MAC x Kabuki Magic Today We Live Powder Blush Duo Review, Photos, Swatches
Today We Live
MAC x Kabuki Magic Today We Live Powder Blush Duo ($28.00 for 0.35 oz.) includes a soft, coral blush paired with a medium, taupe-brown. It’s a decent product, but the taupe-brown could be easier to work with. This is part of the MAC Makeup Art Cosmetics collection in collaboration with Kabuki, which will be available online on January 19th.
Today We Live
LELimited Edition. $26.00.
Oh You Pretty Things
Oh You Pretty Things is a soft, light-medium orange-coral with warm undertones and flecks of gold micro-sparkle over a satin finish. It had medium, buildable coverage with a soft, lightly dusty texture. It was smooth in the pan but had a firmer press than the average blush; luckily, it was still easily blended over the skin. This shade wore well for eight hours on me.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Pretty Vulgar Sweet Revenge (P, $26.00) is more shimmery, lighter (95% similar).
- Shiseido Alpen Glow (06) (P, $29.00) is less shimmery, warmer (95% similar).
- Tarte Genuine (LE, $29.00) is less shimmery, lighter (95% similar).
- NARS Torrid (P, $30.00) is darker, cooler (95% similar).
- Tom Ford Beauty Megeve (Blush) (LE, ) is less shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
- Chanel Blush Camelia Peche (LE, $45.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- Giorgio Armani Coral Bliss (LE, ) is less shimmery (90% similar).
- Essence Satin Love (P, $2.99) is warmer (90% similar).
- MAC Sideshow You (LE, $24.00) is less shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
- Milani Berry Rays #2 (PiP, ) is more muted (90% similar).
Formula Overview
$24.00/0.21 oz. - $114.29 Per Ounce
Per the brand, the formula is supposed to "provide fantastic colour with ease and consistency" that "applies evenly, adheres lightly to skin." There are five distinct finishes within the range: Frost ("iridescent, lightly shimmering color"), Matte ("flat, matte finish... builds well"), Satin ("adds subtle highlights to the skin"), Sheertone ("sheer-on micro-refined powder ... that goes on faint"), and Sheertone Shimmer ("just enough shimmer to make light dance on your cheeks"). Their permanent blushes are available in compact form as well as pan-only (the latter will be cheaper).
The following overview has been updated to reflect the most current iteration of the brand's permanent range (whether or not there's been any official change) as I repurchased the majority of the permanent shades as of June 2018. I make a point to say that because I felt that the textures of several shades, particularly the frost finish shades, was noticeably different; they were much smoother and had more slip but were less shimmery/frosted (on average) and seemed to be a bit weaker in pigmentation (but still buildable). Some of the mattes felt like I've encountered in the past (a little drier, pigmented, and fairly blendable), while some felt more velvety and finely-milled.
MAC has a solid blush range but some shades are harder than others to blend out or diffuse, and as it does for most formulas (from any brand), it really comes down to some shades falling shy of expectations. The matte finish had a tendency to darken on my skin within five minutes of application; for most shades, I would recommend applying over a powdered face and/or avoiding applying on still-drying complexion products to make blending the easiest. The matte shades seemed to be semi-opaque to opaque, buildable, and long-wearing (about eight hours).
Only a few of the shades in the permanent range seemed to be particularly frosted/metallic on the skin; most shades that had shimmer appeared more softly luminous or pearlescent on the skin to the point where there was little sheen/reflection captured by my camera (I did a double take for a few and re-did swatches only to find the same finish captured yet again!). The Sheertone Shimmer performed most consistently with this: very subtle sheen, more "my skin but better" with having a slightly more noticeable sheen than matte. There were a few shades that had a strong sheen on the skin (like Peachykeen), though. The Frost finish just seemed to have stronger, larger shimmer in it, but the effect on the skin ranged being subtle to moderate. The same was true with Satin--some were more satin-like and some seemed more like a Frost (like Modern Mandarin).
Most shades were blendable, while pigmentation varied from sheer to opaque depending on the shade, but most had decent, builable coverage. The textures were firmer than the average powder blush of current times, but they don't have excess product kicked up in the pan at all. The wear ranged between seven and nine hours with deeper, intense mattes (like Fever or Film Noir) lasted longer.
Browse all of our MAC Powder Blush swatches.
