NARS Angel Pride Cheek Palette Review, Photos, Swatches
Angel Pride
NARS Angel Pride Cheek Palette ($59.00) includes four limited edition blushes (Angel Pride I through IV) along with permanent shades Hot Sand (blush) and Laguna (bronzer). The palette itself contained quite a bit of product, so there’s no worry about it not being value-packed. My concern was that the texture of the palette throughout felt stiffer, thinner, and drier compared to most of NARS’ standalone powder blushes/bronzers. All but one shade (Angel Pride III) applied fairly well to my cheeks and were not difficult to blend out, but I was expecting a more refined texture from NARS.
Look Using this Product
Angel Pride
LELimited Edition. $59.00.
Angel Pride I
Angel Pride I is a soft, muted coral with warm undertones and a matte finish. It had sheer coverage, which was buildable to medium coverage with three to four layers. The consistency was chalky, slightly dry, and prone to sheering out on the skin so it was hard to apply it precisely and build up the color. It wore well for seven hours on me before fading noticeably.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- LORAC Enchanted (LE, $23.00) is lighter (95% similar).
- ColourPop Magic Moon (LE, $8.00) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- Sephora Shame On You (01) (P, $14.00) is lighter (95% similar).
- Tarte Unleashed (LE, $29.00) is lighter (95% similar).
- ColourPop Count Me In (P, $8.00) is brighter (90% similar).
- OFRA Sweet Stuff (LE, ) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
- KVD Beauty Delilah (Light) (DC, ) is cooler (90% similar).
- Tarte Genuine (LE, $29.00) is warmer (90% similar).
- ColourPop Shortbread (P, $12.00) is warmer (90% similar).
- ColourPop Thnks fr the Mmrs (LE, $8.00) is warmer (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.
Angel Pride I
LELimited Edition. $30.00.
Angel Pride II
Angel Pride II is a light-medium orange with warm, yellow undertones and a golden shimmer-sheen finish. It had medium, buildable pigmentation that applied fairly evenly to bare skin and blended out without issues. The texture was thin, firmer in the pan, and required some jabbing with a dense blush brush to get product to come off of the surface. It lasted for just over seven hours on me.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Milani Coral Beams #1 (PiP, ) is darker (95% similar).
- Too Faced Luminous Peach (LE, ) is lighter, brighter (90% similar).
- ColourPop Good Luck Charm (LE, $12.00) is less shimmery, darker, cooler (90% similar).
- MAC Seduced at Sea (LE, $31.00) is darker (90% similar).
- Hourglass Lucid Glow (LE, $40.00) is less shimmery, darker, cooler (90% similar).
- NARS Frenzy (Right) (PiP, ) is darker (90% similar).
- MAC Linda (LE, $24.00) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- Melt Cosmetics Sandy Cheeks (P, $22.00) is less shimmery (90% similar).
- MAC Style Cast (LE, $24.00) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- ColourPop Outta Sight (LE, $12.00) is less shimmery, darker, cooler (85% 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.
Angel Pride II
LELimited Edition. $30.00.
Angel Pride III
Angel Pride III is a bright, medium-dark pink-coral with subtle, warm undertones and a faint, golden pearl. It was intensely pigmented with a smooth consistency that seemed like it would work well on the skin. However, the powder seemed to melt onto the skin instantly and was very difficult to spread or diffuse once it landed. This shade did wear well, though, at eight and a half hours.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Fenty Beauty Hibiscus (LE, $25.00) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Give Me Glow Cravin' Cajun (P, $14.00) is less shimmery, lighter (95% similar).
- Giorgio Armani Mania (40) (P, $38.00) is less shimmery, lighter (95% similar).
- theBalm Toile (P, $22.00) is less shimmery, darker (95% similar).
- ColourPop Mic Drop (P, $8.00) is less shimmery (90% similar).
- NYX Desert Rose (DC, $5.00) is cooler (90% similar).
