NARS Summer 2016 Dual-Intensity Blush Palette ($59.00 for 0.32 oz.) includes four, limited edition powder blushes (one is more of a highlighter shade for most skin tones). The three blushes shades are richer shades, and two of the shades are quite deep, so I can see this working on a variety of skin tones. When working with the formula dry, I find it easy to apply and blend out, and they perform well overall. Damp application is harder to work with on my skin, as it doesn’t blend out as easily; it is better patted on with a damp fingertip or on bare skin (something about the damp brush/powder seems to disturb any base products more often than not for me). The wear ranged from seven to nine hours for me with damp application lasting longer overall.

I reached out to NARS recently for clarification with respect to the formula, because summer’s duos had contrary claims compared to the permanent duos. So, per that conversation: the Dual Intensity Blush formula is a wet/dry formulation that yields a “natural looking glow” with a dry application, whereas as damp application gives a “high-impact finish,” and the more water you have on your brush, the more “watercolor-like” the pigment will appear and with less water, it is “more saturated.” It seems like 1) the finish is more metallic/frosted with damp/wet application, and 2) the color will sheer out with a lot of water but appear more intense if just used with a damp brush. The best I can interpret is that there is just more leeway now with damp application not being specifically sheer/translucent from the get-go. I tried, and you really have to have a near-sopping wet brush before the blushes start resembling watercolors. My experience remains: it really is just medium to full coverage with a more frosted/shimmery finish applied dry, and then richer, deeper, and often more opaque color with a smoother sheen applied damp.

Summer Dual Intensity Blush I is a pale, silvery pink with cool, iridescent shimmer. It had semi-sheer coverage applied dry, and semi-opaque applied damp, while the finish goes from frosted to metallic. It wore well for seven and a half hours dry, eight and a half hours damp. I think the lighter color and sheerer nature of this shade made it easy to apply even damp. Wet 'n' Wild Where the Dreamers Go (LE, $2.99) is less shimmery (95% similar). Giorgio Armani No. 07 (P, $62.00) is cooler (95% similar). Laura Geller Charming Pink (P, $26.00) is darker (95% similar). NYX Ice Queen (P, $5.00) is less shimmery (95% similar). Burberry No. 01 White (LE, $68.00) is lighter, warmer (95% similar). Looxi Beauty Pandora (P, $7.50) is more shimmery (90% similar). L'Oreal Ice (P, $12.99) is more shimmery, lighter, brighter (90% similar). NYX Snow Rose (P, $7.99) is darker (95% similar). Urban Decay Aura (P, $26.00) is cooler (90% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

Summer Dual Intensity Blush II is a slightly muted, medium-dark rosy plum with warm undertones and gold, frosted shimmer. It is like a deeper, richer take on the brand’s signature Orgasm blush (but it is warmer, less pink-based). It had opaque coverage both wet and dry, but damp application had a stronger metallic finish and appeared darker. It wore well for eight hours dry and nine hours damp. MAC Love Thing (P, $29.00) is less shimmery (95% similar). MAC Sweet Vision (LE, $28.00) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar). MAC Cheeky Bits (P, $31.00) is lighter, brighter, warmer (90% similar). MAC Simmer (LE, $29.00) is less shimmery, lighter, brighter (90% similar). ColourPop No Way (LE, $8.00) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar). Stila Berry Shimmer (LE, ) is darker, cooler (90% similar). Natasha Denona Bloom (P, $19.00) is less shimmery, lighter, cooler (90% similar). MAC Sweet Samba (LE, $29.00) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar). Laura Geller Tropic Hues (P, $28.00) is lighter (90% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Pink Glow #5 (LE, $60.00) is darker (90% similar). NARS Realm of the Senses (Together) (LE, $30.00) is lighter, brighter, warmer (90% similar). MAC Gleeful (P, $29.00) is less shimmery, warmer (90% similar). NARS Adrenaline (LE, $30.00) is less shimmery, cooler (90% similar). NARS Panic (Right) (PiP, ) is brighter, warmer (85% similar). Benefit Bella Bamba (Palette) (PiP, $29.00) is lighter (85% similar). NARS Soulshine (Together) (LE, $30.00) is warmer (85% similar). Make Up For Ever 9 Coral (P, $21.00) is more shimmery, cooler (85% similar). Laura Geller Pink Buttercream (P, $28.00) is lighter, warmer (85% similar). Ciate Matchmaker (P, $26.00) is less shimmery, lighter (85% similar). Surratt Beauty De Cherubique (P, $32.00) is lighter, warmer (85% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

