Bargain hunting, blush loving NYX fans, lend me your ears (and cheeks!). Now, for the mere price of two scoops of fancy shmancy gelato, you can dupe (nearly) two more iconic blushes from MAC and NARS.
Meet Red and Pinched, the new summer additions to the NYX Powder Blush line ($6 each).
Pinched, a shimmery golden peachy pink, reminds me of a slightly pinker version of NARS Orgasm, while matte Red could pass for a clone of MAC Frankly Scarlet.
The newcomers are like summer salsa, spicing up NYX’s already wide range of blushes with a price point bound to make beauty bargainistas wanna dance!
This also makes me wanna dance…
The NYX Powder blushes have been around for a while and have gotten mad love on review sites like Makeup Alley. I can see why. Red and Pinched both feel soft to the touch but pack more pigmentation than I expected from them.
Oh, if you’re particular about texture, this may be something to keep in mind:
NYX Pinched
NYX Red
NYX Pinched (left), NARS Orgasm (right)
NYX Red (left), MAC Frankly Scarlet (right)
Swatches from left on NC35 skin: NYX Pinched, NARS Orgasm, NYX Red, MAC Frankly Scarlet
Swatches from left on NW20 skin: NYX Pinched, NYX Red
I don’t think they’re as finely milled as their pricier counterparts… It’s not a huge deal to me, but when I apply them to my cheeks, I can see the powder sitting on top of the skin. Considering the price, though, I wouldn’t call it a deal breaker. Maybe just something to keep in mind.
As for staying power, that’s where I’d love to see these blushes improve. Pinched and Red have a tougher time staying put on my combination dry/oil skin than their cousins at MAC and NARS, and I find myself having to reapply a little more often with these (about every four hours).
But that price tag makes up for a lot. Dupes like these don’t come along every day, ya know? Available at drugstores and nyxcosmetics.com. Makeup and Beauty Blog Rating: B+
You might like NYX Powder Blushes if…
- You’re a self-proclaimed beauty bargainista
- You’ve been looking for a lookalike for NARS Orgasm and/or MAC Frankly Scarlet
- You don’t mind having to reapply often throughout the day
- You’re more concerned with color than texture
Drop Dead Diva!
Okay, if you’re not yet on the Drop Dead Diva train, climb aboard, ASAP! It’s so funny and fresh, kind hearted and interesting (but never preachy); plus, any show that cuts to a dance montage starring Paula Abdul in a jewel-encrusted judge’s robe (and make it look legit) is alright by me!
If you’re already a fan, can I please take a second to gush about Tony in the latest ep? Don’t Tony and Jane have the best chemistry?
I actually “Whooped!” out loud and ran a victory lap around the living room when their cross-examination ended with… Oh, you know what happened. 
Anywho, how’s Tuesday coming along? Quite nicely, I hope. I’m about to have a late lunch and go for a quick walk outside to get my vitamin D on. What have you been up to today?
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
- Fresh Pink Cheeks and Bright, Bold Lips: A Quick Makeup Breakdown
- Springy and Smokey! Smokey Brown and Purple Cat Eyes and a Bright Coral Lip With New Makeup From Benefit, Dior and Smashbox
- ‘Cause One Can Never Wear Enough Neutrals: A Face of the Day With the Nude Dude Volume 2 Eye Palette By theBalm
- Guerlain KissKiss Lipstick in Rosy Silk Floats Like a Shimmery Pink and Gold Kiss on the Wind
- The ghd Curve Classic Wave Wand: For Loose, Screen Siren-Style ’40s Waves the Very First Time
MAC Makeup – Frankly Scarlet Matte Powder Blush and Russian Red Lipglass 
Rimmel Lasting Finish Blendable Powder Blush Deserves a Drugstore Makeup Crown 
NARS Blush and the Look of Seduction: Bold, Vivid and Vaguely Reminiscent of an Early ’90s Girl Group 
Nars Multiple Duo in Orgasm/South Beach: With a Name Like That, It Has To Be Good 
I haven’t watched Drop Dead Diva but if I did it would be for my love of Margaret Cho – is she still on that show?
Yes she is, and she’s FABULOUS. I love her!
OmGosh, that newsies clip to Bad Romance is SO FUNNY. I loved newsies *so much* back in the day-I remember seeing it in the theater. I think I may have even seen it on the big screen more than once, LOL. awesome.
Didn’t that make your day? I’ve watched it about 20 times already!
pinched just looks like… a blush version of MAC nymphette LG!
the warm pink with gold sparkles… too bad canada (montreal anyway) doesn’t have NYX, or i’d check them out for sure.
<3 the blog as always, karen!
.-= ines + cha cha's last blog post… Le Look Du Jour – Exotic Orchid =-.
