I imagine it’s just a phase, like wanting a pony or collecting rainbow Lisa Frank stickers, but this particular phase — my obsession with blushes that perfectly balance pigment and shimmer — has lasted, oh, about 10 years so far. 🙂
In that time this phase has led me down the road to radiant cheeks many times before, a road marked by MAC Mineralize Skinfinishes, NARS Blushes and lively, glowing cheeks.
And now, there’s a new stop on the road (yay!). It’s called Sunday Riley Blush in Intimate, and it’s a find that should be shared.
One of those “Ohmigosh! I think I look 10 years younger!” colors, the $30 blush is one of six new shades sweeping into beauty departments at Barneys New York and Bergdorf Goodman stores (and also online), alongside the rest of the Sunday Riley makeup collection.
Like Sunday’s Prismasilk Eye Colors, the blushes, which apply with a super smooth, even texture on me, employ silica particles painted in pigment.
Intimate reminds me of a slightly pinker, more neutral version of NARS Orgasm, with a soft, candlelit sheen, as opposed to a high-shine golden shimmer.
I love it, and I have a strong feeling it’ll look lovely on a wide range of skin tones.
With Intimate on my cheeks, I feel like I look refreshed and better rested (and maybe even a little younger…like I’m of an age where I spent my awkward teens years listening to the Spice Girls on CD instead of Debbie Gibson and Tiffany on tape).
Swatch of Sunday Riley Intimate Blush on the left and NARS Orgasm on the right
Big surprise! I tend to be lazy with my blushes, so I like that I only have to sweep a small amount of this pigmented powder on bare skin, tinted moisturizer or foundation in the mornings and can rest easy knowing that the color will still be there when I look in the mirror to remove my makeup later that night.
My biggest concern with this blush beyond the $30 price is the super saturated pigment. It’s just so saturated that it’s easy for me and my leaden hands/clumsy paws to over-apply.
I’ve tried it using a bunch of different brushes and techniques, and I seem to get the quickest, best results when I use a regular ol’ blush brush and the bounce technique.
Eek! I’m getting obsessed with the Sunday Riley line. If you’re a fan of higher-end brands like Le Metier de Beaute and Dolce & Gabbana, keep Sunday Riley in mind.
PRICE: $30
AVAILABILITY: Available now at Barneys New York, Bergdorf Goodman and also online
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: A
A rainy day in the bay
Happy hump day, friend. 🙂 I’m on my way into the city this morning to chat with Pati Dubroff, a celebrity makeup artist for Clarins. Hopefully, I can get her to share some of her red carpet (and regular carpet) makeup secrets for us.
I’ll do my best!
I hope the traffic isn’t too bad… When it pours like this, the roads get wacky. You’ll always find me tooling along in the slow lane, driving at the speed of soup, LOL!
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
I loved this look when you showed it in the post about hairstyles and I still love here!
Thank you, Antonia! 🙂
OOH PRETTY. Lately I’ve been obsessed with MAC Mocha blush, which I bought because you featured it in the Unsung Heroes post! The swatch kind of reminds me of Bobbi Brown Pink Sugar blush (in terms of the base color), but with a finer shimmer and with less of a golden glow than Pink Sugar! I wonder if these will ever make it North of the border, or if I’ll have to requisition it from my cousin who lives in Chicago.
PS – Karen, what are you wearing on your lips here? Subtle but pretty.
Ooh, I remember you mentioning your recent obsession with Mocha. I need to take mine out and give it some love.
As for the lips here I’m wearing MAC Sandy B topped with MAC Nymphette! I think you could easily rock this duo out.
Oooh must get sandy b – you’re creating so many lemmings for me! Spring is coming and mama needs her some soft pinks and peachy pinks!
Yeah, you must! I wore it today, as a matter o’ fact. 🙂
Do you have MAC Subculture Lip Pencil? It looks really pretty with that too.
That color looks awesome on you. Shiny and subtle. I totally wanna try it.
Thanks, Trisha. I hope you give it a go!
