Illamasqua Powder Blusher gets two thumbs up
“Sir, let my report show that Illamasqua’s Powder Blushers ($23) join their lipsticks and cream blushes in the oh-my-gawd-this-is-hella-pigmented department.”
I’ve been getting to know Excite and Beg, two of the 15 shades currently available online at Sephora.com, and I think I might be hooked on both.
Vibrant and buttery
As if their rich colors weren’t awesome enough, these finely-milled blushes feel just like buttah, melting seamlessly into my skin.
The texture reminds of Shu Uemura’s Glow On Blushes, some of the best blushes I’ve ever tried.
All-day wear
Both shades (and I’m guessing the others, too) last for hours, with the colors staying true on my cheeks from dawn until the freaks come out at night.
Excite, $23
Excite applies as a REALLY bright matte orange. Beauties who love bolder blush looks just might love it paired with coral lipsticks and glosses. Makeup and Beauty Blog Rating: A
Illamasqua Powder Blusher in Excite
Swatch of Excite
Wearing Illamasqua Powder Blusher in Excite
Beg, $23
Beg, a matte rosy pink, creates a light, natural flush that I bet could look fab paired with pink, red or rose lippies. Makeup and Beauty Blog Rating: A
Illamasqua Powder Blusher in Beg
Swatch of Beg
Beg on my cheeks
Skip the blush brush
You’d think that bright blushes like these wouldn’t look natural at all, right?
I think they can with the help of the right brush. With intensely bright blushes, I try to stay away from regular blush brushes. For some reason they tend to deposit too much color for me, and I get better results with a fan brush (like Shu Uemura’s 7.5EX). They lay down sheer layers of color, giving me more control over how much blush ends up on my cheeks.
More to consider
Too bad these Illamasqua blushes are on the expensive side, but I think they deliver in terms of quality and color. Thankfully, the pans aren’t small. That certainly helps.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
P.S. What are you up to tonight? I think we might order a pizza (El Hub’s choice) and rent a movie, which is like Nirvana for boys.
Kate & Zena says
July 29th, 2009 at 6:31 pmI am going to take a shower in about half an hour and give my wrists a hot shower massage whilst in there. Now both my left AND right wrists hurt. I need a time-out from the computer I think. 🙂
How’s the weather by you? It’s been very sunny and nice these past few days. I hope it stays. Knock on wood.
Karen says
July 30th, 2009 at 7:13 amHi Kate & Zena,
Hope your wrists are feeling better. My right one is acting up.
The weather has been blah here lately. Very cold and overcast!
Stephie says
July 29th, 2009 at 6:51 pmI’m really digging the blush in beg. Illamasqua is really giving NARS a run for their money in the blush department. I’ve been contemplating over Illamasqua’s cb in Rude or NARS in Cactus Flower for my last purchase on my last summer paycheck :p b/c afterwards I’ll be too broke for either brand XP
Karen says
July 30th, 2009 at 7:12 amHi Stephie,
I’m voting for Rude. It’s a bad ass blush. 🙂
Paris B says
July 29th, 2009 at 7:04 pmWow Illamasqua is scaring me with all the strong pigment LOL… Still, I’m intrigued and I think Excite looks nice on you!
.-= Paris B’s last blog post… Clarins Hydraquench Intensive Serum Bi-Phase & Clarins Smoothing Gel =-.
Karen says
July 30th, 2009 at 7:12 amHi Paris B.,
🙂 You gotta try it!
Hafsa says
July 29th, 2009 at 7:59 pmHi Karen, thanks for the post! Great swatches btw.
I was wondering, if you had to only choose 1, would you pick excite or rude? Are they similar to color or no?
You’re right, they are expensive, so i’m looking into getting one product to start with, preferably a nice coral-y color for the summer. I also tend to prefer cream blushes. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
🙂
.-= Hafsa’s last blog post… Sparkle =-.
Karen says
July 30th, 2009 at 7:11 amHi Hafsa,
I’d pick Rude. It’s a fantastic color and something one could easily hit the pan with!
shontay says
July 29th, 2009 at 8:10 pmI cannot wait to take a look at these friday when I go to NYC for the opening of the new sephora in times square.
I’m doing what I always do this time of night: watch Family Guy and The Golden Girls. LOL
Karen says
July 30th, 2009 at 7:11 amHi Shontay,
I’m so jealous! I wish I could be there.
El Hub loves watching Family Guy. That show has the wackiest sense of humor.
Marisol says
July 29th, 2009 at 8:11 pmAwesome blushes! I will have to check them out in person once they arrive at Sephora.
Tonight I am just chillin’ catching up on blogs & drinking wine. In a bit, I am going to continue to read my book. Hope it doesn’t keep me up late again.
.-= Marisol’s last blog post… Daily Affirmation =-.
Karen says
July 30th, 2009 at 7:09 amHi Marisol,
Sounds like a fun evening. 🙂
What book are you reading?
Ruth says
July 29th, 2009 at 9:21 pmKaren, both those blushes look fierce on you girl !
Karen says
July 30th, 2009 at 7:08 amHi Ruth,
🙂 Thanks, hon! Do you think you might try these colors?
gio says
July 30th, 2009 at 4:32 amThanks for the swatches. They both look great on you!
.-= gio’s last blog post… Looks: Brown and Gold =-.
