NARS Free Soul Highlighting Blush Review, Photos, Swatches
Free Soul
NARS Free Soul Highlighting Blush ($30.00 for 0.16 oz.) is a medium pink with warm, yellow undertones and a luminous sheen. It had an incredibly shiny, smooth, and reflective finish that was aptly described as a “highlighting blush.” It had opaque pigmentation in a single layer, but it was easy to sheer out or build up more gradually if desired.
The consistency was smooth to the touch and felt like it had the slip of a cream blush (I almost did a double-take and had to check that it was, in fact, a powder blush!). I was worried that the creamier texture wouldn’t apply as well with brushes, but the powder applied beautifully to the skin and picked up well with soft, feathery brushes, so my worries were unfounded. It blended out with ease and did not emphasize my skin’s natural texture. On me, it lasted for eight and a half hours.
Top Dupes
- ColourPop Glow Burst (LE, $10.00) is warmer (95% similar).
- Cover FX Blossom (LE, $34.00) (90% similar).
- Giorgio Armani No. 08 (P, $62.00) is less shimmery (90% similar).
- Coloured Raine Cutie Pie (P, $25.00) is less shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
- Wet 'n' Wild Halo Gorgeous (P, $5.99) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- Dior Rising Star (09) (LE, $50.00) is less shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
- ColourPop Angel Food (DC, $12.00) is cooler (90% similar).
- Clinique Pearl Pop (LE, $25.00) is less shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Becca Amethyst Flashes Geode (LE, $34.00) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- Anastasia Sassy Grape (LE, ) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar).
The beauty of this shade would certainly explain why I have 2 dupes for it, but this one has some very serious glow factor to it! It dazzles!
The finish was fantastic!
What a pretty blush, and it’s great to read that the sheen is smooth and creamy.
I need to know, where did you get your pretty earrings from? Are they a hard material (metal) or some type of flexible fabric?
They’re from Kate Spade and are metal!
Thank you!
Love this one!! Thanks for the review, as always.
My pleasure, Susan!
This looks STUNNING! Christine, how similar would you say ‘Free Soul’ blush is to the NARS Limited Edition blush in Bumpy Ride that was released last year? In your review of Bumpy Ride, you described it as “light-medium pink-coral with warm undertones and a light golden sheen”. It’s very much a soft formula (compared to my other NARS blushes) and has a WONDERFUL highlighting effect on my fair complexion. Would you say Free Soul is slightly cooler (it looks just a bit cooler to me in pictures – I haven’t seen it in real life yet), and do you think they’re too similar to own both? Thanks!
https://www.temptalia.com/side-by-side/?sbs_1_search=NARS+Free+Soul&sbs_1=324195&sbs_2_search=NARS+Bumpy+Ride&sbs_2=269097
Bumpy Ride is darker and a lot less shimmery!
AWESOME! Not for my,wallet though haha. Thank you so much for replying, Christine! 🙂
Grrr. I need another pink blush like I need a giant hole in my head. But when it’s done so perfectly and might brighten me up in the depths of winter it becomes very tempting.
You and me both, Lauren! 😉
That sounds dreamy and perfect for Spring.
Definitely very spring-appropriate!
A subtle and sophisticated shade that will appeal to many. Great rating too.
It is a beauty!
I have been so into blush recently and have purchased six in the past month. This looks really beautiful and I will have to look at it in person when next I go to the big city. Better do it quickly as it is limited edition!!
Let me know if you check it out, Deborah!
Wow, this is stunning and I need to swatch it!
It’s a lovely hue!
Ooh, that’s pretty!
I totally agree!
So pretty. Here’s me thinking I never need to buy another blush again (Dior Rosy Glow and my MAC Extra Dimension blushes have been the zenith of blush fulfillment for me) but seeing that “Recommended” tagged onto the review….well, it’s making me think I really need to get this one.
Love this! Limited edition will keep me from purchasing it though.
I absolutely love this one! Christine, may I ask what brush you prefer using with yours? I think Free Soul is gorgeous but I’m not able to build mine up…I get more of pink tinged sheen, but I was using a Chikuhodo z-4. Would a more rigid, synthetic brush work better? Thank you so much!
I used my Suqqu Cheek brush, which is pretty soft/feathery!
Oh this is gorgeous! I’ll have to get it for my sister, it would be perfect for her. I hope NARS will release some darker colors. Unless they have already? Lol too many releases as usual to keep track of.
Looks so good on you! Is this going to be in Sephora?
2/1!
There is definitely a very special look to this highlighting blush.
The Nars LE blushes are consistently my favorites to pick up, especially from the holiday collections. While I buy less and less holiday stuff, I always have to get these blushes based on your reviews! This one definitely falls into that category for me; looks perfect for the upcoming spring months!
This is so pretty! I’d wear it as a blush.
how would really fair skin tones use this/how do you think it would look?
I don’t see why fair skin tones couldn’t use it!
Does anyone know if colors like this would show up on deeper skin tones (e.g. Priyanka Chopra or Rhianna)? Or would it look too ashy?
It didn’t seem to have a strong white base to me, so I don’t think it would look ashy, but it’s hard for me to say 100%!
Yaaaassssss been waiting for your review on this! Glad to see it’s an A!
Is Tom Ford’s Frantic Pink a dupe for this blush?
You can compare any two shades under “Compare Any Two,” which is only every single review in not one but two! places 🙂
Do you know if Ulta will be getting this?
As far as I know, the collection comes out to all the usual retailers on 2/1!
I was afraid that I wouldn’t like how subtle this is, but I actually think it’s really pretty on the skin!