The Estee Edit Ember Glow (04) The Barest Blush ($28.00 for 0.21 oz.) is a deepened, muted plum with warm undertones and a mostly matte finish. Viseart Bronze #3 (PiP, ) is darker, cooler (90% similar). Make Up For Ever S404 (P, $23.00) is darker, cooler (85% similar). NARS Almeria (LE, $30.00) is lighter, brighter, cooler (85% similar). ColourPop Swift (P, $8.00) is warmer (85% similar). Tarte Unearthed (LE, $29.00) is lighter (90% similar). MAC Sweet As Cocoa (P, $24.00) is lighter, warmer (85% similar). Bobbi Brown Nude Beach Blush (DC, $30.00) is brighter, warmer (85% similar). MAC Raizin (P, $24.00) is warmer (85% similar). Gucci Beauty Cherry Nectar (DC, $49.00) is brighter, cooler (85% similar). Patrick Ta She's So LA (Powder) (PiP, ) is lighter, warmer (80% similar). MAC Diva Don't Care (LE, $24.00) is cooler (80% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

The formula is supposed to be a “natural-looking blush” that blends to create “even” color. First, the shimmer is an overspray; it doesn’t seem to go all the way through, and a few back-and-forth sweeps with a large blush brush makes it disappear (which is what I do prior to swatching a product with an overspray), which leaves behind a mostly matte finish. Second, I purchased all four shades, and every single pan was extremely wobbly in the compact–at this price point and knowing it’s made by Estee Lauder Companies (which has plenty of manufacturing experience!), I was pretty disappointed. The texture felt soft to the touch, but it was a little dusty and thinner, which resulted in powder that applied unevenly and was harder to blend out on the skin as it would stick strongly in some places and not move (or diffuse) from there. It had semi-sheer to semi-opaque, buildable coverage, which seems in line with the type of formula it’s supposed to be (“natural” and “Barest Blush” as a name). It lasted for almost eight hours on me.

The Estee Edit Ember Glow (04) The Barest Blush

The Estee Edit Ember Glow (04) The Barest Blush

The Estee Edit Ember Glow (04) The Barest Blush

The Estee Edit Ember Glow (04) The Barest Blush

The Estee Edit Ember Glow (04) The Barest Blush

The Estee Edit Ember Glow (04) The Barest Blush