Afterglow.
Like boomchickawawa!
In a pan.
But without the sweat and potentially awkward conversation.
And/or nakedness. 🙂
Yes! — Urban Decay’s new line of powder blush singles joins the permanent line on April 15 with the rest of the Urban Decay Summer 2015 Collection. The brand does already have a line of blush trios (which are called Naked Flushed), but these represent their first foray into The Land of Blush Singles in a while.
They’re $26 each and available in 12 shades, with the idea being that you put one of them on, and boom! — you look like you’ve been boomchickawawa-ing all day long, which would certainly burn a lot of calories, but I digress…
There are some neutrals here, as well as some crazy colors, but I think they’ll all be fairly wearable by beginners and full-on makeup divas with a capital “D.” And even the brighter colors, like bright purple Bittersweet and reddish orange Bang, are easy to blend out on my cheeks.
Unfortunately, there is a catch… They kick up a lot of powder, because the formula is super soft and airy, and very light. When I run a brush across one of the pan, the brush picks up and scoots around a lot of powder — more than when I use denser blushes by MAC or NARS.
So, on the one hand, you might make a little mess with these while you’re applying ’em, but on the other hand, they’re easy to blend. There are some things you can do to minimize the messiness factor, too, like, after swirling my brush in the pan, I’ll tap, tap, tap it firmly against the edge of the compact to unload every ounce of excess, and if that still isn’t enough, I’ll lightly blow on the brush head before bringing it to my cheeks.
Urban Decay Summer 2015 Collection Afterglow 8-Hour Powder Blush: Product pictures
I’m also glad these are called 8-Hour Blushes and not something ridiculous, like 16- or 17.5-Hour blushes, because seriously, who’s gonna be wearing blush for 16 hours?? I don’t want to be wearing blush that long under any circumstances…unless something truly epic is happening, like I run into Ryan Gosling on a train in Vienna and we hang out for 17 hours.
But these are called 8-Hour Blushes, and they do last that long.
Urban Decay Summer 2015 Collection Afterglow 8-Hour Powder Blush: Swatches (for reference, I’m an NC 42 in MAC)
My favorites are soft matte nude Video, which Urban Decay refers to as universally flattering, although I haven’t had anyone else to test it on yet… El Hub wouldn’t let me test it on his cheeks. 🙂 But yeah, I think Video is super pretty and very natural-looking. I bet it’ll go well with a lot of different lip colors, both nudes and brights.
I also love matte pinkish nude Fetish, which is sort of a pinker version of Video. Same easygoing nature, where it goes well with basically any lip color.
I thought I was going to fall for Score, the medium pinkish peach with subtle golden shimmer, which on paper sounds like a total Karen blush, but I don’t think it looks right on me… It might be a tad too light for this tan gal.
While easy to blend, these new blushes are also a bit messy, but on the flip side, you get wonderfully wearable, beautiful colors that look natural and last a realistically long time.
PRICE: $26
AVAILABILITY: Coming to Urban Decay counters and online April 15
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: A-
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Hi karen,
U r my favourite blogger and i can relate to u more because m also nc 42. So whenever m in doubt i go check the item on ur blog. U ve covered every possible amazing makeup item on ur blog that exist. Kudos to u for that. And a biggg thank u. U r very beautiful and i love how u apply ur foundation and ur skin glows so naturally by that 😀
Karen i m looking for a blush in shade like nars sin minus the frosty glitter. I m fine with little bit glitter but dnt like frost. I was wondering how do these new blushes in ud’s rupture and bittersweet compare to nars sin? Or do u ve any other closer match?
Thank u in advance doll 🙂
Hi Zubaida,
Thank you for your sweet comment! 🙂
I have NARS Sin in my collection, so here’s a comparison swatch for you:
That’s Sin on the far left, Rapture in the center, and Bittersweet on the far right. Rapture’s a closer match, although there is a tiny hint of shimmer in it. It’s not frosty glitter by any means — the shimmer is very subtle. I’ve yet to find a flat matte blush with a reddish plummy color of NARS Sin, if I’ll let you know.
