Almay • Smart Shade Blush • Blush

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dancexbabe on 12/19/2007 11:47:00 PM more reviews by dancexbabe

Age: 18 & Under   Skin: Combination   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Blue    

what on earth? I got this in pink/rose and i absolutely see no pinkness at all, even after i applied layer after layer. I have medium skin, and all i could see was a little shimmer. I do enjoy a bright colored blush, so this is definitely not the way to go. maybe using it on a day that you don't feel like wearing much makeup will brighten your cheeks a little bit, but i couldn't believe that i can't even see any color when using this.I tried to find an alternative to maybelline's dream matte blush in whipped strawberries, which has obviously been discontinued. This is definitely not the alternative for me

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*TOP REVIEWER* swirly_whirl85 on 12/18/2007 12:56:00 PM more reviews by swirly_whirl85

Age: 19-24   Skin: Sensitive, Tan, Warm   Hair: Black, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

So I bought this product assuming that it was a cheaper (and just as good) version of Smashbox O-Glow which costs quite a bit more. Boy, was I wrong. Reading the reviews, I noticed that quite a few fair-skinned ladies were complaining that this blush barely showed up on their skin, so imagine what it looked like on my dark, NC45 skintone! It barely showed up and my cheeks looked splotchy and red from rubbing them. What a waste of money :(

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allawallaballa on 12/1/2007 5:55:00 PM more reviews by allawallaballa

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

I got this in the Natural shade and I have to say I don't share the general MUA consensus on this item! Then again, that wouldn't be a first!


About Me: I have fair skin with peach/yellow undertones and golden freckles. My skin tends to be fairly sensitive, oily and prone to breakouts.


I can't use cream blushes because they slip off my oily skin and tend to cause breakouts but this blush starts out creamy (making it easily to blend) and dries to a stain. While some have mentioned that there is little color payoff, I don't find that to be the case at all! Perhaps the product was re-formulated or my cheeks have a tendency to flush easily? In any case, I find this to be perfect for a sheer, "your cheeks but better" flush. It is the perfect product for the blush phobic and the chronic over-appliers (like myself) that find there's a slippery slope between too much blush and not enough. My *only* complaints are that the price is pretty steep for the tiny 0.5 oz tube and that it will automatically emphasize any redness one has in the nasolabial fold area of one isn't careful about application; I use a retinol product in that part of my face so I found this to be the case when I apply all over the apples of my cheeks.


Update: I bought another Smart Shade blush (this time in Pink) and it looks just as lovely as the Natural; Pink looks more pastel but is still very natural looking. The lasting power is great with both blushes as well. I think my favorite aspect is the dewy effect these blushes produce by allowing my natural cheek color to peek through. And even with the brighter Pink shade, it's very easy to apply without looking clownish.

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usuelle on 11/6/2007 5:46:00 PM more reviews by usuelle

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

while cool in theory, this product sucks. i shouldve known better; who's going to rely on cheek color squeezed out of tube ?? it's entirely too expensive for something that just looks like orange foundation applied to the apples of my cheeks. (i got it in the 'natural' tone trying to be safe.)

&, as previously stated by other reviewers, i wish i had consulted MUA before shelling out 10 bones for this product.

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jossquartz on 10/25/2007 11:58:00 PM more reviews by jossquartz

Age: 19-24   Skin: Very Dry, Fair   Hair: Red, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Brown    

I am very pale with brown eyes and red hair. Although I do not use a lot of drugstore makeup, I bought this blush in "020 Natural" because I think/thought it was a really cool concept. This is not worth $8.00! The first time I applied, I went with a really tiny amount. The color change part was neat and then I rubbed it in. Where did it go? I put on a little more. Still no sign! I am pasty white with little to no normal pigment and I needed to use a TON of this stuff to make it show up. Unless you are a magician and you don't mind disappearing acts, save your money for a different product.

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echoluster on 10/24/2007 2:02:00 AM more reviews by echoluster

Age: 19-24   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair, Neutral   Hair: Brown, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Hazel    

What is the point of this product? I should have consulted MUA before picking this stuff up...it seemed like a good idea when I was at CVS. I'm pretty pale so I thought I'd grab the "natural" color just in case there was a lot of pigment in the product, and the undertones looked nice. It looked nice on my finger initially too.
But I put it on... no change. The only color came from the blood in my cheeks as I gently rubbed them. I put on another dab, another dab, another... still nothing. I don't get the usefulness of this product. I'll be returning it to CVS.
I guess this is why I never buy drugstore cosmetics anyway... I've been scared back to Sephora/department stores. The price difference is not that dramatic. This stuff is pushing $10, Clinique gel blush is $12.50, Stila's gel blush is $16 (and I think both of those actually have pigment in them).
I'm so frustrated!

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Amiec91699 on 9/26/2007 10:42:00 AM more reviews by Amiec91699

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Brown    

Well, I bought this in the berry shade, and I'm pretty fair skinned. Although I liked the color, it didn't seem to last. It went on pretty dark and then kinda disappeared into my skin. For the first few seconds it was a very pretty color, but I think I'll stick with my benetint.

