April 23, 2015

Colourpop Super Shock Cheek Review & Swatches

Colourpop Super Shock Cheek Blushes

Colourpop Super Shock Cheek Blush ($8) released in an array of gorgeous shades earlier this Spring and as I love of blushes I knew I had to try these. Colourpop Super Shock Cheek Blush at a glance appears very innovative just like Colourpop’s incredible line of eyeshadows however, after trying them they did quite remind me of another formula (more on that in a bit!).

The appealing aspect of Colourpop Super Shock Cheek and well, all of Colourpop’s offerings is the very inexpensive price tag of a mere $8 each for 0.15 oz. I mean pigmentation, an incredible formula, and a cheap price tag? Yes, please. I don’t know about you but discovering indie brands like Colourpop is equivalent to winning a small lotto! They have great packaging, a stream of steady releases, outrageous and tamer shades of color, and great prices! It’s a brand that sets standards for indie makeup.

Colourpop Super Shock Cheek Blush

Let’s take a look at Colourpop Super Shock Cheek Blush and see what the word is!

Colourpop Super Shock Cheek comes housed in a chunky white compact that holds 0.15 oz of product. The packaging is simple, basic, yet really quite nice and mid-range looking and feeling for an indie brand. I’ve compared the packaging of Colourpop Eyeshadows to the MAC Electric Cool Eyeshadows and the blush compacts are the same design just a little bigger in size.

Colour Pop Super Shock Cheek Blush

Colour Pop Super Shock Cheek

Super Shock Cheek Blushes are available in twenty permanent shades so there is plenty of variety to be had here. Colourpop runs sales from time to time and also offers Free Shipping on a minimum order so there’s always a deal to be had. But really, at $8 each, you’re already getting a fab deal.

At a glance I think this formula could be considered quite innovative but when using them Maybelline Dream Bouncy Blush does come to mind as these have a very similar clay-like creamy texture. However, Colourpop has the advantage here as where Dream Bouncy Blush fails in the pigmentation department, Colourpop brings their A game.

Colourpop Super Shock Cheek Swatches

Colourpop Super Shock Cheek Swatches (Holiday, Pie, Tonic)

Colourpop Super Shock Cheek Swatches 3

Colourpop Super Shock Cheek Swatches (Early Birthday, Fox, Fruit Stand)

Colourpop Super Shock Cheek Swatches 2

Colourpop Super Shock Cheek Swatches (Bonus, Birthday Suit, Clutch)

According to Colourpop the Super Cheek formula offers customizable, buildable coverage so you can enjoy an intense look or a softer one depending how little more how much you apply. As I mentioned above it does have a clay texture and when you press into it you’ll see it indentation. It does NOT bounce to shape but can easily be molded! It’s unusual and kinda fun to feel. Although creamy in texture it does have all the characteristics of a powder blush however, with a far more seamless finish. You can use either fingers or a strippling or fiber brush of sort for application. Word to the wise, fingers don’t seem to work for me! I find the blush applies incredibly patchy when I’m using my fingers for application and I can’t get the shades to build up well using this method.

