NARS 413 BLKR Illuminator Review, Photos, Swatches
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.
413 BLKR
PPermanent. $30.00.
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
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
Well, I appreciate the follow nonetheless 🙂 Both the 413 BLKR products are exclusive to NARS’ website and boutiques, unfortunately!
Hi Christine, any idea when this will launch in Asia?
I don’t have any launch dates for international, but my guess would be April/May.
This is so gorgeous on you!! I am not into liquid highlighters but this one is really calling me 🙂
Thank you, Anne! I didn’t use to love them, but now I can’t get enough!
This reminds me so much of Benefit’s High/Sun Beam mixed together! I’m loving it! Glad to see that it lives up to the hype 🙂
Glad ya liked it, Stephanie!
That seams a bit similar to benefit girl meet pearls. I love a good champagne color
Me too! 🙂
I feel like Girl Meets Pearl leans a bit warmer than that. Both are gorgeous, though.
Ohh, it does look really nice!
Agreed!
What did you use to apply it?
Fingertips!
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.
It is and isn’t, LOL! I usually wear Parure, which definitely has a glow, but I set with Les Voilettes, which mattifes a lot. I usually mix in Kevyn Aucoin’s Candlelight liquid illuminator 🙂
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.
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!
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!
It’s a different address. I emailed it. 🙂 Thank you!
Got it!
like! But already have far too many liquid illuminators..teehee
Top three? I love Kevyn Aucoin, but you know… on the hunt for something cheaper… or better.
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..
Good to know that Kevyn Aucoin still ranks highly compared to many others that you’ve tried. I’ll have to look into the RBR one! Thank you 🙂
Christine, have you tried the Soleil Tan de Chanel illuminating fluid? It’s lovely!!!
I haven’t!
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.
I just bought Josie Maran’s to try!
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.
Hope you can try it in store 🙂
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!
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!
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.
Hey, if it works, it works!
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
Do you use Copacabana mixed with foundation or patted on?
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!)
It’s probably because I wear light-medium coverage foundations that it doesn’t seem to be too much to me! Though I use the merest bit, haha. I don’t really need much coverage right now, but I prefer it for photography (ensures everything is ON POINT!).
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. 😛
This is quite lovely! I am not sure it will work for me but I like it on warm toned skin!
It’ll be pretty forgiving in terms of tone if mixed with foundation for sure!
WOW! I’m not super into liquid highlighters, but this one is gorgeous.
It is!
This is gorgeous..I love it!
Happy to hear it!
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.
It’s all about application 😀
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!
Thanks so much, Chelsea! 🙂
Thats just the right shimmer! the way I like it!!!!!
Yay!!
I love it! Could it be considered as a base too?
I think it’s too shimmery to use as a primer!
When I saw the arms swatch is was kind of like WHOA SHIMMER! But then on your face it looks much more glowy and pretty 🙂 I love the colour for not being too yellow a gold for paler/cooler complexions!
Hahaha! A little goes a long way, so you don’t need more to get a glow!
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.
I’m sure you could find something similar!
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!
Fingers crossed for ya, Soleil!
This is so gorgeous!! The glow is just stunning!
It is!
love your earrings! where are they from?
Here you go! https://www.etsy.com/shop/bellaanelajewelry
Finally, a warmer alternative to Copacabana! Glad to hear it’s permanent, too. 😀
Woohoo!
The illuminator looks great with just the ample amount of sheen to make the skin glow and highlight the point and not emphasize the pore.. 🙂
Looks beautiful on you. <3
Thanks a lot, Poo!
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.
No concealer, just foundation! My skin is just a lot clearer since I added a topical antibiotic (clindamycin foam), which is a prescription product, but it totally eliminated all the last bits of acne/breakouts that I struggled with for years.
Thank you for responding!!!!
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!
Thank you for the rec, Alexandra! 🙂
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!
My pleasure, Kelly! xo Let us know which one you end up getting!
? I hated Urban decay Naked powder!.would you think this is a no go for me as well?? Thanks!
Urban Decay’s was more glittery, so if the sparkle/glitter was the problem, then this would be better.
I was looking forward to the Hot sand illuminator and noticed that you have Hot sand mentioned in this look, might that be an error? I couldn’t find the swatches for the Orgasm highlighter in the Dupes or Swatches gallery, thought I’d mention it.
Baalbek looks good close-up.
Hot Sand is mixed in with the foundation! 🙂
I like it! Its a nice, light color and it will look amazing for a nice fresh look
Agreed!
Hi Christine, do you know if this product is LE or not? Thanks. ^^
It’s permanent – you can see whether it is permanent, limited edition, or discontinued by the “P,” “LE,” or “DC” label!
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…
Hi Diana,
Blush, highlighter, powder 🙂