Normally, I don’t purchase anything from the overpriced “couture” collections that MAC releases around the same time once a year. Of course, I was drooling over the packaging for the items in the Gareth Pugh for MAC Collection, but nothing was really making me fall all over myself and demanding to be purchased.
Strada Powder Blush has actually been on my list of need to try for awhile now. I just never got around to it or felt the strong pull because it looked so brown. People raved about it. But, to me, it looked unwearable. As a sucker for packaging, I needed SOMETHING from this collection, and thought this was a perfect time to get Strada (read below to see how I justified it lol). I had a gift card, so I also purchased one of the polishes, but that will be a later post.
What the MAC Website has to say about Strada Powder Blush:
Keying into the look of Gareth Pugh for M•A•C, this shade of mid-tone nude offers a paler yet profound approach to cheek definition. The defining touch makes this so stylishly Pugh – a dramatically chic square black compact.
2.3 g / 0.08 US oz
Strada (midtone nude) actually looked very brown based off of a lot of swatches, but it goes to the pink side on me, and is very flattering! This is a popular contour shade, but I love using it just as a blush! It reminds me of my now discontinued HG Chanel Nude Joues Contraste (which, unfortunately is gone now, so I don’t have it to swatch and compare).
The packaging is phenomenal. Sleek and heavy, intriguing… tiny.
Since this blush was shockingly small (2.3g), I decided to photograph it next to a regular sized MAC Eyeshadow (1.5g), a Pro Longwear Eyeshadow (3.4g), and a Mineralize Eyeshadow (2g). Just for some perspective.
Ok, Ok…. you may think I’m crazy for spending $30 plus tax on such a small blush… but if I’d have had to have called a Pro store to order a Strada Pro Pan and a Blush Palette if would have cost $32.50 plus tax AND their crazy shipping. So, technically, since I don’t depot blushes and needed the palette, this was the cheaper route. Plus, it’s pretty. Stop. LOL
Gareth Pugh for MAC is currently available on the MAC website, as well as on the Nordstrom website (where I ordered mine from). Strada Powder Blush retails for $30 and is limited edition, but still available as of this blog post. The Pro Pan of Strada is also permanent at Pro stores only.
It's very pretty. I do think it's a bit too expensive, especially after seeing the size, but the shade is gorgeous.
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Oh I completely understand spending money on something that other people would say "huh? why would you spend so much on THAT?!!" before. Whatever makes you happy! ^-^
It is a lovely blush!