Colourpop Birthday Suit Super Shock Cheek

colourpop birthday suit super shock cheek

Colourpop Birthday Suit Super Shock Cheek

Colourpop Bonus Super Shock Cheek

colourpop bonus super shock cheek

Colourpop Bonus Super Shock Cheek

Colourpop Clutch Super Shock Cheek

colourpop clutch super shock cheek

Colourpop Clutch Super Shock Cheek

Colourpop Early Bird Super Shock Cheek

colourpop early bird super shock cheek

Colourpop Early Bird Super Shock Cheek

Colourpop Fox Super Shock Cheek

colourpop fox super shock cheek

Colourpop Fox Super Shock Cheek

Colourpop Holiday Super Shock Cheek

colourpop holiday super shock cheek

Colourpop Holiday Super Shock Cheek

Colourpop Pie Super Shock Cheek

colourpop pie super shock cheek

Colourpop Pie Super Shock Cheek

Colourpop Tonic Super Shock Cheek

colourpop tonic super shock cheek

Colourpop Tonic Super Shock Cheek

I suffered a lot of trial and error when testing these brushes and I had a difficult time getting the right brush to apply them with. I didn’t like the sheerness when applying with a fiber brush nor did I feel like I had control over application using a brush with lighter, fiber brushes. I find they apply best and easiest with a densely bristled brush. I started using the Ecotools Complexion Collection Skin Perfecting Brush but this is a little scratchy but I haven’t yet found a better brush so I’m continuing on with this one as I test further brushes. The Ecotools Brush is dense with shorter bristles and I feel I can blend out shades easily and also build color as well with this brush. With the wrong brush I felt like I had clown cheeks or the blush looked patchy on. Once you find the right blush you’ll find yourself ranting a lot less about the blush. At one point I became so frustrated I tossed this in my drawer and just didn’t want to deal with them. The formula is great, it’s just you really need a GOOD brush to apply them for the best finish. Also, keep in mind, it’s important to clean your brush after using each shade as you’ll find the color from your previous shade will morph the shade you’re currently using so washing your brush after each color is pretty important!

Once you do find the perfect brush you’ll adore this formula. Unlike Maybelline’s formulation these are SUPER pigmented and very long wearing. I can get 10 hours of wear from the shades which is unheard of when it comes to cream blush on my cheeks. But as I said these act more as a powder once applied! The finish is definitely powder-like and very satiny on cheeks. The color is a lot more seamless than powder though as it melds with cheeks and looks very natural and smooth. The smoothness translates to me as a very natural blush look where as powder can sometimes cling to drier areas or accentuate pores this is a perfectly flawless, smooth finish! Of course, as I mentioned above, the technique and brush used when applying does make a huge difference in the finish.

Colourpop Super Shock Cheek isn’t without a few headaches and a bit of application learning curve but I think the pros outweigh the cons! Once you do find the perfect tool for applying these you’ll be absolutely delighted with the color range and gorgeous selection of shades. It’s truly a beautiful blush formula that’s well worth indulging in with a kill price, awesome shade range, and beautiful formulation!

Colourpop Super Shock Cheek Blush is available now at colourpop.com.

Tried ’em?

Do share!

I purchased this item.

About the Muse

Isabella MuseIsabella is just an average everyday geeky girl who doesn’t blend her eyeshadow correctly, wears too much blush, and hopes she never finds her holy grail products because she likes the thrill of the chase so much. Her mission is to bring you super honest reviews on makeup, skincare, fragrance and all things beauty. She’s in no way an expert on the topic and she sure as hell isn’t a super model. But she’s passionate about makeup and is seeking like-minded individuals that like pina coladas, getting caught in the rain, and ones that enjoy spending hundreds of dollars at Sephora without feeling buyer’s remorse. If you’re that person feel free to reach out and leave a comment or follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Bloglovin‘.

Leave a Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Comments

  • Danadoo

    Birthday suit, fox and pie are so pretty! I’ve also been coveting the lippie sticks from this brand, and have read a lot of positive reviews about their products. Are they only sold online?

  • Kara

    I have a few of these and I love them! I went for the more orange colors of Trickery and Bonus but you look amazing in the bright pinks. I might have to get one of those next.

