Video Review: Rock & Republic (Blushes) First Impressions & Swatches

I reviewed CALL ME on Monday, but here’s a video I shot when I first opened up the four blushes I purchased from HauteLook, close-ups, me talking far too much per usual, and swatches.  I will do written reviews for the rest as well — not to fear!

Where are my coral blush fiends?

Rock & Republic Call Me Blush ($40.00 for 0.32 oz.) is a gorgeous shade of shimmering pinky-coral with peach shimmer-sheen.  It’s really a ringer for Lancome’s Mandarin Sky (which I also loved), but more-sheen-than-shimmer (and not quite as pink) NARS Orgasm.  I’m obsessed. OBSESSED. with coral blushes, whether they’re pink-coral, peach-coral, or orange-coral, I’m all over them. 

Call Me is beautiful on both cooler and warmer skin tones–it doesn’t have strong orange undertones, so it can work just as nicely on those with pink undertones as those with yellow or olive undertones.   It is, obviously, most complimentary on warmer complexions, though.  The shimmer is incredibly fine and appears as a soft glowy sheen on cheeks.

It’s a very pigmented, smooth textured powder blush; surprisingly impressive for a brand that’s been pulled from all the counters I know of.  Even more impressive given that this brand regularly shows up on discount sites at 50% off.  It’s well worth the $40 price tag, since it is a high-end/luxury line, but the compact itself is quite large–and not just the physical compact, but the product inside weighs in at an impressive 0.32 oz. (most blushes are between 0.15 and 0.21 oz.).  Obviously, an incredible deal at $20 (which is how I got mine).

If you want to know more about how products are evaluated, read out Rating System FAQ!

• Product: 29/30
• Value: 9/10
• Ease of Use: 4/5
• Packaging: 4/5

RECOMMENDATION: For my coral blush lovers, this one is not to be missed.

AVAILABILITY: Rock & Republic

See more photos & swatches!

Rock & Republic Call Me Blush

Rock & Republic Call Me Blush

Rock & Republic Call Me Blush

Rock & Republic Call Me Blush

Rock & Republic Call Me Blush (Look breakdown here)

Rock & Republic Call Me Blush

Fall Makeup:  Go Red with Neutrals

When it comes to some of the darker shades of fall lip colors, pairing them with a neutral eye is always an easy way to make them work for you without overwhelming your face.   This is the kind of look where I challenge myself:  “How many products that I need to review can I fit on my face for one look?”  It’s the epitome of multi-tasking, right?  Hey, at least it’s not my usual where I have half my face done in certain products… and the other half with something else.

All new products used will be reviewed on the blog – I’ll give you my take at that time

You will need the following…

• Eyes: NARS Smudgeproof Eyeshadow Base (neutral eyeshadow base), Guerlain Rue des Francs Bourgeois Eyeshadow Palette, Bobbi Brown Chocolate Brown Eyeliner (dark brown), Chanel Inimitable Intense Mascara (black)
• Face: Guerlain Parure Gold Foundation (03), Guerlain Les Voilettes Mineral Powder (03)
• Cheeks: Rock & Republic Call Me Blush (pinky coral)
• Lips: Guerlain Gwen Rouge G Lipstick (deep red), Guerlain Violine (462) Kiss Kiss Gloss Serum (burgundy red)
• Brushes: 249 (flat, firm brush), 239 (fluffy shadow brush), 226 (fluffy crease brush), 219 (pointed crease brush), 116 (dense blush brush)

For eyes, start by applying Smudgeproof as your eyeshadow base all over the eye area with the 249. Using the 239, apply the bottom left shade of the palette on the inner third of the lid and pull upwards along the inner crease. Lightly blend the upper left shade of the palette on the middle of the lid with the 239. Next, apply the bottom middle shade of the palette onto the outer lid with the 239. Define the crease with the upper middle shade of the palette with the 226. Blend the upper left shade of the palette with the crease shade and highlight the brow bone. Bring everything together by applying Chocolate Brown eyeliner on the lower lash line. Finish by sweeping lashes with Inimitable Intense mascara.

For cheeks, apply Call Me blush on the apples of the cheeks and sweep upwards towards the temple with the 116.

For lips, apply Gwen lipstick first, and then layer Violine lipgloss for a complementing lip.

Check out more photos!