Hi Ines,
How are you, girl? Hope things on your end are well!
I’m from Canada and I just bought Pinched off of http://www.cherryculture.com.
Hi Karen! I was wondering which NYX blush (if there is one) do you think would be a good dupe for Mac’s Blush Baby??
Btw, I just started watching DDD and I think I want her to get with Grayson since they were soul mates in her former life..But then sometimes I like her with Tony..Oh well…
Hi Camille,
I’m pretty new to the NYX blush line, so I’m not sure yet, but if I find a dupe I’ll most certainly let you know.
Can anybody else weigh in on this?
Maybe Dusty Rose?
I definitely like Jane with Tony . . . Grayson is losing my favor for dating Kim, UGH! And I totally love that video. I want to know how the person who came up with it actually came up with it!
Hi Hyzenthlay,
I like to think Grayson dated her after a bout of temporary insanity!
What do you think is going on with Fred? Isn’t it odd how they kept putting him on and taking him off?
Yes, it’s definitely strange what they’re doing with Fred . . . I wonder why they’ve done that with his character. I hope they make an explanation!
I want that Pinched shade, it’s gorgeous! Karen, have you tried NYX’s blush in Terra Cotta? It’s an exact dupe for MAC’s Sunbasque, I’ve heard it’s a dupe for margin but I find it to be a dead on dupe for Sunbasque instead. Oh and I love Drop Dead Diva!
.-= Krystle’s last blog post… Barbie inspired FOTN =-.
Hi Krystle,
I haven’t tried Terra Cotta! That’s good to know that it’s a dupe for Sunbasque, aka one of my favorite MAC blushes.
Have you been watching DDD for a while? What do you think of Fred’s character? For a while there I wasn’t sure if he was staying or going!
Ooooh, I want both these shades! Too bad I can never find this brand in a store
Happy Tuesday! My day consisted of work, shopping with the hubs for luggage (so thrilling) and then dinner out
Hi Tiffany,
It seems to be pretty hit or miss around these parts, too. I’ve seen them at certain CVS stores, but not at others.
Believe it or not, I get great joy out of luggage shopping. I actually bought a new piece of carryon luggage last year before going to Hawaii and I loooooove it. It’s by Samsonite and it’s frickin’ fantastic. The wheels turn 360 degrees and the luggage body is expandable. Ahh, good times.
Oh my goodness – ive not jumped on the NYX blush bandwagon (I have and adore their eyeshadows and jumbo eyepencils though) … ill probably pick a couple up when I do my grocery shopping this weekend… So pretty!
I love that Bad Romance clip adn I hope to watch DDD soon too!
Hi Nina,
Hopefully when you go searching for these blushes you’ll find the new Jumbo Eye Pencils, too.
I hope so too. Im so tempted to order `em online already LOL … I honestly get OCD about stuff like this which makes the Hubs shake his head!
GURL. Better it’s a drugstore pencil rather than a $400 pair of shoes! Well, at least that’s my justification!
I so agree with you! I tell him that all the time too.
Speaking of shoes, I did find my pair of brown wedges at DSW over the weekend. Its a Kenneth Cole pair called Cabin Days and I got it in the most luscious tan shade ever … its pretty comfy as well, and did not cost $400. They were a tad under 40 bucks with my DSW birthday coupon! Witwoo!
Umm…that clip MADE my day, Karen. Gotta love C-Bale gettin’ his Gaga on.
Hi Elle,
Seriously, whoever cooked that shizz up deserves an award! I’ve watched it a billion times today and it still makes me laugh!
Red looks oh so gorgeous, I would love to try a red red blush sometime.
.-= amy’s last blog post… A Rosy Romantic Evening with Pacifica Egyptian Rose Bergamot Perfume Spray =-.
Hi Amy,
Do it! Do it!
Thanks for this Karen! I don’t have many red blushes — might dive in with this one..Now it’s just a matter of finding it at a store near me (NYX is hard to find in my part of Toronto)
.-= Michelle (LipstickRules)’s last blog post… MAC Sneak Peek: Dare to Wear ‘So Bad’ Lipglass and Alice & Olivia ‘Partylicious’ Pigment =-.
Hi Michelle,
Oh, you need at least one red blush in your stash, fo’ sho’. Do you own a good fan brush? I find it helps make application of brights like Red easier.
wow those are serious dupes!
Hi Mill,
Right? Gotta love that they’re just $6.
I love NYX blushes – I find that if you buff it in a little, the powder doesn’t sit on the skin so much
Great choice of colours and quality for the price we pay! I saw the pilot ep of Drop Dead Diva and I’m loving it! Can’t wait till it gets here to where I am
.-= Paris B’s last blog post… Fenling Fenling Quite Contrary : How does it stack up to Ecotools? =-.
