“It’s summer,” you say to yourself, “Where the hell are my bright blushes?!” Before toying around with Greek Goddess in my look yesterday, this was the thought that went through my head. Never fear, here is a comparison between two very bright, but very different pink blushes that are perfect for looking exquisitely blush-y during these equally bright summer months: Fyrinnae Greek Goddess (featured in my last post) and Fyrinnae Charm (featured above).

Let’s get a closer look!

Swatches

 

Greek Goddess

Greek Goddess is a very warm, bright pink blush. I think that it stumbles a bit into the coral family, but I wouldn’t call it orange-y by any means… it does smack almost of peach, but visually once it is blended out it is very pink, and very warm toned. Its description on the website notes that it doesn’t have any kinds of whiteners, so it is great for darker skin tones as well. I found that this blush blended beautifully into my skin, and was incredibly pigmented, like I mentioned in my Eye of Today of yesterday.

Charm

In my mind, Charm is sort of the opposite of Greek Goddess, with both blushes still being categorically pink. It is a very vibrant, cool toned pink, almost but not quite to the point of hinting of lavender upon application. It was also really, really pigmented, and was buildable. A little goes a long way with these!

Comparing On The Face

Both of these blushes pack a wallop, but certainly give different looks. Pink blush isn’t just pink blush to me anymore, and I’m glad I have the ability to play around with both of these!

The Look

On the eyes I used Shiro Din’s Fire (over the lid), Daisy Bird Hello Hyacinth (outer V), Shiro Hodor (crease) and Shiro’s Alkahestry (applied lightly over the lid after an application of pixie epoxy to give it extra shine). I also used Fyrinnae’s Knickers in a Twist with Darling Girl Superstar Serum for the liner.

Mmmmm, purples!

I received a little sample of Performance Color’s South of France lipstick from the inimitable Jamie from After the 9 to 5, who was also sweet enough to pass along her Serendipity sample to me, since I’m running a bit low. I love the breadth of what she posts about, especially because I am just getting sort-of into nail art and she integrates both makeup and nail stuff into her blog. If you haven’t yet, you should go check her out!

I’ve never tried Performance Colors before, but I am really impressed! I haven’t experimented as much with normal lipstick in the indie world just yet… but this definitely has the texture of lipstick we are all familiar with, and the color payoff is terrific. I had breakfast with a friend this morning, and although it faded just a bit, it made it pretty much unscathed through an omelet, cottage cheese, and a ton of iced tea. The color is also pretty dang terrific (corals and roses, man, HOLD ME BACK). I didn’t find it to be drying at all, and it applied well with a lip brush. Also, I love that the name reminds me of You and Iby Ingrid Michaelson.

Ta da, a brunch-with-friends face!

Products

• MUFE HD foundation in 110
• NARS smudge-proof eye primer
• Laura Mercier Secret Concealer in 01 and Secret Brightening Powder
• Palladio herbal foundation primer
• Shiro Always Angry Finishing Powder (applied over primer Goss style)
• Fyrinnae Pixie Epoxy
• Shiro Din’s Fire, Hodor, and Alkahestry; Daisy Bird Hello Hyacinth
• Fyrinnae Knickers in a Twist and Darling Girl Superstar Serum as liner
• Covergirl clumpcrushers mascara in black
• Fyrinnae Charm blush
• Anastasia dip brow in Auburn
• Performance Colors South of France lipstick

Final Thoughts

Loose blushes scared the shit out of me for a long time, but now I don’t know that I could ever go back! (Well, that’s not entirely true, don’t worry Exhibit A, I’ll always love you). These Fyrinnae blushes are both super pigmented but can be applied lightly to build to your desired intensity. When I wore Greek Goddess yesterday, it lasted all day long. They are described on the website as having “the slightest bit of shimmer”, and I agree with this; these aren’t glitter bombs by any means but aren’t entirely matte. Since I prefer a slightly more luminous/dewy finish anyway, this helps with the overall effect I’m going for without making me look like I’m trying to be a disco ball. Certainly that has its time and place, but you know, maybe not every day.

I also can’t help but reflect on the fact that I DID in fact spend $30 on my NARS Exhibit A blush, and $35 on my Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush. Don’t get me wrong– I love those blushes and still use them. But practically, can I say that I am MORE happy with them than either of these Fyrinnae blushes, or Darling Girl Don’t Eat The Apple, or my Shiro 1-Up blush? I don’t know that I can. The indie blushes I have tried don’t apply like cheap blushes; they are dynamic, the colors are unique, and they apply blend just as well as my mainstream ones. But a full-sized Fyrinnae blush is something like $28.50 an ounce (that’s a very approximate conversion from grams to oz, but it shouldn’t be far off), and the Exhibit A blush is $187.50 an ounce, a sort of startling price difference for something that I don’t think is of lesser value or quality. But it goes beyond just being frugal with our own bottom line too.

Ultimately, small businesses return more revenue back into and have a greater positive impact on their local communities than big box chains. Ultimately, we as consumers are making a larger impact on local communities with that $28.50/ounce going to a small business owner than the $187.50/ounce going to the mainstream brand, even if it isn’t necessarily OUR local community (though sometimes it is!). The internet affords us a unique opportunity to easily reach out to small business owners that could be right in our town, but also could live in another town, and to support them despite not being in our geographic area. Talk about a neat chance to be a force for good across the country, or even internationally!

I’ll get off my soap box for now (BUT ONLY FOR NOW, DANGIT), but my final thought is this: These are great blushes, and I intend to get full sizes once I finish up with my minis. I have a cool-toned skin with some slightly neutral undertones and both of these blushes worked well for me, but if you were particularly cool or warm toned, I think you would find a good match with one of them!

Your Turn!

Have you tried Fyrinnae blushes yet? Which blushes are your favorites?