Benefit Blush Bar Cheek Palette Review & Swatches
Blush Bar
Benefit Blush Bar Spring 2018 Cheek Palette ($58.00 for 1.04 oz.) is a new, limited edition five-shade cheek palette that features five of the brand’s Box o’ Powders (all are available individually if preferred). One issue I have with Benefit’s cheek palettes is that I don’t find they’re as consistent as they should be when compared to the single versions (colors are often a bit off, otherwise textures/pigmentation differs). The shades were fairly easy to use and wore between six and eight hours on me. There was one major miss, and then one that was so-so, which left me with a “decent but not great” kind of impression.
Blush Bar
LELimited Edition. $58.00.
GALifornia
GALifornia is a bright, medium pink-coral with a barely-there, golden sheen. It had opaque color coverage with a smooth, moderately dense consistency (firm without being stiff to work with) that applied well to bare skin and blended out nicely. The color stayed on well for eight hours on me.
Top Dupes
- Wet 'n' Wild Pearlescent Pink (P, $2.99) is less shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
- Tarte Culture (LE, $29.00) is more shimmery, lighter (95% similar).
- NYX Rose Garden (DC, $5.00) is less shimmery (90% similar).
- NYX Peach (DC, $5.00) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- Make Up For Ever B210 (P, $23.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- MAC Secret Admirer (P, $22.00) is less shimmery, darker, glossier (90% similar).
- ILIA Temptation (P, $32.00) is less shimmery (90% similar).
- Ciate Matchmaker (P, $26.00) is warmer (90% similar).
- Kevyn Aucoin Sunset #2 (PiP, ) is warmer (90% similar).
- Estee Lauder Pink Ingenue (P, $34.00) is less shimmery (90% similar).
Ingredients
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Mica, Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate, HDI/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Dicalcium Phosphate, Squalane, Glycerin, Parfum (Fragrance), Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Polysorbate 80, Limonene, 1,2-Hexanediol, Dimethicone, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Xanthan Gum, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Tin Oxide, Zinc Stearate, Silica, Lauroyl Lysine, Cetearyl Alcohol, Benzyl Salicylate, BHT, Linalool, Citral, Geraniol, Stearic Acid, Tocopherol, Water. May Contain (+/-): Ci 15850 (Red 6, Red 7, Red 7 Lake), Ci 15985 (Yellow 6, Yellow 6 Lake), Ci 19140 (Yellow 5, Yellow 5 Lake), Ci 42090 (Blue 1 Lake), Ci 45410 (Red 27, Red 27 Lake, Red 28 Lake), Ci 73360 (Red 30, Red 30 Lake), Ci 77007 (Ultramarines), Ci 77163 (Bismuth Oxychloride), Ci 77288 (Chromium Oxide Greens), Ci 77289 (Chromium Hydroxide Green), Ci 77491, Ci 77492, Ci 77499 (Iron Oxides), Ci 77510 (Ferric Ferrocyanide, Ferric Ammonium Ferrocyanide), Ci 77742 (Manganese Violet), Ci 77891 (Titanium Dioxide).
Disclaimer: Ingredient lists are as available by the brand (or retailer) at the time of publishing. Please always check product packaging, if it exists, for the ingredient list applicable to the product you're purchasing, or the brand or retailer's website for the most up-to-date ingredient list.
GALifornia
PPermanent. $29.00.
Gold Rush
Gold Rush is a light peach with warm undertones and a barely-there, golden sheen. It had good color payoff that was buildable to full coverage with half of a layer more. The texture was denser but not stiff or difficult to pickup with on my brush nor was it a challenge to blend out on my skin. It wore welll for seven and a half hours on me.
Top Dupes
- Benefit Peachin' (P, $29.00) is lighter (95% similar).
- Sleek MakeUP The Surf (PiP, ) is cooler (90% similar).
- MAC Ginger Spiked (LE, ) is lighter (90% similar).
