Wednesday, February 8, 2012

MAC Optimistic Orange Cremeblend Blush Review, Photos and Swatches!

mac optimistic orange blush review

MAC Optimistic Orange Cremeblend Blush

MAC Optimistic Orange Cremeblend Blush ($20) is a re-promote in MAC's newest Cook M.A.C Collection (online now, and hits stores on the 9th in North America) from their previous Lillyland 2010 Collection. 

Optimistic Orange is a vibrant tangerine orange. It's actually a fairly cool toned orange, that lacks a strong yellow tone. On the cheeks it has a reddish-pink tint to it, so it looks more like a coral-orange, rather than just plain orange. When worn in a sheer layer, it's a lovely peach shade. 

A little goes a very long way with this blush, as it's very pigmented. My favorite way of applying this blush is with a duo-fiber brush, such as the MAC #131. I lightly dip the tips of the bristles in the product, then lightly dab the brush on a piece of paper (or the back of my hand) and then lightly dab it on my cheeks, and blend in  small circular motions. The reason I dab it off before applying it directly to my cheeks is to prevent applying too much color at once. If I've applied too much, I'll go back over the area with a kabuki brush and a little finishing powder to lighten it up.

mac optimistic orange blush


If you aren't familiar with MAC Cremeblend blushes, they are very different than their older formula Blushcremes. They aren't sticky or oily and they have a rather matte finish opposed to a dewy finish. They don't leave your skin feeling tacky or heavy. They're light on the skin, comfortable, and easy to work with. I definitely recommend using a brush for application though, rather than your fingers. In my experience, it works so much better.

The lasting power is also very good. I still have color on my cheeks after 8 hours (I have very normal skin - this can differ for those with a different skin type).

Optimistic Orange is lovely when worn solo, but I also like layering a golden-yellow highlight over top to give the illusion of a warmer yellow-orange. To do this, I usually use a couple of my old favorites - Chanel Gold Fever Highlighter (very similar to Chanel Or Joues Contraste from their recent Byzance Collection), MAC New Vegas Mineralize Skinfinish or even Nars Albatross. To give it a more coral-pink appearance, a pink highlight or a light layer of a pink blush looks beautiful layered over top. This helps prolong the wear of the blush as well.

Swatches:
mac optimistic orange swatches

Here is what it looks like on my cheeks. Right now I don't have any self tanner on, so I'm very fair (around MAC NC15-20) and I'm not wearing any other cheek products. On my current skintone, it's a soft, pinked peach. When I'm tan (around MAC NC30-40) it's a more vibrant coral.
mac optimistic orange blush swatches
(Eek! You can see all of my sunspots through my foundation.. haha)
**All I have on my eyes is Maybelline Bold Gold Color Tattoo Eyeshadow, and I lined my eyes with Physician's Formula Eye Booster Eyeliner in Deep Brown.

I have seen this blush on a variety of skintones, and it looks flattering on every skin color! I had to include this photo I came across. I love the pink tones that come out when worn on deeper skintones.

If you already own a few peach colored blushes (MAC Peaches, Illamasqua Lover, Nars Gina, etc), this probably isn't a must-have for you. But if you're in the market for a peach blush and you're a fan of cream formulas, this may be a good one to look into!

35 comments:

  1. This colour looks beautiful :) I really want to try a mac cream blush !!!!

    Beautiful Dreams

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  2. This looks like a really nice colour but I will probably pass because my skin is very oily and I can't see a cremeblush working for me :(

    fashionable footprints

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    1. It actually works quite well on oily skin! You should ask for a sample at MAC! :)

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  3. This looks like it will make a really nice lip colour aswell.

    Ria x
    miniinstilettos.blogspot.com

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  4. I think the color looks very beautiful and natural on you. I haven't tried MAC's new cream blushes since they reformulated it. I got a sample of their old formula and thought they were way too sticky and goopy, glad to hear they changed that. Might have to sample it again :)

    Xo

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  5. LOVE Cremeblend blushes vs the Blushcreme!! I currently own Ladyblush and my FAVE Something Special (which I can't get enough of)! I have oily skin and this product wears GREAT. Helps that the product is matte! Now you have me thinking if I should get this color too! LOOKS FAB!!

    Leslie
    skinPOREfection.blogspot.com

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  6. love it!


    http://www.shellzdoll.com/

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  7. I've never tried a Cremeblend Blush by MAC, I'm really liking this! This color looks great on you by the way!

    http://beauty-twist.blogspot.com/

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  8. I like it but I cannot make it look good in my face.

    ourwalkingclosetssecrets.blogspot.com

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  9. This looks beautiful on you!! I feel like this would be a good "summer nights" blush. Make you skin on dark & bronzy, slightly dewy, add that blush and POW!

    Lacy
    MakeupbyLacy.com

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  10. I agree with Lacy ^^ haha. I was really attracted to the Florida cream blush from this collection because of its gorgeous bright pink color!

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  11. so much orange is coming into fashion im not too confident i can pull it off yet, but you have some great hints there so i might just try!

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  12. ohhh this looks gorgeous with your colouring!

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  13. oj, jak świeżo wygląda, super

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  14. Really want this, looks gorgeous on you! xx

    http://beautyandablogger.blogspot.com/

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  15. Nat, I just saw a commercial recently on the Maybelline Color Tattoo Eyeshadow... will you be doing a review on that soon or do you have one already? Thanks!!

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    1. Hey Mari!

      I talk about them in this post: http://www.missnattysbeautydiary.com/2012/01/maybelline-eyestudio-color-tattoo.html

      I really love them!

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  16. Looks really pretty! :)
    http://urhappybunnie.blogspot.com

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  17. That looks great on you! I'm loving the orange blushes I'm seeing lately.

    www.beautynthingsblog.com

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  18. How does this compare to the NYX cream blush in orange? Do you know? They look remarkably similar.

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    1. I've never actually tried any of NYX's Cream blushes. But, from swatches I've seen, they look almost identical!

      http://bloominbeautyblog.com/2011/09/10/finally-my-cream-blushes-peachorangecoralnude/

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    2. Oh! I was going to make the same question. ;-)
      I have got the NYX cream blush in orange and I am going to wear it with albatross like you and I try with moon beam or high beam (Benefit)
      Kisses from Spain

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  19. I've never given Optimistic Orange much thought but this looks gorgeous on you! Definitely want to check it out!

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  20. Looks so pretty! I love cream blushes and I haven't found a peachy-coral yet!!

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  21. this is on my list now! love creme blushes! and corals are just my favourites! also love the make up! so happy I found your blog! xxx Marina

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  22. that color turned out really beautiful!! i have super fair skin too when there's no self tanner, so this gives me hope i could pull this orangey color off!! thanks for the review of this, love cream blushes bc i have dry skin too which they are perfect for.

    i'm a mommy with a makeup problem....http://www.jennysuemakeup.com

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  23. it reminds me of my bobby brown calypso

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  24. looks great!!! but i still prefer pink blush shades though...


    http://ilovemakeup68.blogspot.com/

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  25. This is such a gorgeous colour when you blend it out. xx

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  26. It looks so nice!! I feel like trying it now!! :) Want to follow each other? xoxo
    http://bonvogueage.blogspot.com/

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  27. I didn't even consider this because it looks so bright, but it actually blends out quite well!

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