Ingredients
TALC, OCTYLDODECYL STEAROYL STEARATE, ZINC STEARATE, ISOSTEARYL NEOPENTANOATE, TOCOPHERYL ACETATE, CAPRYLYL GLYCOL, HEXYLENE GLYCOL, PHENOXYETHANOL. MAY CONTAIN: SILICA, MICA, TITANIUM DIOXIDE (CI 77891), IRON OXIDES (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499), BISMUTH OXYCHLORIDE (CI 77163), BLUE 1 LAKE (CI 42090), CARMINE (CI 75470), CHROMIUM HYDROXIDE GREEN (CI 77289), CHROMIUM OXIDE GREENS (CI 77288), FERRIC FERROCYANIDE (CI 77510), MANGANESE VIOLET (CI 77742), RED 6 (CI 15850), RED 6 LAKE (CI 15850), RED 7 LAKE (CI 15850), RED 28 LAKE (CI 45410), RED 30 LAKE (CI 73360), ULTRAMARINES (CI 77007), YELLOW 5 LAKE (CI 19140), YELLOW 6 LAKE (CI 15985).
Disclaimer: Ingredient lists are as available by the brand (or retailer) at the time of publishing. Please always check product packaging, if it exists, for the ingredient list applicable to the product you're purchasing, or the brand or retailer's website for the most up-to-date ingredient list.
Oh You Pretty Things
LELimited Edition. $24.00.
Taupe
Taupe is a medium, taupe-brown with neutral-to-warm undertones and a matte finish. It had a slightly drier texture compared to the last version of Taupe I tried, so it had a tendency to sheer out a bit of the skin and could skip if applied over still-damp foundation. This is a shade I had the best luck applying over just-powdered skin, which gave it a better base to blend out over. It had semi-opaque, buildable coverage that lasted for eight hours on me.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- elf Feelin' Shady (P, $7.00) is darker (95% similar).
- Zoeva Heavy Crown (PiP, ) is darker (95% similar).
- Kevyn Aucoin Light (P, $44.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
- Too Faced Medium Cocoa (PiP, ) is darker (90% similar).
- Smashbox Contour (PiP, ) is darker (90% similar).
- LORAC Light Contour (P, ) is darker (90% similar).
- MAC Crevasse (LE, ) is cooler (95% similar).
- Tarte Contour Soft (Tarteist) (LE, ) is warmer (95% similar).
- Anastasia Dusk (LE, ) is darker, cooler (85% similar).
- Surratt Beauty Grisaille (P, $32.00) is more shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
Formula Overview
$24.00/0.21 oz. - $114.29 Per Ounce
Per the brand, the formula is supposed to "provide fantastic colour with ease and consistency" that "applies evenly, adheres lightly to skin." There are five distinct finishes within the range: Frost ("iridescent, lightly shimmering color"), Matte ("flat, matte finish... builds well"), Satin ("adds subtle highlights to the skin"), Sheertone ("sheer-on micro-refined powder ... that goes on faint"), and Sheertone Shimmer ("just enough shimmer to make light dance on your cheeks"). Their permanent blushes are available in compact form as well as pan-only (the latter will be cheaper).
The following overview has been updated to reflect the most current iteration of the brand's permanent range (whether or not there's been any official change) as I repurchased the majority of the permanent shades as of June 2018. I make a point to say that because I felt that the textures of several shades, particularly the frost finish shades, was noticeably different; they were much smoother and had more slip but were less shimmery/frosted (on average) and seemed to be a bit weaker in pigmentation (but still buildable). Some of the mattes felt like I've encountered in the past (a little drier, pigmented, and fairly blendable), while some felt more velvety and finely-milled.
MAC has a solid blush range but some shades are harder than others to blend out or diffuse, and as it does for most formulas (from any brand), it really comes down to some shades falling shy of expectations. The matte finish had a tendency to darken on my skin within five minutes of application; for most shades, I would recommend applying over a powdered face and/or avoiding applying on still-drying complexion products to make blending the easiest. The matte shades seemed to be semi-opaque to opaque, buildable, and long-wearing (about eight hours).
Only a few of the shades in the permanent range seemed to be particularly frosted/metallic on the skin; most shades that had shimmer appeared more softly luminous or pearlescent on the skin to the point where there was little sheen/reflection captured by my camera (I did a double take for a few and re-did swatches only to find the same finish captured yet again!). The Sheertone Shimmer performed most consistently with this: very subtle sheen, more "my skin but better" with having a slightly more noticeable sheen than matte. There were a few shades that had a strong sheen on the skin (like Peachykeen), though. The Frost finish just seemed to have stronger, larger shimmer in it, but the effect on the skin ranged being subtle to moderate. The same was true with Satin--some were more satin-like and some seemed more like a Frost (like Modern Mandarin).
Most shades were blendable, while pigmentation varied from sheer to opaque depending on the shade, but most had decent, builable coverage. The textures were firmer than the average powder blush of current times, but they don't have excess product kicked up in the pan at all. The wear ranged between seven and nine hours with deeper, intense mattes (like Fever or Film Noir) lasted longer.
Browse all of our MAC Powder Blush swatches.
