Review: Deborah Milano Natural Blush in 'Cherry'*

I've previously reviewed a Deborah Milano Shine Creator Lipstick, so I was thrilled when I was asked if I'd like to try another of the brand's products, and after some deliberation chose the Natural Blush in shade 5 'Cherry'*. According to the website, "Natural blush is enriched with precious gem dust: Amethyst, Mother of Pearl, Coral, Tourmaline, Amber, Jade and Ruby. Precious gems are bursting with the minerals and trace elements that skin needs, and are especially gentle on sensitive skin types. The unique formula blends flawlessly into the skin, leaving a luminous matte finish that lasts and lasts."
My first impressions of the packaging are split; on the one hand, I like the unusual shape and the pretty rippled effect in the powder itself. The clear plastic lid makes it easy to see which shade you have, and the packaging feels fairly resilient so I'd be confident travelling with it. However, the dark brown colour of the plastic just feels a little bit outdated to me - I'd have preferred something black, white, or chrome. Obviously, that's just personal preference and it does the job so I can't really complain! The compact also contains a small brush which I wouldn't use to apply the blusher to be honest - if I didn't have a proper blusher brush, I'd probably use my fingers over the brush provided as it's just too small. I think this is the case with most brushes included in similar products and isn't really something that bothers me, I just don't use the brush.
The blusher itself is lovely, really well pigmented, with only the tiniest amount needed to give a lovely flush of colour. It blends reasonably easily, although if you're too heavy handed it would take some working out! I think this is a shade that would work for most people; I'm really pale and it's quite striking on me, on darker skins it would be a more subtle but still pretty pop of colour.
[Also wearing: Natural Collection Shine Away Foundation in 'Porcelain';Soap & Glory Kick Ass Concealer in 'Light'; Collection Loose Powder; Elizabeth Arden Pure Finish Highlighter; MUA Pro-Brow Palette; Avon Super Extend Eye Accents Mascarain 'Black Steel'; Collection Extreme 24-Hour Felt Tip Liner in 'Black';Accessorize Lipstick in 'Vintage Rose']