NARS Heartbreaker Cheek Palette Review & Swatches
Heartbreaker
NARS Heartbreaker Holiday 2018 Cheek Trio ($42.00 for 0.36 oz.) includes three blushes from the brand’s permanent range. Oddly, the brand’s often-released Orgasm blush fell short here; it was firm and stiff to work with, heartbreaking really… Luster was dustier in the palette than it has been in its standalone format but was easy to work with, just not quite the same in finish. Amour seemed fairly consistent with the last version I have, though.
Heartbreaker
LELimited Edition. $42.00.
Luster
Luster is a medium peach with warm, orange undertones and a golden shimmer. The blush had good pigmentation that was buildable to full coverage with less than half of a layer on top of the first. It had a soft, slightly dusty consistency that applied well to bare skin and blended out easily along the edges. I noticed that it appeared less shimmery applied, though, and seemed to have a smoother, golden sheen rather than more noticeable shimmer. The standalone version I have is more shimmery on my skin, though, and the shimmer seemed integrated better the powder itself. On me, the color lasted well for seven and a half hours.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- ColourPop Extra Sprinkles (PiP, $12.00) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- Anastasia Peach Nectar (DC, $28.00) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- elf Candlelit (P, $9.00) is cooler (90% similar).
- NARS Frenzy (Right) (PiP, ) is less shimmery, darker, cooler (90% similar).
- MAC Peaceful (LE, $22.00) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- NARS Esoteric (LE, $30.00) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- MAC Cheeky Bronze (P, $34.00) is darker, cooler (95% similar).
- MAC Perfectly Poised (Outer) (LE, $34.00) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- Too Faced Luminous Peach (LE, ) is lighter (85% similar).
- MAC Trace Gold (P, $24.00) is less shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
Formula Overview
$30.00/0.16 oz. - $187.50 Per Ounce
From NARS’ website, their blush formula is described as “beautifully pigmented” and “soft [and] blendable.” NARS' blushes, since they've been released in such a massive range of shades over the years, can vary from shade to shade to some degree. Most shades are pigmented with firmer, slightly stiffer consistencies that can also run on the thinner side, which allows greater control when picking up product but some of the more matte shades could be a bit more blendable or easier to work with.
Some of the more newly-released shades have softer, more yielding textures that are a bit creamier and are easier to blend out, though most of NARS' blushes are fairly blendable. The wear typically ranges from eight to nine hours with a few shades falling above or below this range.
Browse all of our NARS Powder Blush swatches.
Luster
PPermanent. $30.00.
Orgasm
Orgasm is a medium pink with subtle, warm undertones and warmer, golden sparkle and pearl. The texture was incredibly stiff and firmly-pressed in the pan, which made it an ordeal to pick up product with a brush. I had to take a dense brush and jab it against the surface to loosen powder to apply to my cheeks. Once loosened, I was able to apply it to my cheeks for even, diffused color coverage that looked like the Orgasm blush I’m more familiar with, but I definitely had to build up coverage a lot more than I have had to with past iterations of this shade. It wore well for seven and a half hours on me before it started to fade noticeably.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- NARS Orgasm (P, $30.00) is more shimmery, lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- KIKO 103 Golden Peach (P, $12.00) is less shimmery, lighter (85% similar).
- Sleek MakeUP Rose Gold (P, $6.99) is more shimmery, brighter, more pigmented (90% similar).
- Tom Ford Beauty Pink Sand (LE, $68.00) is less shimmery, lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- Milani Dolce Pink (P, $7.99) is cooler (90% similar).
- Becca Flowerchild (P, $32.00) is brighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Urban Decay Score (DC, $26.00) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- bareMinerals The Natural High (PiP, $22.00) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- Dior Rose Frisson (353) (LE, $48.00) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- Kaja Aura (P, $19.00) is less shimmery (90% similar).
