The best blushes I’d take to a desert island

Glossier blush, NARS blush and By Terry blush on a pink background with pink swatches behind them

As someone who barely scraped through their bronze Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, you might question my survival instincts in the wild. Nevertheless, deliberating over which items I would need the most in a survival situation has become one of my favourite pastimes. I’ve watched Cast Away enough times to know that life on a desert island isn’t pretty. So forget firelighters and fishing rods, the first thing I’m packing is my emergency glam kit – starting with the best blushes to keep your cheeks looking chic.

From creamy sticks to pigmented powders, these blushes are my ride-or-die formulas that give the best results every time. Quite simply, they’re the products I wouldn’t ever want to part with, even if I was stuck on a desert island.

The best blushes in my collection

NARS The Multiple Blush Stick

If there’s one thing you need on a desert island, it’s a multi-purpose product. A cheek colour, eyeshadow, lipstick and highlighter all in one, this NARS blush stick is a real makeup heavyweight, and the perfect product to pop in your handbag (or survival kit in this case). Available in the iconic ‘Orgasm’ shade, this creamy formula glistens with shimmering pigments, and I adore how it looks when it catches the light, giving the ultimate natural glowy finish.

What’s more, with a buildable formula and a seamless blend, this blush is ideal for any level of makeup lover, from novice to aficionado.

ILIA Multi-Stick

Though I plan to wear SPF on my desert island (I’m not a savage after all), I still lust after that kissed by the sun look. This ILIA blush stick in shade ‘At Last’ is the perfect way to faux a natural rouge hue when applied to the high points of cheeks and bridge of the nose.

Perhaps my most well-used blush, I turn to this formula time and time again when I’m in need of a quick complexion pick-me-up, and I can’t count the amount of times people have complimented me on it. Pocket-sized and easy to blend out with fingers, it’s the perfect low-maintenance product for your island lifestyle.

Glossier Cloud Paint

No matter how long I’m stuck on my island, I know the Glossier Cloud Paint will be with me until the end. Deceptively long lasting, and packed with pastel pigment, this liquid formula in shade ‘Puff’ is perfect to give cheeks that pop of pink. Not only does the tube seem to be never-ending, but this is probably my most enduring blush, keeping my cheeks sweet from morning to night.

A gel-like texture that buffs out at the touch of your fingertips, this formula really is as heavenly as its name suggests.

BY TERRY Brightening CC Palette

Matching my makeup to my backdrop, BY TERRY’s shimmering summer palette in ‘Beach Bomb’ is the obvious choice for my desert island glam kit. A glowy quad of sunkissed shades designed to sculpt and highlight the cheeks, these featherlight powders are the perfect complexion pick-me-up.

Infused with rosehip oil for antioxidant protection and a touch of hydration, this powder pigment keeps skin just as soft as its liquid and cream competitors. Plus, the accompanying compact mirror is a must when you’re the only sign of civilisation…

Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Liquid Blush

This blush simply had to make the cut because of the sheer power of its pigment. Another formula that would last the entirety of your indefinite desert island stay, just a few tiny dots of this liquid blush will give you a surprisingly vibrant colour payoff.

My personal favourite shade ‘Encourage’ is a pink-purple hybrid that offers a soft, radiant (not shimmery) finish – perfect to nail that natural, island girl glow.

I hope you enjoyed reading my version of a survival guide. Sure, food and water may be scarce, but at least you’ll look fabulously flushed at all times on your desert island. Bear Grylls, I’m coming for your crown.

Enjoyed this post? Why not check out Three SPFs you need in your life.

*Disclaimer: Here on Alice Hope I am sometimes gifted products through PR, however I only ever write about items that I genuinely love! As part of my work, my posts feature affiliate links that allow me to make a small amount of commission should you purchase products through my blog. By shopping via these links, you are helping to keep my lovely little space on the internet alive. Lots of love x