MAC Full of Joy Blush Review, Photos, Swatches
MAC Full of Joy Blush
MAC Full of Joy Blush
MAC Full of Joy Blush ($20.00 for 0.21 oz.) is described as a “lavender” with a frost finish. It’s a pale, lilac-tinted pink with strong blue undertones and a satiny sheen. I wouldn’t classify it as a frost really–it’s not shimmery enough to be frosted. It has, perhaps, more of a sheen than your average satin finish blush, though. The most comparable shade I could think of was NARS Gaiety, which has a very blue base, but it’s a darker pink–this is much lighter, more spring-like. MAC Azalea Blossom is also darker, a bit purpler, too. Make Up For Ever Smooth Talker is similar in lightness but is pinker with blue undertones but lacks the lilac tint.
Despite being labeled a frost, the finish appears more luminous against the skin; it does not accentuate pores or skin imperfections. There’s a soft sheen that reflects light without being metallic. There’s a good amount of color pigmentation in this shade, though I would describe the payoff as buildable overall. You can apply a sheer layer without a fuss, but you can do a heavier application without having to apply ten layers (I just swirled my brush in the compact a bit for a heavier look). On my warmer skin tone, it’s not particularly flattering, but with a vampier lip or smoky eye, it could work. I see this working beautifully on cool-toned complexions, probably on the lighter end of the spectrum.
The texture is soft but not dense; it has the feel of a lot of MAC’s matte eyeshadows and blushes. A little dry, and while soft, not so soft that there’s a lot of excess powder kicked up when your brush touches the surface. It does blend well despite the seemingly dry texture (but not so dry it’s chalky or that it drags and skips). I had no problems applying the blushes from Tres Cheek with either the 129 or 116 brushes (I prefer the latter, as the bristles are softer).
With eleven different blushes launching (over three collections) at once, I can’t test the wear for each individual shade. Yesterday, I tested this shade (Full of Joy) on one cheek with Glorify Extra Dimension Highlighter on the other. Today, I hope to do another split test involving one shade from Tres Cheek and another highlighter. This shade wore for seven hours well, and after eight, it looked a little faded, but it held up fairly well overall. MAC blushes, generally, wear between seven and eight hours on me; their mineralize products tend to wear away a little faster, but their powder products, like this blush, wear better.
MAC Full of Joy Blush Review, Photos, Swatches
MAC Full of Joy Blush
MAC Full of Joy Blush
MAC Full of Joy Blush
MAC Full of Joy Blush
MAC Full of Joy Blush
MAC Full of Joy Blush
I’m ghostly white so this will (hopefully!) be perfect for me! I think this is the first collection in a loooong time where I want more than one (or even one…) thing. They’re all so pretty 🙁 Thank you for getting these up at an extraordinarily rate – it is mucho appreciated!
I’m nw35
Tried this on… Not for me 🙂
Christine thanks so much for your hard work, I’ve been waiting for your review.
Do you think is close to sakura blush from quite cute?
Depends on how you use Sakura – because if you use it mix, then they’re not really similar. The lighter outer shade is similar but more muted, less pink. http://www.temptalia.com/mac-sakura-mineralize-blush-swatches-photos-review
How it compares with (my beloved) Sakura from the Quite Cute collection?
I’m cool toned with fair skin and this one looks like perfect for me!
Depends on how you use Sakura – because if you use it mix, then they’re not really similar. The lighter outer shade is similar but more muted, less pink. http://www.temptalia.com/mac-sakura-mineralize-blush-swatches-photos-review
Oh, wow. I’ve actually been looking for a cool, lavender-pinky blush (I’ve fallen hard for the spring pastel trend and Gaiety just pulls straight-up pink on me) and this is gorgeous! It probably will be too light for my NC40 face though. So sad.
It looks lovely on you, *waves from Ireland*
Wow FOJ is even more beautiful than I thought! I can’t wait to get my hands on it! Thank you so much for the swatches!!!
I thought I wanted this but actually, looking at the swatches, I don’t think I do. Yay for saving money!
Not a fan of this colour at all…I have very similar colouring to you…although I am a bit lighter. I don’t see it working for me. I really do love the finish though.
P.S. You have amazing brows!
I think it looks stunning on you Christine!
I love this blush! It’s what I wanted Pink Cult to be! Think I will have to get one of these! 🙂
Thanks for the review! x
Oooh I’m NC15 and I have been eyeing this one up since the tiny little swatches I’ve seen leaked around, and I’m hopeful it will look ok on me.
I never normally wear blush and don’t even own one, but I’m hoping for this, Peony Petal or maybe even Pink Tea as my very first blush. I can’t believe I’ve got to nearly 30 and never worn blush!
I’ve been looking at getting an Azalea Blossom from somewhere online when I can afford it too, but that’s mainly because it looks so pretty 😀
Lauches in stores def means it won’t be online right? =\
No. It launches in-stores on April 5th, but it will be online at some point before then, however MAC does not list online release dates.
illamasqua katie w/frost?
Katie is pinker.
This is perfect, I’ve been searching for a lavender blush for a long time. Sakura was a tease because I’m allergic to Mineralize. I can’t wait to get this one.
So, so beautiful. I’m lighter than you are so hopefully it will be a lovely spring blush for me! 🙂
I’m sorry, i know that probably im gonna get bet up with what im gonna say, but its really hard to appreciate the swatches in the new room that you have picked Christine. In the Mac tres cheek blushes the only one that i saw a slightly differences was Full of joy the rest they look all the same. Please if you can, and i hope, you don’t get upset, go back to the room you were using before. Since is darker it helps for the swatches to come out better. But in this room is too bright, the swatches come out like wash out…=]
I don’t live there any more. I’m not sure what you are looking at, because I can definitely see a difference myself – could you maybe tell me what photos you can’t see a difference between? Because Full of Joy is a pale pink while the others are darker pinks, oranges, corals, etc. so they aren’t exactly the same, though some are in the same family. These are the photos that readers requested, which is why I have transitioned to this format. I’m sorry you do not like them!
