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Sat Oct 21, 2006 2:50 pm  |
NARS makeup review:
Before reading do note that no animals were harmed in reviewing these products (hee hee hee).
Recently I have tried:
NARS powder blush in Orgasm: Packaged in a sturdy sleek black case with mirror and NARS’ signature leather finish feel, this blush is a take on the classic rose with a twist of shimmer. The colour pan is quite wide and it’s good value for the money. My first question was “would it kill ya to add a teeney little brush for touch ups?” The colour is a lovely wash of natural pink that can be built up for a dramatic effect and if you love blush, you could do a lot worse than this. I now confess that I am not the best candidate for coloured blush. I seldom use it as I have “appley” type cheekbones rather than a la Sophia Loren. I was not loving this enough to use more often and I think that Bourjois Rose Jaspe comes very close to it at half the price. I am eyeing the NARs cream blush in gold shimmer and I think this might be more my style: I would like something that looks less than blush but gives a goldy type highlight that is not bronzer in effect. My prejudices and weirdness aside I still give this a 8/10.
NARS eyeshadow duo in Rated R (chartreuse green/blue): Great slinky packaging and very large colour pans in the hip new chartreuse green and blue (think peacock meets Aegean sea) and mirror in lid case. Sigh alas no little space for applicator again. The texture of this eyeshadow is sooooo sublime and out of this world silky. It is to die for. The green looks very rock chick in the pan but when applied it works surprisingly well for day. I loved it. The blue adds a kick if used in the outer corner or as a liner of lower lid. Unlike the chartreuse it is not easy to make it subtle though. If you want to go Lily Allen, this combo kicks a** but if you want to tone it down for the office it works very well with a golden/beige highlight at the brow. I think applicator important with this colour; fingers will not do it justice. Staying power as good as it can get but if you put it on in the morning you will need to touch up to go into evening. 9/10 (1 point off for having to carry applicator)
NARS lip lacquer in Capucine: Looks like bright orange in pot but surprises with a wash of very flattering corally orange with golden undertones. You can go subtle or build up to a beautiful flattering golden orange. It comes in a pot with a lot of colour so use often as lacquers tends to go off after months of non-use. Not very practical for the purse as it again has no applicator and if in a pinch you have to stick your pinky in and get your nails messy. I would recommend a nude lipliner to keep this in check and for some it might seem a bit sticky. Does have tendency to show on coffee cups too. It honestly does not have a lot of staying power on the lip and may work best as a topper on a nudey lipstick if you want it to last longer. I use Decleor lip balm on my lips (cured dry lips in a flash) and it worked well with this. I did love capucine though as it is very fun and flirty without the tart factor and a great relatively inexpensive trend lift given the amount of orange being shown around the London shops and the move to a more sophisticated look (gloss is kinda over until summer). With the Rated R eyeshadow this is perfect. 8/10 for me.
NARS is not cheap and others might take off 2 points overall just for the price.
HTH |
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35, combo skin, can be acne prone; use Decleor, PSF 02, SKII products and anything that works including ancient voodoo hee hee. London based. |
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Sat Oct 21, 2006 3:33 pm |
Awesome review! Thanks! I have been checking out that blush for ever...I bought a similar color nars blush once (orgasm was out of stock)and have never been totally happy. You may want to try Laura Mercier Highlighter in the rose color. I have very pale skin and do not usually use blush but this stuff is in a lipstick-like applicator and it leaves a hint of color and shimmer. I use is as a blush but I've used it on my lips too and I love the color.
I LOVE the colors of NARS lip products! I have been trying to buy dolce vita for months and they are always out of stock. |
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Sat Oct 21, 2006 3:47 pm |
Olivia,
The NARs blush is very nice in orgasm for special occasions but I prefer less colour and more of a subtle highlight for normal evenings. I confess I use blush maybe once every six months as I tend to go for eyecolour. Thanks for the LM tint. Still loving the LM foundation you recommended but sad to say the primer has given me some red spots  WIll be taking it back. Nars La Dolce Vita is a classic plus it reminds me of Fontana de Trevi in Roma! (The gelato there is REALLY something to rave about.) |
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35, combo skin, can be acne prone; use Decleor, PSF 02, SKII products and anything that works including ancient voodoo hee hee. London based. |
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Mabsy
Moderator
 
Joined: 17 Aug 2003
Posts: 9644
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Sat Oct 21, 2006 4:14 pm |
I like the shade of the NARS Orgasm blush but I hate the fact that this blush is just too hard for the brush to pick up. It's not a soft fine blush like Stila for example so I have to really rub the brush onto the blush to get anything on it (no puns of any sort intended here...  ).
