As a girl who has a very hard time applying any kind of eye makeup I just love blush!  It creates impact and offers definition to your face without being difficult to apply or needing hands (and nerves) of steel.  And the worst you can do is over apply it which can be easily corrected by wiping it off with a tissue.  I mean any makeup newbie can do that!!!  With this in mind it won’t surprise you to hear that I have quite the collection of blushes – liquid, powder, cream, gel, pink, peach, scarlet, bronze – and I thought I would give you the run down of my favourites.  Each of these products is tried and tested and will give you that just-run-around-the-block glow as opposed to the someone-just-slapped-me or I-can’t-believe-I-walked-through-the-shopping-centre-with-my skirt-tucked-into-my-pantyhose look.

The first is known around the world as the best.  Magazines continue to rank it one of the best beauty products of all time and no wonder because Nars Blush – Colour: Orgasm is THE GEAR.  There really is nothing more I can add to its accolades except to say hurry up and buy yourself one – you won’t regret it!  It can make you look fresh as a daisy even when you have swine flu, seriously.

The second (and my latest addition) is this Nars Limited Edition Multiple Tint – Colour: Cadaques.  Although when you see it here it looks garish and loud, once applied it offers a great, soft pink tone.  Subtle and creamy, I use this underneath my Nars Powder Blush for more depth of colour and to add a pink undertone to the peach shimmer.  I’m not sure what I will do once the limited edition run ends.  It always seems to be my fate to fall for things that get discontinued – I imagine that means I am swimming against the current.  You know something – I reckon that ain’t so bad!

The third is an old favourite of mine that I have been thinking about bringing back to the fold – Benefit Benetint.  If applied with too much force you can look a bit on the slapped side but it really can provide a truly natural look and it offers long, long wearing coverage.  That was why I sidelined it – it really never came off.  I did apply it religiously every day though so no wonder.  I had built up so much of it on my cheeks that I always looked a little bit too flushed.   But is that such a bad thing?  I mean in this day and age doesn’t this type of long-lasting quality act more as a pro than a con??? (The other great thing about this product is that it lasts for ages – I think one bottle lasted me over a year with liberal, daily use.)

The forth and last product that I use is Tarte Cheek Stain – Colour: Blushing Bride.  It smells like raspberry jelly and can be built up to be quite strong but can also be swept lightly over the cheeks and patted in to offer just a hint of colour.  It is really easy to put on and stays on for the whole day.  I like to use it without makeup (like when I am going to the beach) because it blends better and does really look pretty natural.

I should offer a disclaimer that I am olive skinned with brown eyes and hair but saying that I do believe that all  of these products would suit most skin tones and colouring.

Do you have a favourite blush?  What blush do you use?  Have I missed any real gems out there???