Estee Lauder Peach Nuance vs. MAC Ripe Peach Blush Ombre — Dupes?

Estee Lauder Peach Nuance Blush ($26.00 for 0.25 oz.) may have escaped your notice, but it is now highly touted as a perfect dupe for MAC’s Ripe Peach. I was quite confused at the hype over Ripe Peach after it came out, to be honest. It’s pretty, but I am completely surprised at how collectible it has become. When murmurings began comparing Estee Lauder’s Peach Nuance, I knew I had to find out for myself.

Peach Nuance is incredibly close, but I found it was a little lighter and a smidgen pinker–it also doesn’t have the shimmer-sheen of Ripe Peach. It’s close, truly, but it’s not a perfect dupe to me. When worn on the cheeks, the difference is much, much subtler, but when swatched, the difference is more noticeable. Peach Nuance is a lightened coral-pink with a very silky, nearly matte finish. If you want to get closer to Ripe Peach, stay more on the coral side of the blush and avoid the lighter side, which does most of the lightening.

This is all to say that Peach Nuance is a lovely color, worth getting if you missed out on Ripe Peach and would love a gradated coral blusher. (Estee Lauder also carries several other Nuance shades, which seem to all have the gradated look.) It’s smooth and easily blended, though the color is soft and sheer and needs to be built up for a more intense look. It’s a great coral for both cool and warm skin tones, though, so it’s a very universal shade.  It could be a little more pigmented, but it’s on par with the pigmentation of Ripe Peach.

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• Product: 27/30
• Value: 8/10
• Ease of Use: 4/5
• Packaging: 4/5

Recommendation: Completely worth picking up if you’ve been trying to find your own Ripe Peach or refuse to pay $70 for one on eBay. Worth picking up if you’re a coral fiend, period!

Availability: Nordstrom

See more photos & swatches!

Estee Lauder Peach Nuance vs. MAC Ripe Peach Blush Ombre

MAC Marine Life Dupes — Sorry, Keep Looking

When I think of dupes, I think of something that is pretty close to it — I’m talking 90% or closer — not just similar. There are plenty of similar shades to Marine Life; after all, it’s really just a vibrant coral-red with minimal shimmer in it. NARS Deep Throat and MAC Foolish Me come the closest, though the texture of Deep Throat is obviously different and Foolish Me is a little more orange. It’s not quite as red/orange and intense as Marine Life, but it’s the closest I found of the many shades I do own that were in the running.

• MAC Ripe Peach (Limited Edition) is lighter, more peach-coral than vibrant red-based coral. Verdict: not really a dupe, maybe a cousin.
• Benefit CORALista is a pinker, less distinctly coral version with a significant amount of shimmer in comparison. Verdict: not a dupe, but a good friend.
• MAC Instant Chic (Limited Edition) is much softer pink-coral with a bit of peachiness to it. It has a more powdery look and feel, but it’s so, so subtle. Marine Life is like Instant Chic if it took steroids for a year. Verdict: similar color but so, so much lighter–like a fruit picked too early.
• MAC Hipness is much pinker in comparison to Marine Life. It’s not quite as intense, and it doesn’t have the strength of the redness that Marine Life as. Hipness is a less shimmery, pinker version of CORALista, though. Verdict: not a dupe, too pink.
• Illamasqua Hussy is similar in its intensity, but it’s definitely pinker. It’s a more pigmented, matte version of Hipness/CORALista. Verdict: not a dupe, too pink.
• NARS Super Orgasm is a peachy-pink concoction that pulls a noticeable gold sheen. It has a lot more shimmer (and even Orgasm, which I don’t own, would still be pretty shimmery in comparison). Verdict: not a dupe, too peach, not pink/red enough.
• MAC Springsheen is very similar to Super Orgasm–it’s that same mix of peach and pink with a gold shimmer-sheen. Verdict: not a dupe, too peach and shimmery.
• NARS Deep Throat is a pinker version of Super Orgasm/Orgasm, and it’s probably the closest to Marine Life, but it’s still not quite as red or as intense–plus it has the sheen/shimmer that Marine Life definitely doesn’t have. Verdict: almost a dupe, like sisters.
• MAC Dainty is a sheer peach-coral with a smidgen of pink in it. It’s way too sheer and light to be a great dupe for Marine Life. Verdict: not a dupe, too light and peach.
• MAC Foolish Me is everything that Marine Life is, except a little more orange.  The two are very similar, both in finish and color, but Foolish Me does run a little on the orange side.  Plus, it’s discontinued, so that sucks. (I thought about this one originally, but it looks so orange in the pan… just swatched it at the last second, and yep, they are indeed surprisingly close.)  Verdict:  similar, like fraternal twins.

