4 Great Blushes for Summer

A few good blushes for summer

The other day I mentioned that I typically like to go a little brighter with my blush in the summer months.

I also like warm, bronze-y blushes during the summer as well - because, well, I don't tan and bronze-y cheeks are usually the closest I can get without looking like Snooki. 

Here are four blushes that I'm loving for the warmer weather:

Sephora + Pantone Universe Prisma Chrome Blush in Apricot Brandy

This was an absolute impulse buy a few weeks back when I was taking advantage of Sephora's VIB deal for a free Lavanila Vanilla Summer Rollerball with purchase.  I'd been eying all their gorgeous Pantone products for a while, and since I'm a big fan of peachy/coral/orange-y makeup shades, I loved the concept of a line of makeup based on their color of the year, Tangerine Tango.

Now, Apricot Brandy is definitely a tangerine-y shade but I think it's wearable for most skin tones. I'm super fair and it works beautifully for me.  If you've got a tan or have deeper skin, I imagine that it would be even prettier.

Sephora + Pantone Universe Prisma Chrome Blush in Apricot Brandy

Sephora + Pantone Universe Apricot Brandy Blush swatch

It's got tons of gorgeous shimmer that just lights up the cheeks, so it's perfect for giving you an extra special summer glow. 

Buxom True Hue Blush in Seduction

Buxom True Hue Blush in Seduction

I know, I know.

This one looks absolutely terrifying in the pan - but that's half the reason that I bought it.  I wanted to incorporate some brighter pops of color into my makeup wardrobe and blush doesn't really get brighter than this, does it?

While it looks scary, it's really a gorgeous bright pink shade for livening up the cheeks in summer. It works beautifully on my fair skin, so it's bound to look amazing on tan and dark skin tones. Seduction is also matte, so if you've got large pores or just aren't a fan of shimmer on your cheeks, it's a great option.

Buxom Seduction Blush swatch

I like wearing this with really understated eye makeup and a sheer pink lip gloss - it's amazing how polished and summer-y that simple look is.

Milani Illuminating Face Powder in Amber Nectar

I mentioned this product a while back when I first bought it, and I love it even more now than I did then.

Milani advertises this product as a highlighter, bronzer and blush in one, and for the summer, it's the perfect cheek color because it combines warm bronze-y tone with just enough peach to perk up the cheeks. It's not really shimmery, but it has a satin finish so you'll get that perfect summer glow without worrying about chunky glitter. 

Milani Amber Nectar Illuminating Face Powder

Milani Amber Nectar swatch

It may not be as pigmented as the other blushes, but it adds enough color to define the cheeks while still looking totally natural.  Absolutely gorgeous when the weather turns warm.


NYX Stick Blush in Orchid

As a rule, I don't wear much cream blush in the summer because my skin tends to be a little less dry (and I kind of sweat a lot... TMI, I know.) but I do like to at least one cream product in a bright color that I can layer under powder blushes for extra staying power.

NYX's Stick Blush in Orchid is a gorgeous bright peachy-pink, almost coral shade with just a hint of gold shimmer. It blends really easily and you can build up the color to be as natural or dramatic as you like. I also find that it works under virtually any of my peach or coral blushes (though Sephora + Pantone Universe Apricot Brandy is slightly too orange-y). 

NYX Stick Blush in Orchid

NYX Orchid Stick Blush swatch

What are your favorite blush shades for summer?