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courtneeg on 8/29/2007 3:59:00 PM more reviews by courtneeg

Age: 19-24   Skin: Normal, Fair   Hair: Other   Eyes: Hazel    

As everyone else has said, this product barely makes a difference. In addition, I'm not really a fan of creamy blushes. I think they tend to look really unnatural, especially if you have an awkward makeup line where the blush meets your face. No thanks.

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rthurow on 8/16/2007 4:36:00 PM more reviews by rthurow

Age: 19-24   Skin: Normal, Fair   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Blue    

I have this in both the natural and the pink shades and am pleased with both of them, especially the natural shade. I am fairly pale with medium brown hair and blue eyes and this gives me a warm, not too tan glowing cheek. Blend quickly to avoid lines when it's dry, and don't apply too much or it will be overwhelming. All in all, a good buy.

Edit: I have seen with continued use of this blush that it does in fact disappear from the cheek very quickly. I initially rated it so well because I liked the idea of the blush becoming my perfect pink, but having found my perfect pink in other long lasting, high quality blushes, I now have to reconsider this product. Would not repurchase.

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*TOP REVIEWER* makeupcrazy31 on 8/8/2007 8:43:00 PM more reviews by makeupcrazy31

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Brown    

Why didn't I read this before I bought this?!...is what I keep asking myself! I bought this in Natural & had the same problem everyone else is having...no color! For about $8.00 I thought, I'll try it...now I want my $8.00 back. Don't waste your money on this colorless piece of crap!

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jep278 on 8/3/2007 1:27:00 PM more reviews by jep278

Age: 25-29   Skin: Oily, Fair   Hair: Blond, Wavy, Fine   Eyes: Blue    

Bought this in pink, and I agree with the other reviewers, it was a waste of money. Didn't seem to do much of anything, and I'm pretty fair-skinned. :(

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skincarejunkie1123 on 7/20/2007 1:20:00 AM more reviews by skincarejunkie1123

Age: 36-43   Skin: Combination, Medium   Hair: Red   Eyes: Brown    

i bought this on a whim as well. (pink/rose) I am light to med. w/olive undertones and I kept reapplying this and nothing. At first I thought I saw a nice little flush but then within a few minutes it was gone. I just ordered the Smashbox one, hopefully that won't disappoint me since it costs way more. Save your money ladies on this Almay one. Not worth it.

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frostedover on 7/15/2007 10:38:00 PM more reviews by frostedover

Age: 19-24   Skin: Dry, Medium, Warm   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Brown    

I bought this in Berry. I'm a medium skinned Asian girl with yellow undertones. I believe I wear a NC30 in concealer.

This product works if you use at least a pea to marble sized amount, which is, honestly, rather a waste of product. Like the other reviewers noted, the colour just simply doesn't show up very well. Granted, I'm not pale, but I did seem to notice that a few hours after I applied this (and it did show up at the time) that the colour was gone from my cheeks, whereas powder blush stays on the whole day.

I was hoping to find something to replace my powder blush because sweat + sunglasses touching your cheeks = lines of blush where the sunglasses touch. This product, unfortunately, was not it.

Edit: The blush actually stays on when you're just indoors all day (ie sitting at your desk at the office).

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*TOP REVIEWER* EnjoyTheSilence on 7/5/2007 9:53:00 PM more reviews by EnjoyTheSilence

Age: 30-35   Skin: Acne-prone, Olive, Cool   Hair: Brunette, Curly, Coarse   Eyes: Brown    

I bought this blush in shade: ‘020 Natural’. Of the color choices available, ‘Natural’ was most appealing to me. ‘Natural’ is an understatement! I’m NW20, cool olive & when I do blush naturally it’s a plummy mauve. I often wear warm colors, though…I don’t follow the ‘rules’. Just sitting around, my cheeks stay pale (I’m 31 & have pretty much lost any natural youthful flush while simply resting.) I have combination acne-prone skin & always wear foundation, concealer and a light dusting of powder. I look more alive with blush or bronzer, so I always wear one of the two…or both.

So, how did this appear on my skin? Well, it was very subtle indeed! It gave me the slightest muted tawny-peach tint to my cheeks. I waited for it to dry, then patted on a second layer…then a third; STILL extremely subtle. I don’t self-tan my face (I use powder bronzer instead), but right now my body is tanned to about NC35; I tested the blush on my arm also & it actually looks a bit chalky & not so flattering. Tan or darker people should definitely not bother with this color (& I suspect all shades of this product.) My NC10 husband was so kind as to let me test it out on him to see if it appeared any different on very pale skin. On his pale coloring it looked quite nice & certainly ‘natural’. It has the slightest hint of shimmer when viewed in direct sunlight, but for the most part it’s matte. It feels quite nice; it dries to a silky, almost powdery texture. It has no fragrance.

Unless you are very pale (NC/NW5-15) skip this blush. Only very pale persons will get any sort of color payoff. Even then, your money could better be spent elsewhere. You get 0.5oz/15ml & I paid about $8. You have to use a lot of product to get any color payoff, so this turns out to be a really high-priced drugstore item! Try Maybelline Dream Mousse blush for a drugstore product, or Stila Convertible Color for high end; both are cream blushes I recommend.

