There are certain types of brushes that I tend to rely heavily on a specific brush and have less options, and this post reflects that.  I’m not sure if it’s merely because I love them so much and don’t love others nearly as much, but these were the ones I use often and stood out to me when I went to compile my favorites!

I would love to hear about the brushes you can’t live without for foundation, concealer, and powder — share your picks in the comments!

For Liquid/Cream Foundation

Maybe it’s old school, but I actually still apply my foundation with brushes over sponges (like the beautyblender).  I alternate between various beautyblenders and brushes, though.  I have found that angled, stippling-style brushes to be less foolproof compared to the ones below, and I have moved away from natural or natural-synthetic blends when it comes to heavier products like foundation.  I prefer very densely-packed, synthetic brushes with rounded edges that work well for spreading, diffusing, blending, and light buffing on the face.  Because they’re synthetic, I don’t have to baby them when it comes to washing, and I can use stronger cleansers to get all the foundation out in no time at all.

Long-time readers may notice that I did not mention Real Techniques Expert Face Brush, and while I love my original one, I loathe the second one I have (scratchy, very streaky application) and mildly dislike the third one I have (somewhat rough, subpar application).  They absolutely changed the quality and style of their brush fibers and neither of the two I more recently purchased are worth recommending.

IT #302, Marc Jacobs The Face II, Marc Jacobs The Shaper

• IT Cosmetics #302 LBD Foundation Brush ($38.00) is a medium-sized, extremely densely-packed rounded brush with a flatter, domed edge that is excellent at methodically buffing foundation onto the skin.  When I use this brush, I’ll dot my foundation all around my face as I won’t use the brush to spread the product as much as I will for blending and diffusing the dots together.
• Marc Jacobs The Face II Brush ($48.00) is medium-sized, dome-shaped, densely-packed brush with a slightly tapered, almost angled edge that works extremely well for spreading foundation and moving it downward and outward on the face.  It is great for someone who doesn’t want to buff their foundation on (like you would with the IT #302).
• Marc Jacobs The Shaper Brush ($38.00) is a small-to-medium-sized, flat-topped brush that is dense and firm (without being stiff) that works well for buffing and blending motions with liquid and cream foundation.  It is actually marketed as a “Contour and Blush Brush,” which it will work for, but I don’t personally use it for those things.
• Hourglass Vanish Foundation Brush ($46.00) is a dense, rounded, lightly angled brush designed to work with cream foundations like the brand’s Vanish stick.  I forgot to photograph this one, as it wasn’t clean and I actually had it out-of-place, but it is so good at applying and buffing out cream/liquid foundations without streaking.  The way the bristles are shaped, they’re almost seamless on the skin and I often will use it to buff out foundation along the edges of my lips while doing lip swatches to refresh the foundation around my mouth.

For Concealer

I favor sponges (like the beautyblender) for underneath the eye, but I do routinely use the following brushes, particularly when I’m too lazy to go dampen a sponge (which is often enough!).

Real Techniques Setting, Marc Jacobs The Conceal

• Real Techniques Setting Brush ($7.99) is a small, fluffy brush with a rounded edge and light density.  I absolutely love this brush for blending and diffusing the edges of concealer.  With heavier coverage or more matte concealers, I’ll use a separate brush to apply and spread the product out and go back with this one to diffuse the edges.  With more luminous or sheerer coverage formulas, I’ll use this brush to spread and diffuse the product. 
• Marc Jacobs The Conceal Brush ($30.00) is a small, slightly angled, domed-shape brush that’s densely packed but has just enough give to move fluidly for superb application, blending, and spreading of concealer underneath the eyes (well, on the face, too, but I primarily use it for under eye concealer).

For Powder

I must be rather picky when it comes to powder brushes, as I have a slew of them, but I really only use these two on a regular basis!  I tend to like denser or flatter powder brushes so I can press setting powder onto my skin rather than fluffier, larger powder brushes that dust it on as more of a veil.

Make Up For Ever #128, IT #307

• Make Up For Ever #128 Precision Face Brush ($52.00) is a large, paddle-shaped powder brush that has been my go-to since it was released a couple of years ago.  It has a little bit of floppiness (in a good way!) that makes it feel very lightweight on the skin but pat, sweep, and press powder evenly and smoothly across the planes of my face.
• IT Cosmetics #307 LBD Powder Brush ($48.00) is an incredibly smooth, velvety brush that is densely packed and moves seamlessly across the face.  It doubles as a buffing brush, too, as it has a slightly flatter, larger edge.  I like to press and tap my setting powders on my skin, rather than sweep them on, so the density of this one works well for my application style.

