Prada Beauty launched a new cream blush called the Touch Cream-to-Powder Soft Blur Blush ($42 each). I splurged on a few of the shades to try and I think they’re worth the hype! These are cream blushes with an ultra lightweight formula. It blends like a dream without any effort and I love how it sets to a blurred soft matte finish on the skin.
Lasting power is very good for a cream blush although I haven’t been able to put it to the humidity test as it’s a pretty mild spring here in Miami Beach weather-wise.
Packaging is super cute, stackable, unique and I love the pale pink color! Color is easy to blend and build. I do wish there was a little mirror inside, but it’s not a deal breaker. I actually love the minimalist packaging.
Shades I picked out all seem to work well on my medium-tan skin. I’m wearing the Dior Forever Foundation Stick in 3N and the Prada Concealer in MN6. The pigment is really good with these blushes! Not too opaque and not too sheer. It’s just right.
Some of these look a little dark or bold in the compact, but on the skin they blend out to a more natural looking finish. It gives that effortless wash of color. Given how natural they look I might try the Cherry shade before the Sephora sale ends!
Westman Atelier launched several new things recently and I have a roundup today of what I’ve been testing!
Baby Cheeks New Shade – Fizz
Westman Atelier occasionally creates products exclusive to her website and the latest launch is the Baby Cheeks Cream Blush Stick in Fizz ($48). I shared a quick demo last week and by now it has already sold out but I hope she brings it back eventually. Fizz is a bright warm pink. Fizz is similar in brightness to Poppet but the new Fizz shade is warmer and a little brighter making it easier to wear for my golden/olive complexion.
Performance is the same as all of Westman Atelier’s Baby Cheeks. Super long wear time won’t be there if you live in humid climates or have oily skin, but it does stay put better if you layer some kind of powder on top. I think this is a great formula for dry skin girls.
HydroBalm Sheer Tinted Lipstick
I love any lip balm launch so I was incredibly excited to try her HydroBalm Sheer Tinted Lipsticks ($50 each). I found these a little too sheer for my personal taste but I also think I picked some of the wrong shades for my skin/lip tone. I ordered them sight unseen and while I do think the formula is a beautiful one, a few shades that were too cool-toned and too light for me.
I shared swatches on Instagram and a mini review here. I was really surprised that SO MANY of you love this kind of barely-there tint in your lip color! I gave these a pass in my review and I cannot believe how many DMs I received from you telling me you love these.
I do like Pop and Juice. The pinks I picked out are true neutrals but these kinds of neutrals tend to pull very greyish or blue on my complexion. So if you’re fair or light skinned and find it challenging to find colors that work for you, I think you’re in luck with Westman Atelier’s HydroBalm line!
Nectar is a sheer shimmery pale peach gold
Juice is a sheer peach
Ballerine is a cool mauve pink
Pop is a sheer red
English Rose is a mauve
Lip Shape Defining Lip Liner
I also have some swatches of the Lip Shape Defining Lip Liners ($34). I really like this formula because it’s a traditional pencil but not super stiff but at the same time not creamy or gel-like. Sometimes I feel like I just want a classic pencil to line the lips. These glide on smooth to the lips and the lasting power is very good.
Petal is my favorite of the shades I tried followed by Je Reve. In my experience though the shades pull more neutral or cool on me compared to the online stock photos. I didn’t do lip swatches of these but you can see Petal here.
Overall some beautiful launches from Westman Atelier. The formulas are incredibly good and performance is 10/10. For the lip balms, I just wish they had more pigment and also wish they had some warmer toned pinks.
P.S. I just picked up the Sun Tone Bronzing Crème in Soleil Parfait 2 from the Sephora sale. I’ll be swatching soon!
The Sephora Savings Event Sale is back with first access for Rouge! Access and savings happen during these dates with code SPRINGSALE:
Rouge Members have 20% off 4/10 – 4/20
VIB Members get 15% off 4/14 – 4/20
Insiders get 10% off 4/14 – 4/20
All Sephora Collection 30% off
Here are my top makeup recommendations by category.