- Hourglass Nude Glow (LE, $40.00) is more shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
- bareMinerals The Spring Fling (LE, $22.00) is less shimmery, lighter, brighter (95% similar).
- Makeup Geek Bliss (P, $10.00) is less shimmery (90% similar).
- Clinique Nude Pop (P, $21.00) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- ColourPop On My Mind (P, $10.00) is more shimmery, darker (85% similar).
- Sisley Paris Mango (3) (P, $85.00) is lighter, brighter (85% similar).
- ColourPop Terran Up My Heart (LE, $10.00) is less shimmery, lighter, warmer (85% similar).
Ingredients
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Mica, Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate, HDI/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Dicalcium Phosphate, Glycerin, Squalane, Fragrance, Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Polysorbate 80, 1,2-Hexanediol, Benzyl Salicylate, Dimethicone, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Xanthan Gum, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Zinc Stearate, Silica, Lauroyl Lysine, Amyl Cinnamal, Cetearyl Alcohol, Limonene, Coumarin, Hexyl Cinnamal, Linalool, Geraniol, Citronellol, BHT, Citral, Acrylates/Octylacrylamide Copolymer, Isostearyl Alcohol, Stearic Acid, Tocopherol, Water. May Contain (+/-): Ci 15850 (Red 6, Red 7, Red 7 Lake), Ci 15985 (Yellow 6, Yellow 6 Lake), Ci 19140 (Yellow 5, Yellow 5 Lake), Ci 42090 (Blue 1 Lake), Ci 45410 (Red 27, Red 27 Lake, Red 28 Lake), Ci 73360 (Red 30, Red 30 Lake), Ci 77007 (Ultramarines), Ci 77163 (Bismuth Oxychloride), Ci 77288 (Chromium Oxide Greens), Ci 77289 (Chromium Hydroxide Green), Ci 77491, Ci 77492, Ci 77499 (Iron Oxides), Ci 77510 (Ferric Ferrocyanide, Ferric Ammonium Ferrocyanide), Ci 77742 (Manganese Violet), Ci 77891 (Titanium Dioxide).
Disclaimer: Ingredient lists are as available by the brand (or retailer) at the time of publishing. Please always check product packaging, if it exists, for the ingredient list applicable to the product you're purchasing, or the brand or retailer's website for the most up-to-date ingredient list.
Gold Rush
PiPPermanent in Palette. $29.00.
Dandelion
Dandelion is a soft, light-medium pink with warm undertones and random, gold sparkles strewn through the powder. They were the type of sparkles that did not bind with the powder, so they seemed rather useless in the powder. It had semi-sheer, buildable coverage (up to medium) with a soft, moderately powdery consistency that was best applied with a light hand to avoid a ton of excess product kicked up all over the palette. I saw noticeable fading within six and a half hours of wear.
Top Dupes
- Guerlain Morning Rose (P, $52.00) is darker (90% similar).
- KIKO 109 Candy Rose (P, $12.00) is lighter (85% similar).
- Makeup Geek Spell Bound (P, $10.00) is darker (85% similar).
- Makeup Geek Main Squeeze (P, $10.00) is darker (90% similar).
- Guerlain Smile (Right) (LE, $52.00) is cooler (90% similar).
- MAC Sugar or Syrup (LE, $24.00) is brighter (90% similar).
- Hourglass Surreal Effect (LE, $40.00) is darker (90% similar).
- MAC Rosy Outlook (P, $23.50) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- Catrice La Vie En Rose (P, $5.99) is darker (90% similar).
- MAC What I Fancy (LE, $24.00) is cooler (90% similar).
