One makeup item that’s always been an industry staple but has recently been getting even more attention by both brands and consumers would definitely be a blush. And who can blame them? A blush is that one miracle product that can take you from pale or ashy to downright blooming. But at the same time, powder blush is often notorious for being the first color to fade. That’s where a variety of cream blush and cheek tints come in: the beauty industry’s answer for longer-lasting rouge!
Today, I review cruelty-free, “naturally handmade, naturally gorgeous” local makeup and skin care brand Hello Gorgeous’ entry into the cheek tint trend—the Faux Blush!
DESCRIPTION/CLAIMS: Hello Gorgeous’ Faux Blush is a “dual-performance (lips and cheeks) gel made of natural fruit pigment in a handy pen for your quick make-up fix” and claims to be the “faux blush that gives a natural flush.”
It is available in four shades: “Coral” is an orange shade with peach undertones, “Pink” is a bright almost-neon pink with a purple undertone, “Red” is an almost true red with only a slight blue undertone, and “Red Violet” is a magenta shade.
PACKAGING: The product comes with no extra unit carton, and a sticker-sealed cap. The packaging itself is a chubby pen type component containing 10 ml or 0.33 fl oz of product, with a cushion tip applicator and a clicker on the other end that you press to dispense the product. Printed on the packaging are Hello Gorgeous’ signature cartoony branding, as well as (albeit in very small font) a product description, ingredients list, and instructions.
It is meant to be very easy to use, though the clicker may get accidentally pressed when stored in more cramped makeup bags, resulting in the cushion tip becoming oversaturated with the gel and may spill over into the cap.
Eco Pro-Tip: True to branding, Hello Gorgeous stores and kiosks accept any of their emptied packaging for recycling, and in return, they’ll give you P15 off your next purchase for each empty product!
FORMULA/APPLCIATION: True to its claims, the Faux Blush formula is highly pigmented and has a gel-like consistency which makes it easy to blend and less prone to settling. Though, I still suggest to work fast in blending out this product after dotting it onto the face as the pigment can still settle in that area. This product does contain Jojoba Oil and Argan Oil which do contain skin care benefits. But if your skin is sensitive to oil-based products, I suggest you do a patch test first before committing to daily use.
As with the nature of all cheek tints, it is applied sheer, but is easily buildable. It works for both bare skin and on top of base. I personally found the best results when applying the product to my fingers first instead of directly onto skin, and then blending it out in dabbing motions. When applying it on top of a base (as it can slightly lift the product underneath), buffing it out with a beauty sponge with leftover product helps a lot! Do this BEFORE you set your face with powder!
Hello Gorgeous’ Faux Blush can also be used on your lids as a sheer color for a cute and flushed look, or a highly pigmented pop of color! You can use this as well as on your lips, as a tint if you want that monochromatic effect. Dab the product onto your fingers when applying it onto lips, and NEVER use the applicator directly to your mouth if you plan on using it on your cheeks again as this can contaminate the cushion and cause breakouts. Be kind to your skin!
FINAL THOUGHTS: Cheek tints are one of my recent obsessions because of how quick they are to apply. After two weeks of using it, I have to say that the Hello Gorgeous’ Faux Blush really impressed me. It is a super long-wearing product, lasting after a whole day of wear, even giving me a bit of a tough time when it came to removal (which is to be expected as it is a staining product).
Whether or not the gel formula would work better for you than water-based or cream-based blush formulas really depends on personal preference, because it blended out much quicker, settled less, and was more versatile for me. My favorite shade is Red because it gives me a more natural “bloodshot” cheeks effect when I do the drunk blush look.
My only qualms about this product would have to be the sensitive clicker. Whenever I take it out of my makeup bag, I would often find the cushion tip to be oversaturated and kind of messy, and I’d sometimes opt to wipe it off with tissue, resulting in wasted product.
Written by:
Shawn Landayan
MULTIMEDIA ARTIST
Shawn is Calyxta’s resident Multimedia Artist and boy in beauty. With experience as a makeup artist for both the stage and camera, his makeup style ranges from crazy Drag looks to soft and sparkly K-Beauty. When not slaving over their next creative project, Shawn can be found crying about or dancing to K-Pop (maybe even both, at the same time).
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