Hey Everyone!
Along with my MAC brushes, my NARS blushes are probably one of my most prized posessions in my make-up collection. In fact, they pretty much have a drawer to themselves. With racy names like “Orgasm” and “Deep Throat”, NARS created an international stir but a justified one at that for their blushes are simply amazing. With beautiful shades and lasting colors, it’s pretty much what every blush should strive to be like.
I have in total six single NARS Blushes and one NARS Duo in Albatross and Torrid. I’ve also attatched ratings to each blush in the form of a scale of cute little red hearts. A magnificent, must get blush is 5 hearts and a blush you can skip is 1 heart. Note that although I’ve said that I’m in love with NARS blushes, the blushes with low ratings simply don’t suit my skintone but the formula remains the same. You’ll see what I mean.
In this post, I’ve also included face swatches of three blushes in Passion, Orgasm and Deep Throat as requested in my NARS blush collection video. Thank you so much for your kind comments. You’ll see who won the last facebook MAC giveaway at the end of this post and what is up for grabs this week ;) But, read the rest of this because it took me forever. Kay thanks.
Let’s do this!
1. NARS Deep Throat (Rating: 5/5)
I’m starting off this post with my all time favourite NARS blush in Deep Throat. I don’t want to delve into the specifics of why the blush is named so if you haven’t already guessed but I’m trying to keep this post PG. Anyway, this blush is a beautiful light pink (but not pale) with a silver shimmer undertone barely noticeable on skin. It glows a beautiful pink glow when applied and I love this product because it is such a no-brainer. It’s for one of those days when you’re late for class and need to grab something to whip on before fleeting out the door. You’ll almost never go wrong with the Deep Throat and if anything, you should get this baby first.
As you can see it’s not too cool which is nice and it’s pretty much the perfect blush shade. I’ve paired it with Hoola by Benefit (or you can use any bronzer really) in this picture.
2. NARS Amour (Rating: 2/5)
I really wanted to get this and love it but with all online purchases, sometimes you kind of go wrong which is why it is especially important to try it out first at the counter if you get the chance. At 2AM in the morning, sometimes that doesn’t really cross your mind. This is a pretty darker pink shade but like another blush you’ll see later, something is just wrong. It must not suit my skintone very nicely and it’s very pigmented which means that I can’t use it as a no-brainer blush. Sometimes when I apply it, I just want to rub my cheeks to blend it out. I just don’t know.
3. NARS Dolve Vita (Rating: 1/5)
Perhaps this is more suitable for a darker skintone. Like amour, the Dolce Vita is way too pigmented for me, even when applied with a stippling brush. The color also doesn’t suit me very well but I’ve heard so many rave reviews about it. If you’re an NC 35 and below, this is probably a blush to skip.
Some swatches on the hand. Look how dark Dolce Vita is! Amour looks so nice swatched but on my cheeks, it’s just alright.
4. NARS Passion (Rating: 5/5)
I’ve been wanting this blush for ages simply because I like matte blushes and I like peach shades. This is the perfect combination of the two. It’s a beautiful matte peach shade, perfect for spring and summer. I give it a five for being another no-brainer blush because I don’t have to think about how much I’m putting on when I’m applying it or at least I don’t have to be too careful.
A matte peach blush is great paired with a chocolate smokey eye. Of course you would know this look as my signature NARS cordura look!
5. NARS Albatross (Rating: 1/5)
I was so looking forward to this. I was quite impressed with the Shiseido WT905 and I was looking to get another powdered highlighter and I thought albatross was the one. Unfortunately, the gold shimmer is so obvious not in a chunky way because it’s quite fine but you can see it so it looks like you’re wearing a gold powder on your cheeks. It might go well with olive skintones so you can go out and look like the Greek goddess Athena but for everyday wear, it is for sure a miss.
6. NARS Torrid (Rating: 5/5)
This is pretty. It’s a peachy leaning on to a nice orange shade with a bit of gold flex. Think NARS Orgasm without any inkling of pink whatsoever. I like this blush a lot and find it a beautiful match with a nice bronzer underneath. It looks pigmented but it’s actually not too bad.
You can’t see the gold shimmer but on the cheeks it’s pretty obvious. I look like I have a yellow sheen and I already have a yellow undertone so it really doesn’t look very good.
7. NARS Zen (Rating: 3/5)
This is one of those shades you’ll use for the blush layering technique. Blush layering is when you use a pair of blushes instead of just one. One blush should be a more darker tone while the second blush is more brighter. Think the MAC blush ombres. Zen is perfect for that purpose matched with a pop of bright pink blush or bright peach blush because it balances it well. I will show you one day what I mean. This and Pink Swoon make a perfect combination. On it’s own, it’s good worn to warm things up. However talking about necessity, you really wouldn’t need it.
It just looks like a dirty bronzer really.
8. NARS Orgasm Blush (Rating: 5/5)
This is the most talked about blush, possibly. It’s the NARS orgasm blush which has been NARS’ best selling blush for quite a while. I remember the day when I skipped to the counter to purchase this and NARS Laguna. I was so excited and my heart was beating. They say that make-up is just make-up, but for make-up junkies like us, it’s more of an experience. Despite the bad and very good reviews, opinions have been mixed. I love this blush because just look at it! It’s such a beautiful pink, with a peach undertone and gold reflex. It’s beautiful. I love this blush even more in Melbourne because of the dry climate. I don’t glow as much here as I do in Singapore. In Singapore, I would opt for another blush because my beads of sweat (ew) make up for the lack of luster. Too much luster as you know isn’t a good thing.
Overall a beautiful, easy to reach for blush!
and there we have it my NARS blush collection and my thoughts. I hope it makes your next trip to NARS a little easier. If you have any questions regarding where I got them, and how to get them cheaper, feel free to ask!
and then finally, who won the MAC Plum Du Bois Blush from last week’s giveaway??
Congratulations to…..
CHARLENE JUDITH LEE!!
Your name was randomly drawn! Please send me your address to roseannetangrs@gmail.com :D
But, don’t fret, if you didn’t win. Get your keyboard ready and comment on this post the answer to this question…
What is your favourite product from NARS and why?
If you haven’t tried anything, what’s on your wishlist?
In your comment, don’t forget to include your Name, Email Address, the answer to the above question and the username you are following the blog with so I can check!
For example:
1. Roseanne Tang
2. I absolutely love the NARS deep throat blush because it’s the perfect shade of pink!
3. roseannetangrs
4. Your email address
and you can stand a chance to win the MAC Liberty of London Summer Rose Beauty Powder!!!
Conditions of the Contest:
1. It is international
2. You must be a follower of this blog (www.roseannebeauty.com). Look at the directions on the right side widget to see how to follow this blog
3. You must be comfortable with giving me your address and receiving packaeges if you do win
4. Contest ends on Sunday, April 10, 2011!
Good Luck!
Do note that reading the entries to this post is a great way to add ideas to your shopping list as well so stay tuned ;)
Love,
Roseanne