NARS Dolce Vita Blush

NARS Dolce Vita Blush ($28.00 for 0.16 oz.) is described as a “matte dusty rose.” It’s a dark berry rose-red. It’s red, but it’s not red-red; it’s pink, but it’s not your average pink–there’s a muted quality, but there’s still depth. MAC Supernova is pinker, less red. MAC Mocha is a bit lighter, but it’s similar, especially when worn. NARS G-Spot is more orange/warm.  I kind of feel like Dolce Vita is a very underrated NARS blush; it’s one of my favorites, because it’s low-key but dramatic. It’s everyday with a twist.  It can be a barely-there rosy blush with a flick of the brush or kind of a plummy-berry-rosy-red shade when built up.

The color payoff is rich and you can true-to-pan color with little product, but it doesn’t feel like you have to be as careful as you have to be with some other blushers. It’s a bit more foolproof.  Dolce Vita has a supremely flattering finish, because it has a subtle sheen that’s not shimmery or frosty, but it doesn’t give a flat look because it’s too dusty or matte.  If you love your skin-but-better, this is that type of finish.  I think the color is suitable across skin tones and under tones, and the only comment I’d make about wearability is that those with a lot of natural redness in cheeks might find this accentuates it.

It has a soft, finely-milled texture that applies smoothly against the skin, and it is beautifully blendable with a fluffy or stippling blush brush. I didn’t have any stiffness or difficulty diffusing and blending out the color once I applied the initial payoff.  When I tested out Dolce Vita for wear, it managed eight hours well with some minor fading along the edges after eight and a half hours.

NARS Dolce Vita Blush

NARS Dolce Vita Blush

NARS Dolce Vita Blush

NARS Dolce Vita Blush

NARS Dolce Vita Blush

NARS Dolce Vita Blush (Diffused Flash)

NARS Dolce Vita Blush (Studio Lighting)