When it comes to applying cream eyeshadow, synthetic brushes are my go-to as creams as natural hair brushes can soak up liquid and creams too much and produce either sheer or streaky results (and creams tend to necessitate washing often, and synthetics can take the extra washing easily).  I find a flat, synthetic brush is necessary for all-over lid application; a fluffy, dome-shaped brush key for diffusing crease color and applying creams to the brow bone; and a dome-shaped, denser brush for depositing pigmented color into the crease.

I would love to hear about the brushes you can’t live without for applying cream eyeshadow — share your picks in the comments!

Applying Cream Eyeshadow to the Lid

When I’m using a cream eyeshadow on my lid, I consider whether I’m laying down a sheer wash of color (or that I’m applying it as a base for powder eyeshadow) or using it as a standalone lid shade.  Typically, for the latter, I’ll reach for a flat, synthetic brush, which will pickup product well, apply and pack the color on without diffusing the edges or reducing the intensity much.  For a sheer wash of color, a fluffier, dense, synthetic brush will work best for picking up a moderate amount of product but giving an airier application that makes for a good one-and-done all-over wash of color.

MAC 242, IT 212, IT 322

• MAC 242S Shader Brush ($25.00) is a flat, synthetic brush; works best for applying color all over the lid (a uni-tasker in my arsenal but one I keep multiples of on hand as it’s so good at what it does).
• IT Cosmetics Essential Concealer Brush (212) ($22.00) is a small-to-medium sized, fluffy dome-shaped brush that has moderate density and a tapered, diffusing edge that works well for applying sheer washes of color all over the lid, diffusing and blending out crease color, as well as for laying down and blending out color applied to the brow bone.
• IT Cosmetics All-Over Shadow Brush (322) ($26.00) is a medium-to-large sized, synthetic brush with a flat, dense shape that is good for applying color all-over to a larger area; it has a softer, more tapered edge compared to the MAC 242, so it can apply cream eyeshadows with more coverage but can also diffuse and sheer out cream eyeshadows.

Applying & Blending Cream Eyeshadow in the Crease

I’ve found that working with cream eyeshadows in the crease can be a little trickier, so I tend to apply as a two-step process with one brush to apply the color more precisely into the crease area with fuller coverage and then using a different, fluffier brush to diffuse and pull the color outward as necessary to get a subtle gradient.  For working with color above the crease and on the brow bone, I use the same, fluffier, dome-shaped brush that I use for blending in those areas.

Urban Decay Moondust, Urban Decay The Finger, Makeup Geek Pointed Crease, Urban Decay Eyeshadow Contour, Urban Decay Tapered Blending

• Urban Decay Moondust Brush (E210) ($24.00) is a small, dense synthetic brush with a fluffy, tapered edge that grabs eyeshadow well and can really pack it on while also having good movement and the ability to blend out edges without sheering out the eyeshadow too much.
• Urban Decay The Finger Brush (F110) ($26.00 is a large, dome-shaped synthetic brush that works beautifully for diffusing crease color (also fab underneath the eyes for concealer) when a really diffused, sheer edge is desired (it’s larger, so it won’t work as well for any precision work).
• Makeup Geek Pointed Crease Brush ($8.50) is a small, lightly fluffed, tapered crease brush with synthetic bristles that I love using for applying dense, more opaque color into the crease.  The tapered edge also can help to blend out edges, but I prefer something a little fluffier for that purpose and tend to use this solely for depositing initial color into my crease.
• Urban Decay Eyeshadow Contour Brush (E211) ($22.00) is a medium-sized, domed-shape crease brush that fits well into the socket to lay down and blend out cream eyeshadow.  It’s particularly good for transition-type shades into the crease as well as the inner corner.
• Urban Decay Tapered Blending Brush (E209) ($24.00) is a small-to-medium-sized, tapered blending brush with synthetic bristles.  It has a more pointed edge that has a flattened tip, so that it can apply color more precisely into the deeper crease but will not leave behind a harsh streak of color.

