You know the phrase, “less is more?” Apparently my cheeks have never heard of it. No matter what style of makeup I choose, light or dark, a pink cheek is no doubt always a part of my repertoire (although, I’m sure my sisters would like to interject here and say my look is more Raggedy Ann than a healthy flush). What can I say, I like a little bit of color – I feel a rosy cheek is the component that ties in all the other made up features of the face. However, sometimes, especially when the weather starts to get warm, I like to tone down the bright pink and reach for something a little more subtle. So, I’m constantly on a search for a product that will give me a soft dewy flushed look (think Leighton Meester of Gossip Girl) without having to apply a perfect combination of tinted moisturizer, cream blush and highlighters. Bobbi Brown’s new line of cheek tints from the Summer 2009 collection aspires to be that product.
Now, plenty of cosmetic lines have come out with stick blushes, so why should I bother with these? The Bobbi Brown salespeople claim their product is different. Why? I’m told the color is sheer/translucent – which means that even girls who hate wearing blush will like the effect of this cheek tint – but the coverage is buildable for those who need a little more pigment. Also, the moisturizers in the blush supposedly leave the skin looking dewy and fresh just in time for the summer.
As I passed by the Bobbi Brown counter today I tried on the new line that Bobbi Brown claims is “wearable, easy and look[s] good on everyone.”
Here’s the breakdown:
- The sheer color cheek tints are available for $22 in any of 6 different shades: Sheer Blackberry, Sheer Coral, Sheer Lilac, Sheer Mauve, Sheer Pink and Sheer Raspberry.
- They are small enough that you can throw them in your purse for touch-ups later in the day.
- Upon first swipe, the color was indeed “sheer” and almost sank completely into my skin leaving simply a vaseline-esque sheen on my face – not greasy, but not exceptionally flattering either. After a few more swipes I saw that the color was buildable but only up to a certain point – this one is definitely for the girls who don’t like to wear too much makeup or for fairer skinned girls. The best way to apply would be to dot the tint onto the cheekbones and then spread in a tapping motion rather than smearing. The more you rub, the more the color will fade, so use your ring finger (allows for the most control) and pat lightly.
- The face doesn’t feel very sticky in spite of the emollient nature of the product, however, the lasting power is questionable as it feels it will slip off. Oily-skinned girls should avoid this product.
- The tints can be doubled for use as sheer lipsticks (very sheer).
The Nautical Collection also carries limited edition sheer lip glosses for $20 in Cabana Coral, Marina Pink, Popsicle and Sailor (mostly different shades of pink). Unlike my cheeks, I’m truly a fan of sheer lips, but I would recommend readers to pass on these glosses – you can find the same colors with a similar consistency and lasting power for less than $4 in the Vita Gloss line by the drugstore brand, Bonne Belle.
If anyone has tried the Nautical Collection, let us know how it’s worked out for you. Overall, I was personally less than impressed, and not just because of my love for deeper pigmented blushes. I feel the cheek tints are definitely not as innovative a product as Bobbi Brown employees claim. Come on Bobbi, stop recycling and repackaging old ideas and trying to sell them to us as the next best product! Your client base deserves better than that!
Photo Credits (In order they appear):
http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q263/heyamityowns/nars5.jpg
http://labelleetleblog.files.wordpress.com/2009/04/bobbi-brown-nautical-collection-sheer-color-cheek-tint.jpg
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KzaNbgMMhNU/SfVCkncZBRI/AAAAAAAAFfo/2F7E9XU8P2c/s1600-h/bobbi+brown+nautical+collection.jpg
http://www.bonnebell.com/vitasplash.html
i like this idea very much. i dont like to keep my blush and brush in my purse and reapply. but with the stick, it’s so easy. what about the nars blush stick? is that in the same category?
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What is the sticking power of these sheer tints? Have you tried Benefit’s BeneTint? how does it compare? also, in terms of cheek bone definition, do you think that can be done with this product? I like the idea of a fresh dewey look but don’t know if im willing to forego the defined cheekbone look you can get with a traditional blush/brush combo.
Please advise LM
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chai- LM and I are going on a shopping spree to try on all shades (I have normal-dry skin) – shall report when back.
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Chai, sos and I went to our local Nordstrom, but alas they have run out of the collection, must trek back to the nearest Neiman Marcus and will have some answers for you xoxo.
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stick blushes scare me because i feel like im going to swipe it too hard.. remind me of giant crayons. maybe a good tutorial subject for the future..
i prefer cream blushes with the skunk brush so you pick up the tiniest about and get a healthy dewy glow..
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Love pink cheeks! I have the old version of the stick blush and LOVE IT! Now that the new collection is out, I have a very good reason to upgrade..thanks for the tip!
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for me the POSIE-TINT by benefi works extremely. well. I have medium toned asian skiin
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That’s a great idea! A lot of people get confused, do we use our stick blush with a powder blush, with bronzer, alone? The makeup artist at Bobbi Brown told me to layer the cheek tint with blush on top – and I asked her, “well doesn’t that make you lose the dewy look?” and she said “ummm yes….” errr, then what’s the point, right?
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How is the other version of the stick blush? I haven’t personally tried it. Just wanted to warn you, it is definitely not very deeply pigmented unless you layer it, and if you’re planning on using the cheek tint in the warm Roman summer, I would carry a few blotting sheets!
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I’ve never tried the posie tint, is the consistency creamy or more stain-like?
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its a lip-stain and i swear by it. the perfect day-time accessory in the scorching summer.
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