Melt Cosmetics Buzz Kill Digital Dust Duo Blush Review & Swatches
Buzz Kill
Melt Cosmetics Buzz Kill Digital Dust Duo Blush ($39.00 for 0.24 oz.) includes two blushes: a luminous, pinky-coral and a luminous, lighter, peachy-orange with faint sparkle. If you’re someone who immediately worries if something is too “glittery” as a cheek product, I’d skip this duo and consider one of the other options. Otherwise, both shades were pigmented, blendable, and long-wearing.
Ingredients
Buzz Kill
PPermanent. $39.00.
Buzz
Buzz is a medium, pink-leaning coral with moderate, warm undertones and warmer, golden shimmer throughout. It had nearly opaque pigmentation in a single layer, which adhered well to bare skin and blended out for a seamless finish. The powder sat well on my skin without emphasizing skin texture or pores. The consistency was dense, firmer but not stiff or difficult to work with on my skin. It wore well for nine hours before fading visibly.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- MAC Guindilla (LE, $42.00) is less shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- ColourPop Drop of a Hat (LE, $8.00) is darker (90% similar).
- theBalm Hot Mama (P, $21.00) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- Too Faced Papa Don't Peach (P, $30.00) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Melt Cosmetics Genesis (P, $39.00) is darker, warmer (90% similar).
- Natasha Denona Golden Peach (PiP, ) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Stila Peach Shimmer (LE, ) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Tarte Extraordinary (LE, $29.00) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- MAC Telling Glow (P, $31.00) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- Make Up For Ever 11 Golden Orange (P, $21.00) is more shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
Formula Overview
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The formula is described as having a buildable glow--from "natural and dewy" to "intensified [and] luminous," while brand swatches were opaque. There's not much else said about the formula aside from that they will "never appear powdery." The formula felt like a gel-powder hybrid, which is a type of powder formula that exists across brands and is more consistent in performance, in my experience.
The gel-powder is denser, firmer in the pan but smooth to the touch. It works best with a moderate hand or a moderately-dense brush for picking up product, and as the brand mentioned, it wasn't powdery at all. Because there's no excess powder kicked up, a moderately-dense brush tapped/patted onto the surface helps to pick up product most evenly.
The powder went on beautifully as it blended out nicely and had a luminous glow that could be intensified to more metallic with a second layer or if used with a dampened brush. The coverage was mostly opaqe to opaque in a single layer, while the wear ranged from eight to nine hours on me.
Browse all of our Melt Cosmetics Digital Dust Blush swatches.
Ingredients
Mica, Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate, Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Squalane, Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate, Glycerin, Polysorbate 20, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Chondrus Crispus (Carrageenan), Xanthan Gum, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Silica, Tin Oxide, Dicalcium Phosphate, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite. May Contain: Titanium Dioxide Ci 77891, Iron Oxides Ci 77491, Iron Oxides Ci 77492, Iron Oxides Ci 77499.
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.
Buzz
PiPPermanent in Palette.
Kill
Kill is a light, peachy orange with strong,w arm undertones and a sparkling, luminous finish. It had more visible micro-sparkle, which was present when applied to my skin, but the sparkles had good distribution and minimal migration over time. The pigmentation was opaque in a single layer, though if one uses a less-dense or more feathery brush, you’ll get more semi-sheer, buildable coverage.
The texture was firmer, dense but not stiff, so while it needed a moderately-dense brush to pick up product well, I had no trouble applying to my cheeks and diffusing the edges for even coverage and a moderate glow. It lasted nicely for eight and a half hours before fading noticeably.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Clinique Golden Glow (P, $27.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- bareMinerals The Premiere (LE, $26.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- ColourPop Tock (LE, $12.00) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- MAC Stereo Rose (2014) (LE, $34.00) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- Kevyn Aucoin Starlight (P, $44.00) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- Kosas Papaya 1972 (High Intensity) (Highlighter) (PiP, ) is lighter (90% similar).
- Sydney Grace Pumpkin Spice Latte (P, $9.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- UOMA Beauty Shine Thru (LE, ) is more shimmery, darker, warmer (90% similar).
- Kosas Velvet Melon (High Intensity) (Highlighter) (PiP, ) is lighter (90% similar).
- MAC Fairly Precious (LE, $42.00) is more shimmery, warmer (85% similar).
