Benefit Box Blushes - Sugarbomb & Dandelion

I'm a big fan of the Benefit box blushes, the quirkiness of the packaging just draws me in. My collection started when I left my make-up bag at airport security, realising when I'd gone through the gate (really) – not the cleverest thing I've done. So, in a quest to restock my make-up bag, I bought two shades from Benefit. The first was Coralista, which I have reviewed here, the second, Sugarbomb. And Dandelion, because, well, after owning the latter, I just wanted it.

As with all the Benefit blushes, they come in cute boxes which are rather bulky in a make-up bag, but very pretty to have on your dressing table. As you can see, I have carried Sugarbomb around a fair bit and the box has scuffed up slightly. The box also comes with a little brush, which I don't tend to use, but it's perfectly functional.

Sugarbomb is a luscious quad of four shades - mauve, coral, pink and bronze, these can be used separately with a small brush, or together. I'd prefer to mix the shades, which results in a gorgeous depth of colour - not quite pink, not quite coral – but somewhere lovely in between. I use this quite sparingly on my fair complexion, I don't need a lot for a healthy glow. There is a subtle shimmer that highlights the cheekbones, but which isn't overpowering. It lasts all day on my, perfect for the 9-5 day, I'd top up a little is going out after work. In all, a great all-rounder and ideal for an everyday blush.

Dandelion is is the most gorgeous dusky pink, so pretty and perfect for spring. It gives a lovely flush of colour to the cheeks and is a nice blush for those days where you want the 'no make-up' look. Used lightly, it gives little in the way of colour pay-off, you have to build up the colour before you really notice it. It looks lovely on the fairer skin tones, I'm not sure it would really show up on darker / olive skin tones as it's so pale. It's staying-power is as above. I can't say I use this as much as Sugarbomb, but it's a handy shade to have when you want to look more natural.

Have you tried these blushes? What's your favourite Benefit shade?

Old favourites: Benefit and Nars Blushes

Benefit Coralista
This is not a new product and probably resides in the the majority of beauty enthusiasts make up bags, however, it is a goody. Many a pallid and washed-out day have been saved by it's gorgeous peachy coral glow. Coralista is super-pigmented, with a subtle golden shimmer - adding light and life to my sorry February complexion, lasting all day. I'd say the shade will suit most skin tones, and can be layered for depth of colour. As with all Benefit products, the packaging is fun and original, slightly chunky to keep as a staple in my make-up bag. I have the older version - which I think has slightly more product but no mirror in the lid of the box. I don't find the brushes particularly great, I tend to keep them but never use them. If you don't have this in your blush collection, I would definitely recommend it - it's my go-to glow for a grey day.

Nars Orgasam
Again, this is a much-hyped cult product, it has received a whole lot of love from many a beauty blogger. This divine blush gives a healthy flush to the cheeks, the most perfect pink glow. It's uber-pigmented, with a golden under tone that catches the light. This is a blush and highlighter all in one when worn higher on the cheek bones. The staying power is great - it last all day. My one and only peeve about this product is its packaging - the simplicity of it is sleek, though the rubbery texture its made from gets grubby so easily. Saying that, it fits easily into my make up bag and has a handy mirror in the lid. I held off buying this, trying other Nars blushes instead, I really don't know why I waited as it is just fabulous.

Revlon PhotoReady™ Cream Blush

Aside from lip products, I haven't tried much in the way of Revlon cosmetics - they've just never grabbed me, until now, well aren't these two shades just the perfect antidote for winter? I have to say, I was transfixed, I needed a new blush like a hole in the head, but somehow, I just could not leave these two zingy shades behind. There are three shades in this range, I couldn't choose between Flushed and Coral Reef , which are somewhat more vibrant than the natural-looking Pinched, so as they were on an offer, I bought them both. Who wouldn't?

The formula of these blushes is silky-smooth, creamy and feels light on the skin. It's more of a cream to powder blush, not at all greasy and very easy to blend. The colour can be built up to the desired intensity, which is a relief - nice as they look in the pot, I'm not a big fan of the clown-esque look. I've tried applying with a stippling brush but found that it was much easier just to pat the colour on to the apple of the cheek with my finger and blend out. The colour lasts well into the day, I'd only reapply if I was going out after work. The finish is somewhere between matte and satin, I can't see any shimmer, but this isn't such a bad thing and contributes to its natural finish. I think out of the two shades I bought, Coral Reef is more suited to my paler skin tone, but both are nice on, just in my case I need to use in moderation. With the packaging, it'a case of form follows function - it's by no means a thing of beauty, a transparent plastic pot with a branded lid, though it fits sleekly into my make-up bag taking up very little room at all.

In all, these are a nice alternative to the everyday staples I normally go to, they give a healthy pop of colour to my otherwise pallid winter complexion. Have you got a favourite cream blush?