Karen says
July 30th, 2009 at 7:08 amHi Gio,
Thank you!
jojoba says
July 30th, 2009 at 6:55 amthe first blush looks scary in pan yet so nice on your tanned skin. the second one looks like something i can use.
hey, you are always sooooo happy! 🙂
.-= jojoba’s last blog post… Review/Swatch/FOTD: 13 Lumiere Skin & Beauty Bar Eye Pigments & Minieral Blush – Delicate Pink =-.
Karen says
July 30th, 2009 at 7:08 amHi Jojoba,
🙂 I’d like to rockin’ the Illamasqua!
Marisol says
July 30th, 2009 at 7:16 amI am reading The Girl Who Played with Fire by Stief Larson. It’s the second book in the 3 part series called Millenium. The first book is The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo. It’s a thriller & a fantastic book.
.-= Marisol’s last blog post… Daily Affirmation =-.
Kajal Couture says
July 30th, 2009 at 8:17 amI was trying to hold off from experimenting with this brand but all your reviews are giving me the itch to go down to Sephora RIGHT NOW!!! =)
.-= Kajal Couture’s last blog post… Friends & Family 30% off at Gap, Banana Republic & Old Navy =-.
lexi says
July 30th, 2009 at 8:35 amboth colors are very pretty – don’t know if i’d invest in both colors. i have a hard enough time to remember to put it on once i’m done doing my eyes.
Meream says
July 30th, 2009 at 10:56 amTrue, movie and pizza will make a man love you until kingdom come. 😀 Love your first photo. 😀
.-= Meream’s last blog post… 6 Hottest Celebrity Buzz =-.
Redhead says
July 30th, 2009 at 11:04 amNothin’ much tonight. I have an ortho appointment this afternoon (HOPEFULLY I’ll be able to get these gawd-awful braces off before picture day at school!) and a voice lesson in the evening. I’m sad to say I didn’t get the part of Dorothy or Glinda in the Wizard of Oz; I’m one of the crows that bugs Scarecrow before Dorothy finds him and an Emerald City Citizen. It’s because I don’t have enough experience, boo!
Solé says
July 30th, 2009 at 12:07 pmBoth of them look beautiful on you! But I did notice they look different on your skin then they do in the pan. Ack, I want them both. 🙁 Maybe I’ll use a little bit of my student loan money for a mini Sephora haul…what? :X
Oh, and…’til the freaks come out at night? I remember that song! Just like I remember that Knockin’ Boots song where you got the ‘Tweet Me Baby.’ Maybe it’s a Northern-Cali-in-the-90s thing but I get all your obscure pop culture references!
DoDe says
July 30th, 2009 at 12:32 pmKaren you are such a hoot. Love the first pick. I will be investing in a illamasqua blush. Thanks for the info
Kate & Zena says
July 30th, 2009 at 1:00 pmMy wrists are a little better; it’s just finding that happy medium with things like typing. I use ice therapy for 20-25 minutes every hour or so and keep them in (very expensive) wrist stabilizing splints that are designed for those with wrist problems (Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, Arthritis). They literally keep my wrists in neutral so make-up brushes are out of commission for now (well, except my blush brush).
Citrine says
July 30th, 2009 at 1:39 pmFor some reasons I always ended up staring at you hair (it’s so thick and shiny!) every time when you are talking about some great makeup items…
Beg looks so much brighter once it’s on your skin…I wonder if it will work the same way one paler/cooler skin tone…
Gigi says
July 31st, 2009 at 3:17 amExcite looks DIVINE on you!!!! Great post, I think I’ll have to check these blushes out now 😀
Connie says
July 31st, 2009 at 3:17 amExcite totally perks up your face! Beautiful! 😀
It’s my boyfriend’s mom’s birthday today so we’re all going out for a family dinner 🙂
.-= Connie’s last blog post… Totally Wearable Tutorials: It’s a Marvelous Night for a Moondance… =-.
Tavia says
July 31st, 2009 at 3:50 amIn summer season i like to wear even orange eyeshadow and lipgloss. It really gives a natural vibrant look especially if you went to the beach and your skin is becoming a golden shade glow. I really like the Illamasqua Powder Blusher in Excite, but do you know if exist some eyeshadow in the same shade? I think will be perfect for a vibrant makeup.
.-= Tavia’s last blog post… Sensitive skin needs special care…advices, tips and recommendations =-.
Tiffany says
July 31st, 2009 at 6:38 amGirl, thanks for the swatches!!! I wanted to try one of their blushes, but I hate that I can’t see them in person and the swatches on sephora.com are kinda lame. I think I want beg now!
Sarah says
July 31st, 2009 at 4:15 pmI really love the Excite color! And your necklace is so adorable!
.-= Sarah’s last blog post… Doggie in a Swing =-.
DeeDee says
August 12th, 2009 at 11:47 pmGirl, I have been out of the loop with illamasqua but I’m thankful I have you to keep me updated. You are the absolute best and funniest chica in the beauty blogging world!!
Keep strutting your stuff chica!
Karen says
August 13th, 2009 at 6:59 amHi DeeDee,
Woot! I’m glad you enjoyed the post… do you think you’re going to pick any Illamasqua goodies up? The cream blush in Rude totally rocks. 🙂
Indianglamprincess says
December 12th, 2012 at 10:23 pmI have Illamasqua’s blush in Excite, and I absolutely love it!! It looks great on you, Karen! x
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