I don’t own Fleur Power or Style, but I did swatches here last year, and by referencing those, I can tell you Style is most definitely not a dupe — too orange/peach. Fleur Power comes a little closer, but it seems a bit pinker in comparison to Marine Life.

See swatches…

Ripe Peach | Marine Life | CORALista (Benefit) | Instant Chic

Marine Life | CORALista (Benefit) | Instant Chic | Hipness | Marine Life

Instant Chic | Hipness | Marine Life | Hussy (Illamasqua)

Marine Life | Hussy (Illamasqua) | Super Orgasm (NARS) | Marine Life | Springsheen

Marine Life | Springsheen | Deep Throat (NARS) | Dainty

Foolish Me | Marine Life

Video Tutorial: Sunset Eyes with Spring Colour Forecast

For the next few days, I’m experimenting with a new format/way of doing video tutorials that still gives you some live-action footage but doesn’t add much time to my normal routine. (Sometimes I tell myself, “If I didn’t have school, that would free up like 48 hours of my week!”)

What I’m trying to do is record myself doing my makeup that I’d normally do and then just take still photos of and post on the blog–so these looks are not practiced or planned. It’s me going with the flow. I’d like to call these “Quick & Dirty” Tutorials, if you will, because that’s exactly what they are… quick, minimalist, and maybe even a little unpolished.

I’m hoping that there is still value in them–so I would love to hear your feedback.  As much as I would love to do more full-on, ultra detailed video tutorials, my schedule is such that I just can’t keep up, so I am really trying to find a way to meet all of your requests the best I can.

The original look and all of the photos can be found here.

You will need the following…

• Eyes: MAC Soft Ochre Paint Pot (neutral beige base), MAC Manila Paper Eyeshadow (white-gold), MAC Straw Harvest Eyeshadow (peachy orange), MAC Hot Hot Hot Eyeshadow(coral-red), MAC Ricepaper Eyeshadow (highlighter), Urban Decay El Dorado 24/7 Liner (gold), Urban Decay Zero 24/7 Liner (black), MAC Plushlash Mascara (black)
• Face: Kiehl’s Tinted Moisturizer (Medium)
• Cheeks: MAC Ripe Peach Blush Ombre (peachy coral)
• Lips: MAC Bronzilla Lipstick (metallic bronze), MAC Kumquat Lipglass (sheer orange-coral)
• Brushes: 226 (fluffy crease brush), 219 (pointed crease brush), 249 (flat, firm brush), 239 (fluffy shadow brush), 116 (dense blush brush)
• Substitutes: Manila Paper = Nylon; Straw Harvest = Motif; Hot Hot Hot = Rule + Red Brick; Ripe Peach = Springsheen; Bronzilla = Bronze Shimmer; Kumquat = Lychee Luxe

For eyes, start by applying Soft Ochre paint pot as your eyeshadow base all over the eye area with the 249. Using the 239, apply Manila Paper eyeshadow on the inner third of the eyelid. Next, apply Straw Harvest eyeshadow on the middle third of the eyelid and lightly blend with the inner corner. Darken the outer third of the lid with Hot Hot Hot eyeshadow with the 239, gently brushing it into the lower crease. Lightly blend Hot Hot Hot eyeshadow, with the 239, on the outer corner and lid. Lightly tap and brush Straw Harvest eyeshadow directly above the crease to soften. To finish the eyeshadow look, sweep Ricepaper eyeshadow as a highlighter on the brow bone. Bring everything together by applying El Dorado eyeliner on the lower lash line and Zero eyeliner on the lower waterline. Finish by sweeping lashes with Plushlash mascara.

