A Mini Blush Adventure

Nothing tempts me quite like a new blush, and after seeing the gorgeous photos of the new Paul and Joe Creamy Cheek Powder on The Beauty Look Book, I made a beeline for Bergdorf Goodman this morning to try them for myself. I arrived just as the store opened and so I had the whole counter to myself and got to really play with all of the shades. Try as I might, I just couldn't bring myself to buy one! The texture and pigment of these are very nice, and I love the glowy shimmer, but I found the colors SO basic. The light pink is just plain light pink, the rose colored one straight up rose, the peachy one exactly like what you'd picture a peach blush to be. The bronze one was very dark and the orange one very orange. There's nothing wrong with that of course, but I guess lately I'm into more complex, nuanced shades lately. For $24 each I wanted something special that can't be easily duplicated. Plus, these have the signature Paul and Joe scent to which I'm sensitive, another small deterrent. I definitely won't say that I'm not going to pick one or two of these up (knowing me I'm sure I will eventually) but they just weren't doing it for me today. If I had to get one today I'd go with 02 Kitten, the pretty shimmery pink. 02 Kitten and 03 Peaches would be stunning blended together, by the way.

After work, still unsatisfied and debating picking up the Paul and Joe after all, I sauntered over to Henri Bendel and noticed that Jouer had a new Cheek Tint. I love the Jouer products that I have so far and when I saw the new shade, Whisper, I caved. Whisper is a soft muted peachy pink that goes on pretty sheer and with a serious gold glow. I know, yet another peachy pink. But the shimmery glow and the sheer color payoff make this shade unique. Whisper looks like it will be very versatile as it can be used as a base for powder blush to help it last and bring out the color, a subtle cream blush on its own, or as a highlighter layered over other blushes. The Tints are $20 and are available at Henri Bendel and Jouer Cosmetics.

Henri Bendel Friends and Family Event!

Bendels have long been one of my favorite stores for cosmetics and accessories. Growing up right outside of NYC, in high school my friends and I would often take the bus in to the city and while they were shopping for chunky shoes on 8th Street, I'd head to midtown for Bendels. (Of course back then one high end lipstick nearly blew my budget, but it was well-worth it to emerge with the signature Henri Bendel brown and white strip bag). When I moved to the city after college, I'd wait excitedly for their yearly 80% off sale where a poor law student could score designed duds for a mere fraction of their retail cost.

While Bendels has sadly stopped carrying clothing, they are still home to a fabulous collection of cosmetics and accessories, including a MAC store, Jouer counter (the only one in the country people! See my review of Jouer here), L'Artisan fragrance alcove, Mario Badescu skincare and more. Now through Sunday, you can save 25% on your purchase with no mentioned exclusion for cosmetics or certain brands! Click on the image above and print it out. Enjoy!