09/06/2014

Gradated Heat

Hola peeps! Today I have a review on a blush that I harped on about in my May Favourites, and that I have been using a whole heck of a lot since I bought it! It is the Essence Blush Up! in Heat Wave. It is part of Essence's latest new releases, and I snapped it up because a) LOOK at that ombre, b) the shade is right up my street and c) I love Essence blushes.















































L-R: Orange side, blended, Pink side












































I have to say, I think the packaging on this blush is really sleek. It's a simple clear, plastic square that allows you to see the gorgeousness within. It's minimalistic yet functional. One niggle though is that the corners are quite sharp! Be careful kids! Also, while I can appreciate that Priceline seals their stuff with sticky tape, it's SO annoying now that I have sticky residue left on my product (can't really see it in these photos, but trust me, it's there). 

As you can see, the blush consists of a two shade ombre; a vivid peachy orange and a hot pink, which blend together to create a lovely, vibrant peachy-pink coral shade. This stuff is pretty pigmented, but in saying that I almost feel like it retains translucency. Obviously you wouldn't want to apply blush opaquely, but there's something about this blush that really allows your skin to show through, like your freckles, etc, leaving a really nice translucent, sheer overlay of colour. I really like the finish and think it looks very natural. The blush is matte but not flat looking on the skin. I will say that it can be a bit chalky on the skin, but when applied and blended with a brush, it looks perf. Because it's so pigmented, I don't find it ideal to swirl your brush in the pan to mix the colours. I typically just dab my brush in the middle of the pan, but I also find if you 'roll' your brush over the pan, it blends the colours together when you apply it to your face.

I also found the staying power to be surprisingly good on this blush. I find it is still there at the end of a 10 hour day, faded slightly but still there. Typically only my theBalm blushes last that long, so props to you Essence!

So there you have it! Heatwave ain't just a pretty face, he's very functional too! I highly recommend you guys check out this blush, and ASAP if you would like! Although it's part of their regular range, we all know how much Essence likes to discontinue bestsellers...it retails for AUD$6.45.

26 comments:

  1. That photo of the lady in the first photo shocked me when scrolling through my feed haha!
    This is probably the most beautiful blush I own *_* Too bad I haven't been able to wear it lately because I've been trying to let my breakouts pass and not wearing much makeup. :(

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    1. Haha, hope you didn't get a fright! Lols :) Mm I would tend to agree, though I also love my patterned one/s (the knitted one also from Essence!). It is always good to have makeup free days to let your skin recover.

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  2. Essence is one of my favorite brands! The blush is super gorgeous! x

    http://marybloomy.blogspot.com/

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    1. Definitely, they're so great for the price!

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  3. Beautiful ombre blush! And it's great that it's long-lasting. Have to go check this out at our local Essence counter.

    x
    Jae

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    1. It is indeed, you should definitely check it out!

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  4. If Priceline selling their stuff with sticky tape is annoying then I don't know what to feel about Chemist Warehouse products! Arghhhh!

    Anyway, I love the look of this blush! This will definitely be a good colour for the winter times. :)

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    1. Oh really? I don't often shop at Chemist Warehouse, I just wish all brands just put plastic over their products!

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  5. That lasts an insanely long time! Very pretty but a bit bright for me personally. If I bought it I'd probably swatch it wistfully more often than put it on my face.

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    1. Surprisingly yes! It does come out very naturally though - more like a typical peachy pink. You should give it a swatch next time you're at an Essence stand!

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  6. Freaking amazing! I can't find this at our essence stand here! So jealous! I love the gradient and the payoff looks great! Hope you get plenty of use!

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    1. That sucks, hopefully it comes to your country soon!

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  7. Aw the ombre colour looks so gorgeous :O I've never even seen an ombre blusher, they're usually block colours or baked ones with swirls of colours in it. Man, I wish we had Essence here in the UK... But i really like the blended colour and the orangey side!
    Yige || Yet Another Makeup Blog.

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    1. Mm true me too, that is why I was so excited to see this one! Hopefully Ombre blushes become more mainstream!

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  8. Wow, how pretty! So handy that it contains both pinky and peachy tones. The shade they create when blended is stunning! Always nice to find an affordable blush with great colour payoff :)

    -Jen

    www.vibrantbeautyblog.com

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    1. Yeah, I like that you can customise how peach or how pink you'd like it!

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  9. I've never tried this brand but this blush looks amazing! That Ombre... perfection. Xx

    Kitty | kittyhearts.blogspot.co.uk

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  10. I need to stop reading essence reviews because there's so much that I want but can't get :(( Let's start a protest for essence to sell all of the cool stuff at Ultas ;)

    www.lilting-grace.blogspot.com

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    1. Damn! Hopefully the new stuff gets to you guys soon, but regardless, y'all have access to so much other amazing stuff we don't get here (and cheaper!)!

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  11. Wow this blush is so pretty!! I really wish Essence was sold where I'm from :')
    To me look looks like an ultimate blush and I really want it. Orange, pink and coral all in one!

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  12. It's sooooooo pretty! I actually thought it wouldn't apply to be that great, but glad to hear that it functions!

    And.... I AM NOT A KID TASH!!! Just kidding! :P

    X

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    1. I actually really like Essence blushes, so I had decently high hopes! Ahaha, at first I was like what is she saying?! But then I realised, seriously though, those edges be sharp!

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  13. SUCH a gorgeous blush! I love the gradient
    Allison from www.mercuteify.com :)

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  14. Wow that blush looks sooo amazing! You totally wouldn't expect it to be from essence! I have to check this one out heheh :) great post!

    Enter My Giveaway

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  15. THIS BLUSH IS MY BAE. MY BAE THAT I DON'T OWN. That blended colour is AMAZE. Essence usually does amazing stuff with their regular line blushes, as I've found most of their limited edition blushes to be quite shite.

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    1. Mhmm gurr. IF WE EVER DO A SWAP...and you do not yet own your bae I WILL GET YOU YOUR BAE.

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