Stick Blushes With a Dewy Twist: The Tom Ford Illuminating Cheek Colors in Blush Guilt and Bronzed Amber

I like makeup.

This probably comes as no surprise if you’ve been here before…but I’m particularly fond of blushes and highlighters that come in stick form.

Especially ones that leave my face looking all sweet and angelic, like I should be floating high above the earth on a bed of billowy clouds, sunlight dappling my skin, while a heavenly chorus sings, “Ahhhhhh!” The more people wondering if I had wings tucked beneath my blazer, the better. 🙂

Tom Ford’s two new summer 2013 Illuminating Cheek Colors ($58 each, OMG!) are the latest examples of this particular makeup weakness/obsession of mine.

Dewy, is that you?

Pinky peach Blush Guilt and Bronzed Amber represent TF’s take on cream stick blushes with an interesting twist. They give a sheer, glistening, almost wet look to cheeks.

It’s as if the team in charge of the finish part of this equation went on a week-long spa trip to Canyon Ranch and never quite recovered, because when I wear either of these colors, I feel like I look like I haven’t got a care in the world…like my only concerns are whether I should have a hibiscus or a peppermint tea between my facial and my 120-minute shiatsu massage.

Seriously, my cheeks just glow. 🙂

The texture’s the balm!

But the fun doesn’t stop there. Both blushes feel like a rich, hydrating face balm…that’s also slightly sticky, which might be a turnoff for some makeup lovers, but I dig it. I think it’s kind of different and neat.

Looks fab on bare skin or tinted moisturizer

From what I’ve been able to tell with my combination dry/oily cheeks, these seem to work best on bare skin or on top of tinted moisturizer, and I’ve worn them a bunch of different ways — layered on top of full-coverage foundations with various formulas and finishes, and with lots of different powders — but I didn’t think they ever looked quite right unless I was wearing them on bare skin or with a tidbit of tinted moisturizer.

I’m not sure why. Maybe the wet-ish finish makes my skin look unnaturally smooth to my eye, or like I’m wearing too much product. I dunno…

For me, either worn without any other face makeup, or with skin prepped with primer or a bit of tinted moisturizer or liquid foundation, is the way to go.

I guess it makes sense considering the other pieces in Tom Ford’s summer collection and the relaxed vibe, sunlit shades and bronzed, summer skin. These blushes would probably appeal most to girls/guys who don’t like to wear a lot of face makeup in summer.

That said, this might be a sticking point if you want/need your stick blushes to work with a wide range of looks.

Have stick, will travel

Now, when I plan to be out and about for a while, I’ll bring a stick along with me, just so I can touch up every 4-5 hours and maintain that dewy glow.

Best for…

Luxury makeup lovers who wear little to no foundation and like portable stick blushes and the look of dewy, barely-there color on their cheeks.

PRICE: $58
AVAILABILITY: Available now at Tom Ford counters (currently appears to be MIA online)
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: B (pretty and pretty costly, and I wish I could wear these on top of foundation)

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S.