MAC Frankly Scarlet Blush Review, Photos, Swatches
MAC Frankly Scarlet Blush
MAC Frankly Scarlet Blush ($17.00 for 0.21 oz. pan-only) is described as a “vivid rose-red [with a matte finish].” It’s a bright, medium red with subtle, warm undertones and a mostly matte finish. MAC Red Envy (LE, $24.00) is darker (95% similar). MAC Oh My! (LE, $24.00) is warmer (95% similar). MAC Apple Red (P, $24.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar). MAC Never Say Never (P, $16.00) is cooler (90% similar). Lethal Cosmetics Sanguine (P, $15.50) is more muted, cooler (90% similar). Bite Beauty Mochi (P, $24.00) is darker, more muted, cooler (90% similar). Coloured Raine Prove My Loyalty (Blush) (LE, ) is less shimmery, darker, cooler (90% similar). Viseart Coral #3 (PiP, ) is cooler (90% similar). NARS Queen (LE, $30.00) is lighter, more muted, cooler (85% similar). Rare Beauty Grateful (P, $23.00) is less shimmery, cooler, glossier (85% similar). Chanel Rouge Profond (320) (P, $45.00) is darker, more muted (85% similar). NYX Crimson (P, $6.50) is warmer (85% similar). MAC All Year Red (LE, ) is warmer (80% similar). Kevyn Aucoin Sunset #3 (PiP, ) is lighter, warmer (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. Frankly Scarlet packs a real punch of pigment as it had great color payoff and can apply true-to-pan, if desired. When sheered out, it takes on a rosier, pinker coloring and loses some of the underlying red tone. The texture was soft, smooth, and blendable on the skin, which are all necessary attributes for such a bold shade as this one! The finish read matte in the pan, but on the skin, it has a “natural” matte finish, where it doesn’t flatten features but doesn’t add genuine shine either. This shade wore wlel for eight and a half hours before fading on me.
Frankly Scarlet
PPermanent. $24.00.
See more photos & swatches!
MAC Frankly Scarlet Blush
MAC Frankly Scarlet Blush
MAC Frankly Scarlet Blush
MAC Frankly Scarlet Blush
MAC Frankly Scarlet Blush
It’s like a richer version of Makeup Geeks Love Affair. I’ll have to pick this one up at some point.
Ooh, I could see the resemblance!
That’s more wearable than it looks in the pan, really suits you.
Thanks, Claire!
Pretty! I like these pan blushes because they are so inexpensive. This looks stark in the pan. But, you have taught me with feathery brushes, these sorts of blushes are a do! I dig the name to- so cute!:)
😉 Once you find the right tool/technique, those super intense blushes are so much easier to work with!
Stunning! definitely adding to my buy list. I really like this series where you revisit mainstays from Mac.
Thank you!
Whoa! You aren’t kidding – this one does pack a punch. The hand swatch looks like clown cheeks, but it’s pretty blended out. If you’re fair, this might last a life time
LOL! I think it might last a lifetime even if you aren’t. SO little is needed! I haven’t used one blush consistently long enough, but I remember even when I only had one blush to me my name (MAC Margin), it took EONS to hit pan!
It’s such a beautiful shade. Amazing.
It is!
What brush would you recommend to apply this blush so as to not go overboard on the cheeks?
A fan brush!
I have and love Frankly Scarlet. it’s such a gorgeous blush, I think. One of my favourites.
Nice! What do you like to wear with it for eyes/lips?
I like to use it when I do a classic 1940s or 1950s makeup. I like that it can be used with a very light hand, just giving a hint of a blush, or a bit less sheer, making it look as if you have taken a walk on a windy, crisp autumn (fall) day.
I sometimes use it with a black-grey smoky eye, just to add a bit of colour. I use red lipstick with it, mostly, or a neutral-y shimmery gloss for the smoky eye, don’t want to overdo it completely.
What a pretty watermelon color! I’m not surprised that they’re aren’t many dupes for it.
Red blush — a frontier not everyone has traveled yet!
OH MAN! That’s a red blush I might actually be able to pull off.
Nice!
This has been on my wishlist FOREVER. I really need to get around to finally buying it. Thanks for the review, Christine! 🙂
You’re welcome, Al! 🙂
Stunning! I was trying to figure out if this is any similar to Mac’s bite of an apple. Would you still have that from the venomous villains collection to compare to?
Bite of an Apple is lighter and warmer! If you applied both lightly, they would look similar, IMO.
Wow really pretty!!
It is!
Such a fun color! All I can think of while looking at it is Moulin Rouge! 😀
A for a matte blush? Amazing job, MAC! 🙂
They did a great job!
How did I miss THIS thread??? I’ve owned Frankly Scarlet for years and just love it. Whenever I feel I’m in a rut or just need a “pick me up”, I’ll pull out either Frankly Scarlet or (LE) Her Blooming Cheek and Brick-o-la lipstick and I’ve got the lift I need.
I think it’s really cool to see how many people own/have used Frankly Scarlet! I feel like it can be intimidating, but it’s awesome how many use it!