What blushers do you recommend?

[ScreamingValenta]

I'm far from photogenic at the best of times, but in some family photos taken last week I looked so pallid you'd have thought I was ill . I don't routinely wear blusher as I'm afraid of looking clown-like, but I really think the time has come to add some colour to my cheeks before I'm mistaken for a ghost.

I am mid-40s and normally match an 'ivory' foundation in winter.

What blushers do people swear by? Budget probably £10 - £15.

Any advice would be gratefully received.

It is more expensive, but Bobbi Brown appears to last forever and I use it everyday.
It is a matt one and stays on very well.

www.boots.com/max-factor-creme-puff-blush-10188656
I really like this one. I'm a similar colouring to you and I use the shade seductive pink. The Rosie for Autograph cream blusher is also very good.

I second Bobbi Brown. I have pale skin and use the shade ‘pale pink’ which looks sooo bright but goes on as a lovely flush. If you want something with a little shimmer I have also used Nars ‘orgasm’ which is very flattering.

I don't mind paying more for one that works out cheaper per wear than a budget brand. The most important thing is for it to look as natural as possible; I have a horror of looking like Ronald MacDonald!

I've got the Bobbi brown one in pale pink too. It is nice, but expensive.

I wear hourglass ethereal blush. Expensive but impossible to overdo!
The other I use is spellbound or promise ring both by makeup geek

Thank you for the recommendations, that's really helpful. I'll see if I can try some testers - I've had a look before but not known where to start. Bobbi Brown sounds good, and I use Max Factor lipstick and really trust it. The 'ethereal blush' sounds lovely. I am looking for a natural slight flush effect rather than a contoured type look so all of those sound promising.

Kiko all the way! They stay put and blend out a dream!

More than your budget but will last an age & have instant, lasting impact: Charlotte Tilburry Chrek to Chic In First Love & Nars in orgasm.

Clinique chubby stick (terrible name). About £20 but no.7 do a brilliant copy for about half that. Creamy so super easy to blend and avoid the dreaded clown look.

Bobbi Brown Uber Beige. A browny pink cream blush that suits a lot of skin tones. You can use a brush or your fingers and just blend it on, very easy

I use Bodyshop lip and cheek stain. Lasts for ages, apply with fingertips.

Thank you, these all sound good. I'd like something that would last the day out so guessing I might pay a bit more to save having to reapply.

Benefit Dallas.

I'm also very pale, and I use Dior Rosy Glow blushed, which looks disconcertingly bright pink until you put it on, but then just gives a bit of a blush. I have tried lots of others, but this is the first one that hasn't made me feel a bit self conscious.

Mac powder blush in mocha. Perfect natural flush for me. Ive found blush like nars orgasm is easy to overdo and too pink! Im pale/fair neutral undertone

Sorry- just clocked the budget. The Dior is ruinously expensive, but less than all my failed blushed, which is my justification...

MAC blushbaby, I just bought the fourth pot and would never change it. It’s a peachy colour perfect for everyday natural look and easy to apply. I am a brunette with pale skin

I am a great fan of Benefit Benetint. It keeps me from looking corpselike.
I used to buy a fantastic blusher from Helena Rubinstein which was a tinted gel stick. It gave a really natural wash of colour, but it was discontinued and I have never seen anything like it since.

Have you considered using a touch of bronzer maybe? Really warms the face and adds subtle definition. I don't mean contouring, just a touch around the outside of the face and over the cheeks, then blush on top

I use Daniel Sandler Watercolour Fluid Blusher in So Pretty. It is about £15, but I have used about 1/3 of the bottle since I bought it in July-time last year. You literally need one drop of blusher, to blend with your fingers.

I'm wary of bronzer, Confusedwife unless in summer, as my skin seems too pale for it to look natural - I have the kind of skin that burns easily but only gets a very light tan (and then goes into freckles in the sun) and any brown tones seem obviously fake unless I have the slight summer tan to blend them in.

Dior is probably out of budget sadly; I always think their products look so stylish but they're beyond my everyday purse.

I don't recommend MAC, too powdery and you hit pan so quickly.

Benefit, Bobbi Brown and Clinique are good.

Or a bit cheaper Bourjois x

I splashed the cash and purchased an Estee Lauder one in a shade I love. Still haven't used it all and had it over a year now. It's very pigmented so a little goes a long way and stays on all day. Worth every penny.

If you're one shade off corpse like me then the Estee Lauder ones will probably be too deep for you. My favourite to date has been Dior but it isn't cheap, Clarins was poor in comparison and I would never buy it again. Currently on a cute, cheap little Bourjois one which isn't an all-dayer but does the job.