The Marc Jacobs Beauty Air Blush Soft Glow Duo in Flesh and Fantasy, Lush and Libido and Kinks and Kisses.
Some fortunate souls can get away with a dash of foundation, a swipe of concealer and a spot of mascara and although I appreciate a natural makeup look, there is another product category (in addition to the aforementioned) that I must include, even in my most minimalist of routines: bronzer and/or blush. There is something so transformative about a soft wash of color and a gentle flush of the cheeks; it make the face come alive, can add depth and warmth and creates a flattering, healthy glow.
In light of my position on bronzer and blush, it should come as no surprise that I have been eagerly anticipating the release of the Marc Jacobs Beauty Air Blush Soft Glow Duo (also available at Marc Jacobs Beauty and Neiman Marcus) since catching a glimpse of it last month at the Neiman Marcus Beauty Conclave in Dallas. This artfully striped compact features a pigmented blush and luminous highlighter shade that can be applied separately or swirled together for the best of both worlds. With gossamer texture and long lasting wear, these dreamy duos make dressing the face a breeze!
Kindly scroll on for more details, swatches and images of the Air Blush in action and some new skincare, fragrance and beauty gems as well as the Bottom Line…
The Marc Jacobs Beauty Air Blush Soft Glow Duo (also available at Marc Jacobs Beauty and Neiman Marcus) comes in five face-flattering shades. Having been cursed with a heavy hand when it comes to blush application, I chose the three lighest hues, forgoing the tangerine toned Lines and Last Night and deep magenta Night Fever and Hotstuff:
#506 Flesh and Fantasy: Ivory shimmer/goddess bronze, this shade is an extremely easy way to achieve a warm glow. It imparts color without being super pigmented, making applying this shade in a rush a completely feasible task. The ivory hue is radiant without being ultra-reflective (more of a satin finish) and the bronze tone has a neutral rose undertone that will look great on a spectrum of skin tones. For reference, I used this as my bronzer/contour (hollows of cheeks and perimeters of face) in the images at the end of this story.
#500 Lush and Libido: Petal pink/orchid pink, this shade is an extremely cool light pink blush. For being so bright when swatched, I found the orchid pink tone to be very wearable (read: not too dark or bold) and when mixed with the pale pink stripes, this blush morphs into a gorgeous pop of muted cool pink, perfect for the apples of the cheeks (which is where I applied it in the images at the end of this story).
#504 Kinks and Kisses: Pale petal/peachy rose, this shade is a warm light pink, which will look stunning on those with olive and golden undertones. I chose this hue on a whim (having been very sure that I wanted the first two) and am glad that succombed to my caprice as this is simply lovely.
Weighless and finely-milled, these blushes feel almost creamy in nature; I use a medium sized fluffy brush (specifically the *Chikuhodo GSN 04–reviewed HERE) to pick up the powder and love that there is little to no fallout or “dust.” The fragrance-free formula is silky smooth and fuses with the face like a second skin (which, consequently, made photographing the swatches a challenge).
Because there is a combination of tones in each compact, MJB extends an impressive set a suggestions on how to apply the blush duo to lift, sculpt and volumize (keep scrolling for the full breakdown), employing the Way Bandy’s classic concept of “draping” to enhance the structure of the cheeks. I prefer to apply the darker tones (concentrated on the right) to the hollows of my cheek bones and perimeters of my face); then I swirl the two shades in the center of the compact and focus application on the apples of my cheeks. Then I sweep a bit more of the lighest shade (on the left side of the compact) and buff it onto my upper cheekbones and down the bridge of my nose. The result is softly sculpted and flushed with a touch of radiance for good measure.
All in all, the Air Blush Soft Glow Duos have a stunning, buttery formula, immense lasting power and beautifully versatile hues that make readying one’s cheeks an effortless endeavor!
An innovative powder blush duo palette with two shades for customizable color that delivers foolproof radiance all day.
What it does: 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.
What it is formulated WITHOUT: – Parabens – Sulfates – Phthalates
What else you need to know: 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.
Suggested Usage:
-For best results, apply Air Blush with The Blush Angled Blush Brush. -To increase color payoff, sweep the brush vertically through the lighter or deeper shade. To blend the shades sweep horizontally. -Use Air Blush for a new blush technique: #draping. Air Blush and #draping let you lift, sculpt, volumize, or balance the face.
For a lifted glow: -Blend both shades together. -Place at the high of the cheekbone. -Blend along the length of the cheekbone. -Blend at the jawline and sides of the neck. -For a more editorial look, wrap air blush from the eye to the temple.
For a sculpted glow: -Pick up the deeper shade of blush. -Apply it just below the apples of the cheeks, low on the face to counterbalance roundness and create a visual oval. -Next, swirl the lighter shade on top to blend the edges away.
For a volumized glow: -Blend together both shades. -Smile, and swirl air blush on the apples of the cheeks. -Blend for a full, youthful, and subtle look.
For an advanced, balanced glow: -Blend the shade of your choice: over the peak of the brow at the temples, bridge of nose, tip of the chin, and along sides of neck, near the ear lobes.
