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Unsung Makeup Heroes: Chanel Joues Contraste Blush in Malice

July 3rd, 2014 by Karen 18 Comments

Chanel Malice Blush
Cheeks, courtesy of Chanel Malice Blush

For the life of me, I can’t figure out why this blush is called Malice because it doesn’t have a malicious bone in its sweet, blushy body. There’s nothing malicious, cagey or wicked about it at all…unless you count how wicked cute you look with yo’ fresh cheeks when you wear it.

Chanel Joues Contraste Powder Blush in Malice
Chanel Joues Contraste Powder Blush in Malice, $45

Peachy pink Chanel Joues Contraste Blush in Malice ($45) has been not-so-maliciously sweetening my makeup bag for about two weeks, and in that time I’ve literally not wanted to wear anything else. I think it just might be the most flattering blush in Chanel’s entire permanent line, and it’s all about versatility.

Vehemently versatile

Malice is like NARS Orgasm…only not. Like, if glittery golden NARS Orgasm was a wild child sent to finishing school for a year, she’d come back wearing pearls instead of a leather jacket and be calling herself Malice.

Malice and Orgasm have a similar peachy pink vibe, but Malice’s shimmer, which is more like a barely-there, soft-focus sheen, is much less outrageous and flamboyant.

And it’s that finish that makes Malice one of the greats for me.

I thought it was a matte the first time I swatched it, but then I saw the light reflecting on my skin, almost like the dreamy haze of candlelight, and I realized its greatness.

Effortless and flattering, it just always seems to look natural and good — never like clown cheeks — whether I wear it sheer, or layered to increase its intensity.

Chanel Joues Contrasts Powder Blush in Malice

It should really sing on a wide range skin tones, and because its sheen is so forgiving (unlike many glittery and/or shiny blushes), that includes the skin of more mature makeup lovers.

On top of everything, it’s just as easy to dress up as it is to dress down. I wore it to run some errands yesterday with the LORAC Pro Palette 2…

OK, I went to Anthropologie to look around, LOL! (Not my fault. There was a sale!)

So anyway, I wore it to run “errands,” also known as “go to the mall.”

Anthropologie white and yellow striped top
Um…does this top make me look crazy?

I wore it because, well, I think it looks lovely in natural-looking, dressed-down makeup looks and makes me look alive, but also because it carries dramatic eye looks well. It doesn’t compete with whatever else you might have going on your lids and lashes.

The long-running Unsung Heroes series features some of my favorite permanent collection products from a variety of bodacious beauty brands.

Last week I wore it with a thick black liner and a bright coral lipstick, and I think it balanced with what I had on my eyes and lips perfectly.

Chanel Malice Swatch

Whether as an everyday blush, a going-out blush — what have you — it’s really one of those blushes that goes with everything.

And because it strikes such a brilliant balance between peach and pink, it partners well with peach lips, pink, coral and even orange lips, which are super trendy right now.

But, Coco, it’s crazy expensive!

Yes it is. Craaaaaaazy expensive, as are the rest of the Chanel Joues Contraste Blushes at $45 each, but there’s quality there, and these are some of the easiest blushes I’ve ever used.

Chanel Malice Blush
Here I’m also wearing the LORAC Pro Palette 2, MAC Technakohl Liner in Uniform and Clinique Lash Power Feathering Mascara on my eyes, and a long-discontinued Chanel Aqualumiere Gloss called Candy Glow (MAC Nymphette is kinda similar) on my lips

There are certainly less expensive blushes out there, but if you’re definitely going the high-end blush route, a la Dior, Givenchy, Guerlain or YSL, I suggest taking a detour toward Malice or one of the other Joues Contraste Blushes.

They’re just so smooth! I hardly have to do any blending to get the edges nice and diffused. Plus, they’re so easy to build up in layers and last all day long without touchups.

They’re really some of the best performing products in the Chanel line, and Malice, I think, is the best one.

If a friend asked me to recommend just one of the Joues Contraste Blushes, I’d say Malice without a second thought.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Unsung Makeup Heroes: Chanel Joues Contraste Blush in Malice / Originally published July 3rd, 2014

There are 18 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Chanel, Unsung Heroes

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Comments

  1. Agata says

    July 3rd, 2014 at 4:08 pm

    Karen, this blush is absolutely stunning. I have never tried a Chanel blush. Maybe I will put this one on my Christmas wishlist 🙂
    Agata recently posted … How to summer proof your makeup.

    Reply
  2. Carolyn @ The Makeup Writeup says

    July 3rd, 2014 at 4:45 pm

    Malice is so stunning on you! I love the glowy sheen it has. Also, Anthro is one of my favorite stores, so have to say that I love that shot of you in the fitting room, haha!
    Carolyn @ The Makeup Writeup recently posted … YSL Kiss and Blush Review (#1 Fuschia Desinvolte, #4 Orange Fougueux, #8 Pink Hedoniste, #12 Mocha Garconne)

    Reply
  3. Julie says

    July 3rd, 2014 at 5:12 pm

    I find the Chanel Joues Contrastes to be a bit hit-or-miss but Malice has been my absolute favorite for years! I was just raving about it to someone yesterday! It really is so easy to wear and incredibly versatile!
    Julie recently posted … États Poétiques: Chanel Fall 2014

    Reply
  4. Chelsea says

    July 3rd, 2014 at 5:56 pm

    Looks natural and glowy!

