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Wednesday 11 September 2013

Mac's 'Harmony' Blush | Quick, Simple Contouring


If you've been reading my blog for a while, you will know that I am just a little obsessed with contouring and the whole 'sculpted' look.  I feel somewhat un-finished without a quick sweep of highlighting powder and a touch of bronzing powder along my cheekbones.  However, contouring every single day can be a bit of a faff - especially when you need to get out of the house pretty sharpishly! I really wanted something that made defining the cheekbones quick and easy for those days where you don't want to spend a great deal of time doing your make-up.  Mac's 'Harmony' blush is just the product I was looking for.  Although it may not look much in the pan, it's one of the most multi-functional, easy to use cheek products I've used and it makes creating a subtle contoured look simple, easy and quick to achieve.  I can only describe it as a mid-way between a bronzer and a blush - it definitely leans towards a bronzer, but the slight pink/red tones in it takes away any orangeness and provides it with a certain warmth that looks really natural when applied.  It is described on the Mac website as a 'muted rose-beige brown' and I would agree with that - it does have a certain 'hint' of rose in there - although it definitely is more toned down and extremely subtle.

All you need is a quick sweep and you're done in a swish (yes, I just said 'sweep' and 'swish' in the same sentence...couldn't resist!).  It instantly defines and gives a beautiful, natural effect without the need for any contouring techniques or time spent applying a variety of products and corresponding brushes - with 'Harmony', you can achieve that sculpted appearance quickly and easily with just one product and a blush brush.  The matte finish is perfect for sculpting the face as it doesn't contain any shimmers - it provides a smooth, natural look.  I simply use my Real Techniques blush brush to apply; gently sweeping it along the cheeks and blending out towards the hairline to create a soft, contoured look.  Instantly, it makes my cheekbones appear more defined and my cheeks appear a little brighter and healthier - it really is a sculpting powder and a blush rolled into one!  If I want a slightly more dramatic effect, I'll sometimes go in with my Real Techniques Contour brush and define a little more around the top of the cheekbones - but that's what so great about it - you're able to build up the colour lightly, to the level you're after.   I've even used a light dusting across my forehead and down the centre of the nose for a soft bronzed look.  It really is so easy to use.

If you're a little intimidated by bronzers or aren't too confident when it comes to contouring, I'd really recommend this little gem.  It looked wonderful with a tan over the summer, and looks even more striking now that my skin is paler - there is no doubt I will be using this throughout winter.  It's perfect for uni as it looks more natural for a daytime look, and it's so quick and easy to do.  It is very much one of those 'sweep and go' kind of products.  The soft, rosey-brown colour is also perfect for this time of year - it's understated, simple and will compliment almost any make-up look - the perfect finishing touch!  I didn't take a photograph of me wearing it specifically for this post, but if you're itching to get an idea of what it looks like when worn, then I used it for this little FOTD in this recent post.  Also, whilst we are on the subject of contouring, I  have a simple tutorial here if you're after some ideas, and I've written about another one of my all-time favourite sculpting products here. 

Have you tried Mac's Harmony? What is your favourite go-to blush right now?

32 comments:

  1. Seriously do you have to keep tempting me with all these mac products, this looks perfect for contouring.


    Liza | Glambeautys | YouTube

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    1. haha! Oh nooes im so sorry, i really am :P I was going to tweet you about it actually - i know you would love this! Definitely have a look next time you're in Mac :) It's a little gem! x

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  2. I love MAC products! I bought my very first MAC powder blush today called Style. Love it and can't wait to show it off!

    Do you mind me asking what camera you use? Your photos are amazing :)

    Also there's currently a giveaway on my blog if any of your readers want to take part! www.yazzyscorner.blogspot.com

    Yazzy x

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    1. oo i have that on my wishlist! Its a coral sort of colour isnt it?

      Of course! I use a SonyNex5R - its basically more or less the same as DSLR just without the bulk :) Takes really lovely photographs!

      x x

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  3. Just another MAC product to add to the wish list!

    www.britishbeautyaddict.com

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    1. eek! Apologies for adding to your wishlist :P
      x x

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  4. I love shades like this because they're so quick and easy to wear for everyday. Really can't go wrong with something like this, love it!
    zozeze.com x

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    1. exactly why i love them - so simple :) x

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  5. i've been wanting this blush for a while now, but after googling some dupes i bought nyx's taupe blush - it's the same idea, a blush/bronzer middle man sorta thing but the nyx one is more cool toned (perfect for me as ordinary bronzers look far too orange on my skin) but i think that the nyx version is less pigmented than harmony. i think i may have to buy harmony now, and see how they compare! xo
    http://cloudsandcuticleoil.blogspot.co.uk/

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  6. I'm a Mac virgin...I seriosly need to try a product or two the next time I'm looking for a splurge. Maybe I should try the blush or a paint pot. the choices are killing me!

