Pat McGrath Nude Venus Cheek Palette Review & Swatches
Nude Venus
Pat McGrath Nude Venus Celestial Nirvana Cheek Palette ($62.00 for 0.7 oz.) is a new, limited edition palette that contained four blushes and a highlighter. Three of the blushes are from the permanent range, while one blush is new (though not that different than existing shades) and the highlighter is new.
I have found that the color consistency across releases isn’t as good as it should be, so there may be slight differences in the shades here as compared to their single versions. Otherwise, the quality was consistent; slightly powdery blushes but they were blendable, buildable, and easy to work with, while the highlighter was intense and pigmented.
Ingredients
Nude Venus
LELimited Edition. $62.00.
Desert Orchid
Desert Orchid is a medium, peachy orange with warm undertones and a pearly sheen.
- Mostly opaque coverage
- Soft, lightly powdery but blendable
- Applied evenly, sat well on bare skin
- Long-wearing (8.5 hours)
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Dior Charnelle (459) (P, $48.00) is less shimmery, lighter (95% similar).
- Stellar Beauty Eclipse (P, $25.00) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- NARS Body Talk (LE, $30.00) is more shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
- Chanel Elegance (370) (P, $45.00) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- Cover FX Warm Honey (Left) (PiP, ) is less shimmery (90% similar).
- Becca Amaretto (LE, $32.00) is less shimmery, darker, cooler (90% similar).
- Essence Satin Love (P, $2.99) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- ColourPop Construct (LE, $12.00) is less shimmery, darker, warmer (90% similar).
- By Terry Tropical Sunset #6 (LE, ) is less shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
- Surratt Beauty La Rosée du Soir (P, $32.00) is less shimmery, lighter (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
Talc, Mica, Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate, Dimethiconol Stearate, Dimethicone, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Caprylyl Glycol, Diisostearyl Malate, Hexylene Glycol, Magnesium Myristate, Tin Oxide, Phenoxyethanol. (+/-): Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891), Iron Oxides (Ci 77491, Ci 77492, Ci 77499), Red 28 Lake (Ci 45410), Red 6 (Ci 15850), Red 7 (Ci 15850), Red 7 Lake (Ci 15850), Ultramarines (Ci 77007), Yellow 5 Lake (Ci 19140).
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.
Desert Orchid
PPermanent. $38.00.
Nude Venus
Nude Venus is a light pink-coral with moderate, warm undertones and a satin finish.
- Semi-sheer, buildable coverage
- Moderately powdery (more so than expected)
- Prone to sheering out, better over foundation
- Applied evenly, blended out well
- Long-wearing (8 hours)
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- NARS Devotion (LE, $30.00) is less shimmery, lighter, cooler (95% similar).
- MAC Springsheen (P, $24.00) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- Clinique Ruby Pop (05) (P, $26.50) is more shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
- Rare Beauty Nearly Mauve (P, $21.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
- Chanel Coco Code (LE, $70.00) is brighter, warmer (90% similar).
- ColourPop Shell Out (LE, $8.00) is cooler, glossier (90% similar).
- Clinique Peach Pop (02) (P, $21.00) is more shimmery (90% similar).
- Estee Lauder Wild Sunset (P, $34.00) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Milani Coral Crush (P, $8.99) is cooler (90% similar).
- Sephora Fascinated (P, $14.00) is lighter, 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.
Ingredients
Talc, Mica, Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate, Dimethiconol Stearate, Dimethicone, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Caprylyl Glycol, Diisostearyl Malate, Hexylene Glycol, Magnesium Myristate, Tin Oxide, Phenoxyethanol. (+/-): Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891), Iron Oxides (Ci 77491, Ci 77492, Ci 77499), Red 28 Lake (Ci 45410), Red 6 (Ci 15850), Red 7 (Ci 15850), Red 7 Lake (Ci 15850), Ultramarines (Ci 77007), Yellow 5 Lake (Ci 19140).
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.
Nude Venus
PPermanent. $38.00.
Divine Rose III
Divine Rose III is a medium pink with moderate, warm undertones and a soft matte finish.
- Opaque coverage
- Soft, lightly powdery but blendable
- Applied evenly, sat well on bare skin
- Long-wearing (8.5 hours)
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- ColourPop Enchanted Mirror (LE, $12.00) is cooler (95% similar).
- Makeup by Mario Mellow Mauve (P, $24.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- Buxom Havana (P, $22.00) is more shimmery, darker, cooler (90% similar).
- MAC Sugar or Syrup (LE, $24.00) is more shimmery, lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- ColourPop Sassy Pants (P, $12.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
- ColourPop Swirled (P, $12.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
- MAC Nippy's Pink Rose (LE, $24.00) is darker, warmer (90% similar).
- Burberry First Love (LE, $68.00) is more shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
- Pat McGrath Aphrodite Amour (LE, $44.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- Zoeva PK030 (P, ) is more shimmery, cooler (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.
