Melt Cosmetics Monarca Blush Palette Review & Swatches

Monarca

Melt Cosmetics Monarca 6-Pan Blush Palette ($58.00 for 0.56 oz.) is a new, limited edition blush palette that was warmer-toned and more coral/orange leaning overall. There was more overlap within the palette than seems necessary for a color grouping, so I wish they had differentiated by finish more, though greater variety of actual color/depth likely would have made it a more versatile palette. The blushes were very pigmented (but are marketed as buildable), blendable, and lasted around eight hours.

Ingredients

Monarca

LELimited Edition. $58.00.

B+

Product

8.5

Pigmentation

Texture

8.5

Longevity

Application

89%

Total

Milagritos

Milagritos is a darker peach with moderate, warm undertones and a satin finish. There was a subtle sheen to it, though it didn’t appear overtly shimmery. The consistency was lightly powdery in the pan but picked up evenly with a dry brush and blended out well. It had opaque color payoff, which was more than marketed, that lasted well for eight hours before fading a bit.

FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).

Top Dupes

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NARS Spark Got Hot (LE, $30.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
Persona Georgia (P, $22.00) is less shimmery, darker, cooler (90% similar).
Sugarpill Retrograde (PiP, ) is less shimmery, darker, cooler (90% similar).
Essence Satin Coral (P, $2.99) is cooler (90% similar).
Tarte Beat (-, ) is more shimmery, lighter, cooler (90% similar).
Too Faced Apricot in the Act (Blush) (PiP, ) is less shimmery, darker, cooler (90% similar).
ColourPop Shook to the Coral (LE, $8.00) is darker (90% similar).
ColourPop Fresh n Peachy (LE, $8.00) is less shimmery, darker, cooler (85% similar).
Tom Ford Beauty Love Lust (P, $60.00) is more shimmery, darker, cooler (85% similar).
Cover FX Soft Peach (Right) (PiP, ) is more shimmery, darker, cooler (85% similar).

View Swatches

Formula Overview

$22.00/0.17 oz. - $129.41 Per Ounce

The formula is supposed to have "buildable" coverage that "melts into skin flawlessly." They were quite pigmented--opaque in one layer--where less was more, particularly if you actually desired buildable coverage out of the product. The texture was thin, smooth, and silky with moderate powderiness in the pan. The blush blended out well on my skin and didn't appear dry nor were they prone to emphasizing my skin texture. They lasted eight hours on me before fading visibly.

Browse all of our Melt Cosmetics Blush swatches.

Ingredients

BORON NITRIDE, MICA, ZINC STEARATE, CETYL DIMETHICONE, SILICA, GLYCERIN, NYLON-12, MAGNESIUM CARBONATE, PHENOXYETHANOL, DIMETHICONE, LAUROYL LYSINE, TALC, TRIETHYLHEXANOIN, DIMETHICONE/VINYL DIMETHICONE CROSSPOLYMER.

Disclaimer: Ingredient lists are as available by the brand (or retailer) at the time of publishing. Please always check product packaging, if it exists, for the ingredient list applicable to the product you're purchasing, or the brand or retailer's website for the most up-to-date ingredient list.

Milagritos

LELimited Edition. $22.00.

B+

Product

8.5

Pigmentation

Texture

8.5

Longevity

Application

89%

Total

Vida

Vida is a light coral with moderate, warm undertones and slightly lighter, peachy-gold pearl woven throughout that gave it a satin finish. The blush had opaque color coverage, though the texture was lightly powdery, so it could be used with a lighter hand to achieve more medium coverage that could be built up, which would have been closer to the marketing. It stayed on well for eight hours before fading noticeably.

FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).

Top Dupes

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Laura Mercier Peach (P, $30.00) is cooler (90% similar).
Tarte Beat (-, ) is darker, warmer (90% similar).
Chanel Voyage de Chanel (LE, $70.00) is darker, warmer (85% similar).
MAC Just a Pinch (P, $31.00) is more shimmery, darker, cooler (85% similar).
MAC Sippin' on Stars (LE, $31.00) is more shimmery, lighter (85% similar).
MAC Oh My, Passion! (LE, $34.00) is lighter, warmer (85% similar).
Hourglass Luminous Glow (LE, $40.00) is more shimmery, lighter, cooler (80% similar).
Tarte Seek (LE, $29.00) is more shimmery, darker, warmer (80% similar).
NARS Vu (LE, ) is more shimmery, warmer (80% similar).
Natasha Denona Alba (P, $38.00) is more shimmery, lighter, cooler (80% similar).

View Swatches

Formula Overview

$22.00/0.17 oz. - $129.41 Per Ounce

Browse all of our Melt Cosmetics Blush swatches.