    Reply
  5. Priya says

    July 3rd, 2014 at 6:00 pm

    Wearing Frivole today! Had to laugh at “running errands!” I say this every time I just need to get out of the house and go shopping!

    Reply
  6. Poo@beautyandmakeupmatters says

    July 3rd, 2014 at 7:07 pm

    Malic is such a prettyy pink blush.. CHANEL is freaking expnesive $45 for just a blush.. 🙁 🙁

    hehhe… that tee doesnt work for you… 😛
    Poo@beautyandmakeupmatters recently posted … Makeup Crush Chronicles: Stila All Day Liquid Lipstick in Beso

    Reply
  7. ana says

    July 3rd, 2014 at 7:13 pm

    Karen, no more chanel blushes, unless you’re gonna be sending me a sample ; )
    This one is beautiful! But with so many in my stash, I can’t justify another purchase. I also picked up 2 items on sale from anthro…a gorgeous semi-sheer ruched polka dot blouse & slim summery cropped jeans. Have a nice 4th!

    Reply
  8. Sylvia says

    July 3rd, 2014 at 7:26 pm

    I love your Unsung Heroes series, but man is it bad for my wallet. This blush looks like a great one to pair with bright lipsticks for the summer, I’ll have to look into it!
    Sylvia recently posted … My June Favourites

    Reply
  9. Rachel says

    July 3rd, 2014 at 8:45 pm

    Love that blush, and I could use a more toned down version of Orgasm. Also, I love Anthro and also noticed they were having a sale! Online its an extra 20% off sale stuff, I found a pair of Citizens of Humanity black skinny jeans I might get…argh, why does 4th of July weekend have such great sales?! And I just got a flyer in the mail from Nordstrom with some really cute clothes that will be on sale and these MAC face in a box sets that seem like a really good deal. Hopefully you will review them!

    Reply
  10. Natalye says

    July 3rd, 2014 at 9:45 pm

    such a beautiful shade!
    Natalye recently posted … Purr-fect for Fall! – Too Faced: Cat Eyes Palette Review and Swatches

    Reply
  11. Bella says

    July 4th, 2014 at 12:36 am

    I wish we got the lovely silky Chanel blus formula here in Europe. We get the horrible dry baked shizzle that can hardly bear to part with its pigment. And until then I abstain from Jouer Contrastes. (The three I have don’t show up except with 8 coats of blush and in the middle of winter.)

    Reply
  12. Sylirael says

    July 4th, 2014 at 4:10 am

    I’ve never tried Chanel’s powder blushes, but this one looks SO PRETTY ON YOU OMG. I actually started my blush collection (which numbers a whopping 3 blushes total) with the Chanel cream blush in Affinite, and I think it’s just the best thing EVAR. Chanel blushes are worth the money, I think (well, depending on how many you want to own, perhaps, but I’m happy with 1 for now :-)).
    Sylirael recently posted … Loot Alert! Revlon Legacy Collection Lipsticks FINALLY in NZ – Photos and Swatches Inside…

    Reply
    • Michele DiCola says

      June 20th, 2019 at 11:46 am

      I have Malice and I love it . More than my NARS Orgasm !.
      Think I’ll rock that today .
      I love that Tee and pants combo on you ,

      Reply
  13. Sami says

    July 4th, 2014 at 7:06 am

    I looooooved candy glow!!!! 🙁

    Reply
  14. gio says

    July 4th, 2014 at 8:22 am

    It looks so pretty and glowing on you!
    gio recently posted … Interview With Tine Of Beautyholics Anonymous

    Reply
  15. Grlnxdor says

    July 4th, 2014 at 12:54 pm

    I’m glad that you are so enthusiastic about Malice, Karen! More people need to try it. I can’t think of any coloring that wouldn’t be flattered by Malice. It was “love at first swipe” for me!

    Reply
  16. fancie says

    July 4th, 2014 at 12:58 pm

    I love how this looks on you! Very pretty color!
    fancie recently posted … NARS Instant Line and Pore Perfector Review

    Reply
  17. Kim says

    July 7th, 2014 at 6:05 am

    I loved it in your first product pic and I’m sure it will be coming home with me the next time I hit a Chanel counter. 🙂

    Reply

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Welcome to Makeup and Beauty Blog
Hi there! I’m Karen, your friendly neighborhood beauty addict, and I’m a Bay Area girl who hoards brown eyeshadow and covets coral lipstick. Every morning, I wake up and say, “I’m going to do something other than a smoky eye today.” Then…I end up doing a smoky eye anyway (most days). When I’m not putting on makeup, taking pictures of makeup or writing about makeup, which I’ve been doing daily since 2007 (!), you’ll find me hanging out with my hubby (“El Hub”), my four-year-old daughter (Connor Claire) and my torbie girl cat (Pretty Girl Rosie, a.k.a. PGR).

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