Maybelline Dream Bouncy Blush

I like cream blush generally. Applied with the right tools and technique, I think it tends to look more natural and seamless than powder blush. I admit that I bought these new Dream Bouncy Blushes because their peculiar texture fascinated me - I wasn't really expecting them to be any good, as I haven't exactly been blown away by Maybelline in the past.

Hot Tamale and Peach Satin

And the texture IS weird. They're like a really solid, smooth-topped mousse, almost like...flan? Or maybe firm marshmallows? Yeah, I don't know how to describe it. When I press firmly, a slight indentation is made, and the product sort of pooches out around it, the way a waterbed would if you sat on one side. But it also sort of comes back into shape, albeit slowly. Not quite a 'bounce'. I haven't tried using a brush with these yet - with a finger, I had to swipe a few times to pick up enough product for application.

That said, these are very nice blushes - depending on the shade. I picked what looked to be an intense color, and then something a bit more neutral to test out the pigmentation and overall quality. These swatches are what the color looks like after a few swipes.

Hot Tamale and Peach Satin

Hot Tamale and Peach Satin

I do think that the lighter colors are probably going to be invisible on all but the fairest skin tones. I really had to layer Peach Satin for it to show on my cheeks, but Hot Tamale, despite the whoa-baby shade in the pan, created a gorgeously rosy, flushed look when applied. Definitely my favorite of the two.

Cream blushes can be tricky to use, but because these go on so light, it's hard to make a mistake right off the bat. They feel incredibly lightweight, almost like a liquid blush, and dry down immediately. (If you've stayed away from cream blush due to oily skin, these might be worth a try.) They have no discernible texture, so they look seamless on the skin, which is ideal for creating a no-makeup makeup look. The wear on these is not quite as good as most cream blushes I've tried, though they will last through an average work day.

I love the soft sheen. They don't have obvious shine or shimmer, but they do give off a glow that is quite flattering.

Availability: Pretty much every drugstore, Walmart. Price varies, but generally between 6-9$ CAD.

Pros: Great for creating a natural blush look, seamlessly blend with the skin, relatively easy to use, lovely sheen.

Cons: Pigmentation on some of these will definitely be a problem.

(I purchased these from Pharpmaprix/SDM.)