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.
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.
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.”
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.
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.
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
Agata says
July 3rd, 2014 at 4:08 pmKaren, this blush is absolutely stunning. I have never tried a Chanel blush. Maybe I will put this one on my Christmas wishlist 🙂
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Carolyn @ The Makeup Writeup says
July 3rd, 2014 at 4:45 pmMalice 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!
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Julie says
July 3rd, 2014 at 5:12 pmI 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!
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Chelsea says
July 3rd, 2014 at 5:56 pmLooks natural and glowy!
Priya says
July 3rd, 2014 at 6:00 pmWearing 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!
Poo@beautyandmakeupmatters says
July 3rd, 2014 at 7:07 pmMalic is such a prettyy pink blush.. CHANEL is freaking expnesive $45 for just a blush.. 🙁 🙁
hehhe… that tee doesnt work for you… 😛
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ana says
July 3rd, 2014 at 7:13 pmKaren, 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!
Sylvia says
July 3rd, 2014 at 7:26 pmI 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!
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Rachel says
July 3rd, 2014 at 8:45 pmLove 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!
Natalye says
July 3rd, 2014 at 9:45 pmsuch a beautiful shade!
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Bella says
July 4th, 2014 at 12:36 amI 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.)
Sylirael says
July 4th, 2014 at 4:10 amI’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 :-)).
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Michele DiCola says
June 20th, 2019 at 11:46 amI 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 ,
Sami says
July 4th, 2014 at 7:06 amI looooooved candy glow!!!! 🙁
gio says
July 4th, 2014 at 8:22 amIt looks so pretty and glowing on you!
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Grlnxdor says
July 4th, 2014 at 12:54 pmI’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!
fancie says
July 4th, 2014 at 12:58 pmI love how this looks on you! Very pretty color!
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Kim says
July 7th, 2014 at 6:05 amI 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. 🙂