I would not designate Almay Smart Shade Blush to be a ‘blush’ at all; instead, I would categorize it as a ‘complexion enhancer’. If Almay had labeled it as such (& provided another ounce/30ml of product!), perhaps it would not disappoint, as people wouldn’t expect more color payoff as any decent blush gives. Oh, and don’t buy into the lie that this makeup (or any) is ‘smart’ & can adjust to your own natural coloring. That’s impossible! Our skin doesn't give off chemical signals according to color, so how in the world could a makeup detect what our coloring is? It can't. Instead, it can be sheer & allow your natural coloring to show through, making it appear suited to your coloring. Some so-called ‘smart’ makeup works by pH reactions (Smashbox ‘O-Glow’); others such as this blush have tiny encapsulated pigments suspended in a pale base cream that burst & disperse when rubbed into skin, giving the illusion that it’s ‘adjusting’ to your natural color. Estee Lauder made that technology popular several years ago w/ their DayWear tinted moisturizer. If you look closely or through a magnifying glass, you can see the little rusty brown pigment particles suspended in this white cream-based blush.

So, who may actually like this product? Some opinions: Those who truly want to appear as if they’re wearing no makeup & most natural makeup isn’t even natural enough (you know who you are, hippie granola gals! I’m a lil granola, too…); those extremely application-challenged & want a goof-proof product; pre-teen makeup beginners whose parents want them to still look like a kid & not ‘made up’; those with very poor eyesight/blind who want a makeup product that can be applied without assistance; those who love complexion enhancers & want to try a drugstore version. Otherwise, if you are in search of an actual blush, keep looking!

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*TOP REVIEWER* Msgdfx1 on 6/28/2007 4:03:00 PM more reviews by Msgdfx1

Age: 36-43   Skin: Oily, Dark   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Green    

I purchased this recently in Plum believing that it would be something like the Smashbox O-Glow product, but, a little bit cheaper. What a disapointment. There is hardly any color payoff. The consistency is really weird. It reminds me of a creamy, scrubbey skin care type product and the color looks really fake and doesn't last. Definitely not natural looking. If I could find my receipt, I would race back to Long's to get my money back. Just awful.

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taract on 6/28/2007 12:02:00 PM more reviews by taract

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Blue    

I totally agree on this product. I was really excited to try this. My CVS was have a BOGO 50 percent off on Almay products, and I had to buy another of my HG Clear Complexion concealer because for some reason I can't stop losing them, so I thought it would be a great excuse to try this blush in Pink. I was so excited that I tried it on in the car, right over the makeup I was already wearing. I was a little worried because I initially put on too much, and it DID change color, so I blended it in a little more before running in to Blockbuster. When I came out, I looked in the mirror, and it looked like I had NO blush on. I was very confused, but figured that I had just blended it in a little too much.
The next morning, I had an early doctor's appointment, so I thought it would be the perfect chance to try this on its own. I put it on and it looked great initially, but when I got out of my appointment, my face looked completely naked. It was GONE. I was amazed. It's so strange to me that this product seems to turn from white to pink, and then loses its color again. I had been hoping to find a cheaper version of the Smashbox O-Glow that sounds so exciting, but no such luck.

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Jumaana on 6/26/2007 3:51:00 PM more reviews by Jumaana

Age: 30-35   Skin: Acne-prone   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Green    

I love this! Its goof proof and the color is great. You do need to use a good amount.

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*TOP REVIEWER* stephani99 on 6/25/2007 6:22:00 PM more reviews by stephani99

Age: 30-35   Skin: Dry, Fair-Medium, Warm   Hair: Other, Wavy, Fine   Eyes: Brown    

Another one bites the dust. It sure sounded good though. I wish I'd read the below review before picking this up on a whim a couple days ago (Pink-Rose also). She's absolutely 100% a million times over right. This stuff is crap in a tube. White crap in a tube with *maybe* a bit of pink in there to throw you off. I'm really pale (NC15-20, usually the lightest in all foundations) and it didn't even show up on ME. Not my cheeks, not my hand, nothing. Changes to suit your skintone eh? So it turned pale and invisible? Okay then, maybe it does work.

The one use I found for it (other that basketball practice with the nearest trash can) is that it makes an excellent base to layer powder blushes over so they last longer. However, you can do that with any cream blush so don't buy it for this reason either. I'm just saving myself the humiliation of having been suckered into this by finding an alternate use for it....at least until I get bored with it or sick of looking at it taunting me in my mu drawer and finally toss it out.

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goldee on 6/22/2007 7:24:00 PM more reviews by goldee

Age: 36-43   Skin: Combination, Medium   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Brown    

I bought this in "pink rose". It came out of the tube looking like a white cream and it did not change color when I applied it. It looks like I'm not wearing any blush at all. I am not fair-skinned and I am currently tanned. I believe it is supposed to change colors to suit your skin tone, but on me there was no difference. I applied it to my hand to see if it would change there, but no change either. A waste of money.

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