Zoom In On: Nars Blush in Luster

I’m so crazy with Luster. I love this so much that I am contemplating on getting a back-up of this soon. It’s shade is unique and quite versatile and I love that there is not that many dupes of this shade unlike Orgasm. Just like other Nars blush shadesw, its shimmery finish is so subtle that it would not overwhelm one’s face. I was compelled to get this when Lucy Torres recommended this particular shade in her Phil. Star column. (It’s obvious that I regularly read her Wednesday column noh?)

In addition, my online research revealed that Luster would be really flattering especially to those with lighter skin tones. Madly, a shade that is similar to Luster, is said to be more flattering to those with darker skin tones. By the by, I am happy that I found this because it provides me with an alternative during those times when I don’t feel like wearing the more common peach-pink blush shades. 

I was not able to take pictures of Nars Luster swatches but I will leave you with an FOTD. Trust me, its shade on the pan may look like blah but it really is gorgeous when appplied on the cheeks. 

Zoom In On: Nars Blush in Matahari

Matahari is my first matte blush from Nars. I remembered falling in love with a pic of this gorgeous blush when I read about sis Aileen’s Nars blush collection. When I saw this sold through Ebay.ph, I immediately placed a bid on it. I was initially reluctant to buy this because matte blushes are very easy to dupe IMO. Moreover, local companies like Ever Bilena, SanSan, and Fanny Serrano are now stepping up and have come up with better powder blushes that are comparable to imported brands. To date, I don’t have any other matte Nars blush. I am planning to buy one though next month. If you have to know, I have set my heart on getting Desire soon.

On to my review of Matahari. This shade is described by Nars in their website as a rose petal pink shade.I have to admit that this is my least-used Nars blush. In fact, I would even forget that I have this. I don’t know why but Matahari oxidizes on my cheeks after I have worn it for several hours. Particularly in the afternoons, this would turn into a purplish shade that would resemble a bruise-like color. Much to my dismay, this no longer seems to flatter my predominantly yellow-toned complexion. Nevertheless, this has not discouraged me from getting more Nars blushes this year!

Ciao!

Zoom In On: NARS in Super Orgasm

Happy 2010 ladies!
For my opening salvo of the year, I am reviewing one of the Nars blushes I purchased in 2009. The past year had been so busy that I have been neglectful in regularly posting entries.

I got the Nars Super Orgasm because I wanted to see for myself how it fares against its sister, Orgasm (which also happens to be my Holy Grail Peachy Pink blush). Moreover, I also was motivated by positive reviews of some beauty bloggers who liked it better than its predecessor. In fact, many consider it as the Orgasm for those with darker skin tone.

This review will not dwell on the general characteristics of Nars blushes since I already reviewed two other shades namely: Orgasm and Taos. So I will no longer be talking about the packaging or the price of this baby. This entry will focus more on the shade and all other things that make SO distinct from the others.

On sight, I liked what I saw. In my eyes, its shade seems to be pinker than O, which is not actually a disadvantage for me. I was kinda intimidated by the glitters though. The pics I took will show you that the glitters in SO are in fact chunkier than O. These are very easy to shake off though. Simply tap your stippling or blush brush off if you don’t want most of those glitters on your cheeks.

Honestly, I could say that SO looks more flattering on me than O. However, I do not get to use it as often as O because those glitters really make me hesitant to wear them during daytime. I’m afraid that whoever I will be talking to at work would be distracted by the glittery chunks plastered on my face lol. IMO, it is the perfect blush to wear on a night out with friends or on a date with your special someones.

 In addition, you might also want to be more careful with your brush with SO because it seems to be a little more crumbly than all the other Nars blushes I have tried. I mean, the powder does not seem to be compactly packed on the case so expect many powder fall-outs when you dip your blush brush on this. The chunky glitters of this blush can also be a pain in the a** as it sticks to the rubberized packaging and can be a challenge to remove. In terms of pigmentation and staying power, I give this blush (and all Nars blushes it seems) my two thumbs up.

Ciao!

Zoom In On: NARS Blush in Taos

 

Taos is the most recent acquisition in my Nars loot. I was lemming for a red-toned blush hence, my decision to purchase it. I was ecstatic when I first saw it because I really liked how it looked like from the pan.

YAY:
· In terms of pigmentation, this does not disappoint. Indeed, Nars rocks in this area.
· Very long-wearing.
· When applied correctly, will give you a flush that is reminiscent to how we usually look like after an intense physical workout.
· I find this very appropriate especially during night-outs and during those very rare occasions when you are forced to join presentations in company events lol.

NAY:
· Price is very prohibitive for many. (Php 1,350 a piece)
· Rubber casing attracts dirt like crazy.
· You need a STIPPLING BRUSH for this. Because it is too pigmented, it has to be applied with a very light hand or else, you will end up looking like a clown who is about to attend a children’s party lol.

Ciao!

Zoom In On: NARS Blush in Orgasm

I realized that I have not posted an entry about one of my all-time favourite blushes yet and so here goes. Nars Blush in Orgasm is hailed by various magazines worldwide as the most universally flattering blush. I remembered feeling this strong urge to purchase it when I read about the raves of top-model, Rissa Manangquil, in her weekly column in Phil. Star about it. She said the name is so “apt” as it lends you a glow that resembles a “morning-after flush” (wink2x).

Brand Blurb: Nars Orgasm
Made with transparent pigments for a soft and sheer look. Imparts a natural, healthy glow for any skin tone and may be worn alone or layered together for more depth and intensity.
Provides a sheer, natural hint of color
Made with transparent pigments to avoid heaviness

YAY:

• It really flatters my skin tone. I would always get compliments from my colleagues whenever I wear this.
•  Its shimmer are so subtle and lends one’s face with an instant glow. 
• It is long-wearing. It stays put on my cheeks even in the midst of humidity for several hours. 
• Nars blushes, in general, are very pigmented so it would only take a few swipes to make it show.

NAY:

• Pricey at Php 1,350 a pop.
• While its rubber packaging looks uber elegant, it easily attracts dirt and glitters.
• Contrary to its claim, it does not suit a wide range of skin tones. In fact, I personally know of friends who despair that Orgasm does not show up on their cheeks despite repeated applications. 
• Has several dupes. If you search thoroughly online, you will find out that there are so many cosmetic brands with blush shades that are comparable to Orgasm.

Thanks ladies!

FOTD:

Eyes:           Revlon High Dimension Eyeliner In Garnet Flash
                                   Avon Longest Lashes Ever in Blackest Black
                                   Laura Mercier Secret Concealer for undereye area
                                   Loreal Colour Fresco Eyeshadow in Bubbly
Face:            Olay Total Effects Tinted Moisturizer
                                   Neutrogena Waterlight SunBlock
                                   Mary Kay Medium Coverage Liquid Foundation in Ivory 200
                                   Maybelline Clear Smooth Dual Foundation in Natural
                                   Nars Blush in Orgasm
Lips:               Burt’s Bees Lip Shimmer in Rhubarb
                                 Nyx Round Lipstick in Thalia
                                  MAC Lip Varnish in Polish Me Pink

Thanks ladies!

NARS Love

I am addicted to NARS blushes. If I'd win the lottery, the first items that I would buy would be all of this brand's blushes. It was the extremely popular "Orgasm" that got me hooked. I recently acquired three more of these blushes namely; Super Orgasm, Matahari and Luster. Should be posting reviews soon. For the meantime, i'll leave u with teaser pics of my new babies.

 

Ciao ladies!