Product Review: Max Factor Flawless Perfection Blush
Name: Flawless Perfection Blush
Brand: Max Factor
Size: 5.5g
Price: €9,89
From Max Factor’s website:
A healthy looking flush doesn’t have to be out of embarrassment anymore – this sheer, soft blusher blends easily into your skin leaving a hint of colour that completes any make-up look. Use it to define your cheekbones or simply let the luxurious and soft texture freshen your complexion.
What I liked:
– sheer color payoff
– beautiful, shimmering shade
– gives cheeks a healthy look with the tiniest hint of shimmer
– lasts most of the day
– the price
What I didn’t like:
– not many shades available
– if you like pigmented blushes, this is not for you
– nasty preservative
– the packaging
Have you ever bought a product because you liked the shade and it was cheap anyway, got home, played with it and were disappointed cos it’s just average? That’s what happened to me with this blush. It’s not a bad product, but it didn’t wow me either and I find I rarely reach for it cos I have lots of other blushes that I like more.
Max Factor Flawless Perfection blush is available in only six shade. Being a pink lover, I purchased n°223 Natural Glow, a shimmering pink shade that looks a bit dark in the pan, but when swatched, it’s a soft baby pink. For a drugstore product, I’d say the powder is quite finely milled and soft to the touch, but the texture is not really as silky or finely milled as that of high-end blushes.
The blush is very sheer but buildable. I had to apply numerous layers in the swatch to make the color show up in the pix as on my pale skin blushes always look washed out and don’t photograph well, but in real life I only need a couple of swipes to achieve a flattering and healthy look, just like I’m naturally blushing. And it has just a hint of shimmer to give cheeks a natural glow.
Because I’m pale the fact the powder is so sheer is a plus for me, but if you prefer your blushes to be pigmented, this will just disappoint you. And while I like the shade, I think there are other blushes out there that do the same thing just as well or even better. It’s nothing special but I think it’s worth considering if you’re on a budget.
The staying power is ok and it lasts about 8 or 9 hours on my non-oily cheeks before it starts to fade. As for the packaging, that’s just very ugly and cheap-looking. And, as always, the brush that comes with it is too small, scratchy and completely useless.
I was also disappointed to see that this blush uses Imidazolidinyl Urea as a preservative. This ingredient works by releasing formaldehyde which is a toxic and carcinogenic substance. Of course the quantity in this is so small to be safe (you won’t die if use it), but personally I just prefer to avoid products with this ingredient as I feel that are much safer preservative out there.
Summary
Overall, Max Factor Flawless Perfection blush is just average. The powder is sheer, easy to blend and gives a natural and glowy look that lasts for hours. However, those that like pigmented blushes will be disappointed with the sheer color payoff. In addition, the packaging is cheap and the product contains a formaldehyde-releasing preservative.
Rating: 3/5
Disclaimer: the item was purchased by me for both personal and review purposes. The review is based on my own personal and honest experience with the product. For more information, please see my disclaimer.Product Review: Pupa Luminys Baked Blush #04
Name: Luminys Baked Blush #04
Brand: Pupa
Size: 3.5g
Price: €16,50
From Pupa’s website:
Gives cheeks a glow with a natural, adjustable effect for a radiant, healthy-looking effect. This light, silky powder has perfect hold and can be blended in with ease.
What I liked:
- very pigmented
- nice and smooth texture
- easy to blend
- gives cheeks a natural glow
- lasts almost all day
- the packaging
What I didn’t like:
- not many shades available
- the price
I adore Pupa baked blushes. I have a soft spot for baked blushes and these are among the best I have tried. Up until now though, I only bought those from limited seasonal collections, because the shades in the permanent range (only 4!) didn’t appeal to me. They are mostly natural colors that look really dark, bright and scary in the pan, esp if you have pale skin, like me.
But late last year, I finally gave in and bought one, #04, and boy was I impressed! #04 is a warm medium brown shade with veins of copper and is infused with shimmer. It looks beautiful in the compact and even better on the cheeks. It gives them a pop of natural color while defining the cheekbones and giving them a beautiful shimmery glow.