Thanks so much for taking out time and posting the swathes of the three for me but in the picture i can only see one swatch. The rest of two ve been cut out in the pic 🙁
So if i go by ur words only then u think rapture is a closer match?
I am in canada and sephora doesnt carry lorac here 🙁 dnt know where to get that from. 🙁
Thank u very much for ur reply lovely and sweetest karen. Much love 🙂
Hi Zubaida,
Try right clicking on the pic to open it up in a new tab; you’ll be able to see all the shades.
Oh! And I just remembered a shade that might work: LORAC Plum Passion.
I echo that you’re my favourite person for swatches, for one you’re close to my NC40 colouring and for another your smiling swatches are so normal compared to the endless idiotic Instagram “MUA” with pouting. Thank you for the comparison to Sin, I got it recently and adore it but I’ve still been looking for a purple and plum blush and I think I’m going to get rapture and bittersweet! I’m also going to check out that Lorac plum blush you mentioned. As if I need more make up, but……isn’t it fun?! x
I’m hoping to score Bang and Quiver! They look amazing.
How do you look so good in every single shade?
Hey Tara,
Aww, you’re so sweet. I feel like I look kinda funky in Score, but maybe it’s because these shades are easy to wear? That’s probably it.
Do any of these colors catch your eye?
Any favorites among the
brighter ones? I’m trying to decide btw bittersweet, bang and quiver. I’ve never had a purple blush before but I love bang bc it’s not your average peach.
Hi Jen,
Out of the brighter shades, I’m really loving Bang. I like wearing reddish orange/ coral lip colors, and I like that this will play with those shades nicely.
Bittersweet is a really pretty color too, and surprisingly natural-looking. I’d go with Bang if you’re looking for something to wear with summer colors (and if you pick up some color during the summer monoths), and Bittersweet if you wear more violet, purple, and blue-based pinks.
Let me know if you have any other questions. 🙂
I totally want Kinky!
I thought I was going to love Score too, but it does seem too light for me as well! (We’re like the same skin tone!)
Woo hoo for NC42! 🙂
You might also want to try Video, Serena. Might be a good everyday shade!
These shades are so pretty! And thanks for taking the time to wear them all, I can only imagine how long it took you to shoot all of the those 😀
You’re welcome! I hope that the shots helped. 🙂
These are all so pretty & very exciting! Bittersweet might be the purple blush I’ve been looking for. I wanted a purple blush from MUFE (can’t recall the name) but it’s always sold out online & in stores. I’m currently on an email list with my local Sephora waiting to hear of its arrival. Looking forward to playing in these during my next visit.
Have fun playing with these. I think you’ll enjoy that purple!
How was your Easter? Mine was good. El Hub and I drove out to visit with my family. We had a little potluck… I made quiche and scalloped potatoes.
*Waving* hi Karen! Easter was great. Went to church with my family, niece & nephew came to visit, & I made a pretty big Southern dinner (collard greens, potato salad, barbecue ribs, & banana pudding). The weather was beautiful & it was a lovely day. As for the blush, I remembered later which MUFE blush I’d like. It’s M928. Soooo beautiful. Glad you enjoyed Easter with your hubby & family. I’m so excited Spring is here!!!!
That dinner sounds fab! I will have extra servings of the potato salad and the collard greens, please. Ya know, I don’t think I’ve ever had banana pudding. Is it like bread pudding but with bananas? Must investigate!
The weather here has been hit/miss. Sunny but cool with occasional rain. Ahh, spring! Gotta love it.
Now I can’t wait for summer. I went into my closet and dug out all of my summer shirts and shorts today.
Happy almost Friday!
