MAC • Matte Blush - Frankly Scarlet • Blush

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monroebrooklyn81 on 2/26/2013 11:51:00 PM more reviews by monroebrooklyn81

Age: 30-35   Skin: Sensitive, Olive   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Brown    

I have Frankly Scarlet and WOW it is BRIGHT!!! I would say in my opinion it is probably meant for darker skin tones but I bought it because I am attracted to things bright and fun so this color was interesting to me! I use it with a very light hand and it works great! Just be careful because it is so bright that if you put too much on you will end up looking like a clown lol:)

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*TOP REVIEWER* Menolikepolos on 2/17/2013 5:39:00 PM more reviews by Menolikepolos

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Fair, Neutral   Hair: Brunette, Medium   Eyes: Blue    

About me: NW13 (neutral-cool toned, very fair), blue eyes, Color season is True Summer, Baumann Skin Type is OSPW.

This is a lovely blush. I tried to make it work for me, and the only way I was able to apply it to where it blended well into my really pale skin was to dip my brush once into the blush, and tap my brush onto a white towel until I saw the pigmentation was low, then i tapped my face once, and then blended it in with another brush. Talk about high maintenance! It looked great, but just like a simple pink blush on. I can get that with less work from other blushes. Sadly, this is not my "winter flush" blush.

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*TOP REVIEWER* Hillarryyy on 2/7/2013 8:22:00 PM more reviews by Hillarryyy

Age: 19-24   Skin: Dry, Fair, Warm   Hair: Black, Wavy, Fine   Eyes: Blue    

This blush may look frightening in the pan, but if you know how to apply it, it is beautiful. It is a very intense bright red with a slight pink color to it. I find that if I am using a lot of bronzer this blush pairs nicely with it and makes it look like I was just out in the sun for awhile (but not sun burnt) Try using a 187 or 188 and a light hand if you are getting to much blush on your cheeks when applying. If you do get a tad much just buff in some powder to tone it down.

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Cgibbons on 2/3/2013 3:59:00 PM more reviews by Cgibbons

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Fair   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Blue    

Hey peeps.
Had this since may 2012 and its now feb 2013 and its barely touched! You dont need much at all as its very pigmented.
Such a flattering colour and as others have said the first red-pink matte blush ive found! I love this shade because its similar to the colour you naturally blush so i love that type of colour.
You can build it up for quite a striking look but for everyday you just sweep a bit on your apples of your cheeks and it makes me look healthy and nice!
The only thing that puts me off using it is that its kind of sometimes hard to get it evenly on the brush? its not smooth its kinda hard.
Maybe thats just me but i would buy this again because its right up my street, xo

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SickSexFix on 1/4/2013 1:32:00 PM more reviews by SickSexFix

Age: 25-29   Skin: Oily, Olive   Hair: Brunette, Curly, Coarse   Eyes: Black    

I love this blush. It's the first red blush I'd ever seen so of course I bought it. There's no brown and no shimmer - it's a primary red color. It doesn't pull pink on me which is kind of odd? since if you look at the swatches, it looks like a pinky red!
It's sooo gorgeous in the pan. I planned to wear this with a vintage red lip and black eyeliner.
It's very easy to go overboard with this so blending properly is a must - unless you want to look blotchy and sick. I'm thrilled that it's a matte blush, I really like the formula. I think MAC is overpriced in general and I have a few of their blushes. Maybe this one would be better in a sheertone formula (I hate those, btw) since it's so pigmented.
I still have not figured out how to wear this without looking too overdone so it's only been used a few times for evening, which is a shame since I gaze longingly at it in my blush palette (LOL). I want to try to wear it in the day time to work so if anyone has any ideas - let me know!
I'm an NC 35-40 for reference and it's bang on for my skin tone. Those with even darker skin tones will benefit from this blush.
I unfortunately dropped my palette on the floor and this was the only one that totally crumbled. I was heartbroken and pressed it back together (doesn't look nice anymore though).
I won't buy this again only because NYX and Mehron have blushes in this color now for much cheaper.

If my review helped you, click yes below!

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Arielle91 on 11/2/2012 1:22:00 AM more reviews by Arielle91

Age: 19-24   Skin: Normal, Tan   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Brown    

Had this blush for nearly two and a half years and it still looks brand new. Bought it on a whim, &have only used it at the most four times, comes off very bright red if you apply it with a heavy hand --but if it is applied with a light hand it gives a natural flushed look.