Ingredients

MICA, CETYL DIMETHICONE, ZINC STEARATE, SILICA, TALC, GLYCERIN, NYLON-12, SYNTHETIC FLUORPHLOGOPITE, PHENOXYETHANOL, LAUROYL LYSINE, TIN OXIDE, DIMETHICONE, BORON NITRIDE, MAGNESIUM CARBONATE, TRIETHYLHEXANOIN, DIMETHICONE/ VINYL DIMETHICONE CROSSPOLYMER. MAY CONTAIN: ULTRAMARINES CI 77007, MANGANESE VIOLET CI 77742, RED 30 LAKE CI 73360, RED 6 LAKE CI 15850, YELLOW 5 LAKE CI 19140, RED 7 LAKE CI 15850, IRON OXIDES CI 77491, CI 77492, YELLOW 6 LAKE CI 15985, TITANIUM DIOXIDE CI 77891, RED 21 LAKE CI 45380, RED 40 LAKE CI 16035.

Vida

LELimited Edition. $22.00.

B+

Product

8.5

Pigmentation

Texture

8.5

Longevity

Application

89%

Total

Flor

Flor is a vibrant, deeper pink with subtlew, warm undertones and a semi-matte finish. It was richly pigmented with a soft, lightly powdery texture that wasn’t too firmly nor too softly-pressed into the pan, which ensured I could control the amount picked up while keeping the product spreadable and blendable on bare skin. It wore well for nine hours before fading visibly.

FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).

Top Dupes

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Makeup Geek XOXO (P, $10.00) is more shimmery, warmer (95% similar).
Tower 28 Happy Hour (P, $20.00) is darker, warmer, glossier (90% similar).
Anastasia Pink Dahlia (P, $32.00) is darker (90% similar).
Tom Ford Beauty Flush (P, $60.00) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
MAC Happy-Go-Rosy (P, $29.00) is darker, warmer (90% similar).
NARS Loves Me (LE, $30.00) is more shimmery, darker (85% similar).
Tom Ford Beauty Lavender Lure (Bottom) (LE, ) is more shimmery, darker, warmer (85% similar).
Rare Beauty Grace (P, $20.00) is darker, warmer (85% similar).
Chanel Tweed Evanescent (130) (LE, $45.00) is more shimmery, more muted, warmer (85% similar).
Natasha Denona Pink (PiP, ) is lighter, warmer (85% similar).

View Swatches

Formula Overview

$22.00/0.17 oz. - $129.41 Per Ounce

Browse all of our Melt Cosmetics Blush swatches.

Ingredients

BORON NITRIDE, MICA, ZINC STEARATE, SILICA, DIMETHICONE, CETYL DIMETHICONE, DIMETHICONE/ VINYL DIMETHICONE CROSSPOLYMER, PHENOXYETHANOL, NYLON-12, MAGNESIUM CARBONATE, GLYCERIN, LAUROYL LYSINE, TALC, TRIETHYLHEXANOIN. MAY CONTAIN: ULTRAMARINES CI 77007, MANGANESE VIOLET CI 77742, RED 30 LAKE CI 73360, RED 6 LAKE CI 15850, YELLOW 5 LAKE CI 19140, RED 7 LAKE CI 15850, IRON OXIDES CI 77491, CI 77492, YELLOW 6 LAKE CI 15985, TITANIUM DIOXIDE CI 77891, RED 21 LAKE CI 45380, RED 40 LAKE CI 16035.

Flor

LELimited Edition. $22.00.

A-

Product

8.5

Pigmentation

Texture

9.5

Longevity

Application

91%

Total

Feliz

Feliz is a bright, light-medium orange-coral base with lighter, golden pearl throughout that gave it a more pearl-like sheen. It had opaque color payoff paired with a soft, smooth consistency that was thin without being stiff or too powdery. It applied evenly to bare skin and lasted nicely for eight hours before fading noticeably.

FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).

Top Dupes

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Sydney Grace Pumpkin Spice Latte (P, $9.00) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
Anastasia Daydream (LE, ) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar).
Kevyn Aucoin Sunset #1 (PiP, ) is more shimmery (90% similar).
Sydney Grace Pumpkin Spice Latte (P, $8.00) is more shimmery, warmer (85% similar).
bareMinerals Joy (P, $29.00) is lighter (85% similar).
Sydney Grace First Date (P, $9.00) is lighter, warmer (85% similar).
ColourPop Wayfarer (LE, $8.00) is less shimmery, warmer (85% similar).
MAC Shimmy Peach (PiP, ) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (85% similar).

View Swatches

Formula Overview

$22.00/0.17 oz. - $129.41 Per Ounce

Browse all of our Melt Cosmetics Blush swatches.

