Ask Belle: The Best Blush
May 21, 2012
One of the most common questions I receive is, “What is the best brand of blush?”
While I may shake up my makeup brands from time to time, I have remained fiercely loyal to Bobbi Brown blushes. And I will never, ever switch.
Bobbi Brown blushes are the perfect mix of perfectly-saturated color and buildable coverage. But it isn’t just the blushes, it’s the technique that Bobbi uses to apply them.
Bobbi believes that you should apply a slightly darker shade to your cheek bones for definition and then, lightly apply a bright blush just on the apples of the cheeks. I use Bobbi Brown’s Plum blush on my cheekbones and the Pale Pink on the apples. And if, in the summer, I develop a tan, I use the pale pink on my cheekbones and a brighter coral shade called Nectar on the apples of my cheeks.
Also, I think that Bobbi’s blush brush is essential to proper application. The bristles are super soft and allow to get the light application that you need. Yes, the brush is $50, but it will last for years, and it makes applying the blush so easy you’ll wonder how you ever lived without it.
Without a doubt, Bobbi’s blushes are the very best on the market. They have colors that emphasize but don’t overwhelm, and go on with the perfectly sheer coverage you need.
I recently bought the Make Up Forever HD Cream Blush (I prefer cream to powder) and it is INCREDIBLE. It's hugely pigmented so it's really easy to put too much on – but once I realized exactly how little I needed, I was sold.
I'd previously used the Stila Convertible Color, which I also loved, but since it was in a pot rather than a tube it got kind of gross after a while. The MUFE comes in a pump, and it is perfect.
By the way, at your suggestion I started using Ole Henriksen products. I got the Sephora-exclusive 7 Skincare Sensations kit for $55 and it has changed my whole outlook on skincare! It comes with sample sizes of the Truth Serum, the Super Creme, the Walnut Scrub, the Red Tea face wash, the Night Gel, the Eye Gel, and Sheer Transformation. The Super Creme is a little heavy for summer time but it still leaves my skin soft and luminous – I'm planning to switch to the Vitamin Plus cream for summer and hold onto the other one for when the winter winds come back around.
Your skincare posts are always my favorites. I'd love to see one on how you change your routines with the seasons, if that's something you do!
Thanks for this post! I love Bobbi Brown blushes, too.
Quick question, since I value your opinion: do you buy make-up brushes from one brand in a pack or set or do you have brushes from multiple brands? I'm thinking of investing in a nice set but I'm not sure what to choose. Thanks!
I have a selection from different makers. Bobbi's blush brush, Sephora's complexion brush for powder and Laura Mercier's concealer brushes. However, if I was going to buy one really nice set, I'd go with Bobbi's. I find that they hold up better than the Sephora brushes, and I never warmed up to the handful of MAC brushes I had.
Belle- I have no problem spending that kind of money on quality make-up, however aren't you supposed to switch your products out every few months to avoid bacteria build-up and the potential for breakouts? How do you keep long lasting, quality products from becoming little petri dishes?!
LE: Powder blushes can be kept for up to two years since they're not a hospitable environment for bacteria (unless they get wet, then 86 them ASAP). As long as you clean the brush regularly, you can avoid any problems.
Hi Belle! I just discovered you last week and have been having a blast going through older posts. Great stuff! I have recently been coveting Bobbi's shimmer bricks, but have yet to pull the trigger. I use her foundation stick as my under eye concealer and have also used her foundation in the past and just generally trust her. I'm curious if you've ever used her shimmer bricks…
Thanks for all the good content 🙂 -your newest fan