Magic in a pan.
And I’m not just saying that because of my strong emotional ties to this Beauty Powder.
Barbie Loves MAC! — also known as “my gateway MAC collection.” I remember that Pearl Blossom was one of the pieces I bought in my little MAC Barbie haul (this was back in 2007), and even though it’s a re-promote in the new MAC Is Beauty collection, I still get fired up about it.
Because it’s just so versatile. There are so many things you can do with MAC’s Beauty Powders (which are basically like the Hourglass Ambient Powders, from before the time there were Hourglass Ambient Powders), especially light pink Pearl Blossom, which also has silvery pearl. You can wear it as a blush, or a highlighter, or if you have lighter, cool-toned skin, lightly dusted all over your face as a brightening powder.
I love Pearl Blossom’s finish because it isn’t overly frosty. I use it mostly as a highlighter, targeting the soft, subtle iridescent sheen on the tops of my cheekbones, down the bridge of my nose, in the inner corners of my eyes, and above and just below the arch in my brows.
I’m all about highlighting, but I’m not big into contouring, which is the other half of the sculpting equation. The contour is usually when you use deeper colors to simulate shadows and make certain areas appear to recede into the background. Highlighting does the opposite, where you focus attention on certain areas.
The soft powder formula lasts all day long on my combination skin. I just dust it on in the mornings after foundation, bronzer, blush — the whole shebang — to add that subtle glow.
Other products I’m wearing in this look…
- MAC Eye Shadow in Bouffant
- MAC Eye Shadow in Soft Brown (permanent)
- MAC Eye Shadow in Saddle (permanent)
- MAC Pro Longwear Fluidline in Lowlights
- MAC Pro Longwear Fluidline in Siahi
- MAC False Lashes mascara (permanent)
- MAC Beauty Powder in Alpha Girl
- MAC Lipstick in Make Me Gorgeous
PRICE: $26 (one of 2 Beauty Powders in the new MAC Is Beauty collection)
AVAILABILITY: Part of the new MAC Is Beauty collection, available online March 31, and coming to MAC counters and stores April 2, 2015 through May 14, 2015
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: A
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
So pretty! I’m fair and need a nice Spring glow. I’ll be buying this. Nice review!
Hi Valerie,
You could probably use this as a blush too then. I hope you love it as much as I do… It’s one of my favorite MAC pieces of all time.
Happy Friday!
Sounds amazing! I’m excited about ordering it soon!
Yay! 🙂 Whenever I need a lil’ bit of glow I grab this powder. Seriously, you will adore it.
Have a wonderful weekend!
That fluidline in Siahi looks so amazing. Gotta say it’s calling my name. Would love to complement it with an eyeshadow on top to prolong the wear time & make the shadow appear brighter. Or even better, align my lower lash line with it. It’s a beaut!
Hey Kwmechelle,
Oh, yes! It would be gorgeous smoked out along the lower lash line. You know what else would be pretty? If a greenish blue or a lighter teal buffed on top. Hmm, now I’m getting ideas…
This is very pretty but I’m wondering if it’d still work as a Beauty Powder for me or more as a blush? I don’t have any Beauty Powders.
Hi Agata,
You could probably do both depending on the time of year. I think you’ll like this one… The finish on it is so delicate! It really does look like pearls on the skin.
Ok, you totally sold me right now! Pearls on the skin- who doesn’t want that?? Does it emphasize pores?
Alpha girl looks amazing! My kind of color
I think I’m getting Alpha Girl too! Not sure about this one, I’m NW45 and sometimes I worry with subtle silver in anything I put on my face that isn’t an eyeshadow! Doesn’t look good.
Yes, yes! That does sound purr-ty! If you decide to create a look centered around that shadow/fluidline combo, do post a pic + maybe a vid. Inquiring minds wanna learn
Hi Karen,
Long time reader and first time comment. I love your blog! The ambient powders are my current fav and I just picked up the sephora powder based on your review. I was wondering if you could compare the Ambient lighting powder x the Sephora microsmooth baked contouring powder in sublime x the MAC beauty powders? Thanks!
Yay! I also loved the Barbie loves MAC pearl blossom beauty powder, but ran out of it quite some time ago and didn’t think I’d be able to get it again!
I can see why you like this so much. That glow is stunning!! I really like how it looks on you
Omg !! You literally just made my night…I dropped my Barbie Loves MAC edition of this and shattered it…almost cried. I am i happy I can get my hands on this again! 🙂
I only ever use mine as a highlighter.
To be honest, I bought it for the packaging, it is “Shell Pearl” from the “Liberty of London” Collection, and the birds and flowers were just too cute!
It’s probably too light for me and the sheen is a bit too much for my liking but it does make your skin look incredibly radiant!
Well, im off to buy that mac powder now
Wow that sheen is just gorgeous!! I would have passed on this otherwise but seeing how beautiful it looks on …gah Im going to rethink that. THanks for sharing Karen! Love those earings too btw.
Because of you, I’ve decided I need pearl blossom in my life, and your skin is amazing!
I’ve missed you! Between switching jobs, and studying for the Australian citizenship test I haven’t been reading my favorite blogs the past couple of weeks. As of yesterday, I had 47 unread MBB posts! I have lots of videos to watch, and so many makeups to learn about.
Btw, I love the Ikea couch — I think it’ll work well with your floral chair:)
I am more of a highlighter person too.. i can skip on contouring but I do apply a highlighter on high points for that gorgeous shine.
This blush cum highlighter really made your skin glow.. <3 Pearl blossom is doing amazing things to your skin! 🙂