Primers/Complexion Enhancers
I still don’t typically use primers since I prefer to use a moisturizer that multi-tasks. Here are the multi-taskers I use that you can use as a primer or complexion enhancer.
Charlotte Tilbury Unreal Skin Sheer Glow Tint Stick – This is a glowy foundation stick I initially thought would be a glittery mess on the skin. It’s on the emollient side but not sticky. A few readers messaged me about this and told me they used it as an all over primer base and added concealer + powder on top for their perfect natural glow. I tried their tips and loved the look.
One/Size by Patrick Starrr Base Thinner – I tried the Bronze base thinner after receiving a press sample and fell head over heels in love with it. It’s a multi-tasking product you can use as a number of ways, but I like to mix it in with my favorite foundations to sheer them out for a more natural glowy look. I bought Pearlescent Pink to try. Bronze definitely is darker than my skin tone and gives it a bronzed look while the Pearlescent Pink is more natural looking.
Saie Glowy Super Gel – Another favorite I love for dry skin or if your foundations start to look dry or patchy. I like to mix in one pump of this with a liquid foundation to give it a bit more glow.
Dior Forever Skin Perfect Foundation Stick – This is my most-worn foundation since 2024. I do have to mix shades sometimes but right now 3N is my perfect match. Love the coverage, how it blends and convenience of application. (P.S. I tried the new Forever Skin Glow Foundation formula and it’s very drying on my skin, even though it’s supposed to be “glowy.”) In action here.
Armani Luminous Silk Foundation – The new formula performs the same as the original on me. Still love this for a naturally glowy finish that isn’t’ too glowy. See it in action here.
m.ph Le Skin Weightless Serum Foundation – Love this newer formula. I don’t think I would really describe it as truly “weightless” as I definitely feel it on my skin once it sets. I still love for medium natural looking coverage. I’m in between shades 150 and 170 (I have to mix). Demo here.
Best Concealers
I don’t always use a concealer these days because I find that the foundations I use have enough coverage for me. These are my top picks from Sephora.
YSL Touche Eclat Concealer Pen – This is still my favorite under eye brightening concealer. It has a thinner formula but is glowy and emollient. It won’t cover dark circles but I really like it for brightening.
Natasha Denona Hy-Glam Concealer – This is the best multi-tasking creamy concealer. I like that it doesn’t crease or cake. It is also very long lasting which I love.
Ilia Skin Blur Serum Concealer – This is a new formula which has pretty good coverage for under the eyes. Not too thick but not sheer. It’s blurring and self setting. Love the Ilia and Hourglass concealer brushes.
Powder/Set
I’ve only been using one brand of setting powder these days which is the Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder. I like both the Original and Talc-Free formulas. This is one of the few loose powder formulas that doesn’t look like it has a white cast on my skin.
Favorite Blushes
I have so many blush favorites. I love trying new shades and formulas, but if I had to pick just 5 these would be my picks.
Prada Touch Cream-To-Powder Soft Blur Blushes are new and I love them. These are cream blushes that dry down to a nice satin finish. I like applying with fingers. I have only tried Peach and Tulip so far but I love the tones and will review and swatch all the shades I picked up before the sale ends. (Peach on the face here, both shades applied here.)
YSL Make Me Blush (powder) is my go-to powder blush of choice these days. The shimmers and mattes are SO beautiful. They have a silky smooth texture that is just so beautiful. If I had to pick one color, 44B Nude Lavalliere is it! Review + swatches here.
Armani Luminous Silk Cheek Tint is the best long-wear formula for a liquid blush. Most other formulas just don’t last but these have a nice dry down and stay put without looking of feeling heavy.
rhode Pocket Blush – I think these are my favorite for a cream blush formula. They are so easy to pop onto the face and blend. I usually bring Freckle and Piggy with me on trips.
