CARGO Blush in The Big Easy

CARGO Cosmetics' look may be far from those of polished brands from big cosmetics companies, but its edgy, urban image is no less appealing. Founded in 1995 by Hana Zalzal, a civil engineer and an MBA graduate, Cargo's Canadian roots has spread to 11 countries and 1,400 stores. While Cargo is widely available in some parts of the West, it is virtually impossible to find in Asia -- a fact which may contribute to its mainstream-and-niche image. (Thanks to 三 姐 for helping me purchase this in Canada.)

The box comes in silvery-bronze hue that just knocks one off in a calm, inexplicable way. There is something tantalizing about the simple font and layout. It's a visual experience not commonly seen in makeup brands.

I spot some Arabic! The Big Easy supposedly got its name for being such an easy-to-use, universal shade.

Cargo's fame shot up when it housed lip glosses in tin cans, at the time when they were almost all packaged in tube form. The great advantage of having one person fuse her business savvy and engineer's brain is some quality product and original design.

The packaging feels lightweight and sturdy, not an easy combination to achieve. The cover removes smoothly and slips right back on seamlessly with no sound produced or even a flicker of a struggle. The large round open pan makes swirling brush and picking up product breezy, one reason why Cargo blushes are a favorite of makeup artists in film sets.

The powder is so soft that some particles rise up when swirling the brush (as can be seen on the upper part of the can). It melts right on the skin like soft butter, is easy to blend, and stays on the whole day. Dare I say it takes the place of the memory of my beloved NARS blushes?

The Big Easy is a peach-pink shade, leaning more on the peach side. I'm not much enjoying scented products as of late, and I really do like that this blush is not fragranced.

It has some soft sheen to its finish. It is not too pigmented that it's hard to control or layer color, nor is it too sheer.

It is a shade that would suit many skin tones. I find it's best paired with warm or neutral looks. The finish is natural, the color is easy to build up, and it didn't cause me any breakouts. It seems this high-quality blush can do no wrong -- except that it surprised me that such industrial-looking cans contain possibly the best blushes I've come across -- which makes me adore the stark simplicity of the packaging even more.

The sticker label.

Bottom part of the carton.

Ingredients list. 

Bourjois Little Round Pot Blushes in 16 Rose Coup de Foudre & 03 Brun Cuivre

Little Round Pot Blush is probably the most recognized product in Bourjois' lineup. This is no wonder as the product has been around for over a century. No other packaging says "Paris, France" like these pot blushes.

16 Rose Coup de Foudre translates as Pink Lightning. This interesting blush was gifted by an old friend (thanks E). 03 Brun Cuivre, or Copper Brown is something I brought home from Hong Kong two years ago.

These blushes exhibit a soft, powdery texture because they are baked. The color of the packaging is matched to the product shade, which is a convenient and practical touch. 

The cute round mirror, while of not much use, is of good quality and add to the overall chic elegance of the packaging. The blush also comes with a scratchy crescent-shaped brush and an instruction sheet. The brush did not serve its purpose as it is oddly shaped and the poor quality of the bristles applied color too heavily. The hair is also very rough on the skin. I have disposed of them since they are no good. 

Rose Coup de Foudre is actually more peach than pink. This shade imitates the cheeks' natural flush and is extremely flattering on most skin tones. There is a glimmer of sheen on the skin when applied which makes the product more three-dimensional. I like this shade and find it one of the best peach-pink blushes in the market. 
I was attracted to Brun Cuivre during a nude-obsession phase. This shade is not overly brown. It has a slight orange mixed in which is what makes it more forgiving in my observation. It tones down the redness on cheeks while giving it a subtle color that is not flat, thanks to the slight shimmers. It can work its magic into creating a polished, sophisticated look. 

This range of blushes from Bourjois are deserving of their long-standing fame. They offer beautiful shades in a wide range of colors. The price is reasonable also, and for the quality it offers, is well worth having in one's collection. There are twelve shades in all. 

I have also reviews 33 Lilas d' Or in Makeupalley.