Black Up NBL 04 Blush Review, Photos, Swatches
NBL 04
Black Up NBL 04 Blush ($26.50 for 0.12 oz.) is a medium-dark, coppery plum with strong, warm orange undertones and a pearly sheen. The pigmentation was nearly opaque, while the finish was luminous without emphasizing my skin’s natural texture.
The Blush formula is supposed to have “pure and intense color” that “blends to the skin.” The consistency was slightly drier and firmer in the pan, and I wish it had a little more give/softness so it was easier to pick up an even amount of product onto a brush. As it was, I found a dense blush brush with a larger, flatter edge to be best to achieve even coverage on the cheeks (with less blending required). This shade wore well for eight hours on me.
Top Dupes
- Tom Ford Beauty Pink Glow #5 (LE, $60.00) is more shimmery, darker (95% similar).
- Tom Ford Beauty Ravish (Discontinued) (DC, $60.00) is less shimmery, lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- NARS Isadora (LE, $30.00) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- Shiseido Berry Dawn (08) (P, $29.00) is more shimmery, darker, cooler (90% similar).
- Dior Plum Pop (11) (LE, $48.00) is cooler (90% similar).
- NARS Realm of the Senses #2 (LE, $30.00) is darker (90% similar).
- LORAC Rose (LE, $23.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- MAC Sweet Samba (LE, $29.00) is cooler (90% similar).
- Sleek MakeUP Pomegranate (P, $6.99) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- MAC Scene to Be Seen (Outer) (LE, $34.00) is lighter (90% similar).
Ingredients
Talc, Mica, Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate, Magnesium Yristate, Dipentaerythrityl Hexahydroxystearate/Hexastearate/Hexarosinate, Silica, Isostearyl Neopentanoate, Dehydroacetic Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Dimethiconol, Phenoxyethanol Dimethicone. (+/-) May Contain: Ci 77891 (Titanium Dioxide), Ci 19140 (Yellow 5 Lake), Ci 15850 (Red 6 Sodium Lake, Red 7 Calcium Lake), Ci 77491 (Iron Oxides), Ci 77492 (Iron Oxides), Ci 77499 (Iron Oxides).
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.
NBL 04
PPermanent. $26.50.
Black Up NBL 04 Blush
Black Up NBL 04 Blush
Black Up NBL 04 Blush
Black Up NBL 04 Blush
Black Up NBL 04 Blush
Black Up NBL 04 Blush
Black Up NBL 04 Blush
While I would have to apply this with a light hand since it is so opaque, I love the warm orange tone of this plum!
It is a nice tone!
I like the color, and it rated well. I hope this is at my nearest Sephora so I can check it out myself!
Fingers crossed, Aj!
Hey, please look up the history of this company. It is pretty upsetting that they still represent themselves as a black owned business.
I’ll look into it!
Temptalia, please do not support black up. Contrary to popular belief, black up is not a black owned makeup brand. The brand was actually horrifyingly stolen from its black founder. Read more about it on black vixen beauty: http://www.blaqvixenbeauty.com/black-up-lost-founder-fabrice-mahabo/
Thanks for the link! I wish there was more clarity from a legal standpoint as in terms of the back story, there seem to be a lot of pieces missing but definitely need to look more into it (I have heard a lot of horror stories from small businesses – both those who have willingly sold, those who may have been forced out, those who sold but regretted, etc. and it can be complex so I wish there were legal documents available or an ongoing suit to refer to; none of this is to say it’s false, just that more formal documentation, especially in English, would help!) – my family is herethis week, and as I don’t have any more reviews beyond the three blushes from the brand slated at the moment, I won’t be able to commit the time and energy to do my own research until later but will definitely do so.
Having read these above comments AFTER posting my own comment, I will wait until after Christine has been able to look into this further before I buy from BlackUp. If the allegations are true, this would be highly disturbing.
In reading some of blaqvixen’s posts, it seems black/up is not the only company posing as/fronting themselves as black owned. Sascha is from TT and the owner is East Indian, which is the origin/ethnic background of many TT people. Apparently he does not repudiate being called WEST Indian, which a commentator noted indicates a person of Caribbean descent. Maharaj is trying to become a broader niche company, and does not identify his ethnicity. Fine, but some degree of pretense is implied. The thing I noticed about black owned or oriented cosmetics lines in the late 70s/early 80s is that they were far more inclusive and polyglot, producing far more interesting and varied products than their ‘Caucasian’ counterparts. And they didn’t mind including me, as I loved the deeper, richer shades. I also do not fully understand how Fabrice is no longer at the creative helm of black/up. I inferred he was not the ‘equity’ of the company at the beginning, and that the co is unwilling to discuss the parting of ways. Many companies, like Shea Moisture, rely on the tale of product origin, (Sophie Tucker, isn’t it?) that does not represent the current corporate structure. Not to be snarky, but I was somewhat surprised b/u had not been acquired by Lauder. Vote with your bucks, but I think having strong black MUAs, creative directors, and derm consultants is more important for WOC’s cosmetics than having the financial control. So, to open another can of worms, who has looked up the SEC filing on Pat McGrath? Who owns her company? Everyone here would want greater diversity at all levels of all beauty companies. From concept, through R&D, to the boardroom.
Bloody love replying to myself. It’s like having dissociative identity disorder. Found out zero about her co, but PMcG is putting out a line of matte lipsticks soon, per her site. Psych!
That colour and finish is STUNNING!!! I love it!!!
The color is gorgeous!
Beautiful color! I’m really loving its luminosity and that it is more of a warm plum. I do have LG Pink Buttercream, so I’m not 100% that I actually *need* this one. But I sure do want it!
It is a nice color for sure!
Thanks for the link to the backstory. We do like to make informed decisions.
Definitely important to make informed choices!
It’s a pretty color, unusual. I hate trying to blend out blushes so most likely a pass but will be following this brand and the back story.
I’m not keen on anything that’s a struggle to blend either!