Summer stopped by this week, and my apartment’s been hotter than Joseph Gordon-Levitt.
It was so hot last night that I couldn’t even bear to cook a real meal for dinner, so I cooked with some Benefit makeup instead 🙂
Say hello to Benefit That Gal Brightening Face Primer ($28).
It’s a shimmery, light pink liquid face primer used to prep skin for foundation and to add a subtle glow.
But apparently that’s not all it does. A friend of mine at Benefit suggested using That Gal to turn powder blushes into creams.
Between bites of microwaved Lean Cuisine shrimp linguine, I gave it a try, mixing That Gal with Coralista and Dallas, two of my favorite Benefit boxed powder blushes.
It works!
That Gal + powder blush = pretty cream blush
First, I dabbed a dollop of That Gal on the back of my hand.
Next, I took Benefit Coralista and ran the brush that comes with it across the top of the pan to loosen some powder.
Then, I loaded the brush with as much of the loosened powder as possible and deposited it beside That Gal on my hand.
And mixed the two together with a finger…
That’s it. 🙂 A new creation! A pink and coral cream blush with shimmer. Pretty, yah?
After trying the technique with Coralista, I gave it a try with Dallas blush. The resulting peachy brown cream blush has a hint of pink shimmer. 🙂
One thing to keep in mind, though — the concoction dries quickly, so ya best bust a move to get it on your cheeks with a quickness.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
ines, felix and kitten (the office kitties) says
August 13th, 2009 at 1:07 pmi have sensitive combo skin, which is very tight in the cheeks if i don’t moisturize properly… this should help the blush sink in – i love georgia and dandelion powders on my NC15/BE fair/BB warm ivory-sand skin!
.-= ines, felix and kitten (the office kitties)’s last blog post… Introducing the Ballroom Beauty Mascot – Cha Cha the Kitty =-.
Karen says
August 13th, 2009 at 1:56 pmHi Ines,
You can also mix ’em with your moisturizers, too. 🙂
How’s my Cha Cha? It’s sooo hot here today — the weather turns Tabs into PSYCHO TABZ. He’s bitten me three times today, boo.
Diana Kim says
August 13th, 2009 at 1:08 pmwhat a great idea! 🙂
Karen says
August 13th, 2009 at 1:56 pmHi Diana Kim,
Yeah, I wish I thought of it a long time ago! Are you a big Benefit fan?
Karen B says
August 13th, 2009 at 1:19 pmLooks great. I’ve been playing with makeup again tonight for the first time in AGES. Trying to do a Mrs Lovett look. But I need to buy some proper foundation because I still have a slight flush… lol. And the eyes need some finetuning. I guess I’m still too lighthanded with the darker colours, or not pale enough…
Karen says
August 13th, 2009 at 1:58 pmHi Karen B.,
Do you have a digital camera? One thing I’ve found that really helps is taking pictures of of myself when I’m finished w/the look. It really allows me to see where I can tweak or improve it.
tali says
August 13th, 2009 at 1:38 pmI have got to try this!!!!
.-= tali’s last blog post… MAC Baby Bloom & Love That Look haul =-.
Karen says
August 13th, 2009 at 1:58 pmHi Tali,
Yah! Makeup cooking is fun. 🙂
gio says
August 13th, 2009 at 1:40 pmThat is a great idea! The blushes look great!
.-= gio’s last blog post… QOTW: Do you wear makeup when you go to the beach? =-.
Karen says
August 13th, 2009 at 1:59 pmHi Gio,
Thanks! I hope you try it — it’s an easy and fun way to change up your regular old blushes.
Kajal Couture says
August 13th, 2009 at 2:37 pmHow creative! I am gonna have to try this out too!
.-= Kajal Couture’s last blog post… Urban Decay Friends and Family 30% Off!!! =-.
L says
August 13th, 2009 at 3:45 pmThat’s such a good idea…I love using cream blushes for the winter when my skin’s a bit drier.
.-= L’s last blog post… stylefinds: Have you seen Forever 21’s new blog? Get the Skinny on Forever 21. – http://blog.forever21.com =-.
