Anastasia Gradient Blush Kit Review, Photos, Swatches
Gradient
Anastasia Gradient Blush Kit ($30.00 for 0.68 oz.) is a new, limited edition palette with four blushes for the holiday season. Unfortunately, it was a miss–the formula just did not work well for blending, and when it comes to a cheek color, I imagine getting an even layer with diffused, gradual edges is really a must for most. Something about splotchy, patchy blush with harsh lines says, “no, thank you” in my mind.
Per the brand, it’s a “full pigment formula for buildable coverage,” which I interpret as that it is buildable to full coverage. It is also a “finely milled formula for seamless blending,” which is where I had more trouble typically–these were unforgiving when applied over bare skin or damp foundation. I had to have skin powdered heavily in order to get decent blendability out of most shades in the Blush Kits, though some were decent without extra tricks.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Formula Overview
$30.00/0.68 oz. - $44.12 Per Ounce
Per the brand, it’s a “full pigment formula for buildable coverage,” which I interpret as that it is buildable to full coverage. It is also a “finely milled formula for seamless blending,” which is where I had more trouble typically–these were unforgiving when applied over bare skin or damp foundation. I had to have skin powdered heavily in order to get decent blendability out of most shades in the Blush Kits, though some were decent without extra tricks.
Browse all of our Anastasia Blush Kit swatches.
Gradient
LELimited Edition. $30.00.
Vegas
Vegas is a muted, medium-dark red-brown with warm undertones and a matte finish. The texture was more powdery and a little dry to the touch, but it blended out better than the other three shades in practice, which was a pleasant surprise. It had semi-opaque, buildable coverage that blended out decently but still did not do so perfectly (even with extra effort!). On me, it wore well for eight hours.
Top Dupes
- ColourPop Currently (DC, $12.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- MAC Sweet As Cocoa (P, $24.00) is warmer (90% similar).
- ColourPop Swift (P, $8.00) is warmer (90% similar).
- By Terry Savannah Love #5 (LE, ) is lighter (85% similar).
- The Estee Edit First Lover (01) (P, $28.00) is lighter, warmer (85% similar).
- Viseart Bronze #3 (PiP, ) is more shimmery, more muted (85% similar).
- Makeup Geek Chivalry (P, $10.00) is darker, more muted (85% similar).
- By Terry Tropical Sunset #6 (LE, ) is lighter, warmer (85% similar).
- Chanel Elegance (370) (P, $45.00) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (85% similar).
- Becca Amaretto (LE, $32.00) is lighter (85% similar).
Vegas
LELimited Edition.
Dusk
Dusk is a medium-dark taupe brown with neutral-to-warm undertones and a mostly matte finish. The consistency was a bit dry and powdery, and I noticed it was more prone to absorbing oil–it looked less matte on the skin after a few minutes and darkened a bit. It had nearly opaque pigmentation in a single layer, so I would not describe it as buildable but rather pigmented. The powder did not want to blend out and always looked splotchy, particularly if I patted a bit too much in one spot initially as a harsh line would be created and could not be diffused. It lasted for eight hours.
Top Dupes
- MAC Richer Golden (P, $35.00) is warmer (95% similar).
- Benefit Hoola Toasted (P, $30.00) is darker, warmer (90% similar).
- MAC Rich Rosy (P, $35.00) is warmer (90% similar).
- elf Feelin' Shady (P, $7.00) is warmer (90% similar).
- MAC Naturally Enhanced (LE, $34.00) is warmer (85% similar).
- Chanel Duo N. 01 (Bottom) (LE, ) is lighter (90% similar).
- elf Vacay Mood (P, $7.00) is more shimmery, lighter (85% similar).
- NYX Taupe (P, $6.50) is lighter, cooler (85% similar).
- Dior Independent (823) (LE, $48.00) is more shimmery, lighter, cooler (85% similar).
- MAC Taupe (P, $24.00) is lighter, warmer (85% similar).
Dusk
LELimited Edition.
Chocolate
Chocolate is a muted, medium brown with neutral-to-warm undertones and a matte finish. It had buildable coverage from semi-opaque to opaque in two layers. The texture was thin, chalky, and dry enough that it came away from the powder’s surface in chunks. It was moderately difficult to blend out and never looked particularly blended or even on my skin.
Top Dupes
- KIKO 106 Beige Rose (P, $12.00) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- MAC Rich Rosy (P, $35.00) is cooler (95% similar).
- ColourPop Weirdough (DC, $12.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- MAC Richer Golden (P, $35.00) is cooler (90% similar).
- MAC Poised (LE, $24.00) is more shimmery (90% similar).
- Zoeva ND040 (PiP, ) is lighter (90% similar).
- Phytosurgence Rosy Horizon (10) (P, $25.50) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
- MAC Humour Me (P, $29.00) is lighter (85% similar).
- MAC Harmony (P, $24.00) is warmer (85% similar).
- Milani Cocoa Felicita (P, $7.99) is more shimmery, brighter, cooler (85% similar).
