Sunday, July 27, 2014

Pastel Peach: The Face Shop Coral Cushion Blusher

You've probably figured it all out by now: I live for peach shades on cheeks and lips. Not that I don't like a fresh pink on the cheek, or a vampy red lip - but peaches, you can never go wrong. Summer, winter, day wear, evening wear; when in doubt, go for the peach. So please excuse me while I revel in the cuteness of the newest peach in my stash, The Face Shop Lovely ME:EX Pastel Cushion Blusher in 02 Coral Cushion (~$6 for 0.17 oz/5g).
How adorable is this packaging?! Yes, a mini fluffy powder puff instantly makes a product that much more exciting. As you can see, the blush comes in a cardboard box with a puff resting on a little plastic film insert, which I removed to avoid the glare in photos. As adorable as the puff might be, I don't actually use it to apply the blush - I prefer the precision of a cheek brush, and disliked the idea of getting the puff dirty, but it's definitely an option when you're on the go.
Now, as for the 'cushion' part: The Face Shop Pastel Cushion Blusher is just a standard, pressed powder blush, nothing like the currently popular BB Cushion compacts - which, if you've never heard of them, are liquid foundations in a compact equipped with a saturated sponge that you press down with an applicator sponge to dispense the product. So the name of The Face Shop blush is definitely quite misleading; it seems that the brand is simply trying to take advantage of the 'cushion' trend to sell more.
Clockwise, starting with The Face Shop Coral Cushion Blusher: NYC Blushable Creme Stick in Plaza Pink, Laura Mercier Lotus Pink, NYX Powder Blush in Peach, Laura Mercier Lush Nectarine
In terms of the Pastel Cushion formula, the blush feels smooth and silky in the pan and it's quite tightly packed/ doesn't kick up any powder. There's a slight fragrance to it in the packaging, but it doesn't linger on the skin. It blends evenly on the cheeks, doesn't emphasize any texture, and lasts quite well on me - although mind you, most powders as well as creams wear fine on my cheeks.
L-R: The Face Shop Coral Cushion, NYC Blushable Creme Stick in Plaza Pink, Laura Mercier Lotus Pink, NYX Powder Blush in Peach, Laura Mercier Lush Nectarine
My gripe with The Face Shop Cushion Blusher is the level of pigmentation; the Coral Cushion is very, very sheer, and what appears to be a medium depth pinky peach shade in the pan swatches as a very light peach on the skin - the above swatch was about five layers of the product. It barely shows up even on my fair skin, and requires a lot of building up on the cheeks, although the final result is in fact a subtle, luminous flush that instantly brightens up the face. In the pan, Coral Cushion has some fine pearl running through the powder, but on the skin it has a glowy satin finish.
Base: Bobbi Brown Natural Finish Long-Wearing Foundation in Porcelain (discontinued) set with MUFE HD Powder, Eyes: Clinique Chubby Stick in Ample Amber on the lid with Laura Mercier Caviar Stick in Sugar Frost on the inner corners and lower lashline, Benefit BadGal mascara, Lips: Essence Stay With Me Lip Gloss in Candy Bar
All in all, I wouldn't exactly recommend you run out and buy The Face Shop Pastel Cushion Blushers - from reading other reviews online, it seems that all shades are very light and sheer. I quite enjoy using the Coral Cushion when I have some time to faff around with multiple layers, but I think for darker skintones, it could merely serve as a very subtle highlight. Have you tried any make-up from The Face Shop? What are your thoughts on the whole 'cushion' trend?

19 comments:

  1. Hey Monika, sheer isn't really my thing so I'll pass, but it does look great on you! I've tried some nail polishes from the brand when I was still in Taiwan, but that's a long time ago now :)

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  2. Im sure when they make products they have pale Asian skin tone as there primary market! I have used a lot of their skincare and also brushes and there have been no duds so far! :-) This is such a natural flush on you.. definitely a keeper Id say!

