NOVATO, CA — MAC Restores Dazzle! More at 11…
LOL! I’m lovin’ that exclamation mark at the end of this plummy Cremeblend blush’s name. It’s just so forceful and emphatic! — but it also sets some pretty high expectations.
In its pan, like sangria; on my skin, a sheer plum. MAC Cremeblend Blush in Restores Dazzle! ($20) applies surprisingly sheer.
More importantly, does it dazzle?
I think it does. 🙂 A few pats here, a little blending there, and I swear I look a little brighter, even after a bout of insomnia.
A few other things that restore dazzle…
- A cute new pair of shoes I can actually walk in
- Fresh roots and highlights after a visit to the salon
- An afternoon of cheesecake, The Golden Girls re-runs and some time alone with my dog-eared copy of Twilight
One of three limited edition Cremeblend blushes from the Shop MAC collection, Restores Dazzle! looks right at home with the purple eyeshadows and lip colors I’ve been loving lately (like MAC Shop & Drop and YSL Pourpre Preview).
Wearing Cremeblend Blush in Restore Dazzle! on my cheeks and the colors from the MAC Eye Shadow X4 quad in Shop & Drop on my eyes
And my fussy skin loves how well it behaves. Restores Dazzle! doesn’t latch on to any dry flakes or appear to settle in my pores.
That said, I probably wouldn’t wear it alone, because it seems to do a little better when it’s layered on top of something else. On my bare skin, it barely lasts an hour, but atop tinted moisturizer or foundation, it lasts about six.
Yes, I think Restores Dazzle! delivers on its name. It’s easy to apply and blend, and I love the way it looks paired with purple, plum and berry eye and lip colors, but for $20, I wish it lasted longer on my bare skin.
PRICE: $20
AVAILABILITY: Available now at MAC counters, in stores and also online
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: B
This week…on Catsterpiece Theater
It was only a matter of time before other cats pounced on the Downton Tabby wagon. 🙂
This particular kitty actress looks quite fetching in her taffeta ball gown, but just wait till she sees Tabs in his black satin top hat.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
P.S. Wow, is it Wednesday already? That was quick. Hope you had a good Tuesday today. I put my 10-minute timer trick to pretty good use and crossed a few things off my to-do list, which is always a good feeling. Now, onward to hump day we go!
Jaymie says
Oooh~lovely! Definitely have to check this out!
Out of curiousity…wondering if you’ve entered this https://secure.allure.com/contact/beauty-blogger-awards ? You are blogger of the year material fo sho! Just sayin… ;D
Tamara says
I must say, this is one of your best makeup looks, it suits you so well.
Karen says
Thanks, Tamara! 🙂
Sunny @ Mostly Sunny says
I like MAC cremeblend blushes, Tea Petal is actually my first blush ever (though I have since then gone over to the power side for some reason)! I love how natural they are regardless of how dark they look in pan. This one is lovely!
I laughed out loud watching Downtown Tabby! Haven’t jumped the Downtown Abbey bandwagon yet, but I’ve heard so much about it I just might start!
Karen says
LOL, isn’t that kitty’s dress adorable? I kind of want one for Tabs. ;D
Sunny @ Mostly Sunny says
Tabs will KILL you if you put him in a dress so unfitting for his manhood lol
BTW have you seen the short film of Puss in Boots The Three Diablols? Super cute kittens! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HayVYFG7oko
Kim says
Very pretty and plum-y! And you know I love all things with exclamation points. Before the smiley face was invented, it was basically my go-to punctuation. 🙂 Ah, see? Smiley face.
I’m still a fan of powder blushes over cream. It seems like even over tinted moisturizer, I only get a couple hours out of cream. I think I may have a teflon face.
Karen says
OOH! Speaking of tinted moisturizer, I know you’re a Tarte girl, but I’m testing the new one from NARS this week and I think you might really like it. It’s very similar to Tarte except with a wee bit more coverage.
Kim says
Really?! Ooh, let me know what you think. I’m almost in need of a new tube. I’m not sure I can break up with Tarte, though. You know I live for their crazy claims! 🙂
I think I am one of the few people who doesn’t like the Laura Mercier (it was too thick for me; I like that smooth, silicone feel). I can’t wait to hear what you think about NARS, though!
