Pat McGrath Amber Allure Divine Blush + Glow Palette Review & Swatches
Amber Allure
Pat McGrath Amber Allure Divine Blush & Glow Trio ($52.00 for 0.37 oz.) includes two permanent blush shades and a new highlighter, though I found Lovestruck to be noticeably cooler-toned and more blue-based in the palette (and I triple-checked in person, since the individual blushes just released!). If you are warmer-toned, the difference may be more noticeable between the two, but worn lightly, the difference in undertone was less noticeable.
For reference, Pat McGrath blushes are available for $38.00 each and contain 0.34 oz. when sold individually, bringing the cost per ounce to $111.76; the highlighters retail for $48.00 each and contain 0.16 oz. or $300.00/oz. (Note: the shade included in this trio is not sold individually at the time of publication.) The brand doesn’t note whether the blushes weigh more than the highlighter in the trio, and I’d guess that while it may take up the same space visually, the highlighter weighs less despite volume looking otherwise.
With each product being equal in weight, then the palette contains $27.56 worth of blush and $37.00 worth of highlighter for a total “value” of $64.56. Taking a total guess, I’d estimate each at closer to half their normal weights, so the highlighter would be closer to 0.08 oz. ($24 worth in the palette) and the blushes a combined weight of 0.29 oz. or $32.41 worth of blush for a total “value” of $56.41. I think the palette seems priced right, and each one has plenty of product for many uses less than the cost of two shades individually.
Ingredients
Amber Allure
LELimited Edition. $52.00.
Lovestruck (Amber Allure)
Lovestruck (Amber Allure) is a brighter, medium-dark fuchsia pink with cooler, blue undertones and a semi-matte finish. It seemed quite matte to my eye but wasn’t totally flat when applied and buffed out on my skin. The color was cooler-toned and more blue-based than the full-sized, individual blush I have, though; enough that I wanted to list it as a separate shade in the database. The consistency was finely-milled, smooth, and blendable and yielded semi-opaque, buildable pigmentation. It wore well for nine hours before fading visibly.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- ColourPop Freaky Genius Girl (LE, $12.00) is warmer (95% similar).
- Huda Beauty Charming Cherry (04) (P, $21.00) is more shimmery, darker, warmer (95% similar).
- Give Me Glow There Goes Rose (P, $14.00) is more shimmery, darker, warmer (90% similar).
- Clinique Berry Pop (03) (P, $21.00) is more shimmery, darker, warmer (90% similar).
- Make Up For Ever B218 (P, $23.00) is darker (90% similar).
- Pat McGrath Lovestruck (P, $38.00) is darker, warmer (90% similar).
- MAC Rosy Does It (LE, $30.00) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- ColourPop Seed U Later (DC, $12.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Kevyn Aucoin Grapevine #2 (PiP, ) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Sephora Hey Jealousy (P, $14.00) is more shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
Formula Overview
$38.00/0.34 oz. - $111.76 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to be "featherlight, long-wearing" that "build effortlessly from sheer to subversive." The blushes are available in two finishes--demi-matte and satin pearl--and range from more muted to more vivid in color. The biggest "downfall" of the formula was that it was rather pigmented than buildable, so one could use a lighter hand to get more buildable coverage, but I found I had to use a light to moderate hand to ensure I didn't over-apply each shade.
The consistency was smooth, silky, and lightly creamy to the touch; it was a touch powdery in the pan but had more slip than most powder blushes on the market, but it was definitely a powder-based formula. The product applied well to bare skin as well as over foundation, as it diffused well along the edges without picking up base products.
The satin pearl finish was luminous but not overtly shimmery, so it did not emphasize my skin's natural texture. They wore around nine hours on me before fading visibly.
Browse all of our Pat McGrath Divine Blush swatches.
Lovestruck (Amber Allure)
LELimited Edition. $38.00.
Paradise Venus
Paradise Venus is a muted, medium-dark reddish-copper with moderate, warm undertones and a semi-matte finish. The texture was soft, slightly powdery in the pan, but it was blendable and easy to pick up with different brushes. It had fairly pigmented coverage in a single pass, so I had to really use a lighter hand to get truly buildable coverage (as marketed), which was the big “downside” with this shade. It lasted nicely for nine hours before fading a bit.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- ColourPop Beyond (P, $7.00) is darker, glossier (90% similar).
- MAC Taraji Glow (LE, $34.00) is more shimmery, darker, warmer (90% similar).
- Benefit Terra (P, $29.00) is more shimmery (90% similar).
