Makeup technology keeps advancing faster than I can keep up with, and the latest innovation is packaged beautifully in the Physicians Formula pH Matchmaker Blush ($12.95 USD / $15.99 CDN, available at various drugstores), shown here in shade Natural. The formula claims to adjust its color depending on the pH of your skin, so you get a perfect custom glow each time. I’m always incredibly skeptical of any “self-adjusting” product…so let’s take a closer look.

The Packaging

The blush comes packaged in the a typical Physicians Formula cut-out box, and the actual compact itself is really cute. It almost reminds me of Bobbi Brown’s Shimmer Brick in terms of the black compact with simple detailing.  The color on the compact itself is helpful to differentiate it from the other blushes and bronzers in the pH Matchmaker line.

Open the compact and you see the blush, a decent sized mirror and a tiny little switch on the right-hand side- there are actually two LED lights embedded onto each side of the mirror, allowing you to touch-up in low light if needed (it’s definitely not enough to do your whole face in the dark, but you can at least see where you’re putting the product- plus its super bright to stare at for more than 10 seconds).  The blush lifts up to reveal a brush in the compartment underneath as well- which is actually pretty decent for touch-ups! It’s soft enough for a light application and big enough to apply where needed.

Physicians Formula pH Matchmaker Blush in Natural

Physicians Formula pH Matchmaker Blush in Natural

Physicians Formula pH Matchmaker Blush in Natural

Physicians Formula pH Matchmaker Blush in Natural

Physicians Formula pH Matchmaker Blush in Natural

Physicians Formula pH Matchmaker Blush in Natural (LED Lights On)

Physicians Formula pH Matchmaker Blush in Natural

Physicians Formula pH Matchmaker Blush in Natural

The Product

The blush itself is a really beautiful rosy pink shade, with small frosted-overspray dots around the perimeter of the product.  When I say overspray, I really mean it- one swipe and the shimmery coat is gone.  The blush itself does have some shimmer laced throughout, however it’s quite subtle and not noticeable on the skin.  I love how finely milled the blush is- it really blends so smoothly onto my skin and is nearly undetectable…I just look like I’m glowing.

But I know the question that everyone wants to know is… does it actually change color? First of all… I wasn’t really aware that different skin tones had different pH levels, which I’m assuming is the basis of this makeup technology.  I’m still not entirely convinced when it comes to “self-adjusting” makeup products… but the only thing I can really go on is that I find this blush looks slightly different on my skin then it does in the pan. In the pan, it looks quite rosy…yet on my skin, it appears a little more coral.  Even if it wasn’t pH Powered, as they say, I still think its a gorgeous shade and the silky formula itself is enough to really win me over.

My only gripe is that it definitely did not last the 14 hours on my skin that it claims to do… It faded after about 5-6 hours, which is quite normal for myself and powdered blushes.  It’s also quite a high price tag for a drugstore product, however I’ve always known Physicians Formula to be a bit more expensive than other drugstore items, yet it does come with 6g of product (a similar amount to that of a Benefit Boxed Powder).

Physicians Formula pH Matchmaker Blush in Natural

Physicians Formula pH Matchmaker Blush in Natural

Physicians Formula pH Matchmaker Blush in Natural

Physicians Formula pH Matchmaker Blush Brush

Physicians Formula pH Matchmaker Blush Brush

Physicians Formula pH Matchmaker Blush in Natural (Overspray rubbed off)

Physicians Formula pH Matchmaker Blush in Natural (Swatched)

Summary

• Price: $12.95 USD / $15.99 CDN for 0.21oz / 6g
• Availability: Drugstore.com and various drugstores
• Selection: Available in two shades, Natural (shown here) and Rose.
• Overall: A gorgeous, silky blush that looks really natural and flawless. Not sure if it really does adjust to different skin tones, however I did find it looked a bit more coral on myself than the rosy shade in the pan. The LED lights on the compact are also a little helpful for touch-ups, but not much more than that.
• Rating: A-