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NARS Recurring Dare Cheek & Lip Palette Review, Photos, Swatches

NARS Recurring Dare Cheek & Lip Palette
NARS Recurring Dare Cheek & Lip Palette

NARS Recurring Dare Cheek & Lip Palette ($59.00 for 0.56 oz.) includes four cheek colors plus lip pencil. This palette is exclusive to Nordstrom and will be available November 1st. The palette includes three permanent shades–Albatross, Sex Appeal, and Golshan–and two new shades–Illusive and Make Believe. As was the case with True Story, the palette skewed lighter and will work better for fairer skin tones. I wish this was deeper overall (so that the offerings had something lighter and something deeper to cater to more skin tones). I also felt like the two center shades were a little closer, just warmer, than the two center shades in True Story as well. NARS’ Powder Blush formula is described as “beautifully pigmented, natural, healthy-looking color” with a “blendable application.” The palette was decent; Albatross actually seemed more powdery and weaker than the permanent version, while the other four products were better.

Albatross is a very light, white gold with a more matte, powdery base that is white-based with lighter, warmer yellow shimmer. Albatross is a nice highlighter for someone who wants a very pale, ethereal base. On my skin tone, I find I have to be careful with application or else the white base is too prominent, but it mixes and layers well with a lot of blushes (which is how I tend to wear my highlighters). The texture of the version in the palette was more powdery and more prone to sheeringout–you can see how it looks chalkier overall than past iterations of the shade and less shimmery. It wore well for seven hours on me. Kevyn Aucoin Ibiza (Left) (PiP, $44.00) is more shimmery (95% similar). bareMinerals The Many Splendors #1 (LE, ) is darker (95% similar). ColourPop Stole the Show (P, $10.00) is more shimmery (95% similar). Chanel Camelia de Plumes (LE, $76.00) is more shimmery (95% similar). Divergent Gleaming Pearl (LE, ) is more shimmery (95% similar). Cle de Peau Pastel (11) (P, $55.00) is cooler (90% similar). Cle de Peau Gold (12) (P, $55.00) is darker (90% similar). Chanel Camelia de Plumes (LE, $76.00) is more shimmery (95% similar). Makeup Revolution Golden Lights (P, $6.00) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar). Marc Jacobs Beauty Close-Up #1 (LE, ) is cooler (90% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Moodlight (Daylight) (LE, ) is warmer (90% similar). Urban Decay Luminous (P, $30.00) is darker (90% similar). Too Faced Inner Light (LE, ) is darker, more muted (90% similar). Giorgio Armani Belladonna (LE, $88.00) is darker, warmer (85% similar). Laura Mercier Gold Radiance (LE, $45.00) is more shimmery, warmer (85% similar). Zoeva Glowing Still (PiP, ) is more shimmery (85% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Soleil Neige (Highlighter) (LE, ) is more shimmery, warmer, glossier (85% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

Sex Appeal is a light pinky-peach with warmer undertones and a matte finish. The texture was silky, finely-milled, and soft enough that it was a touch dusty in the pan, but it didn’t look dry or chalky on my skin tone., though the color doesn’t really show up on my complexion (I’m so sorry!) and will obviously be more visible on someone of a lighter skin tone. I tried to really pack it on, but as it was hard to see on me, I was only able to guess that it was still on after seven hours (I looked for a sheen coming through, since it did have a mattifying effect that I could detect). LORAC Luma (LE, $23.00) is more shimmery, lighter (95% similar). NARS Conquest (LE, $30.00) is lighter (95% similar). Dior Peach Splendor (LE, $44.00) is more shimmery (95% similar). bareMinerals The Spring Fling (LE, $22.00) is darker (90% similar). Tarte Trustworthy (LE, $29.00) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar). KVD Beauty Nancy (Light) (DC, ) is cooler (90% similar). MAC Amber Glow (LE, $29.00) is more shimmery (90% similar). KVD Beauty Mallory (Light) (DC, ) is cooler (90% similar). Guerlain Gold Palette #8 (LE, ) is lighter, warmer (90% similar). Smashbox Petunia (LE, ) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar). MAC Stay By Me (P, $23.50) is darker (95% similar). bareMinerals Inner Beauty (LE, ) is more shimmery (95% similar). Surratt Beauty Duchesse (P, $32.00) is more shimmery, warmer (90% similar). Laura Mercier Sunset (LE, $24.00) is darker (95% similar). Makeup Geek Bliss (P, $10.00) is darker (90% similar). MAC Corol #1 (LE, $24.00) is lighter (95% similar). LORAC Prism (P, $23.00) is darker (85% similar). MAC Blush Pink (LE, $35.50) is lighter, cooler (90% similar). bareMinerals The Many Splendors #2 (LE, ) is more shimmery (85% similar). Benefit Georgia (DC, $29.00) is warmer (90% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