Luinae says
August 13th, 2009 at 4:04 pmI used my GOSH primer, which I adore and some Annabelle blush- it worked with those products too! Awesome, awesome idea. Thank you
.-= Luinae’s last blog post… Wake Up, It’s Wednesday: August 12, 2009 =-.
Tiffany says
August 13th, 2009 at 4:43 pmwhat a cute idea! and I actually have that gal and coralista! I will have to try this out on day!
Stef says
August 13th, 2009 at 5:42 pmWhat a clever idea. you Beauty Scientist you! Now I have even one more reason I need to pick up That Gal.
.-= Stef’s last blog post… Sex and the Single Girl, 1962 =-.
Sherry says
August 13th, 2009 at 5:49 pmwow.. this is new for me. I Like it 🙂
.-= Sherry’s last blog post… Fashionable glasses for your children =-.
Stephie says
August 13th, 2009 at 6:05 pmWah!! This is genius. Thanks so much for sharing this tip. I don’t have Benefit That Gal but I am pretty sure it’s worth to experiment with whatever primer I have lying around. Yay for makeup experiments 😛
.-= Stephie’s last blog post… OOTD =-.
Marce says
August 13th, 2009 at 6:18 pmGreat idea! Makeup is so fun, hey? 😀
.-= Marce’s last blog post… Korres Mango Butter Lipstick SPF10 – Review =-.
Louise Gray says
August 13th, 2009 at 6:37 pmClever idea. However, I think that if I would like a cream blush, I will try Stila convertibles to be used on cheeks or as lipsticks. The colors and consistency are beautiful. Perhaps I might seek out Mr. NARS, too. I do love his Cactus Flower cream blush. Now that is a true coral that most people can wear. Louise
Rachel says
August 13th, 2009 at 7:34 pmVery cool 🙂 JGL be lookin’ fine in those pix too.
ines + cha cha says
August 13th, 2009 at 8:22 pmcha cha is growing crazy fast!
he’s been pretty good recently about the biting, even though he does still take a nibble on my toes. he’s still wired and crazy.
.-= ines + cha cha’s last blog post… Introducing the Ballroom Beauty Mascot – Cha Cha the Kitty =-.
Marisol says
August 13th, 2009 at 8:31 pmNeat! Coralista has been my go to blush this summer.
I see someone sporting some Indigo Paris… whoo hoo!
.-= Marisol’s last blog post… Happy Anniversary! =-.
lexi says
August 13th, 2009 at 9:37 pminteresting I have this primer – i stopped wearing it cuz it made me breakout maybe i should try this instead…very cool DIY project =)
Karen B says
August 14th, 2009 at 1:01 amI did, and it looked horrid. Lol. Well not horrid but I need a proper foundation because my cheeks were still flushed and I wasn’t pale enough. And the eyes need darkening too.
It’s weird that some looks come across realy well on photo like old hollywood liner and then other looks don’t.
Karen says
August 14th, 2009 at 7:47 amHi Karen B.,
A lot of it is camera stuff, too. Sometimes the flash can blow out colors… another thing I like to do is check in natural light. Are you applying your makeup in the bathroom? The lighting in there is totally different than natural light. If you apply makeup in the loo it can look totally different when you go outside.
Merylynmagic says
August 14th, 2009 at 11:33 amHey Karen!
Nice idea… I bet you could do the same thing with MAC’s Strobe liquid or cream as well!! I’m totally in love with Strobe liquid mixed in with a little MAC Studio Sculpt foundation makes a great glowy tinted moisturizer!!!
Karen B says
August 15th, 2009 at 1:03 amYeah, I checked both with and without flash. Couldn’t check in natural light as it was already pretty late. I’ll try it again during the day.
Steph says
August 9th, 2011 at 6:45 amHi
thanks for the idea
i was wondering what else i can mix to make cream blushes
i have tried my primer from australis and it didnt mix nicely – very watery
but my primer is quite old
could that affect it
thanks for the help
Serena says
June 20th, 2014 at 2:30 pmWhat a lovely idea, I need to try it 🙂
I have ‘that gal’ and ‘dallas’ in my makeup bag so I will give this a shot!
I love your blog by the way (:
Take care x