Nina says
Downtown Tabby FTW! 🙂
You look gorgeous in the pictures in this post! So glowy!
Karen says
Thanks, my friend!
How are you doing on this lovely Wednesday? Things are great on this end. Just finished working out, and now it’s time to drink tea and write. 🙂
Nina says
Wednesday was OK … busy @ work, and having pork and beef withdrawals. 🙂
its all good though. i survived and thats what matters! 🙂
Jamie says
What products are you wearing on your face? You look gorgeous!
Karen says
Hi Jamie,
I’m wearing MAC Strobe Cream, Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer, MAC Pro Longwear Concealer and Tarte Pressed Powder.
shiny says
– The blush is very subtle and pretty. Ya know, you should probably do an ‘Unsung Heroes’ post on the cremeblend permanents. I have a PALE redhead friend, and she was freaked out by this bright golden-orange-sunset shade in the cremeblend, and I insisted, and she loved it!
Anyhoo, ya, pretty.
– I MUST know about the shirt you’re wearing 🙂
– Look up ‘Pranayam’ or ‘Pranayamam’ on the almighty Google. My parents swear it helps them sleep better.
– The headline bit you included is a clever touch: More at 11, indeed!
Karen says
Hey Shiny,
Ooh, what is that bright golden orange sunset color’s name? I must know; it sounds amazing!
As for the shirt, it’s from a random Marshall’s run from 2010. I wish I knew who the designer was, but I cut off the tags a lot time ago.
Thanks for the heads up on the sleep stuff. Will make a note to look into it today.
Have a fabulous Wednesday!
Rachael says
I love that shirt!
Karen says
Thanks, Rachael! I love it because I don’t have to iron it, LOL!
Chris25 says
I’m all over that blush! You know I love plummy blushes. Speaking of which, I should go pick up Plum Foolery soon….
Karen says
That’s a good color. I think I have it around here somewhere… must take it out to play!
How are things out your way today? Good, I hope. 🙂
laura says
love the look on your eyes! Beautiful! I own this quad but will have to try using the dark blue shade more like the way you have it, it’s stunning! I love the blush color, it really suits you, I do wish if I were to shell out $20 that it would last! I can’t seem to spend my money on anything but the Tarte Amazonian Clay blushes-they last sooo long!
Karen says
Hi Laura,
Let me know how your experiments with that dark blue shade go. Try it sometime mixed with the shimmery mauve! It’s super pretty.
BTW — love the Tarte Amazonian Clay blushes! Which shade’s your fave?
Trisha says
Look how totally color-coordinated you are!
Also, I love the exclamation point. Too bad I haven’t lost any dazzle, otherwise I’d totally use this to restore it. I mean, Restore It!
Karen says
You’re awesome! Hold onto that dazzle, girl!
Bun Bun Makeup Tips says
I second ‘Fresh roots and highlights after a visit to the salon’ for a great dazzle! Suddenly I look more glamorous and put-together every time my hair is freshly colored. Downside is, I don’t get to do it as often as I wish coz it’s expensive. 🙁 I wish I had the determination to let the roots grow all the way out to the end so that the whole head consists of my natural hair color. But I always fail!
Karen says
LOL, if I waited for my natural color to grow out I’d look a hot mess… thank goodness for stylists! They make the world better.
NeenaJ says
I was just about to tell you about that video when I read this post. I was in tears – so frakking hysterical!
Karen says
I cracked up, too! I love the part in the beginning when they show the little kitty paw draw back the curtains. Haha!
Neeraj says
love the sheen that the cremeblend blush gives…Is it good for oily skins as well? like is it oil free and non acnegenic?
u look lovely as always!
corallista says
It looks so subtle and sheer on you, loving the shade! I love how you’ve coordinated your eyes and cheeks with the blue/purple of your shirt!
singrsling says
Karen, you are so photogenic and havae such lovely features that you accent so well!
Thank you for showing different pics of yourself with different looks and makeup shades, too. That really helps when looking at different shade options.
and THANK YOU for your great blog – I read it every day.
Melody says
That is such a gorgeous, understated blush. I might try to pick one up. I love how it goes with the quad.