Happy almost Friday!!! Banana pudding is so easy! And so fattening…lol. Be warned. All you need is a bunch of bananas, whipped cream, vanilla instant pudding (or any flavor you prefer), & a box of vanilla wafers. Slice one banana in a bowl, top with wafers, load whip cream on top of that, then top that off with a heaping helping of pudding. “Pete” and repeat until you’ve cut all the bananas, used all your wafers, whip cream, & instant pudding. And that’s it! Ingredients don’t have to be added in any particular order. The pudding will need to be mixed per the instructions on the box. It’s also purr-ty simple as it only requires 2 1/2 cups of mik (I believe that’s the amount) mixed in with the powder. It was unseasonably cool yesterday & today. But I got a pedi last week & tomorrow should be beautiful. Guess who’s wearing open-toed shoes?! And an order of potato salad coming right up (it’s one of the only things left! 🙂
I love every shade on you! I also like how natural the finish looks. I have to get my hands on a few of these! Starting with Rapture, Bittersweet and Bang
Yay! You’d look great in Bittersweet!
Video and Rapture will be mine! I’m surprised at how well these have performed 😀
Hey Meghan,
They’re kind of messy but really easy to blend. The wear time is good too! I hope that you like these as much as I do. 🙂
Happy Wednesday to ya!
All of the shades look gorgeous on you! I’ll definitely be picking up Rapture when they’re out – it’s my fave shade out of their lipsticks and looks like it’ll be my top pick out out the blushers too! x
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Rapture blush is so wearable! I hope you love it.
I NEED Quickie. It’s seriously my favorite bubblegum pink blush, the only one I use out of my three blushes–especially because one just doesn’t work for me 😛 I’ve been avoiding using Quickie in the Anarchy Face Case, because I was worried I would hit pan and not have it anymore (I refuse to settle for dupes on this lol!). Obsessed might be a nice dupe/lookalike for Illamasquas Katie, without the hefty price tag. Curse you international shipping/conversion rates! I’ve also been after lavender/purple blush, so maybe I can blend Bitterweet down to what I want, or just wear it as is. I might be able to use Video for contouring, haha.
You probably could! It might not be ashy enough if you love a very cool-toned contour, but I bet you could work it. 🙂
I don’t know why, since it’s not a crazy unique shade, but Rapture makes me gasp every time I see it. It’s just soo soo pretty!
The crazy pigmented ones actually look awesome on you- Crash and Bang- simply beautiful!
Rapture is very pretty. It would be a great everyday blush for you!
I like Score. And as I am way lighter than you, I might stand a chance of it showing up on me…
Score should read better on your skin! I hope it works out!
Gurl, I’m like a vampire! Sans the sparkling skin–I try to make sure the glitter stays on my lids and not my face 😉 Cool contours are my thing, since anything slightly orangey will look like a mess. I’ll have to swatch Video ASAP and decide. I loved UD’s powder blush, so I’ll likely love these too.
Fetish and Crush look so nice on you and I think they would also work for me. I’m really surprised how all the Nude shades really swatched and applied pinker than they showed in the pan!
Pretty colors, and pretty compacts! I really love the look of Video. I also really love that they included shades like Bang and Bittersweet, although I’m not sure they’d be great for me, personally.
Oh my damn! Bittersweet, Bang and Quiver will be miiiiiinnnnnnneeeee! And maybe Rapture. Just when I said I wasn’t gonna buy anymore blushes. Famous last words. Ha!
I wonder if Gina Brooke has anything to do with this collection, do you know? It looks really cool, all of the products.
Just had to laugh at the Boomchicka… I used it the other day when one of my friends emailed me that there was no way that she would let her husband be a DirecTV repair man because “that’s how every porno starts!”. HAHA!
Hi Karen!
So, I’m having a makeup crisis! My absolute favorite blush of all time is UD’s Overexposed in the shattered face case and I’m running out! I’m having the hardest time finding a similar shade but some of these look like they could be similar. Which one do you recommend? My best bet is Fetish but I really can’t tell. Help much appreciated!
What lipgloss/lipstick are you wearing?? Similar skin color as you & it looks so flattering!
I still revisit reviews of these blushes with the deepest love, longing and despair. WHY would they have ever discontinued these prime examples of perfection in a pan. I could honestly cry.