theBalm Frat Boy Blush Review, Photos, Swatches
theBalm Frat Boy Blush
theBalm Frat Boy Blush
theBalm Frat Boy Blush
($21.00 for 0.30 oz.) is described as a “peachy apricot” and can be used as both an eyeshadow and blush. It’s more of a medium-dark coral-pink with very subtle gold micro-shimmer and a pearly sheen. The powder is incredibly soft–very silky and smooth–but doesn’t look powdery on at all (sometimes really soft powders can also be powdery). I was able to get good color payoff with ease; it gives a flushed look in one swipe but can be built up to something more intense with a little more product. The payoff is nicely balanced between natural and bold without being too sheer or so pigmented that you have to take care in applying it. When I tested it (over foundation, set with powder–all part of my normal routine), it wore for eight hours without fading.
The blush is on the larger side, too, at 0.30 oz. (many blushes are 0.20 oz. or less) and is housed in a cardobard palette that comes inside a sleeve (which has the same design as the actual compact). Inside, there is a small mirror framed by a football field. Though cardboard may get dinged here and there from anything in your bag with sharp corners and the like, it’s a lot less prone to scratches and breakage than plastic–and if you drop this from four feet, the cardboard absorbs more of the impact.
Frat Boy
PPermanent. $21.00.
theBalm Frat Boy Blush
theBalm Frat Boy Blush
theBalm Frat Boy Blush
theBalm Frat Boy Blush
theBalm Frat Boy Blush
theBalm Frat Boy Blush
theBalm Frat Boy Blush
Wow that looks fantastic on you. I have a question though. Is the pan magnetic?
I wouldn’t think it would be, since it is in cardboard packaging.
Haha the pan is probably still metal though. But it might not be the type that’ll stick to those universal palettes. Thank you
Oh, I just meant that since it’s cardboard, there is no need to make it magnetic 🙂
The cardboard compact does have magnetized edges so the lid doesn’t just open easily.
How does this compare to R&R Call Me? I missed out on that one and wondered if this would be a good dupe for it? Thanks…love the blog and swatches!
Call Me is more peachy-pink – think more like NARS Orgasm than this.
It actually IS magnetic. I’ve got several of TheBalm blushes and eyeshadows and while the packaging is carboard, there are clearly magnets sandwiched inside. And they are really strong – haven’t popped open on me yet.
I thought they were glued – thanks for clearing that up! 🙂 I tried to take one out many moons ago, but it felt like the cardboard was tearing so I stopped.
Thank you for letting me know, it’s so helpful because it’d be pretty upsetting to take it out of the cardboaord packaging then find out it won’t stick. So then what do you do? Try and glue it back into the cardboard? What a mess.
Omg, we’re not talking about the magnetic closure that keeps the packaging closed. (I just realised what you meant by ‘haven’t popped open.) I was asking if she knew whether the pan itself would stick to a magnet, like in a universal palette.
If the pans are the same type of metal used in the face palette, they ARE magnetic. I ended up depotting that palette and the small blush and eyeshadow pans could be placed in universal magnetic palettes. 🙂 they’re quite sturdy as well. non-magnetic pans are usually flimsy aluminum.
Your high opinion of theBalm products makes me really want to try that brand. The packaging is super cute! This particular blush looks a bit too dark for me.
they really are great! i love all the stuff i have from them.
It’s GORGEOUS!!! Love love love! I hope that in Sephora Spain or Netherlands have it too 🙂
This color looks so pretty! Do you know if the other theBalm blushes have high longevity as well?
I haven’t tried them, sorry!
I use TheBalm’s Down Boy (light baby pink) almost daily on bare skin and that stays on for a good 6-8 hours too!
I second Abby’s comment…I’ve also got Down Boy as well as Hot Mama and both last extremely well – as well as any of my other blushes.
I use TheBalm Cabana Boy and it stays on all day and is really high quality and super pigmented! Love these blushes!
Yes! They do! I have Cabana Boy and Down Boy and they are the longest lasting blushes I’ve had. I actually notice my blush at the end of the day when I wear theBalm ones. HIGHLY RECOMMEND!
This is too pretty!
It looks really pretty!
Looks really good on you! I love theBalm…
It looks very similar to Coralista to me, how do you think they compare?
Coralista is lighter, less orange.
This is so flattering on you! Lovely photos. =]
I’m going out today and buying this. It looks exactly like what I’ve been looking for. Thanks!
how does this compare to benifit’s bella bamba?
Bella Bamba is very pink, I would not call it a dupe at all.
Sooo effing pretty :D!!! Gotta get it when it pops up here in germany ;D
Thats very pretty! Is it a dupe for anything else? Kinda reminds me of Benefit’s Coralista but with less shimmer.
Coralista is lighter, less orange.
I love theBalm blushes, they are pigmented yet not over the top that you might end up looking like a clown.
It looks really pretty, but I have a couple of corals that are very very similar to the swatches. Very lovely color, though, and I keep hearing excellent things about theBalm. Someone once referred me to a Strada dupe/replacement from them, but then that product was d/c’d also, so I hadn’t had a chance to try any of their products. Maybe when I wear out my current go-to coral I’ll give this a shot! Great review!
Looks flattering on you 🙂
so pretty! It reminds me a bit of a combination of 2 blushes i already have but i want to get it anyway, you know, to save myself the agony of blending 😉 doesnt hurt that my boyfriend is a fraternity man, and a tiny part of me wants to get it for the name LOL.
