Do you have to be simultaneously sipping tea out of a dainty teacup while wearing Topshop’s $12 Cream Blush in Afternoon Tea to fully appreciate the nuances of either product?
No, you do not.
It does, however, help. 🙂
And it also helps to appreciate a great deal.
(Incidentally, if you decide to brew a pot of Earl Grey, I’ll take mine with cream and two lumps of sugar, please.)
I almost can’t believe this pretty pink cream-to-powder blush is only $12. It’s a total unsung hero in my book. On my unpredictably combination oily, and sometimes dry, cheeks, I swear it looks exactly like the $38 Le Blush Creme blushes by Chanel, and it lasts just as long. I get from eight to nine hours if I do a minor touchup around hour six.
Afternoon Tea starts with a subtle sheen, which gracefully transitions to a sheer matte neutral pink. The finish is natural to the extreme, and that’s why I love it. It looks neither heavy-handed, nor overdone. It creates a sweet, soft flush compatible with a multitude of different makeup looks, from super casual mascara and gloss, to full-on party looks with glitter, falsies and the whole nine yards. Great for girls (and guys) of all ages and skin types, and hello! — you seriously cannot beat that $12 price.
The long-running Unsung Heroes series features some of my favorite permanent collection products from a variety of bodacious beauty brands.
To attend this Afternoon Tea, stop by your local Nordstrom or Topshop store (or check it out online).
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
P.S. Have a terrific Tuesday, you. 🙂
Agata says
What a beautiful shade! I don’t own any Topshop makeup products, I should change that soon!
And you have a fabulous Tuesday as well, ok?
Karen says
I’ll do my best. 🙂 WOW, btw, on your fall makeup look today! Those eyes, those lips, that hair! Go on with your bad self, girl!
Agata says
Oh Karen, thanks so much! I am so happy that, first of all you find the time to check out my blog! Secondly, thank you for all the compliments. I actually used my sample of Laura Mercier Smooth Finish, I guess it does look good in photos. And once again, thank you because I question myself so many times on the whole blogging thing and want to give up so many times…
Karen says
It looks fantastic in your pics! I love everything about that post, especially including the styling. Going outside was a great idea. 🙂
I wish I knew what to say about blogging, but I still question myself about it sometimes too, even after all these years. I still enjoy it, but one thing I struggle with is knowing when to draw the line. When to get up from the computer. I’ll get immersed in whatever I’m doing and look up to see that four hours have passed. It happens almost daily.
I think you just have to make yourself happy first. That pretty much applies to everything in life. You first, the blog second. Because if you’re happy, it will come across in whatever you’re doing. If blogging starts to feel too much like work or an obligation, you can start to resent it, and no one wants that.
Agata says
I love doing it and it doesn’t feel like obligation and I am actually happy it keeps me busy instead of worrying about other things. I just question my expertise a lot, lol.
Kelly B. says
The formula in your swatch looks AMAZING! I can’t believe this is only $12! I’ve definitely passed over Topshop for makeup before but now I think I’m going to have to make an order!
Karen says
Hi Kelly,
Some of it is just OK, but the stuff that I’ve found that I’ve loved is GREAT for the price. Definitely check out the cream blush and Lip Bullets!
Hope you’re having a nice Tuesday so far. What are your plans for the rest of the week?
LindaLibraLoca says
I need to get my hands on some Topshop make up, I suppose…
Karen says
Hi LindaLibraLoca,
They have some gems at a great price point. If you do end up checking them out put the Lip Bullets on your list, too. I have one of them (a wine shade) and it’s lovely. Wears well, high pigment and only $10!
Say hi to the little Bean for me! Oh, and are you still taking that exam in November? Are you ready?
LindaLibraLoca says
Too bad we don´t have Topshop in Germany, I would really love to have a good look. Buying make up online is quite challenging, you never know if the color transfers well in the pictures.
I am definitely taking that exam, even though I am not as well prepared as I would want to be. May have underestimated my other obligations a little…
Kiss & Make-up says
So purty! And so affordable, too!
Karen says
RIGHT? At that price I’d want to hoard all of them! But they only come in three shades, le sigh.
What’s going on today? I’ve got some writing to do this afternoon, then laundry (so not fun) and then — LOL! — I have to prep Tabs’ Halloween costume.
Kiss & Make-up says
Your ‘today’ is my tonight, so not much was going on, apart from a whole lotta sleeping and snoozing 🙂 What is Tabs going to go as for Halloween?
Stefi says
Wow, that color is stunning and it looks sooo good on you! I love those pinks on your skin, ahhh <3 <3
Love, Stefi
http://www.brighteyesandglossylips.com
Karen says
Hi Stefi!
