MAC Pret-a-Papier Collection: Blush & Mineralize Blush Review, Photos, Swatches
Wednesday, April 21st, 2010

MAC Garb Blush
MAC Pret-a-Papier Collection: Blush & Mineralize Blush Review, Photos, Swatches
For whatever reason, I must have spaced, because I did not realize that Pret-a-Papier was such a large collection. I kept thinking it was a dinky little collection, but it’s a full collection. It includes two sheertone blushes and one mineralize blush duo.
Blush ($18.50 U.S. / $22.00 CDN)
- Garb is a darkened nude with an orange undertone. It has a near matte finish, though there is a subtle shimmer in it that’s really not very noticeable. Though it’s only a bit on the warmer side, the obvious orange tone may not work well with the fairest of the fair.
- Instant Chic is a slightly coraled pink with a powdery look. It’s sheerer than Garb, and I found it more difficult to build up the intensity, though. I like the shade, because it’s not quite like anything in MAC’s permanent line, and I don’t know if I’ve seen something like this in recent collections either. I do wish it was a bit more pigmented–I fear it may be a wash on those with deeper skin tones (think NC/NW45 or darker).
Mineralize Blush ($23.00 U.S. / $27.50 CDN)
- Light Over Dark is a duo of golden copper and a darkened, reddish copper-bronze. Both shades have a very frosty finish to them. The size of the compact is large enough to be able to use the shades separately or together, I’d imagine. I’m personally not a fan of this, because it does have a rather frosty finish, which turns out pretty gnarly in photographs!
Instant Chic is the most unique of the three blushes, despite not having the best color pay off (it is a sheertone, though). It’s coral enough to be perfect for summer and add some brightness to cheeks, but it’s not so warm that only warmer skin tones will like it. I do think it’s a better shade for light to medium skin tones, and if you’re of a deeper skin tone, you may want to swatch it in person first.
Any of these catch your eye?
See photos & swatches!

MAC Garb Blush

MAC Garb Blush

MAC Garb Blush

MAC Garb Blush

MAC Instant Chic Blush

MAC Instant Chic Blush

MAC Instant Chic Blush

MAC Instant Chic Blush

MAC Instant Chic Blush

Blush: Garb (heavily/lightly), Instant Chic (heavily/lightly)

MAC Light Over Dark Mineralize Blush Duo

MAC Light Over Dark Mineralize Blush Duo

MAC Light Over Dark Mineralize Blush Duo

MAC Light Over Dark Mineralize Blush Duo

MAC Light Over Dark Mineralize Blush Duo

MAC Light Over Dark Mineralize Blush Duo
All products featured in this post were purchased by Temptalia.
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Christine, if you had to pick two out of the three blushes which two would you pick: Garb, Hipness, or Instant Chic?
Instant Chic blush is VERY VERY VERY similar to Melba blush (which is permanent). Don't get it if you already have Melba :)
wow this is so funny. today i went to my mac counter to buy instant chic and the SA gave me melba. weird hehehe
I"m a NW45 girl and I order both the Instant chic and the MIneralized blush duo so, we'll see and I'll keep you posted Christine.
plz post on how it worked for u...im a nw45 too n i was leanin towards garb cuz i thought instant chic wouldnt show up on me
Hi Christine, Which blush would you recommend for me I'm an NC40? I initially thought I would get both but I'm not so sure now. Thanks!
Garb - Instant Chic is pretty sheer, seriously! I am NC25ish and it took a bit of building to get it to show up on me.
I think I'm going to have to pass on these. Instant chic is the only one that caught my eye -- I'm a very fair NW20. However, I am a blush gal and based on your description, I know I'm going to have to swatch it first. Light Over Dark looks extremely unwearable as a blush... too frosty!
Thanks as always for all the swatches! Do you think Instant Chic is different enough from Hipness (Fafi) to warrant having both? It looks kind of similar in the photos.
I recently purchased the Estée Lauder blush from the Michael Kors collection, the coralish one (Sunset Coral) - do You happen to know if it's any similar to Instant Chic? (not sure You had the chance to review it) Btw, I really like Sunset Coral, it's very buildable and soft without any shimmer - it seems similar to me,maybe pinker, so those who find Instant Chic sheer, amy want to look into it. :)
I love instant chich blush ! It's been on my list since I seen the collection pictures. Christine I have a question I know that it's a light blush would you recommend a creme blush that will make it pop more? It will really help if u answer thank you :)
I have a blush that I love from MAC, I bought it quite a few years ago and it was in a Cosmetic Company Outlet in the UK (so it was probably already discontinued or limited editon when I bought it! The name has long since rubbed off, but I think it may have been called Cheek. Does that sound familiar? It's a pale-ish pinky peachy colour. Do you know it? If so, is instant chic similar? Or do you know of any others that are? I think I may finally run out of it soon! Thanks.
Hi Christine! Just curious, I'm warm toned (I've no problem with it being too orange! haha)Would you agree that Instant Chic is more pink and Garb is more coral? Thanks!
Opps~ Another question! Is the Light Over Dark too frosty to work as a bronzer? Would you agree that it is more matte than the earlier released mineralized blush duos? Thanks, Christine!
I think it's pretty frosty, so I don't really like it for anything but a highlighter, lol! But no, it doesn't really seem more matte than previous launches!
They're pretty different, IMO. Hipness has this powdery look to it that neither Instant Chic or Garb do.
OMG, Totally Chic is the perfect everyday light pink blush!!! I bought pink swoon thinking it would be it, but it totally wasn't...LOL, and I need another blush other than Pinch O' Peach to use everyday, and I wasn't thinking about buying anything from this collection( saving for IMATS) but I think I will give in on this one. =-)
do you think light over dark compares at all to the Brunette MSF from BBR?? i have been dying for a dupe of that msf, i LOVED it.
Instant chic is gorgeous, i already got it! Perect for summer. I was DISSAPOINTED in coral Crepe! Its too orange rather than being a coral.
I was hoping to get both blushes, but I think I may just get Instant Chic, (not garb) as originally planned. Thanks Christine!
In person Instant Chic reminds me a lot of Shu Uemura's blushes in texture and color. It's sheer, silky smooth and gives a doll-faced glow.

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