Ingredients

MICA, BORON NITRIDE, TRIETHYLHEXANOIN, ZINC STEARATE, SILICA, PHENOXYETHANOL, MAGNESIUM CARBONATE, NYLON-12, DIMETHICONE, LAUROYL LYSINE, TALC, CETYL DIMETHICONE, DIMETHICONE/VINYL DIMETHICONE CROSSPOLYMER, GLYCERIN. MAY CONTAIN: ULTRAMARINES CI 77007, MANGANESE VIOLET CI 77742, RED 30 LAKE CI 73360, RED 6 LAKE CI 15850, YELLOW 5 LAKE CI 19140, RED 7 LAKE CI 15850, IRON OXIDES CI 77491, CI 77492, YELLOW 6 LAKE CI 15985, TITANIUM DIOXIDE CI 77891, RED 21 LAKE CI 45380, RED 40 LAKE CI 16035.

Feliz

LELimited Edition. $22.00.

B+

Product

8.5

Pigmentation

Texture

8.5

Longevity

Application

89%

Total

Sonrisa

Sonrisa is a rich, medium-dark orange with strong, warm yellow undertones and a matte finish. The texture felt soft, lightly powdery in the pan, but it was blendable and easy to work with on bare skin. The blush had opaque color coverage–definitely not buildable by default–that applied evenly and stayed on well for eight and a half hours on me.

FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).

Top Dupes

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ColourPop Underclassman (LE, $8.00) is darker (95% similar).
Dior Autumn Mood (332) (P, $46.00) is lighter (95% similar).
REFY Citrine (P, $20.00) is lighter, glossier (90% similar).
ColourPop Lunar Has It (P, $8.00) is lighter, warmer (85% similar).
ColourPop Dash Zero (P, $8.00) is lighter, glossier (85% similar).
ColourPop 2 Cool 4 School (LE, $8.00) is lighter, cooler (80% similar).
Viseart Orange #1 (PiP, ) is lighter, warmer (80% similar).

View Swatches

Formula Overview

$22.00/0.17 oz. - $129.41 Per Ounce

Browse all of our Melt Cosmetics Blush swatches.

Ingredients

ZINC STEARATE, BORON NITRIDE, MICA, SILICA, DIMETHICONE, TRIETHYLHEXANOIN, PHENOXYETHANOL, MAGNESIUM CARBONATE, NYLON-12, LAUROYL LYSINE, TALC, CETYL DIMETHICONE, DIMETHICONE/ VINYL DIMETHICONE CROSSPOLYMER, GLYCERIN. MAY CONTAIN: ULTRAMARINES CI 77007, MANGANESE VIOLET CI 77742, RED 30 LAKE CI 73360, RED 6 LAKE CI 15850, YELLOW 5 LAKE CI 19140, RED 7 LAKE CI 15850, IRON OXIDES CI 77491, CI 77492, YELLOW 6 LAKE CI 15985, TITANIUM DIOXIDE CI 77891, RED 21 LAKE CI 45380, RED 40 LAKE CI 16035.

Sonrisa

LELimited Edition. $22.00.

A-

Product

8.5

Pigmentation

Texture

Longevity

Application

90%

Total

Conmigo

Conmingo is a deep, reddish-orange with subtle, warm red undertones and a matte finish. It had a slightly thinner, firmer consistency compared to the other shades but still yielded opaque color coverage that blended out without too much effort. It wore well for eight hours before fading visibly.

FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).

Top Dupes

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Bite Beauty Praline (P, $24.00) is warmer, glossier (90% similar).
Giorgio Armani Brick Red (45) (P, $38.00) is lighter, warmer (85% similar).
ColourPop She's in Bold (LE, $8.00) is lighter, cooler (85% similar).
Makeup Geek Summer Fling (P, $10.00) is lighter, warmer (80% similar).
ColourPop Aloha (P, $8.00) is less shimmery, lighter, warmer (80% similar).

View Swatches

Formula Overview

$22.00/0.17 oz. - $129.41 Per Ounce

Browse all of our Melt Cosmetics Blush swatches.

Ingredients

TALC, TRIETHYLHEXANOIN, MICA, ZINC STEARATE, PHENOXYETHANOL, BORON NITRIDE, NYLON-12, SILICA, MAGNESIUM CARBONATE, LAUROYL LYSINE, DIMETHICONE, CETYL DIMETHICONE, DIMETHICONE/VINYL DIMETHICONE CROSSPOLYMER, GLYCERIN. MAY CONTAIN: ULTRAMARINES CI 77007, MANGANESE VIOLET CI 77742, RED 30 LAKE CI 73360, RED 6 LAKE CI 15850, YELLOW 5 LAKE CI 19140, RED 7 LAKE CI 15850, IRON OXIDES CI 77491, CI 77492, YELLOW 6 LAKE CI 15985, TITANIUM DIOXIDE CI 77891, RED 21 LAKE CI 45380, RED 40 LAKE CI 16035.