Tip Tuesday: Using Bright Blushes

One of the more widely used items in my makeup case, are my blushes. I love how they make me look like I'm not dead, and that they can perk up even the most bland of skin days. As we head into spring, I feel like the most colorful and spring-like thing you can add to your makeup routine is a bright eye popping blush! I have several blushes in my collection that would make most people cringe, but here are 3 reasons why I love them so much.

1. Bright washes of color on the apples of your cheeks makes you look more youthful. I was reminded of this on Sunday when I was curling my 6 year old daughters hair. Her cheeks had this hint of color on them that made her simply glow. As we age our skin looses pigmentation. So, adding that pigmentation on your cheeks makes you look younger.

2. It can save you money! This post was inspired by a bright blush I purchased just yesterday (I'll tell you more about that in my haul post on Friday). Bright colors can make for some very clown-like looks if you aren't careful. But, with a light hand and a good quality blush brush, you can use a very minimal amount of that blush, so it will last a long time. And, if you read my haul Friday post, you'll see just how affordable it truly can be!

3. Bright colors show up and look great on everyone. From the lightest of lights to the darkest of dark's. Bright, bold colors are universally flattering no matter what color your skin might be. I'm very pale, and you would think that using a bright, highly pigmented blush would make me look like I've got neon cheeks. However, I apply it very carefully and with a light touch to both the product and my skin. So, I'm left with a light wash of brightness that wakes my face up and makes me look alive again. You can always add more blush if you feel like the pigmentation isn't enough for you, so build it up until you get the color you want. But, always start with a very small amount.

So, there you have it! Below I've given you some examples of the blushes that are in my collection that are super vibrant and pigmented.

1. Maybelline Master Glaze Blush in "Pink Fever"
2. NYX Rouge Cream Blush in "Glow"
3. bareMinerals Blush in "Fruit Cocktail"
4. elf Studio Blush in "Pink Passion"
5. essence Silk Touch Blush in "Life's a Cherry"

Smackdown: The Body Shop Lip & Cheek Stain vs. Benefit Benetint

I'm all for a good dupe! Sometimes I literally cannot tell 2 products apart from each other when they are swatched out or applied to the face. And, sometimes there is a definite difference, even when you think things will be the exact same, or look the same when just looking through the bottle or at the pan. Today's smackdown is between The Body Shop Lip & Cheek Stain in Rose Pink vs. Benefit Benetint. Both claim the same thing; that they will give you a rose flush to your cheeks or lips with a staining action. Thus, making it a natural and long wearing product. 

First, lets look at the price. The Body Shop Lip & Cheek Stain is $14 for 0.2 oz. And, Benetint is $30 for .42 oz. (size of Benetint in my photo is not full size). So, really ounce by ounce Benetint isn't that much more than The Body Shop Lip & Cheek Stain. However, The Body Shop has sales on their makeup all the time. I got the full size product that you see in the picture above at 50% off during one of their sales making it only around $7. Where I have never seen Benetint for sale or discounted.

Next, the consistency of the products are different. The Body Shop Lip & Cheek Stain is more of a gel-like consistency, where Benetint is a strait up liquid. It makes me think of cranberry juice, ha. 

The application process is basically the same for both products. Benetint has a brush applicator that you dot on your cheeks, then sheer out with your fingers or a brush, where The Body Shop Lip & Cheek Stain has a doe foot applicator, and instructions are the same. 

Staying power for both products is the exact same for me. I feel like they both last all day when I apply them to my cheeks, and have about a 4 hour time frame on my lips.

The colors for both products are described as a rose tint. They are both red based, but they have different undertones. The Body Shop Lip & Cheek Stain has a more purple undertone, which is better for cool skin tones, and Benetint has a more Orange undertone, which would be better for warmer skin tones. The Body Shop Lip & Cheek Stain definitely looks to me like it is more of a "rose" color like they both proclaim to be.  

I've swatched both products below. Please keep in mind, that I'm very pale, and these are much heavier than I would wear them on my cheeks. The photo is to show you that there is a difference between the 2. 

So, which is your favorite? Does a staining product scare you? Let me know! As for me, I'm more in love with The Body Shop Lip & Cheek Stain. I like the gel formulation, and the application is easier for me than Benetint because of the thickness of the gel. I also think the color is nicer and richer than Benetint.