Q. What Blush to Wear with Red Lips?

I feel like this is a question I ponder every single time I reach for a red lipstick – just what blush am I supposed to pair with it that doesn’t make me look like a Aunty Sally, or like I’m wearing an absolute shedload of makeup. Often I dither around and decide to go for nothing at all, but sometimes when I look back at photos I realise my face consists of a bold lip, brows and not much else – I end up looking like a monobrowed Miranda Sings version of a moomin – an interesting look, so perhaps it’s a step I shouldn’t skip so nonchalantly. Luckily in my stash there’s one blush that comes to the rescue…

It’s Tarte 12hr Amazonian Clay Blush in Exposed. Shocker, eh? I may have mentioned this about 546 times before round these parts but it’s just such a great blush that serves so many purposes. A blush for non-blush lovers? A blush that does that whole contour and colour thing at the same time? A blush that compliments a bold lip in the most subtle way possible? It does it all. It’s pigmented, sure, so a light hand is best but that also works to its advantage because the longevity on this stuff is unrivalled. It’s matte, so there’s no shimmer to be seen and the colour is an unexciting looking mix of pink and brown, but don’t be fooled.

The bummer? It’s a bit of a tough one to source in the UK, though it is available from QVC (good price and you get a brush included). However there’s a much easier to scout out dupe in the form of NARS Blush in Doucer. A very similar shade that does the whole job of pinching some colour into your apples without making you look like a clown. Bye, bye moomin.