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The Details

No. 304 Velvet Luxe Plush Foundation Brush

IT Cosmetics No. 304 Velvet Luxe Plush Foundation Brush ($38.00) is designed as a “flat but wide” brush for cream and liquid foundation application. It’s a medium-sized, dense, dome-shaped foundation brush made out of synthetic fibers. The brush head measured 33.5mm in width, 32.0mm in length, and 17.4mm in thickness with a handle length of 7.2 inches / 18.3 centimeters. IT’s Velvet Luxe range uses incredibly soft synthetic hairs that are as soft as high-end goat hair used by brands like Chikuhodo, Hakuhodo, etc. I liked this best with liquid, medium coverage or greater foundations with satin to luminous finishes, and it will fit in best with someone who tends to apply their foundation in patting and smooth downward (or upward) strokes rather than in circular, buffing motions.
The curved edge fits in well when maneuvering around the nose, underneath the eye, and around the mouth. Personally, I still preferred the No. 302 for liquid foundation.

The brush felt soft in all directions, and it felt like it was moving across the skin as a single entity, so I did not feel the individual bristles when I was using it. It is fairly dense, though the last fourth of the brush, toward the edge, is more tapered and is less dense compared to the base of the brush head, which allows for better diffusing and spreading of liquid/cream products across the skin. It left a streak-free finish behind, so long as it was cleaned every other application; otherwise, the bristles would stick together and start to leave visible streaks behind (true with most brushes, though, when used with heavier liquids and creams!). I had no issues cleaning the brush, and it dried in a reasonable length of time (within half a day). The brush can also work for applying liquid and cream blush/bronzer if you have a larger surface area, but I’d recommend using a bit less than you think you’ll need, as the greater density means it can apply heavier coverage more quickly.

No. 307 Velvet Luxe LBD Powder Brush

IT Cosmetics No. 307 Velvet Luxe LBD Powder Brush ($48.00) is supposed to be used for all-over powder application. It’s a synthetic, large powder brush that flares out moderately from the base and has a rounded edge that flattens out to a more buffing brush-like edge. It’s like a powder and buffer brush married together, as it is very dense–denser than most of the powder brushes I have. The brush head measured 47.6mm in width, 40.0mm in length, and 47.6mm in thickness with a handle length of 7.7 inches / 19.5 centimeters. For applying something like setting powder all-over, it had a tendency to over-apply, as it was so dense. It also worked well for applying pressed powder foundations if medium or greater coverage was desired.

This is one of my favorite IT brushes I’ve tried, but I tend to use it primarily for buffing powder into the skin, so I might use it when I’m doing a heavier layer of setting powder (often when I’ve used a dewier base), to apply finishing powder all-over, or to lightly buff everything together at the end (with no product on it). As much as I love the feel of buffer brushes, I love when I find long-handled brushes that work similarly as I prefer the longer handle. It is almost impossibly soft; it is as soft as blue squirrel hair brushes (which are the softest that I’ve felt). When the brush skims across the face, it feels like fluid movement; none of the individual bristles are felt against the skin, and I could use it in any direction or motion. The brush isn’t as balanced as others in the line, as there is a bit more weight sitting in the ferrule and brush head, but the curvature of the handle (designed to be ergonomic, and there’s a natural tendency to hold the line like a writing instrument) seems to combat some of the downward pull from the extra weight on one end.

Due to the density and general size, it can be harder to clean and take longer than average to dry. If I just use it with powders and wash it at least once a week, it’s the same effort and energy to clean as other powder brushes, but if I let it sit too long or it gets liquid/cream product on it, I find it takes longer to rinse all of the product and soap out. It’s usually dry the next day for me, but it definitely takes a few hours longer than most.

No. 314 Velvet Luxe Smooth Concealer Brush

IT Cosmetics No. 314 Velvet Luxe Smooth Concealer Brush ($28.00) is for liquid and cream concealer application that is “soft” and “subtle” using “sweeping motions.” It’s a synthetic, medium-to-large-sized flat concealer brush with a slightly domed edge. The brush head measured 10.5mm in width, 15.8mm in length, and 4.8mm in thickness with a handle length of 6.9 inches / 17.2 centimeters. It’s thin without being razor sharp, but it the edge doesn’t taper enough to give really diffused, blended results. I usually had some visible brush strokes, and the size made it best for under eye concealer and larger surface areas (not so great for redness around the nose, spot correcting, etc.). It’s disappointing for blending out concealer; it was best at just patting and spreading a liquid or cream concealer around an area, but I needed to go back in with a fingertip or another tool to diffuse and blend out the edges and hide brush strokes.

