Bobbi Brown Pot Rouge for Lips & Cheeks Review & Swatches

My makeup routine has recently gone through a major change since the start of cold weather. I am now back to using my favorite winter products such as the Tarte Pure Maracuja Oil (review) and Bite Agave Lip Mask (review) to keep my skin and lips moisturized. As for the cheeks, I’m also switching to cream blushes when I can to keep my complexion dewy and less dull. The newest addition to my cream blush collection is the Bobbi Brown Pot Rouge for Lips & Cheeks that I received as part of the Bobbi Brown Bobbi’s Modern Classics set (review) last month. :)

Shown above is a mini compact (that surprisingly comes with a mirror, too!) in Blushed Rose which is a medium reddish brown-based pink. At first glance I assumed it was going to be too dark for me but the color actually sheers out quite a lot upon application. It is very pigmented but it also has quite a bit of translucent texture that makes blending to a natural finish an easy task. I normally like to apply cream blushes, especially those that are pigmented, with my fingers so I can control the amount of blush and location to apply on my cheeks more precisely.

Blushed Rose feels super creamy to the touch and like most cream blushes, it can feel a little sticky at first. The texture definitely takes some getting used to especially if you have not used cream blushes before. On my medium complexion, Blushed Rose goes on quite sheer and I usually have to layer it on to achieve a nice dose of healthy flush.

The formula is scent-free and doesn’t turn to powder. The cream texture leaves a seamless and dewy finish that is incredibly natural-looking and long-lasting. I get about 5-6 hours of solid wear and after that it fades only slightly. It can be worn on bare skin or over foundation which I honestly did not see much of a difference in longevity either way. Setting with powder is optional, though it will undoubtedly help extend the wear time, especially if you have oily skin.

Now as a lip product, I say it is simply a tinted lip balm at best. Blushed Rose is basically the color of my lips. Packing it on doesn’t make much of a difference on me so to me, it isn’t really buildable. The formula is creamy and comfortable enough to wear on the lips without emphasizing dry areas but then again I have only worn it over the Bite Agave Lip Mask. Without a balm underneath, I suspect it could be a little drying.

Staying power on the lips is short-lived. I’d be lucky to get a full 3 hours out of it. Once you consume your first meal, it’s pretty much gone and re-application will be needed.

While the formula doesn’t perform well on its own on the lips, I think it does make for a good base for lipsticks. In fact, you can wear it as a base for your powder blushes as well. Given the choice of color, Blushed Rose isn’t exactly what I’d normally go for. I prefer something brighter with a more youthful vibe like Calypso Coral or Raspberry. I think either one of these two would suit my preference better.

Do you change up your makeup routine when the weather gets cold? What are some of your must-have winter skin savers?

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