My Top 5 Summer Blushes

Swatches L-R: Nyx 'Natural' / Bobbi Brown 'Fresh Melon' / Illamasqua 'Lover' / Nars 'Orgasm' / Lola '003' /

Ola my little pretties. The sunshine is finally here in the UK and I'm feeling rather summery, typing this post from my back garden with an ice cold beverage and trying my very best to top up my Lanzarote tan I worked so damn hard for (it's fading very fast - wehh). When summer comes around, theres nothing I like more than finding a new blush to pop onto my cheeks (oo I do live life on the edge). I tend to wear different blushes in summer to those in winter, in summer for me it's all about pretty corals and peach tones, and brighter colours to help set off the tan on my face. I thought I would give you the rundown of my top 5 in no particular order...

Illamasqua Powder Blush 'Lover' | £16.50: This has to be the ultimate favourite out of my top 5 - The colour is perfect whether I have a tan or not and instantly brightens up my face. The powder is luciously creamy and blends like a dream, leaving a soft peachy flush to the apples of your cheeks. As well as being super-duper pigmented, it lasts for ages and leaves my cheeks feeling baby-soft and looking flawlessy smooth. If you're after the perfect 'peaches and cream' shade, then look no further. It's slightly pricier than your average drugstore brand but worth every.single.penny in my opinion. It even smells like vanilla. I just loves it. Even if you're not a powder blush fan, I urge you try Illamasqua's blush range - it may just convert you. (Read my previous review here)

Bobbi Brown Pot Rouge Cream Blush in 'Fresh Melon' | £17: If i still haven't sold powder blushes to you enough after my rave about Illamasqua, and you're much more of a cream blush kind of person, then Bobbi Brown do a fabulous range of cream blushes. Being a big coral fan (if you haven't noticed by now!) I opted for the shade 'Fresh Melon', which is a lovely creamy shade of light coral. I tend to opt for this on days when my skin is feeling a little bit dry, or if i'm wearing sunscreen and still want to wear a colour on my cheeks. It also doubles up as a lip product due to the moisturising formula, and when worn on both the lips and cheeks is a beautiful, effortless summer combination. It gives a lovely, light sheen to the skin and looks really dewy - giving your skin a healthy summer glow (You can read my original review here).

Nyx Cream Blush in '02 Natural' | £6: When I first found out River Island do Nyx, I went completely bonkers and stocked up on so much stuff I wanted to try - the cream blushes being the first product I got my mitts on. This is very creamy in consistency (oilier skins take note..) but provides a very similar finish to Bobbi Brown's for a slightly more purse friendly price tag! As it's name suggests, it gives a really pretty, natural flush to the cheeks - a beautiful neutral shade with a touch of pink. Again, this looks lovely when worn on the lips and is a great all-round shade. I could probably get away with this in the winter months too. If you prefer pinks to corals, then this is such a pretty colour to go for.

Nars Powder Blush in 'Orgasm' | £20.50: Yes. I threw it in there. How can this not be a summer staple in your summer makeup bag? My obsession with Nars products began with this little beauty (apologies for the state of my rather well used and battered blush compact). I usually hate shimmer on my cheeks but I allow it with this, simply because the colour is beautiful (it's not completely loaded with shimmer); it's just the right amount for a subtle glow and highlights the cheek perfectly. The warm pink/coral shade brings out a summer tan beautifully - even the tiniest bit swept onto the cheeks gives a lovely flush of colour. It's fairly sheer in colour, but looks amazing built up for a bit more depth.  I always pair this with the ever-so famous Nars 'Laguna' bronzer for the perfect summer combination. (You can read my post on the two products here).

Lola Colourette Blush in Shade '003' | €10: I featured this in a recent beauty haul from my trip to Lanzarote. Apologies to my UK readers - I'm aware it's slightly difficult to get your hands on this product unless you happen to be in a country which stocks it - it gives you a fabulous excuse to take a trip to the Canary islands though? :) I believe it is also more widely available in America. The brand was presented beautifully, amongst the stands of YSL and Chanel, and although not as pricey as those, the quality certainly seems to be up there with the best. The colour is so bright, and some people might be put off by such a strong shade but personally, I've always wanted to try a brighter 'statement' shade - and this certainly is just that. It's the most pigmented blush i've ever owned which makes for excellent staying power and value for money (although you do have to watch out for the dreaded 'clown cheek' - I made that mistake at first). I wore this towards the end of my holiday when I had more of a deeper tan and it looked amazing. It has such a soft consistency and applies really well, I dont find it at all drying and it's very easy to blend. If you ever see this brand anywhere in the UK, please let me know, as I have my eye on their peach shade (suprise, suprise...)

What are your favourite blush shades for summer?

Any others you think I would like?