December 30, 2014

Make Up For Ever Desire Me Cheeky Blush Trio Review & Swatches

I purchased this item and I receive a small commission if you shop using the links in this post.

Make Up For Ever Desire Me Cheeky Blush Set

The Make Up For Ever Desire Me Cheeky Blush Trio is a set inspired by the upcoming Fifty Shades of Grey Movie that’s available for a limited time with a few other Make Up For Ever Fifty Shades of Grey Makeup Sets that recently launched for the Spring 2015 season.

Apparently Make Up For Ever products were used on the set of the Fifty Shades of Grey movie thus this collaboration was born.

Let’s take a look at the Make Up For Ever Desire Me Cheeky Blush Trio!

The Make Up For Ever Desire Me Cheeky Blush Trio ($49) includes three shades of Make Up For Ever Artist Shadow Blush as well as a Travel Size Make Up For Ever Precision Brush, a How to Get the Look Guide, and a keepsake pouch. Breaking down the trio of eyeshadows/blush plus the palette you’d be paying $44 at Sephora so an extra $5 gets you the mini brush and the special edition packaging. Is it worth it? Sure, for Fifty Shades of Grey fans I totally see it as a must have, collectible item! For non-fans? You can easily purchase all three shades in this special set within a palette for $44 sans the brush, velvet pouch, and how to get the look guide.

Make Up For Ever Desire Me Cheeky Blush Trio1

Make Up For Ever Desire Me Cheeky Blush Trio2

Make Up For Ever Desire Me Cheeky Blush Trio

Make Up For Ever Desire Me Cheeky Blush compact

Make Up For Ever Desire Me Cheeky Blush Palette

Make Up For Ever Desire Me Cheeky Blush Trio17

Make Up For Ever Artist Shadow is a gel powder eye shadow and powder blush all in one formula (beware some shades are NOT eye safe). Make Up For Ever recently launched their Artist Shadow Collection this past Fall in over 200 beautiful shades! That’s a ton of variety. I love the formula can double up as either an eyeshadow or a blush. There’s just something about multitasking products.

In this set you’re getting shades I-526 (Pearl Beige), I-808 (English Pink), and S-748 (Coral). I-526 obviously works as a highlighter where as I-808 and S-748 are your blush shades. The blushes come in the standard Make Up For Ever Palette which is valued you at $1 at Sephora. I kinda sorta wish they had done a little bit more with the palette…maybe something with the Fifty Shades logo?

I actually wasn’t terribly impressed with the formula on these. I’m likely alone in this so take my review with a grain of salt as I’ve seen so much raving for the Artist Shadow formula so count me as being a nitpick. I thought these were quite dense! I had a problem picking up color with my brush! On the upside they apply beautifully once your brush is loaded up with a seamless finish that blends easily and flawlessly on cheeks. They build easily as well so you can get very sheer or very bold and dramatic. I was surprised though at the density of the powder and disappointed too as it isn’t exactly the easiest formula to pick up and dare I say it turned me off to a possible future purchase. A silkier texture would be appreciated. The pigment is very good hear however, it does start out sheerer and needs to be built up. The wear time is incredible at around 12 hours strong without fading in the least. I could probably wear this formula to bed and wake up with my makeup still strongly in place.

Make Up For Ever Desire Me Cheeky Blush Trio swatches

Make Up For Ever Desire Me Cheeky Blush Trio Swatches (S-748, I-808, I-526)

Make Up For Ever I-526

Make Up For Ever I-526 Artist Shadow Blush

Make Up For Ever I-808

Make Up For Ever I-808 Artist Shadow Blush

Make Up For Ever S-748

Make Up For Ever S-748 Artist Shadow Blush

The brush included is from newer Artisan Brush range that Make Up For Ever launched about a year ago. It has a sturdy wooden hand with fiber bristles that replicate natural hair. Apparently they are five years in the making. I have a few of the full size Artisan Brushes and they are strong brushes that hold up well against many washings. They don’t shed, the bristles are super soft, and the handles very sturdy. The smaller travel version they include with the set is a slanted blush brush ideal for application on cheek bones! It being smaller doesn’t take away from the great design!

On many levels I find the packaging disappointing. Most of the art work is limited to the outer packaging. You do however, get a very lovely velvet pouch for storing makeup or perhaps jewelry. A silver strand with two charms decorate the pouch. The charms are that of a heart key and a dog tag featuring Make Up For Ever’s emblem. Although not in the boot the heart charm seems to be popping up a lot so we’ll likely see that in the movie as some sort of jewelry promotional thing! I thought the packaging very nice but wish that the palette and brush weren’t so basic. A special handle for the brush and maybe a little something fancy for the blush compact would make the entire set extra special. Although I do appreciate the little details like the pouch which didn’t jack the price up terribly as you’re only paying an extra $5 for these details which isn’t too bad, I consider that the cost of the brush!

Make Up For Ever Desire Me Cheeky Blush Trio fotd

Wearing all three products combined on cheeks!

All in all the Make Up For Ever Desire Me Cheeky Blush Trio is a nice set although I have to admit the Artist Shadow formula isn’t a particular favorite of mine. I dunno, I expected a silkier texture….! If you’re a fan of Fifty Shades I see the set being a must have and can’t blame you, we all have our fandoms don’t we?

The Make Up For Ever Desire Me Cheeky Blush Trio is available for a limited time at Sephora and Sephora.com.

I purchased this item and I receive a small commission if you shop using the links in this post.

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‘.

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Comments

    • Isabella Muse

      unfortunately they don’t label them as what is and isn’t eye safe. You’d have to contact MUFE directly for a complete list of the shades that are and aren’t eye safe. I don’t have one sorry 🙁 I know ME734 is one shade as well as ME912, it seems like the neons tend to fall into the unsafe for eyes grouping just like the Urban Decay Electric Palette (many of the neons are not safe for eye use in that palette or at least not approved by the FDA here in the US). I didn’t use these shades in the set on my eyes and haven’t verified with MUFE if they are eye safe as they seemed more suitable as blushers (and a highlighter) than for use on my eyes.

  • fancie

    The colors look very pretty but the swatches do look a little dry. At least they look good when applied though

    • Isabella Muse

      it’s odd everyone raves about these but I thought them quite dense! they do apply well though!

  • Katherine T.

    I like the charm and the brush, but the blushes don’t excite me too much.