Bronzer
Dior Forever Skin Bronze Bronzing Balm Stick – If you buy one cream bronzer, buy the one from Dior. Swatches of three shades here, but this is the best satin finish cream bronzer I’ve tried and I really like the colors. They’re not too orange, not too cool toned, they’re just perfect! Swatches here.
Merit Bronze Balm Sheer Sculpting Bronzer – Also been reaching for this even though I initially felt it was way too sheer for my taste. I’ve been trying to go lighter on the bronzer and I think it’s more flattering on my skin tone to go sheerer.
Best Highlighters
Sarah Creal Today’s Highlights Peptide Balm – This is the best glowy dewy highlight I’ve tried because it’s not sticky or tacky in feel. It’s a balm but it’s a smooth one. Finish is sheer and natural looking and makes the skin just GLOW.
Hourglass Unreal Radiant Glow Liquid Highlighter – Just swatched these here, but a more detailed review to come very soon! This is a new formula from Hourglass along with a new Highlighter Brush. For a liquid highlight it’s 10/10. Finish is smooth and easy to control. Not too frosty or glittery on the skin and it has a nice dry down. Swatches here.
Glossier Boy Brow Arch Pencil – Another favorite for the formula but there isn’t enough product in the pencil! This gets used up SO fast I stopped repurchasing.
Lawless Forget the Filler Gloss – Some of the shades are too pale for me, but I swear by Cherry Vanilla for that glossy pout.
Sarah Creal – I really love this formula and the colors. They’re fresh and give just the right amount of color. These are the ones I brought with me on all my trips last year.
Tinted Lip Balms/Oils
I will spare no expense to try the latest and greatest in balms or oils.
Patrick Ta Major Moisture Tinted Lip Balm – This has been a pleasant surprise for me! I like that there is a good amount of pigment in these for a balm. Pink Salted Caramel on the lips here.
YSL anything – This is the time to save! I love these but they’re expensive. I actually can’t get over how expensive lip products are these days. I still remember when Tom Ford launched a $50 lipstick and everyone was OUTRAGED. Now it seems like nearly everything is near this price point.
Dior Lip Glow Oil – Love the new formula for that cushiony glassy finish. Swatches in this post here.
My Go-To Lipsticks
YSL Candy Glaze, but really YSL anything! I feel like they consistently release top tier formulas and colors. Especially love the Candy Glaze in Shade 13.
I am testing several new lip liner formulas right now so I don’t know I can say which is THE best right now. I still really love Tom Ford Beauty and Dior. Will keep you posted on the new ones I test soon!
This wraps up my makeup recommendations! I know it’s a lengthy roundup but I wanted to cover all the categories!
Rhode added new shades of their Pocket Blush ($25) and Peptide Lip Tints ($20 each) and they’re perfect for spring. As a huge fan of the cream blush I picked up both shades along with the new lip gloss colors to try.
Pocket Blush – new shades
The Rhode Pocket Blushes are probably my two most-worn cream blushes. I love them for that easy pop of color to the cheeks. Colors are flattering and they’re easy to blend. They’ve traveled with me on numerous trips!
Teacup is a mauve raspberry pink and Candy Apple is a bold reddish pink. Both shades pull bold when swatched but since they blend well you can definitely control the pigment for a more natural looking blush. Both new shades are a solid win for me. I think Candy Apple is a really pretty flattering red.
Swatches of the new shades:
Swatches side by side of the Pocket Blushes I own:
Peptide Lip Tints – new shades
I’ve had really mixed feelings about the Peptide Lip Tint. It’s been a while since I’ve used one since I tossed most of mine a year ago when we moved to Miami. I did a substantial de-clutter and found that most of them developed that weird gritty texture to them. Reviews I’ve read say it’s due to temperature fluctuations but just as a precaution I tossed them. I’ve since bought fresh new ones. Newer more recent reviews say this issue has been fixed and so far it seems to be the case!
Time will tell about the formula situation but I really like the new shades. Sweet Pea is a warm sheer pink. I think it’s similar in the vibe color-wise to Patrick Ta’s Major Moisture Smoothing Hydrating Tinted Lip Balm in Pink Salted Caramel (the Rhode version is more glossy with a glass shine). Rhode describes Sweet Pea as “pearly” but for some reason I don’t see any shimmer or iridescent quality in mine.
