Cat Garcia
Sarah Jossel
My secret weapon for perking up my complexion?
A swoosh of new-generation blush
Blush for summer? Groundbreaking. No, really ... it is! You see,
winter blush is there to help us look less corpse-like, but summer
blush? It’s pure joy — the perfect pick-me-up for a warm-weather
complexion. The right ones in the right place (more on that shortly)
give bounce! And lift! And what’s more, there is a raft of what I call
no-blush blushes that have been masterminded for people like my
sister who, at the age of 40, is still a full-on blushophobe. I’ve tried
for years but she runs a mile when I suggest a pop of colour. “I look
like a clown! I can’t get used to my cheeks! No, no, no.”
I have a feeling I may be able to tempt her with Laura Mercier’s latest offering. When I think of the
French-American brand I think of its iconic Tinted Moisturiser, which people have raved about for
aeons because of its uniform veil of second-skin coverage. It’s creamy enough to cover and yet sheer
enough to be undetectable. But enough about that because today I’m here to talk about ... drum roll,
please ... the new Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer Blush ( 1 £25) — yes, blush! It adds a pinch of
healthy glow to cheeks, and eyelids and lips too if you desire. It has that magic effect whereby it
doesn’t look like make-up at all, it just looks perky and radiant and softly flushed when patted on.
Also, don’t feel you need to gravitate towards a proper pink just because it’s blush. There are
gorgeous, flattering taupe-rose shades like Provence and Corsica, which sit somewhere between a
suntan and a hint of outdoorsy life on the cheeks.
In a similar vein, Chanel has turned its Les Beiges Water-Fresh Tint (another ultra-sheer hint of
glowy tinted moisturiser coverage) into Les Beiges Water-Fresh Blush ( 2 £42, from June 17). As it
says in the name it’s water-based so there’s zero slip, it doesn’t interfere with the rest of your
make-up and it never goes patchy. Dab it on for a delicate, real-life rosy glow. This too has a gorgeous
shade range from peach and coral to apricot and terracotta. The choice is yours when it comes to
brush or fingers. I like to pat it on with a stippling-type make-up brush rather than a big fluffy one,
and I do so straight after applying foundation so the two steps blend seamlessly together.
Another option that sits between these no-blush blushes and a traditional powder blush is a blush
balm, like Morphe Blush Balm Soft Focus Cream Blush ( 3 £12). It packs a bit more punch and is
buildable but not at all chalky. I’d pop this compact in my handbag and use it for touch-ups. For
context, if I’ve been out all day and look a bit tired I turn directly to blush. It is my No 1 weapon for
adding life back to my complexion. This one layers beautifully over old make-up and can be easily
applied with fingers.
There will be a few of you who will be nervous that the aforementioned soft-focus blushers will
look too sheeny on your skin. Powder isn’t a no-no, it just needs to be one of the high-tech-quality
blushers that don’t look vaguely powdery. Enter Nars Summer Unrated Blush/Bronzer Duo
( 4 £37), which is ideal for the summer months. A nonchalant swivel of the bronzer and blush
together adds warmth, sheen and the slightest touch of shimmer to the cheeks. Use whatever is left
on the brush over the eyelids to tie the look together.
Now, as promised: where to apply — because blush placement is seasonal. Cher Webb, who is
one of my favourite make-up artists on Instagram (@cherwebbmakeup) because her tutorials are so
easy to follow, says: “During the summer months experiment by bringing your blush higher up and
applying it to areas of the face that would naturally catch the sun.” She recommends applying it
above the apples of the cheeks, sweeping just under the outer corners of the lower lash line and also
high on the cheekbones, like a soft colour halo from the cheeks up to the temples, finishing with
a touch on the bridge of the nose. And one last word of wisdom from Webb: “Whether you prefer a
rosy or a peachy coral blush, now is the time to amp up the colour, especially when you have more of
a tan or a sun-kissed glow.” It’s a straight blush for me. ■ @sarahjossel3214The Sunday Times Style • 39