Black Up NBL 08 Blush Review, Photos, Swatches
NBL 08
Black Up NBL 08 Blush ($26.50 for 0.12 oz.) is a bright, medium-dark gold with very strong, warm orange undertones and a golden shimmer-sheen finish. It had a more frosted finish compared to the other two blushes I’ve tried from the range, but it wasn’t overly shimmery or metallic on the skin, so it did not emphasize my skin’s natural texture.
The Blush formula is supposed to have “pure and intense color” that “blends to the skin.” It had good pigmentation, though it was just shy of full coverage, that was buildable to opaque coverage in two layers. The texture was drier in the pan, but it was loose enough to transfer onto my brush without issue. It could have been easier to diffuse and blend out on the skin, as it took more pressure to really buff out the color and even out the shimmer. On me, the blush lasted for eight hours before fading.
Editor’s Note: Thank you to readers who brought this to my attention yesterday. There is controversy with respect to the founder of the brand and subsequent changes to ownership/management and how those changes transpired. Two bloggers who have done their own analysis/research can be found here (timeline and walk-through) and here (Q&A with Black|Up that specifically asks about the controversy). I will be doing my own research into over the next couple of weeks using those two posts as a starting point. I do not have any additional reviews scheduled, and I will not be adding any in the future until I’ve had a chance to go through any available information.
Top Dupes
- Fenty Beauty Mimosa Sunrise (PiP, $36.00) is less shimmery (90% similar).
- Dior Gold Shock (001) (LE, $80.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- Kevyn Aucoin Celestial (P, $52.00) is cooler (90% similar).
- Fenty Beauty Blonde (P, $25.00) is lighter, cooler (85% similar).
- L'Oreal Golden (P, $12.99) is more shimmery, lighter (80% similar).
- MAC Whisper of Gilt (P, $42.00).
- Becca Champagne Gold (LE, $38.00).
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.
I read the links you provided and am outraged! Even though I am white, I enjoy supporting minority-owned companies. In fact, Juvia’s Place is one of my favorites! I have noticed Black Up at Sephora and am now glad I never purchased anything. Thank you for bringing this issue to our attention.
Sure thing – it’s great that you took the time to read both links! (I felt like they gave slightly different perspectives, and the interview is obviously giving the official response from the brand.)
I agree with you Mary Ann. This is bad on so many levels. I read all of the articles and feel that further investigation needs to be done. I also am white but I was married to an American of African descent (his preference for referencing his ethnicity) and we have a daughter who is 22. She just graduated from college with a degree in Women’s Sexuality and Gender Studies and is very interested in supporting niche brands and minority brands. She did not know any of this information. She is going to look into it for me to expand on what was included in the articles. Thank you Christine for bringing this to our attention. I hate feeling like someone has “pulled the wool over our eyes”, an old expression but one that seems to fit.
First off, I just want to commend you for looking into the very serious allegations against the 2nd “owner” of this company. Until a few other readers wrote about it in their comments, I was also unaware of the controversy, too. What I did then read on it truly distressed me to the point that I will not buy from them, unless your investigation shows something very different occurred, and I seriously doubt that will be the outcome.
As for the actual shade; this is what I’ve always meant by a shade being far “too warm”. I can only do a shade like this as an eyeshadow. But definitely never on my cheeks or lips, unless I’m going for a jaundiced look, which ain’t happening!
At least the shade wasn’t tempting at all!
Bummer to hear about all that controversy 🙁 as the color is so unique and beautiful
Same here!
I read both links. Thanks for always letting us know if there’s a controversy with a brand.
Of course!
Although I’m not aware of this line I’ll have to read both articles and get better informed I do ask myself why there aren’t more warmer makeup shades available even these days where’s so much choice. I think it’s time for black or white tmakeup artist to start producing them and offer lots of choices. Last time I visited NARS counter I almost screamed with my daughter at this gorgeous bright red color that only a dark skinned person could carry beautifully on their cheeks! I think there are lots of choices in lipsticks and perhaps eyeshadows too since they come in wide range of color but I don’t notice foundations and blushes stepping up the game. Another red color that would look beautiful is from Milani (not sure whether still available it was a especial edition part of the beautiful rose blushes). I’m pale as a ghost but love vivid colors on myself (nude lips and eyeshadows don’t work on me) so I’ll love to see more colors available for dark skinned girls even I could wear them if applying so lightly. I love them! Makeup companies to make more of these beautiful shades. In Rite Aid I believe I saw a name called Radiance eyeshadows only and the colors pack a punch I haven’t tried them but they called my attention. Bright and colorful. So pretty!
I think the brand you are thinking of is Black Radiance?
Yes! That’s it! I think they are sold at Walmart read somewhere. I dint have a Walmart too near by is a good thing their makeup isles are huge! Last time I went to one in Valencia with my son and got each eyeliner from WetnWild in every color I dreamed of. Lol! I’d like to check Jordan’s and Flower.
For what it’s worth, NARS Exhibit A looks lovely on many skin tones. 😉
It just appals me when brands act in a dodgy way, losing their authenticity and integrity. I was really hopeful about this brand to support women of colour and whilst I have only read and understood part of the situation, I feel outraged. Thank you Christine for bringing this to reader’s attention.
There seems to be a lot to dive into with this particular story, but there are a lot of revisions made to corporate histories, unfortunately.