Summer Dual Intensity Blush III is a deep, fuchsia-berry with cool undertones and a frosted sheen with slight sparkle. It is slightly sheerer and more muted applied dry than it is damp, though I find they look similar once blended on the cheeks. The texture of this shade was firmer and denser, and it seemed to make blending it out harder, so this one took some effort to even out on the skin, even dry. It wore well for eight hours dry, nine hours damp. MAC Rosy Cheeks (P, $31.00) is lighter (90% similar). MAC Supernova (LE, $29.00) is warmer (90% similar). By Terry Tropical Sunset #3 (LE, ) is less shimmery (90% similar). Laura Geller Plumberry (P, $26.00) is darker (90% similar). NARS Panic (Left) (PiP, ) is lighter, brighter (90% similar). Wet 'n' Wild Dare to Soar (LE, $4.99) is more muted, warmer (85% similar). NABLA Cosmetics Reborn (PiP, ) is less shimmery, lighter (80% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

Summer Dual Intensity Blush IV is a medium-dark, rosy brown with warm undertones and a frosted sheen. It was richly pigmented both dry and damp, but the damp application made the color appear a few shades darker and more metallic. The consistency was very smooth and blendable dry, and it was fairly blendable damp, but it did need extra effort/patience. This shade lasted for eight hours applied dry and closer to nine hours applied damp. ColourPop Construct (LE, $12.00) is less shimmery, lighter, warmer (85% similar). NYX Bronzed (P, $6.50) is lighter, warmer (85% similar). NARS Cheek Studio III (LE, $30.00) is lighter, warmer (85% similar). By Terry Savannah Love #5 (LE, ) is less shimmery, lighter, warmer (85% similar). NARS Fervor (Right) (PiP, ) is brighter, warmer (85% similar). Chanel Alezane (260) (P, $45.00) is more muted (85% similar). Charlotte Tilbury The Climax (P, $40.00) is lighter, warmer (85% similar). Clinique Fig Pop (P, $21.00) is lighter, brighter (85% similar). MAC Love Joy (P, $29.00) is less shimmery, lighter (85% similar). Laura Geller Golden Apricot (P, $28.00) is lighter, warmer (85% similar). Edward Bess Ciao (P, $45.00) is lighter (80% similar). Tarte Muse (LE, $30.00) is lighter (80% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

See more photos & swatches!

NARS Summer 2016 Dual-Intensity Blush Palette

NARS Summer 2016 Dual-Intensity Blush Palette

NARS Summer 2016 Dual-Intensity Blush Palette

NARS Summer 2016 Dual-Intensity Blush Palette

NARS Summer 2016 Dual-Intensity Blush Palette

NARS Summer 2016 Dual-Intensity Blush Palette

NARS Summer 2016 Dual-Intensity Blush Palette

NARS Summer 2016 Dual-Intensity Blush Palette

NARS Summer 2016 Dual-Intensity Blush Palette

NARS Summer 2016 Dual-Intensity Blush Palette

NARS Summer 2016 Dual-Intensity Blush Palette

NARS Summer 2016 Dual-Intensity Blush Palette

NARS Summer 2016 Dual-Intensity Blush Palette

NARS Summer 2016 Dual-Intensity Blush Palette

NARS Summer 2016 Dual-Intensity Blush Palette

NARS Summer 2016 Dual-Intensity Blush Palette

NARS Summer 2016 Dual-Intensity Blush Palette

NARS Summer 2016 Dual-Intensity Blush Palette

NARS Summer 2016 Dual-Intensity Blush Palette

NARS Summer 2016 Dual-Intensity Blush Palette

NARS Summer 2016 Dual-Intensity Blush Palette

NARS Summer 2016 Dual-Intensity Blush Palette

NARS Summer 2016 Dual-Intensity Blush Palette

NARS Summer 2016 Dual-Intensity Blush Palette

NARS Summer 2016 Dual-Intensity Blush Palette

NARS Summer 2016 Dual-Intensity Blush Palette

NARS Summer 2016 Dual-Intensity Blush Palette