Blush is often the one makeup item that most women either overlook or forget, since so much emphasis is put on eyes and lips. Bronzer is always the safety net that most fall back on to give their face a “bit of color†but I find that true blush in roses, pinks and corals is a game changer to a makeup look. In my days as a makeup artist, I loved applying bright blush to give the face a fresh, rosy glow that always complimented whatever eye look I created. Now for myself, my daily face is always in the neutral family (brown eye shadows and pink/nude lips, catch me on Instagram) but my cheeks do run the gamut. Recently I tried out a slew of blushes from Cargo cosmetics (and one AMAZING bronzer) and felt a renewed sense of vigor about my cheek game.
The three solid shades that immediately caught my eye were Amalfi, Laguna and Topeka. The pigment is rich but buildable, allowing for a sheer wash or a bright pop. All work seamlessly into my daily makeup look, giving my cheeks a great vibrancy and lasting all day. The Amalfi and Laguna are great for medium to dark skin tones (though pale skinned ladies such as myself should not overlook,) and Topeka is absolutely delightful on fair skins for a delicate peach flush. Packaged in small round tins with a generous surface area, getting an adequate swirl onto your makeup brush is done with ease.
Just as I thought my love for the one color tins could not be matched by any further Cargo blush, I tried the Beach Blush – a multi colored blend of “4 harmonious colors blended together†to give both a flushed cheek and “sun-drenched glow.†My chosen shade is Miami Beach, which after just one application was instantly a permanent staple in my makeup bag. And as a gal fighting the good oily skin fight, the shimmer is subtle and hardly noticeable in this blush – imparting more of a radiant glow rather than a disco ball dusting.
My final blush/bronzer/cheek-décor favorite from this brand is their Hydra Bronze bronzer. Now it’s no secret that I am paler than a sheet of paper and often bronzer can make me look muddy, too orange or like a Broadway show glitter explosion. Upon first swipe of this product, the color went on smoothly and was the perfect shade of bronze for my skin. Obviously as the name implies, the most ingenious part of this product is its ability to hydrate, or as cargo claims “boosts the natural moisture level of the skin.†And in all fairness, straight from this beauty lover’s mouth to your blog reading eyes/ears – it truly does! The powder does not settle into any fine lines and goes on smoothly, creating a velvety glow – with less of a powder finish and more of a you-actually-went-to-the-beach finish. Just as the aforementioned Beach Blush found its way, so does the Hydra Bronze have a place permanently in my makeup bag.
All Cargo blushes, beach blushes and bronzers range in price from $29 -$30 and can be purchased at Cargocosmetics.com.
What are your thoughts on blushes and bronzers?
