5 Soft Pink Blushes to Try

Originally, I was going to pick five favorite pink blushes, but pink is such a popular blush hue that I thought it would be better to split it into two separate posts: one for softer, subtler pinks (think light to medium) and a second one for bolder, more fuchsia-like pinks. Thanks to reader Sirinthorn for today’s topic! These are designed to be truer pinks, but it’s on my list of posts-to-do for more of a neutral-pink-beige blush roundup

1. Bobbi Brown Nude Pink — blue-based light-medium pink
2. Burberry Peony — soft pink with yellow undertones
3. Chanel Pink Explosion — subtly cool-toned light-medium pink
4. NARS Gaiety — really cool-toned pink
5. MAC So Sweet, So Easy — pale pink

What’s your favorite soft pink blush?

MAC Cremeblend Blush: So Sweet, So Easy, Something Special, Tea Petal

MAC Cremeblend Blush ($19.50 for 0.19 oz.) are back, and this time, MAC has made them permanent in six neutral shades. In this post, we’ll be taking a look at: So Sweet, So Easy (bright yellow pink), Something Special (light coral), andTea Petal (mid-tone reddish brown). Cremeblend Blushes made their debut in Lillyland, back in January 2010. There were four shades released, and only one of them has made a return (So Sweet, So Easy).

• So Sweet, So Easy is a pale pink. On me, it always looks ghastly–it only succeeds in washing me out. I’m NC25/NC30, so I think this is a shade best suited to lighter skin tones. This shade was originally released with Lillyland.
• Something Special is a soft, peached coral. Depending on how much you are willing to build, it could work for darker skin tones, but it will tend to suit light to medium skin tones best.
• Tea Petal is a plummy brown that can worn sheerly or built up to medium coverage. I think this shade would work for light to dark skin tones.

my thoughts on the formula: The shade range tends to be more neutral, and so the color tends to enhance the natural tones of skin without adding significant color, with the exception of Tea Petal (which is deeper and can be built up). They have a soft natural finish, which means there is some sheen, but they do not look oily/greasy. Wear is good–they last six to eight hours without setting powder–and can also act as a base for your favorite powder blush. They apply very easily, and the color is buildable, so it’s difficult to overdo it. These blend out seamlessly whether you use a stippling brush (like the 188) or your fingers.

The Cremeblend Blushes, since permanent, are also available in pan form ($16.50), though I think those are only available at PRO stores and perhaps online will make them available, too (since you can buy powder blush pans online now). They are the same size as the ones in the pot–both of wihch are the same size as powder blush–and fit into MAC’s 6-pan palettes ($14.00).

The Glossover

	MAC Cremeblend Blush Swatches, Photos, Reviews (Part 2) B+
	I like that they aren’t tacky like Blushcremes were, which was probably their only downside! The shade range in the new Cremeblends is a little limited, and it could use some deeper/more saturated shades for medium to dark skin tones.
	Product 9/10 Pigmentation 9/10 Texture 9/10 Longevity 9/10 Application 4/5
	Where to Buy
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See more photos & swatches!

MAC Cremeblend Blush

MAC Cremeblend Blush

MAC So Sweet, So Easy Cremeblend Blush

MAC So Sweet, So Easy Cremeblend Blush

MAC So Sweet, So Easy Cremeblend Blush

MAC So Sweet, So Easy Cremeblend Blush

MAC So Sweet, So Easy Cremeblend Blush

MAC Something Special Cremeblend Blush

MAC Something Special Cremeblend Blush

MAC Something Special Cremeblend Blush

MAC Something Special Cremeblend Blush

MAC Something Special Cremeblend Blush

MAC Tea Petal Cremeblend Blush

MAC Tea Petal Cremeblend Blush

MAC Tea Petal Cremeblend Blush

MAC Tea Petal Cremeblend Blush

MAC Tea Petal Cremeblend Blush

]]> http://www.temptalia.com/mac-cremeblend-blush-swatches-photos-reviews-part-2/feed 52 http://www.temptalia.com/mac-cremeblend-blushes-lip-swatches http://www.temptalia.com/mac-cremeblend-blushes-lip-swatches#comments Sat, 16 Jan 2010 20:57:39 +0000 Christine http://www.temptalia.com/?p=18460

MAC So Sweet, So Easy Cremeblend Blush

MAC Cremeblend Blushes — Lip Swatches

Here are quick & dirty lip swatches of the four Cremeblend blushes. When applied to lips, they can have a decent amount of slip. They almost seem to sit on lips and take quite awhile to sink in. The more pigmented ones (e.g. Florida) will stain lips if left on for long enough. I put about two or three layers of product on with a lip brush to get these, then I blended with my finger.

So Sweet, So Easy looked the worst, because it came off frosty and showed off lip lines, while Joie-de-Vivre and Florida seemed to look the best. My apologies in advance for the ultra close-up of Optimistic Orange – it was the only photo that was remotely in focus, and I didn’t want to keep delaying this post so hopefully it still gives you an idea of it on lips, even if it is uber close.

The taste is borderline tasteless to slightly plastic-y. It’s not delicious by any means, and there’s no real scent, but I probably wouldn’t recommend licking your lips with it. It’s not as bad as some of MAC’s Tinted Lip Conditioners, which definitely have a sunscreen taste to them.

