It was a crossover I don’t regret – the switch from powder foundation to liquid foundation. I used to think that my oily skin wouldn’t take to liquid foundation and the foundation would slide down my face like the melting real human wax figures in House of Wax.
Even though I’m entirely convinced that liquid foundation does nothing like that and there are measures to take to prolong wear, I wasn’t sure about jumping on the bandwagon of cream blushes. It’s another hurdle to jump!
But you know, I found myself drawn to the Canmake makeshift-like counter everytime I pass by one at Watsons. It was only a matter of time that I did some swatches of the Canmake Cream Cheek Blushes and to my surprise, quite like the shades!
I think I was blown away by the first color I swatched, which was Canmake Cream Cheek Blush 05 Sweet Apricot, and is the one I’m gonna review!
Cute or Cheap Packaging?
Some people see the casing as a jewel-like pot that is sleek and precious to hold. To me, it looks like a no-frills, budget airline. Small, transparent, and pretty cheap-looking. Lol.
I wonder how does it look high class in any way. Maybe the model and bling-a-blings she's wearing give the illusion of... umm.... crystals?
The plastic looks and feels cheap, but for the quantity and quality you’re getting, I’d say ‘Don’t complain!’.
It is slim and light so having this in your touch-up makeup bag won’t add any weight at all. Being transparent all around makes it easy to identity the color too, if you have more than a couple of these.
Sweet Apricot for Peachy Pink Cheeks!
As I age, I gradually steer towards peachy-pink shades of cheek blush, and away from straightforward pink or oranges. Something like NARS Orgasm suits me to a ‘T’.
When I swatched Sweet Apricot 05, I knew immediately that if I had to get only one of the Canmake Cream Cheek Blushes, this would be it. The base is an understated orange with a dash of pink, sprinkled with fine gold shimmer.
Unlike some other colors in the range with overpowering glitter particles – like 03 Strawberry Whip and 02 Cherry Pink – the amount of glitter in 05 Sweet Apricot is just enough to add some radiance to the skin without threatening to make you look like a walking sequined doll.
Great Pigmentation and Texture
Fantastic pigmentation is one of the things that makes this range of cream blushes so likeable. Just a gentle swipe with a finger across the product and you get enough to cover one cheek.
The first few times I used it, I got too much product on my fingers (obviously not being very gentle), and had to do some post-blush blending to tone down the intensity.
So don’t worry that it’s going to pan out too soon, a little really goes a long way!
I also love that the cream blush blends so beautifully into the skin. While powder blushes tend to look like they’re sitting on the skin most of the time, unless blending is executed well, the cream blush from Canmake makes the skin glow from within.
No horrifying stripes across the cheeks!
Long-lasting Cream Blush on Oily Cheeks!
I was worried that a cream blush would end up making my cheeks oilier than powder blushes. However the Canmake Cream Cheek Blush dries to a wonderful semi-matte finish and actually lasts very long! I suspect it is the special formula of being able to transform into a powdery texture upon application that increases its staying power.
Bun Bun’s Makeup Tip: To make the cream blush last longer and to increase the time taken for the cheeks to turn shiny, set the cheeks or anywhere your face is more prone to ‘oiling out’ (for me, it’s the whole face =.=”) with powder. I use MAC Blot Powder in Light or MAC Studio Fix Foundation in NC25.
If I feel the need to or am in the mood for more, I go over the cheeks with another layer of the Canmake Cream Cheek Blush. It says on the website that it can be applied on top of liquid and powder foundations. It must be, because it is so light and fine in texture.
How to Apply the Canmake Cream Blush?
The buttery consistency of the Canmake Cream Cheek Blush makes it a dream to apply – very blendable, very buildable.
What I do is tap a finger or two on the cream blush and dab the product on my cheeks, then blend it into my skin. The result is soft, natural, peachy-pink flushed cheeks, courtesy of Sweet Apricot.
Finger or Brush?
One thing I am still not used to doing is using my fingers to apply the cream blush.
You see, I wash my hands before I start. Then I apply foundation with my Sigma F80 Synthetic Flat Top Kabuki Brush. Next, I draw my eyebrows. I apply eyeshadow primer with my finger and that’s the last time I use my bare fingers. After that, I proceed to the wonderful process of adding eyeshadow colors to my eyes >> eyeliner >> mascara.
Can you imagine the number of things I’ve touched after applying eyeshadow primer?
I use at least 3 eyeshadow brushes, then there’re the eyeliner brush(es), Shu Uemura eyelash curler, Shiseido Nourishing Mascara Base, Lancome Oscillation Vibrating Infinite Powermascara.
If I don’t break the flow, it’s on to MAC Gold-Go-Lightly Studio Careblend Pressed Powder to contour, the blush, MAC Too Chic Beauty Powder highlighting powder – with 109 and 188 makeup brushes respectively.
So if I had to use my fingers to apply the Canmake Cream Cheek Blush, I’d have to put down everything, walk to the toilet, wash my hands clean again, get back to my seat, settle down and carry on. GAHHH! What a waste of time and interruption to the flow!
I tried using my trusty MAC 188 Small Duo Fibre Face Brush to apply it and….......
........ I think our fingers are still our best friends. Lol. It’s just so much easier to control application!
Besides, I only have one 188, which I use solely for face highlighters. Using it for a cream blush only means that I have to clean up before using it again. I’m too lazy! Therefore I choose washing my hands over wiping residue off the brush with tissue.
Here are the other shades available:
[source: http://www.canmake.com/en/ebase/item_base025.html]
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BOO!
Haha, just being silly. I thought this picture looks a little creepy. Lol. I look better in the review post on YSL Touche Brilliance Glamorous Red #11.
I did 3 reviews on the same day, that's why you might have seen this look before.
You can see the same face in:
- Bourjois Liner Glitter Fizz Eyeliner
- YSL Touche Brilliance Glamorous Red #11
The Canmake Cream Cheek Blush is available at Watsons, John Little, Robinsons... I read that it's exorbitantly priced in the US though! =O
Bun Bun rates the Canmake Cream Cheek Blush 05 Sweet Apricot:
Have you tried cream blushes before?
Do you own any Canmake Cream Cheek Blush? What do you think of them?