Illusive is a muted, medium pinky-coral with warm undertones and a matte finish. It had good color coverage, though not fully opaque, paired with a soft, lightly dusty texture that was easily blended on the skin. One nice thing is that it didn’t seem to darken on the skin like some matte blushes can, so what I saw in the pan is what I saw swatched and applied. This shade did show up more noticeably on my skin tone, but it is subtler, so it may not be in line with your needs or preferences, depending on your skin tone. It wore well for eight hours before fading on me. Anastasia Latte (P, $32.00) is lighter (95% similar). NARS Unwritten (LE, $30.00) is darker (95% similar). Urban Decay Overexposed (-, ) is lighter (95% similar). bareMinerals Glamour (LE, $19.00) is brighter (95% similar). NYX Amber (P, $6.50) is brighter, warmer (90% similar). Hourglass Surreal Effect (LE, $40.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar). Sephora Shame On You (01) (P, $14.00) is warmer (90% similar). Laura Mercier Rose (P, $30.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar). Hourglass Radiant Magenta (P, $40.00) is lighter, brighter (90% similar). MAC Wall of Desire (LE, $24.00) is lighter (90% similar). Makeup Geek Spell Bound (P, $10.00) is cooler (90% similar). MAC Cheeky Bugger (LE, $24.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar). Tarte Live (LE, $29.00) is cooler (90% similar). Urban Decay Naked Cherry #2 (LE, ) is cooler (90% similar). KIKO 108 Orange Coral (DC, $12.00) is warmer (90% similar). Tarte Concept (LE, $29.00) is darker, warmer (90% similar). ColourPop Why, Hello (DC, $12.00) is lighter (90% similar). NARS Make Believe (LE, $30.00) is brighter (90% similar). MAC Buddy (Matte) (LE, $24.00) is darker (90% similar). Clinique Pink Honey Pop (P, $21.00) is lighter (90% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

Make Believe is a brighter, medium pink-coral with warm undertones and a matte finish. The blush had mostly opaque color payoff, while the consistency was soft, smooth, and not too firm or too soft, so it didn’t seem dusty or powdery to me. It applied and blended out well, and the flat matte finish did not appear dry on the skin. This shade started to fade after eight hours on me. MAC Spring Flock (LE, $24.00) is darker (95% similar). Charlotte Tilbury Seductive Beauty (Cheek Pop) (LE, $40.00) is darker (95% similar). Patrick Ta She's Passionate (P, $32.00) is more shimmery, more muted, warmer (90% similar). Dose of Colors Statemint (LE, $22.00) is lighter (90% similar). Anastasia Kash (PiP, ) is more muted, cooler (90% similar). Pat McGrath Nude Venus II (LE, $38.00) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar). Laura Mercier Rose (P, $30.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar). MAC Wall of Desire (LE, $24.00) is lighter (90% similar). NARS Manava (LE, $30.00) is more shimmery, lighter, cooler (90% similar). Tarte Exhilarating (LE, $29.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar). LORAC Technicolor (PiP, $23.00) is darker, brighter (90% similar). Gucci Beauty Coral Flower (DC, $49.00) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar). Urban Decay Naked Cherry #2 (LE, ) is more muted (90% similar). NARS Illusive (LE, $30.00) is more muted (90% similar). NARS Day Dream (LE, $30.00) is more shimmery (90% similar). Tarte Bashful (LE, $29.00) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar). Too Faced Peach Cobbler (LE, ) is brighter (95% similar). Chanel Angelique (190) (DC, $45.00) is darker, warmer (85% similar). Smith and Cult Warm Pink (P, $24.00) is darker, more muted, cooler (85% similar). NARS Kingpin (LE, $30.00) is lighter, cooler (85% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

