Well, I’ll be darned… There’s shine in that thar blush!
After seeing the new NARS Gaiety Blush ($28) in its pan, and even after the first quick swatch on the back of my hand, I was sure this candy pink would apply as a straight up matte, but it turns out that this member of the new NARS Spring 2012 collection has a secret up its sleeve — it likes to shine. Coupled with its medium pigmentation, this sweet sheen transforms Gaiety from a pretty pink blush into a thing of beauty.
Imagine the light flush you get when your crush notices that you’re wearing your hair differently. For me, that’s Gaiety. 🙂
For a natural look, I buff one layer on my cheeks; for more oomph, I go with two. But whichever route I take, Gaiety has a knack for improving my mood.
Hard-core NARS inamoratas may notice how much Gaiety resembles NARS Desire Blush in its pan, but I think their differences are more obvious when you get them on your skin. Gaiety appears slightly more purple to me, while I’d characterize Desire as a full-throttle pink. Depending on the severity of your pink blush wanderlust (mine’s a very severe case!), if Desire already has a place in your heart and home, you could probably skip Gaiety. Would you want to, though? That’s the question. 🙂
PRICE: $28
AVAILABILITY: Coming to NARS counters and online January 13
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: A
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Nina says
that blush makes me drool! plus it looks great on you, and your pictures are pictureperfect!
Karen says
I think I actually drooled when I first opened up the pan, haha!
What blush are you rocking today? Right now I’m testing Chanel on one cheek and Benefit Sun Beam highlighter on the other.
Nina says
im wearing one of the new tarte blushes in Frisky … may i say LOVE? 🙂
PinkGlitter says
I have Desire but this blush and the Mexican Rose lip pencil are definitely on my shopping list.
Karen says
Hi PinkGlitter,
I think you’ll really like both of those pieces. 🙂 They’ll rev up your spring makeup wardrobe in a hot second!
How’s your day going?
gio says
It looks great on you! I definitely need to check this out.
Karen says
This would look great on you, Gio!
Naomi says
I don’t have any nars blushes yet (makes a frowny face) and I’m a bit darker (NC45). Would this work for me too?
DalaLuz says
Very pretty color on you!
Chris25 says
I’m starting to love bright pink blushes! I used to only use them on models, but now they’re gracing my cheeks. 🙂
Isn’ Annabelle the cutest kitty ever? But don’t tell Rocky and Jazz. They’re so shocked that we’re “torturing” them with the new addition. 😛
Trisha says
Pretty! (And I’m really like the colorful streak in your hair. Rawr!)
Neeraj says
Gaiety blush is really pretty…..its fail safe and is giving a pop of color irrespective of the skin tone. I would pick it up soon though!
Sunny says
I would never have tried this just because it looks so cool-toned in pan! But it looks great on you! Maybe I should give it a try at some point 🙂
Lilit says
It looks great on you! I initially thought it might be too pale for more tanned skins but no, looks fab. And it has shine? Sold!
Leah says
Is this permanent? Looks gorgeous but I’ll hold off on it if it’s permanent, lol!
Swatch And Learn says
I was really curious to see swatches of this blush because in the pan it looks so bright. Great to see that it’s really wearable. Looks flattering on you, Karen!
Victoria says
Very pretty and much more wearable than it looks in the pan!
Tiffany says
Karen, you’re looking fab with your pink hair! I love it… Gaiety looks really good on you. When I first saw it, I thought it would look chalky on tan skin but it’s beautiful on you.
corallista says
You’re the blush star! You’re able to carry the ones which look most unflattering in the pan with such ease! Btw I love the color of your top!
Gaily says
Hi Karen, the blush makes you look like a woman in love. How does Gaity compare to Angelika? The more I see it, the more I like it.
Ines, Cha Cha & LeRoux says
I second this comment – for Karen and for all the other readers who may own both to compare…
How does this compare to Angelika? I love the flush Angelika gives my NW20 skin but sometimes the glitter really bothers me (I work in a fairly conservative office). I’m looking for something comparable to Angelika that I could wear to the office for a pop of color (damn the fluorescent overhead lights – makes you look corpse-y).
Also, how does this compare to Mata Hari and/or MAC Pink Swoon/Dame/Coygirl (If anyone owns any of these to compare)?
Kim says
I had zero interest in this blush in the pan and the swatch but it looks fantastic on you. Will I never learn? 🙂
Jocelyn says
I just purchased the Danmari blush palette a couple of months ago, and it was my first venture into Nars blushes…LOVE them! I looove Gaiety so it might have to be my next one. I’m looking for an excuse to buy that foundation pump from the Nars website, so perhaps this is it? Thanks for posting Karen! You always look so gorgeous! I quietly read, but this is my first time commenting.
Pam says
That is such a gorgeous color blush!
In the picture, it looks a lot like Bobbi Brown’s Pale Pink blush.
What do you think? Do I need both?
Dominique says
Hi Karen,
It looks pretty on you ! Skip it ? well, no way LOL I have Gaiety and I am very happy with this blush, I dont’ have Desire but other blushes from Nars ( Douceur, Sex appeal, Angelika, Oasis, Deep Throat, Super orgasm and Amour ) Gaiety is a great matte blush and it’s really different from the others I have from Nars. It gives ” teint de rose ” cheeks, for this spring there are many blushes that really enhance cheeks, among them is Gaiety, Hervana and rosy glow from Dior which I really love.