Formula Overview
-
The formula is described as having a buildable glow--from "natural and dewy" to "intensified [and] luminous," while brand swatches were opaque. There's not much else said about the formula aside from that they will "never appear powdery." The formula felt like a gel-powder hybrid, which is a type of powder formula that exists across brands and is more consistent in performance, in my experience.
The gel-powder is denser, firmer in the pan but smooth to the touch. It works best with a moderate hand or a moderately-dense brush for picking up product, and as the brand mentioned, it wasn't powdery at all. Because there's no excess powder kicked up, a moderately-dense brush tapped/patted onto the surface helps to pick up product most evenly.
The powder went on beautifully as it blended out nicely and had a luminous glow that could be intensified to more metallic with a second layer or if used with a dampened brush. The coverage was mostly opaqe to opaque in a single layer, while the wear ranged from eight to nine hours on me.
Browse all of our Melt Cosmetics Digital Dust Blush swatches.
Ingredients
Mica, Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate, Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Squalane, Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate, Glycerin, Polysorbate 20, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Chondrus Crispus (Carrageenan), Xanthan Gum, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Silica, Dicalcium Phosphate, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Titanium Dioxide Ci 77891, Iron Oxides Ci 77491, Red 30 Lake Ci 73360.
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.
This duo is gorgeous!!
Thanks Christine!
SO pretty! This is the one of the release I was most drawn to.
But I have the ND dupe for Buzz, and I really don’t need another blush!
So fucking beautiful. I already have Genesis (a damn fine blush on my pale skin), but man I want the Kill side of this duo so bad!
I got this yesterday weirdly only took 2 days from Sephora after that I saw the new ND PALETTE and ordered it immediately but it’s coming Tuesday.
I love the light color reminds me of fairly percious by Mac but comparing it the Mac is lighter. I still love it. I wanted the cooler mauve they most but was sold out after seeing swatches I’m not sure I want it.
The design is almost too pretty to wreck with my brush on these! I do love both shades. They suit my taste for golden peachy blush and highlight colors. Just don’t know if I truly need this particular duo. It got put on my WL while I ponder over it
These are gorgeous! I may need them!
I love this colour combination and I am one of those who find it hard to wear ‘glittery face products’ – so I know that I would never really purchase it. But it looks so darn good…..
Both of these look so pretty on you! I’m glad to see these reviewed well – and I’m noticing that Buzz looks a bit similar to At Night from your Hourglass review which is on it’s way to me! Which is nice to know so I don’t accidentally get dupes, I’m quite curious to see how Raw Honey and Queen Bee look, the mauve bronze blush shade in particular seems really unique!
Thanks. That helps. I’ve wondered if the new Melt duos and Digital Dust highlighters could be dupes for some of those magical Hourglass powders I’ve been dying to get. I only have Melt’s Stargazer which is beautiful. It’s so tough to decide where to begin with Hourglass.
These are my colours! Stunning! But the price point it’s a bit too high for a duo… Are they trying to enter in the luxury brands?
They’ve had this price point for awhile on the Digital Dust highlighters! I’ve always felt it was too high, though. I’d probably have pegged it more like $32.
Their highlights have definitely always been too expensive. I’d compare the formula to Mac’s extra dimension skin finish (also pricey). Luckily Melt has sales around holidays (often with free shipping on all orders) and that’s when I’ve chosen to pick up my highlights from them. Worth it at the sale price for me (usually around $25).
This is so beautiful! I want this one and the mauve one.
I know these would absolutely be too orange for my liking, but I want them anyway because they’re so beautiful!
I love this but already have Jet girl and stereo rose!
I bought the “bundle” after seeing a picture of Lora on IG wearing this with “Lucretia” on her lips, then started second-guessing that decision, as I am quite a bit paler… To my surprise, I actually really like this one on my MAC NC12 skintone! Something about the formula really helps it become one with the skin, and it doesn’t make me look sunburned, at all.
I haven’t played around with Queen Bee, yet, as that’s the one that is the most intimidating…
I rage bought all three duos and this one is my favorite! It’s the most “pale person friendly” if anyone is apprehensive, but it’s very pigmented at the same time. I really look like I’m glowing without looking like I’ve gone super peachy or warm when I wear this.
Happy to hear you’re enjoying it! 🙂