Golshan is a slightly muted, medium-dark brick red with warm undertones and a cream finish that had a light sheen. It had nearly opaque pigmentaiton with a smooth, velvety texture that glided on effortlessly and delivered even coverage in one stroke. The texture was lightly creamy with some slip, but the product didn’t slide around while worn. This shade lasted for six hours, was lightly hydrating, and left a stain behind. ColourPop Lost (P, $7.00) is more muted (95% similar). Too Faced Melted Velvet (P, $21.00) is darker, warmer (95% similar). MAC Reddy to Go (P, $20.00) is lighter, less glossy (95% similar). NARS Fire Down Below (DC, $28.00) is warmer (95% similar). NARS Lea (LE, $34.00) is more muted (95% similar). Urban Decay Callback (P, $19.00) is darker (95% similar). Urban Decay Bad Blood (DC, $22.00) is warmer (95% similar). NARS Codie (LE, $34.00) is lighter (95% similar). NARS Mysterious Red (P, $27.00) is less glossy (95% similar). Bite Beauty Braised Maple (LE, $24.00) is darker, glossier (95% similar). MAC Retro Rouge (LE, $18.00) is cooler, glossier (95% similar). Shiseido Scarlet Rush (204) (P, $26.00) is darker (90% similar). Bite Beauty Cherry Truffle (LE, ) is glossier (90% similar). Chanel Brun Affirme (862) (P, $55.00) is lighter (90% similar). Chanel Rouge Fauve (277) (LE, $45.00) is more shimmery, darker, warmer (90% similar). NARS Fire Down Below (P, $26.00) is darker (90% similar). Shiseido Sleeping Dragon (227) (P, $26.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar). MAC Rusty (LE, $20.00) is lighter, more muted (90% similar). Make Up For Ever #44 (DC, $19.00) is cooler (90% similar). Urban Decay Rock Steady (DC, $18.00) is darker, cooler, glossier (90% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

See more photos & swatches!

NARS Recurring Dare Cheek & Lip Palette

NARS Recurring Dare Cheek & Lip Palette

NARS Recurring Dare Cheek & Lip Palette

NARS Recurring Dare Cheek & Lip Palette

NARS Recurring Dare Cheek & Lip Palette

NARS Recurring Dare Cheek & Lip Palette

NARS Albatross Highlighting Blush

NARS Albatross Highlighting Blush

NARS Albatross Highlighting Blush

NARS Sex Appeal Powder Blush

NARS Sex Appeal Powder Blush

NARS Sex Appeal Powder Blush

NARS Illusive Powder Blush

NARS Illusive Powder Blush

NARS Illusive Powder Blush

NARS Make Believe Powder Blush

NARS Make Believe Powder Blush

NARS Make Believe Powder Blush

NARS Golshan Satin Lip Pencil

NARS Golshan Satin Lip Pencil

NARS Golshan Satin Lip Pencil

NARS Golshan Satin Lip Pencil

NARS Golshan Satin Lip Pencil

NARS Golshan Satin Lip Pencil

Makeup Look
On face:
  • Guerlain Lingerie de Peau Foundation
  • Laura Mercier Loose Setting Powder
On eyes:
  • NARS Give In Take Dual-Intensity Eye & Cheek Palette
  • Sephora Eccentric Diva Eyeliner
On lips:
  • Bite Beauty Cava Matte Crème Lip Crayon

29 Comments

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Comments on this post are closed.
Katherine T. Avatar

With 2 cheek/lip palettes, they could’ve made one for fair skin and one for medium-to-deeper skin. And agree, the 2 pink shades look way too similar to each other. This holiday collection seems very heavy on smoky eyes, pink cheeks, red lips.

Deborah S. Avatar

The packaging on this looks really beautiful. I have Albatross and don’t use it as much as I should. I am very pale so it does show up on me but for some reason I prefer other formulas. These light shades are not going to work for a lot of people. I will wait and see about this one.

kjh Avatar

With albatross in an older palette and sex in splendor, not fancying coral, and massively overduped Golshan, easy skip. Think this lends itself to lighter skin tones, for sure. Kind of limiting, but very feminine. Or did I mean girly?

AB Avatar

I like the warmer-ness of this set, and I do believe I could use all the shades. I’m drawn to this for some reason. Am going to check it when it hits stores.

Helene Avatar

Now if they only had included Orgasm 🙂 No, I am just joking, really, I am.
I’m not really impressed by this palette. Money saved. Golshan is a really nice lipstick though. I might get it one day. As it is right now, I really should finish 10 or so lip products before buing a new one. As if that would happen Hahaha 😀

Veronica Avatar

I’d be all over this if I hadn’t just purchased Sex Appeal, but that makes two out of the four powders dupes for me. This reminds me of how pretty Golshan is, though. Might have to go after it.

Fran Avatar

It’s a really great red, easy to wear. I got it because I wanted a warm red to go with a particular sweater that has charcoal-gray and tomato-red stripes, and it works really well; the reds don’t match, they just work well together.

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