Kaja Beauty Spoils of Mars Mochi Pop Bouncy Blendable Blush Reviews & Swatches
Spoils of Mars
Kaja Spoils of Mars Mochi Pop Bouncy Blendable Blush ($19.00 for 0.15 oz.) is a rich, berry pink with cool, blue undertones and a satin sheen. I found that the more I blended it out, the less shimmery it appeared; it had more of a “natural” finish that wasn’t matte but wasn’t truly dewy or shimmery either. The texture was smooth to the touch but firmer and less “sponge” like compared to some other powder-gel hybrid products (with enough pressure, I could feel it press down). There was light slip, which felt more like a powder as soon as I put my finger to the product.
It had buildable pigmentation from medium to mostly opaque, which didn’t apply evenly to my skin. I struggled to diffuse and move the product around evenly, and it ended up looking splotchy on me. It was a bit better over a foundation, as some of the natural unevenness of my skin was particularly accentuated by the depth/tone of the blush itself, and this shade didn’t lift up my base when I tested for that. It wore well for eight and a half hours on me before fading noticeably.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- CoverGirl Deep Mauve (DC, $9.99) is more shimmery, darker, warmer (90% similar).
- Chanel Vivacite (88) (LE, $45.00) is cooler (85% similar).
- Laura Geller Plumberry (P, $26.00) is more shimmery, darker, warmer (85% similar).
- Hourglass Iridescent Flash (P, $38.00) is more shimmery, warmer (85% similar).
- NARS Outlaw (P, $30.00) is more shimmery, darker (85% similar).
- Kevyn Aucoin Grapevine #3 (PiP, ) is warmer (85% similar).
- Urban Decay Easy (DC, $26.00) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (80% similar).
- Black Up NBL 03 (P, $26.50) is darker, warmer (80% similar).
- Buxom Goa (P, $22.00) is more shimmery, warmer (80% similar).
- MAC Here You Go (LE, ) is more shimmery, darker (80% similar).
Formula Overview
$19.00/0.15 oz. - $126.67 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to have a "powder-gel" base that "feels like a cream and finishes like a powder" that provides a buildable "pop of color" and can be worn "on bare skin or over makeup." The pigmentation varied from shade to shade but was typically more medium, buildable in coverage and often depended on just how much product was picked up on fingertips (brand says to use fingertips to apply). The texture felt lightly emollient in the pot but was more powder than gel by touch as well as in practice (on cheeks).
It applied well over bare skin and was fairly forgiving over base products, but I would be careful about applying it over any matte or more powdered bases as I did feel like it created slight patchiness when applied over set foundation. The formula felt more powder-like but on the thinner side (which is why I don't think it played as well with more powdered surfaces). They lasted between seven and eight hours before fading noticeably on my skin.
Browse all of our Kaja Mochi Pop Bouncy Blendable Blush swatches.
Ingredients
This is a really pretty shade but there are so many blushes out that that perform better and that you don’t have to work so hard to make sure they perform well. My only experience with this brand has been the Bento e/s and while I really like the 2 I picked up, in hindsight, I probably wouldn’t purchase them again. All of the shades being shimmery and without a huge variation in the shades within each little palette, they are just not that versatile. I won’t be picking this up or anything else from the brand until I see something unique.
I have the Bentos and I agree with everything you said. I do find myself reaching for them when I unexpectedly need to go out and need something quick and fast on my eyes though.
Even though I like the color itself, and even if the formula were better, I’m not a fan of bubblegum pink on me. So, this is an easy skip.