{The baked blushes}

I can’t quite remember when it first happened but I’m pretty sure my first baked blush experience stemmed from a  session circled around Bourjois in Superdrug. Are you ready to have your mind blown? The Parisian brand has been baking blush since 1863.

151 years later and the market is swelling with this incredibly flattering formula of cheek colour. A baked blush offers a sweep of colour with depth and dimension, without the use of shimmer. Yes, it’s the dream for women of all ages! Below is a fine roster of baked offerings that having made the cut as my top six products.

  

{Clinique Cheek Pop}

How can you not adore this packaging? A beautiful blush set in a daisy mould. The epitome of spring. These new blushes by Clinique glide over the skin like silk. You can really feel the liquid basis of this powder in the way it slides.  This shade, Berry Pop is the perfect colour for any season.

{wearing: Berry Pop}

Teamed with Revlon’s Colorburst Matte Balm in Audacious.

{Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush in Radiant Magenta}

I mean…When I heard this was being released I may have squealed, jumped for joy, harassed google for all info imaginable and created my wishlist of shades in order of priority.

{wearing: Radiant Magenta}

As modelled above, this blush provides a fever-like flush that looks so natural, so radiant and so smooth. Unlike the Clinique blush this product really is a true powder but it’s feels micro-fine (like it’s face powder counterpart), making it effortless to apply.

{Marc Jacobs Shameless blush in Tantalizing}

I picked this blush up from Sephora a few months ago in my search for a warm, radiant plum shade. This is all that and more. Like Clinique’s offering, this baked blush is oh so silky in it’s application.

{wearing: Tantalizing}

Can you handle these shades? Married with Revlon’s Colorburst Matte Balm in Standout. Can you tell I love that formula? More on that later…

{Chanel Joues Contraste in Accent}

Other standout blushes include Chanel’s stunning  Joues Contraste in Accent – caramel toned, rose blush. I believe this shade was part of the Holiday 2013 collection so it may not be available now but they do have a a pretty healthy range of baked blush shades to chose from…

{Too Faced Sweethearts Perfect Flush Blush}

Shown here in Peach Beach and There’s Something About Berry this duo are intensely shimmer-packed but remind me of the perfect summer glow. I’ll be sweeping layers of this over my tan for sure. Oh, did I mention it’s a healthy 5.5g of product for $38?

{The applicator}

To apply my baked blushes with ease I’ve really been enjoying Make Up For Ever’s #156 – Large Flat Blush Brush. It’s loosely packed and distributes the product evenly with no harsh streaks.

{The swatches}

L-R: Hourglass, Clinique, Too Faced (Berry), Marc Jacobs, Chanel, Too Faced (Peach).