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Budget-Friendly Blushes | 2014 Editor's Favorites
It really shouldn’t be a surprise to see so many of Makeup Geek’s blushes on this list, because from the first one I tried to the last, they were stellar. They really nailed the formula; it’s not just good for the money, but it’s a fantastic powder blush, period. The texture was soft without being powdery or chalky. While many categories at the drugstore are comparable to high-end products, blushes and highlighters are an area that I find tends to miss, so I’m thrilled to see Makeup Geek enter the space and do budget blush justice (and then some). I really hope to see more shades next year! Â I’ll be studying your favorite finds this year for products to make note to review in 2015!
- Makeu p Geek Love Affair — a medium-dark, pink-coral with subtle gold shimmer
- NYX Dusty Rose — a light-medium, rosy pink with subtle, warm undertones and a matte finish
- Makeup Geek Romance — a coral-orange with warm undertones and a soft, golden frost finish
- Milani Bella Rosa (11) — an intense fuchsia-magenta pink with rich color payoff
- Makeup Geek Rendezvous — a softened, cool-toned pink with a satin finish
- Milani Delizioso Pink (10) — a brightened, cool-toned pink with strong blue undertones
- Makeup Geek Bliss — a soft, peachy-coral with a satin finish
- Makeup Geek Summer Fling — a brightened, medium orange with warm, red undertones
- Makeup Geek Spell Bound — a neutral-warm pink with a soft sheen (a very wearable, everyday shade for me)
- Makeup Geek Head Over Heels — a shimmery, cool-toned lilac-pink
My most used blushes are by NYX and Milani! I absolutely love them… I reach for them more so than my Hourglass blush, believe it or not! ;p
What are your most-used shades from both brands, Jenny?
Great list! I NEED to try Makeup Geek! I have NYX Dusty Rose. Such a pretty color but I do wish it was more pigmented. I don’t feel like it does much, but it’s good to have a couple of lighter blushes, I guess. Now on the other hand, Milani Bella Rosa! OMG!! When I first bought it I was overwhelmed by how pigmented it is. But now I know how to use it (very light-handedly) <– is that even a word? Anyway, I use it almost every day now! I have found myself using my Milani blushes over my used-to-be-favorite NARS blushes.
Makeup Geek’s blushes are SO, so good. You might really love the range as a lot of the colors skew lighter 🙂
nyx and milani is my fav too 🙂
Yay! Must-have shades?
I have really enjoyed the Milani Baked blushes and the Maybelline Dream Bouncy Blushes. I liked the Milani blushes so much more than I had imagined that I would. Each time I use one, it impresses me again.
Their Baked blushes are quite nice! I hope they’ll release more in 2015!
Nyx, Sleek and Coastal Scents blushes, for sure.
Sleek does make some nice blushes!
This makes me regret not buying the Black Friday / Cyber Monday deal Makeup Geek had on blushes! One day….
Hope you can try ’em next year 🙂
I absolutely love Milani blushes! I have a few of them but my favorite is Dolce Pink. I even wore that on my wedding day 🙂
I have to try MUG blushes though, I always hear great things!
Aww 😀 Dolce Pink is pretty!
Yay for Makeup Geek! 😀 I’m loving Rendezvous too ^_^
Otherwise, I’ve been exploring the possibilities of various lipsticks as ‘cheap blushes’, with mixed results. Some work quite well (Revlon Fire and Ice, with careful blending), but others are too sheer/too slippery… the research continues!
Definitely more matte/satin shades, I think, if you want to go for a lip-to-blush!
I’ve jumped on the lipstick-as-blush bandwagon hard-core. My current absolute favorite is Wet N Wild Megalast lipcolor in Bare It All. The color is too light for my lips, but it’s a really perfect not-pink-but-not-orange blush that makes me look sculpted! The Megalast lipsticks are only $1.99–but have a nice, creamy and matte consistency that I’m finding works perfectly for blush, especially if I warm it up a bit first.
I love NYX blushes! Shamefully, I haven’t tried Milani’s yet but I’ve heard lots of good things about them. Makeup Geek is on my list, too.
Oooh, you need to try Milani for sure!
I’m a huge fan of the NYX blushes. Dusty rose is a for sure winner! Great list.
Thanks, Traci!
Maybe 2015 will be the year I actually try some MUG products!
It should be 😀
Its amazing to see so many Makeup Geek blushes in top 10 list.. Milani Baked blush formula has been outstanding too.. Hopefully I will be adding these in my makeup bag this Year.. 🙂
I’m so glad there’s a really good budget blush!
I love the Milani Bella Rosa blush! It’s so beautiful and easy to blend. I hope Milani releases new shades this year
Me too!!
NYX bourgeois pig is a fun bright pink I love. I normally dislike CG but their blush in natural twinkle is amazing. Pinky mauve with a little sparkle.
Might have to look into Natural Twinkle!
NYX Desert Rose, Mocha, and Coco. I am a MAC NC50.
I love Makeup Geek Spellbound too. I purchased Bliss last week. I’m so excited for it to come in the mail.
Yay!!
Sleek’s Rose gold, I think its called. Its a muted rose color with gold shimmer highlights. Its blend able,and easy to build on. A little goes a long way. I do want to try colorpop’s blushes if they’re not too intense. I don’t buy a lot of blushes, but I think that’s about to change….:-)
Rose Gold is supposed to be really nice! 🙂