Product Review: Almay Smart Shade Blush

I had really high hopes about this particular blush, but I was sadly disappointed. During the summer I was looking for an alternative to the regular powder blush, as I wanted my blush to last all day and to be sweat proof, regardless of the heat. I really wanted to try a good cream blush but when I was at work I saw that this blush was on sale for about half price $5, as it regularly retails for about $10, so I picked it up in the shade 030 berry. There are three different shades in total, pink, natural and berry. The blush claims to match your natural skin tone when blended, which supposedly activates the micro beads to blend into your skin and give you a healthy natural flush to your face.

When I first squeezed the product out of the tube it was not what I was expecting. First the red colour tint came then the dusty pink micro beads followed. So then I shook it a little bit hoping for the product to mix in the tube, but nope, still the same gloopy mess.

Then I proceeded to apply the blush using my fingers. It blended out  really easily BUT the colour was so sheer that it disappeared on my face. I applied a second layer of the blush and a berry shade did start to appear. Even though it is easy to blend, to does take a little practise to get used to because if you don't blend it out properly it will leave darker red spots in the places that it was not blended.

Overall, I do not think that this blush lives up to what it claims. The concept of it the blush is intriguing, which is what sparked my curiosity about this product, but I will not be repurchasing it. I was determined to find a use for the blush, as I don't like to waste the products I buy and use it up. To give it some credit, I decided to use it as a base for my regular blush, and to my surprise it does work as a base, but adding an extra step to getting ready everyday in the morning isn't really worth it. I do enjoy the packaging, as it comes in a 15ml squeeze tube, which allows for squeezing out the right amount of product without wasting much and is an easy alternative for blush touch ups during the day. I would give this blush a 2.5/5.