Pat McGrath x Bridgerton Love at First Blush Cheek Trio Review & Swatches
Love at First Blush
Pat McGrath Love at First Blush Divine Blush & Glow Trio ($52.00 for 0.37 oz.) includes two powder blushes and one powder highlighter; all shades have been released previously with both blushes available individually if preferred. They performed consistently with the past versions I’ve tried with marginal color difference, though I did notice that Venus Nectar seemed a little warmer and darker.
One thing to keep in mind is that the blushes were rather pigmented, instead of buildable as marketed, so the ratings reflect that misalignment–if you prefer more pigmented blushes (or don’t mind them), you can bump the rating up in your head!
Ingredients
Love at First Blush
LELimited Edition. $52.00.
Cherish
Cherish is a bright, medium pink with subtle, cool undertones and a semi-matte finish. It did not have distinctive shimmer but looked not-quite-matte once applied and blended out on my skin. It had opaque color coverage with a smooth, finely-milled texture that was easy to blend out. It wore well for eight and a half 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 darker (95% similar).
- Makeup by Mario Poppy Pink (P, $24.00) is darker (95% similar).
- Pat McGrath Peony Rose (LE, $38.00) is darker (95% similar).
- ColourPop Seed U Later (DC, $12.00) is darker (90% similar).
- ColourPop Coin Purse (LE, $8.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- ColourPop Island Shine (LE, $12.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Pat McGrath Divine Rose II (Right) (LE, $38.00) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- ColourPop Best Coast (LE, $4.50) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
- Lethal Cosmetics Pansy (P, $15.50) is more shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
- Patrick Ta She's a Doll (Crème) (PiP, ) is more shimmery, lighter, cooler (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
Mica, Alumina, Zinc Stearate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Methylpropanediol, Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate, Caprylyl Glycol, Aluminum Hydroxide, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Phenylpropanol, Kaolin, Red 28 Lake (Ci 45410), Ultramarines (Ci 77007), Yellow 5 Lake (Ci 19140), Iron Oxides (Ci 77491).
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.
Cherish
PPermanent. $38.00.
Nymphette
Nymphette is a medium pink with moderate, warm undertones and lighter, contrasting peachy-gold shimmer throughout. It had opaque color payoff paired with a smooth, blendable texture that was finely-milled without being powdery. It lasted well for eight and a half hours before showing signs of wear.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Ciate Baby Doll (P, $26.00) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- MAC Dollymix (P, $24.00) is cooler (95% similar).
- Buxom Havana (P, $22.00) is darker (95% similar).
- MAC Perfect Bronze (Left) (LE, $29.00) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- Hourglass Pure Effect (LE, $40.00) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- Tarte Amp (-, ) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Clinique Rose Quartz Pop (04) (P, $26.50) is lighter (90% similar).
- Clinique Pink Pop (P, $21.00) is more shimmery (90% similar).
- Hourglass Vivid Flush (LE, $40.00) is more shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
- Sydney Grace Secret (P, $9.00) is more shimmery (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.
Nymphette
PPermanent. $38.00.
Venus Nectar
Venus Nectar is a darker, peachy gold with strong, warm undertones and a luminous sheen. The highlighter had rich pigmentation in a single layer with a silky-smooth, almost emollient, texture that was lightweight, thin, and not at all powdery. It seemed to “melt” on my skin as I applied and blended it out. This shade 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
- Maybelline Molten Peach (P, $9.99) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- 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).
- LORAC Sunlight (LE, $23.00) is more shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
- Melt Cosmetics Honey (PiP, ) is darker, warmer (90% 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).
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.
Sure is a beautifully curated trio! I could see myself using all 3 shades, so definitely worth the investment in it. Even Cherish, when I tend to shy away from cooler pinks, isn’t too cool-toned for me.
I have been trying to stay away from blush palettes as I find I haven’t been reaching for the ones that I have and I don’t like them for traveling. It is great that you can buy these individually. I like both blush shades but the highlighter is way too dark for me and that is another reason to stay away from palettes.
I think it’s a bit rude of PMG to put out a blush palette containing repromotes instead of something new, but anyway this a very bright blush trio and the highlighter looks lovely.
I like the idea, instead. I hate the packaging of the singles, so I was waiting for an alternative packaging to buy those shades. I think they are well curated and they fits the theme. Moreover I’m glad they’re smaller for a cheaper price.
I love blending the two blush shades together…. And venus nectar is different in this trio and runs deeper and warmer as Christine noted. I like having both as the original is a high rotation h/l for me and I welcome the subtle changes of this version.
Lovely!
I have two of three dupes, but love the trio together.
Mine arrived today! Just days after ordering. All the shades are beautiful and I actually loved the highlighter on my skin coloring.