- Kaja Extra Pepper (PiP, ) is more shimmery (90% similar).
- Tom Ford Beauty Ravish (P, $60.00) is more shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
- Gucci Beauty Warm Berry (06) (P, $49.00) is more shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
- Patrick Ta She's Baked (Powder) (PiP, ) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Bite Beauty Almond (P, $24.00) is darker (85% similar).
- ColourPop Toffee Cake (LE, $12.00) is cooler (85% similar).
- Chanel Evening Beige (340) (P, $45.00) is more shimmery, warmer (85% similar).
Formula Overview
$38.00/0.34 oz. - $111.76 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to be "featherlight, long-wearing" that "build effortlessly from sheer to subversive." The blushes are available in two finishes--demi-matte and satin pearl--and range from more muted to more vivid in color. The biggest "downfall" of the formula was that it was rather pigmented than buildable, so one could use a lighter hand to get more buildable coverage, but I found I had to use a light to moderate hand to ensure I didn't over-apply each shade.
The consistency was smooth, silky, and lightly creamy to the touch; it was a touch powdery in the pan but had more slip than most powder blushes on the market, but it was definitely a powder-based formula. The product applied well to bare skin as well as over foundation, as it diffused well along the edges without picking up base products.
The satin pearl finish was luminous but not overtly shimmery, so it did not emphasize my skin's natural texture. They wore around nine hours on me before fading visibly.
Browse all of our Pat McGrath Divine Blush swatches.
Ingredients
Mica, Alumina, Zinc Stearate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Methylpropanediol, Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Phenylpropanol, Iron Oxides (Ci 77491, Ci 77499), Red 7 Lake (Ci 15850).
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.
Paradise Venus
PPermanent. $38.00.
Venus Nectar
Venus Nectar is a rich, peachy gold with warmer, more orange undertones and a shiny, metallic finish. It had opaque color payoff in a single layer, where a little went a long way, so using a lighter hand or a less-dense brush would be ideal for someone looking to build up coverage. The texture was almost emollient to the touch as it was incredibly silky and smooth without being powdery or even dense/thick. It stayed on well for eight and a half hours before fading noticeably.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Charlotte Tilbury Nudegasm (Super Glow) (PiP, ) is lighter (95% similar).
- Dior Peach Delight (007) (LE, $50.00) is lighter (95% similar).
- NABLA Cosmetics Privilege (P, $26.00) is lighter, cooler (95% similar).
- Maybelline Molten Peach (P, $9.99) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- ColourPop Taffy (LE, $12.00) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- Sol Body Bronze Hour (LE, $12.00) is darker (90% similar).
- Lancome Rose Twinkle #3 (LE, ) is more shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
- ColourPop Morning After (PiP, $12.00) is more shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
- Urban Decay NSFW (LE, $26.00) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- Charlotte Tilbury Lightgasm Multi-Glow (LE, ) is lighter (90% similar).
Formula Overview
$48.00/0.17 oz. - $282.35 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to have an "ultra-reflective finish" and "silken feel" to give a "high intensity glow." The texture felt more emollient, almost wet to the touch, though it was distinctively a powder-based formula in practice.
It had mostly opaque, buildable color coverage with a very thin, lightweight texture that applied evenly to bare skin and blended out with ease. The finish was "high intensity" but didn't emphasize my skin's natural texture. It wore well for eight and a half hours before fading a bit.
Browse all of our Pat McGrath Divine Glow Highlighter swatches.
Ingredients
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Calcium Sodium Borosilicate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Zinc Stearate, Dimethicone, Boron Nitride, Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Nylon-12, Silica, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Tin Oxide, Calophyllum Inophyllum Seed Oil, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Hexylene Glycol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tocopherol. (+/-): Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891), Iron Oxide (Ci 77491, 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.
Y’know, even though I’m a bit darker than you, I’m far more likely to get the lighter trio. When I watched Alicia over at KinkySweat demonstrate using both trio’s, it definitely seems like the lighter one would absolutely be a workhorse palette for me, as she’s NC42, and I’m NW30-35.
Quite vivid shades and the quality is definitely there – I guess it’s whether all three shades work for you.
I like this trio, the Sephora sale is coming up and this might be in my basket. I’ve held off buying her blushes so this would be a perfect one to purchase.
I really like this Lovestruck a lot. I checked the dupes and it looks very different from the single Lovestruck. A pity as I’d not get any use of the other two products in this palette. There are a lot of dupes so I might get on of those. probably the Clinique one.