Illamasqua Powder Blusher, Katie

Product Information

I have the shade Naked Rose - it's a matte muted pink which looks slightly brighter on the skin but is still very flattering (I'm shade 105 in Fenty, for reference). Apply using Blusher Brush 1 for colour on the centre of the cheeks, or using the new Blush Up Brush for more definition and contouring.

Featuring two beautiful matt Powder Blusher shades, Katie (Candy Pink) and Ambition (Neutral), the new Powder Blusher Duo, a first for Illamasqua, comes in a gorgeous compact with a mirror.

Asians with heavy yellow tones in their skin may not be able to use this — but I’m not saying that you can’t. It’s a very young and innocent kind of pink, and I like to wear it when my eye makeup is a bit heavier or smokier than normal.

Layer shades for customised radiance or wear individually to highlight cheekbones and add a flush of colour.I’m slowly building up a little army of NARS blushes, and I have to confess that this shade was a bit of a red herring for me. To add a shot of radiance to your cheeks, mix equal parts of Beyond Liquid Highlighter with Colour Veil onto the back of your hand and then blend onto the apples of cheeks with a fluffy brush. Not only is the makeup very obviously beautiful, but there is always some fantastic meaning and conceptual idea behind the range, which I love to lap up. I think the problem that the top layer of this blush was just a little stiff, because the more I used Amour, the more I liked it – especially with a duo-fibre brush.

I also have to rave about the Velvet Blusher, Peaked, described as a Dusky Rose, I would never have looked twice at it but it’s the only blusher I’ve been wearing over the past week. This community is a friendly space for those with or working with paler complexions to trade tips, offer advice, share recommendations and ask for assistance finding, exploring and experimenting with makeup and skincare that complements lighter complexions. it chalks up quite a bit when i swipe my brush over each shade, and my brush picks up a lot of color (too much!

Katie is very matte and a little on the chalky side, whereas Nude Pink is very blendable but more blue-toned with a brighter finish.

So I guess it depends what sort of pale pink you’re after as I personally find both of these fabulous. I bought the blusher in Lover over 10 years ago in Melbourne, Australia to meet Kelly Cutrone and have used it ever since. It looks quite brown in the pan but it translates to a really lovely warm pink that I think looks great against pale skin tones.It’s not half as dramatic as it looks in the pan, and would suit a myriad of skintones and make-up looks. In terms of skintone, I’m very fair and wear the lightest shades in nearly all ranges of foundations on the market. When swatched stark, they look very different in colour and Katie looks much paler and slightly chalkier.