Ingredients
Talc, Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate, Zinc Stearate, Isostearyl Neopentanoate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Caprylyl Glycol, Hexylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol. May Contain: Silica, Mica, Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499), Bismuth Oxychloride (CI 77163), Blue 1 Lake (CI 42090), Carmine (CI 75470), Chromium Hydroxide Green (CI 77289), Chromium Oxide Greens (CI 77288), Ferric Ferrocyanide (CI 77510), Manganese Violet (CI 77742), Red 6 (CI 15850), Red 6 Lake (CI 15850), Red 7 Lake (CI 15850), Red 28 Lake (CI 45410), Red 30 Lake (CI 73360), Ultramarines (CI 77007), Yellow 5 Lake (CI 19140), Yellow 6 Lake (CI 15985).
Disclaimer: Ingredient lists are as available by the brand (or retailer) at the time of publishing. Please always check product packaging, if it exists, for the ingredient list applicable to the product you're purchasing, or the brand or retailer's website for the most up-to-date ingredient list.
It’s pretty color, very brightening. Wow, I think that foundation is a great color match! I was wondering if you got (or will get ) anything else from the MAC x Artist collection?
Hi Katherine,
I’m working as quickly as I possibly can, unfortunately I have not been able to even finish swatching everything so I am just reviewing as I can rather than doing a sneak peek, since I am not sure when I will be able to finish swatches. I’m so sorry for failing to get everything swatched, photographed, and reviewed – I know the collection is already available today for Select members. I received several items (not everything) yesterday and spent about 12 hours on it yesterday – I just hit my physical limit on swatching (my lips are starting to bleed here and there – I managed to do about 45, but there are still several to go). I tried to edit as many as I could last night but failed to get very many done as there were just too many for me to process. I’m so sorry!
45 in 12 hours? You really shouldn’t (punish your skin on our behalf.). Seriously. Much as we admire and rely on your work ethic, this is makeup, not brain or heart surgery (at which you probably would have been equally adept.). No one is going to perish, if we see something a day or so later. LEs notwithstanding. Please be easier on yourself. I certainly haven’t died yet from missing a lipstick or eyeshadow!
I can totally do 45 under normal circumstances without it being an issue (assuming it’s not all liquid mattes) – but this week has been particularly busy with lip products (ABH Lip Palette, UD Liquid Lipsticks) that I’m totally at my physical limit. I managed to get the last six done this morning that I needed for this launch!
Oh Christine, no need for apologies!! The collection is ginormous -50 new products, think only 1 re-promote, so would take an insane amount of effort for any one person to swatch, photograph, upload, let alone test. The fact that you spent 12 hrs on it yesterday is a testament to your dedication and efforts on behalf of the readers here. MAC should’ve sent you the press samples weeks in advance, not at the last minute, and they also launched a day early for some members. Your poor lips! Thanks for all your efforts. I was worried they hadn’t sent you anything.
MAC usually sends as quickly as they can, and they’ll usually send everything they have – they are one of the best/most supportive brands in my experience 🙂
Poor you! Try not to use makeup wipes on your lips as they have alcohol and that is so drying. You probably know this but just incase!
This would be perfect for me, for all the overnight traveling I do!!!
I want it, but will I get it. ahaha.
Do you have anything similar? I bet you do!
It’s more pink than coral. But my beloved pan of Bela bamba, could work for the blush, and my elf bronzer could work for the bronzer!! I’ll go put them into my travel Z pallet tonight!! Thank you for making me go through my stash and saving me money Christine 😀
Loooove the pink.
Happy to hear it!
Tempting…. That peachy blush is definitely my jam, the Taupe would hopefully work over my Tarte AC Foundation? But I do worry as that is a creamier foundation than, say, my old MAC Pro Longwear.
Sometimes I’ll lightly dust my setting powder over my foundation, then apply blush/contour!
This collection has been such a hit for me so far – I kind of want one of everything! The colours suit my medium skintone colouring really well and I think the packaging is quite nice too!
Nice!
Too bad the taupe isn’t cooler!
Aww!
This looks an interesting combo, the cooler taupe with the warmer coral. Would love to try it to see how it looks on my skin, because I am fair, cool leaning to neutral.
loving the swatches christine and thanks for all the hard work..i want so many things from this collection . all these swatches are driving me insane. everything so far from this collection is a hit for me. i was at the bay(canada) other day and i ask mac SA ,when this collection is launching in stores and they were both clueless. i was not expecting this from mac employees .to probably get rid of me they told me it is mac stores exclusive. than i went to mac store and ask the same thing and again none of the girls have any idea what this collection is. they ask me to SPELL it for them and i was surprised…all i could say was WOW..and i came back. i am still shocked by their lack of knowledge about the brand that MAC…..anyway,, you look great and swatches are lovely.i just hope i dont miss anything from this collection.
The lipstick looks gorgeous on you! Really pretty pictures