While the bristles felt soft, the edges of the brush felt “stabby” against the skin at times, though not consistently. It was the first time I’ve ever felt individual bristles from one of the Velvet Luxe brushes! It is a denser brush, and it is thicker than the average flat, concealer brush, which made it harder to cleanse liquid/cream concealer out of, as they tended to be fuller coverage products. I highly recommend cleaning after each use, as it just gunked up unforgivably if left sitting for a day. It did not seem to take much longer to dry than most synthetic eye brushes (half a day or less). Alternatively, I tried using it with cream eyeshadow, and it did work for that, though there are other brushes I preferedr for cream eyeshadow.

No. 320 Velvet Luxe Effortless Crease Brush

IT Cosmetics No. 320 Velvet Luxe Effortless Crease Brush ($26.00) is designed for blending eyeshadow in the crease “using windshield wiper motions.” It’s like an elongated stubby crease brush that came to a rather flat edge–there’s a very, very slight curve but was hard to see in person. It is made out of synthetic fibers. The brush head measured 7.8mm in width, 12.1mm in length, and 7.8mm in thickness with a handle length of 6.8 inches / 17.2 centimeters. I found it most useful for applying rich color into the deepest part of the crease without over-blending or instantly diffusing the color, and secondarily, it was able to blend out color, but it wasn’t as good at blending as it was for depositing and laying down color into the crease (and blending is what it is supposed to be for!). The brush was silky and smooth regardless of direction or application method.

The shape reminded me of a blunter smudging or pencil brush, and it a longer length as well, which gave it some ability to blend out color, as it moved back and forth. As the shape is similar to a pencil brush, it also worked well for applying color underneath the lash line or to blow out the lower lash line with a powder eyeshadow. The synthetic fibers made this workable with cream products into the crease, and that’s a tough job for a lot of brushes; the density and shape of the brush really shined for depositing richer coverage with a cream eyeshadow into the crease. It had just enough give to diffuse the edge of a cream eyeshadow past the crease. When it came to powder products, it carved out the crease well with obvious laydown of color, but I often wanted to go in with a more feathery, fluffier brush for diffusing and blending the crease color upward. I’ve had no issues cleaning the brush, and it dried within a normal length of time.

No. 322 Velvet Luxe Plush All-Over Shadow Brush

IT Cosmetics No. 322 Velvet Luxe Plush All-Over Shadow Brush ($26.00) is touted as an eye brush for sweeping eyeshadow all over the lid. It’s a large, synthetic eyeshadow brush that’s fairly flat and has a fluffier, tapered, dome-shaped edge. The brush head measured 11.0mm in width, 15.8mm in length, and 6.6mm in thickness with a handle length of 7.0 inches / 17.7 centimeters. It worked well for applying eyeshadow all over the lid–exactly as described–and is best for someone who wants an all-over wash of color on the lid. I also liked it for diffusing the edges of cream eyeshadow as well as for blending out under eye concealer (better than the No. 314!).

The brush was soft to the touch, and I never encountered a direction or technique where I could feel individual bristles or any roughness. It’s moderately dense, so it can pack on a decent amount of product by patting it onto the lid. The domed, tapered edge worked well for diffusing eyeshadow into the crease, and it could also be used to blend out the crease area or apply product to the brow bone. If you’re looking for something to pack on two or more colors onto the lid, I would look for something smaller, but for a wash of color or packing on medium to full coverage eyeshadow onto the lid, this worked well. It cleaned easily and dried in a normal length of time.

See more photos & swatches!