- Pat McGrath Aphrodisia (LE, ) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- Tom Ford Beauty Flush (Discontinued) (DC, $60.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Tower 28 Happy Hour (P, $20.00) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- Dior 999 (P, $48.00) is more shimmery, warmer (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.
Angel Pride III
LELimited Edition. $30.00.
Angel Pride IV
Angel Pride IV is a dusty, medium-dark pink with warm undertones and a matte finish. It had good color payoff with a lightly dusty, thin consistency that looked drier in the pan than it did on my cheeks (thankfully!). This shade lasted for seven hours before fading.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Marc Jacobs Beauty Tantalize Glo (Blush) (LE, ) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- ColourPop Cruel Intentions (LE, $8.00) is cooler (90% similar).
- theBalm Balm Springs (P, $21.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Charlotte Tilbury Gorgeous Glowing Beauty #6 (LE, $40.00) is more shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
- NARS Love (LE, $30.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- ILIA Before Today (P, $32.00) is less shimmery, glossier (90% similar).
- Tarte Genius (LE, $29.00) is cooler (90% similar).
- Flesh Beauty Pulse (P, $26.00) is warmer (90% similar).
- ColourPop Glass Slipper (DC, $12.00) is cooler (90% similar).
- MAC Fleur Power (P, $24.00) is lighter, brighter (85% 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.
Angel Pride IV
LELimited Edition. $30.00.
Hot Sand
Hot Sand is a light gold with warm, yellow undertones and a luminous sheen. The consistency was soft, smooth, and easily blended out on the skin. It had good pigmentation that stayed on well for eight hours on me.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Sephora Jubilant (21) (P, $14.00) is darker (90% similar).
- Physicians Formula Natural Glow (P, $12.99) is more muted, cooler (90% similar).
- ColourPop Highly Waisted (P, $10.00) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- Tom Ford Beauty Warm (Winter 2016) Highlighter (LE, $60.00) is less shimmery (90% similar).
- NARS Tribulation (LE, $30.00) is more shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
- Illamasqua Rush (P, ) is more shimmery (90% similar).
- NYX Narcissistic (P, $9.00) is less shimmery (90% similar).
- Surratt Beauty Coup de Genie (P, $32.00) is less shimmery (90% similar).
- Charlotte Tilbury Filmstar Glow (Original) (PiP, ) is less shimmery (90% similar).
- Cover FX Sunlight (P, $34.00) 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.
Hot Sand
PiPPermanent in Palette. $30.00.
Laguna
Laguna is a medium, golden brown with warm undertones and fine shimmer. It had medium coverage, which was buildable to semi-opaque pigmentation, but the texture was very chalky and difficult to work with. The powder seemed to sit on the skin and did not blend out as easily as other shades (nor previous versions of Laguna I’ve tried). It lasted for seven and a half hours on me.
Top Dupes
- NARS Laguna (P, $38.00) is less shimmery, darker, cooler (90% similar).
- MAC Aphrodite's Shell (LE, $34.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- KVD Beauty Shadowplay (PiP, ) is less shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
- Laura Mercier A La Mode (LE, ) is brighter (90% similar).
- Tower 28 Gold Coast (P, $20.00) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- Guerlain Ultra Shine (LE, $61.00) is darker, brighter (90% similar).
- MAC Nude on Board (LE, $30.00) is more muted (90% similar).
- MAC Sun Dipped (LE, $30.00) is warmer (90% similar).
- Too Faced Jolie (LE, ) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- MAC Matte Bronze (LE, $70.00) is less shimmery (95% similar).
Ingredients
TALC · DIMETHICONE · OCTYLDODECYL STEAROYL STEARATE · ISOSTEARYL NEOPENTANOATE · POLYBUTENE · ZINC STEARATE · ISOPROPYL ISOSTEARATE · CAPRYLYL GLYCOL · SILICA · HEXYLENE GLYCOL · TIN OXIDE · TOCOPHEROL · LECITHIN · GLYCERYL STEARATE · ASCORBYL PALMITATE · GLYCERYL OLEATE · CITRIC ACID · FRAGRANCE (PARFUM) · HEXYL CINNAMAL · LINALOOL · BENZYL SALICYLATE · PHENOXYETHANOL · [+/-(MAY CONTAIN/PEUT CONTENIR): IRON OXIDES (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499) · MICA · TITANIUM DIOXIDE (CI 77891)] ·
Disclaimer: Ingredient lists are as available by the brand (or retailer) at the time of publishing. Please always check product packaging, if it exists, for the ingredient list applicable to the product you're purchasing, or the brand or retailer's website for the most up-to-date ingredient list.