Just letting you know, I definitely don’t have any problem with the swatches. I can see the difference quite clearly! I’m not saying this to insult Pamela, but could she be getting confused since you are wearing two different blushes…maybe she is looking at the cheek that has the same color as a different post, too. I mean, I got confused for a moment due to the exact same thing then I noticed I was just not looking at both cheeks, lol. IDK. I think the swatches look great.
That might be it – I just went through the posts to clearly state which side the blush was on. I decided to just say “left” or “right” since left cheek might be interpreted as my left or YOUR left and just lead to more confusion, lol!
Man, I really wanted to WANT this. I love the idea of lavender blush, but I own both Azalea Blossom and Sakura and I honestly don’t wear either very often because they just don’t look very good on me. Oh well.
Hi Christine, I’m NC 15 with warm undertones, however I look good in blue-based pink lipsticks. Do you think Full of Joy would work for me?
If you like blue-based lipsticks, sure!
Is this blush similar to MAC’s Well Dressed? Because it looks like it is, only a little shinier…
Well Dressed is much, much pinker – this has a lot of lilac in it!
Oh nooo I really want this, but I don’t want to go through all of the craziness of trying to get it.
This blush is so pretty! Could a NW25 pull this off?
Yes!
” I see this working beautifully on cool-toned complexions, probably on the lighter end of the spectrum.”
That’s interesting because I’m cool-toned and very pale, but I don’t usually go for blushes like this because it doesn’t look very wearable! I don’t live near a MAC store or counter so I’m very grateful for your swatches and reviews 🙂
They always work better on cool and pale complexions, because the paleness of the color doesn’t turn ashy or looks so stark against your skin and the cooler undertones are more flattering on you. Like on me, it’s kind of like I was out in the snow too long – like I’m frostbitten!
hey christine, is this collection limited edition in the US? cause i asked the MUA at MAC in singapore and they said these will be part of the permanent collection. They even have this in pan form. They just launched today though ^^
MAC said they were LE – asked them yesterday!
just confirmed it with the MUA, they said this will only be permanent in Asia because the colors r most popular in Korea
Sure. Mac Lovecloud and Pink tea, Pink Cult look the same on the swatches.Now i understand they are in the same family, and this would be more like MACs fault because they keep coming out with products that even thought in the pan it looks awesome, different, but when applied it looks the same =[ With Peony Petal i do see it a little brighter, more like in the fucshia side. And Full of joy it does look a slightly difference, more in the lavender side. But before when u use to do swatches in the other room(and i understand you don’t leave there anymore)even if the products had colors in the same family, even if there was a slightly difference from each other the swatches would still show its true and slightly difference, that from this room it can’t due to the highly brightness. Look, proof of that, is the when i notice the swatches the say diffused flash shows more of the cosmetic true color, it even shows your real skin color(not that i have seeing you in person,LOL but i say it from all the time i’ve seeing your swatches)but then the studio lighting is paler, it lacks color. Maybe if you can use the same technique for the blushes, the diffused flash, and the studio lighting?? I don’t know, i hope u understand me, its my humble opinion. I just really love looking at your swatches, it really helps on deciding what to purchase, but i understand, this is your new place. Oh! and i did notice, and got it right when you mark the left cheek to the right…=]
I think those are great suggestions… and you sound really knowledgeable about swatching, photographing, and reviewing makeup. Have you considered starting a blog?
Look. Christine’s blush photos seem to give most of her readers a pretty good idea of what it looks like on her skin. Proof of that is many of her readers have voted “love it” or “leave it” without requesting additional types of photos. Because she’s already swatching a million products with studio lighting and diffused flash for us, in addition to living her life, let’s just be appreciative.
I prefer blue-leaning violet colors, rather than those that are purple/red/warm leaning. I have Sakura (i ADORE it, but I avoid that magenta heart), I have Azalea Blossom (how could I pass this gradated beauty). And I recently bought NARS Gaiety and New Order thinking i’d return one… nope, I kept them both.
I’m between MAC 15 & 20, more neutral than cool or warm. Gaiety applied judiciously (with my MAC 188 brush) gives a very natural looking sheer pink flush on me, which surprised me, given how strong it looks in the pan. On the other hand, or cheek in this case, Full of Joy reads much more lavender on than Gaiety does, at least on me. So I with a heart full of joy, I pre-ordered Full of Joy. (I also ordered Pink Cult because it was so very neutral on me)
I’ve been avoiding blushes for years, but I guess I’m in a blush phase right now because I recently got the Redhead and Blonde repromotes from the Naturally collection and really love them both, and both blushes from the Vera collection. And now I’m divin’ back in for more – usually MAC blushes don’t get me excited, but this spring I’m goin’ wild with MAC blush love 🙂
I think this color looks amazing on you!
These are available online again! I just picked up Full of Joy!
I think this will be perfect for me. Thanks, Christine!
Hi christine, Just a question, talking about mac Sakura. Do you think sakura is the same as Full of joy? (without the glittery heart) Would love to no what you think? x
Depends on how you use Sakura – because if you use it mix, then they’re not really similar. The lighter outer shade is similar but more muted, less pink.http://www.temptalia.com/mac-sakura-mineralize-blush-swatches-photos-review