IT Cosmetics No. 304 Velvet Luxe Plush Foundation Brush

IT Cosmetics No. 304 Velvet Luxe Plush Foundation Brush

IT Cosmetics No. 304 Velvet Luxe Plush Foundation Brush

IT Cosmetics No. 304 Velvet Luxe Plush Foundation Brush

IT Cosmetics No. 304 Velvet Luxe Plush Foundation Brush

IT Cosmetics No. 304 Velvet Luxe Plush Foundation Brush

IT Cosmetics No. 307 Velvet Luxe LBD Powder Brush

IT Cosmetics No. 307 Velvet Luxe LBD Powder Brush

IT Cosmetics No. 307 Velvet Luxe LBD Powder Brush

IT Cosmetics No. 307 Velvet Luxe LBD Powder Brush

IT Cosmetics No. 307 Velvet Luxe LBD Powder Brush

IT Cosmetics No. 314 Velvet Luxe Smooth Concealer Brush

IT Cosmetics No. 314 Velvet Luxe Smooth Concealer Brush

IT Cosmetics No. 314 Velvet Luxe Smooth Concealer Brush

IT Cosmetics No. 314 Velvet Luxe Smooth Concealer Brush

IT Cosmetics No. 314 Velvet Luxe Smooth Concealer Brush

IT Cosmetics No. 314 Velvet Luxe Smooth Concealer Brush

IT Cosmetics No. 320 Velvet Luxe Effortless Crease Brush

IT Cosmetics No. 320 Velvet Luxe Effortless Crease Brush

IT Cosmetics No. 320 Velvet Luxe Effortless Crease Brush

IT Cosmetics No. 320 Velvet Luxe Effortless Crease Brush

IT Cosmetics No. 322 Velvet Luxe Plush All-Over Shadow Brush

IT Cosmetics No. 322 Velvet Luxe Plush All-Over Shadow Brush

IT Cosmetics No. 322 Velvet Luxe Plush All-Over Shadow Brush

IT Cosmetics No. 322 Velvet Luxe Plush All-Over Shadow Brush

IT Cosmetics No. 322 Velvet Luxe Plush All-Over Shadow Brush

Laura Geller Plumberry Baked Gelato Swirl Blush ($26.00 for 0.17 oz.) is described as a "deep berry pink." It's a brightened, medium-dark berry-pink...

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Laura Geller Plumberry Baked Gelato Swirl Blush ($26.00 for 0.17 oz.) is described as a "deep berry pink." It's a brightened, medium-dark berry-pink...

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02.

02. G*psy Becca

Becca

PPermanent. $32.00/0.2 oz.

B+

Becca G*psy Mineral Blush ($32.00 for 0.20 oz.) is described as a "ballerina pink." It's a light-medium,...

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Becca G*psy Mineral Blush ($32.00 for 0.20 oz.) is described as a "ballerina pink." It's a light-medium,...

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03.

03. Monster ColourPop

ColourPop

PPermanent. $10.00/0.15 oz.

A

ColourPop Hippo Super Shock Cheek ($8.00 for 0.15 oz.) is described as a "cool-toned icy lavender." It's a cool-toned, pinkish-white with a pearly,...

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ColourPop Hippo Super Shock Cheek ($8.00 for 0.15 oz.) is described as a "cool-toned icy lavender." It's a cool-toned, pinkish-white with a pearly,...

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04.

04. Bittersweet Urban Decay

Urban Decay

DCDiscontinued. $26.00/0.23 oz.

A-

Urban Decay Bittersweet Afterglow 8-Hour Blush ($26.00 for 0.23 oz.) is described as a "bright purple." It's a...

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Urban Decay Bittersweet Afterglow 8-Hour Blush ($26.00 for 0.23 oz.) is described as a "bright purple." It's a...

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05.

05. Pansy Pop Clinique

Clinique

PPermanent. $21.00/0.12 oz.

A

Pansy Pop is a medium lavender with subtle, cool undertones and a satiny sheen. It had good pigmentation in one layer, which was buildable to full...

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Pansy Pop is a medium lavender with subtle, cool undertones and a satiny sheen. It had good pigmentation in one layer, which was buildable to full...

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06.

06. I'm a Lover MAC

MAC

PPermanent. $23.50/0.21 oz.

A

MAC I'm a Lover Pro Longwear Blush ($26.00 for 0.21 oz.) is described as a "pink." It's a light-medium, cool-toned pink with blue undertones and a...

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MAC I'm a Lover Pro Longwear Blush ($26.00 for 0.21 oz.) is described as a "pink." It's a light-medium, cool-toned pink with blue undertones and a...

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07.

07. Head Over Heels Makeup Geek

Makeup Geek

DCDiscontinued. $9.99/0.15 oz.

A

Makeup Geek Head Over Heels Blush ($9.99 for 0.15 oz. pan; $12.99 for 0.15 oz. compact) is described as a "light bubblegum pink with slight shimmer."...

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08.

08. Magical in Mauve IT Cosmetics

IT Cosmetics

PPermanent. $24.00/0.136 oz.