    XOX~Robin
    beautyandthegin.blogspot.com

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  7. I've heard a lot of great reviews about Harmony but still to this day have not purchased or even swatched it in any MAC Store.. For contour I do use the Sleek contour palette but i'm intrigued to give this a go now!!

    Great Review!

    http://uniquebeautysecrets.blogspot.co.uk/
    Louise xxx

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  8. I'm a Mac virgin...I seriosly need to try a product or two the next time I'm looking for a splurge. Maybe I should try the blush or a paint pot. the choices are killing me!

    XOX~Robin
    beautyandthegin.blogspot.com

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  9. I'm a Mac virgin...I seriosly need to try a product or two the next time I'm looking for a splurge. Maybe I should try the blush or a paint pot. the choices are killing me!

    XOX~Robin
    beautyandthegin.blogspot.com

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  10. I seriously need this, it's been on my list for ages...I keep seeing rave reviews for it! Jo x

    alittlepopofcoral.blogspot.co.uk

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  11. This looks so gorgeous! Seen so many reviews saying how amazing it is, especially for paler skin!:)xx
    http://peachesand-cream.blogspot.co.uk/

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  12. LOVE this review!! thanks, it looks like the perfect product for me. I find a lot of bronzers too orange xx

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  13. Such a good shade for contouring, this would work on my pale skin too :)

    Following you, would love you to follow mine back.

    www.frankiebooxx.blogspot.co.uk

    Frankie xXx

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  14. This is just what I was looking for!
    I'm new to the whole bronzer thing (I know, where have I been?) and I've been looking for a nice natural colour for college!
    Thanks a mil!

    x

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  15. Looks so pigmented, what a great shade xx

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  16. This was a wonderful review and since I've been debating if I want this or not, it was really helpful! Thanks!
    Amber
    Lovely Notions

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  17. A few months back I went into MAC (for the first time, I must admit) and told the lady, that I only have two gears when it comes to makeup - no at all or a full face and needed something in the middle for a natural, barely there everyday look using less products and less of them.
    She did my makeup with a handful of products and I LOVED the way she picked a color (I believe it was peaches) that suited me and could be used for both contouring my cheekbones and adding a bit of color to my cheeks without appearing too obvious.

    I have yet to buy any of them, since I decided to use up what I have now, but now I'm thinking of seriously going for this shade, because it looks amazing!!!

    Thanks so much for the post!

    Renate from http://thecuriousklutz.blogspot.dk

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  18. I really want to get into contouring, especially for the colder months. This looks like a great product to start with, great post, thanks!

    Gem. x
    slightgem.blogspot.co.uk

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  19. oh my goodness, what a beautiful colour! i only own one mc blush but i want to get more!
    thinking-like-a-doll.blogspot.com x

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  20. So tempted to get this now, even though I really do not need another bronzer/blush to add to my collection!

    Leanne @ Leanne-Marie | Beauty, fashion & lifestyle. x x

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  21. Fab review lovely, this sounds like a great product! My MAC wishlist is getting ridiculously long..I'm obsessed with Sleek blushers at the moment as they're so pigmented and quite shimmery so no need for a highlighter :) xx

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  22. This sounds pretty perfect Beth! As much as I love a dark bronzer it can look too much on paler skin so this seems like a great solution to winter bronzing, lovely review :) xxx

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  23. Great review. This is definitely going on my wishlist! Raspberrykiss xo

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  24. I completely relate to contouring when wearing natural make up being a faff. This looks different to how I expected it to look when swatched xx

    LISA // MISSLISA.CO.UK

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  25. This is most definitely on my list for Duty Free shopping next month!

    Victoria

    FlorenceandMary.com

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  26. MAC Harmony is my favourite MAC blush! Its my only blush in my make up bag at the moment - its great for contouring whilst adding a bit of colour to the face :)

    A beauty, fashion and lifestyle blog by Izzi

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  27. such a pretty blush! I need it for my collection!

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I always read all of my lovely comments. Make sure you check back as i often reply but if you do have a specific question and want a quicker response then please do email me over at birds.words@yahoo.co.uk or tweet me (@Beth_BirdsWords). Thank you for all your support! x