Pretzel is a shimmery mauve. This one is described as “warm” but on me it’s definitely not warm. It pulls more neutral or cool toned on my complexion, but it’s still a really pretty one. This one is also on the medium-sheer side but has enough pigment to show up on the lips. I pulled the glosses I have and one from Patrick Ta to swatch side by side below:
Looks wearing two combinations below, also wearing:
Overall love the blushes! New gloss shades are beautiful, but I still need to see how they hold up to any temperature fluctuations. If you have purchased one of the Peptide Lip Tints recently let me know if yours has any developed any gritty particles too!
These balms are ultra smooth, nonsticky and soft, just like a soft balm in gloss form. They have a very slight tingly sensation with some plumping. They feel like a cushion on the lips.
Pigment varies by shade. Out of the three I picked, one is almost clear but the other two have a nice tint.
These give the lips that effortless lips but luxe look. I like the look and feel of these. I think they will also look lovely if layered over a lipliner or any of the Prada lipsticks.
Armani added three new shades of liquid blush to the Luminous Silk Cheek Tint Liquid Blush lineup ($40 each, Sephora). To date this formula is hands down my favorite formula for lasting power in the natural finish. It is one of the few that stays put well on my skin without needing a powder blush on top.
There are two finishes in this formula: natural and shine, I prefer the natural one. It’s matte but doesn’t look flat on the skin. (More details, review + swatches here.) The new shades are all in the natural finish. The finish is very natural looking once blended but you can easily layer for more color without it looking cakey or too heavy.
Below wearing each shade on the cheeks. Also wearing:
12 Rosy Nude is a pale beige nude and on my Luminous Silk Foundation 6.5 skintone, it’s truly a barely there color. Pigment is pretty good but since it matches my skin so closely you can’t really tell there is anything on my skin. I wish they made this in a few more slightly deeper shades as I love a good neutral blush.
63 Rosewood Pink is a neutral rose pink. Swatches show it’s pretty close to 62 Delicate Mauve. The new Rosewood Pink is warmer and I prefer this one because of that.
13 Brick Brown was a pleasant surprise as brown tones can be a bit tricky for me to pull off. Many are either too warm or too cool. This one is just right.
Three new shades available now at Sephora. In case you’re curious about other liquid blush formulas, I did a roundup here with lots of swatches. Let me know if you have any favorite formulas! Or if you prefer a cream or powder.
I’ve been playing with more from Merit and the latest lip launch is beautiful! They launched a lightweight matte lipstick called the Signature Lip Blush ($28 each, Sephora and Merit). It’s a sheer minimalist lip product with a blurred matte finish. Formula is very lightweight as described but still manages to have a balmy feel.
They launched Archival in a set over the holiday (see it reviewed here and in action here) and just recently added 7 more shades to the lineup.
I tried two sent in PR Andie which is the prettiest baby pink and Vendome which is a beautiful beige tan. I love both the colors and think they’re perfect for everyday wear. I also still really like Archival as a pretty mauve that is cool-toned but not so cool-toned that it looks blue. Paired each lip look with the Merit Flush Balm Cream in Le BonBon.
There are a few downsides though. If you’re a fan of seeing color payoff or long wear time, these aren’t going to be the lipstick for you. Pigment on the shades I tried is on the sheer side and while you can swipe and layer for more coverage, they still pull very sheer. Almost like a blotted lip stain but sheer. The lasting power isn’t there for me although I have not tried them over a lip liner. I suspect this is due to the balmy nature. It’s not a deal breaker for me, but I thought I’d mention it since I know a lot of you want something super long wearing that will require maybe 1-2 touch ups throughout the day.
For a matte lip I tend to prefer something with more coverage although I really like the colors I tried. I think the formula is very comfortable and easy to wear. Also love that it is a little bit hydrating in the sense that they don’t dry out my lips.
