MAC Stratus Mineralize Blush

MAC Stratus Mineralize Blush ($23.50 for 0.10 oz.) is described as a “amethyst and gold brown melange.” It’s a plummy brown with a satiny sheen. The compact contains two swirls of darkened peach-brown and plum. This is one of the lesser shimmered shades of the cheek products in this launch. On cheeks, it looked more plum than brown, so it ended up looking more different than alike once applied than Earthshine (which almost seemed like a dupe), which is darker and much browner. MAC Buddy Up is lighter. NARS G-Spot is redder. MAC Darkly My Dear is browner. Chanel Plum Attraction is more plum, more subdued. MAC Notable is lighter and more muted.

Stratus had a fairly smooth texture without being too dry or too powdery (could be a bit more blendable), and the finish was less metallic/frosted, so I didn’t feel like it turned my pores into beacons in the night.  There was some slight emphasis but very subtle and probably not noticeable to anyone but myself up-close.  The color can be very intense, so I recommend using a light hand when applying if you have light to medium coloring; you can be less careful on deeper complexions, but it will build up very nicely and be stunning on medium-dark to dark skin tones.  When I tested the wear, Stratus wore for six and a half hours well, but it looked noticeably faded after seven hours.

MAC Stratus Mineralize Blush

MAC Stratus Mineralize Blush

MAC Stratus Mineralize Blush

MAC Stratus Mineralize Blush

MAC Stratus Mineralize Blush

MAC Stratus Mineralize Blush (Diffused Flash)

MAC Stratus Mineralize Blush (Studio Lighting)