One of the themes in last summer’s RiRi Hearts MAC summer collection was the idea of opposites — rich, opaque lips contrasting against sheer cheeks — and MAC seems to have weaved that same idea through RiRi Hearts fall as well, with bold lipsticks balanced with sheer eyeshadows (see: the Smoked Cocoa quad) and cheeks via the re-launched Hibiscus Kiss Powder Blush Duo.
Remember Hibiscus Kiss from last summer? This new version’s basically the same flower, but with updated plumage/attire.
There’s a super sheer matte bronze (well, at least it’s super sheer on me!) and a cool coral with a satin finish inside.
It takes some work to get the bronze shade to show up well on my NC42 skin, same as with the OG version. It’s sheerer than sheer on me, and I can barely see it on my skin…
I won’t be able to really use it as a blush or bronzer, and I bet it would translate much better on lighter skin tones. You might have to scrape off the top layer, though, to get to the good stuff underneath, as the pan, for some reason, is very hard.
As for the coral blush, I actually like it more than last summer’s version.
It’s one of those blushes that looks kinda iffy in swatches, due to how sheer it is, but looks more interesting and obvious brushed on cheeks.
This season’s version is brighter and more intense than last’s; in the pic below, I used two layers.
Like the bronze shade, the coral’s surface is bedrock hard, but it’s softer beneath the top layer.
This one is probably better suited to lighter skinned lovelies, so if you’re around my shade or darker, brace yourself for a lot of layering, especially with the bronze.
The RiRi Hearts MAC collection takes center stage inside MAC stores September 26, online at maccosmetics.com September 30, and at MAC counters October 3.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Emily says
September 18th, 2013 at 10:37 amThe packaging of this looks so cute! I don’t wear blush or bronzer that often but based on the compact alone I am kind of interested in this one! Plus its Riri!
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Karen says
September 18th, 2013 at 11:59 amYeah! You gotta get on the blush train, Emily! It’s a great ride. 😀
Kiss & Make-up says
September 18th, 2013 at 11:13 amI think you are right, this would look lovely on lighter skin. I still think you look pretty fabulous though 🙂 And that coral shade has my heart skipping a beat.
Karen says
September 18th, 2013 at 11:59 amAww, thank ya kindly! How is your week going? Aren’t you traveling?
hanna says
September 18th, 2013 at 12:39 pmThe blush looks nice on, odd though that you had to go through so much work to get it.
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Danielle says
September 18th, 2013 at 12:43 pmI have these weird OCD that I don’t like my products to touch like that haha.
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SirenPrincess says
September 18th, 2013 at 1:03 pmI wonder how this bronzer compares to Too Face Milk Chocolate Soleil for us fair girls. For reference, NC15 is a tad dark on me, so I don’t use much MAC. The Too Face Milk Chocolate is just right. This one looks close, but some choices for us pale girls would be nice!
Barbie says
September 18th, 2013 at 2:31 pmhow do you remove the hard layer? because i have blazing haute and flaming chic extra dimension blushes and the texture is so hard 🙁 I emailed mac and they weren’t helpful at all lmao
Karen says
September 18th, 2013 at 2:41 pmHey Barbie,
(Cute handle by the way!)
Something with a straight edge that’s clean will work. I usually clean off a plastic gift card with alcohol, let it dry, then use the flat edge to gently scrape off the top layer. The trick is to do it slowly and carefully so that you don’t dent or break your powder.
Barbie says
September 18th, 2013 at 5:47 pmThank you so much! You were more helpful than mac!
Erinaceina says
September 18th, 2013 at 4:02 pmI think this bronzer could work fantastically on my fair skin (NW13). I’m going on holiday to Australia a couple of days after this releases in store, which gives me a good excuse to buy this. I need it for the warm weather. *cough*
I’m thinking of picking up a MAC bronzer brush at duty free. Do you have any recs for which one to get?
Jennifer says
September 18th, 2013 at 9:36 pmHow do you think this will look on NC25-NC30 (medium) skintone?
Thanks
Ankita@corallista says
September 19th, 2013 at 1:12 amI am a teeny bit disappointed that its so sheer. But you do make the blush work, looks great on you!
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sahana says
September 19th, 2013 at 5:23 amI kind of like sheer blushes because they give such a natural flush to the cheeks. I really am liking the way it looks on you! xx
Icaria says
September 19th, 2013 at 6:58 amOh I love this combination! I’m very fair so it might work for me but again, if it’s so sheer I might go through the compact in no time. I guess the only way to find out will be to stop by a counter ans swatch it. Thanks for the review. 🙂
Gowthami says
September 19th, 2013 at 8:59 amCombo looks gr8 and Lovely!
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