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 Oh My! (LE, $24.00) is warmer (95% similar). MAC Red Envy (LE, $24.00) is darker (95% 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). 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). Rare Beauty Grateful (P, $23.00) is less shimmery, cooler, glossier (85% similar). NARS Queen (LE, $30.00) is lighter, more muted, cooler (85% similar). NYX Crimson (P, $6.50) is warmer (85% similar). Chanel Rouge Profond (320) (P, $45.00) is darker, more muted (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.

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MAC Frankly Scarlet Blush

MAC Frankly Scarlet Blush

MAC Frankly Scarlet Blush

MAC Frankly Scarlet Blush

MAC Frankly Scarlet Blush