Hot pink cheeks for spring

I've been curious to try out a hot pink blush every since I saw a few videos from MakeupbyTiffanyD where she uses a hot pink blush she has from Smashbox. Whenever she uses it she says the color looks scary bright in the pot, but applies really nicely on the skin. But, I was still a bit skeptical. It's hard looking at that bright of a color and thinking you are going to be able to pull it off. So, I was hoping to find a cheaper alternative. That way if I wasn't crazy about it, I didn't have to feel guilty about spending a lot of money for a product I'd barely used. I'd heard some people say they liked the e.l.f. Studio blush in Pink Passion as an inexpensive hot pink alternative, but I'd never seen that shade at my local Target. I try to save my online orders for when I need more than one product, so I waited it out. Lucky for me, as I was perusing the Target isles a few weeks ago I found that Target had expanded its e.l.f. selection, and there it was, the Pink Passion blush I'd been holding out for (insert happy dance because I actually did a happy little shimmy in the makeup isle). They also had the e.l.f. setting spray, which I plan to review for all of you soon (another product I'd been wanting but was always sold out online). Oh, and before I forget Target is also carrying the e.l.f. mineral line (I recommend it to all my friends who want to try mineral makeup but don't want to pay too much money).

Pink Passion
It's even brighter in person

But back to the subject at hand. I was completely stoked (dance and all) to find this hot pink shade. At only $3, I couldn't go wrong. The bright pink is intimidating in the pan, and Mr. Girly Things actually shook his head when he saw it, predicting I would look like a clown or Mimi from the Drew Carey Show once I actually wore it.  He was pretty impressed with how well the color wears when he actually saw it on me. If it gets his stamp of approval, ladies, than you better believe it is not loud and obnoxious. You see, David is rather conservative. He does not like all my loud and colorful nail polishes, preferring it when I wear what he likes to call normal colors (read: red, light pinks, nudes) and not being too keen on my preference for purple, grey, black, blue, green, hot pink, and well, anything nonconservative (which is really most of my nail polish collection). He had that same look on his face when he first saw this blush as he had when I painted my nails with "Who let the dorks out?" (read: disapproval ---> which only makes me want to wear it more). But, we went out that evening and I rocked my hot pink blush. As I was getting ready, he came in and complimented my makeup. I had a sly smile on my face and let him know I was wearing my new hot pink blush, and he was rather pleased I wasn't leaving the house rocking doll cheeks.

Pink Passion swatch

Aside from being totally wearable, here are a few more details on the blush:

• It comes in sturdy packaging with a nicely-sized mirror
• It's silky and smooth and easy to blend
• It's pigmented, so a little goes a long way, make sure to build it up to your desired brightness
• Layering it over a cream blush (I used NYX Hot Pink) gives it great staying power (a nice trick for all blushes)

I am totally in love with this bright blush and I think it will quickly become a staple for the spring and summer. It's just a perfect color for the season's weather and wardrobe. 

What do you think of Pink Passion? Have you tried e.l.f. Studio blushes before? A lot of people have compared them to Nars, and I can see why: the packaging is similar and they pack a pigment punch. I wouldn't necessarily say they are dupes, but if they are striving to emulate this much lauded brand, then their efforts are paying off because the e.l.f. brand developed a product of excellent quality.