Sunday, July 17, 2016

Marc Jacobs Beauty Air Blush Soft Glow Duo

Marc Jacobs Beauty introduced Air Blush Soft Glow Duo ($42) just a few weeks ago. I immediately ordered two from Sephora - with some difficulty in selecting shades from those little rectangular color "swatches." I rolled the dice and choose Flesh & Fantasy (#506, described as ivory simmer/goddess bronze) and Kink & Kisses (#504, pale petal/peachy rose). I really wanted to order Lines & Last Night too, but I forced myself to start with two - only two.

Here are my two, with Flesh & Fantasy on the left and Kink & Kisses on the right. I think I chose well.

Air Blush was inspired by the man called 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.

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 (I have no idea what Japanese air powder is). 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 skin.

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. Marc Jacobs says you can customize your color by layering and blending as much as you desire to tailor your look for the occasion or the season. I have to disagree with that. The stripes are too narrow to use individually. Just consider them a pretty pattern in a single-colored blush.

My photos were taken in full, mid-day sunshine. I swatched using a sponge-tipped applicator, running it across all the stripes/shades. The colors are beautiful, and they are exactly as described. When I saw Flesh & Fantasy described a shimmering, it didn't hit me that it would be a bit sparkly. It is, but not so sparkly that I cannot wear it during the day. Kink & Kisses is a gorgeous warm pink.

These are very nice blushes - definitely worth the price. They stay put all day, which I can't say for some of my other favorite shades. If you would like to try one, you can find them at Sephora and add to your VIB point total.

I am having major computer problems. I'll publish this feature now and come back to add links when I can figure out whether the cause is Windows 10 or Firefox. My computer may need to go to its doctor. Unfortunately, the expert I have used for over 10 years has moved 40 minutes away.

Photo at top courtesy of Sephora; other photos by Best Things in Beauty

4 comments:

Eileen said...

This new blusher formula by Marc Jacobs has become one of my very favorites. Ever since receiving Kink and Kisses, I've been reaching for it on a daily basis. I adore the soft, even glow that is not in the least bit glittery or shimmery. With this particular blusher, it is all about the subtle, luminous glow of healthy skin and that's a look that I find eminently beautiful. And, the longevity is really impressive. On me it wears the entire day and well into the evening without fading or losing that subtle, healthful sheen. Another plus for this striped concept is that the two harmonious colors can be combined in ways that lend the blusher some versatility. You can combine them in such a way that there is more emphasis on one color than the other or you can combine them in equal proportion. It's up to you how you want to work the shades, but remember that the shades are meant to be combined. I actually read one comment on another blog where the reader was complaining that the stripes were too small and that she didn't have a brush small enough to pick up an individual color! :-P She obviously missed the concept. This is not a dual pan product like some of the current NARS offerings. Marc Jacobs has created a single product that gives us the opportunity to tweak the colors in beautiful ways. The only complaint I have is that I only ordered one color! LOL I'm going to remedy that, though, right now :-)

Charlestongirl said...

Eileen, which will be your second? I know my third. Just need more money.

Charlestongirl said...

BTW, Christine concurs that it's nearly impossible to select colors individually.

Eileen said...

Hi Charlestongirl,

I ordered Lush & Libido an hour ago :-). What a name! I wear a lot of cool blues and so I thought this would be a pretty compliment. I hope it has the same soft luminescent that my other one has. I'm really loving Kink & Kisses.