I love blush more than drag queens love high heels, more than club kids love glow sticks, and more than cat ladies love fat, fluffy kittens with blue eyes and pink collars with rhinestones.
Coral and warm peach blushes are frequent summer stars, like the two $21 limited edition Powder Blushes from the MAC Hey, Sailor! collection, available online now at maccosmetics.com and coming to North American counters and stores May 24.
It’s interesting, but peachy Launch Away! and pinkish golden coral Fast Fleet aren’t what I typically expect from summer blushes. Maybe that’s why I like them so much.
I’m used to seeing brighter colors and bolder shimmer on cheeks in summer, but these babes seem fairly subdued by comparison, with a low-key soft focus satin finish.
Both are very forgiving, especially when it comes to my pores and fine lines, and they last an admirable 8-10 hours on my combination dry/oily cheeks.
The two new Hey, Sailor! Powder Blushes
Launch Away!: If you like NARS Sex Appeal blush, you just might love this easy-to-blend peach. It takes two layers to show up on my NC42 skin, but if you’re lighter than I am, you could easily get away with one. Launch Away! might not play well with very dark skin tones, but pale pretties who like the way they look in warm colors are in luck.
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: A
Fast Fleet: One light layer of this pigmented pinky golden coral delivers plenty of color. I love how it doesn’t compete for attention with the intense orange and red lip colors in the Hey, Sailor! collection, and I can’t wait to pair it with some of my bright MAC permanent line lip faves like Lychee Luxe, Cockney and Lady Danger. If you wear bold reds or coral lip looks often, ding-ding-ding! We have a winner here. 🙂
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: A+
Wearing Powder Blush in Fleet Fast
Wearing Launch Away!
Powder Blush in Fleet Fast, $21
Powder Blush in Launch Away!, $21
High-Light Powder in Crew; Powder Blush in Fleet Fast and Launch Away!
By going with a satin finish and subdued tones, MAC put an interesting twist on typical summer cheeks. I love how both blushes seem balanced beside Hey, Sailor’s bold
red, orange, blue and green shades.
Every day I find more to like about this collection…
Been meaning to tell you about this…
I was window shopping at the mall last weekend when I saw this little doo-hicky at Nordstrom called the Band Oh!
It’s a reversible tube top for layering under your clothes.
Neat, yeah?
I have a couple of tops that are a little too low to wear without anything underneath them, so I snagged a gray one but have yet to try it out.
I’ll let you know how it goes!
I hope it doesn’t slip down and end up around my waist…
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Tracy says
May 17th, 2012 at 10:47 pmFleet Fast looks so pretty with bright lips! Gives a vintage feel I think-rather Mad Men!
And that Bandoh sounds kind of cool! Hope it works!
Tracy recently posted … Lise Watier Crayon Jumbo Long Lasting Waterproof Eye Light Shadows Return For Summer!
Karen says
May 18th, 2012 at 9:55 amHi Tracy,
Yay, that’s what I was going for! 🙂
Hope you have a wonderful Friday. What’s going on this weekend?
Jennifer S says
May 18th, 2012 at 12:13 amThere is a late night infomercial for a similar product to bando. Love how you look in launch away!
Karen says
May 18th, 2012 at 9:54 amHi Jennifer,
LOL, sometimes I love watching those things. The last one I caught was for the Insanity workout. And of course I watched it while eating doughnuts.
Happy, happy Friday! What’s the plan for the weekend?
Amanda Val says
May 18th, 2012 at 12:16 amthe band-oh looks awesome! I know forever 21 sells bandeau tops that like for layering and at a great price-tag – downside is that they’re always all sold out 🙁
I want to splurge on some Nars blushes soon though.. they are supposed to be pigmented like POW!
Karen says
May 18th, 2012 at 9:53 amHi Amanda,
Oh, I know! Whenever I go in there to look at necklaces those tops are always MIA.