You could wear this blush with your MAC Ladies Who Lunch Lipstick! 🙂
How was your weekend? Did you do anything fun?
Stefi says
Oh my god, you are sooooo right, it’s exactly the same color! :O
Nothing exciting, on saturday I did my first smokey eye on a client exactly the way I was wearing it and I was pretty terrified if it turned out nicely but she LOVED it and she said she’ll come more often for a makeup before an event and she wants me to do her makeup 🙂 suuuuch a good feeling, that feeling was absolutely beautiful! <3
How was your weekend? How fast did you collapsed into bed after the run? :))
Love, Stefi
Allison C says
Ooooh, so pretty! And I love the polka dot compact. I haven’t been into TopShop in a long time. Usually I find their makeup overpriced for what it is, but this is a super-cutie. Looks so pretty on you and I think I’d like it on my too coz I love cream blush. Thanks, Karen 🙂
Karen says
Hi Allison,
I think the line has some gems. I also really like their Lip Bullets — have you tried those?
MonicaP says
I’m really starting to like cream blushes .. they are so easy to apply with fingers, no brush to clean ( lazy gal here! ).
Monica.
Karen says
Hi Monica,
Cheers to that! I will use any excuse to skip washing my brushes, LOL!
denise S says
I love the look you did! Especially the eyes and cheeks. We have Topshop at my local Nordstroms, going to check out the cream blushes soon!
Karen says
Hi Denise,
Hopefully your Nordstrom will have the line there. My nearby Nordies doesn’t carry it (boo hoo). If you do get a chance to play also check out the Topshop Lip Bullets. They’re great too! I have a dark wine-colored shade that I wear all the time.
Have you done any beauty shopping lately?
Kim says
That’s some amazing wear time for $12 and the color looks great on you. I also like how your overall look says “summer” to me. It’s cold and rainy here so your cheerful look is a definite pick-me-up! 🙂
Karen says
Hi Kim,
Thank you! I’ve tried a couple of blushes from the line and they’ve been great. I think you need the orange one, Head Over Heels!
Tabs sends his regards and wishes you a very happy Tuesday.
Kim says
Well, Halloween is just around the corner, so orange is definitely in season! 🙂 I’m still in love with Malice, though. I know I should be better about trying new things!
And Happy Wednesday to you and Tabs! We’re almost halfway through the week!
Alison M says
A big resounding YEEE-AAAHHHH! goes out to the Topshop cream blush formula. I only have two from this fall’s Molten Metallic collection, but a big bravo to Topshop.
Karen says
Hi Alison,
Yes! How do you usually apply yours? Do you use a brush or fingers?
Happy Tuesday, by the way!
Alison M says
The metallics apply best with fingers. The consistency is a bit firm and I feel like it blends better with warmth.
Joyce says
This looks beautiful on you Karen! I tried some of the nail polish while at Nordys the other week and loved them as well. I have been pleasantly surprised by the quality of their products for the price tag.
Karen says
Hi Joyce,
Nice! I like their polishes too.
Did you end up grabbing anything at Nordstrom?
Majick says
i do not own anything from TOpshop. This blush looks really pretty on you. The color kind of reminds me of NARS Roman Holiday? Or is it just the way the swatch looks on my computer?
At any rate – $12 for a cream blush that looks so good is a fab deal.
Betsy says
Karen, after reading your blog today I went onto Nordstrom’s online and purchased Topshop’s “Afternoon Tea” blush. I also purchased their Lip Cream in “Daze” and their metallic nail polishes in “Moonshine” and “Powder”. All for less than $40 at checkout! Thank you, Karen!
Karen says
Hi Betsy,
What a lovely haul! I really hope you like the blush. Please send me pics of you wearing your new makeup when you get it. I would love to see it on you.
Joyce says
Of course. :/ The plan was to just get a lipliner, but I walked out with the nail polish, a mac lipliner, and smashbox be legendary lipstick and gloss. It’s so hard to just look!
Karen says
Hi Joyce,
I hear that. I usually walk in there for one thing, like MAC Wipes, and then next thing ya know… whoops!
Which MAC Lip Liner did you get? Oh, and note to self — buy a pan of MAC Uninterrupted.
Joyce says
I got Mac Hip n’ Happy 🙂
Marina(Makeup4all) says
Really love such shades of blush 🙂
Jennifer Long says
I love your entire look. Not sure if the Topshop in Singapore carries makeup but will go check 🙂 What eyeshadow or eye makeup are you using? I really love the teal/turquoise combo.