Round-up: NARS Dual-Intensity Blush Overview & Thoughts
NARS Dual-Intensity Blush ($45.00 for 0.21 oz.) was an interesting concept, but I think that the texture could have been differentiated a bit more from the eyeshadows, because–as we have learned this year–that what makes a good eyeshadow may not always make a good blush and vice versa. Most blush brushes are less dense and often cut with more tapered fibers compared to a lot of eyeshadow brushes, but the texture of this formula is firmer (like the eyeshadows), so it can require some experimentation with tools and techniques to get decent to good pigmentation out of it.
Secondly, NARS claims that damp application results in a “translucent wash of color,” which is the exact opposite of damp application for their Dual-Intensity eyeshadows (the wet application is described as “mind-blowing impact with dramatic luminous matte and high shine finishes”). These perform very much in line with the eyeshadows with a damp application–they’re more richly pigmented, deeper and more intense, and the finishes are more shimmery, more metallic. Everything about them is absolutely amplified with a damp application, regardless whether one uses their specific brush (which is one of the worst brushes for using these damp), moistened fingertips, misted brush, or dampened sponge.
Funny enough, but one trait of the eyeshadows is they’re supposed to be “a sheer soft touch of sensual color” dry, whereas the blush formula is supposed to have “a bold flush” when applied dry. I’ve found many of their eyeshadows to actually be more pigmented than sheer when applied dry, which was the case with the majority of the blushes. In reality, pigmentation is pretty good either way, it just gets richer and more shimmery damp, but the formula remains more blendable and buildable dry.
They’re now available at NARS and Sephora. I was actually very curious if NARS’ would have different verbiage on their site at launch (perhaps it was a mistake), but their verbiage is the same as the press release sent to me by NARS. As of this morning, Sephora actually states: “Apply these shades wet to achieve a high-impact flush or dry to get a natural-looking glow.”
A few readers have asked if I like them: so if I take off my reviewer cap a bit and just look at them as your typical powder blush, they’re decent to good, but it depends on the shade and finish. I’m not in love with the firmer texture, and even dry, some shades still made my skin look worse, but some were really luminous and glowy in a good way. I’d prefer them as singles as well. I like a few, don’t love any, and would reach for a lot of other formulas first (regardless of claims).
Report Card
Here are all the shades I’ve reviewed ordered from highest scoring to lowest scoring. Click the shade name below to read the full review and/or view the full set of photos and swatches.
- Adoration (B)
- Craving (B)
- Fervor (B)
- Frenzy (B)
- Jubilation (C+)
- Panic (C+)
- Wet/Dry Blush Brush (N/A)
None of them A! Wish they hadn’t complicated the one thing Nars does really really well! Their blushes!
I hear ya 🙁
Kind of disappointing to me. Thanks for helping me save money!
Does this mean it’s time for colourpop cheek reviews?? So excited to see if they really last as long as everyone is claiming!
Glad I could help!
I had my heart set on Frenzy and Panic but now I kinda want Fervor too lol. I just hope I like them dry though because I don’t plan on using them damp at all
I hope you do!
Myeah, since the finish isn’t very forgiving on less-than-perfect skin I think I’ll pass. Great roundup!
Thank you!
One of those situations where I really loved the concept, but the finish in a lot of cases was the death of the purchase.
Yes! The finish could have been really lovely if they had gone for more satin throughout, I think… maybe just one or two with a more shimmery finish – perhaps damp.
Nars is becoming a Mac … Too many new collections, poorer quality…..ert.
I was kinda surprised they flopped on these!
As always thank you for the thorough review! I love having your honest opinion as a non-reviewer. I kinda was suspecting these may not fill the bill. I was hoping for ” A” grades when these launched. I know you get two colors. But for me, I would rather have a quality product than a bunch of products. But , that is me. I may run my fingers over Fervor and Frenzy if I see them out in a store. But, my wish list is full of other brands that have A ratings. So these may get skipped. Thanks for saving me some $!
No problem, Nicole! At least they’re permanent, so you can always check ’em out later on down the road.
Disappointing is the word for these blushes. The ones I liked the most on the pans were the ones that swatched the worst! Fervor and Panic ended up as my favorites but even so none of them feel like a must-have. It’s a shame they performed so bad they really looked promising *sigh*.
They had some really pretty colors! Do you think you’ll still look for them if you’re near a store/counter?
Only if I didn’t have anything else better in mind which as you know – with so many daily new releases – it’s nearly impossible lol 😉
Hmm.
I guess I’ll be passing these up, since I have plenty of blushes, and am not on a “kick” right now, and 2) I *always* go subtle on blush, even when I’m wearing a vivid shade.
I’m afraid I may be missing the point, here – couldn’t just about any powder blush’s color be intensified by damp application?
And, if you want a bolder look, why not merely apply more blush?
Am I missing something, here?
Not all formulas can be used wet/dry – you have baked formulas (think MAC Mineralize, Laura Geller Baked, etc.) that can be used wet/dry, but your average powder blush can’t be used damp without creating a hard crust/layer on the surface of the product.
