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NARS 413 BLKR Illuminator Review, Photos, Swatches

 

NARS 413 BLKR Illuminator
NARS 413 BLKR Illuminator

NARS 413 BLKR Illuminator ($30.00 for 1.1 fl. oz.) is described as a “shimmering champagne.” It’s a brightened, light, gold-hued champagne with warm undertones and a frosted, slightly metallic, sheen. NARS Devotee (LE, $29.00) is a powder product, less warm-toned. MAC Sparkling Rose (LE) is warmer, less metallic, powder. Urban Decay Naked (P, $29.00) is more sparkly, powder. Kevyn Aucoin Candlelight (P, $44.00) is less shimmery, powder. Becca Moonstone (P, $38.00) is warmer, powder. See comparison swatches / view dupes.

This is a product where less is more; if you go too heavily, it looks frosted and can start to emphasize pores, but if patted on and sheered out, it gives a dewy, luminous look to the skin (and just barely emphasizes pores). Unlike NARS Adelaide (my first experience with NARS’ Illuminators), this isn’t glittery or sparkly–shimmery, yes–but no over-the-top glittery bits to worry about. It has a thin consistency, so it can also be mixed into liquid or cream foundation for an all-over glow. When you mix a product like this with your foundation, it’s a much subtler effect, and you’ll just notice a more luminous finish overall, compared to your foundation’s normal finish but still understated. I am all about a liquid highlighter mixed into foundation right now, because it is a surefire way to give skin a lit-from-within-glow that makes people ask you what you’re doing to keep your skin so lovely! Wearing this as a highlighter on the cheek bones, it wore well for seven and a half hours before starting to turn patchy.

NARS 413 BLKR Illuminator
NARS 413 BLKR Illuminator

NARS 413 BLKR Illuminator
NARS 413 BLKR Illuminator

NARS 413 BLKR Illuminator
NARS 413 BLKR Illuminator

NARS 413 BLKR Illuminator
NARS 413 BLKR Illuminator

NARS 413 BLKR Illuminator
NARS 413 BLKR Illuminator

NARS 413 BLKR Illuminator
NARS 413 BLKR Illuminator over NARS 413 BLKR Blush

Makeup Look
On face:
  • Guerlain Parure de Lumiere Foundation
  • Guerlain Les Voilettes Loose Powder
  • NARS Hot Sand Illuminator
On eyes:
  • NARS Baalbek Eye Paint
On lips:
  • NARS Orgasm Lipgloss

86 Comments

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Louisa Avatar

UGH! Why do I even keep on following you on Facebook? You’re such a bad influence and the sole responsible for my bankrupcy! 😀
I guess, I’m going to make a stop at Sephora…SOON! 🙂 xx

Renee Avatar

Christine, I have noticed the glow in your foundation, lately! I thought it was the Guerlain foundation, and I have been thinking of switching to Guerlain because it looks so amazing on you! I am liking 413 BLKR, surprisingly, and I might have to purchase. Usually, I don’t go for highlighters quite so light, but this subtly applied looks fantastic.

Chris25 Avatar

It looks beautiful! And it doesn’t look greasy or too overwhelming. Kudos, NARS. 🙂

Oh, Christine, I wanted to tell you that NARS doesn’t actually have free shipping over $50 this week. I placed an order a couple of days ago and my cart added shipping. When I emailed CS, they told me that there was no free shipping. The info on the website is incorrect.

Christine Avatar

That is really weird that they would tell you the information on *their* website is incorrect and not comp you free shipping for their error… and you know, remove the false information. I will send an email to my affiliate contact (who I usually work with in regards to their e-commerce site) about it. Thanks for letting me know!

Christine Avatar

If you give me permission to share your email address (well, the one you’ve shared with me), NARS is trying to look into your order. If you used another email address and again, don’t mind sharing it, you can also send me that info at christine[at]temptalia.com!

Wednesday Avatar

I hear ya!

Top 2 only: I am currently using are RBR Highlighting liquid (sea of tranquility, I think) and same as you, Kevyn Aucoin. I mix the kevyn aucoin with guerlain meteorites primer. I have many other hl’ers in liquid and cream form, but these two do not mess with my foundation layer as much as some of the others, nor turn as greasy over time. I used to love Benefit High Beam, but I can’t wear it anymore..too greasy..highlights my *ahem* wrinkles. NARS multiples break me out and seem to pull up my base even with a stippling brush so abandoned those. MAC strobe, Illamasqua Aurora…way way too greasy. Tom Ford fire lust is too dark and orangey for my complexion. I never reach for it. etc..

WildDove Avatar

I too have many liquid illuminators, so may pass on this one. Thanks for featuring this lovely Nars item, Christine! My faves in this genre: MAC Strobe cream and liquid, Nars Copacabana, Orgasm, and Laguna liquid illuminators, Josie Maran Argan Illuminizer liquid, EL Spotlight.

xamyx Avatar

Tempting…, but I’m really happy with the Copacabana Illuminator. However, I may trek over to the boutique and see if I can try this in-store.

