MAC Burnt Pepper Blush Review, Photos, Swatches

MAC Burnt Pepper Blush
MAC Burnt Pepper Blush

MAC Burnt Pepper Blush ($17.00 for 0.21 oz. pan-only) is described as a “warm rich terracotta.” It’s a medium-dark reddish-copper with warm undertones and a mostly matte finish. MAC Hidden Treasure (LE, $24.00) is darker (90% similar). MAC Flirting with Danger (P, $29.00) is lighter (90% similar). NARS Vengeful (Right) (LE, ) is more shimmery, cooler (95% similar). Milani Bronze Burst #4 (PiP, ) is lighter (90% similar). Milani Bronze Burst #3 (PiP, ) is lighter, cooler (90% similar). MAC A Little Lusty (LE, $24.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar). NARS Savage (P, $30.00) is lighter, brighter (85% similar). Dior Galactic Red (826) (LE, $46.00) is darker, cooler (85% similar). Chanel Rouge Profond (320) (P, $45.00) is cooler (85% similar). Zoeva Underneath the Gold (LE, ) is cooler (90% similar). NYX Crimson (P, $6.50) is lighter, brighter (80% similar). Bite Beauty Almond (P, $24.00) is darker, cooler (80% similar). Pat McGrath Paradise Venus (P, $38.00) is less shimmery, darker (80% similar). MAC Taraji Glow (LE, $34.00) is darker, more muted (80% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

MAC’s Powder Blush formula is supposed to be easy to apply, long-wearing, and have “fantastic colour.” It’s hard to generalize for MAC’s blush formula, because it varies a lot from shade to shade, even within different types of finishes! Some of them are very good, others are so-so, and a few are complete misses. The more frosted/shimmery shades tend to have the softest and smoothest textures and are easier to apply and blend out on the skin, while more satin and matte shades can sometimes be powdery, firm, or stiff, which makes blending more challenging. The wear is typically between six and nine hours but closer to seven to eight hours on average. Burnt Pepper was incredibly pigmented–a little goes a very, very long way, so definitely use less than you think you may need!–with a soft, silky consistency that blended out easily, which is a real must for something this rich in pigment. I found that the finish had a “natural matte” sheen to it–it looked like skin and never flat, but it wasn’t shimmery or even satiny. It wore well for nine hours on me before fading.

See more photos & swatches!

MAC Burnt Pepper Blush
MAC Burnt Pepper Blush

MAC Burnt Pepper Blush
MAC Burnt Pepper Blush

MAC Burnt Pepper Blush
MAC Burnt Pepper Blush

MAC Burnt Pepper Blush
MAC Burnt Pepper Blush

MAC Burnt Pepper Blush
MAC Burnt Pepper Blush

Makeup Look
On face:
  • Make Up For Ever HD Foundation
  • Urban Decay Naked Loose Setting Powder
On lips:
  • NYX French Kiss High Voltage Lipstick

36 Comments

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Comments on this post are closed.
Mariella Avatar

Despite my preference for cooler toned blushes, I LOVE the look of this one. It reminds me of an Estee Lauder blush from the 80’s (I still have a bit of it left in a broken compact – the product broke and the compact broke!) – it was from a fall collection that was just gorgeous and which also contained one of my fave lipsticks of all time – Datenut Red, a shade I’ve looked and looked to replace with no luck! I’ve put this blush on my wishlist and if I can find my broken Lauder blush, I’ll take it with me to the MAC counter to compare the two!

Mariella Avatar

Datenut Red is the lipstick. I don’t know what the blush is/was called, as the name has rubbed entirely off the label on the bottom. But they were from the same fall collection. I’m glad this blush is permanent, so no urgency to locate the old blush to take in for comparison. But I’m so surprised by how much I like this blush – I just keep looking at your photos and swatches.

Katherine T. Avatar

Wow, this is one of the most pigmented blushes I’ve even seen! It looks like a cream blush packed on. One pan might last a lifetime. Nice to have options for darker skin tones

Nancy T Avatar

Even though it swatches scary-bright, it looks amazing applied to the cheeks! I love this shade even more than CP Quarters. It reminds me of Nyx Cinnamon blush in the old formula, would you say it’s close?

Claudia Avatar

For anyone looking for a budget friendly version of this blush, Jordana’s Terracotta Treasure is quite similar in colour and finish for only $2.49. I have both and they look and wear the same on my skin 🙂

Selina Avatar

It’s a great blush! I usually don’t gravitate towards these kinds of shades but I picked this up after I tried the new Studio Watertight Foundation and the sales assistant applied this blush on me to make my cheeks look flushed.. It’s a very beautiful blush and super pigmented and I’m so in love with it!! I’m an NC40 right now and it looks very natural – you only need the tiniest amount though, since a little goes a long way.

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