For cheeks, apply Ripe Peach blush ombre to the apples of the cheeks and sweep upwards towards the temple with the 116.

For lips, apply Bronzilla lipstick first, and then layer Kumquat lipglass for a complementing lip.

Sunset Eyes: Spring Colour Forecast Style

Yet another look from Spring Colour Forecast… I imagine I’ll squeeze in a few more before we’re onto Riveting! Speaking of onto the next thing, I won’t be able to get the new Viva Glam lipsticks up until later today (because I have class most of the day), but I hope to get them up today at some point.  Sorry   I completely scheduled my classes around MAC launch days (Thursdays), but Viva Glam got moved up to today… a Wednesday.  Boo!

Anyway, just wanted to pop by with this look before I go back to studying my butt off for my statistics midterm tonight! 

You will need the following…

• Eyes: MAC Soft Ochre Paint Pot (neutral beige base), MAC Manila Paper Eyeshadow (white-gold), MAC Straw Harvest Eyeshadow (peachy orange), MAC Hot Hot Hot Eyeshadow(coral-red), MAC Ricepaper Eyeshadow (highlighter), Urban Decay El Dorado 24/7 Liner (gold), Urban Decay Zero 24/7 Liner (black), MAC Plushlash Mascara (black)
• Face: Kiehl’s Tinted Moisturizer (Medium)
• Cheeks: MAC Ripe Peach Blush Ombre (peachy coral)
• Lips: MAC Bronzilla Lipstick (metallic bronze), MAC Kumquat Lipglass (sheer orange-coral)
• Brushes: 226 (fluffy crease brush), 219 (pointed crease brush), 249 (flat, firm brush), 239 (fluffy shadow brush), 116 (dense blush brush)
• Substitutes: Manila Paper = Nylon; Straw Harvest = Motif; Hot Hot Hot = Rule + Red Brick; Ripe Peach = Springsheen; Bronzilla = Bronze Shimmer; Kumquat = Lychee Luxe

For eyes, start by applying Soft Ochre paint pot as your eyeshadow base all over the eye area with the 249. Using the 239, apply Manila Paper eyeshadow on the inner third of the eyelid. Next, apply Straw Harvest eyeshadow on the middle third of the eyelid and lightly blend with the inner corner. Darken the outer third of the lid with Hot Hot Hot eyeshadow with the 239, gently brushing it into the lower crease. Lightly blend Hot Hot Hot eyeshadow, with the 239, on the outer corner and lid. Lightly tap and brush Straw Harvest eyeshadow directly above the crease to soften. To finish the eyeshadow look, sweep Ricepaper eyeshadow as a highlighter on the brow bone. Bring everything together by applying El Dorado eyeliner on the lower lash line and Zero eyeliner on the lower waterline. Finish by sweeping lashes with Plushlash mascara.

For cheeks, apply Ripe Peach blush ombre to the apples of the cheeks and sweep upwards towards the temple with the 116.

For lips, apply Bronzilla lipstick first, and then layer Kumquat lipglass for a complementing lip.

Check out more photos!

Bronzy Neutrals: MAC Colour 4 Eyeshadow Quad Look

This was a quickie look before I went to school last night! I even timed myself and managed to get it all done in fifteen minutes and *not* leave late for class, LOL! You know I had to dive into the Colour 4 eyeshadow quad, just ’cause is totally my style. Really love the colors and the textures–Manila Paper is the only one that doesn’t totally suit me; it’s a bit stark on my brow bone, because of my skin tone (would be lovely on someone lighter), but I imagine it’ll be very nice as a lid color even if I can’t use it as a brow color so much! You could also do a much darker or more coppery/coral lip with this look.  I had an itch to use Victorian, one way or another, and thus I went a little lighter!

Happy Thursday! It’s almost the weekend–we’re almost there! Though since mine involves major, major studying for midterms, I’m not keen on its arrival!

