Troy Surratt Cantaloup Artistique Blush ($32.00 for 0.20 oz.) is described as a “golden melon.” It’s a pop of yellowed orange with a soft, satiny sheen. Guerlain Orange Blush (LE) is more matte, darker. Givenchy In Vogue Orange (P, $44.00) is darker. MAC Honey Jasmine (LE, $21.00) is darker, more orange, less yellow. NARS Taj Mahal (P, $29.00) is darker, more shimmery. MAC Fresh Honey (LE, $25.00) is similar. MAC Blazing Haute (LE, $25.00) is a bit more muted. Inglot #45 Face Blush (P, $10.00) is darker. See comparison swatches / view dupes.

The description for the formula is short: “Flushed cheeks with an aura of vitality. Naturally glowing finish. Shades range from demure to provocative.” I think what is most noteworthy about the formula is really the texture; it is incredibly soft and silky but not powdery–almost like a cream as it is so buttery and smooth. I was very surprised at how soft and lightweight the blush was, even after the tester had been swatched many, many times by otherse (they often get hardened over time because of the natural oils we have on our fingers). It applies nicely to the skin with even, smooth color that blends easily and really nails that “naturally glowing finish” aspect. There’s a little luminosity to the color that breathes life into the face but never emphasizes pores. The color had good pigmentation and was buildable to true-to-pan color, if desired. On me, Cantaloup lasted eight hours before starting to fade.

The packaging is specifically designed as minimalistic, as they’re meant to be slotted into the brand’s compacts. It is sturdy enough to be used as is, but it is a thinner plastic, so if you do a lot of traveling, a compact might be a worthwhile investment. A large compact fits three blushes; a small compact fits two. It would be nice if they had a more mega-sized version for at-home use, perhaps less so for traveling.

The Surratt Beauty range is carried exclusively at Barneys, so it wasn’t until this past April when I was out of town and happened to be near a Barneys, that I was able to check out the Surratt range (it was actually quite unplanned, and my wallet is still recovering!). I bought this, along with other things (more to review and share soon, hopefully); you can purchase online or call Roger Toledo at Barneys in Scottsdale, AZ at 602-337-6010.

See more photos & swatches!

Troy Surratt Cantaloup Artistique Blush

Troy Surratt Cantaloup Artistique Blush

Troy Surratt Cantaloup Artistique Blush

Troy Surratt Cantaloup Artistique Blush

Troy Surratt Cantaloup Artistique Blush