Sarah Avatar

I never understood the point of liquid highlighters, either, until this winter my normally reasonable skin decided to hit me with a bewildering mix of extreme dryness and acne. Mixing highlighter into my foundation heavily (~1/3 highlighter) really saved me until I could (sort of) get everything under control. It prevents my foundation from clinging to dry patches (basically, my entire face), helps to blur marks and pores, and slightly lightens the shade of my makeup (which is welcome in the dark of winter). I still end up adding a little powder illuminator on my cheekbones after setting everything, but that’s only because I need a lot of help. This one looks like it would be a nice color for summer!

Christine Avatar

What have been your go-tos for liquid illuminators? I’m totally obsessed now!

I also would use a powder highlighter, since I feel like mixing in just gives a beautiful, luminous look all-over but not really a “highlight” you know? I would still add a bit to cheek bones and cupid’s bow!

Sarah Avatar

I’ve mostly been using High Beam. Boring, I know, but almost everything else is too dark for me! I’ve been thinking about trying out one of the Becca ones, though.

Veronica Avatar

Ah, I was hoping for something less warm, but between Albatross and Copacabana, I think I’ve got the kind of shade and glow covered from NARS. It is very lovely, though, so I can see a lot of people getting their wear out of it. NARS liquid illuminators are worth every penny in my opinion – I’ve still got a nearly full tube of Copacabana at home, and I use it regularly!

Ah well, I’ve been meaning to try Kevyn Aucoin’s Candelight, anyhow. Maybe I’ll put that on the list, instead. :3

Veronica Avatar

I’ve mixed it with foundation before, but you have to be VERY, VERY careful with how much you add to the foundation you’re using, particularly when you wear lighters coverage ones. It’s a very intense, metallic highlighter when applied gratuitously, so it will emphasize pores if you use too much, especially if you have more noticeable ones. I’ve also worn it under light coverage bases and find it gives a gentler glow, so if you don’t want to go through the trouble of blending it with your foundation shade, you could just mix it with your moisturizer and then apply over it.

I generally prefer it as a highlighter since it takes gives me more control – I usually pour out a tiny dollop (and we’re talking *tiny*), use my finger to pat it on my nose and highlight points, then take a stippling brush through what’s left and blend it into my cheekbones. It’s a great shade for us cool-toned ladies, though I think there’s enough color leeway to work on just about everyone – though I’d point out that the multiple is more neutral-silver, while the liquid is noticeably pinker. It’s a more of a HELLO THERE highlighter than a subtler one (like, say, Chantecaille’s Rose Petals), but it’s more “natural” than the white gold look of NARS Albatross. (Not that I don’t love it, too!)

Veronica Avatar

Haha, yeah, coverage makes a huge difference. I’m always surprised at how much better defined my features are in photographs when I have full makeup on. Copacabana is a great illuminator, but it does take some precision; it’ll do wonders for your glow, but too much of anything is never good. 😛

Lauren Avatar

I guess it’s just a hold-over from when I had really oily skin, but I’m too paranoid to wear an illuminator/highlighter. To me, they come across too much like shiny, oily skin.

Chelsea Avatar

This looks beautiful on you Christine, I love mixing liquid highlighter into my foundation too, so seriously considering this for my arsenal… Thank you for the review!

Rhea Avatar

It looks gorgeous but I feel like it’s not too unique. It’d be pretty easy to find cheaper similar products but it seems perfect for an allover glowy touch.

Soleil Avatar

I recently bought the Guerlain Tenue de Perfection since I needed a long-lasting foundation due to our humid weather here in Manila. I didn’t realize how matte it is and application is quite tricky because it dries out fast. Maybe with this illuminator mixed in, my foundation will be easier to work with and will give a nice subdued glow. Hope it becomes available here soon!

Mo Avatar

Your skin looks particularly amazing in your most recent posts! Completely flawless.
Can I ask, are you wearing any under eye concealer? You look so bright eyed.
It you have some skin care secrets do share.

Alexandra M Avatar

This looks absolutely stunning on you, Christine! Lovely. This is calling my name, but god knows I don’t need another highlighter. I think I may have at least 8 stuffed into my beauty drawer…. So much for self-control.

Side note, Christine, since you love liquid highlighters as I do, may I suggest trying Stila’s liquid illuminators? I have two (in shades “rose shimmer” and “bronze shimmer”) and they’re great. The rose shimmer shade in particular perks me up like nothing else. A definite desert island essential!

kellly Avatar

I am totally into illuminators lately, too. I’ve been searching for something that will give me the look I want (SHINY!!!!) but not wear off or cause my other makeup to goop up. I may have to check this out, plus some of the others mentioned in the comments.
THANK YOU!

Diana Avatar

Hi Christine,

I really like the picture with 413 BLKR Illuminator and blush. I am thinking about getting the blush, and now I think I might need the Illuminator too. As I normally don’t use liquid highlighters – do you put on the highlighter first, then powder, then blush? Or do you pat it over the blush? I am always confused when it comes to mixing liquid/powder products…

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