You will need the following…

• Eyes: MAC Soft Ochre Paint Pot (neutral beige base), MAC Flip Eyeshadow (peachy gold), MAC Aztec Brick Eyeshadow (copper), MAC Creole Beauty Eyeshadow (soft bronze), MAC Manila Paper Eyeshadow (shimmery white-gold), Urban Decay Lucky 24/7 Liner (copper), MAC Plushlash Mascara (black)
• Face: Kiehl’s Tinted Moisturizer (Medium)
• Cheeks: MAC Ripe Peach Blush Ombre (peachy pink)
• Lips: MAC Victorian Lipstick (bubblegum pink with gold sheen), MAC Ember Glow Lipglass (creamy orange-peach)
• Brushes: 226 (fluffy crease brush), 219 (pointed crease brush), 249 (flat, firm brush), 239 (fluffy shadow brush), 116 (dense blush brush)
• Substitutes: N/A

For eyes, start by applying Soft Ochre paint pot as your eyeshadow base all over the eye area with the 249. Using the 239, apply Flip eyeshadow on the inner third of the eyelid. Next, apply Aztec Brick eyeshadow on the middle third of the eyelid and lightly blend with the inner corner. Darken the outer third of the lid with Creole Beauty eyeshadow with the 239, gently brushing it into the lower crease. Lightly blend Creole Beauty eyeshadow, with the 239, on the outer corner and lid. Lightly tap and brush Flip eyeshadow directly above the crease to soften. To finish the eyeshadow look, sweep Manila Paper eyeshadow as a highlighter on the brow bone. Bring everything together by applying Lucky eyeliner on the lower lash line and sweeping lashes with Plushlash mascara.

For cheeks, apply Ripe Peach blush ombre to the apples of the cheeks and sweep upwards towards the temple with the 116.

For lips, apply Victorian lipstick first, and then layer Ember Glow lipglass for a complementing lip.

Check out more photos!

MAC Spring Colour Forecast: Blush Ombres Reviews, Photos, Swatches

Each part includes one “Blush Ombre,” which is a new product type. The Blush Ombres are really pretty to look at, and they are pretty large. They’re the size of MAC’s Beauty Powders, Pressed Powders, etc. Each of the Blush Ombres has a gradient that fades from one color to another, but in reality, you just swirl your brush on top to apply a single shade. These are all decently pigmented and feel like more pigmented beauty powders from the ultra soft, silky texture.  Each blush is 9 grams / 0.31 oz. and retails for $25.00.

Official MAC description: A powder blush featuring a shade wave of gentle ombre hues. Ultra-fine formula provides the cheeks with flawless, medium-buildable coverage and lightly pearled, natural-looking radiance. Limited edition.

Blush Ombres

• Azalea Blossom swirls together to blend into a soft, cool-toned pink with an almost lilac to it. For some reason, it reminded me of Saint Germain Lipstick in its coolness and pink tone, but it’s quite obviously not that cool-toned nor the same tone of pink. While there’s definitely shimmer in the powder, it’s very subtle when applied.
• Ripe Peach is a peachy-orange with subtle gold sheen/shimmer. Like all of the blush ombres, the shimmer is very minimal and hard to see.
• Vintage Grape is a dirty plum-purple. There’s nearly no shimmer that you can detect when applied, and it is surprisingly dark. Luckily, when applied with a brush, you can build up the intensity so you don’t look like someone punched you in the cheek!
• Springshine is a dirty medium-brown that reads fairly neutral. I could see this working as maybe a bronzer or a pop of bronze on cheeks. Like the other shades in this product family, the shimmer is very subtle.

See product photos and swatches!

MAC Azalea Blossom Blush Ombre

MAC Azalea Blossom Blush Ombre

MAC Ripe Peach Blush Ombre

MAC Ripe Peach Blush Ombre

MAC Vintage Grape Blush Ombre

MAC Vintage Grape Blush Ombre

MAC Springshine Blush Ombre

MAC Springshine Blush Ombre

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