If acid-washed jeans can make a comeback (seriously?!), then it’s just a matter of time before bold, stripy ’80s-style blushes enjoy a renaissance.
And I can’t wait. 🙂
Oh, the number of falling stars my 8-year-old heart wished upon for cheeks like Joan Cusack’s in Working Girl…
Visions of those fabulously chiseled ’80s cheeks danced in my head when I opened Illamasqua’s new powerfully pigmented Powder Blusher Duo in Beg & Bronzerella today. “Ooh, yeah!” I thought, when I swatched matte dusty rose Beg and shimmery copper Bronzerella on the back of my hand. “I’m gonna Joan Cusack the CRAP outta these, woop-woop!”
But old habits die hard. After I swept stripes below my natural cheekbones using Beg and Illamasqua’s new $40 Blush Up Brush (review coming soon!), the urge to blend kicked in, and I ended up with my regular look — diffused blush on the apples of my cheeks — which I still like, but I couldn’t help feeling like I let Joan Cusack down…
Oh, well. I guess I just wasn’t ready for that jelly today.
Whether you like the look of strong, contoured cheeks or prefer softer, more natural looks, the new blushes in this duo are flexible enough to handle either extreme. Rich and indulgent like fine chocolate, these potent powder blushes are also as smooth as a tabby’s tum, and a little goes a long way.
I almost like to think of this duo as an eye-and-cheek palette, since both blushes, according to Illamasqua, also double as eye shadows.
I’m not sure about using rosy Beg as a shadow (it seems a little too red and zombie chic for me), but I absolutely LOVE Bronzerella on my lids with MAC Teddy Eye Kohl smudged along my lash lines, which is how I’m wearing the duo in these pics (I really like the look on bronzed, tanned skin, especially).
On my cheeks or lids, both shades last all day long before just barely fading.
This duo probably isn’t the easiest beginner’s blush, since Illamasqua packed it with pigment, but if you’re comfortable with blending, love intensely flushed cheeks, and find warm copper, bronze and rose shades flattering, take a closer look next time you visit an Illamasqua counter.
But I warn you — one swipe and you’ll be hooked! 🙂
PRICE: $41
AVAILABILITY: Available now at Illamasqua counters and illamasqua.com
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: B+/A-
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
This is such a beautiful and interesting cheek duo. The bronze is really something–it looks gorgeous on your eyes. Did you not like how it looked on cheeks, Karen? I’d be curious to see because, while it’s pretty, it’s so dark but has that added shimmer so it’s not ideal for contouring…it’s also SO pigmented! I’m a little scared but a lot curious about this one! 😛
Hi Becca,
I’ve worn the shimmer on my cheeks and loved it. I think the trick is to use a light hand. I’ll try to include it in a look soon!
I hope Sephora gets the blush duos soon – or ever! I don’t suppose you have any information on that?
Hi Emi,
Let me check on that. I’ll get back to you.
You look just stunning here. I mean wow! Such an easy look with simple, natural colour but they compliment your skintone perfectly! And I LOVE your earrings with the faux bob. This is the kind of look I wish I could pull off, haha!
Bronzerella is safe to use as eyeshadow? Consider myself sold 😀 It’s such a pretty color.
Beg is so pretty! I’m not too sure about Bronzerella.
Sarah
That’s very pretty on you, I love Bronzella on your eyes and I love your “short” hair!
Karen,I Loved Both…. I am lemming after them now….
And Beg is goooorrrrgggeeeooouuuss!
I need this for my lids.
Lol
“Coffee, tea, or me?”
No you din’t just bust out a working girl Joan Cusack pic!!! I LOVE that movie!!! I love when she gives Tess the Valium and tells her it’s going to chill her ever so slightly. All of Joan’s looks in that movie were just a small twist off of gangbanger and her hair was Care Bear fab! I know you’re from Cali so you know what I’m talking about Karen….
This looks amazing…I might end up having to get this!
This would be so lovely on deeper skin tones!
what sweater/blouse are you wearing? it’s GORGEOUS! along with your makeup application/look!
Omg, I love her makeup in Working Girl! That eyeshadow was fierce before fierce was a thing. 🙂