No wonder you’re loving it, it looks amazing on you! Your hair looks awesome as well (I know it’s probably just a quick thrown-back thing, but it still looks great)
Hi Cassy,
Thanks, hon! Yeah, my hair has been surprisingly cooperative lately. I’m sure it’ll go back to being cranky in a few days, haha.
I can’t remember, are you a blush kinda gal?
oh that is so gorgeous on you! makes me want it but zomg @ 30bucks!
Hi Nina,
How are you feeling? Did you enjoy your day at home? I hope so.
i did — we actually went out furniture hunting … 🙂 thats always fun!
It looks a lot like Urban Decay’s powder blush in Quickie. Do you have any of those Karen?
Hi Sylvia,
Yeah, I’ve tried a couple UD blushes before. I think the big difference with the Sunday Riley product is the texture. It feels a lot more smoother and softer. The finish is a little more quiet, too. Quickie’s still a good color, though, especially in the summer! I reach for it from time to time.
Do you have any other UD blushes besides that shade?
Seeing as how you love these glowy blushes I feel the need to tell you about LORAC Desire. In the package it looks a bit scary but it’s so beautiful. If you haven’t tried it before you need to!
PS it will look great on Tabs too
Dana
Hi DanaJae,
LOL, I’ll let Tabs know that you found a color for him! I’m sure he’ll be thrilled with the rec. 🙂
I might have to stop by Sephora tonight to check it out…I feel the need to stress shop, and blush usually makes things better.
BTW, what other glowy blushes do you heart?
Honestly for the most part I like my face to be matte. I do lub me some MAC mineralize blush in Dainty. I have just started trying to highlight my cheekbones but I’m not having much luck. I have tried MAC MSF in Candlelight and also Soft and Gentle but I’m not getting the pop I’m looking for. I think because of my pale NW20 it just blends in. Any Recs??
Ooo this has awoken the blush-collecting monster in me! I love the glow it gives you!
Hi Sunny,
I kind of love the image of a blush monster in hibernation, just waiting for the right moment to strike! 😀
How many blushes do you have in your collection right now? I actually had to quit counting… EEK!
It looks so pretty and glowy on you! I’d love to try it but the price… ouch!
Hi Gio,
I know! I do think you get a great product for the price.
I have to agree with the recent comments – you have been looking especially gorgeous in your recent pics! Is this the same blush you wore in the Dior lippie and Sunday Riley eye shadow posts by any chance?
Thank you, Summer. 🙂
Yes, it’s the same color. I’ve been a little obsessed with it for the last week. It’s the only thing I’ve been wanting to wear.
What blushes are you loving these days?
Well it looks divine, so I can understand wanting to wear it all the time! My old stand-byes are Nars Outlaw and Torrid, but I’ve worn them for years and have been wanting to try something new for awhile now. I also love a glowing cheek (and have a similar skin tone to you) so I am going to go pick this one up tonight. I called Bergdorfs and have them holding it for me in fact 🙂 I am so excited! I might pick up one of eye shadows as well. I really liked the swatches you showed the other day. Thanks Karen!
I actually prefer this slightly pinkier color than the more peachier one of NARS Orgasm! – Gasp! –
Hi Kelsey,
Both shades are great, but this pink one is so fresh for spring. 🙂
Do you have any go-to glowy blush colors?
This makes you look really glowy and fresh. 🙂
Thank you, Chris! 🙂
Heard you guys had some really great weather today! Hope you got the chance to enjoy it.
I love this blush color, and it looks great on you too. I think this color would flattering on any one, any skin tone. I hope we can get this in Europe!
Hey Karen,
I am loving this look! Lately you have been looking extra amazing! You are always gorgeous but recently you have really been looking amazeballs, what is the secret? Glowly skin, more sleep, more exercise?? I need to know lol!! And do share your current dark circle secret because I battle with that as well! I have been to every makeup counter and the makeup artists use “their secret” formula but nothing seems to help 🙁
u look adorable in this
wow I can’t believe you brought it back to lisa frank…i LOVED lisa frank, i use to drool over the catalogues that came to my house