However, this blush is very pigmented and not for the faint of heart. If like me, you prefer a sheerer, more natural look you can still get it, but you need to be careful with application as it is very easy to go over the top with this. I suggest to use a skunk brush like the Studio Tools Dual-Finish Brush or a brush with fluffy bristles that don’t pick up too much color like the E.L.F. Studio Complexion Brush to apply if you want just a hint of color on your cheeks.
I also adore the texture. It feels soft and smooth to the touch cos the texture is fine and the shimmers aren’t coarse at all. It’s very easy to apply and feels light and velvety on my skin. I’m also pleased with its staying powder. Once applied it stays put for most of the day and, unless I need to go out at night, there’s no reason to touch it up.
I think the suggested retail price (€16,50/$22.00, but most shops here sell it for around €12.00 or €13.00) is very reasonable here in Italy, where most cosmetics are way overpriced. Here it is in the same range as L’Oreal for example while MAC Mineralized Blushes are even more expensive at €22.00 ($30.00!)!
Since Pupa blushes are much better quality than those, I think overall, the price here is good value for money and worth every penny. But if you live abroad then these blushes probably seem overpriced to you, and understandably so. Still, if you can afford to try one, go for it. You won’t be disappointed.
Summary
Overall, I love Pupa baked blush in #04. It has a fine and soft texture that lasts almost all day and gives skin a beautiful, natural sheen. It’s very pigmented and so needs to be applied with a light hand. Also, some may find the price too high.
Rating: 4.5/5
Disclaimer: the item was purchased by me for both personal and review purposes. The review is based on my own personal and honest experience with the product. For more information, please see my disclaimer.Product Review: Milani Minerals Blush
Name: Minerals Blush
Brand: Milani
Size: 4.40g
Price: $5.99
From Milani’s website:
A non-irritating mineral-based powder blush that has been formulated with unique technology to provide a lightweight feel, natural healthy glow, true-color application and smooth finish.
What I liked:
– beautiful shade
– gives cheeks a natural flush
– very shimmery
– pigmented
– the price
What I didn’t like:
– not available in many shades
– can be too shimmery for some people
– the packaging
A few months ago, my friend Dao and I decided to do a makeup swap. When she told me one of the items she got for me was the Milani Blush in Luminous, which is touted to be a dupe for Nars Orgasm, I was very excited. I can’t compare the two as I’m not ready to splurge on the Nars one just yet, but so far I’m really loving the Milani blush.
Luminous is a pink shade with a hint of peachy undertone and full of gold shimmers that gives a healthy, natural and glowy flush to my cheeks. It’s a truly beautiful shade and I find myself reaching for it a lot since I got it.
However, I think the shimmers could be too much for some people: this stuff is chock full of them. I don’t mind that at all. On the contrary, I love very shimmery blushes and Luminous doesn’t make me look like a disco ball. Instead, it highlights my cheeks beautifully.
In fact, when I wear this, I can skip using a highlighter on my cheeks. I don’t need it as the blush takes care of that but I understand that not everyone will like this. And if shimmery blushes aren’t your thing, then give this a miss.
The powder is quite soft to the touch (although not as much as that of high-end blushes), finely milled and blends easily. But because the blush is so pigmented, it is also easy to overdo it. So I suggest you apply it with a light hand. Just a swipe is enough to provide a nice pop of color and if you need more, you can always layer it.
The staying powder is just average on me. It lasts a few hours before it starts fading and I need to retouch it a couple of times throughout the day. Also, I’d like if Milani Minerals Blush came in more shades: apart from Luminous, only other three are available.
I’m not too fond of the cheap-looking plastic packaging, but I don’t hate it either. The compact has two levels: the top one houses the blush, whereas in the bottom one you can find a mirror and a small round and flat brush. Like most brushes that come with products, this one is rough, scratches skin and is useless so I just use my own brushes instead.
Summary
Overall, I’m loving Milani Minerals Blush in Luminous. It’s a beautiful peachy pink shades with lots of gold shimmers that provides a natural glow. The price is inexpensive and the shade very pigmented, but doesn’t last all day.
Rating: 4/5
Disclaimer: I got this item in a swap. The review is based on my own personal and honest experience with the product. For more information, please see my disclaimer.