A+

IT Cosmetics Magical in Mauve Vitality Cheek Stain ($24.00 for 0.13 oz.) is a rich, brightened, berry-purple with cool undertones and a soft, frosted...

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IT Cosmetics Magical in Mauve Vitality Cheek Stain ($24.00 for 0.13 oz.) is a rich, brightened, berry-purple with cool undertones and a soft, frosted...

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09.

09. Berry Pop (03) Clinique

Clinique

PPermanent. $21.00/0.12 oz.

A

Clinique Berry Pop (03) Cheek Pop Blush ($25.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a vibrant, medium-dark fuchsia pink with blue undertones and a satiny sheen. It's...

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Clinique Berry Pop (03) Cheek Pop Blush ($25.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a vibrant, medium-dark fuchsia pink with blue undertones and a satiny sheen. It's...

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10.

10. Peony Petal MAC

MAC

LELimited Edition. $24.00/0.21 oz.

B

MAC Peony Petal Blush ($23.00 for 0.21 oz.) is a bright, medium cotton candy pink with cool, blue undertones and a satin finish. It had semi-opaque,...

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MAC Peony Petal Blush ($23.00 for 0.21 oz.) is a bright, medium cotton candy pink with cool, blue undertones and a satin finish. It had semi-opaque,...

Read Review

View Swatches

View Dupes

Where to Buy

Affiliate Links

Bloomingdale'sDillard'sMAC CosmeticsMacy'sNordstrom

More Retailers

SaksSelfridges (US)Ulta

Int'l Retailers

HarrodsJohn Lewis (UK)LookFantasticMAC (CA)MAC (UK)SelfridgesSephora (BR)

For those who prefer their cheek colors on the cooler side, today’s edition features cool-toned options for blushes with a more luminous sheen (see yesterday’s warm-toned picks).

1. Laura Geller Plumberry —
2. Becca G*psy —
3. ColourPop Monster —
4. Urban Decay Bittersweet —
5. Clinique Pansy Pop —
6. MAC I'm a Lover —
7. Makeup Geek Head Over Heels —
8. IT Cosmetics Magical in Mauve —
9. Clinique Berry Pop (03) —
10. MAC Peony Petal —

See side-by-side swatches!

Plum is one of my favorite cheek colors to wear (right after coral!), because they can run cool or warm in tone, so they work with a lot of looks. It’s also a great shade to pair with the deeper lip colors that we often see in fall and winter. What are your favorites?

1. Urban Decay Rapture — a purply-plum with subtle pearl
2. theBalm Cabana Boy — a cooler-toned plum with sheen
3. IT Cosmetics Radiant in Rose — a rosy plum with a luminous finish
4. Sleek Pomegranate — a brightened, berry-plum with a frosted sheen
5. NARS Oasis — a warm plum with gold pearl

>> See side-by-side swatches! <<

IT Cosmetics The Romantics Naturally Pretty Vol. 2 Eyeshadow Palette ($43.50 for 0.46 oz.) includes fourteen matte eyeshadows, plus a shimmery eyeshadow designed to layer with the matte eyeshadows to give you the ability of matte to pearl finishes on the fly. Full review to come, but here’s a quick preview of what’s to come! I have the original palette, too, but I need to re-swatch it before I can post (I didn’t realize it was a wet/dry formula when I initially photographed and swatched it a year ago).

See more photos & swatches!

IT Cosmetics The Romantics Naturally Pretty Vol. 2 Eyeshadow Palette

IT Cosmetics Peaceful Eyeshadow

IT Cosmetics Peaceful Eyeshadow (Dry/Damp)

IT Cosmetics Peaceful Eyeshadow

IT Cosmetics Hope Eyeshadow

IT Cosmetics Hope Eyeshadow (Dry/Damp)

IT Cosmetics Hope Eyeshadow (Dry + Transforming Pearl)

IT Cosmetics Sweetness Eyeshadow

IT Cosmetics Sweetness Eyeshadow (Dry/Damp)

IT Cosmetics Sweetness Eyeshadow (Dry + Transforming Pearl)

IT Cosmetics Enchanting Eyeshadow

IT Cosmetics Enchanting Eyeshadow (Dry/Damp)

IT Cosmetics Enchanting Eyeshadow (Dry + Transforming Pearl)

