On My Mind: I’d Bring Blush to a Desert Island
When this piece goes live, it will be the eve of my 46th birthday, so naturally I’m thinking about aging — specifically how my makeup habits have evolved with age. Looking back, I realized every adult decade has had its own desert-island product — the one beauty thing I can’t live without. In my 20s, it was mascara because nothing made me look more alive and awake. I rarely left the house without it. These days, I’m much more comfortable going makeup-free. (Confidence increases with age.) In my 30s, it was brow filler when my already thin brows started to look more sparse. (In my 40s, nanoblading largely replaced that step.)
Now? Blush. In my 20s, I skipped it entirely in favor of bronzer, but the older I get, the more I understand why makeup artists say us 40-plus ladies need a pop of color on our cheeks. Slower cell turnover, decreased blood circulation, and thinner skin means I don’t have that same rosy glow I did at 26. Now at 46, blush is the thing that makes me look alive and awake.
Conveniently, blush is having a major moment, which means there’s been no shortage of formulas to test. Here are some recent standouts:
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In a recent Beauty Brief newsletter, I waxed poetic about Miracle Balms, which I often use to get glowy cheeks, so when Jones Road came out with these cute, little blush sticks, I had to try. The sticks have a rich feel but blend on sheer and look like a believable flush. I’m especially loving Miami, a coral pink — similar to Miami Beach, my favorite Miracle Balm shade, too.
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Don’t be intimidated by the red, this tint goes on super-sheer and pretty. I tap the metal ball-tip applicator on the tops of my cheekbones and blend with fingers or a brush for an even more diffused finish.
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This is a twofer — a cream and a powder in a warm brick shade. I tend to wear cream formulas more, but when I want more intensity (and longer wear), I’ll top the cream with a powder. This powder blush has gold streaks in it for a subtle highlight, too.
Everything else I’ve seen recently
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I have a bunch of cheapie rubber flip-flops in my closet, but this summer, there are so many ways to elevate the casual flip-flop — like this brown leather, minimalist pair.
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A couple of years ago, my oldest daughter was going through my jewelry box and couldn’t believe the size of some of my 2010s statement necklaces. Now statement pieces are back, but they’re not as bold and busy as some of my old stuff. They’re more sculptural and refined — like this one.
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Long pendant necklaces on black cords are everywhere, too. This one comes with both a black suede cord and a gold or silver chain so you can change it up.
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Bellabooty Belt
I was a gym girl until the pandemic. I started working out from home and never looked back. So I’m always looking to add to my at-home equipment and gear. I was recently sent this band that allows you to do exercises like hip thrusts with weights Velcro strapped to the sides rather than laying one weight across your hips. I was skeptical, but it works well and can hold up to 400 pounds. I was able to strap two 25-pound dumbbells for a total of 50 pounds for hip thrusts, instead of maxing out at my usual 40 pounds (the heaviest dumbbell I own).
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Speaking of workout gear, I’m long overdue for new sneakers. Because I do a mix of strength training, walking, and sometimes HIIT workouts, I go for a cross-trainer. I’ve been eyeing these, which offer stability for lifting but are flexible enough for cardio, too. And after a few years of white sneakers, I’m loving the light-blue-and-gray color combo.
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Every summer, I’m on the hunt for denim shorts that aren’t too short or too casual and can be easily dressed up. These flowy, tie-waist shorts from Paige strike that balance.
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I’ve also been on the lookout for the perfect one-piece: not matronly, not too sexy for my local family beach, and not in my usual black. This V-neck swimsuit in olive green caught my eye. I’ve ordered from Summersalt before and find they fit well and hold up over time.
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