On my quest to find sultry hues that define and enhance, I
came across the Sweet Cheeks Collection by NYX. The plum, burgundy and golden undertones are deep and silky for
effortless blending and sculpting. If you want to get really creative, the bright yellow and taupe-grey are quite eccentric.
Although the product name
indicates a “creamy” texture, the powder is lightweight and satiny with smooth,
buildable coverage. It does not settle into lines or accentuate dryness
and depending on the blush you choose, the color can appear quite natural when
faded just right.
The finishes range from soft matte to radiant shimmer with enough color payoff to double as eye shadow. The glow formula has built-in
highlighter that is very saturated. Don’t use too much or it might look like fallout.
Of course anyone can wear these shades but they look
particularly lovely on medium, deep, olive and tan complexions. The pigment
lasts all day (even on oily skin) and you can mix and match to create your own
gorgeous hues.
Summer Breeze (on the top) is a beautiful iridescent coral
that instantly brightens and illuminates with a touch of gold. The other orange is the
matte version of Summer Breeze but in person it looks more like a neutral mix
of coral and brown. Risky Business is a frosty red-pink that can be swept on
with a fan brush for a pop of holiday glam.
The shimmery garnet in the middle (Red Riot) is saturated and dramatic while the matte version (to the left) is a rich burgundy that has become my favorite autumn blush. Totally
Chill looks orange under my studio lights but it has neutral, mauve and
brown undertones.
I prefer the matte finish because it looks more like blush and less like eye shadow but they both work wonders on dull skin. The Compacts retail for $10.00 each and NYX
is available at drugstores nationwide.
