Update - New Shade! theBalm: InStain Long-Wearing Blush in Argyle

Hi everyone!

Today's review is an update to my review on four of the six shades of theBalm's InStain long-wearing blushes. I recently purchased the shade Argyle off of Hautelook and thought I would do a review on it for you all. 

This product, like the other shades in the line retail for $22 each and contain .23oz of product on theBalm's website. As I said in my full-length review, I was able to purchase some of them (not Argyle) on Overstock.com for only $14 each so I definitely recommend checking that site out if you're interested in purchasing this product. I however was able to purchase the shade Argyle off of Hautelook not too long ago during theBalm event for $11, which is an even better deal than Overstock! But, you have to wait around for the event to take place and it's not guaranteed they'll have the shade you're looking for. Also, Hautelook charges for shipping for orders under $100 while Overstock only charges shipping for orders under $50. While it's only $5.99 for Hautelook's shipping, I definitely hate paying for shipping so it makes more sense to purchase several items at once to make the most of paying for it.

In terms of this packaging of this product, like the other shades I reviewed, it has adorable packaging! The product comes in a small, cute cardboard case that has a depiction of a magazine cover on the front. Each blush has a different image on the front and states whether it is a fall or spring color. On the inside, there is a large mirror which is helpful when applying the product either on the go or when traveling. 

Like the other shades, I found that this product definitely delivered in terms of being a highly pigmented, long-wearing blush. It truly has a "staining" power, although I find this shade more natural than some of the others. While highly pigmented, you can achieve a very natural, subtle look with this color that you can't do as well with some of the other more intense, bright shades. Like with the other shades, I use either the Real Techniques blush brush or stippling brush to achieve the look I desire - I use the blush brush for a more subtle look and the stippling blush for a more intense look.

This shade, Argyle, is a pretty petal pink colored blush, perfect for fair-light-medium skin tones. I don't think it would work too well for those with darker skin since it's more subtle than some of the other colors in the line. Additionally, like the other colors in the line, the formula of the blushes is so smooth and creamy, not at all powdery or cakey.

What do you think of this shade compared to the others I previously reviewed? Please leave a comment below, I would love to hear from you!

Thanks for reading!

theBalm: InStain Long-Wearing Blushes

Today's review is of theBalm's InStain long-wearing blushes. This product comes in six different shades - Argyle, Lace, Houndstooth, Pinstripe, Swiss Dot, and Toile - that flatter all skin tones. 

I purchased four of the six shades - Lace, Houndstooth, Swiss Dot, and Toile. I decided not to purchase Pinstripe as I felt it was a little too dark for my light/medium skin tone, and I would have purchased Argyle, but unfortunately it was sold out at the time of my purchase. 

On theBalm's website, the InStain blushes retail for $22 each and contain .23oz of product. I was able to purchase mine on Overstock.com for only $14 each so I definitely recommend checking that site out if you're interested in purchasing this product.

The packaging of this product is absolutely adorable! The product comes in a small, cute cardboard case that has a depiction of a magazine cover on the front. Each blush has a different image on the front and states whether it is a fall or spring color. On the inside, there is a large mirror which is helpful when applying the product either on the go or when traveling. 

I found that this product definitely delivered in terms of being a highly pigmented, long-wearing blush. It truly has a "staining" power! I love this blush because you can apply it softly for a subtle glow or more intensely for a bold look, but no matter how you apply it, it always lasts all day! I love not having to worry about reapplication during the afternoon/ evening. The color of the blushes is extremely pigmented, but I found that they were easy to apply lightly when using a stippling brush. (I often use the Real Techniques stippling brush.) Additionally, the formula of the blushes is so smooth and creamy, not at all powdery or cakey. 

Swatches
Here are all four blushes swatched heavy on the left and light on the right. The first row is in natural light with no flash and the second row is with a camera flash.

Lace - bright pink with a matte finish

      

Houndstooth - mauve with a satin finish

Swiss Dot - peach/coral with a matte finish

Toile -  strawberry with a satin finish 

 
Final Verdict

All in all, I definitely think this is a great blush to purchase. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a new blush to try out!

Please leave a comment below if you've tried this blush and liked it or if there are any other blushes that you're loving right now! I would love to hear from you!