See more swatches…

MAC So Sweet, So Easy Cremeblend Blush

MAC Joie-de-Vivre Cremeblend Blush

MAC Optimistic Orange Cremeblend Blush

MAC Florida Cremeblend Blush

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Dark Neutrals: All Ages, All Races, All Sexes Look

I gotta tell you, the eyeshadows from All Ages, All Races, All Sexes are really not so flattering on me. I’m thinking it’s probably the cool edge that they all have; it’s just a little much on me when used together. I think Cross-Cultural and Showstopper can be used, but perhaps not together. I think, on me, I need something earthy and metallic-y to warm them up and make them more flattering to my skin tone. (This is what prompted me to throw in Honey as the eyeliner… probably should have done Bourbon instead!)

So Sweet, So Easy really isn’t too cool for those with warm skin tones, but it can look cooler or warmer depending on what you pair it with.  If you want to try this look, I’d recommend opting for a cooler-toned liner (maybe a neutral brown) and Resort Life lipgelee instead — I think the pink in Preppy doesn’t quite suit the coolness of the eyes.

Even though it didn’t come out to my liking, at least it can show you some of the new products in action! As always, experimentation is key to finding out what you like and don’t like — and makeup always washes off!

You will need the following…

• Eyes: MAC Soft Ochre paint pot (neutral beige base), MAC Universal Mix Pigment (white gold), MAC All Races Eyeshadow (cool lilac-mauve), MAC Banshee Eyeshadow (dirty pink), MAC Cross-Cultural Eyeshadow (medium-dark brown), MAC Showstopper Eyeshadow (dark black-brown), MAC Bisque Eyeshadow (matte neutral highlighter), Urban Decay Honey 24/7 Liner (gold), MAC Plushlash Mascara (black)
• Cheeks: MAC So Sweet, So Easy Cremeblend Blush (medium pink)
• Lips: MAC Preppy Lip Gelee
• Brushes: 226 (fluffy crease brush), 219 (pointed crease brush), 249 (flat, firm brush), 239 (fluffy shadow brush), 188 (small stippling brush)
• Substitutes: All Races = no dupe; Cross-Cultural = Espresso; Showstopper = Brun; So Sweet, So Easy = Ladyblush; Preppy = Pinkarat

For eyes, start by applying Soft Ochre paint pot as your eyeshadow base all over the lid with the 249. With water-based mixing medium, apply Universal Mix pigment onto the eyelid with the 239. Using the 239, apply All Races eyeshadow on the inner third of the eyelid. Next, apply Banshee eyeshadow on the middle third of the eyelid and lightly blend with the inner corner. Darken the outer third of the lid with Cross-Cultural eyeshadow with the 239, gently brushing it into the lower crease. Next, define the crease by applying Showstopper eyeshadow with the 226. To finish the eyeshadow look, sweep Bisque eyeshadow as a highlighter on the brow bone. Bring everything together by applying Honey Liner on the lower lash line, and then sweeping lashes with Plushlash mascara.

For cheeks, apply So Sweet, So Easy cremeblend blush to the apples of the cheeks and sweep upwards towards the temple with the 188.

For lips, apply Preppy lip gelee for shimmer and color on lips.

Check out more photos!

MAC in Lillyland Collection: Cremeblend Blushes Review, Photos, Swatches

Even though my personal favorites from this collection are the lipgelees (review is forthcoming, promise!), I really think the Cremeblend Blushes really stand out. All four are intensely pigmented, rich in color, and really will pop on your cheeks — if you so desire. What’s nice about these is you can use a stippling brush like the 188 (smaller brush-head than the 187, so it’s ideal for cheek color) for a softer, less color-rich look, or you can layer and build up the intensity for a bolder cheek look as well. These seemed thinner and more pigmented than MAC’s Blushcremes as well.

Note, I can’t comment on the wear of these, as I haven’t had them for more than a few hours! I will definitely do my best to use these in a look in the next week.

Cremeblend Blush ($18.50 U.S. / $22.00 CDN)

• Optimistic Orange is a bright pop of orange. It’s not quite neon orange, but it is pretty bold and bright. Definitely a true orange, though; this is not coral on me whatsoever.
• Joie-de-Vivre is a bright pink-coral; it leans more pink than orange, which is why it’s predominantly pink, but it’s obvious it’s not a bubblegum pink. MAC described it as a “peachy coral,” but I’d say it’s more like a pinky coral.
• So Sweet, So Easy is a bubblegum pink. It’s a medium pink with barely-there yellow undertones. It’s the lightest and softest shade of the four.
• Florida is a bright fuchsia-purple. It’s creamy, ultra pigmented, and WOW-za, you know? This is the kind of the color that can easily scare you away. Again, try a stippling brush, use a light hand, and you may even find using fingers to blend out the color (after the initial brush-based application) may give you the right level of intensity.

See photos and swatches!

MAC Joie-de-Vivre Cremeblend Blush

MAC So Sweet, So Easy Cremeblend Blush

MAC Florida Cremeblend Blush

MAC Cremeblend Blushes: Optimistic Orange, Joie-de-Vivre, So Sweet So Easy, Florida