New Kid In Town: Benefit Coralista Blush

By now, I'm sure you've picked up that I'm a huge fan of NARS Orgasm (sorry, Mom--I didn't name it) blush. It's my go-to, all-occasion, keep-it-in-my-freaking-purse staple. As long as they make it, I will use it, and that's that. Because of this, I very rarely even glance at another blush. I have some true pinks and blueish-pinks I occasionally dabble with, but even that's not very often, since I'm rarely happy with the results. Through some combinations sets and palettes, I've acquired some NARS "clones" that were similar, but never quite the same, and definitely never better. Basically, nothing in recent years has come along to make me think that I could ever get along without my NARS. If that doesn't fully convey my love of this blush, maybe this will: I replaced the travel blush in my UNII palette with the NARS. The mere thought of taking anything else with me when I traveled upset me so much that I depotted my precious NARS and put it in the palette so that I could have it at all times. Honestly, that's probably certifiable behavior, right there, and I should be ashamed. I assure you, I am. But I'm also blogging about it because it's just that good.

But this isn't a review of NARS Orgasm (sorry) blush. So why does this matter?

It matters because, Johnny come lately, there's a new kid in town. Benefit Coralista Blush* ($28, Sephora) has kind of turned my head a bit--and not because of it's similar to NARS, but because of how it's different.

Since I haven't been actively looking for a new, fancy blush, I didn't purchase this. This came as a deluxe sample with my latest Sephora shipment (I have a problem. I know. I'd go to a support group, but then I'd need a new lipgloss to wear to the meetings), which means that I can't tell you about the packaging or enclosed brush that one would get with a full-sized product. I can tell you, though, that the "sample" is huge. It's .1 oz, which is about a third of the full-sized blush (.28). It's also about two-thirds the size of my over-a-year-old-and-going-strong NARS (.16). In other words, you get a lot of product for $28, and this sample should last me for months. Maybe longer.

I really can't say enough good things about this blush. Coralista is a bronzed peachy-pink that's sheer, but easily buildable. There's no sparkle or glitter, but instead, a beautiful luminosity that makes you glow without looking like a pixie threw-up on your face (lovely). The texture is so silky that it almost feels like a cream, and the color practically jumped onto my brush. Best of all, when you put it on, you don't look like you're wearing blush. You just look healthy, with a subtle glow. Right now, I am dying to see how this looks with a sunless tan. I paired this with a slightly shimmery neutral eye and a sheer, glossy red lip for an "I've been at the pool eating cherry popsicles all day" look. While my NARS is a flattering, natural flush, it's also darker and a little sparkly. You look like you, only polished, but there's no question as to if you're wearing makeup--which I don't mind. There's normally not any question of it, anyway. I'm 30 years-old; of course, I'm wearing makeup. The Coralista, however, could cause some major head scratching.

My NARS isn't going anywhere, but it should be jealous. It's great for those days when I pull out the curling iron or straightener (which is most days, if I'm honest). The Coralista is a breath of fresh air. It's going into my arsenal for those mornings when natural waves and flip flops reign supreme.

Final Verdict: 10 out of 10. This is Summer in a box. Snap it up while you still can.

*Photo Credit: Sephora (Blogger's being difficult and wouldn't let me add a caption, darnit!)