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MAC x Ellie Goulding I'll Hold My Breath Blush Duo Review, Photos, Swatches

MAC I'll Hold My Breath Blush Duo
MAC I’ll Hold My Breath Blush Duo

MAC I’ll Hold My Breath Blush Duo ($28.00 for 0.35 oz.) consists of a brown and pink, with the brown taking up about two-thirds of the space in the pan. Not bad, not out of this world. I wish they would have just kept it as true duo–half of each–as I think it would be more versatile that way. They are more dupable, particularly the coral (even within MAC’s range). It is a larger compact, and it’s nice to see that they put together special packaging for the collection.

I’ll Hold My Breath #1 is described as a “medium warm bronze.” It’s a medium brown with warm, yellow undertones and a dusting of gold shimmer. The texture was really smooth, but there was a firmness to it that made it a little harder to get the product to transfer onto a brush, even though it didn’t feel hard/stiff to the touch. It had semi-opaque pigmentation at best, but it was blendable on the skin and applied evenly overall. On me, the color lasted for eight hours before fading. MAC Ganymede (LE, $21.00) is more shimmery (95% similar). ColourPop Paradise Cove (P, $8.00) is more shimmery, lighter (95% similar). IT Cosmetics Warm Radiance (P, $34.00) is more shimmery, lighter, cooler (95% similar). NARS Casino (P, $38.00) is darker (90% similar). ColourPop Poolside (P, $8.00) is darker (90% similar). ColourPop Glo Up (LE, $8.00) is more shimmery (90% similar). By Terry Light & Tan Vibes #6 (LE, ) is cooler (90% similar). By Terry Tan & Flash Cruise #5 (LE, ) is less shimmery (90% similar). Laura Mercier Seduction (P, $45.00) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar). MAC Satin Shimmer (LE, $34.00) is lighter (90% similar). Zoeva ND030 (PiP, ) is lighter, brighter (90% similar). Urban Decay Paranoid (DC, $26.00) is more shimmery (90% similar). Melt Cosmetics Lynx (P, $22.00) is more shimmery, darker, cooler (85% similar). MAC Refined Golden (P, $28.00) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar). By Terry Savannah Love #2 (LE, ) is lighter (85% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

I’ll Hold My Breath #2 is described as a “peachy pink pearl.” It’s a light-medium, pinky-coral with warm undertones and a satin finish. It had decent pigmentation with a smooth consistency that was a little dry, but it applied without issue and blended out nicely. The color started to fade after eight hours on me. MAC Spring Flock (LE, $24.00) is less shimmery, lighter (95% similar). Chanel Sunkiss Ribbon (LE, $70.00) is more shimmery (95% similar). KIKO 108 Orange Coral (DC, $12.00) is less shimmery (95% similar). Guerlain Gold Palette #7 (LE, ) is more shimmery (95% similar). NARS Blasphemy (LE, $30.00)(95% similar). NARS Orgasm (P, $30.00) is more shimmery, lighter (95% similar). Charlotte Tilbury Summer (LE, ) is less shimmery, lighter (95% similar). Milani Coral Beams #3 (PiP, ) is warmer (95% similar). Too Faced Stardust (LE, ) is less shimmery, darker, more muted (95% similar). Tarte Skillful (LE, $29.00) is darker (95% similar). Patrick Ta She's Passionate (P, $32.00) is lighter (95% similar). Marc Jacobs Beauty Lines & Last Night (502) (P, $42.00) is more shimmery (95% similar). Tarte Concept (LE, $29.00) is warmer (95% similar). Hourglass Luminous Flush (LE, $40.00) is less shimmery (95% similar). Charlotte Tilbury Pretty (LE, ) is lighter (90% similar). NARS Bumpy Ride (P, $30.00) is more shimmery, lighter, cooler (90% similar). ColourPop Count Me In (P, $8.00) is less shimmery (90% similar). Guerlain Ors et Merveilles #8 (LE, ) is darker, cooler (90% similar). NARS Day Dream (LE, $30.00) is cooler (90% similar). Tarte Live (LE, $29.00) is less shimmery, cooler (90% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

MAC I'll Hold My Breath Blush Duo
MAC I’ll Hold My Breath Blush Duo

MAC I'll Hold My Breath Blush Duo
MAC I’ll Hold My Breath Blush Duo

MAC I'll Hold My Breath Blush Duo
MAC I’ll Hold My Breath Blush Duo

MAC I'll Hold My Breath Blush Duo
MAC I’ll Hold My Breath Blush Duo

MAC I'll Hold My Breath Blush Duo
MAC I’ll Hold My Breath Blush Duo

MAC I'll Hold My Breath Blush Duo
MAC I’ll Hold My Breath Blush Duo

MAC I'll Hold My Breath Blush Duo
MAC I’ll Hold My Breath Blush Duo

MAC I'll Hold My Breath Blush Duo
MAC I’ll Hold My Breath Blush Duo

MAC I'll Hold My Breath Blush Duo
MAC I’ll Hold My Breath Blush Duo

MAC I'll Hold My Breath Blush Duo
MAC I’ll Hold My Breath Blush Duo

MAC I'll Hold My Breath Blush Duo
MAC I’ll Hold My Breath Blush Duo

Makeup Look
On face:
  • Make Up For Ever HD
  • MAC I'll Hold My Breath Blush Duo
On eyes:
  • MAC Halcyon Nights Face Kit
  • Lancome Paradis Eyeliner
On lips:
  • MAC Without Your Love Lipstick

36 Comments

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Katherine T. Avatar

This reminds me of the Ciate Olivia Palerma blush /bronzer duo. It’s $4 more, but the packaging is a lot more luxurious, and it’s 50% blush/ 50% bronzer.

Nicole Avatar

I have a Ciate product that is similar to this that was part of the CiateX Olivia Palmero collection. Its called Seaside park. It’s a half matte bronzer half coral blush. They also had/have an option with a lighter matte bronzer and a pink-ish blush. It was kinda an impulse buy and I love the compact/packaging. But, I really like the product. The matte bronzer doubles for bronzer or you can go heavy for contour and the blush is really pretty. I think I would prefer this one if it had a matte bronzer and I agree the half and half option would be more appealing as well.

Bonnie Avatar

I’ve always felt like products designed like this were meant to be swirled together before applying instead of separately. I have a Dior summer LE blush/bronzer that I’ve pretty much always mixed then applied and it looks gorgeous like that. Do you ever mix them then apply, Christine? Usually your photos of these type of products are just of the two separate colors (from what I can remember…I could be wrong). It might be helpful to see the result of them mixed on one side for a photo for people who always mix them. Just a suggestion.

Barbie lee Avatar

Will this look good on an NC 20 fair Chinese skin? Coz the blush color is on the warm side. But I like the bronzer. I think it will suit my complexion

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