Beauty

[hyacinth003]

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@Katcat1 wrote:

@hyacinth003,   My complaint is the blush colors are too vivid.  I am a fair/light and years ago Stila had the best blush shades and then discontinued and came out with something else.  I have never been able to duplicate that shade.  It was a pink with a touch of peach and not vivid at all.  It was such a beautiful shade.  All the blushes today are way too vivid.  At my age I want a little color but not a blast of color.  I wish someone could come out with softer colors.  

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As indoor kitty suggested, I think Benefit might be good for you.  Also Nars Orgasm is a peachy pink.  I fell for the hype and tried it.  I cannot do peach tones, has to be pure pinks.  That one is peachy pink and not too vivid from what I remember.

Hyacinth

[Janey2]

Katcat you are describing Tom Ford frantic pink....it is pricey, but beautiful. It is the only blush that I used up and repurchased.

[mistriTsquirrel]

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@jaxs mom wrote:

Not everyone is interested in the natural look. 

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Yeah, and people of color probably appreciate the fact that they can buy blush that will be seen on their skin.

I'm fair.  I tend to buy drugstore blushes (matte) because they aren't very pigmented and look more natural on me.  I can use a higher-end blush, but it usually requires more care when I apply.

As far as blush placement, that is a matter of opinion.  I don't like to place blush on the apples of my cheeks anymore for a number of reasons.  I usually apply it further back on the cheek, and I think it looks better. 

[Kachina624]

I've found the more expensive lines of blush are much more highly pigmented and require a light hand when applied.  I use about half as much as I would of a drugstore brand.  Because they contain more pigment, I find the color lasts longer.  It's the one cosmetic item on which I splurge.  It's awfully hard to go back to drugstore after using a good blush. 

[mistriTsquirrel]

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@Kachina624 wrote:

I've found the more expensive lines of blush are much more highly pigmented and require a light hand when applied.  I use about half as much as I would of a drugstore brand.  Because they contain more pigment, I find the color lasts longer.  It's the one cosmetic item on which I splurge.  It's awfully hard to go back to drugstore after using a good blush. 

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@Kachina624  I was using Lorac "Soul" every day, and I was upset when they discontinued it, but I really have to be careful using stuff like that.  It's easier to apply the less pigmented stuff when you're pale, so I don't mind using drugstore (as long as it's the right color, and not shimmery or chalky).  I've never had an issue with blush not lasting on me, so I'm not sure about that.

[wilma]

There are a lot of vivid colors out there. As a fair skinned individual I don't want to look clownish. I used Laura's Gellar's Ethereal Rose for a while then switched to a Neutrogena blush to save money. Now that is discontinued. I have been trying a few different things, but not loving anything yet. I remember Carmindy from What Not to Wear saying that a vivid color in the container can still be used, but application is key. I always thought her makeup makeovers were great. 

[151949]

Like the OP I prefer MU to look natural. I have been using Melani rose( the one where the actual blush is shaped like a rose) and find it to be a nice light shade good for my fair coloring. For those who prefer a more painted look there are a lot of options out there for you. It has become increasingly difficult to find natural looking colored MU. I am not someone who follows the trends so I suppose my look is outdated.

[Shanus]

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@hyacinth003 wrote:

I get more and more confused at some cheek color choices.

I thought cheek color was blush, and blush was pink or coral/pink tones.  Such as if one naturally blushes.

Yet I see shades of almost orange or bronzers (browns) used of suggested for cheeks.  No one blushes orange or brown!

I think the "pop of color" on your cheeks makes everyone look better.  And sometimes I see it applied way lower (under the cheekbone) that confuses me!

I get the concept of "contouring," though I don't do it.  But a blush so low on the cheek?

Hyacinth

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I agree w/ @Kachina624 about different skin tones requiring various shades. Also some women don't like a more natural look like you and me. 

My fair skin does best with pink or pinky/peach blush lightly on the apples of cheeks and not blended back up towards hairline. People don't blush up at their temples. I don't go any further when blending than the end of my brow. 

Nars Orgasm stick blush (a cream formula) which has a little shimmer works well on me. It has pink tones and just enough peach/apricot that it's supposed to be universal. It wins awards every year when magazines vote for most popular products. 

[Harpa]

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@SilleeMee wrote:

To me blush and eyeshadow color can be sort of an artsy thing where crazy colors can be fun to play around with. As far as where exactly is the right place to put blush..? For me it was an experiment to find what looked appealing to me. I took one week to find out where on my cheek area looked good with blush...high, low, outward or inward placement. After  seeing what I looked like each day with different placement, I finally found the place on my cheeks that I found most attractive to me. I never go by what the rules say. I just go with what looks good to me. I won't wear orange blush! 

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Placement & color is very individual: face shape, hair style... or, like @SilleeMee mentioned, to have a fun statement.

What are you actually achieving w/ the blush? For a little bit of color? Help sculpt the face? Or, to emphasize where you would naturally blush? We're not out here blushing at every moment, so that actually seems kind of silly. (My 8-month old GD had very rosy cheeks the other day, smack on the apples! My DD said she was hot in the car.)

Since my skintone is neutral-cool, I can get away w/ a touch of orange, but I prefer to call it, peach. But pink looks nice, too.

Like @SilleeMee, I figured out where it looks the best, and since I like only a slight flush for color, not that I am fair, I use a very loose brush.

Really, are there any makeup rules...or just preferences?

[tototwo]

@SilleeMeementioned placement, and I think that's important.  I've been tweaking my makeup and makeup application as my hair got whiter and my face got older.  For decades I used lipstick as a stick blush and applied it farther back and under my cheekbones and drew it up to my temples and made a sideways "V" around my eyes (just like Laura Geller always says to do).  Recently I find that blush looks more natural on my older face if I apply it on my "apples" with a very light swipe up to my temples.  Everyone's face is different and this may not work for all -- but for me, I think it makes my look more youthful.  Also, sometimes I still use my lipstick as a blush, but more often I use a very light, soft pink powder blush from Avon.     

I agree with what @hyacinth003 said.