Make Up For Ever HD Blush in #215: Swatch and Review

I Purchased This Affiliate Link

I knew going into The Makeup Show LA that I was already so stoked for the upcoming Make Up For Ever HD Blush (the replacement for their somewhat notoriously persnickety HD Microfinish Blush in the tube). Just the words "Second Skin Cream Blush" made me anticipate its performance.

For someone who is a blush doof like me, it's perfectly amazing. It's damn near fool-proof, applying and blending out into a natural finish. There are some deeper and brighter colors in the mix (like 515 Tangerine and 520 Blackcurrent to cater to more skin tones and for those who want a bolder look.

Where to Purchase: Sephora.com (affiliate link), Sephora stores
Price: $26 for .09 oz of product. 
Do they test on animals?: The company does not.
Packaging: The HD blush comes in a small plastic compact with a mirror, emphasis on the small. It is actually smaller than my palm and I've got tiny hands. Still though, it's very travel-friendly and slim, easy to stash.

I got the shade 215 Flamingo Pink. It looks like a bright flamingo pink on me but I've noticed on lighter skin tones (like Emi at Project Swatch, scope her review!), there is a lot more coral coming out. On my tanner skin tone, it's more pink than coral on me.

This is a product that I think you should swatch in stores, mainly because some of the colors look very similar in the compact but apply very differently on the skin.

Swatch: 

The HD Blush was swatched heavily on the left and blended out on the right. This photo was taken in natural daylight with no flash.

Formula:

Application is easy peasy, either with a brush (I've been using the Real Techniques Contour Blush from the Core Collection) or with fingers. There's no rough dragging or pulling on your face, you can tap and blend out the product easily with no harsh edges. The formula isn't too matte or dewy, it's got a natural demi-matte finish. You could describe it as cream to powder but I think that implies a super matte or dry finish whereas it feels smoother than that. The wear time isn't as strong as I'd like (it was still there 6 hours later but had faded some) but it's fair for a cream blush. I think the ease of application due to the formula is what makes the blush different and worth it. 

There's also a hole in the back of the compact so you can depot this if you'd like. However, the bottom of the pan doesn't have a label or sticker so you'll need to add a label if you want to keep track of which color is which.

Application Pro Tip from James Vincent, Makeup Artist Extraordinare: If you're seeking that "flushed from within" look, apply the HD Blush underneath your foundation or tinted moisturizer. You won't have any trouble blending out the edges with the blush but applying it beneath really makes it look seamless.

My only complaint would probably be that there's not that much product in the compact (.09 oz) but I can see myself using the blush everyday since it's not only quick but easy to apply. Although Make Up For Ever is heavily catered for the professional, I think the everyday consumer will enjoy the blush!

Disclaimer: I received this HD Blush courtesy of The Makeup Show. All opinions are my own and I was not paid or compensated for this review. The link marked as an affiliate link gives me a commission based off your use of the link when you make a purchase and the commission just goes to support running the blog!