I’m keepin’ it quick this time with a brief breakdown of both Powder Blushes in the soon-to-arrive MAC Wash and Dry collection (May 14 online, May 21 in stores and counters).
First, let’s say “Hi!” to Hipness (then we’ll look at Crisp Whites).
MAC Hipness Powder Blush
The succinct two-sentence summary? Hipness is a warm, peachy coral-ish powder blush with a barely-there satin finish that could almost pass for matte. In fact, it fooled me at first glance, but then I took a closer look at it and saw petite pearlescent particles.
The tech specs? I’m fine with one layer of this highly pigmented powder, which lasts seven or eight hours on my sometimes/places dry, sometimes/places oily combination cheeks. Great on its own, it’s hot dayum! — phenomenal blended with a bronzer (and more on that in a sec).
Have we met before? Why, yes, we have. 🙂 Double-check your MAC collection, because Hipness has performed at this venue before. You may recall it from (2008’s Fafi or 2010’s MAC to the Beach.
For whom would it work well? Bronzed beauties (and barons) are in extra luck. Hipness looks bright, but not excessively bold, on my NC42 skin. If you’re a lighter lass, however, you can still have fun with Hipness. Try mixing a little with bronzer, and then applying that powder potion to your cheeks. The bronzer will tone down the brightness a bit and, bonus! — could save you a little time, because then you wouldn’t have to apply blush and bronzer separately (assuming you would).
This is one of my all-time favorite gotta-get-out-the-door-now tricks, and I actually think that it takes this particular blush to the next level of effortless-ness, no matter what your skin tone.
How do I feel about Hipness? I feel good. I feel good about Hipness. 🙂 I think it’s very flattering and natural-looking, especially when layered or mixed with bronzer. I’m happy to see it making an encore performance in MAC Wash and Dry.
MAC Crisp Whites Powder Blush
The super succinct one-sentence summary? Crisp Whites is a subtle, pale peachy tangerine with golden pearl.
The tech specs? The Force may or may not be strong in this one, but the pearl level is definitely high. You may not be able to tell from the swatch, but it’s hard to miss on your cheeks once it’s been blended. The dynamic, interesting finish kind of reminds me of the finish of a MAC Beauty Powder. As for wear time, I get about six or seven hours.
Have we met before? Sort of. Crisp Whites looks a lot like light peach Launch Away Blush from Hey, Sailor! to me, except with large quantities of golden pearl. It’s not the same color. It’s a little different.
For whom would it work well? Lighter lasses, for sure, particularly ones with warm undertones in their skin, who also happen to love shimmery blushes.
How do I feel about Crisp Whites? For me, I feel lukewarm about it… I need a lotta layers to fire it up on my skin, but yet the pearl is too plentiful for my pores and fine lines.
This one’s a tricky tabby… It’s not so light that it looks chalky or anything, but I do feel like it might be a tad too pale for this makeup-loving maiden to pull off. I probably won’t be reaching for it often unless I mix it with something more intense, like Hipness.
I do like how it blends, though. It’s smoother than a good ballad.
When was the last time you had a frozen pizza?
Rather, when was the last time you had a good frozen pizza? Because Trader Joe’s has some friggin’ epically delicious Pizza Margherita ones. You gotta try ’em. They’re only $4.99 each!
I’m making one right now. I added some extra tomato slices and basil on one side for me and pepperoni slices on the other side for El Hub.
TJ’s Country Italian Salad rounds out the meal.
YUM! 🙂
I hope you’re having a nice night. BTW, your tabby nephew says “Mrow.”
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Pavithra says
May 4th, 2015 at 7:05 pmHipness looks so good on you! I could be way off, but it reminds me a little of Chanel’s Malice (that I picked up after reading your review, love it!)
I’ve asked my hubby to bring me some Tomato Soup from TJs – I’m down with the sniffles and feel like that’s my only cure!
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Karen says
May 5th, 2015 at 8:43 amHi Pavithra,
It looks a little bit like Malice; I’d say Malice is more of a peachy coral on me though! Glad to hear that you’re loving it. It’s a stellar piece from Chanel!
Allison C says
May 4th, 2015 at 7:57 pmHipness looks so much more raspberry in your swatch than on your cheeks, but it looks great on you! I am interested in a few items in this collection, but I’m so tired I can’t remember what they are – a highlighter maybe? Is there an ombre blush in this collection? I usually make pizza from scratch using the Cook’s Illustrated Almost No Knead Pizza Dough, but on occasion, we will have Palermo Pizza Supreme and I must admit that it is delicious 😉
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Karen says
May 5th, 2015 at 8:41 amHi Allison,
Yup, there’s an ombre highlighter that can also function as a brush.
Cook’s Illustrated is such a great magazine. I haven’t read it in years but I remember loving it!
Kelly B. says
May 4th, 2015 at 8:08 pmCrisp Whites is lovely! I’m of the fairest of the fair types so this kind of blush is something I’d definitely reach for often!
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Karen says
May 5th, 2015 at 8:40 amI hope you give it a try, Kelly!
brenda says
May 4th, 2015 at 9:24 pmI’ve bought Crisp Whites this weekend, and was a little bit afraid it would be to orange for me (i’m a nc15) but this blush isn’t pigmented very strong, when you apply it layer by layer, you get a beautiful blush with a nice sheen. Definately worth it!
Karen says
May 5th, 2015 at 8:39 amHi Brenda,
Glad to hear that you’re loving the blush. Did you pick up anything else from the collection?
Happy Tuesday!
Kiss & Make-up says
May 5th, 2015 at 2:58 amI like Hipness a lot! I can’t decide if I should get Hipness or Freshen Up, ugh…
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Karen says
May 5th, 2015 at 8:37 amI vote for Hipness!
Kim says
May 5th, 2015 at 8:38 amI love your top in the Hipness pic – so flattering and tropical but in a rich way. 🙂
We just worked our way through a Little Caesar’s fundraiser kit last week and I think their pizzas are good but a bit more expensive. And you have to defrost before cooking so I guess it’s not technically frozen. Don’t you love how I answer questions? HAHA!
Kirsten says
May 5th, 2015 at 8:53 amWill you also be reviewing the studio sculpt bronzing powders? Really curious how you feel about them!
Isabella says
May 5th, 2015 at 11:12 amI think they both look gorgeous on you! Would you say Crisp Whites is lighter than Freshen up? I’m thinking about getting Freshen up, but the sheen on CW is just so pretty!
LindaLibraLoca says
May 5th, 2015 at 12:06 pmGreat, now I am craving pizza! You can’t do this to me, I still have 1 kg baby weight to shed. Although I am not sure if I am allowed to call it baby weight, as she is a toddler already…
On the subject of blushes: None of them really excites me.
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Fancie says
May 5th, 2015 at 2:53 pmOf course you’ll make me want Hipness after I’ve already written it off lol. It looks gorgeous on your complexion! I just might have to add this to my list. And then grab a slice of pizza because you just made me hungry lol
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Zovesta says
May 5th, 2015 at 3:31 pmAh, hipness looks beyond beautiful! <3 Just perfect for your skin tone. "Lighter lasses, for sure, particularly ones with warm undertones in their skin, who also happen to love shimmery blushes." Well… that sums me up. Too bad it doesn't sum up my wallet.
Ugh, no frozen pizza at home, guess I'll have to stick with home made. 🙁
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