How about another coral product from another MAC collection today? :D Ocean City Blush Ombre is actually an unexpected love for me and I’ll tell you why in a moment!
There are 2 blush ombres (both limited edition) in the Proenza Schouler Collection: Sunset Beach (a cool-toned pink) and Ocean City (a warm-toned peachy coral). I am reviewing only the Ocean City today.
The blush is housed in a limited edition packaging: a reflective metallic mirrored compact with a color gradient design from teal to yellow and purple on the front lid. This is another product that was really fun to photograph! :)
The powder blush itself also has a gradient effect from peachy tan at the top, to peachy coral in the middle, and really bright, almost neon, reddish coral at the bottom. The peachy tan at the top looks like it could double as a light bronzer as well for fair skin. I suppose it is possible to apply each shade individually if you use a really small brush but I prefer to swirl them together with a denser brush for a light peachy coral shade.
Ocean City has a satin finish with a really subtle sheen. You may be slightly disappointed with the pigmentation at first if you swatch it with your fingers. The trick is, you have to get past the very top layer and use a denser brush to kick up the powder a little bit. Ocean City is actually a really pigmented blush and even though in the photo below it may look powdery, in person it is not at all. I just kicked up the powder purely for fun. :D
The powder feels smooth and silky to the touch but it doesn’t glide on as evenly as I hoped. I found that using a denser brush will help lessen the patchiness and increase blendability during application.
I don’t find Ocean City to emphasize skin imperfections at all. I actually really love how it just makes my skin look soft, healthy, and may I say slightly glowy! :) It’s one of those cheek colors that is easy and flexible to use; subtle enough that you can wear a soft look for work, and bright enough that you can wear bold for a daring night out.
The wear time is impressive. Even when worn a sheer layer, it still lasts the entire work day and into evening!
And the reason I mentioned this was an unexpected love.
So, initially I placed an order for Sunset Beach but I received Ocean City instead. Disappointed, I called MAC Customer Service right away and they said they would have someone call me back in a few days. I was a little frustrated because by the time I received my order, both shades were already out of stock on their website. Of course, no one ever called me back. So I made another phone call to them to inquire and they offered to refund my money and allowed me to keep the Ocean City! #YES
I heard that a lot of people also got sent wrong colors and MAC had to refund them as well, and this makes me wonder if MAC makes any profit at all from this collection. Looks like they have given away a lot of the Ocean City!
Purchasing
At the time of writing this post, you can still buy Sunset Beach online at Nordstrom and Macy’s but Ocean City is unfortunately out of stock everywhere I checked. Your best bet would be to keep checking their website and/or visit a MAC store. I have no information when or if it will be available again. I know for sure you can buy it through eBay and Amazon (with a ridiculous price) but that would be my very, very last resort. And if you happen to have Ripe Peach Coral Blush Ombre (released during the Spring Colour Forecast Collection in 2010), I think you can skip Ocean City because the gradient shades are almost identical.
So, I have to say, I’m kind of glad in a way that MAC sent me the wrong color! I am in love with Ocean City and if I had to do it all over again, I would choose Ocean City over Sunset Beach. :)
What about you? Did you order anything from the collection? Did you get sent wrong products (and possibly ended up loving it), too?
I’m sorry but the Proenza Schouler font on the packaging is really bothering me :( I’d have to say the ombre effect is really nice though!
Haha I felt the same when I first saw press photos! It doesn’t bother me anymore, though! :)
This collection looks very great . the packaging is so awesome .
i love the eye makeup u paired with the blush! gorgeous and edgy !!
Thank you ja N’Pop!! :D Did you pick up anything from the collection?
You lucky girl!! I love this blush on you! perfect pinky coral eh?
Thank you Divya. Better choice than Sunset Beach (on me) for sure. :)
Hey Jaa, gah I’m sorry to hear about the custom service! It’s great that you ended up loving the shade though! The opinion on these seems to be a little divided. I’m going to be around a MAC store on Friday. Maybe I should swatch them for myself :)
Blessing in disguise? :D
You going to a MAC store on Friday? Can I come with?!! Imagine how fun it would be if you, me, and Syl got together for a makeup shopping trip!! OMGMAKEUPSHOPPINGWTFBBQ!!! Hahahaha
You know that we’ll probably get kicked out right? Lol
Shopping raaaaiiiiiid! :-D any dragons in the offing?
Hi Jaa, I think this one is more your color thank a sunset Beach, which is really quiet cool. So two mistakes got you to the right one, and for free! Isn’t that amazing? ;-)
For me it was not that lucky. I already have Sunset Beach from last month when it was released here, I wanted Ocean City too because I have heard a lot about it. Then purchased one and sent to a friend in US. They sent the wrong one and I ended up with two Sunset Beachs :-(
Anyway a friend who got the other way around offered a swap. They might pay back but I find it all a big mess. They also sent some people emails (including myself) and wrote they are sending the blush. Then they wrote again that it was sold out so they couldn’t etc. not very professional.
Hey Sara, I agree! I think Ocean City suits my complexion better than Sunset Beach. Though I have to say Sunset Beach looks amazingly gorgeous on you!
Oh wow, that’s really mess up! There’s no way they are sending out the blush because both shades have been out of stock on their site for a while! I guess I eagerly accepted the refund instead of waiting for them to send a new blush because I had a feeling it’s not going to be easy. Who knows when they will have it in stock again.
I hope it all works out for you real soon, though. It’s frustrating I know!
Yeah, I read about the mix ups on Temptalia, bad MAC bad! But for you it turned out to be a good thing then, I’m glad :-D That gradient effect really looks goooorgeous, and the blend looks lovely on your skin.
Thanks so much, Melissa! :)
I’ve come to a conclusion that everyone who ordered got sent the wrong blush! Big mess up!!!
Nnngh! Photos…close up…too awesome…overload…imminent! *BOOM*
*pieces of rogue drift down…*
:-D
Hahahaha Syl!!! Let’s go shopping with Sunny this Friday!!!! :D :D
Yay for happy mixups! :) The same thing happened to me with OPI’s Burlesque collection. I ordered one mini set, but they sent the wrong one. I wound up loving the wrong one, so it all worked out in the end.
Yay! High five!!
Such a beautiful color. I have to say this unique packaging from the traditional MAC packaging.
Beautetude
The gradient effect is super pretty in person! :)
Thank you for stopping by, Simera! <3
I’m going to get both blushes and the Mangrove lipstick from this collection. Will just have to be patient about it because it takes so long before it gets here.
Well, at least you can be sure that you won’t get your order mixed up! LOL! Can’t wait to read your review! :)
It looks really great on you, too bad it’s so soft and messy!
It’s actually not messy at alll, Erin! I kicked up the powder myself just for fun! The actual product is pretty firm and not powdery at all. :)