I do have a cream NARS blush and this is really nice though also very pigmented. |
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Sat Oct 21, 2006 5:32 pm |
Which cream blush do you have Mabsy? I have had my eye on Penny lane for a while now.
I tried NARS Orgasm and it looked funny on me (I am quite pale).
I absolutely adore my Armani Sheer Cream Blush #4. I get so many compliments when I wear it that I am glowing.
It isn't typical of a cream blusdh like say the Stila CC's. It is more powdery. I use my MAC #187 brush or NARS bronzer brush to apply it. |
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Sat Oct 21, 2006 6:06 pm |
Hi Emma 2006,
Hmmnn I have been tempted by the Armani counter a few times. Have you ever got any spots on the cheek from their cream blush?
(Oh no I am such a jellyfish. I promised myself I would get on my high horse for a few months and not try anything more!  ) |
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35, combo skin, can be acne prone; use Decleor, PSF 02, SKII products and anything that works including ancient voodoo hee hee. London based. |
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Sat Oct 21, 2006 6:36 pm |
Hi Blaclace,
I have never got spots from the Armani blush.
This one and Springsheen (MAC) are absolutely gorgeous on my cheeks.
I read on MUA that the Armani gives people a glow from within - it does that to me too.
Sorry, I shouldn't be tempting you. 
But...
My sister tried mine on and then loved it so much she bought it too.
It was very exxy (Australian prices) but will last forever. I usually sell a lot of my make up when I get bored with it - but this little beauty is never leaving my possession. |
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Sat Oct 21, 2006 7:15 pm |
| Emma2006 wrote: |
Which cream blush do you have Mabsy? I have had my eye on Penny lane for a while now.
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Hi Emma:
I use Nars Cream blush in Penny Lane and just love it. I have very pale white skin and it looks very natural and gives natural color. It rubs in nicely and never looks fake (which is a problem I have with many blushes because I am so fair). I also wear it on my eyelids as eye shadow and it doesn't leave a crease. I am almost empty on Penny Lane and will be heading to Sephora tomorrow to get another one. |
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56, Very Fair Skin, Oily with Mild Breakouts, Blonde, Blue Eyes, Irish/German Descent |
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Sat Oct 21, 2006 7:16 pm |
I cannot live with NARA Orgasm 
I have been using it for about four years now. No regrets. |
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Sat Oct 21, 2006 7:24 pm |
"With or without" Skincare.
Penny Lane is sounding more lovely.
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Sat Oct 21, 2006 7:43 pm |
OMG!!!  without!!!! cannot without Ha Ha
I need to get some now! lol Goodnight |
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Sat Oct 21, 2006 7:44 pm |
| Don't you hate it when the Edit disappears? |
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Sat Oct 21, 2006 7:57 pm |
Sleep well.
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Sat Oct 21, 2006 10:35 pm |
| Quote: |
I like the shade of the NARS Orgasm blush but I hate the fact that this blush is just too hard for the brush to pick up. It's not a soft fine blush like Stila for example so I have to really rub the brush onto the blush to get anything on it (no puns of any sort intended here... ).
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totally 2nd this.. i also had trouble applying it evenly so i just swapped it away. beautiful shade though! |
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Sun Oct 22, 2006 9:28 am |
| smqueen wrote: |
| Quote: |
I like the shade of the NARS Orgasm blush but I hate the fact that this blush is just too hard for the brush to pick up. It's not a soft fine blush like Stila for example so I have to really rub the brush onto the blush to get anything on it (no puns of any sort intended here... ).
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totally 2nd this.. i also had trouble applying it evenly so i just swapped it away. beautiful shade though! |
I think it depends on the quality of your makeup brush and how clean it is. |
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Mabsy
Moderator
Joined: 17 Aug 2003
Posts: 9644
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Sun Oct 22, 2006 6:41 pm |
Emma - I have the cream blush in Cactus Flower. It looks scarily bright in the pan but it is lovely on. Quite pigmented though so you need to be careful.
