Cheeky Chic

I remember watching TV as a young girl, and wanting cheekbones just like Judith Light on “Who’s The Boss?” Bright pink blusher, brushed in a dense, countoured line stright up to the corners of her eyeballs.

These days? Umm, notsomuch, thank you.

I prefer to look as close to that easy, breezy, beautiful gal they’re always talking about on commercials.

Plus, I stopped wanting to look like I lived in 1989 in, well… 1989.

So how do you achieve that fresh, rosy “I just went skipping in a meadow and now my cheeks are a little flushed” look? A few months ago I found a product that was calling my name.

Clinique’s Blushwear Cream Stick intrigued me.

I’d never used a creamy blush with any measureable amount of success. But Clinique promised me all kinds of cheeky happiness. “Convenient touch-on, stay-on, cream-to-powder cheek colour. Glides over the skin with fingertip control. Blends easily. Blush stays see-through while it builds in colour. Transfer- and water-resistant. Colour-true.”

So I went home with a stick of 03 Rosy Blush, and $18.50 less in my pocket.

The Blushwear Cream Stick is sheer and light, creamy but not greasy. It felt a little weird to hold what feels like a huge tube of lipstick and smooth it across my cheeks. It takes a little getting used to. It adds just enough color without looking like I put a bunch of blush on. (So sorry, Judith Light…)

Since this is cream based, I can’t dust it on. I have to be more precise, and do a little bit of blending. What I don’t like is getting foundation and/or powder just how I want it, and then feeling like I’m ruining it by rubbing in a moist blush on top. I found that a light dusting of powder on top of the blush gives me the finish I like, and helps it to not wear off as quickly. Another bonus: you can drop the tube, and it won’t crack into a million pieces all over the floor!

I’ve heard many ladies say that as they age, powders tend to magnify their wrinkles. I think this would be a good product if you have those concerns. It’s light enough that it won’t sink into your skin and magnify the unmentionables. However, if you have darker toned skin, this may not be the product for you. While I’ve only tried the Rosy Blush color on my fair to medium tone skin, none of the other colors look much darker. This blush shows up just enough to give that sun-kissed blushing look.

I’ve seen the Blushwear Cream Stick in some of the Clinique free gifts, so if you’re hesitant to spend money on a cream blush, wait for a free gift with purchase and give it a try.