NYX Powder Blush: Terra Cotta, Peach, Pinched

As a self-proclaimed drugstore blushaholic I cannot write a successful (in my eyes) blog without dedicating a post to my beloved NYX Powder Blushes. The colors are so pretty and some are really unique, the ones I have tried are silky smooth and have good pigmentation, and they really are some of the best of the bunch. I've got 3 of these beauties in my stash right now but I'm tempted to pick up Mocha and maybe Desert Rose on my next trip into ULTA. Read on to hear my thoughts on each!

Terra Cotta is a bronzy tan color that looks more like it would function more as a bronzer than a blush, but I really like sweeping this over my cheek bones during the summer with minimal makeup (I'm talking concealer, BB cream, and mascara) for an effortless glow. It's so, so pretty in the pan I wish it would pick up more on my brush, but I'm not sure what the problem is with this one (maybe I just got a dud?) because I had to swatch pretty heavily to get that much color on my finger and swipe it a few times for it to show up noticeably on my arm. I guess that means it's a lightweight color and can be built up for intensity. It's nice to be able to swipe it on without having to think about making it look just right and in the right places, but I wouldn't complain if it came out a little more pigmented at first swatch. Despite that, it's a beautiful color and I'm really please to have it around when I don't feel like going in with a pink or a coral.

Peach is a bright slightly cooler-toned pink. I have no idea why it's called peach because I'd imagine it have more coral undertones but that's NYX naming for ya. It's on the cooler side compared to Pinched and gives more of an obvious pink pick-me-up to the face than a natural flushed glow. It's a matte blush so I like wearing it more in the winter to spring because I prefer my skin look dewier in the summer. The pigmentation of this one is probably the best of the three, and it reminds me of peonies in a bushel or the perfect color to wear on a spring picnic.

Pinched is the most gorgeous golden dusty rose blush I have ever laid my eyes on. A lot of people mention it as potential dupes for NARS Orgasm blush, but seeing as I've never tried the high-end counterpart I wouldn't know. By the looks of it (and from what I've tested by swatching Orgasm on my hand at Sephora) Pinched is a similar color but without the chunkier glitter. Pinched glides on so smoothly and leaves the healthiest glow, literally making my face look about a thousand times better than I could have imagined. Literally like someone came and pinched my cheeks for that perfect rosy flush! Can you just see the gorgeousness on the finger swatch!? It's plenty pigmented but you don't need to be super careful when applying it because it always seems to be the perfect amount. This is probably one of my all-time favorite drugstore makeup products, and definitely my favorite blush in my entire collection.