I really wanted this but a B- rating on products that NARS typically excells at is making me think again 🙁
This is definitely one of my least favorite cheek palettes they’ve put out in recent memory!
Thanks for the detailed review! I had such high hopes for this…just picked it up yesterday but back to Nordstrom it will go. I will tell the person who helps me with the return…”Temptalia gave it a bad review…” We do expect better from Nars. Behold the power of social media! 🙂
I’m happy to help, She-ra! 🙂
Boo! I was looking forward to maybe getting this one and returning my CT bronzer/blush do. Oh well….I feel like I was more excited about last years makeup items than this year anyways…..
I’m sure they’ll put another one between now and the end of the year!
A Nars product for which I have zero dupes. Zero. Well, the mini laguna that I don’t like doesn’t count. Like the Ulta VLGs set, M. Nars has set a course away from his usual fall dark reds, and left me at the dock. Fact is, I’m cheering. A Nars blush palette not to covet and speed order? So very there! When I see zero dupes, it makes a heavy ‘not my colors’ statement. Whew!
Haha! That is true – sometimes if you don’t have dupes it’s more a statement you shouldn’t own that color (because you don’t like it, don’t wear it, etc.)!
I don’t get why all NARS blush palettes look the same. I have their Virtual Domination palette and I like it but I don’t feel the need to try another!
I have to think they are designed for those who do not buy NARS often 🙁
The only one (besides Laguna) I would actually wear is IV. The first thing that came to mind was Love, and of course that’s the top “dupe” listed, LOL!
One day, NARS will do a cheek palette that I can justify buying…
Have you ever bought a NARS cheek palette?
There should be an automatic deduction for including Laguna in yet another palette 😉
LOL!!
How many faces one must have to use up all these laguna bronzers nars keeps including in every single face palette they release? Jeez.
Maybe if one needs a body bronzer they could go through all of them in a lifetime 😉
I was going to buy this today!!! I love Hot Sand (I have it in a duo with Laguna that I actually love) so I thought those two with several blush options and it’s a perfect all-in-one!!!! But now, easy pass after reading this review. Glad I waited. Thanks Christine!
My pleasure, Bonnie!
Because I only really like half of this palette, specifically; III, IV and Hot Sand, this is a pass for me. It just doesn’t seem as great as the ones they put out this past winter.
Oh yeah, such an easy skip if you don’t even like every shade!
Where I can buy the palette?
Initially I was excited for a palette from Nars full of warm, summer appropriate shades, but the chalkiness is a bit off-putting. :/
The texture was just not up to par 🙁
I hate when palettes are not the same quality as a brand’s permanent range… The colors are beautiful but some of the blushes look so dry swatched!
Yeah, I was bummed this wasn’t better since it was a great value!
I brought this in store on the 1st Nordstrom sale day. I totally agree with your review and score. This palette is geared towards light skin tones, most of the colors don’t show up well on me. The highlighter looks white matte couldn’t even make it work for my inner eyes. Returning this tomorrow.
That sucks, Denise 🙁 I’m sorry you had to try it to find out it was a miss, but I’m comforted to know I wasn’t alone in feeling that way!
Still in love with Unfiltered II. Very easy pass, especially with that grade. I expect better from them.
Me too – it should have been better!
Not quite up to Nars’s usual standard for blushes/bronzers. The shades are lovely, if they suit your skintone.
A disappointment.
I agree — NARS can and has done better!
Swatched in store and was super disappointed. I fully agree with your thoughts on this.
I’m relieved you were able to try it in store before buying, Lena!