Review: Illamasqua Powder Blusher in Naked Rose

Hey dears!
There was a time when I was on a crazy hunt for a neutral or 'nude' coloured blush which I could tout as my everyday blush. Enter Naked Rose. Naked Rose is the only Illamasqua blush I own and I purchased it during an ASOS sale back when I was in the UK. I have had this for a while now so I thought it's high time I give my two cents on it.

For those wondering what is Illamasqua, Illamasqua is a British makeup brand which is against animal testing. Their products are gorgeous but a bit on the pricey, higher end scale of things. Naked Rose is a matte powder blusher in their permanent collection (I believe) and is a pretty, neutral everyday pink with slight red/brown undertones. The packaging of this baby is simple yet classy- it comes in a sturdy black plastic case with clear plastic on the top so that you can see the product within. It is made in Germany and comes with 4.5 grams of product.

The pigmentation of this baby is oh-so-amazing. One or two extremely light touches of the brush on this product is more than enough to give a lovely, natural flush on the cheeks. It is also very easy to blend this into the skin. The powder of this product is velvety smooth, soft and feels a bit like a mousse or butter. However, because the pigment is so soft, the powder can be a bit crumbly and powdery. That's not an issue for me, though, because I can easily dust off whatever excess product is on my cheeks. I've also experienced the hardening of the surface on some blushes to the extent that I have to scratch off the surface with a toothpick, but with Naked Rose, there is no such problem.

Naked Rose on my cheeks is a natural, muted dusty beige-pink. The colour is nothing unique but it is so versatile and complements many looks, making it suitable and perfect for everyday wear. I also like how the brown undertones of Naked Rose help sculpt my cheeks and make them look slightly more defined. The shade of this blush may look very light, but do not be fooled, too much of this product can make the cheeks look rather ruddy and almost clown-like. It also tends to emphasise redness on the cheeks so an even coloured complexion is preferable. I normally use the Real Techniques Buffing Brush to apply this as I feel that the brush picks up this product really well and blends the blush seamlessly into my skin - perfect combo for me!
Overall, I am a huge fan of this blush. It is a simple and understated colour yet it easily pulls the whole makeup look together. It gives me a natural-looking flush when applied lightly and is easy to use when I am in a rush. The pigmentation is buttery soft, velvety smooth and easy to blend. The price may be a bit on the steep side, but the results are worth it. Oh, Naked Rose, I foresee you being a staple part of my beauty routine for a long time.
Have you tried Illamasqua blushes? What is your favourite everyday blush? I'd love to know your recommendations! =D