Product Review: Barry M Blusher
Name: Blusher
Brand: Barry M
Size: 7g
Price: £4.50
From Barry M’s website:
These brand new extra fine blushers are available in six sheer colours for easy blending and a perfect, flawless finish.
What I liked:
– beautiful shades
– very pigmented
– matte finish
– soft texture
– long-lasting
– the price
What I didn’t like:
– strong scent
– the packaging
Let me start by saying that I’m a huge fan of Barry M. Their products are available in a huge selection of colorful shades, are pigmented and inexpensive. So I was very excited when a few months ago Barry M finally added blushes to their line. It was long overdue!
The blushes are available in six shades, all of which look bright and scary in the pan. Usually I would go for a pale pink shade, but since I have way too many blushes that fit that description, I decided to opt for strawberry, a vibrant reddish pink, instead.
I had to order it online and when I finally got it in my hands, I was very worried. I didn’t see how such an intense shade could look good on pale skin. Barry M describes the color as sheer but I disagree. Of course, the blush can be applied sheer, but this stuff is highly pigmented and the shade intense and vibrant.
So, I did what I always do with pigmented blushes. I applied it using my ELF Studio Complexion Brush, which has fluffy bristles that don’t pick up too much product and applied it with a light hand, making sure to hold the brush at the end of its handle. That way, I apply less pressure and the brush doesn’t deposit too much color, ensuring a more natural application.
And voilà. This way, the blush gives a nice punch of color to the face without looking unnatural or like a clown. Although not for the faint of heart, the shade is actually wearable and flattering. It has a matte finish which I like cos adding shimmer to such a bright shade would have been too much and just not look good.
As for the texture, that is soft to the touch but nowhere near as soft as that of most high-end blushes. Still, the powder is finely milled, not chalky and easy to blend. And while it has a strong unpleasant scent, once applied on the cheeks, I can’t smell it at all.
My only complaint is the packaging. The clear plastic case looks cheap and tacky and as always, the little brush that comes with it is useless and scratches my face so I never use it. I really hope they will redesign it, but I’d still repurchase this in another shades anyway. After all, as long as the product’s good, that’s all that matters, right?
Summary
Overall, I’m in love with Barry M Blushers. The shades are very vibrant and look shocking in the pan but they can be applied sheer for a wearable pop of color on the cheeks. Finely milled and easy to blend, the blush lasts most of the day. However, the packaging is not very appealing.
Rating: 4/5
Disclaimer: the item was purchased by me for both personal and review purposes. The review is based on my own personal and honest experience with the product. For more information, please see my disclaimer.Product Review: Senna Double Dose Blush
Name: Double Dose Blush
Brand: Senna
Size: 2.4g/0.08oz
Price: $20.00
From Senna’s website:
A dose of healthy glow makes your complexion look dazzling when layered over these clear, vibrant blush colors. Highlight cheekbones and eye area too with these golden light powders that warm up your skin.
What I liked:
- lovely shades deliver a healthy and brightened look
- adds a lovely glow to cheeks
- soft texture
- long-lasting
What I didn’t like:
- the price
If you want a fresh complexion with a subtle glow, you may want to consider Senna Double Dose Blush, a blush and highlighter duo. It is available in three color combinations and the one I have is called Sunshine.
It features a rosy peach blush with shimmer that gives a healthy flush to cheeks and a shimmery golden peach highlighter to add a subtle glow. The result is a fresh and natural look that brightens up your skin.
Although, Senna describes the colors as vivid, I’d say they are kinda subtle, very wearable and have a nice color payoff. The shades aren’t very pigmented but not too sheer either and the smooth and soft texture makes the powder easy to apply and blend into the skin.
I was impressed by the staying power too. I put the shades on in the morning and it was only towards the end of the afternoon that a small touch-up was needed.
Summary:
Overall I’m loving Senna Double Dose Blush. The blush gives a natural flush to cheeks while the highlighter adds a lovely glow for a brightened and fresh complexion. It has good staying power too but it on the pricey side.
Rating: 4/5
Disclosure: this item was sent by PR for consideration. The review is based on my own personal and honest experience with the product. For more information, please see my disclaimer.