Ingredients
Talc, Mica, Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, Polyethylene, Magnesium Myristate, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, Zinc Stearate, Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate, Silica, Isopropyl Titanium Triisostearate, Phenoxyethanol, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Squalane, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Fragrance, Lecithin, Sodium Lauroyl Aspartate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil, Tocopherol, Limonene, BHT, Retinyl Palmitate, Zinc Chloride, Linalool, Aluminum Hydroxide, Hexyl Cinnamal, Benzyl Salicylate, Citral, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Citronellol, Eugenol. May Contain (+/-): Ci 15850 (Red 6, Red 7, Red 7 Lake), Ci 15985 (Yellow 6, Yellow 6 Lake), Ci 19140 (Yellow 5, Yellow 5 Lake), Ci 42090 (Blue 1 Lake), Ci 45410 (Red 27, Red 27 Lake, Red 28 Lake), Ci 73360 (Red 30, Red 30 Lake), Ci 75470 (Carmine), Ci 77007 (Ultramarines), Ci 77163 (Bismuth Oxychloride), Ci 77288 (Chromium Oxide Greens), Ci 77289 (Chromium Hydroxide Green), Ci 77491, Ci 77492, Ci 77499 (Iron Oxides), Ci 77510 (Ferric Ferrocyanide, Ferric Ammonium Ferrocyanide), Ci 77742 (Manganese Violet), Ci 77891 (Titanium Dioxide).
Disclaimer: Ingredient lists are as available by the brand (or retailer) at the time of publishing. Please always check product packaging, if it exists, for the ingredient list applicable to the product you're purchasing, or the brand or retailer's website for the most up-to-date ingredient list.
Dandelion
PiPPermanent in Palette. $29.00.
Hoola
Hoola is a medium brown with subtle, warm yellow undertones and a matte finish. The bronzer was richly pigmented with a smooth, velvety texture that was a little thicker than I remember the original Box o’ Powder version I have being. It took more work to blend out, mostly because it seemed to over-apply (even when I tried it with a light hand) and stick more strongly wherever it was initially placed. This shade stayed on well for eight hours.
Top Dupes
- Tarte Peppermint Mocha (LE, ) is brighter (95% similar).
- Vieve Tan (Right) (PiP, ) is lighter (95% similar).
- ColourPop 310 (P, $8.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- Tarte Park Ave. Princess #2 (LE, ) is lighter (90% similar).
- MAC Aphrodite's Shell (LE, $34.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- Stila Sending My Love Bronzer (LE, ) is darker (90% similar).
- Viseart Bronze #1 (PiP, ) is cooler (90% similar).
- Marc Jacobs Beauty Contour (PiP, ) is darker (90% similar).
- Tarte Social Butterfly (LE, $29.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- Smashbox Bronze (PiP, ) is cooler (90% similar).
Ingredients
Talc, Zinc Stearate, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Dimethicone, Boron Nitride, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Fragrance, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Limonene, Hydroxycitronellal, BHT, Tocopherol. May Contain (+/-): Ci 15850 (Red 6, Red 7, Red 7 Lake), Ci 15985 (Yellow 6, Yellow 6 Lake), Ci 19140 (Yellow 5, Yellow 5 Lake), Ci 42090 (Blue 1 Lake), Ci 45410 (Red 27, Red 27 Lake, Red 28 Lake), Ci 73360 (Red 30, Red 30 Lake), Ci 77007 (Ultramarines), Ci 77163 (Bismuth Oxychloride), Ci 77288 (Chromium Oxide Greens), Ci 77289 (Chromium Hydroxide Green), Ci 77491, Ci 77492, Ci 77499 (Iron Oxides), Ci 77510 (Ferric Ferrocyanide, Ferric Ammonium Ferrocyanide), Ci 77742 (Manganese Violet), Ci 77891 (Titanium Dioxide).
Disclaimer: Ingredient lists are as available by the brand (or retailer) at the time of publishing. Please always check product packaging, if it exists, for the ingredient list applicable to the product you're purchasing, or the brand or retailer's website for the most up-to-date ingredient list.
Hoola
PPermanent. $30.00.
Rockateur
Rocktaeur is a soft, peachy coral with warm undertones and a pearly sheen. It had good color coverage with a smooth, moderately dense consistency that wasn’t difficult to pickup with my brush, and it blended out nicely on my skin. This shade lasted for eight hours on me. This is the lightest version I’ve come across of Rockateur–substantially lighter than the single I have and then even lighter compared to the last palette I have it in.