Hi Paris B,
Thanks for the tip regarding buffing. I’ll give that a try.
I’ve heard people talk about this show but haven’t seen it. Will have to check if it’s on Hulu.
I’ve been wanting to try NYX blushes but I can’t seem to find them. I may have to order them online before I go back on my no buy.
.-= marisol’s last blog post… Haulidays. . . =-.
Hi Marisol,
They had the entire season on Hulu a few weeks ago. I’m not sure if it’s still on there, but you can find it online. If you’re in the mood for something light and fluffy, you might like it.
Wait… you’re going to go back on the no buy? I thought the embargo was permanently lifted. Nooo!
I was JUST looking at pinched on the website this morning thinking it was a really pretty colour.. I love Pinky and Natural. Pinky is a very convincing natural flush and natural is a really toned-down neutral blush for heavy eyes/lips.
I’ll probably love Pinched- i have Springsheen which is pretty similar to Orgasm but find that it’s not pink enough for me lol. This would be perfect!
Hi Vixen,
If you’re longing for more pink then you’ll love this shade. Hooray for budget blushes that fit just right!
And you just made mine! TWICE!!!! Pinched HERE I COME!
I’m so excited you liked it so much. I kind of exploded in glee the first time I saw it, and now every time I hear Bad Romance I see Christian Bale dancing around in tweed. It’s glorious!
Hi Molly,
I’ve watched it so many times in the last 24 hours that I now know the choreography, HA HA HA! Thanks again for sharing it… if you find any other funny vids please send ‘em my way. I’m easily amused like that.
haha I’m such a fan of yours that my eyes totally went O.o when I saw your reply
tried to find reviews on people who have used it but yours was the only one so far
Hi Vixen,
You’re too cute!
Well, I hope you like the color. If you have trubs with the powder “sitting” on top of the skin, perhaps try buffing it in with a kabuki brush.
Happy Wednesday!
pinched is gorgeousss!! i wished i knew of their new colours earlier so i couldve picked it up along with the other items i got from my cherry culture haul! ive been trying to hold back from visting that site again for awhile because last time i checked.. they had nyx jumbo pencil in milk back to stock and a couple of other products that were out before!! BUTTT.. i need to control myself
.-= Agnes’s last blog post… My Cherry Culture Haul !! =-.
Hi Agnes,
Makeup self control is highly overrated! Just give in.
Oh I want NYX pinched:) Looks very sweet:)
.-= Kristin’s last blog post… Pakke i posten- Strawberrynet =-.
Hi Kristin,
It *is* a sweet color. Might be good for casual weekend looks, yes?
ahhh newsies!! i’m in love, my favorite movie of all time
Hi Rachel,
Ya know, I only recently realized how many people LOVE that film. Apparently it’s a cult classic!?
Karen, if you haven’t seen it you MUST! Christian Bale & David Moscow at their finest!
Pinched does look like a really nice dupe of Orgasm. I’ve never tried NYX blushes but I have some oftheir shadows and I agree with you about the formula. It’s fine for playing around or neutral base type eye shades to incorporate in with other brands, but stand alone they look too powdery. I think the texture might be hit or miss from one shade to the next on all nyx’s powerder products
.-= knownever’s last blog post… MAC 101: Painterly Paint Pot =-.
Hi Knownever,
Yeah, I hear ya. Have you tried any of their lip products?
OMG..I just ordred NYX blush in Terracotta and Pinched last week..I am soo glad its similar to NARS Orgasm..Woot ! Can’t wait for my order to come home
I love NYX blushes!! Peach is my fave =D … Karen! I swear you are the most HIGHlarious blogger I read. That video made me weak. /goodjob!
HI!
I am kind of blush addict:).I live in Finland,no nyx,mac,stila,milani,UD,many others here. Now I am looking for a red blush,I have light skin,dark hair&eyes,a berry colour and “a natural glow” blush and something sheen,like you are not wearing a blush,just glowing..Difficult!
Hope you have some suggestions and maybe some online store advice.
I am also obbessed about Macs Natural skinfinish,can`t find it anywear.Any product even close to it? Other msfs are just blushes or highlighters,not all over the face? Any favourites?
Best Wishes,
Minttu
Hi Karen! Is NYX Red a dupe for Nars Exhibit A?
.-= Kam’s last blog post… Make it work- =-.
Great post !
Hi. Where did you find that PB24 Nyx blush? Everywhere I look it’s a type of brown, not red. And I really WANT IT!!!
Hi, dear!
Do you know wich Nars or MAC blush powder the Nyx Dusty Rose is a good dupe for?
TKS.