Thursday, July 14, 2011

My Nars Blush Collection Review, Photos and Swatches!

 Nars Powder Blush Overview

For a while, I was pretty obsessed with Nars blushes. Nars is one of my top favorite brands, and it's always a brand I like going to when I want to treat myself to something I'll really love and enjoy. The products ooze quality with the ease of application as well as the very rich pigmentation.

Nars has a good variety of blush shades - not as excessive as MAC, but they have all of the basic shades. There are currently 23 in total - Sex Appeal, Amour, Angelika, Deep Throat, Dolce Vita, Douceur, Exhibit A, Gilda, Gina, Lovejoy, Luster, Madly, Mata Hari, Nico, Oasis, Orgasm, Silvana, Sin, Super Orgasm, Taj Mahal, Taos, Torrid and Zen.

I remember when I first discovered Nars blushes (I was 18 or 19) and couldn't get over the fact that they were bold enough to name a blush Deep Throat and Orgasm. Okay, Orgasm isn't that bad, but Deep Throat? I mean, I'm not offended - but if someone was to ask me in public what blush I was wearing.. I would totally act like I didn't know the shade. What if they never heard of Nars and thought you were making fun of them? "I love your shade of lipstick, what is it!?" "Money Shot." "Oh. K.. Thanks?" "What about your blush?" "Doggy Style."

Nars Blushes are a bit expensive at $27 per .16 oz. Typically brands have higher costs due to expensive packaging, but there's really nothing special - or expensive about the packaging of the blushes. The good - They are very thin, lightweight and have a mirror. The bad - the rubber material gets incredibly dirty (not aesthetically pleasing one bit) and it's a little flimsy. Some of my mirrors have become a little loose. Also, if you're not a fan of shimmer, you may want to look elsewhere because most of Nars blushes contain a little bit of shimmer. Although none of them are really frosty - lots of them have fine shimmery sheens. A great thing though about Nars blushes is the uniqueness of the shades and the high pigmentation. Yes, they are expensive - but I can't imagine ever finishing one Nars blush in a year.. with the exception of Orgasm because it's slightly sheerer than the rest.

I've accumulated nine in the past few years and several of them don't get enough use because the particular shades I own aren't practical for every day. My favorites, which are used often are Madly and Lovejoy. I also have my eyes on Douceur, Taj Mahal, Desire and Gina. (You can view swatches of all shades on KarlaSugar by clicking here.)


 Angelika & Super Orgasm


ANGELIKA is a cool toned bubblegum pink with what seems to be a mixture of two different sized shimmers - the larger shimmers are silver and the smaller shimmers are gold. It is very pigmented, so a little goes a long way. The color looks much more glittery in the pan than it does on the cheeks. You may spot a few flecks here and there, but it's not overly glittery. What's nice about this blush is that it's cool undertone isn't so strong, so it is wearable on warm skin tones. Because of my yellow undertones, Angelika pulls pink-coral on my cheeks.
SUPER ORGASM is a pink with a peachy gold pearl and large flecks of gold glitter. I've never actually seen a blush with more obnoxious glitter than Super Orgasm - but it's really pretty to look at. The glitter is so large in fact that once the blush makes it to you cheeks, most of the glitter will fall off, especially if you're applying it over powder. There will still be a little on your cheeks, but nothing like the pan. It's a lot like Orgasm, but the color is a bit more vibrant.

 Crazed & Outlaw


CRAZED (discontinued) is a vibrant raspberry with fine golden flecks. It's immensely pigmented and soft in texture so you only need to tap the blush with the tip of your blush brush for your cheeks. You can easily go overboard with Crazed, but when applied lightly, it gives such a natural flush of color. A bit like the color your cheeks would turn after a jog.
OUTLAW (discontinued) is a vibrant red-rose shade with fine gold shimmer, very similar to Crazed but with a stronger red tone. It's actually most of the time difficult to tell the blushes apart unless I bring them both into the sunlight. Even though it's red - it's not very warm. For example, it's nothing like Lovejoy - which can turn a cinnamon shade on the cheeks. Outlaw is much more neutral and doesn't pull brown. Like Crazed, this should also be used with a light hand and gives a nice flush of color to the cheeks.

 Madly & Luster


MADLY is a dusty, seashell pink with warm undertones and very fine shimmer. It doesn't look like much in the pan, but when applied to the cheeks, the color warms up a lot to your skin tone. It's like a blushed tan on my cheeks that's very wearable for every day. It's a very versatile color and can be worn with just about any lipstick or eye combo. It's actually my favorite Nars blush!
LUSTER is a golden apricot with golden shimmer. In the pan it looks like more of a golden tan, but once applied to the cheeks, the color instantly pops into that apricot shade - a blushed peach with golden tones. If I apply too much, it does redden a bit - but applied lightly, it gives a nice warm glow. I have to say though, I was disappointed with Luster - I was really hoping it would be the same color in the pan.

 Lovejoy & Albatross


LOVEJOY is a bronzed rose with fine golden shimmer. It's very warm, and applies on the cheeks the same way it looks in the pan (more subtle, of course). It's a gorgeous, sultry shade for those with warm undertones and looks great paired with golds and browns on the eyes! Lovejoy is right behind Madly in my favorites list.
ALBATROSS is a sheer white base with a fine golden sheen. Once applied, the white blends out and all is left is a gold-yellow sheen that isn't overly frosty. Albatross looks lovely when lightly applied to the cheekbones for a highlight or swirled into your favorite blush to add a warm glow.

