Nars Lokoum Cream Blush Review, Photos and Swatches!

Nars Lokoum Cream Blush

Nars Lokoum Cream Blush ($28) is described as a warm, rose coral with shimmer. Depending on your skintone, it may show up differently  —  on my skin, the color shows up as a warm, copper-coral. Somewhat similar to MAC Gingerly or Coppertone. Although it looks raspberry toned in the pan, it doesn't read the same on my cheeks, which could be due to the warm yellow tones in my skin.

Nars Cream blush has a soft, velvety texture and blends to a powdery finish. I'm happy to finally say that I own a cream blush from Nars, considering I've loved their powder blushes for a long time and own several shades. For those who find cream blush intimidating, Nars is a nice place to start as the formula isn't thick, sticky/tacky, or greasy. It's very easy to work with and the color can be built up easily. The fingers can be used, but with a shade as pigmented as Lokoum, I find that a stippling brush works best. MAC #131 brush is my favorite brush for most cream blushes, but it's sadly only a limited edition brush. Any duo-fiber brush should work just as well.

Considering this shade in particular contains shimmer, I was hoping for it to make my cheeks somewhat dewy/glowy (like Becca Frangipani Cream Blush  —  my fav!) but I didn't really get enough of the glow I wanted. This may not bother many, as most of us try to avoid anything remotely shimmery.

Swatches from left to right: Nars Lokoum Cream Blush, MAC Pleasureful Blushcreme (discontinued), MAC Gingerly Blush and Nars Lokoum Cream Blush blended. 

Although I thought Lokoum looked similar to many of my blushes, when I swatched them, I didn't get any exact matches. MAC Pleasureful is similar, but deeper and less coral. Gingerly is more orange brown, less red. It probably strikes the most resemblance to MAC Margin Blush (not pictured), but less shimmery/frosty.

Overall, I like the formula of the blush, but I'm not 100% sold on Lokoum. I originally thought it was going to be more raspberry toned (which is a very flattering color on me) but it's a standard red-coral, which flatters my medium skintone as well, but it's nothing that I find very unique. It does lightly sparkle on my cheeks, but I was expecting more of a dewy-glow, which is something I expect with a cream blush. It's still a nice product overall, and I would try other shades. I've had my eyes on Penny Lane for ages. If you don't own a shade like this, it may be something you'd really enjoy.

The Round-Up

Pros:

• Gives the cheeks a natural, sun-kissed look. 
• Pigmented formula.
• Satin texture that is easy to blend.
• Wears well throughout the day without feeling sticky, tacky or greasy. 
• Layers well with powder blushes.

Cons:

• Doesn't leave my cheeks looking dewy and fresh like most cream blushes - it has a powder finish. (this can be a pro or con based on your preference)
• The lasting power isn't bad, but it has mostly faded by the end of the day.

Price: $28, Nars.