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.

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