 Orgasm

ORGASM is a peached pink that is great for your "every day" pink blush. On my particular skintone, Orgasm pulls a bit of a coral-pink, similar to MAC Springsheen. Orgasm is the most popular of all Nars blushes, and it was my very first Nars purchase back in 2008. Currently, Orgasm has over 4,100 reviews on makeupalley and is rated a 4/5. I'm personally not too crazy about the shade and haven't reached for it more than twice in the past couple of years. Since it's launch and popularity, there have been so many duplicates or very similar shades. It is a great color though and is very flattering on most skintones.

I apologize my swatches didn't come out all that great. I used Q-tips instead of sponge applicators, so they came out a little streaky. None of them really apply that way when used with a blush brush on the cheeks.

What are some of your favorite Nars blushes? Do you love them or think they are overrated?

28 comments:

  1. I'm also a huge NARS blush fan. You've just convinced me to purchase Madly and Lovejoy. I really wish Crazed and Outlaw weren't discontinued. They're gorgeous shades.

    ReplyDelete
  2. And LOL! I do the same--I wore Deep Throat to work and my coworker asked what blush it was. I lied and told her it was some MAC blush I forgot the name of, for the same reason you mentioned. "It's called Dirty Slut."

    ReplyDelete
  3. You'll love them!! I know, they are really pretty shades. I don't reach for them enough though.. I should really start tossing them in my bag so they get some use!

    ReplyDelete
  4. LMAO!! Dirty Slut!! HAHA I love it!

    ReplyDelete
  5. omgsh this post couldn't be better timed. I have been eying NARS lately ever since I saw their new highlighter in Sephora. *ugh* now I really want Angelika & New Order.
    I have Lovejoy too & I have so much left (and i got it like 4 years ago xD) because it's soo pigmented, i only need one swipe on my cheeks and I'm done.

    thanks for the lovely post<3

    ReplyDelete
  6. I fell for Orgasm... lol not because of the name, I thought I loved the shade... however it doesn't work for me at all, too shimmery. But I'm hoping that someday I'll grow out of my matte blush phase and this will become a favorite :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. I'm not a huge Nars blush fan because it's pretty expensive for the amount that you're getting. Plus, the packaging is not as pretty as other high end blushes, such as my Burberry blush.

    http://makeupbyjoyce88.blogspot.com/2011/04/review-swatches-burberry-light-glow.html

    I think I would get Nars blushes for that price if they had prettier packaging. The packaging that they have is not ugly, but it's just not pretty enough.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I love taj mahal.great for darker skin tones

    ReplyDelete
  9. I have a NARS blush post I was thinking about doing for the longest time... but that's all I ever do, is think and not post haha. I was got a good laugh out of "Money Shot" and "Doggy Style" hahaha. I actually really love wearing "Deep Throat", but can't really tell that many people what I'm wearing, unless they are my friends who are into makeup :)

    ReplyDelete
  10. I have two Nars blushes I'm thinking of getting Deep Throat. I have Madly, and I keep forgetting how gorgeous it is.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Thanks for the lovely review and swatches! :)

    ReplyDelete
  12. Best review I've seen on the NARS blushes. Thanks for doing it. I love the swatched and photos too. Super clear :)

    ReplyDelete
  13. Great post!! Your reviews and swatches are fabulous! I love NARS blushes! My favorites are Oasis, Deep Throat, and Cactus Flower (Cream Blush).

    Andrée xx

    ReplyDelete
  14. You have great swatches ! I've wanted the orgasm for a really long time, but never actually purchased because of the price. I'll probably get it when I feel like I earned it !

    ReplyDelete
  15. Amazing post! I love NARS blushes so much. My favourites are Taj Mahal, Exhibit A and Mata Hari. :) I actually want to try out a few of their cream blushes; I have my eye on Cactus Flower and Gold Member.

    ReplyDelete
  16. I have outlaw its a pretty shade but you're right.. a light hand is definitely a must with this blush.. This post just reminded me of it.. Will wear it today =P Thanks

    Great post hun! Love the photos and swatches ;)

    ReplyDelete
  17. NARS blushes are the best! My favorites are Taj Mahal, Luster, Lovejoy, & Angelika. :)

    ReplyDelete
  18. lol awesome. Ya, I'd be embarrassed to mention the name of a beauty product I was wearing if it was something like deep throat. lol. I remember there was a nail polish that was named jizz? c'mon! really????? weird. lol

    ReplyDelete
  19. i always love to read a detailed report like this! actually helpful!!

    tzeyien89.blogspot.com xxx

    ReplyDelete
  20. Been wanting to try Nars forever!

    ReplyDelete
  21. I LOOOOOOVE Nars blushes! Thanks for the swatches! I always find it hard to get the right shade idea in that dark Sephora lighting and this gave me such a good idea of what I want and what I'm looking for! Thanks gorgeous! LOVE your swatches always!

    ReplyDelete
  22. I really want to try some Nars powder products so badly, so thanks so much for these swatches - I think they'll really help me out with my choice!

    Why not check out my new beauty blog, The Glossy Guide?

    ReplyDelete
  23. I must confess you have a really pretty collection of them

    ReplyDelete
  24. I like them but they are overrated, they last ages but the online swatches havn't been true to colour for me. Your collection photos are lovely!

    ReplyDelete
  25. ooo i really want lovejoy now that i know it is one of your favorites. i was always hesitant to get that one because it looks so boring in the pan...but i shoulda known better since i LOVE madly and it also looks boring in the pan

    ReplyDelete
  26. I have 2 Nars blushes ; Luster and Gilda and I love them so much ! The next one on my list is Madly :)

    ReplyDelete
  27. My favorite Nars blush is Super Orgasm! :)
    xo,
    ~Pauline @ Nars Philippines

    ReplyDelete