When the Charlotte Tilbury line launched in the US, the Cheek To Chic blush was one item I knew I definitely wanted to try. After looking at online swatches, I settled on the color First Love because it looked like it might add something different to my collection. And, as an ulterior motive, I thought it might/possibly/maybe a powder dupe for NARS Penny Lane...something I've been on the hunt for entirely too long!

***Purchased by me. Affiliate links included.

Charlotte Tilbury Cheek To Chic in First Love - www.gummyvision.com

Charlotte Tilbury Cheek To Chic in First Love, $40 @ Nordstrom, Net-A-Porter, Bergdorf Goodman

The full name is the Cheek to Chic Swish & Pop Blusher, with the idea being that you swish the outer color onto your cheeks...then additionally pop the center color onto the apples of your cheeks for a bit more depth. I don't do that really. I just mix the colors together, usually picking up more color from the outer, lighter circle.

The packaging is a very lightweight plastic. While the design and colors are nice, for $40 I'd like a little more heft to the product. That said, at least it's slim and doesn't take up a lot of space.

The product itself though is super smooth, velvety and blends beautifully. Supposedly the pigment is "rolled into finely crushed pearls that smooth & buff the skin for excellent blend ability & perfect color uniformity"...so...there is that :-) It's not powdery, but it is very soft to the touch...so depending on what brush I use sometimes a little product is kicked up. I expected this color to be light and pretty neutral, and wondered how well it would show up. First Love is more pigmented than I expected, and I have to use a light hand otherwise things can quickly turn clown-like! Not that it's super pigmented...just...somehow it seems to pick up on my red undertones a lot so I don't need as much as I do with some other blushes in my collection.

The outer, lighter circle of color has some shimmer to it, but it's subtle and not the least bit in-you-face or overwhelming. It more just lends to a naturally glowy finish. The middle color is matte.

Overall, I'm very happy with my purchase and definitely wouldn't mind adding more colors to the stash :-)

Outside sunlight. Bottom swatch is the outer circle. Top swatch is the pop.

So this isn't as neutral as I had thought it might be. It pulls more peachy on me, and is definitely not anywhere close to NARS Penny Lane. Nevertheless, It's a lovely color!

p.s. If anyone does know of a powder dupe for Penny Lane, please let me know!