B for Beauty

Trend Test: Cream Stick Blushes

NARS CREAM STICK BLUSH.jpgI’ve always been a powder blush kind of girl - creams scare me.

But come summer, I’m loathe to put more powder on my already sweaty face and since there’s been a recent spate of cream stick launches, which are so much more appealing than compact creams, I was willing to try again.

I started out with Avon’s Be Blushed. It has a gel-like consistency and comes in eight different shades. It didn’t take much to blend it in, but once I did it was practically invisible. I had to reapply for even a hint of color and even then there was more pigment on my fingertips than my cheeks.

The next day I tried Bobbi Brown’s Sheer Color Cheek Tint. I loved all six sheer shades, the flush looked natural and stayed on all day though it wasn’t nearly as easy to blend. I had to rub it in so violently that I couldn’t tell whether or not my cheeks were red from the tint or from the rubbing. But once the redness subsided it had the most natural look and feel to it.

Lastly, I tried Nars’ Multiple. The stick was gargantuan compared to the skinny Avon and teeny Bobbi Brown, but the cream itself was creamy and soft - it also had the best shade selection of the bunch with twelve hues ranging from deep bronze to the infamous Orgasm. Also, I loved the natural and subtle shimmer in this one. It successfully avoided the frostiness of Avon’s.

So I guess I’m an official convert to the cream side. I’ve been using the Bobbi Brown on an almost daily basis and working the Nars into my routine as well. I don’t think I’ll ever totally forgo powder but these are perfect for the heat and sweat of summer.

—MEGAN MCINTYRE

Comments

1

posted by shharvin

Jun 04, 2009 1:15PM

I feel like cream would melt in the summer, right?

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2

posted by guest

Jun 04, 2009 1:22PM

Tarte cheek stain is truly the best

3

posted by Megs252

Jun 04, 2009 1:26PM

I think if you goop it on it will, but with these sheer ones or a light layer I don't think you would have a problem. The Bobbi Brown held up to that 80 degree humid heat we had last week. It's kind of like it adheres to the skin almost.

The problem I had when I wore powders is that I would sweat in the heat and then the blush would cake up and look weird or just completely melt off. So far these haven't melted on me or gunked up. I find that pretty impressive.


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4

posted by guest

Jun 04, 2009 1:31PM

any evidence the cream clogs pores?

5

posted by darcykins

Jun 04, 2009 1:34PM

i've never really worn bluch or foundation either but...
i wish it were that warm in toronto.

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6

posted by guest

Jun 04, 2009 1:50PM

Totally agree - Orgasm is a fantastic shade

7

posted by Megs252

Jun 04, 2009 2:03PM

Guest 4: All three are non-comedogenic. With the Bobbi Brown my skin was a little irritated but that is probably from the vigorous rubbing.

The Nars didn't make me break out but I did notice a few little red bumps on my cheeks after I used it three days in a row. But I have insanely sensitive skin so it could just be me reacting to the new formula, it's happened before.

I only wore the Avon for one day, but it didn't have an effect on my skin in that time period.

Hope that helps!

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8

posted by guest

Jun 04, 2009 2:55PM

benetint from benefit is the best. Its a liquid, not cream OR powder. But its sooo easy to work with and lasts all day. Try it. I use it on my lips too.

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9

posted by guest

Jun 04, 2009 3:09PM

I use Laura Mercier cream stick blush and I love it. It blends really well and makes cheekbones look higher. Tarte is good too and gives a similar effect, but I feel like it's harder to blend/apply because it's more of a gel consistency.

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10

posted by guest

Jun 04, 2009 3:21PM

Guest 8, I was just about to recommend Benetint too! It goes on a little easier than a cream, doesn't look powdery and heavy like a pressed blusher .. It's just perfect. Plus you can control if you have a deeper stain or something really light and fresh. Wonderful! :)

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11

posted by guest

Jun 04, 2009 3:31PM

stila convertible color has been my favorite blush for the past 3 years--it lasts all day!

12

posted by Megs252

Jun 04, 2009 3:50PM

I do like the stains like Benetint, but you have to be super-attentive with them because they dry so quickly. I'm a little ADD in the a.m. and the last time I used it I got distracted in the middle of applying it (my dog's a little attention needy) and ended up with two bright red dots on my cheeks. I had to scrub off all my makeup and start over.

But it definitely stays in place. If you're super oily or sweaty and can't keep color on your cheeks, a stain is the way to go.

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13

posted by guest

Jun 04, 2009 4:49PM

benetint! when you put it on your lips it looks like you've been sucking on a cherry red popsicle. summer perfection.

14

posted by Britt Aboutaleb

Jun 04, 2009 4:55PM

my love for benetint runs deep - like 8th grade deep

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15

posted by guest

Jun 04, 2009 5:12PM

I found that tarte and nars blush sticks made my pores look HUGE. It also made me slightly break out after wearing it a few times. I don't break out and I have super small pores with normal blush.

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16

posted by guest

Jun 04, 2009 7:22PM

I too am a huge fan of benetint, and all benefit products for that matter, however smashbox has a cream blush stick and it is absolutely amazing. The color is perfect, it last all day and it blends really well. I bought a stick a year ago and i still have the same one, now i am running out and i cant get it at sephora, but they have it on the smashbox website. ITS SERIOUSLY AMAZING!

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17

posted by guest

Jun 04, 2009 9:55PM

NARS' Multiple + MAC's #187 brush = flawless application. Swipe the tube a couple times with the brush and swirl onto the apples of your cheeks. You'll never go back, I swear it.

18

posted by forthebirds

Jun 05, 2009 10:42AM

I bought "Orgasm" back in the fall... and I love IT! Great for a blush base and a highlighter. Lips, eyes, cheeks, chest... good for anywhere. I am obsessed!

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19

posted by guest

Jun 05, 2009 2:13PM

I bought MAC Just a Pinch gel blush from their latest "A Rose Romance" collection just yesterday and i totally loved it! The result is bit like Benetint but since my last benetint spilled all over my purse and ruined it, im not buying that product anymore! ok, it was my fault maybe but this MAC stuff is as cool as that and plus, in a way better package:)

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20

posted by guest

Jun 06, 2009 11:54AM

Has anyone tried Posytint by benefit? i prefer its colour to benetint..

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21

posted by guest

Jun 06, 2009 7:54PM

I love cream blushers, they blend so well and you get that dewy look powders just can't achieve. I use lipsticks mostly in this area, though. They do exactly the same thing and they have staying power.

22

posted by purly

Jun 08, 2009 10:41PM

I like the Multiple because it's multi-use. I can get my makeup bag in my purse down to like four items by using the Multiple.

23

posted by valenlb

Jun 09, 2009 7:31PM

The Multiple is AMAZING. I swear by the South Beach and Orgasm shades, and they work great on the eyes as well as bronzer and cream blush.

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