NARS Despair Cheek Palette ($65.00 for 0.48 oz.) includes four blushes (three new, one part of the permanent line) and a travel-sized ITA kabuki brush. The palette contains $90 worth of blush, so it is a good deal for those who enjoy NARS’ blush formulas, and what’s nice is that three are totally new (though not without their dupes, of course!). I’m not a fan of the ITA in any shape or form, let alone the travel-sized version, which is just rougher and scratchier than the full-size. NARS’ blush palettes like this one seem bulkier than they need to be, but it should still travel well.

Nico is a light beige with a satin shimmer. It had good color coverage with a lightly powdery texture, but it was very smooth and blendable on the skin. This doesn’t show up much on me; it’s more like a very, very subtle highlighter on my skin tone, and I’m not sure if it’ll work at all on deeper skin tones, but it may be something you could mix with one of the other shades to lighten then. On me, it lasted for seven hours. This is part of the permanent range. By Terry Light & Tan Vibes #4 (LE, ) is more shimmery (95% similar). MAC Star! (LE, ) is darker (95% similar). By Terry Tan & Flash Cruise #4 (LE, ) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar). NARS Paloma Highlight (PiP, ) is less shimmery, lighter (85% similar). MAC Soft & Gentle (P, $34.00) is more shimmery, darker (85% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

Savage is a medium, coral-red with warm undertones and a matte finish. It had semi-opaque color payoff with a lightly dusty, thinner texture that applied without too much trouble, but it could have been easier to blend out on the skin. It wore well for eight hours before fading along the edges. ColourPop Fruit Stand (DC, $8.00) is cooler (95% similar). ColourPop Never Been Kissed (LE, $8.00) is warmer (95% similar). MAC Painted Canyon (LE, $24.00) is more shimmery, lighter (95% similar). KIKO 107 Tomato (P, $12.00) is more shimmery, lighter (95% similar). ColourPop RomCom (DC, $12.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar). Chanel Duo N. 02 (Bottom) (LE, ) is lighter, brighter (90% similar). ColourPop Luv Me Not (LE, $12.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar). Viseart Orange #3 (PiP, ) is lighter, warmer (90% similar). Natasha Denona Coral (PiP, ) is lighter, warmer (90% similar). ColourPop Ex (LE, $5.00) is lighter (90% similar). Surratt Beauty Brillante Idée (P, $32.00) is warmer (90% similar). KVD Beauty Sid (Shade) (DC, ) is lighter, cooler (85% similar). Make Up For Ever B316 (P, $23.00) is more shimmery, lighter, cooler (85% similar). By Terry Tan & Flash Cruise #2 (LE, ) is more shimmery, lighter (85% similar). Anastasia Scorching (PiP, ) is lighter, cooler (85% similar). MAC Burnt Pepper (P, $24.00) is darker, more muted (85% similar). Too Faced Cherry Bomb (Blush) (PiP, ) is more shimmery, lighter, cooler (85% similar). Tom Ford Beauty The Afternooner (Blush) (LE, ) is lighter, cooler (85% similar). NARS Boys Don't Cry (LE, $41.00) is brighter, more pigmented, better quality (85% similar). Viseart Coral #2 (PiP, ) is lighter, brighter, cooler (85% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

Esoteric is a soft, medium orange with warm, yellow undertones and fine gold shimmer. It had semi-opaque pigmentation with a very easily blended texture, though it was noticeable dusty and kicked-up excess in the pan. On me, the color wore well for seven and a half hours. MAC Style Cast (LE, $24.00) is more shimmery (95% similar). MAC Blazing Haute (LE, $31.00) is more shimmery (95% similar). Milani Coral Beams #1 (PiP, ) is less shimmery, more muted (95% similar). NARS Jubilation (Right) (PiP, ) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar). MAC Perfectly Poised (Outer) (LE, $34.00) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar). Anastasia Daydream (LE, ) is more shimmery (90% similar). NYX Synthetica (P, $7.99) is darker (90% similar). ColourPop Most Necessary (P, $8.00) is more shimmery, better quality (90% similar). YSL Rebelle (7) (P, $47.00) is less shimmery (90% similar). Too Faced Luminous Peach (LE, ) is less shimmery (90% similar). Guerlain Pause d'Ete (LE, $82.00) is darker, more muted, cooler (90% similar). NARS Luster (P, $30.00) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar). NARS Ambition (LE, $30.00) is cooler (90% similar). MAC Linda (LE, $24.00) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar). Becca Tigerlily (DC, $34.00) is darker (90% similar). MAC Honey Jasmine (LE, $24.00) is less shimmery, darker, brighter (90% similar). MAC Freshen Up (LE, $35.50) is less shimmery (90% similar). MAC Bright Response (P, $16.00) is more shimmery (90% similar). Sephora Minnie's Inner Glow (LE, $22.00) is lighter (85% similar). MAC Fresh Honey (LE, $29.00) is less shimmery, warmer (85% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

Ferocious is a muted, medium-dark plum with cooler undertones and a pearly sheen. It had good pigmentation with a soft, smooth, and blendable texture–it was the best shade in the palette–that lasted for eight hours on the skin. Merit Raspberry Beret (P, $28.00) is less shimmery, warmer (90% similar). theBalm Pinstripe (P, $22.00) is warmer (90% similar). ColourPop Brut Flute (LE, $8.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar). MAC Sweet Samba (LE, $29.00) is warmer (90% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Sublimate (Shade) (LE, ) is less shimmery, less pigmented, warmer (90% similar). IT Cosmetics Radiant in Rose (P, $24.00) is warmer (90% similar). Melt Cosmetics Fire Fury (P, $22.00) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar). MAC Petulant (LE, $22.00) is less shimmery, glossier (90% similar). Buxom Goa (P, $22.00) is less shimmery, warmer (90% similar). Fenty Beauty Cool Berry (P, $20.00) is less shimmery, darker, more muted (90% similar). MAC Plum Foolery (P, $24.00) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar). MAC All Aflush (LE, ) is less shimmery, lighter, less pigmented (90% similar). IT Cosmetics Magical in Mauve (P, $24.00) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar). Burberry Silk and Bloom (LE, $68.00) is more shimmery, lighter, more muted (90% similar). NARS Goulue (LE, $30.00) is less shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar). Cle de Peau Pale Fig (P, $60.00) is lighter, warmer (85% similar). Urban Decay Easy (DC, $26.00) is lighter (85% similar). MAC Plum Sparkle (LE, $24.00) is less shimmery, cooler (85% similar). NARS Sexual Content (Right) (LE, ) is less shimmery, lighter (85% similar). Smith and Cult Cool Pink (P, $24.00) is less shimmery, lighter (85% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

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NARS Despair Cheek Palette

NARS Despair Cheek Palette

NARS Despair Cheek Palette

NARS Despair Cheek Palette

NARS Despair Cheek Palette

NARS Despair Cheek Palette

NARS Despair Cheek Palette

NARS Nico Blush

NARS Nico Blush

NARS Nico Blush

NARS Savage Blush

NARS Savage Blush

NARS Savage Blush

NARS Esoteric Blush

NARS Esoteric Blush

NARS Esoteric Blush

NARS Ferocious Blush

NARS Ferocious Blush

NARS Ferocious Blush