Cream Blush - First Attempt

I read the other day that cream blush is an up and coming trend this Spring. I've been meaning to try making one for a while, and this little tidbit of information inspired me to give it a whirl.

I have photographed the process to share with you.

Pictured above: The little jar containing the blush is placed near a business card so you can get an idea of how small an amount this first try is - not even enough to fill a teaspoon. The color of the blush in this picture is a bit darker than the actual blush. The color in the pictures below are more accurate.

Step 1: Mix Pigments

Mix pigments until the desired color is achieved. I started with a bit of my current mineral blush, then added pink and red pigments for a rosier color.

For mixing, you can use a sifter and resift several times, or get a dedicated little hand-held battery-powered mixer or coffee grinder.

Pictured is a little container I use for storing my pre-mixed pigments.

Step 2: Add Pigment to Cream

The pigment mixture is then worked into a dollop of light cream a little at a time until the desired opacity is acheived. I used my own Herbal Repair Toning Eye Solution as the base here.

I tested a few times while mixing until I was happy with the coverage. This is the same base I use for my own cream foundation.

The Toning Eye Solution has a light texture but is at the same time deeply hydrating, so my make-up actually doubles as skin care.

You don't have to make your own cream - but I recommend using a light, unscented cream. Eye creams are usually a pretty good starting point.

Step 3: Transfer to Container

The final product is transferred to a sample jar (pictured at the top). The portion I made is less than a teaspoon -- but this was on purpose. I want to see if cream blush is 'me' before I start doing larger amounts. If it is, I have enough of the pigment mixture left over to do a larger portion next batch.

How it Works

So far this little experiment has all the makings of a bonafide winner. The blush is easy to blend and tone into the skin, leaving a natural, healthy-looking glow that doesn't look painted on.

I think cream blush may just be easier for me to work with than mineral powder blush. I might actually start using blush more often!

Prediction: a larger batch in the near future, accompanied by a more appealing container.