The least I can say is that I took my sweet time to purchase the Marc Jacobs Beauty Air Blush Soft Glow Duo blushes!
They had been on my radar since their release, in August last year. I saw them in Sephora in Canada and the US back in September, but I resisted, I’m not sure how! Probably because of their price to be honest ($42). Also, I wanted to see some reviews first to know if I should “invest” or not.
And then, I also have a certain suspicion that I can’t really explain with Marc Jacobs makeup products. It’s not the kind of brand where I’m impatiently waiting for the new releases. I’m always waiting for good reviews about them before I decide to buy anything from them.
And when the brand was released, a few years ago, I didn’t really believe in it, let’s be real here. A lot of designer brands were launched at the time (Dolce and Gabanna, Gucci, Michael Kors and so on) (Michael Kors seems to have disappeared, the brand was launched in 2013 and is nowhere to be found) and I feel the quality is not necessarily the best for some of them. Also, I had a hard time considering them legitimate (yes, OK, I’m super foolish and sentimental with the business of beauty, which is ridiculous because it’s all business here obviously, but I can’t help it lol)
However, since then, I’ve had the opportunity to try a few Marc Jacobs Beauty products and talk about them here, and I must say that the ones I tried are great. The packagings feel very high end too, which is always a plus.
And finally last month, I was able to use a discount code while I was in Sephora in France (-25%)(yep Sephora France don’t joke with discount codes!) to finally take the plunge and order the two colors I wanted: Flesh & Fantasy and Kink & Kisses. To be clear, they’re also available in Sephora in Dubai, but here, their price is the equivalent of 55 euros against 37 euros in France, without the discount. It’s sad, but I prefer to shop in France and get my products delivered in Dubai. At that price even with the delivery fees, it’s worth it. ( I already talked about that issue here, if you want to know more about it wink )
Marc Jacobs Beauty Air Blush Soft Glow Duo, presentation:
What the brand says about these:
“An innovative powder blush duo palette with two shades for customizable color that delivers foolproof radiance all day.
Air Blush Soft Glow Duo features two shades that merge together so you can customize your color for a sexy, natural-looking glow. Achieve a dance-floor flush with this blush that’s infused with Japanese air powder for the ultimate cheek look. This ultra-lightweight, radiant powder is nearly undetectable to the touch, and gives your skin a radiant finish. Air Blush is created using a process called soufflage (French for “air-whipped”) for a silky-soft, cream-like texture that blends effortlessly with the complexion.
The unique striped pattern on this powder blush is inspired by a Marc Jacobs dress. An innovative process allows every shade band to extend beyond the surface, for even color with every brushstroke. Two glowing shades complement each other: the lighter shade highlights and the deeper shade contours. Customize your color by layering and blending as much as you desire to tailor your look for the occasion or the season. Air Blush delivers 24-hour blush wear, for glowing radiance from day to night.
Air Blush is inspired by the first celebrity makeup artist, Way Bandy, a friend of Marc Jacobs. Bandy rose to fame during the era of Studio 54 and he embraced the concept of “color glow” as a way of bringing out the natural “drape” of the face. The sleek, palm-sized compact is modeled after a vintage cigarette case.”
The Marc Jacobs Air Blush Soft Glow Duo is a two-tone blush, designed to lift and volumize the cheekbones using the draping technique. This makeup trend, inspired by contouring, consists of “sculpting” the cheeks using two different shades of blush, one light and the other darker (like you would do for contouring).
This draping technique is not really a new one. Its inventor, the makeup artist Way Bandy, used it a lot during the 60s and the 70s, on a lot of celebrities such as Cher, Diana Ross or Farrah Fawcett.
In short, this draping technique is to simply apply a slightly darker blush color under the cheekbone, where you would normally apply your bronzer and a brighter/ darker shade of blush on top of the cheekbone.
They can of course also be used like a classic blush using only one of the two colors or by mixing them together. Personally, I use them most often this last way! wink
The brand also promises a high pigmentation, a very fine texture, and a super long lasting result. There are five shades in the range that match all skin tones.
The Marc Jacobs Air Blush Soft Glow Duo retail for $42.
Marc Jacobs Beauty Air Blush Soft Glow Duo, my test and thoughts:
– Packaging:
A stunning black lacquered compact, like a retro cigarette case, super chic and classy. The mirror it contains is rather large which is always a plus!
I also love that the striped pattern of the two blush colors doesn’t fade when you use it. I feel like the Marc Jacobs Beauty marketing team wanted this to be an “instagrammable” blush. wink
– Formula/ Texture:
The texture feels a little stiffer than a regular powder blush, like a kind of “gel powder“. I love this type of formula because it has no powdery/ chalky effect and it’s super easy to blend on the skin. Also, it doesn’t feel like a cream blush, which can be “greasy” sometimes and the overall lasting power is excellent.
– Finish:
A gorgeous satin finish, without any glitter involved. It’s super luminous on the skin but does not amplify the texture of the skin like other more shimmery blushes. On the contrary, the satin effect gives a nice volume to the cheeks, the result is very pretty.
– Color Range:
Five shades, it’s not much, but they’re very well chosen. You have lighter shades (the two I chose) but also brighter and darker colors that look stunning on darker skin tones. You feel that the range has been designed to match all the different skin tones.
– Pigmentation:
I find the pigmentation very good. You can intensify the result if you want or keep it very subtle and natural. And with the two colors, you can choose to darken or lighten the color very easily.
– Application:
They are very simple to blend on the skin. You can simply mix the two shades together. That’s what I do more often than not.
It’s also possible to apply only the lighter or, the darker shade or to use the draping technique I explained above.
I usually apply and blend them with a blush brush (in natural or synthetic hair).
– Lasting Power:
The lasting power is impressive. They don’t budge for hours! They last more than 12 hours on me. When I remove my make-up in the evening, my blush is still there. This is quite an achievement! smile
– Value for money:
For me, the quality is definitely there. They retail for $42, and they’re worth it, in my opinion.
Marc Jacobs Beauty Air Blush Soft Glow Duo, the shades and swatches:
– Flesh & Fantasy:
A beautiful neutral color, very flattering which goes with all the makeup looks. This one is more like a sculpting blush, a bit like a contouring product, with the ivory shade and the other “caramel” color. Personally, I always mix them together, so it becomes a warm nude color on me.
If you love to use a bronzer as a blush, you will love Flesh & Fantasy! wink
– Kink & Kisses:
My favorite! It’s a light pink and a warmer pink, almost coral. When you mix the two shades together, it gives the most flattering glow, especially on a lighter skin tone. It’s very soft and natural, and it enhances the cheeks very subtly.
Finally, here are the swatches:
I mixed the two shades of the blushes together because I usually use them that way.
And on me:
(I’m sorry, I still struggle to take a good blush photo uneasy )
– Flesh & Fantasy:
My lipstick here: the Lancôme Matte Shaker liquid lipstick in the shade Beige Vintage.
– Kink & Kisses:
My lipstick: the Lancôme Matte Shaker liquid lipstick in the shade Pink Power.
In summary:
[wprs-pros][wprs-cons]
I really like these blushes. I particularly love their lasting power. With summer around the corner in Dubai, they can be very useful! wink
The Marc Jacobs Air Blush Soft Glow Duo are available on the brand’s website for $42.
And you, what are your thoughts on these Marc Jacobs Air Blush Soft Glow Duo? Have you tried them?
Photo credit: bonnie-garner.com