Tracking down the perfect blush shade is a trying task that influencer Toni Bravo, the self-proclaimed “CEO of blush,” knows all too well. Even with a collection of over 100 blushes, Bravo still hadn’t found her perfect coral or raspberry blush. So, cult-favorite beauty brand Tower 28 tapped the social media star to create two limited-edition blush shades in hopes of filling the gap in all of our collections.
With Bravo’s blush expertise and Tower 28’s commitment to delivering top-notch sensitive skin-friendly formulas, the GetSet Matte Powder Blush shade range was extended to include “Sunset Shirley,” a warm raspberry and “Downtown Daiquiri,” a bright coral. Paying close attention to both undertone and pigment, the duo created the new shades Tower 28’s CEO Amy Liu says “came from a shared vision and real intention.”
Just like the original shades, these new GetSet Matte Powder Blushes promise to give 12 hours of color, along with an instant blurring effect to smooth textured skin. Not to mention, the blush is also ideal for oily skin — as it controls shine while simultaneously locking in your makeup.
Ahead, we talk to Toni Bravo and the brand’s founder Amy Liu about the process of dreaming up the new shades.
Tell me about the new blush shades, what was the inspiration behind them?
Liu: This collaboration has been over a year in the making — and started, as the best things do, from a real connection. Toni is such a force and brings a fun, bold energy to beauty. With over 100 blushes in her collection, she still hadn’t found the one when it came to certain tones, so we invited her to co-create them using her favorite formula: our GetSet Blush. The result is two joyful, high-impact shades that reflect our shared LA roots and love for pigment that lasts.
Bravo: “Sunset Shirley” is a warm raspberry with the perfect blend of berry red and pink. “Downtown Daiquiri” is a bright coral and quite honestly the orange blush of my dreams. The inspiration behind them organically stemmed from a realization I’d been having. While I had so many blushes, I was always needing to combine them to create the perfect raspberry or orange on me. I dreamed of being able to get it right with only one. So, we made it.
What did the process of making the new blush shades look like?
Liu: We’ve never done a collaboration with a content creator before, so this was a first. Toni came in with such a clear point of view, but she was also super thoughtful about things like undertones, payoff and wearability. I was so impressed by how she could immediately clock if something was too pink or not quite warm enough. The process was very collaborative — we tested, swatched, adjusted, and repeated.
Bravo: I’ve done some behind-the-scenes consulting for various brands in the past, so it was similar. Except, this time I was creating something I could actually call my own and that made it feel much more personal.
What was the goal for the new shades? What were you looking for?
Liu: We wanted shades that were bold and fun but still totally wearable for every day. We wanted to give Toni, and other people, a true orange-y red or warm raspberry that had the right undertones and payoff.
Bravo: I was looking to create shades I couldn’t quite find on their own. Raspberry shades can be difficult. Sometimes they’d lean too cool or too pink, so I’d have to mix them with another shade. And for a coral/orange, I personally never found a powder that I liked on myself. So, I’d been on the hunt for these shades for some time.
What sets these new shades apart from others? What makes them so unique?
Liu: Our GetSet Blush is the first-ever setting blush which combines the staying power of a setting powder with the punch of a richly pigmented matte powder blush. It’s sweat-proof, fade-proof and perfect for sensitive skin. But what really makes these particular shades special is the thoughtful intention behind them, they were specifically designed with rich pigment to flatter a wide range of skin tones. “Downtown Daiquiri” and “Sunset Shirley” don’t just look good in the pan, they’ve been tested and perfected to perform on real skin.
Bravo: Having these shades wear beautifully on every complexion was paramount to me, and I think we did that. These blushes also are self-setting. Made with ingredients like hydrophobic silica and squalane, they’re just as hydrating as they are sweat-proof. Tower 28’s formulas have always held a special place in my heart because they are incredibly sensitive skin friendly, so knowing that this blush has your back in the pigment department and skincare department was so important to me.
The GetSet Matte Powder Blush in “Sunset Shirley” and “Downtown Daiquiri” retail for $22 USD and are now available for purchase on the brand’s website.
While you’re here, read about Mane’s new product lineup.