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bbleu7856 on 10/27/2012 5:54:00 PM more reviews by bbleu7856

Age: 30-35   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Blue    

I love this blush. All you need is one light swipe with your blush brush to get a pretty flushed, doll-like look-- applying any more than that and it can look extremely garish and unnatural on your skin. (Like you took strawberries and smeared them on your cheeks! lol) Less is definitely more with this blush. Because of this, I doubt I will ever run out of it and need to purchase more, so this is an excellent buy!

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StupidUserNames on 10/23/2012 12:24:00 AM more reviews by StupidUserNames

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

Frankly Scarlet is so pretty in the pan. It's very bright red but all you need is a light hand and any old brush will do the trick. The best part is that you can apply it to build the color up to your liking. At first it can be pretty intimidating to wear such a bright red but really the results can range from subtle to dramatic and not in the best way either! Oh and the matte finish is amazing I like it but I won't be repurchasing because even though I've had mine for nearly two years it still looks brand new.

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NaijaNYC on 9/27/2012 8:58:00 PM more reviews by NaijaNYC

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination, Dark   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

This color provides me with the perfectly "flushed" look.
Also, what's really great about this blush is that you can wear it either very lightly or as intense as you desire, depending of course on the makeup tool you utilize. M.A.C. does it again!

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OhhhDarling on 8/28/2012 11:16:00 AM more reviews by OhhhDarling

Age: 25-29   Skin: Normal, Fair-Medium, Cool   Hair: Other   Eyes: Other    

Oooh I love this blush! It is a very intense red color in the pan, but with a light hand, on the cheeks it comes off as a natural flush of color. It is quite pigmented and a little goes a long way. It is easy to overdo it, so be careful! The texture is very smooth and is easily blendable. Its quickly become one of my favorite blushes.

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kloud04 on 8/26/2012 4:52:00 PM more reviews by kloud04

Age: 25-29   Skin: Oily, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Hazel    

ok, so I got this a few days ago. Took the advice of the MUA board and bought this even though I own Exhibit A. Exhibit A is beautiful but not even close to Frankly Scarlet. FS shows up (at least on me) the exact same color as Nars Cactus flower. I adored cactus flower until I got to the bottom of the pan and it was all shimmer. It began to show up on my skin and highlighting pores I didn't even know I had. Frankly Scarlet is soooo pigmented, I lightly dab my Nars Yachiyo in the pan and wipe with a tissue or you look like a clown. This is the most pigmented blush I own hands down. Exhibit A is not even this easy to overdo on my skin. This will last me a lifetime.

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Prazzie on 6/7/2012 1:49:00 PM more reviews by Prazzie

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Fair, Cool   Hair: Brunette, Wavy, Fine   Eyes: Green    

Frankly Scarlet is a very bright red that creates a natural flush on the cheeks. Once applied on my fair skin, it looks pinker than it does in the pan. It is highly pigmented and a little goes a long way. I have added a photo to the gallery above to show what it looks like unblended on fair skin. It can be worn sheer, or even used as a bright red eyeshadow.


To use it, I lightly touch my blush brush to the pan, then press the excess off against my arm, before applying it to my cheeks. I press it where I want the most colour, then blend it out. It does look very natural if you use very little.


As much as I like this blush, I had to take off a point because it's so easy to overdo it. You have to use such a light hand and even so, I have still needed to lighten my cheeks with powder on occasion. Despite not being a quick slap on and go blush, I would repurchase this.

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*TOP REVIEWER* bernsie on 6/2/2012 1:01:00 PM more reviews by bernsie

Age: 44-55   Skin: Other, Medium   Hair: Silver   Eyes: Hazel    

It is nearly impossible to find a more true, vibrant red than this powder blush. It is best applied with one of MAC's Squirrel brushes as this hair is very long and extra soft so it never over deposits, but instead doses the skin with just the right amount of color payoff. This will brighten any complexion as the color just "pops." It's long wearing (especially this color as it has such an abundance of pigment it can leave a stain behind after the powder wears off.) It applies smoothly never streaking which can happen with a lesser quality manufacture process and pigment. You use so little of this it will virtually last forever before the need to repurchase. Highly Recommended!!!!

