Mirror, mirror on the wall…
OK, I was about two seconds away from quoting De La Soul right there.
Where was I going with this?
Oh, yeah! Mirror, mirror on the wall, who’s the cheekiest NARSissist of them all?
Why, it’s you, my dear, because when you marvel at the NARSissist Dual-Intensity Cheek Palette packaging, you see yourself. 🙂 You’re the star because there’s a mirror right there on the packaging.
You can use it to check your teeth for bits of food, or stare at your gorgeous mug all day long. It’s up to you.
I mean, it’s just a mirror, but it never hurts to have an extra mirror around, ya know? As long as you don’t get so caught up in your reflection that you forget to eat (see: Narcissus).
Anyways, enough prattle! Have you noticed that NARS has been churning out palettes like WHOA for the past few years? With old-school NARS, it was all about the individual pieces from their limited edition collections, along with an occasional palette sprinkled in here and there, but somewhere along the way they became all about the palettes, which is also cool.
This one is new and arrives July 1st at NARS boutiques and online at the NARS website, and then at Sephora and NARS counters in department stores August 1st.
It’s $59 and holds four fresh, new Dual-Intensity Blushes, with a highlighter, a blush and two contouring shades. From left to right, you’ve got Soft Tulle, Damask with Gold Sheen, Peony and Titian. And on the back of palette, the blushes are named with Roman numerals — I, II, III and IV.
The thing about the Dual-Intensity Blushes is that they’re kind of, like, packed down…so when you run your brush across them, your brush doesn’t kick up a bunch of big ol’ powder grains, like what happens with most powder products. The powders are very finely milled and smooth.
You can apply the blushes either dry, by loading up a powder brush and then buffing them on your cheeks, or wet, by spraying your brush first with a makeup fixing spray.
I grab whatever’s closest to me, which is usually MAC Fix+, Make Up For Ever Mist and Fix, or Avene Thermal Spring Water… One of the above.
I do like to apply these wet because it intensifies the color and makes the finish more glistening, but I REALLY like to apply them dry, and here’s why: the way they blend. It’s dreamy!
Like, darker blushes are normally my nightmare realized, because I have to be very careful. I have to grab a fan brush and spend forever and a day blending out the edges, and it’s such a pain in the…
But with these blushes, even the darkest of the dark shades like the one on the far right of the palette, blending isn’t an issue. I just quickly run a regular fluffy blush brush lightly over the top to soften the edges, and it’s not hard at all to do.
And I really like that I don’t have to reapply throughout the day when I wear these. I pop one (or two, because the shades all work well together) on in the morning, and that’s that.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
anusha says
June 20th, 2016 at 8:09 pmU r looking so pretty .. i never wear blush.. but these pics r tempting me to buy one ..
Karen says
June 21st, 2016 at 9:28 amAww, thanks girl! My hair is crazy and I’m wearing workout clothes in these pics, so that’s very nice of you to say. Have a good day!
Cherie says
June 20th, 2016 at 8:10 pmThese look so gorgeous!! I have to have this in my life. I love dual intensity blushes and I love using these dry — they give my cheeks a nice glow that fit in well for my work-day looks at the office. Just enough color to last through the day.
Thanks for reviewing Karen!
Cherie says
June 20th, 2016 at 8:12 pmPS – thanks for the video — takes me back! Love it!!!
Karen says
June 21st, 2016 at 9:25 amYou’re welcome, Cherie. Isn’t that song so good? I found it again after reading an article about P.M. Dawn (RIP, Prince B).
Karen says
June 21st, 2016 at 9:28 amYes! They’re the perfect work blushes. Do you have a favorite shade, Cherie?
Cherie says
June 21st, 2016 at 12:00 pmI’m really enjoying the Nars Sexual Content blush duo. I’ve been reaching for it quite often!
Rachel R. says
June 20th, 2016 at 8:56 pmSuch a beautiful palette! I don’t know about Titian on my fair skin, though.