Top Dupes
- MAC Sea Me, Hear Me (LE, $31.00) is darker (90% similar).
- ColourPop Non-Fiction (LE, $8.00) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- Aveda Hibiscus (LE, $24.00) is lighter, brighter (90% similar).
- MAC Love & Laughter (LE, $24.00) is lighter, brighter (95% similar).
- MAC Light Year (LE, $34.00) is more shimmery, more muted (90% similar).
- MAC Tease Your Tastes (LE, $21.00) is less shimmery, darker (85% similar).
- Tarte Darling (LE, $29.00) is lighter, brighter (90% similar).
- MAC Make You Mine (P, $23.50) is darker (85% similar).
- Chanel Reflex (82) (LE, $45.00) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- MAC Stereo Rose (LE, $34.00) is more shimmery (90% similar).
The swatches help me not want this because it’s a bunch of peach shades with a bronzer that would look terrible on me. By the palette looks so fun and sunny. Ready for summer…
Ouch on how bad Dandelion turned out.
I was going to get this just because of the Dandelion so thank goodness I saw this first!!
Hi Christine, I think you just saved me a LOT of money lol! What shade are you wearing of the huda foundation it looks perfect for you!
I was hoping you would review this, Christine! I don’t purchase Benefit products anymore, but was wanting a dupe for Gold Rush.
OMG what happened to Dandelion? Apart from that one dud, the rest of the shades seem fairly similar, which is great if those shades suit. This is much more wearable than when there are random colours and shades thrown in.
Visually, this box looks really cute – not elegant at all or sophisticated but cute. Practically, I feel as Ginny does – too much peach toned stuff and too many mediocre to poor performers. Pass.
These look beautiful but I can’t stand the spray on’s… Just make me so frustrated!
Gold rush looks so pretty! I bought the last box of 5 they had and was bummed by the scent. It was really overpowering and I just haven’t gone back to it since. :/
Ooh, Gold Rush is pretty. But I can wait for the mini
Don’t really care about the Benefit blushes but your eyeshadow is STUNNING!
I hate having to sell this brand to people, because they’re constantly making me roll my eyes! Consistency who?
I just put Gold Rush on my Sephora “Loves” list yesterday, actually. I thought it looked so nice but seeing as Clinique Nude Pop is a dupe, I may pass. This is me attempting to exercise some restraint lol…
I succumbed the moment this came out; my mini-Dandilion had hit pan anyway, so I thought why not.
It is bulky, but I love it!
I struggle a little with the hoola, as I’m used to a more taupe-hued contour, but I think in the summer as I golden-up, it will be fine.
I find myself reaching for the GALifornina and Gold Rush the most, likely as they are new to me and I love their warm and peachy sheen.
I’ve never purchased a previous blush bar from Benefit, so I did have room for all these in my collection.
Ever since 2014’s Cheeky Sweet Spot I’ve avoided Benefit’s blush boxes – I found the Coralista and Dandelion were wayyyyyy off. Like completely different shades and quality. I owned the full sizes to compare.
Sad to see Dandelion underperformed so badly in this one, and Hoola looks way warmer than the full size I have.
This version of hoola is much different than my single, darker and… thicker looking… in a bad way. Rockateur is my most used blush and this iteration isn’t near as pretty.
I love Benefit blushes and have most of them even though I really hate the packaging. Every time one of these collections come out I get excited thinking I can ditch the bulky boxes but they’re always off. I wonder why Benefit does that?
Sounds like Hoola and Rocktaeur are different from the singles. Are the other three having the same formula as the original singles? Thanks.
I noted the ones that I saw a difference in the review!
Thanks Christine for a quick reply! Just wanted to double check, since you mentioned Dandelion performed so poorly. I guess it’s always been a sheer-ish blush. Still pretty though, as long as they didn’t change the formula for this palette specifically! 🙂