Judging by its name, MAC’s Royal Sunset blush could have gone the route of princess tiaras/tiny sandwiches/stuffy tweed, but instead it took a detour on High Tea Street toward Beach Boho Babe Avenue.
Bright on cheeks and surprisingly playful, Royal Sunset builds to an intensely cool coral flush. Of the three blushes in the MAC All About Orange collection, I think it’s the brightest, smoothest (in terms of texture) and the coolest in terms of tone.
It’s the kind of blush I’d wear to a low-key beach wedding, one where the guests and wedding party are barefoot and dogs are running around in bow ties (yippee!). 🙂
Casual and fun, know what I mean?
I think of Royal Sunset as the sleeper hit of the collection’s blush crew. Not to say that it’s in any way boring. Just that I had no idea it would be this bold and bright based on how it looks in the pan.
On skin, it downright sizzles.
I actually wore it out last night. El Hub and I went to a very uncharacteristic mid-week movie. Uncharacteristic because we don’t usually stay out so late on work nights.
But we did, and it was grand! We saw Now You See Me (thought it was pretty good, too). I wore Royal Sunset with my hair in messy waves, slapped on a couple coats of mascara and slicked Double Happiness Cremesheen on my lips.
Then I let El Hub think that the flush on my cheeks was entirely due to his company, which it mostly was, but…ya know. The blush helped a little.
Shh…
PRICE: $21 for a 0.21-ounce pan
AVAILABILITY: Available now at MAC counters and also online
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: A- (it’s bright, baby!)
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
P.S. Blush Baller status if you ever wear blush with lush lashes, glossy lips, beachy waves (or a messy bun), a maxi dress and big hoops! 🙂
It is not a good shade for you (or me either since I’m a little darker than you).
It’s a little bright but I kinda like it. 🙂
I think it is a great shade on you! Very pretty!
Thanks Michelle. 🙂
I love the blushes from this collection! I’ll definitely grab one of them, not yet sure which one. I’ll try them on in a store if I have a chance, it’s always the best way to make the right decision!
Hi Lulle,
They’re really pretty. What type of look are you going for? If you have a tan right now Honey Jasmine might be good. If you want a more natural look then Immortal Flower might be a better choice.
This one is my favorite. You had me at “cool coral flush.” I am thinking I’m gonna have to purchase!
I love wavey hair for the summer. My hair dryer and flat iron hardly come out of the drawer until September. Waving spray is my summer bestie!
Hi Bree,
Nice! I hope you love it. It’s a beautiful color, and it looks equally great with warm or cool lipsticks and glosses.
So let’s talk wavy hair. What products do you use to bring out your waves? I usually blow my bangs out (because if I don’t they look puffy), and then let the rest air dry. Then I use some sort of texture spray. I’m trying out a new one by AG, but in the past I’ve used Bumble & Bumble Surf Spray.
I usually apply an oil then let it air dry. Even if I scrunch my hair will go straight from the heat of a dryer! So if anything i just blast my roots a bit. Once dry I have been using Garnier Wonder Waves. I actually really like it. The Foxy Curls Spray by Tigi is good too. It smells lovely.
I’m wanting to try a salt spray. The ocean really brings out my waves!
I have heard great things about Wonder Waves! I keep meaning to try it but keep getting distracted, LOL!
Thanks for the Foxy Curls rec, btw. I will have to try it.
Have you tried Bumble & Bumble Surf Spray? That’s another good one.
Aww I love mid week dates 🙂 Just let him keep thinking that flush is all real! ha ha ha
Me too. They are the best because they feel extra special.
What are you up to tonight? I worked out and now I’m going to watch some Bravo. WOO HOO!
I like the casual, beachy look. I think this blush and cremesheen make a great combo.
Hi Meredith,
Me too. Oh, and I agree – this blush with a Cremesheen is magic.
Have a great weekend!
you look great! and much younger if i may say so! this is a gorgeous blush, so is honey jasmine. this is going to be a hard decision 😀 I wish mac came out with blush palettes. ya know different blushes with half the product. I mean who really has ever really hit pan on a blush?
Hi Yelena,
Both are great choices and you really can’t go wrong with either. If you’re really tan right now then you might want Honey Jasmine though. It looks great with bronzed skin.
Believe it or not I’ve hit the pan on MAC Blushbaby!
I love mid week dates… they are very speacial to me.
Royal Sunset looks PRETTY on you Karen. No wonder it’s getting rave reviews!
Thanks, Eesha.
Yeah, mid-week dates are the best. Especially movie dates.
Have a wonderful weekend!
This is so much pinker on the skin! But it looks really pretty! I love the blushes in this collection more than anything else!
Yes! They’re all very pretty. 🙂 Have a nice weekend!
Karen, you have successfully made me want a MAC blush for what could be the first time ever! Looks absolutely lovely on you and I guess this is what I’ll be checking out this weekend 😀
Yay, Paris! 😀 Please let me know what you think about it.
This is the only blush from this collection that I got (which I didn’t really need but I am so glad I got it!) and I love it, I apply it lightly and it’s not that bright. Just a perfect summer color and it goes great with the Razzledazzler lipstick.
Hi Agata,
This blush is so you! I will have to try the Razzledazzler combo very soon. I’ve been wearing it with Flamingo and like the two together very much.
I know you’re working this weekend, but I hope you get some time to relax a litte 🙂
I got this yesterday and I love it!
Nice! What else are you loving from the launch?
wow so gorgeous on you, karen! it looks a bit like illamsqua tremble, i’d have to check on swatches to see if they’re similar. and check the rest of this mac collection.
I just realized that I’ve never considered a “pink” blush. I know this is technically coral but it looks very pink in the swatch. I need to try some out – I think pinks have a young, innocent vibe. In a good way. 🙂
Totes. I also want to see in you in Dolce & Gabbana’s Peach Blush someday. I think you could rock that one too. It’s the perfect sort of peachy pink, and it looks very natural.
This looks great on you!
Hi Chelsea,
Thanks, girl! Happy weekend (FINALLY!). What are you up to? It’s my birthday weekend so I’m going to just relax.
Unfortunately, I’m going to a funeral this morning for my favorite of my fiance’s aunts – she was a wonderful person, but she’d been sick for a long time. My brother’s coming into town for the day though, so I’ll get to see him and his wife tonight.
You look stunning and don’t let anyone tell you what to wear. Rock on!
Thanks, Anna! Have a nice weekend. 🙂
u look amazing! ahhh am feeling like i need a run down of what(how) u’re wearing in these pics…
<3 it heaps!
I always fall in love too late…. Sold out everywhere :(. Fingers crossed and multiple web browsers open for Rihanna’s Mac launch tomorrow!!!