Milani Love Potion (07) Rose Powder Blush ($7.99 for 0.60 oz.) is described as a “dark rose.” It’s a medium-dark, fuchsia pink with a matte finish and cool, blue undertones. Clinique Berry Pop (03) (P, $21.00) is more shimmery. Milani Bella Rosa (11) (P, $7.99) is warmer. NARS Coeur Battant (LE, $29.00) is more pigmented. Tom Ford Beauty Narcissist (LE, $55.00) is more shimmery. MAC Prom Princess (LE, $21.00) is lighter, more shimmery. MAC Florida (LE, $21.00) is a cream, cooler-toned, brighter. See comparison swatches.

The formula is supposed to be a “luxurious matte blush” that has a “micro-milled … powder.” The product is so incredibly powdery and chalky–even the lightest tap of the brush to the pan creates a lot of excess powder getting everywhere. The powder doesn’t adhere well to bare skin; it was quick to blend away on my normal-to-dry forearm, and it was only moderately better on my face, which is normal at the moment. If you wear a liquid or cream foundation or some sort of emollient base, you can get the pigment to stick better, but blending this shade was somewhat challenging. It did not appear as splotchy as Lady Rouge, but it wasn’t easily blended. I highly recommend using much, much less than you think and gradually building up the color to the desired intensity. When I wore this shade, the color lasted well for seven and a half hours before showing signs of fading and some patchiness.

Milani Love Potion (07) Rose Powder Blush

Milani Love Potion (07) Rose Powder Blush

Milani Love Potion (07) Rose Powder Blush

Milani Love Potion (07) Rose Powder Blush

Milani Love Potion (07) Rose Powder Blush

Milani Love Potion (07) Rose Powder Blush