L’Occitane’s Pivoine Flora Color Cream in Abricot on cheeks
I couldn’t demi plié my way out of a paper bag, but one thing I can do is hoard cream blushes like these Pivoine Flora Color Creams from L’Occitane ($16 each).
Even after six months of ballet lessons back when I was in my 20s, I never looked half as graceful as the dancers on this packaging. These delicate dames look like they land leaps that make less sound than a sigh. I, on the other hand, usually land my leaps off balance, and frequently with a loud thud.
I turn to cream blushes a lot when I’m in a hurry to get out the door. They’re just so blasted easy to apply, even with fingers (apply to cheeks, blend and go).
Each of the limited edition L’Occitane Pivoine Flora Color Cream duos comes with a blendable matte blush AND a shimmery highlighter, so you get your cheek color and glow going from a single, pretty package.
I’ve been playing with two of the three duos, Abricot (a sheer coral-ish peach blush with a pale peach sheen highlighter) and Rose (a reddish pink blush with a glittery pink highlighter). Both of the blushes feel smooth and dry with a texture that reminds me of Smashbox’s Photofinish Primer. I’m not crazy about it, but it’s easy to blend and seems to layer well without looking too heavy on my skin.
Abricot
Rose
Both blushes are passably pigmented and stand out more to me for their oddly pleasing gummy bear scent (the berry ones, yum!). As far as wear time, they last about three hours on me — passable, but not particularly epic compared to something like an Illamasqua Cream Blush, which manages to hang on all day long, even in high heat.
Abricot (two swatches on the far left) and Rose (two swatches on the far right)
Rose on cheeks
The highlighters, unfortunately, are all but lost on my NC 40 tan. They should really come into their own on lovelies with lighter skin.
While I love how these look in their pretty outfits, not being able to put the highlighters to good use kind of sets them back. Pale princesses, these might be perfect for you. Plus, they’re only $16. 🙂
PRICE: $16 each
AVAILABILITY: Available now at L’Occitane stores, counters and also online
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: B-
Best seat in the house
El Hub and I made a pact to fix up our deck this year, and we finally made some progress this week, adding an umbrella and a wicker Swingasan chair beside my favorite old cafe table.
I love to read in the chair, but when I’m sitting in it, my short legs barely touch the ground! 🙂
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Oh, Rose! Three-hour wear time or not, the packaging and swatches of these absolutely have my heart. *fluttery hands*
Both colors would look great on you!
The gummi bear scent sounds hilariously incongruous.
Well, you know Abricot appeals to me, but I really need it to last longer. The deck looks great!
How disappointing that they don’t last very long! They look so gorgeous.
If they don’t do well on your skin, imagine them on my NC50? NAW.
They are both very pretty but what a shame they don’t last long.
HELLOOOOO, ROSE! <3
both the shades are looking nice..but i am going to pass this
I agree with everyone else that the short wear time is the biggest problem. I have a Clinique cream blush (GWP, of course!) that I think is OK but it also seems to fade fast. I used it a bit in the winter when my skin had a tendency to be dry but I don’t think it was a standout.
Congrats on the deck – it looks great! 🙂
Not a huge cream blush fan….I tend to skip blush when I am in a hurry. The deck looks great. Are you going to add some potted plants? Tabs would probably love it if you planted some mint, catnip and catgrass! 🙂 My current obsessions are lavender and thai basil, I have them potted all around the house.
I love the stuffie all chillin’ in that swingasan chair. 🙂
Rose looks so pretty on you! But I’ll be skipping. 3 hour wear? Not for me!
i do not say this lightly, but karen you look FANTASTIC in these photos. the makeup, clothes, jewelry, hair, everything! keep on keepin’ on girl!
It looks so lovely! I’ll try Rose, it will be my furst cream blush!
And great bog Karen, it’s a pleasure to reed.
i loveeeee the umbrella, such a bright pop of color!
These are really beautiful!
Looove the look of your deck!!
I got a lipstick from last year’s collection, and it is the BEST lipstick I’ve ever found. Texture, fragrance, sheerness, colour, everything! I really wish I’d bought two at the time.
what is on your lips in the first pic? so pretty!
That swingasan chair look SO COMFY and inviting!
I’m a bit ‘meh’ about the L’Occitane blushes- if they had better staying power and pigmentation then I would take a second look.
omg your little outdoor cubby hole is adorable!! ive always wanted one of those wicker hanging chairs! that table has a pretty pattern on it and ive also always liked the look of wrought iron chairs, especially the swirly scrolls like yours has, but they never seemed too comfortable =/
I really like how Rose looks like! <3