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There’s something so romantic about flushed cheeks and rosy lips. (It’s like you just kissed someone cute:) This season, lip-and-cheek stains have become my beauty staple for dates and holiday trips. They brighten up your face, have crazy staying power and, most important, won’t end up on your teeth. We tried a bunch and narrowed them down to three favorites (with before-and-after photos)…
Sarah’s pick: Tata Harper’s Volumizing Lip & Cheek Tint (in Very Naughty)
Made on a farm in Vermont, this all-natural cream works wonders on dry skin, since it’s made with coconut extract and jojoba oil. The rich pop of color brightened and plumped Sarah’s skin, and the color was buildable enough to go from day to night. In fact, all our models tried this, and it was the crowd favorite — and very flattering on all the skin tones.
Bettina’s pick: Stila’s Convertible Lip and Cheek Cream (in Peony)
This creamy color, in a cute little compact, lasts allllll day. Bettina looked natural and radiant, and the easy application makes this cream great for on-the-go touch-ups. (It would be a lifesaver while traveling.) No surprise that this guy has a serious cult following.
Gaby’s pick: Dior’s Cheek & Lip Glow
This Dior tint is more of a splurge, but a little goes a long way. Just a couple swipes gave Gaby a dewy pink flush. The color blended in seamlessly — and the magic formula reacts to your skin and creates a custom glow that perfectly suits you. How cool is that?
Four tips from makeup artist Ren Nobuko Huelster:
1. Prep skin by applying moisturizer or tinted moisturizer to help the cheek color glide on.
2. Skip powder foundation, which can turn cake-y when mixed with cream blush.
3. Smile, and then with a clean finger, put the color on the apples of your cheeks by tapping (no swiping!), starting a fingers-width distance from your nose and tapping upwards along the cheekbone. If you want a richer color, repeat this step.
4. For lips, dab the color in middle of your lips, then lightly buff it outward with your finger.
Thoughts? Which would you try? Any other recommendations? And thank you to all our lovely models!
(Photos by Ana Gambuto for Cup of Jo. Makeup by Ren Nobuko Huelster. Thanks to our friends Gaby Cetrulo, Bettina Garofalo and Sarah Moussa for modeling. This post is sponsored by Nordstrom, a retailer we have loved for years. Nordstrom is a great place to find other beauty staples, including our all-time favorite nail polish. Plus, they always offer free shipping and returns. Thank you so much for supporting the brands that help support Cup of Jo.)