    • Isabella Muse

      thanks Kara! I didn’t get Trickery but that just might be next on my list! 😀

  • CupK8

    Wow, Muse, Tonic looks fab on you! Not a shade I can pull off, I’m a little jelly. 😉

    I just got my first ColourPop blush after stashing a bunch of lippies and eyeshadows. The color I got was “More, Please!” I adore it. It is SUPER pigmented and bright, and I only needed a teeny tiny amount – one baby swirl in the blush. The Real Techniques stippling brush worked great for me with that shade. We’ll see if it works as well with others, I guess…? haha

    • Isabella Muse

      thanks cupk8! these are highly customizable! don’t write it off! It can be applied deep or really really sheer 🙂 Good Luck! 🙂 have fun! I had a little learning curve with these but I’m slowly getting a hang of it 😀

  • Maria A

    I have 6 of their blushes, 8 lip stix and 4 eyeshadows. It pigmant city with these babies. I adore everything from them. The lip stix last through out eating and drinking and the red colors leave behind a pink lip stain. I adore this brand. Plus it’s super affordable. I love to use my fingers for the blush and dab it on. You get a nice flush ; )

  • Bridget

    birthday suit looks so frickin fab on you! kind of like a airbrushed finish is there any scent to these?

  • Katherine T.

    Muse, I have several of these coming on Friday, can’t wait to try them on! What is that red gloss you are wearing in the 4th picture, the one for Early Bird Blush?

    • Isabella Muse

      yay Katherine 🙂 hope you enjoy! haha I can’t remember but I THINK it’s Urban Decay Brickhouse Revolution High-Color Lipgloss!

  • Megs B

    I have Fruit Stand and Olive, but Fox is on my list! Birthday Suit looks especially fantastic on you, Muse! I’ve found my Real Techniques stippling brush to work pretty well with these. It’s my favorite for any sort of cream-ish product. The elf small stipple brush is a close second; it’s just so small I tend to use that more with highlighters. I’m sure you’ve heard about the colourpop highlight shades they’re releasing soon:) they look like fun! P.S. – I got your last comment – can’t wait for my box o’ goodies! I’ll start waiting by the door for the mailman here in a bit;)

    • Isabella Muse

      hey megs! thank you! 🙂 I’ll have to try out my Real Techniques brush with these 🙂 Unfortunately I find that I don’t have enough control when using fiber/strippling brushes. I like something a little denser with these 😀 YES! can’t wait for those highlighters 😀 they look amazon! haha! start stalking him next week as I should be getting to the PO on Monday to get it all out to you ;-D I can’t wait for you to play with it all!

  • Audra

    I find the Makeup Geek Cheek Highlighter brush to work fabulously for applying the CP blushes.

  • Daisy

    Colourpop products are best applied with the fingers! It’s a tip they have in their item descriptions. Figured it might help, since you’re having trouble!

    • Audra

      I feel I don’t have as much control of the product when applying the blushes with my fingers. Now the eyeshadows on the other hand, I think they work great when you apply them with your fingers. I love the shadow GIRLY!

  • Sally

    I can’t wait to get all of my Colour Pop things! Hopefully they arrive next week 🙂

  • Chantal

    I’ve read like 15 reviews on these and you’re the only one I’ve seen so far that took pictures of them on your face! Thank you! Swatches are great but I was totally worried they wouldn’t look natural on, and I usually prefer a natural look. I just have one question though, I love the look of the Birthday Suit but it seems kind of glittery in some of the swatches, did you find that it was?

    • Isabella Muse

      oh thanks Chantal I’m glad you enjoyed the review and it helped a little I hope? Birthday suit has a little glitter but I didn’t feel it was crazy disco ball shimmer! It blends out without much shimmer! P.S. These are very customizable so you can build or you can def go sheerer for a more natural look! It’s just about finding the best brush 🙂

  • Darijo

    A few of these remind me of the aromaleigh rocks blushes that made a huge mess everywhere but were gorgeous. I’ve been looking for replacements for those but some of the glitter in these look like too much

    • Isabella Muse

      I have those 🙂 they were great weren’t they? But these def are way better! No fall out haha!

  • Michelle

    I literally can not stand how your photos looks exactly alike. Same facial expression, angle and ridiculous headband. I can’t even take your review seriously.

    • Isabella Muse

      Sorry to hear it Michelle but the good news is there are literally millions of other reviews of these blushes out there! Hopefully you find one that you can take seriously. Good luck!