Divine Rose III
LELimited Edition. $38.00.
Paradise Venus
Paradise Venus is a darker, reddish-copper with subtle, warm undertones and a soft matte finish.
- Mostly opaque coverage
- Soft, lightly powdery but blendable
- Applied evenly, sat well on bare skin
- Long-wearing (8.5 hours)
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- 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).
- 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).
- 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.
Sunset Nectar
Sunset Nectar is a light, pinky-peach with moderate, warm undertones and an intense, metallic sheen.
- Opaque pigmentation
- Smooth, lightly emollient texture that was lightweight
- Picked up evenly and blended out easily
- Didn’t emphasize skin texture
- Long-wearing (8.5 hours)
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Chanel Eclat du Desert (LE, $80.00) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- Urban Decay Naked Cherry #1 (LE, ) is less shimmery (90% similar).
- Looxi Beauty La Belle (P, $7.50) is less shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
- Flesh Beauty Certain (P, $28.00) is cooler (90% similar).
- Makeup Revolution Radiant Lights (P, $6.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- Sydney Grace Down the Aisle (P, $9.00) is less shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
- LORAC Moonlight (P, $23.00) is cooler (90% similar).
- Laura Geller Peach Glow (P, $26.00) is darker (90% similar).
- MAC Luna Luster (LE, $34.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
- Milani Moon Glow (P, $10.00) is less shimmery, darker, cooler (85% 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.
Nice, but definitely not earth shattering or something that I have to have right now. In fact, I honestly don’t see anything very different from the blushes I already have.
I have never tried Pat’s blushes or highlighters and thought this was a great deal to try them. I purchased this from Sephora on 10/14 and due to OnTrac, I have not received it yet. They have reshipped it, but I’m worried I will run into problems if I decide to return it (haven’t returned a Sephora product in years). I am not thrilled with the “C” grade on one of the blushes in a $62 cheek palette whatsoever. Hopefully I like the palette enough to keep it and they look good on my skin tone.
I finally received this and I’m not impressed with its performance against bare skin (no primer or foundation). I used Paradise Venus on one cheek, Divine Rose 111 on the other, and the highlighter on both sides. The blue applied unevenly and the highlighter emphasized my pores. I don’t typically apply blush or highlighter without primer/foundation, so maybe I’ll have different results that way… but again, for the price, I should be able to wear these cheek products alone.
I quite like this blush palette, mainly because it does contain the kind of colours that I wear, with variation. However, I am not thrilled with some of the ratings. For the price tag, it should be getting an A.
I am not a massive fan of the Pat McGrath blushes in general as I find them quite powdery in an old fashioned kind of way. They are blendable and buildable however and do not apply patchy in any way, (which these days most powder blushes manages to deliver). So there is nothing special about this formula which is also quite hard pressed in their pans. Probably due to the pretty flower pattern which possibly is this blush’s most alluring feature, if I am honest.
I am also a bit annoyed about the fact that this company keeps releasing these palettes with almost always only already existing shades, and then they throw in one new shade which will attract people who collect or suffer from fomo. Pat McGrath is in my opinion one of the most fomo inducing companies of all and I think that strategy is quite deliberate with them. Which of course is ok. But good to be aware of as a consumer, especially if you know you are prone to fall for fomo inducing marketing… What I also do not like is that they are not very clear on what colours in the two blush palettes that are already existing shades in the range and which are new. Which means you really need to dig into your own blush drawer or compare shade names on their website to figure it out. Even most influencers that show coming products are often not able to figure it out. And that is also a bit shady to me, as that makes probably some people buy these if they like her formula or collect or suffer from fomo (or all of the above) just to make sure they don’t miss out in case the palette contains several new shades.
So it is good that at least here in Christine’s reviews it becomes clear which colours are permanent and which are new for the palette. And that it is only one! new shade I find a bit sad from a release point of view to be honest…
As a formula I hardly ever reach for her blushes. I used them some when they first released, but they quickly got a bit forgotten in the drawer due to other formulas being better and more consistent. Today the only thing I find even mildly intriguing with this blush is the pretty pattern and that they usually come in pretty packaging… And they are a bit too expensive to only offer that…
I think this palette is pretty much only useful for people who have not yet ever tried out a Pat McGrath blush as the layout of colours are ok and you get a smaller amount which allows for trying them out to see if this is a formulation that you will love or not. But compared to her eye shadows this formula is a lot less creative and both shades and formulation can be found in most peoples makeup collections. Also I do agree with Christine that the variation in formula between shades is a little bit too present to feel totally acceptable for such sn expensive product and also since being such a simple blush formula.
Hi Cristine, which shades were not color-consistent? All the repeats? Thanks! 🙏🏼
Paradise Venus was the only one that was consistent!
My husband got me this for my birthday. Now I know why people go on about PML highlighters. Stunning!
I’ve only swatched the blushes. They blended out easily. I’m hoping they don’t blend away on my face or don’t last as long.