All three shades swatched in direct sunlight.
The complete look.
I combined the Air Blushwith some new skincare, fragrance and beauty finds and a round of trusted favorites for a clean and natural look that proclaims summertime:
Hair, body and skin.
// Hair, Body + Skin //
*Shu Uemura Art of Hair Touch of Gloss Brilliant Melt-In Hair Wax: A fascinating take on a traditional shine formula, this solid wax melts upon contact and adds a touch of luminosity to one’s locks without weighing them down. It can be used on wet hair (which also contributes a detangling factor) or dry to tame flyaways and deliver a sheen…brilliant!
*Juara Kartini Body Oil: This decadent oil (with a marvelous fragrance that’s slightly sweet and earthy) bathes skin in intense moisture and a subtle glow that compliments summer’s swimwear moments. I liberally applied it to my decollete and legs in the images at the end of this story.
*Colleen Rothschild Mandelic Acid Radiance Serum: New to my skincare routine, I am completely intrigued by this lightweight serum; designed to increase cell turnover and thereby reduce the signs of photo-aging, dark spots and fine lines, the active Mandelic acid delivers results without causing irritation. My skin feels smoother and brighter with each application…will weigh back in on this formula next month!
*KBShimmer Cuticle Oil Pen in Raspberry Vanilla: I am becoming quickly addicted to this fragrant cuticle oil; the nourishing emollients drench nail beds with hydration and absorb quickly. I keep it at my bedside as a pre-sleep treat.
*Giorgio Armani Si Eau de Parfum: This fragrance embodies the tranquil warmth of summertime with notes of black current, peach and woodsy elements; both fresh and sensual, my mom and I both adore this olfactory triumph.
// Face, Lips + Brows //
*Le Metier de Beaute Peau Vierge #2(reviewed HERE): My daily first step, I am almost out of this current tube; I must point out that it has lasted me a year and a half!
*Laura Geller Double Take Baked Powder Foundation in Medium (reviewed HERE): I recently experimented with the application of this powder foundation by using a damp beauty blender to buff the formula onto my face. I was stunned by the results…the coverage is nearly full (yet practically undetectable by the naked eye) and doesn’t settle into fine lines as the day wears on. I get a natural matte finish that takes on a touch of glow over the course of 4-5 hours and highly recommend this versatile, fragrance free formula for a perfected canvas.
*Marc Jacobs Beauty Glow Stick (reviewed HERE): I love the tender gleam of this cream formula and generally use my pinky or ring finger to dab it onto the high points of my face for extra impact.
Kaplan MD Lip Liner in Natural (reviewed HERE): Perhaps the most perfect pinky nude lip liner I’ve experienced to date, this creamy formula works well with all of the nude tones in my lip wardrobe and adds “oomph” to lips for volume that lasts all day.
Surratt Beauty Automatique Lip Crayon in Birthday Suit (reviewed HERE): One of my favorite peachy nudes, this lush matte lip crayon (retractable…no sharpener needed!) delivers a 1960’s mod effect with immense wear time. It is always within arms reach.
Surratt Beauty Prismatique Lips in Paillettes (reviewed HERE): In the images that follow, I topped the lip liner and lip crayon with this luminous and hydrating formula in a dainty pink that simply glows.
*Edward Bess Fully Defined Brow Duo in Neutral: this genius tool features two sides with retractable pencils that add definition and depth to the brows. Neutral is an excellent ash medium brown that works well with my dark brows and the pale pink highlighting side (run closely along the brow line) makes brows pop!
Lip mix.
Edward Bess Fully Defined Brow Duo in Neutral.
// EYES //
*Make-Up Atelier Paris Eyeshadow Palette in Amazon Tones: Wive satin finish eyeshadows that possess major color payoff and breathtaking wear (no creasing, no fallout), this palette has such a unique array of hues. The gold, chartreuse, khaki, bronze-brown and lush peacock teal tones blend like a dream and perform flawlessly for hours. It is a fresh way to break of the potential monotony of neutrals while still being totally daytime (and work) appropriate.
*Tom Ford High Definition Eyeliner in Moss (reviewed HERE): This darker green has yellow undertones which excludes it from the typical emerald green liner family, making it more neutral and absolutely perfect to wear with the Amazon Tones eyeshadow.
*Sisley So Curl Mascara(reviewed HERE): Two coats adds lovely depth, volume length and curl…I reach for this formula constantly as of late.
Swatches of Make-Up Atelier Paris Amazon Tones in direct sunlight.
Bottom Line: I hope you found this overview of the Marc Jacobs Beauty Air Blush Soft Glow Duo (also available at Marc Jacobs Beauty and Neiman Marcus) helpful…I, for one, haven’t been this excited about a blush launch in a great while and, as to be expected, am extremely pleased with the formula. The shades are buildable and long lasting and impart a delicate balance of flush and glow. Superb!
Will you be picking up an Air Blush or two? If so, which shade(s)? Do tell!
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