    Divya | TheConscienceFund

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    1. It may be that sheer blushes are more popular on the Asian markets - but it must be annoying for a big part of their consumer base, because not all Asians have fair skin! I haven't tried much from the brand so far - what would you recommend?

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  3. I'm not completely sure, but I think these blushes have been around longer than the BB cushions. Korean to English beauty translating can be a real b-tch for various reasons, so usage of certain vocabulary can be incredibly limiting and confusing. Could also be that Asians are just fond of English words inspiring cuteness.

    Anyway, I passed on these because as you noted they are quite sheer. Love your final look, but the blush is definitely more appropriate for beginner blush lovers.

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    1. Hmm, that's definitely possible that this 'cushion' blusher just coincides with the BB cushions - at any rate, it's quite confusing. Hahah, yes, maybe the word 'cushion' just sounds good on cosmetic packaging! And nooo, this blush wouldn't cut it for a true blush fiend like you, Liz :)

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  4. Oooh, it looks so light and pretty. I also love the slight luminous finish - makes it really stand out against the other blushes you swatched.

    Not blush related: That Laura Mercier Caviar Stick looks amazing on you!

    Izzie | Izzique

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    1. Thank you Izzie! I do like LM Sugar Frost for highlighting the inner corner/ lower lashline, but on the lid, it sometimes appears a bit patchy - maybe my eyelids are too wrinkly, lol.

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  5. Oooh, Monika, why you so pretty? :P I've really been loving your eye makeup too! So fresh for summer but still playful.

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    1. Thank you, my dear <3 I threw the eye make-up together rather quickly with the various eye crayons I had laying around - love the convenience of cream shadows for a quick look!

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  6. I enjoy sheer blushes lately! As I get older, they're just easier to use and I like that I can build it up to my desired intensity. It's easier to do that then have to deal with too much blush-so hard to calm down clown cheeks once they're there haha! It looks really pretty on you Monika! I've tried their mascaras-they are not bad!

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    1. I know what you mean - some blushes I own are just so pigmented that they're very difficult to control and get just right. With this one though, it's a bit too sheer - even two generous layers look a bit too subtle, although the finish is so nice! Good to know about the mascaras, I'd like to give them a go next time!

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  7. We have a shop that just opened a few weeks ago and I was more interested in their skin care when I went. I quickly looked at the makeup but will likely try a lil' somethin'. The building up might be annoying but it sure looks good on you and I just might get it. :)

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    1. Hi Helene! I'm waiting anxiously for your review of their skincare stuff, especially the sheet masks. I was quite impressed with the variety of make-up products they had on offer - the eyeshadows especially swatched really nice.

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  8. the packaging is so adorable, I could totally see myself getting sucked into this product! Though, I'm really fair and wouldn't want to work with a sheer blusher :/ Thanks for the review!!!

    www.lilting-grace.blogspot.com

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  9. So fresh, so pretty. I was just in The Face Shop store yesterday -- Korean brands are pretty new in New Zealand. Eyeing up their brow gel...

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  10. GIRL I almost bought this the other day! It's so cute >.< I like my blushes more pigmented than this, though, so I'm glad that I didn't -- thanks for the review! I guess I won't be going back for it at any point after all :)

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  11. Your face could sell me anything! Like the Essence Candybar gloss which I used up in a record 3 months and swore off repurchasing but now feel the need for *_*
    But yes, I don't care for 99% of Korean blushes because of the super sheer and/or infested with glitter dandruff thing and/or often baby prostitute scent :/ I did succumb to a ridonk Etude House muffin cream blush, however, and it's actually okay. And it comes in a peach ;)

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  12. Ooohh! I love the sheer look the blushes gave you.
    xo,
    ~Pauline @Aveeno Philippines

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  13. I have tried a mask against black heads from the face shop but I am not sooo happy with that. But this blusher looks so cute and I am searching for one wich isn't toooooooo much pigmented, so maybe this is a good product for me! thank you for the review ;)

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