MAC Ellie Goulding: I'll Hold My Breath Powder Blush Duo

Tomorrow, MAC will be launching their collaboration collection with English singer-songwriter, Ellie Goulding: "The powerhouse pop goddess brings her blonde, bold spirit to MAC in a collaboration that's as mesmerizing as her music. Inspired by the light and dark dichotomy so present in her artwork and as a performer, Ellie's thoughtfully curated collection emulates her two signature looks: effortless au naturel by day, and breathtaking bombshell by night." The collection consists of 18 products, of which seven are new and limited edition, one is a re-promote, and ten are permanent. Ellie Goulding sees the launch of one new and limited edition Powder Blush Duo "that combines two shades of colour for cheeks and face." It is housed in a special edition glossy black mirrored compact with Ellie Goulding's name and logo in rose gold on the lid; the powder itself is also embossed with her logo. Each Powder Blush Duo contains 10 grams of product, and retails for $33.50. 
I'll Hold My Breath
I'll Hold My Breath

I'll Hold My Breath #1 is a medium warm bronze with a soft golden shimmer-sheen. This is a new and limited edition shade. It has a soft and finely-milled texture, and goes on smoothly and evenly. It has high pigmentation and opaque colour pay-off. It can be layered and blended out easily. It is lighter and more golden than Bronze Bronzing Powder, less shimmery than Refined Golden Bronzing Powder, more shimmery than Dark Golden Mineralize Skinfinish Natural, and more golden and more shimmery than Dark Tan Mineralize Skinfinish Natural.

I'll Hold My Breath #2 is a medium warm brightened pinked coral in a satin finish. This is a new and limited edition shade. It has a soft and finely-milled texture, and goes on smoothly and evenly. It has high pigmentation and opaque colour pay-off. It can be layered and blended out easily. It is lighter than Fleur Power, warmer and more coral than Lovecloud, lighter and pinker than Fleeting Romance, and more matte than Peachykeen.

Both shades in this duo are soft, silky, and finely-milled, with great pigmentation and minimal powder kick-back. They both blend out easily, but also layer really well without looking muddy or cakey. It's definitely reminiscent of Hibiscus Kiss that came out with Rihanna's summer collection two years ago, but they're not dupes — I'll Hold My Breath is softer, lighter, and more muted. The bronzer shade is soft and provides a natural warmth and glow to the skin, and the blush adds a pop of colour without being too bright or gaudy; I can definitely see them being workhorse shades for many. The duo is actually a nice reprieve from all the dark, moody colours we've been seeing this season, and should work for all ages because neither shade emphasizes skin texture. Though it is a warm-leaning palette, the shades aren't too yellow or orange that they shouldn't work on cool complexions as well. I'm not going to say that this blush duo is a must-have, as there are pretty good dupes of both shades within MAC's permanent range, but the shades here are very wearable and definitely reflective of Goulding's natural, fresh-faced make-up style.