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.)
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| Angelika, Super Orgasm |
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.
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| Crazed, Outlaw |
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.
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| Madly, Luster |
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.
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| Lovejoy, Albatross |
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.
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| Orgasm |
What are some of your favorite Nars blushes? Do you love them or think they are overrated?