So, yeah. NARS blushes. They’re great! I have quite a few and love them. If you need any recs just let me know. 🙂
Agata says
May 18th, 2012 at 1:37 amI am recently in love with blushes and highlighters too 🙂 And btw, you look stunning in those pictures!
Karen says
May 18th, 2012 at 9:52 amHi Agata,
Blush will change your life! Highlighters too. 🙂 What blushes are you currently loving? In addition to these MAC shades, I’ve been loving Sunday Riley’s blushes. They’re pricey, but perfect.
Sunny @ Mostly Sunny says
May 18th, 2012 at 2:10 amYou’re too darn cute with the blue liner, soft cheeks, red lips, and sailor outfit!!!! Bet cha Tabs would LOOOOVE to get in there, but you probably wouldn’t want the pretty tote to be covered with hair 😉
Sunny @ Mostly Sunny recently posted … This Summer, Dior Throws a Little Jelly into the Mix with Dior Vernis Gloss. Calypso & Cosmo + Comparison with Plaza & Lucky
Karen says
May 18th, 2012 at 9:51 amHi Sunny,
I opened up the tote for him to explore but he was scared of it, LOL!
Happy Friday!
Becca @ The Beauty Sample says
May 18th, 2012 at 2:42 amThe Bandoh! looks really cool and I bet it would so come in handy. I like that it’s reversable–I have a few of the regular bandeau bras but sometimes, I a.) wish it were longer (like the Bandoh!), and b.) it wasn’t lacy–because sometimes I do want something under my shirt but lace doesn’t go with it. Definitely will check that out!!
Becca @ The Beauty Sample recently posted … The Sample: NEW Burberry Sheer Summer Glow Natural Highlighting Compact Review
Karen says
May 18th, 2012 at 9:50 amHi Becca,
Yeah, I like that these are longer too. And it really is nice to have the option to switch it around to the non-lace side.
Do you live near a Nordstrom? I found these in the workout wear section.
Nina says
May 18th, 2012 at 5:36 amI thnk im gong to grab some BandOhs. I have a ton of shirts and dresses that are a bit too revealing for my tastes.
I didnt buy these blushes because for some reason, they remind me of other blushes I already own. They are really pretty though … esp Fleet Fast!
Karen says
May 18th, 2012 at 9:46 amHi Nina,
Yeah! It seems like necklines have gotten lower in the past few years. I think it might be because layering has gotten so trendy, but that doesn’t always work for me. Hopefully the Band Ohs tops will solve the problem. 🙂 They come in a bunch of different colors — I like the neutrals because they go with everything.
Anywho, FRIDAY! Are you going on a Sephora run?
Nina says
May 18th, 2012 at 10:44 amHere in Houston in the summer though, a tank underneath a shirt or a dress just gets too too hot! 🙂 A bandeau is always a cooler option.
I wasnt able to go at lunch, but im leaving at 3 and going then!
Emi at Project Swatch says
May 18th, 2012 at 8:19 amNothing from the collection caught my eye at first, but both blushes (and the highlighter!) are looking prettier and prettier!
Emi at Project Swatch recently posted … FOTD: Illamasqua Neutral Palette and NARS Cruella
Karen says
May 18th, 2012 at 9:43 amHi Emi,
This is one of those collections that grows on ya! Give the blushes a try.
So what’s going on for the weekend?
Amy says
May 18th, 2012 at 9:06 amShhh…I went back and ordered Launch Away! I’m a ho for blushes and I couldn’t resist this one.
Karen says
May 18th, 2012 at 9:43 amHi Amy,
Haha, I’m a blush ho too! Maybe we should start a support group. 😉
Happy Friday! Got any exciting plans for the weekend?
Amy says
May 18th, 2012 at 1:24 pmMaybe we should! But it might end up being a group of blush-loving enablers… 🙂
The husband and I are heading out to a biscuit festival this weekend to get our nom on! Very exciting.
Have a great weekend!
Lucy says
June 27th, 2012 at 5:39 amHi Karen! How do you think this will look on NW15 skin? I have very pink undertones & am just wondering if this leans too orange? Thanks! 🙂