Chocolate
LELimited Edition.
Blackberry
Blackberry is a deep plum with subtle, warm undertones and a matte finish. The texture was drier, a bit loose, and felt grainy at times, and it applied terribly. It just looked so awful–patchy, uneven, and made my cheeks looked spotty as color seemed to sink into my pores. Even with aggressive buffing and blending, I could not get this one to look better than medicore. It had semi-opaque coverage that was buildable to opaque coverage, and the blush itself lasted for eight hours.
Top Dupes
- Makeup Geek Desire (P, $10.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Tom Ford Beauty Gratuitous (P, $60.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- Lethal Cosmetics Corolline (P, $15.50) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- Make Up For Ever M928 Eggplant (P, $17.00) is darker (95% similar).
- Urban Decay TMI (DC, $26.00) is lighter (85% similar).
- Anastasia Velvet (PiP, ) is warmer (85% similar).
- Cover FX Sweet Mulberry (Left) (PiP, ) is lighter (85% similar).
- elf Frequent Flyer (P, $7.00) is more shimmery, darker, warmer (85% similar).
- MAC Passionately Tempted (LE, $24.00) is lighter, brighter (85% similar).
- Giorgio Armani Cool Plum (61) (P, $38.00) is lighter, warmer (85% similar).
Wow this is really nice and different, a warm blush kit.
Thanks for the warning. Was hoping this would be better than the other, but alas. Now to check the dupes. You always have just what we need….or don’t!
Sooo bad.
Is ABH having some sort of nervous breakdown or identity crisis this year, or what? Just asking, because their stuff has been all over the place recently. And it’s getting to be very concerning as far as watching it all unravel before our eyes.
Their blush trios were similar in quality overall – sort of hit or miss – not the easiest to blend out or to apply, unfortunately!
Awwww maaaaaan!!!! This is so unfortunate becuz this palette is up my alley n was on my list to grab. Ugh!! If only maybe Viseart or a brand of better quality made this shade-like palette to fully execute it. I’m just not for working hard for makeup esp blushes which is the cherry on top for my face!
I wanted blackberry the most. But I do have UD NOHO. So while I’m sad, I’m glad I have a dupe!
Yikes, Blackberry does look terrible!
I got the Radiant kit and actually quite like it but I only ever apply blush over powdered foundation so I haven’t experienced issues like this – but for the brand and price point, they should be usable no matter what. I do like that they are offering a range of shades that seem to be specific for deeper skin tones but they should be better than this 🙁
Powdered surface would help a ton with this type of texture, IMO!
Yowch. Personally, not a fan of the heavier more opaque blush textures such as this. I’d rather build something a bit sheerer.
Damn Anastasia, what’s happening to you? For real, the former IT brand is no longer. I wonder what brand will take it’s place as cutting edge with the trends while consistently delivering a formula everyone loves?
Too bad about the failing grade, the colors are so beautiful
I can see why you have it a failing grade, but Blackberry looks soo good on you Christine! Thank you for saving my money though!
I echo what Nancy above has said – there is something seriously wrong at ABH’s headquarters/management team to be putting out this kind of substandard product.
Yikes! Sounds like this was an absolute nightmare.
Yikes. I had a feeling these would apply poorly, as did their blush trios. I think ABH is under intense pressure to keeping churning out new products to stay current. I think Youtube has something to do with the hype machine. Shame, they do some lovely eyebrow products, and the MR palette which is excellent. I’m not even sure I like their highlighter palette, which is too obvious and glittery.
Well, this is really disappointing. I was hoping to buy it as a present for a friend because all those shades would look amazing on her.
But, for real like everyone else who commented, what is going on at ABH this year?? I really hope they pick themselves up back again and soon.
What do you expect from a brand whose original products that were made in USA is now made in PRC? Never bought cosmetics from PRC and never will.
And then to charge these prices.
Really the brand should end up at Kohls like Hard Candy has.
Price is not befitting to quality.
The week that Macys had 15% off of cosmetics, there were quite a few Asian tourist buying in San Francisco. I was there in the evening. They were at the Clinique, Dior and Chanel counter.
With the influx of money coming into China, the people from there have money to buy designer brands whatever they want…from products not made in China. And here in the United States the companies are selling cosmetics made in China. Ha Ha. I find it pretty ironic. Even Clarins had advertisements at the counter in Chinese inside Macys.
I am Asian, not born in the USA, but been here for a long long time …. am absolutely loyal to this country and being a US veteran. I rather wear no makeup than to buy from PRC, or buy from Revlon or Maybelline.
Man, ABH is really failing in its palette game this year, huh? You didn’t rate their other blush quad well, either, and then there was this summer’s eyeshadow disaster…
Totally apart from the quality and grade, I really don’t like these colors – and the finish doesn’t look good on the cheeks regardless.
Wow, has ABH become Too Faced this year? I used to feel confident purchasing without reviews but no more. Still put off with their response to the Subculture disaster.
Wow, Dusk looks like patchy dirt. No. Just no.