Like the NARS’ Dual-Intensity Eyeshadows, some of them look pretty similar wet or dry, but some definitely are much more pigmented/richer with less product (which means it goes further and will look nicer, wear longer since you can use the same thin layer vs. ten layers). With blush, I do think it is a trickier application and that most would opt for a cream blush instead.
Ah – I *was* missing the point!
I still don’t think this particular product is right for me, since, as I stated before, I prefer a very subtle look when it comes to blush.
That probably also explains why I’ve never tried to use a pressed powder blush damp.
Live and learn, I guess …
From what I’ve seen readers say over time, I think the majority would prefer to use blush dry!
I was so excited when I first heard about these but they didn’t live up to my expectations. I’d consider Adoration if money grew on trees!
If only we had those money trees!
I never understood the wet blush application idea – it doesn’t make any sense unless you go barefaced with no foundation. Even if these did apply nicely wet you would probably disturb your base by applying them. I love the way Panic looks but such a low rating 🙁
It’s totally possible to apply without disturbing the base products you’re wearing, but it isn’t as foolproof as dry application!
I agree with Gabis– the ones I liked the most, performed the worst 🙁
I reckon I’ll just stick to Nars’ normal blushes!
Good idea! 🙂 They have lots of pretty blushes in their powder range!
I might get adoration eventually, but I’m not in a rush. These are quite expensive in Canada for nars. I love Armani blushes and they are cheaper and now w available on the seohora site.
You’ll have to let me know what you think when you get a chance to see them 🙂
I seem to like half of one and the other half of another one. Hmm. But I think they are lovely.
Isn’t that always the way?
Thank you for more $$$ saved! If only these were NOT a shimmer overload, because the actual shades are really lovely. I’ll be sticking to their Duel Intensity eyeshadows then, because those are by and large excellent.
My pleasure as always, Nancy!
Some of these are still pretty nice, but not quite what I hoped for. Overall, though, I don’t think NARS got these quite right. The whole using them damp idea was a fiasco.
Yep, definitely missed the mark here!
I agree.
Even if you want a “vivid” blush look, it seems to me it would be very tricky to execute tastefully, especially with a damp blush.
Does anyone have a photo of a well-applied vivid blush look?
I don’t so much mean the color as the intensity of application.
Keep in mind that for deeper skin tones, intense color payoff is necessary to even get the color to show up, so while it may be “vivid” on very fair skin, it may be subtle on other skin tones.
sorry, for 45 bucks I will be passing.
Totally understand!
Never met a Nars blush i didn’t like, until these! Did a Sephora walk through Sat, first this year. (Go you low buy/no buy!) It was a shake down cruise for the april sale. These blushes were even LESS impressive under Sephora’s dreadful lighting than on your site. Even with bad grades, you always showcase the products to their best advantage. The DI eye palette wasn’t overly impressive, either. The dark shades swatched muddily + black-dominated, though the lighter shades were nice. ‘Course I have an audacious list that would choke a goat, so francois will still see some action come april. Only bought 2 mark-downs: the very last in-store winter liner collection: worth it just for good mood + welcome to my loft. i can give the dupes away. + not quite shy, a taupy-neutrally almost cool round five pan. certainly met my conditions for low buy, for a person who missed 10 night jobs + ~6 day jobs in Feb.
@ the Ulta cruise, was thrilled to see the NYX expanded: new and unravaged, well, maybe with the exception of the roof cave in at the corner of the aisle! Hey, I’m lucky if i get out of my street!
Ulta’s 21 days is coming up again. maybe beef up the IT brushes. The T site has been a life saver on those days that fantasy makeup was the only game around. And i really like the new sidebars, in which we can revisit reds, taupes, plums, etc. i click ’em all the time! Plus, one of the best features is your internal search. I look up older posts all the time, esp. for comparison swatches for things i missed. Thoroughly professional, m’dear. Thanks!
Love those Sephora eyeliners! Seriously reach for them ALL the time – creamy and pigmented? I’ll take them all. Oh, wait, I did, LOL! 😉
So glad you’re digging the Temptalia “ads”! We thought it might be a great way to fill-in to promote the different features!
Indeed: Big Time!
I’ve seen a couple of reviews on these. And I agree with yours the most. It sounds rather gimmicky to me, and from the video swatches I’ve seen, I don’t see how they are worth the money. Particularly when many other brands have fantastic blushes without the gimmicky aspect 😉
The pan size doesn’t seem very blush brush friendly either, no?
The pan size is OK for a blush brush overall, but the firmer texture might make you wish it was larger overall since you may find yourself jabbing at it a bit more than you would their regular powder blushes. The effect of the satiny finishes can be very luminous and lovely, but I’d rather they softened the powder a bit and realized that damp application intensified the color… not sheered it out.
Hahaha~! Hmm on the damp application part, it might just be an oopsie on their part? Everyone knows wetting intensifies, wonder how they got that wrong hmmm~ *coughcough*
It’s so crazy, because it’s opposite of the eyeshadows! But their press release AND when they released it on their website, everything matched up to the whole “translucent wash of color” effect when damp.