NARS Adelaide Illuminator Review, Photos, Swatches
NARS Adelaide Illuminator
NARS Adelaide Illuminator ($30.00 for 1.10 fl. oz.) is described as a “shimmering lavender pink.” It’s a lightly cool-toned, light-medium pink with pink and white shimmer/sheen, plus silver glitter. Giorgio Armani No. 08 (P, $59.00) is similar in type (also a liquid) but is a smidgen lighter and has no glitter. NARS New Order (P, $29.00) is a powder and appears lighter swatched, but the effect is similar on. Bobbi Brown Lilac Rose (LE, $42.00) is also a powder and is a darker, more noticeable rose with a stronger metallic sheen. See comparison swatches.
If you’re unfamiliar with NARS’ Illuminators, they’re supposed to “light the skin from within.” They’re “deceptively sheer, decidedly luminous.” The formula can be applied all-over the face, used as traditional highlighter, and can be worn mixed with, over, or under foundation. With the amount of glitter (plus, the size), I didn’t like it mixed with foundation, because the bits of glitter all over the face looked more like random dirt particles at a glance–unless you stood in the sunlight, and then you twinkled here and there. In order to keep the color from adding a pink tint, you use just a very, very little amount. I had the best results when patted over cheeks with my fingertip and blended, as it gave a very light pink flush, luminous sheen, and then glittery sparkles. There was some emphasis of pores. If you don’t like glitter in your blush or highlighter, then I would skip this shade, because it is a noticeable amount. On cheeks, it remained apparent for six hours and then started to disappear.
Adelaide
LELimited Edition. $30.00.
NARS Adelaide Illuminator
NARS Adelaide Illuminator
NARS Adelaide Illuminator
NARS Adelaide Illuminator
I kind of just love this for how pretty it looks in the tube, and heavily swatched – I’m not sure if I’d really use it, though! 😀
I like the color/finish except for the glitter! On one hand, it’s too much, and on the other, it’s not enough if you’re just going to GO for a glittery highlighter.
I so so wish that it had no glitter, I like the way it looks on your skin, but the thought of glitter just puts me off. Love the packaging and the color. Will check the New Attitude blush only. Thanks for the review dear!!
Me too! I wish it was either OTT glitter madness or without.
Are you wearing just the illuminator or is it over a blush? Its looking so lovely!
Just the Illuminator.
Quick question, Christine…is the illuminator just on your cheeks (as you described in your review) or all over your face in the photo? I’m guessing it is the former but I’d be interested in seeing how this looks applied all over, as a base or an all-over brightener.
Just on the cheeks! IMO, it doesn’t work well all-over. Definitely doesn’t brighten, though – visibly, I saw mostly glitter on the skin but unfortunately, unless the light is hitting it, they look like black specks of dirt, but it didn’t seem brighter or more luminous.
I like the color, but that sheen? Brrr no, my pores are visible enough as they are 🙁
Definitely skip if you already feel like your pores are visible!
I’m digging your Temptalia earrings, Christine 😉 it looks like they were custom-made!
They were! 🙂
I am very excited about this! I’m still not sure if I will purchase it, but I am definitely checking it out in person the next time I’m at a NARS counter.
Let me know how you like it!
That looks absolutely beautiful!
Glad you liked it!
I love that this is similar to New Order, I’ve never gotten that one because it looks way too shimmery/glittery. I just got Copacabana and love it, but this is something to think about!
If you don’t like the glitter in New Order, you probably won’t like this – it is even more glittery because it’s a liquid, so a lot of the glitter actually sticks to the skin!
Is it anything like Copa? If so I’ll like it.. Thanks!
Sorry, I don’t have that!
I’m always scared about tinted luminizers! Sometimes they’re too dark to be worn as a highlighter, but to frosty to be a blusher! However, these look lovely 🙂
Just apply a wee bit – most luminizers are very, very sheer so it’s hard to go overboard!
I love the color, but I don’t care for the medium. If this were done as a Multiple, I’d jump on it, though!
Not a fan of liquid highlighters in general or of NARS’ formula in particular?
In general; I do like “illuminators” I can wear under foundation, but if this has glitter, I don’t see this particular one working for that. I do want to take another look at Copacabana, though, as I don’t recall that one having glitter. I don’t have a Nordstrom counter conveniently near me (I’m in the LAX-area, and I’d have to venture out toward Santa Monica), but I’d also love to try the Armani Fluid Sheers… I’m looking for something that would provide a “dewy” glow, but haven’t had much luck.
Gotcha! I haven’t tried any of the others… at least not to my recollection, so I have no idea if the others have glitter or not.
Looks amazing in the tube and on you! But, the glitter in it is putting me off!
You can definitely see it in person 🙁
it says “lip pencils” instead of illuminator in the description, Christine! Just so you know. 🙂
Fixed! Sorry I’m such a dummy 🙁
I’m not a fan of pinky highlighters because they usually look ashy on me but this is just beautiful! It is very glittery but I like it. I really need to check this out in person!
Let me know how you like it when you get a chance to swatch it for yourself, Fancie!
Oooh I really love this
Yay!
Christine, would you say the shimmer/glitter level is closer to the NARS Orgasm Illuminator (more shimmery) or NARS Super Orgasm Illuminator (kind of bigger glitter particles)? I’d prefer shimmer over outright glitter, but I use my Illuminators as “bases” for powder blushes and this pink seems sort of hard to pass up 🙂
Sorry, I don’t think I have any of NARS’ Illuminators except this one (I’ve never reviewed them at least, and I don’t remember trying them before). It’s glitter, though, not shimmer – Adelaide contains silver glitter!
Christine, I am confused. The name of the product in the first paragraph is for a lip pencil?
It was a mistake! Sorry I’m the biggest idiot sometimes!
It does look retry but I’m not a fan of glitter. I’ll pass on this but I did order the new Nars blush Sex Fantasy fron Nordstrom and am eagerly awaiting its arrival!
Can’t wait for you to get your new blush, Beth! Hope you love it!
From the review I was expecting a lot of glitter! But in the picture it looks nice on you Christine! It looks slightly rosy and natural in the picture!
When the light catches it, not so bad 🙂
Wonder if you tried it as an eyeshadow? Pink eyeshadow is fashionable now.
I wouldn’t personally, as I do not know if it is eye safe – since it is pink-based and has larger glitter, it’s not something I’d risk myself (just not comfortable with it).
I think its color intensity is more like a blush. Glitter? No way on this one. I won’t wear Orgasm because of it.
Super Orgasm or original Orgasm? If it’s the latter, then definitely stay away! Glitter in this is more comparable to Super Orgasm!
I hopped on here to see the earrings 😀 😀 They are awesome..I was expecting something completely different, smaller, and I was wondering how it would look on you. These seem perfect for you 🙂
Thank you!!
Wowwww earrings are super gorgeous 🙂
hats off to creativity 🙂
🙂