ColourPop Pressed Powder Face Duo Review

ColourPop has come a long way since its Ultra Matte Lips debuted a couple years ago.  The brand has blown up and one of their more recent products has been the Pressed Powder Face Duo.Just like the name says, these are two pressed powders - one blush and one highlighter.  Both of the powders are super pigmented and pretty finely milled (and only $16 each).  When I saw these on Instagram, I couldn't wait to get my hands on them.  There have been four Pressed Powder Face Duos released, and I decided to get two - Double Play and The Knockout.

ColourPop Pressed Powder Face Duo in Double Play

Double Play is a warm-toned nude palette.  The blush - Getting Handsy - is a warm, medium peachy brown.  The highlighter - Padded Down - is a warm champagne highlighter.  I was hoping this would be an everyday staple because the colors looked so versatile and super wearable.I mean, look at the swatches! Getting Handsy looks like the perfect peachy brown and Padded Down is such a pretty champagne with just enough peachy warmth.  But for some reason this beauty didn't quite translate onto my skin.  It seems like I have to layer the blush too much to get the pigment to show up.  It's actually pretty confusing though because the swatches show up really well.  Anyways, once I build up the color on my face, I look so powdery.  The blush just doesn't meld onto the skin.  Instead it seems to just sit on top.That being said, when the highlighter is dusted onto my cheekbones, I get a really pretty glow, so this pressed powder face duo isn't a total loss.

ColourPop Pressed Powder Face Duo in The Knockout

While I liked Double Play because it looked basic (in the very best way possible), I decided to get The Knockout because it's a little bit more bright and shiny.  The Knockout has all the peachy vibes.  The blush - Excuse My French - is a matte medium peach.  The highlighter - I Like To Watch - is a warm yellow gold.Excuse My French is still a bit powdery, but it's much more wearable than the blush in the Double Play Pressed Powder Face Duo.  And the highlighter is super pretty (but not subtle at all).Here are swatches in bright sunlight:As you can see in these swatches, the blushes are pretty powdery.  And unfortunately that does translate onto the face unless you use a very light hand.  But, to make sure that the blushes show up on darker skin tones, you have to layer the blush, which intensifies the powdery look.

Here are some pictures of me wearing each Pressed Powder Face Duo...

And here are the details on the rest of my makeup:MAC Next to Nothing in Dark // Glossier boy brow in Clear (shop with me using this link for 20% off your first purchase) // Colourpop Cosmetics Brow Pencil in Black N' Brown // Sephora Collection Colorful Gloss Balm in Tan Lines (on the eyes) // Maybelline Mega Plush Volum Express Mascara // Lancôme Juicy Shaker in Apri-Cute* (with the Double Play palette) // Urban Decay x Basquiat lipstick in Abstract + Glo Minerals Cream Glaze Lip Pencil in Mimosa* (with The Knockout palette.  Also, don't forget to check out my picks from the Urban Decay x Basquiat collection in this post.) // Vichy Laboratories Eau Thermale Spa Water (I had to spray my face pretty generously with this to take away the powdery look.)Although the swatches are nice, on the face, the blushes in these face duos didn't work for me.  I was really hoping they would work because the colors are so pretty and they're really affordable.  That being said, even if I only use the highlighter, it's still a pretty good deal.What do you think? Would you give these a go?