Blush Délice ($8.89)
I'd given up on blush a couple of years ago in a short-lived, minimalist-inspired belief that I should pare my makeup routine down to just the absolute basics: mascara and a lip stain. But given my pale skin, instead of the natural look I had been aiming for, I was walking around looking like I'd just had a nasty shock. So I've been working my way through cream blushes, gel blushes, stick blushes, and the like.

Lately I've been partial to that magazine beauty spread favorite, Nars Orgasm. But every time I was in the drugstore I found myself drawn to the cute candy-colored translucent packaging of L'Oréal's Blush Délice, a shimmery powder blush. After having placed it back on the shelf for the umpteenth time, visions of my overstuffed makeup drawer dancing in my head, I caved when I flipped through a magazine online and saw it. How's that for the power of advertising?

Having decided to purchase it, all that was left was to choose the color. I thought Strawberry Tart, the lightest of the two pink shades offered, would be the best choice. But upon prying off the tape sealing the packaging to peek inside and, I'll admit, smudging a little bit on my finger to test it (don't you think drugstores would benefit by having testers instead of desperate patrons ripping packaging open?), I deemed it too light. It had an icy pink quality that was more suited to the dewy look than to the healthy glow I was seeking. So I went with Raspberry Sorbet, a deeper pink that brightened my face without looking at all fake. The other colors - Ginger Snap, Sugar Plum, and Sugar 'n' Spice - are all for darker skin, though Ginger Snap looked like it could do well as a bronzer.

Between the fabulous color, adorable package, fruity scent, and the inclusion of a mirror and excellent brush (something some department store and boutique brands often leave out so you'll have to purchase it separately), Blush Délice has replaced Nars in my makeup kit.

L'Oréal is available at drugstores, discount stores such as Target, Ulta, and drugstores, as well as on CVS.com and Walgreens.com.

review: 1/03