IT Cosmetics Devotion Eyeshadow

IT Cosmetics Devotion Eyeshadow (Dry/Damp)

IT Cosmetics Devotion Eyeshadow (Dry + Transforming Pearl)

IT Cosmetics Fate Eyeshadow

IT Cosmetics Fate Eyeshadow (Dry/Damp)

IT Cosmetics Fate Eyeshadow (Dry + Transforming Pearl)

IT Cosmetics Embrace Eyeshadow

IT Cosmetics Embrace Eyeshadow (Dry/Damp)

IT Cosmetics Embrace Eyeshadow (Dry + Transforming Pearl)

IT Cosmetics Mystery Eyeshadow

IT Cosmetics Mystery Eyeshadow (Dry/Damp)

IT Cosmetics Mystery Eyeshadow (Dry + Transforming Pearl)

IT Cosmetics Adore Eyeshadow

IT Cosmetics Adore Eyeshadow (Dry/Damp)

IT Cosmetics Adore Eyeshadow (Dry + Transforming Pearl)

IT Cosmetics Tranquility Eyeshadow

IT Cosmetics Tranquility Eyeshadow (Dry/Damp)

IT Cosmetics Tranquility Eyeshadow (Dry + Transforming Pearl)

IT Cosmetics Desire Eyeshadow

IT Cosmetics Desire Eyeshadow (Dry/Damp)

IT Cosmetics Desire Eyeshadow (Dry + Transforming Pearl)

IT Cosmetics Romance Eyeshadow

IT Cosmetics Romance Eyeshadow (Dry/Damp)

IT Cosmetics Romance Eyeshadow (Dry + Transforming Pearl)

IT Cosmetics Trust Eyeshadow

IT Cosmetics Trust Eyeshadow (Dry/Damp)

IT Cosmetics Trust Eyeshadow (Dry + Transforming Pearl)

IT Cosmetics Poetic Eyeshadow

IT Cosmetics Poetic Eyeshadow (Dry/Damp)

IT Cosmetics Poetic Eyeshadow (Dry + Transforming Pearl)

IT Cosmetics Transforming Pearl Eyeshadow

IT Cosmetics Transforming Pearl Eyeshadow (Dry/Damp)

IT Cosmetics Matte Sweet Apple Vitality Cheek Flush ($24.00 for 0.136 oz.) is a muted, medium pink with subtle, cooler undertones and a matte finish. MAC Hipness (LE, $21.00) is lighter, warmer. NYX Dusty Rose (P, $5.00) is lighter, warmer. NARS Amour (P, $30.00) is darker, warmer. ColourPop Hysterical (LE, $8.00) is cooler. MAC P.S. I Like You (LE, $22.00) is cooler. ColourPop Early Bird (P, $8.00) is lighter, cooler. Chanel Crescendo (250) (LE, $45.00) is lighter. Tarte Irreplaceable (LE, $26.00) is warmer. Makeup Geek Love Affair (P, $9.99) is darker, brighter. NARS 413 BLKR (P, $30.00) is darker, brighter. Milani Tea Rose (08) (LE, $7.99) is warmer. See comparison swatches / compare dupes side-by-side.

The formula is supposed to be long-wearing and give the “glow of of a stain.” This shade is the most matte out of the four shades available in the formula, and I found the texture to be a little thinner and more prone to powderiness (at least, in the pan) as a result, though it remained blendable on the skin and applied and looked even. On me, despite it leaning cool in the pan, it ended up looking warmer and more like a pinky-coral, so those who have cooler, pinker undertones may find it stays truer-to-pan on them. It has a more “natural matte” finish, where there isn’t really shimmer or a strong sheen, but it doesn’t look totally flat like a true matte would. The color wore well for nine and a half hours before fading.

See more photos & swatches!

IT Cosmetics Matte Sweet Apple Vitality Cheek Flush

IT Cosmetics Matte Sweet Apple Vitality Cheek Flush

IT Cosmetics Matte Sweet Apple Vitality Cheek Flush

IT Cosmetics Matte Sweet Apple Vitality Cheek Flush

IT Cosmetics Matte Sweet Apple Vitality Cheek Flush

IT Cosmetics Matte Sweet Apple Vitality Cheek Flush

IT Cosmetics Matte Sweet Apple Vitality Cheek Flush

IT Cosmetics Matte Sweet Apple Vitality Cheek Flush