MAC Tropical Taboo Collection’s Mineralize Blushes ($25.00 for 0.10 oz.) sees the launch of three limited edition shades.  All three had rich, intense color payoff, but I did experience shorter wear (which is my typical experience with the mineralize face products), so the ratings reflect that shortcoming.  The other thing was that all three were extraordinarily powdery–the merest touch of MAC’s 116 dislodged quite a bit of powder and left powdery remains pushed to the edges.  MAC’s new 159 brush is better for these, just because it doesn’t seem to disturb the powder as much, so there is less excess and waste, and it is also easier to get less product so you can build the intensity to the desired level rather than starting at level ten.

Exotic Ember is described as an “orange with bronze pearl.” It’s a deep, bronze-shimmered brown with subtle warm undertones. This is a shade that is going to be tricky for some skin tones, amazing on others; I think if you liked Metal Rock, you’ll like the color of this. Aside from the tricky color, the orange shade was difficult to blend with the brown. It was like the two were oil and water and really didn’t want to blend together, so the color looked splotchy applied. I tried it over different foundations (two liquids, a powder, and bare skin), and I still had the same issues trying to get it to look even. I had the best results with I used a fan brush to use it very, very lightly as a contour but the color may not work as a contour for all skin tones (it doesn’t for mine, for reference). As a blush, it did emphasize pores and skin texture. I will try to snap a photo of it being used more as a contour sometime this week. It lasted six hours on my skin, and it was patchy after eight hours of wear (this is typical wear for me with MAC’s mineralize products). MAC Earthshine is less warm-toned, slightly redder/more plum in a way. MAC Pressed Amber is lighter, less warm-toned. Bobbi Brown Bahama is lighter, more plum. See comparison swatches.

Simmer is described as a “burnt rose with peach/gold pearl.” It’s a brightened, pink-coral with gold shimmer. The majority of the color is coming from the red bits, and this is extremely pigmented, so I would use a lot less than you expect and build up. If used very lightly, it only emphasizes pores in a minor way (not too noticeable by others, only if you look in the mirror), but as the color builds up, so does the metallic-like shimmer, which was unforgiving if you don’t have perfectly smooth skin. It lasted six and a half hours on me, and then it was faded and somewhat patchy after eight hours. Tom Ford Flush is more orange. theBalm Frat Boy is more matte. NARS Deep Throat is more muted. NARS Amour is more matte. MAC Star Wonder is less warm-toned but somewhat similar. MAC Flaming Chic is softer, more muted. Benefit Bella Bamba is pinker. See comparison swatches.

Sweet Samba is described as a “dark pink with tan pearl.” It’s a pink-plum with a soft, pearly sheen and neutral-to-cool undertones. It had intense color payoff, so go easy with a brush and lightly tap onto cheeks and then build up the intensity. It’s much easier to build than it is to diffuse and soften if you apply too much. I will be testing out the wear of this shade today.  This had the most forgiving texture and only slightly emphasized pores/the natural texture of the skin. theBalm Cabana Boy is less pink, more plum. NARS Oasis is darker, more plum. NARS Outlaw is similar, more subdued. MAC Mocha is pinker. MAC Star Wonder is lighter, more shimmery. MAC Gentle is pinker. See comparison swatches.

P.S. — Nordstrom still has these listed for $23.50.

MAC Exotic Ember Mineralize Blush

MAC Exotic Ember Mineralize Blush

MAC Exotic Ember Mineralize Blush

MAC Exotic Ember Mineralize Blush

MAC Exotic Ember Mineralize Blush

MAC Exotic Ember Mineralize Blush

MAC Exotic Ember Mineralize Blush

MAC Exotic Ember Mineralize Blush

MAC Simmer Mineralize Blush

MAC Simmer Mineralize Blush

MAC Simmer Mineralize Blush

MAC Simmer Mineralize Blush

MAC Simmer Mineralize Blush

MAC Simmer Mineralize Blush

MAC Simmer Mineralize Blush

MAC Simmer Mineralize Blush

MAC Sweet Samba Mineralize Blush

MAC Sweet Samba Mineralize Blush

MAC Sweet Samba Mineralize Blush

MAC Sweet Samba Mineralize Blush

MAC Sweet Samba Mineralize Blush

MAC Sweet Samba Mineralize Blush

MAC Sweet Samba Mineralize Blush

MAC Sweet Samba Mineralize Blush