Chanel Crescendo (250) Joues Contraste Powder Blush ($45.00 for 0.14 oz.) is a medium pink with subtle, warm undertones and a delicate gold sparkle over a satin finish. MAC Kindergarten Red (LE, $32.00) is lighter. Guerlain Angelic Radiance (LE, $53.00) is lighter. LORAC Underrated (LE) is similar. Tarte Irreplaceable (LE, $26.00) is darker. MAC Peaches & Cream (LE, $21.00) is darker, brighter. Make Up For Ever #210 HD Blush (P, $26.00) is a cream product, brighter. Charlotte Tilbury Love is the Drug (P, $40.00) is more shimmery. MAC Formal (LE) is lighter. Urban Decay Temper (LE) is cooler-toned. Chanel Inspiration (64) (P, $38.00) is lighter, cream. theBalm Argyle (P, $22.00) is cooler-toned. Edward Bess Bed of Roses (P, $43.00) is darker, brighter. NYX Rose Garden (P, $5.00) is warmer. MAC Lovecloud (P, $21.00) is lighter. Chanel Rose Initiale (P, $45.00) is slightly darker. See comparison swatches / view dupes.

Chanel’s powder blush formula is supposed to have “buildable coverage” with a “silky, delicate texture” that will “impart a radiant glow.” The best parts of this new, limited edition blush is its finish, which is softly luminous on the skin, and its color payoff, which is semi-opaque and buildable to more opaque color if desired. Unfortunately, the texture is powdery and doesn’t adhere as well to skin, so it takes some work to really buff and blend the color onto the skin for an even layer of product that is nicely diffused along the edges. The powder felt silky to the touch, but it just didn’t go on effortlessly at all. On me, this shade stayed on well for seven and a half hours before fading.

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Chanel Crescendo (250) Joues Contraste Powder Blush

Chanel Crescendo (250) Joues Contraste Powder Blush

Chanel Crescendo (250) Joues Contraste Powder Blush

Chanel Crescendo (250) Joues Contraste Powder Blush

Chanel Crescendo (250) Joues Contraste Powder Blush

Chanel Crescendo (250) Joues Contraste Powder Blush