Formula Overview
$30.00/0.16 oz. - $187.50 Per Ounce
From NARS’ website, their blush formula is described as “beautifully pigmented” and “soft [and] blendable.” NARS' blushes, since they've been released in such a massive range of shades over the years, can vary from shade to shade to some degree. Most shades are pigmented with firmer, slightly stiffer consistencies that can also run on the thinner side, which allows greater control when picking up product but some of the more matte shades could be a bit more blendable or easier to work with.
Some of the more newly-released shades have softer, more yielding textures that are a bit creamier and are easier to blend out, though most of NARS' blushes are fairly blendable. The wear typically ranges from eight to nine hours with a few shades falling above or below this range.
Browse all of our NARS Powder Blush swatches.
Ingredients
Look Using this Product
Orgasm
PPermanent. $30.00.
Amour
Amour is a bright, medium pink-coral with warmer undertones and a matte finish. It had nearly opaque pigmentation with a soft, smooth consistency that was thin but not stiff or prone to clinging to my skin. I had no trouble applying and diffusing the edges for an even application of color to my cheeks. It stayed on well for eight hours on me before I noticed signs of fading.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Tarte True Love (P, $29.00) is lighter, more muted (95% similar).
- Guerlain Coral Blush (LE, ) is lighter (95% similar).
- MAC Simmer (LE, $29.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- Too Faced Cherry Bomb (Blush) (PiP, ) is more shimmery, lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- NARS Peep Show (LE, $30.00) is lighter, brighter (90% similar).
- theBalm Toile (P, $22.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- KVD Beauty Sid (Shade) (DC, ) is lighter (90% similar).
- NARS Realm of the Senses #1 (LE, $30.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- NARS Realm of the Senses (Together) (LE, $30.00) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- Makeup Geek Love Affair (DC, $9.99) is cooler (95% similar).
Formula Overview
$30.00/0.16 oz. - $187.50 Per Ounce
From NARS’ website, their blush formula is described as “beautifully pigmented” and “soft [and] blendable.” NARS' blushes, since they've been released in such a massive range of shades over the years, can vary from shade to shade to some degree. Most shades are pigmented with firmer, slightly stiffer consistencies that can also run on the thinner side, which allows greater control when picking up product but some of the more matte shades could be a bit more blendable or easier to work with.
Some of the more newly-released shades have softer, more yielding textures that are a bit creamier and are easier to blend out, though most of NARS' blushes are fairly blendable. The wear typically ranges from eight to nine hours with a few shades falling above or below this range.
Browse all of our NARS Powder Blush swatches.
I find it very odd that Orgasm would be screwed up. They have made it probably a billion times. Most of us have multiple iterations for comparison. I seldom use it, but think I have 5. You just don’t mess up such an iconic, if ubiquitous, product. I tried hard not to be vulgar so far, but WTF?
Ugh, this really IS a heartbreaker! How could they have ruined such an iconic blush shade?
It always baffles me when brands change things about tried and true products. Why press the blush harder than normal? It doesn’t make any sense to me at all.
First Laguna and now Orgasm, what is going on with the mini / palette holiday collection versions of these OG products! You’ve done these shades a million times before, NARS! ?
What I’m dying to know is; how in the heck did they mess up Orgasm *this* badly? I mean, this is the main blush shade that Nars is infamously famous for! ?
I can’t get over that they screwed up the blush they’re most famous for.
Orgasm isn’t my favorite shade of blush but it is really sad that Nars missed the mark so badly with such an iconic shade. Likely a quality control issue rather than an actual screw up? I hope that they just set the machine too hard for that batch run, LOL!
Shocked! I so like Nars blushes, so I’l rally shocked. So glad though that I don’t need any more.
I forgot how stunning Luster is! Time to pull it out and use it!
This is all so true of NARS – up and down – either stellar or awful. Same with their eyeshadows.
What the he** NARS? If someone really wanted this palette, they’d have to seriously consider breaking up the Orgasm section and repressing it — but for the money you shouldn’t have to.