Just was wondering if you would know how this compares to Benefit’s Bella Bamba?
Bella Bamba is very pink. I wouldn’t say it is a dupe at all.
Colour looks really nice, I would try it but the packaging is just a little too high school for me with the whole “Fratboy” thing.
Thanks for another great review. It looks great on you. Would this color work on NC42 skin? Thx
I think it would!
Would this blush work on darker skin tones????
I think so!
I definitely needs this. theBalm makes the best blushes in my opinion and they definitely need to expand their range.
oh my how good it looks on you! you look like a fairy princess! 😀
What would you say are the closest dupes for this? I have MAC hipness and Marine Life ,and Benefits coralista, do you think this is similar to those? Xoxo
Please read the FAQ! Thank you!
Eee! This looks absolutely lovely – both Hipness and Hussy are on my wishlist at the moment, but this one should be much easier to get my hands on ^^ Thanks for listing the similar shades!
I just ordered this a couple of days ago from Sephora. It looks great on you, but I’m hoping that on my I see more of the “apricot” come through, as that is the reason why I ordered it. I also ordered All About Alex. Can’t wait to get them, it’ll be my first time using theBalm.
Funny enough when I got home my package was there! Put it on today, looks great, but I’m still looking for that perfect “apricot” shade. Any suggestions? I’m keeping this one though, too pretty to return. Also, I believe this is the most matte blush I’ve ever worn.
Hey Alexis,
You might like Illamasqua Lover – it’s much more apricot, IMO! I think I might even have a review on the blog!
This is great for summer! I am a huge blush addict nowadays. It’s strange to think that there was a time when I didn’t even own blush! I have come a long way…
I thought it actually looks similar to MAC Bite Of An Apple.
I would dare say this ranks as one of the best blush colors I’ve seen on you!
Wow, this is one of the prettiest blushes I’ve seen on you, Christine! You look so glowy! I think it’s a bit too warm for my skin tone, but I might have to check out this brand. I always pass their display in Sephora, but I don’t know much about them.
Wow I have to get this, it’s sooo pretty.
This is gorgeous! I have too many blushes at the moment, but this will replace the bext I hit pan on!
this is gorgeous on you! def your color!
Hi! Wich one do you prefer, this or kiehls one? Thank you so much
Sorry i post in the mistaken entry :p i was meant it in the bobbi Brown tinted moisturizer
No worries!
I really like BB’s quite a bit, but Kiehl’s is more moisturizing, so for me, it’d edge out BB. If I was going to a really humid climate, I might opt for BB though, with the more matte finish.
thanks a lot for your help
I love the packaging, it’s so cute! It looks great on you, Christine
This is gorgeous for summer! I have a question though…How does this compare to Virgin Isle Cream Colour Base from MAC? (:
It seems similar to marine life… would you say its a dupe or is it just me?
Hmm…I’m going to need this and Guerlain Terra Inca in my life 😉
this colour is so gorgeous on you Christine!
I love it!
You look awesome in that picture. So fresh and clean. Natural looking.
I love this and it looks great on you. You are glowing. I want to splurge on a new blush soon and this might be a contender!
Hi Christine,
The swatches looked amazing, but I had a quick question for you and I thought that since this was a “blush” review, it would be the most appropriate place to ask. In the picture you have for “The Dupe List” do you know the name of the MAC blush, right between the NARS and Benefit boxed blush on the left corner of the picture?
Thanks so much again!
I have been looking for a coral-ish blush and this one looks like it will do nicely — must put it on my list to pick up after my doctor appointment next week. 🙂 It looks very similar color-wise to a new lipstick I bought recently (Marcelle “Paris Rose”).
Being very fair and pink-toned (NW 15 in MAC) it is hard for me to find corals that look good on me.
Hey Christine? Is this good on golden toned medium skin? From the picture, the heavier swatch has doesnt seem too compatible. But on the other hand can you tell me of an orangey-coral-peach blush thats yellow based please?
Hey Christine! You look beautiful in this shade! I love how you always smile so big when you take the pictures. 🙂 How do you think this compares to MAC’s Bite of an Apple? I missed my chance to by the blush and I just cant make myself spend 40 plus dollars on Ebay for it. Do you think this is similar shade? Thanks!!
is this like MAC’s Ripe Peach ombre?
Hi Christine! I live in Spain, (excuse me if I make a BIG mistake with my English!:p) i’m IN LOVE with this blush, so I want to ask you if you know where can I buy this blush in Spain. “The Balm” is the brand? I’ve necer heard it, i don’t know if it existe here in Spain… Or maybe you know a good dupee of another brand that I can buy here… Well, thank you very much, i really love your blog!
Kisses from Madrid!!
This is gorgeous, I will most likely get it myself. I love The Balm’s products, I think they deserve some more love actually.
I’m not a fan of orange or coral blush but this one looks really nice and like it might be okay on me if I get a bit of colour. The store near me that sells TheBalm is giving away full sizes of product as a gift (got Down Boy and Bahama Mama both for free) so I might just get this one and see if I also get another “freebie” too.
Reminds me a bit of nars amour. but looks more orangey/coral in the pan than amour
christine! i’m so happy to say that thanks to how beautiful you look in this blush, i just had to order it! thanks for your wonderful efforts on this site and i’m excited to try out my first balm product! 🙂
Does anyone know how this compares to Rock & Republic’s Immoral and All Nighter?