One of my most favorite cosmetic items is blush. It wasn’t always so - in the beginning, I had no clue where to put it on my face or how to get that softly diffused effect. Being somewhat heavy-handed and naturally flushed, a careless application can make me look clownish really quick. Through practice, however, I have learned to embrace and even love the product! I just look more alive with a smattering of it along my cheeks.

The top three qualities I look for in my blushes are pigment, blendability, and finish. Ideally, blush should have enough pigment to go on easily, but not too much that it is hard to tone down. It also needs to be blendable for a natural diffused look. A natural-looking finish is also a must. Blush should look one with the skin, not sitting on top of it.

Here are some blushes that have impressed me during my recent trip to the beauty store. The best part about them? They’re all under P500! Talk about value for money. Check them out!

Flormar Compact Blush On in P113 Soft Peach (P299). I love the wowza! pigment and the smoothness and amazing blendability of this blush, as they make for an easy and quick application. It’s so pigmented that you barely need to dip your brush in the compact. It also contains a whopping 14g of product! I think this can easily last you a year or two with daily use. The medium-deep, slightly warm peach color with a subtle sheen is also flattering on warm medium tones.

Maybelline Dream Bouncy Blush in Coffee Cake (P349). This is a good option if you have extremely dry skin and cannot handle powder blush. The texture is like a sponge - oddly bouncy, quite sheer but buildable. A few layers result in a very natural looking flush with a lit-from-within effect. Coffee Cake is a gorgeous nude color that makes fair and light tones look sun-kissed. It is not so warm that it looks yellow and not too cool that it looks muddy. One con is that it does not show up well on darker tones. Also, the product’s unique texture is a magnet for dirt and dust, so always use with clean fingers!

Essence Silky Touch Blush in Summer Dreaming (P209). Like the name implies, this is a dreamy blush for summer! I love how bright and uplifting the pinky-peach color is. The pigment is buildable and the powder goes on smooth and silky. I also like that the shimmer in the pan translates more as a sheen on the skin. While the color is light, I think medium tones can still rock it. The packaging feels pretty cheap, but to get a really good product for that price and that quality, I can’t really complain.

Image via matejasbeautyblog.blogspot.com

Catrice Defining Blush in Rose Royce (P349). Essence and Catrice are sister brands from Germany, and although they barely have any visible adverts or promotions here in the Philippines, I generally find both to be reliable and have purchased quite a few products from them that I loved. I like that both brands are relatively affordable while having good variety and quality. The Catrice Defining Blush in Rose Royce did not disappoint—it is an unassuming matte nude with rose tones that looks boring in the pan but lovely on the skin. This type of color flatters many skin tones and tends to work for all occasions. The packaging lacks that sturdy feeling, but then again, it’s less than P500.

ELF HD Blush in Headliner (P349). Headliner was the only shade in stock when I was prowling Watsons for products to feature here. I am not sure if it’s the only shade available here in the PH, but nonetheless, this is a lovely blush with intense color payoff - as in you only need to pump a veeeeery tiny bit to get enough product for both your cheeks. It is a thick liquid that is very spreadable. When sheered out, the color is a sweet baby pink that looks fresh without being juvenile, but it can be built up to an intense pink for more drama.

I hope you saw one that you like! Any “cheapie but goodie” blush recommendations? How do you like to apply your blush? Spill in the comments!

Budget Beauty: The best blushes under P350

How do beauty buyers decide on what goes into their stores?

Everything at P88! Check out this epic Daiso Haul