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tinaduongg on 6/2/2012 12:26:00 PM more reviews by tinaduongg

Age: 19-24   Skin: Acne-prone, Medium, Neutral   Hair: Brunette, Curly, Medium   Eyes: Green    

I love this color on my skin! I've always wanted a RED blush, but not too red. I've had the NARS deep throat but it was more on the pink coral side. I was really scared when I first bought it. It looks intimidating but seriously just apply this with a fluffy brush because if you do a thick condensed brush it picks up more color which will make you look like a clown! always use this light handedly, and then apply more as desired. it's hard to remove blush so be careful. this color is rare to find, as it is just PLAIN red, and no sprinkles. so all the stars you see who have just RED on their cheek, they most likely have used this. NARS exhibit a has tones of orange, so as i said, this you can't compare to the nars one.

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*TOP REVIEWER* bubblegumpoo on 5/22/2012 2:17:00 AM more reviews by bubblegumpoo

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

I have a bit of natural redness to my skin, which I am always trying to cover with foundation. That's why I'd never even thought about purchasing a red blush. I was fortunate enough to be gifted this though, and thank goodness for that! This is my fool-proof blush that I like to wear on days when I want to achieve the "no makeup look", as it gives such a natural flush of color to your cheeks.
This needs to be applied very carefully though, so brush selection is key. On my first attempt with this, I grabbed my 187, dipped it into the product 3 or 4 times, and sweeped it across my cheeks. Disaster. A smaller brush like the 130 is much wiser, and you don't need to dip it into the pan more than once.

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*TOP REVIEWER* decoydream on 4/7/2012 3:35:00 AM more reviews by decoydream

Age: 19-24   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair-Medium, Cool   Hair: Black, Relaxed, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

My first MAC blush ever and i'm completely in love with it. As others have said, it looks bright in the pan and is extremely pigmented. But on the skin (i have quite fair asian skin... about NC20 in summer/autumn) it looks like a natural snow white-esque flush. Lovely!

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ultraviolet1 on 3/30/2012 2:00:00 PM more reviews by ultraviolet1

Age: 25-29   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair-Medium   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

One of the mosy underrated products i think. I love bright blushes and yes it even makes me freak out in the pan...but with a right brush ( and imho this is Mac 187 or 188 ) you don't even need a light hand to apply it. Just don't get mistaken to think of it as a regular "matte"&"powder"&"blush" and try to apply it with habits. It's one of the best blushes ever for me, exciting, pure love that makes you flush <3

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iloovelalu on 3/2/2012 1:29:00 AM more reviews by iloovelalu

Age: 18 & Under   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium, Warm   Hair: Black, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Brown    

I love mac blushes. The pigmentation and texture of this product are no exception. I returned it, however, after a friend asked if I were sick while I was wearing it. Probably not for those with fairer skin, even when applied with a light hand.

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*TOP REVIEWER* Esmay on 2/25/2012 5:56:00 PM more reviews by Esmay

Age: 56 & Over   Skin: Dry, Fair   Hair: Silver   Eyes: Blue    

I have very fair, cool skin with neutral to pinkish undertones but absolutely no color in my cheeks what so ever. My skin is a lot younger than I am. however. I have to stick to a more 'natural' look in order not to look creepy.

Yet I reached for Frankly Scarlet and I'm glad I did! If you swatch it on your hand you will see that, even tho it's touted as a matte, it has some sheen to it. I barely touch a fan brush to the pan, dust off excess, and waft the brush over the apples of my cheeks. And, yes, there is that beautiful matte 'roses' flush. Because it is so bright and pure it doesn't look muddy on older complexions and the slight sheen that is noticeable on the hand I believe keeps it from becoming dull on the cheek. I usually put on a very light layer of Physicians Formula transluscent pearl beads powder (solid compact form) over the blush to give it a final natural glow.

I have always looked dead without blusher and have become a master of the process. Frankly Scarlet is one of the best and I'm not a great MAC admirer. The price wasn't too bad at about $27 cdn. considering it will last me 20 years and considering it was going to cost me that much to buy a NYX dupe online. This and Pinch of Peach (which is really a very nice sheer pink) are the only two MAC blushes I like.

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*TOP REVIEWER* aznmnkygrl808 on 2/22/2012 4:30:00 AM more reviews by aznmnkygrl808

Age: 19-24   Skin: Oily, Medium, Warm   Hair: Brunette, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

This blush is frickin gorgeous. Looks scary bright in the pan but you only need the tiniest amount to give a natural glow to your face. Makes your cheeks look like you've been out in the cold. I doubt I'll ever hit pan on this blush. But if I do, def would repurchase! :)

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