Video Review: Rock & Republic (Blushes) First Impressions & Swatches

I reviewed CALL ME on Monday, but here’s a video I shot when I first opened up the four blushes I purchased from HauteLook, close-ups, me talking far too much per usual, and swatches.  I will do written reviews for the rest as well — not to fear!

Where are my coral blush fiends?

Rock & Republic Call Me Blush ($40.00 for 0.32 oz.) is a gorgeous shade of shimmering pinky-coral with peach shimmer-sheen.  It’s really a ringer for Lancome’s Mandarin Sky (which I also loved), but more-sheen-than-shimmer (and not quite as pink) NARS Orgasm.  I’m obsessed. OBSESSED. with coral blushes, whether they’re pink-coral, peach-coral, or orange-coral, I’m all over them. 

Call Me is beautiful on both cooler and warmer skin tones–it doesn’t have strong orange undertones, so it can work just as nicely on those with pink undertones as those with yellow or olive undertones.   It is, obviously, most complimentary on warmer complexions, though.  The shimmer is incredibly fine and appears as a soft glowy sheen on cheeks.

It’s a very pigmented, smooth textured powder blush; surprisingly impressive for a brand that’s been pulled from all the counters I know of.  Even more impressive given that this brand regularly shows up on discount sites at 50% off.  It’s well worth the $40 price tag, since it is a high-end/luxury line, but the compact itself is quite large–and not just the physical compact, but the product inside weighs in at an impressive 0.32 oz. (most blushes are between 0.15 and 0.21 oz.).  Obviously, an incredible deal at $20 (which is how I got mine).

If you want to know more about how products are evaluated, read out Rating System FAQ!

• Product: 29/30
• Value: 9/10
• Ease of Use: 4/5
• Packaging: 4/5

RECOMMENDATION: For my coral blush lovers, this one is not to be missed.

AVAILABILITY: Rock & Republic

Rock & Republic Call Me Blush

Rock & Republic Call Me Blush

Rock & Republic Call Me Blush

Rock & Republic Call Me Blush

Rock & Republic Call Me Blush (Look breakdown here)

Rock & Republic Call Me Blush

WHAT IT IS: Rock & Republic’s debut cosmetics collection accessorized the Spring 2009 runway. This fashion week, Rock & Republic is unveiling more than its latest take on luxe fashion with a sexy edge. The iconic lifestyle brand is complementing its Spring collection with its own decadent line of rich, vibrant makeup, available in stores beginning September 15th.

In trademark Rock & Republic style, the spring fashion line boldly defies fashion conventions, pairing delicate fabric like chiffon and organza with hard structures like accentuated shoulders, cinched waists, and high-volume ruffles. Rock & Republic’s signature hard edge shone through the collection’s strong silhouettes in stark black and white. Super short dresses, graphic print leggings and skinny jeans with rouched zippers at the ankles stomped down the runway atop sky-high heels.

In conceptualizing the collection’s makeup look, Rock & Republic President Andrea Bernholtz parlayed this nonconformity into a striking take on the conventional spring aesthetic. “While most brands present spring fashion with light, bright, pastel makeup, that look just doesn’t reflect the audacious, rock-inspired edge of the brand,” Bernholtz explains. “Instead, we used a rock style spring smoky eye, with pale grays to lighten the eye and luminous skin to create that enviable dewiness we look for in spring.”

Celebrity makeup artist Jeanine Lobell collaborated with Bernholtz to realize her vision for the show using the brand’s indulgent new cosmetics. “The focus of the dramatic yet feminine look we created is a smoky eye with gradated grays, bringing an airy lightness to a sultry look,” Lobell reveals. “I was really inspired by working with the new line. The range of colors and the textures made it easy to bring the look together.”

Get the look!

Lobell began with Saturate Eye Colour in Ciggy for a light dove gray shadow base, melting into Saturate Eye Colour in Asphalt (matte lead shadow) on the lid and Saturate Eye Colour in Fatalistic (smoky black shadow) at the lash line, smudging the shadow under the eye and blending with Saturate Eye Colour in Asphalt. Lobell added intrigue to the look by rimming eyes with Bound Gel Eyeliner in Black and accentuating lashes with Extremist Mascara in Black.

Lobell tempered the dark, smoky eye with a luminescent complexion using Trickery Tinted Illuminizer on the face. “Trickery was my secret weapon in creating this look, providing medium coverage with a dewy, natural, radiant finish,” Lobell explains. “The sheer, luminous formula perfectly offset the bold eye while evoking the freshness of spring.” To add a natural flush of color, Lobell applied Rock & Republic’s Imitate Mousse Blush in Rumor or Scandal, depending on the model’s complexion. The rosy, lush hues lent a feminine sweetness to the edgy aesthetic as the whipped souffle texture contributed to the glowing look.

Lobell finished the look with a nude, glossy lip, using Luxe Lip Gloss in Imposter or Vacant. The understated, pale lip balanced the strong eye, making the look cohesive and bringing it into spring.

ABOUT ROCK & REPUBLIC COSMETICS: Designed to evoke the brand’s trademark marriage of high fashion and rock and roll edge, the new cosmetics line embodies Rock & Republic’s rebellious style. From the line’s bold, dark shades to its sleek black patent leather and silver packaging, Rock & Republic Cosmetics defines modern makeup. The 116-piece collection, developed in-house over a three-year period, includes lip glosses, brushes, mascara, high-pigmented eye shadow, caffeine-infused tinted primer, and a Swarovski Crystal-embedded bronzer.

WHAT IT COSTS: $18-$225

WHERE TO FIND IT: Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, Bloomingdale’s, Harrods and RockandRepublicCosmetics.com.