I have the Armani Sheer as well and I think it might be the #4 shade too (can't remember and am at work now). |
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Sun Oct 22, 2006 7:38 pm |
| I love the Orgasm lipgloss. I think it complements a variety of skin tones. It's a pinky-peach and goes very well with the blush. Expensive though- Cdn$30+tax. |
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Fri Oct 27, 2006 7:14 am |
| I bought Orgasm lipgloss last night....nice all around pinky peach color. I'm liking it! Its great with a dramatic eye...really muted but gives the lips a healthy look. |
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Fri Oct 27, 2006 12:33 pm |
| I love Nars cream blush in "Penny Lane." I admit I bought it initially because of the name, but I do love it. I sing the song all day! |
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40, fair skinned, dark hair, blue eyes |
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Tue Oct 31, 2006 4:30 pm |
I think i got bitten by a NARS bug. 
After buying and loving the Orgasm lipgloss and reading all the NARS raves on MUA, i went out and got the Orgasm blush just to match my lipgloss. I like the blush but it looks kinda ordinary on my yellow-toned MMM skin. So itching for something better, I went out and bought the Deep Throat blush, AND the Laguna bronzer. I'm in love!! Deep Throat looks like Orgasm in the pan except it has less pink in it. It is a lighter peach than Orgasm, so it is more sheer and buildable. Gives me such a pretty healthy glow. Don't like the vulgar name though...a little embarrassing standing at the Nars counter saying "i want to get Deep Throat". Seems Nars thinks he can emulate Orgasm's success by giving Deep Throat its controversial name, but alas, quite tasteless IMO. I can't complain about the lovely color though. And Laguna bronzer fits the bill of what every bronzer should be- brown with golden undertones, no tinge of red or orange, giving you the look of a natural tan. This bronzer goes well with practically any blush, and any skin tone (if you're darker try Casino, which is just a darker brown). The leather packaging is so architecturally sleek, but tends to pick up dirt in my makeup case. I haven't tried their eye products, but i got to give it to Nars for their blushers/bronzers.
Nars Orgasm blush + lipgloss:
Laguna bronzer:
Deep Throat blush:
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Tue Oct 31, 2006 4:32 pm |
| Did you, by any chance, check out the Oasis blush? I've been dying to get this (the color sounds wonderful) but I've heard it's very glittery. |
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Tue Oct 31, 2006 4:37 pm |
Yes I did. Nars website describes it as a "sparkling pink champagne" but when the MA put it on me it looked a little plum-ish on my skin. I didn't buy it as I already own a plum blush. One thing i noticed about Nars blushes is that you have to be careful choosing colors...preferably try it on before you buy, because they can look different in the pan and on you. I tried Desire (pastel pink) but looked clownish because it had strong red undertones. Angelika is a very pretty cotton candy pink with shimmer in the pan but it brought out the subtle red undertones in my skin making me look slapped. Oasis is *very* glittery Very pretty if that's what you're looking for (nighttime blush). Oasis-->
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Tue Oct 31, 2006 5:13 pm |
I don't trust pictures on the web of Nars. They look so pretty in your posts dollbird, but when I go to the NARS counter they all look so different  Orgasm isn't as pink and in the picture it doens't show all the gold sparkles it has, Deep Throat is a whole lot brighter too. I'm afraid of buying these blushes because I'm pretty fair and everytime I use overly pigmented or bright blushes I look "made up" which I don't really like. However, Oasis looks SOOOO good, gotta go to the Nars counter again.... |
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Tue Oct 31, 2006 5:47 pm |
| Sormuimui, I know what you mean. You might like Deep Throat. It's not as pigmented as the other blushes. It does look bright but is actually very natural when you put it on. I usually wear pink blushes, just coz I think darker ones make me look older. Until Deep Throat, i never knew i could pull off a peach/coral blush...and i'm loving it more and more. |
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Tue Oct 31, 2006 6:46 pm |
| Thanks dollbird, maybe I'll give it a try next time I go to the counter. Btw, what do you think of NARS blushes compared with MAC blushes? I'm used to using MAC and they have a wide range pinks and peaches that I always find shades that suit me. But I wonder whether NARS is better in terms of being more finely milled or its pigments? |
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