Clarins Joli Blush: This Award Winner Doesn’t Impress Me

Lightweight, long wear is promised with this Clarins blush.

Powder blush should be buildable in pigment, easy to apply, and long wearing. The powder should be silky soft and not cling to or accentuate imperfections, such as fine lines, texture, and pores. With this performance criteria, I put an Allure Best of Beauty 2020 winner from Clarins to the test. With claims such as pH reactant pigment, long wear, and a lightweight feel, Clarins Joli Blush sounds promising. Though, its actual performance isn’t as up to par as I was hoping for.

Quick Rating Rundown

This Product

(3.3)

:Mented Cosmetics Blush

Price: $33.00

0.1 oz

Value

(3.1)

Application

(3.8)

Finish

(3.5)

Longevity

(3.5)

Extra Benefits

(2.5)

Industry Standard

(4.2)

:NARS Blush

Price: $32.00

0.16 oz

Value

(4.3)

Application

(4.6)

Finish

(4.4)

Longevity

(5)

Extra Benefits

(2.7)

MILABU PICKS

(4.5+)

:Best Drugstore Powder Blushes

Price: $4 – $12

various

Value

(4.5+)

Application

(4.5+)

Finish

(4.5+)

Longevity

(4.5+)

Extra Benefits

(4.5+)

_{Our Rating Criteria}

Promises vs. Performance: Clarins blush is just okay.

Say hello to customized color. Clarins Joli Blush is ultra-pigmented and pH reactant. It delivers a subtle to intense pop of color that is buildable. This pressed powder blush has a featherlight texture and comes in a mix of eight matte and shimmer shades. The formula contains hazelnut oil which softens, smoothes, and nourishes skin for a comfortable wear. Plus, their exclusive Anti-Pollution Complex to protect cheeks. Clarins does promise a long wear with Joli Blush, too.

I’m gonna be honest, this blush is nothing impressive. It does apply easily, but it isn’t very pigmented. You really have to build and layer the pigment for a vibrant pop. Though, it doesn’t accentuate fine lines, texture, or pores thanks to its silky smooth texture. Even with the pH reactant Clarins has in the formula, the blush doesn’t get any more vivid once applied. I was thinking this would mean it would warm up and color-adjust, but it did not.

Since Joli Blush isn’t very pigmented, I wouldn’t consider this long wearing. Since it is so light, it does fade as your makeup wears throughout the day. I don’t experience any of the extra benefits Clarins claims, such as hydration from the hazelnut oil and the anti-pollution complex.

How Clarins Blush Compares: When it comes to powder blush, there’s better.

In my opinion, there’s so many better blushes out there. Yes, Clarins Joli Blush applied easily and didn’t accentuate my fine lines, texture, or pores, but it just didn’t wow me. I like a pigmented pop of color on my cheeks. I was intrigued by the pH reactant formula, thinking maybe the blush would get more pigmented as it warmed up with my skin. But, that was not the case.

Let’s start with NARS Blush. I’m sure we’re all familiar with the iconic Orgasm shade that is said to be the perfect pinky peach flush, flattering on all skin tones. I find all shades of NARS Blush to be pigmented, blendable, buildable, and long wearing. I also love Clinique Cheek Pop. It, too, is buildable, blendable, and long wearing. I find with either NARS or Clinique, I don’t have to sacrifice anything I want in a blush: I get an easy to apply, vivid cheek color that stays vibrant all day long.

And, even at the drugstore there’s solid blushes. e.l.f. Primer-Infused Blush is gorgeous and a steal at just $7.00. It applies smoothly, is buildable in pigment, and has a long lasting wear.