Video: Mid-Week in Review, Vol. 002

A recap of the reviews from the past few days — video form!

Products mentioned:

• Illamasqua Creator Nail Varnish
• Illamasqua Charisma Nail Varnish
• Illamasqua Wisdom Precision Ink Eyeliner
• Illamasqua Aurora Gleam Highlighting Cream
• Illamasqua Boost Intense Lipgloss
• Illamasqua Complement Eyeshadow Palette
• Illamasqua Allure Powder Blusher
• Illamasqua Magnetism Lipstick
• Illamasqua Opulent Intense Lipgloss

Makeup Breakdown

On eyes: L’Oreal Eternal Sunshine Infallible Eyeshadow, Le Metier de Beaute Midnight Sky Eyeshadow, Burberry Trench Eyeshadow, Tarina Tarantino Spark of Envy Eyeliner, and Giorgio Armani Eyes to Kill Waterproof Mascara. On face: Guerlain Lingerie de Peau Foundation (03), Guerlain Les Voilettes Mineral Powder (03), Bobbi Brown Coral Shimmer Blush, Too Faced By Candlelight Highlighter (Pink). On lips: Revlon Tutti Frutti ColorBurst Lip Butter, Bobbi Brown Pink Tulle High Shimmer Lipgloss.

A Blendable Blush is Key

Illamasqua Allure Powder Blusher ($24.00 for 0.14 oz.) is described as a “dusky rose pink shimmer.” It has a just barely softened appearance to the color–it’s still rather intense, because it’s on the darker end of the spectrum–but “dusky” is an apt description. The color itself is a rosy red with flecks of gold shimmer.  The shimmer doesn’t really transfer to the skin–it looks mostly matte when applied. MAC Hidden Treasure is darker, redder. MAC Ring of Saturn is warmer and has more golden shimmer/sheen. Tom Ford Savage is browner.

The texture of this felt soft, fairly finely-milled, and it returned excellent color payoff that applied smoothly and evenly when swatched. It had a drier overall texture, consistent with Illamasqua’s formula.  When I applied it to my cheeks (and I used MAC’s 116 blush brush), the results were less impressive.  It was difficult to blend, and with the intensity of this color, that made for a rather frustrating application. I’d apply the barest amount of product, and then the color would blend and disappear but blend unevenly.  This kind of hue needs to be blendable and apply evenly, otherwise it gives cheeks a ruddy or sunburned look–not at all attractive.  I tested the wear, and it lasted eight hours with only a smidgen of fading.

The Glossover

P	Allure B
	It's not a very blendable, easy-to-use blush. It will take some patience, a deft hand, and an excellent blending brush to get even color that flatters rather than accentuates any natural redness/unevenness in the skin.
	Product 8/10 Pigmentation 10/10 Texture 8.5/10 Longevity 8.5/10 Application 3/5
	Where to Buy
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See more photos & swatches!

Illamasqua Allure Powder Blusher

Illamasqua Allure Powder Blusher

Illamasqua Allure Powder Blusher

Illamasqua Allure Powder Blusher

Illamasqua Allure Powder Blusher

Illamasqua Allure Powder Blusher

Illamasqua Allure Powder Blusher (Diffused Flash)

Illamasqua Allure Powder Blusher (Studio Light)

Illamasqua Allure Powder Blusher (Lightly/Heavily)