Karen says
June 21st, 2016 at 9:24 amI think it’s supposed to be the contour color? I wore it as a blush anyway. 🙂 If you’re a contour person it might be kind of cool… You could rock an ’80s sort of vibe. Just add big hair!
Rachel R. says
June 21st, 2016 at 3:00 pmLOL Totally, for sure!
It’s warmer than I’d like for a contour, but that makes sense.
Becky says
June 20th, 2016 at 9:02 pmI’m usually completely taken in by bright or dark blush, then too scared to use the darn stuff. My huge, uncontrollable curls mean bright blush = 80s throwback disaster very quickly if I’m not careful! This palette looks super pretty, however, and I’m glad to hear about the blendability… Maybe I’ll try darker blush again! Good ol’ NARS!
Beekeyper – Latest – Nuxe Rêve de Miel – in a stick!
Karen says
June 21st, 2016 at 9:24 amYou should get a fan brush! They’re very helpful with application when you’re working with dark blushes.
Lulle says
June 20th, 2016 at 11:24 pmThey look so natural on you, especially Peony. It makes you look fresh and rosy cheeked like you just ran through the forest!
Lulle recently posted … Unboxing: Sephora Play! June 2016
Karen says
June 21st, 2016 at 9:23 amThat’s the exact look that I go for every day of my life, LOL!
It’s looking like it’s going to be a beautiful day here in the Bay Area. How’s it going out your way? Are you guys done with the June gloom yet?
Kiss & Make-up says
June 21st, 2016 at 1:21 amOoooooh love how these look on you, very pretty.
Kiss & Make-up recently posted … Clinique Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief vs Moisture Surge Intense Skin Fortifying Hydrator
Karen says
June 21st, 2016 at 9:22 amThank you!
Agata says
June 21st, 2016 at 5:23 amAll the colors look so pretty on you. I have never got a chance to try this Nars blush formula.
Karen says
June 21st, 2016 at 9:22 amHi Agata,
Thank you. 🙂 You should try this formula sometime. Both the blushes and the eyeshadows are fabulous. Enjoy the rest of your day!
Erin says
June 21st, 2016 at 8:53 amI wasn’t thinking about getting this but now I’m reconsidering. The shades look easier to wear that I imagined when seeing the promo photos.
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Karen says
June 21st, 2016 at 9:21 amGreat!
Savannah says
June 21st, 2016 at 10:55 amWow! You are gorgeous! I love this on you. Sometimes a nice, simple look is best 🙂 I like smoky eyes and dramatic creases and such, but these looks are the best.
Chris25 says
June 21st, 2016 at 11:31 amThis is such a simple, natural, and fresh look. Very nice.
Chris25 recently posted … Review: L’Oreal Silkissime Eyeliner in True Teal
LindaLibraLoca says
June 21st, 2016 at 12:02 pmThe NARS palettes throughout the last year have really been awesome. I only have one NARS blush, Orgasm, but I am always tempted by their releases.
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Kim says
June 22nd, 2016 at 8:56 amLooking lovely, as always! I liked the De La Soul ref and actually laughed at the “check your teeth for bits of food” because it’s so true. Especially if you’re married to someone who doesn’t seem to notice a head of broccoli in your front teeth. HAHA!
Karen says
June 22nd, 2016 at 9:13 amIt took El Hub DAYS to notice that I dyed my hair pink so I feel your pain girl!
Isn’t that De La Soul song so good? I’ve been listening to them lately along with PM Dawn (RIP Prince Be).
Adia says
June 22nd, 2016 at 11:23 amUgh! Been drooling over this since I heard it was coming out! The colors look so good on you!!
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Marla says
July 8th, 2016 at 2:04 pmHi Karen, what do you have on your lips? I love the lip color too! Thanks.
ELLIE says
July 14th, 2016 at 12:19 pmHi, you look gorgeous. Thanks for your thoughts on products, per usual. When will you frequent YouTube again with videos? I miss your videos, especially for a hot product like this…