now I’m afraid. 🙁