NARS Fervor Dual-Intensity Blush Review, Photos, Swatches
NARS Fervor Dual-Intensity Blush
NARS Fervor Dual-Intensity Blush ($45.00 for 0.21 oz.) is a mix of warm pink and plum. The formula can be used wet or dry, with dry application yielding a “bold flush,” while damp application gives a “translucent wash of color.” The blushes perform best when applied dry, as they blend and diffuse with little effort and have decent wear (though wear definitely is longer and improved with a damp application). Applying either damp is trickier, as you lose a lot of the ability to blend, and it’s really more like tugging and dabbing color into place, but it never appears as nicely diffused and blended as dry application does. Damp application also means you have to contend with potentially emphasizing pores due to shimmery finishes getting amplified; the lighter shade in the duo didn’t seem to do so, but the darker shade will get very metallic quickly if you aren’t careful (and will take a lot of work to tamp it back down). The texture of the blushes is soft and smooth to the touch, but the powder itself has a firmer press, so really soft, feathery brushes (like Chikuhodo Zs, SUQQU, etc.) do not work well with these in particular. I primarily used MAC 159s when applying these, as they worked well for both dry and damp application methods.
Fervor (Left) is described as a “shimmering, soft pink.” It’s a light-medium pink with warm, yellow undertones and a silvery shimmer. The pigmentation was similar both wet and dry–mostly opaque–but dampened application made the color two to three shades darker and intensified the shimmery effect in the finish. Luckily, while it has noticeable shimmer, it doesn’t intensify to the point where it’s harder to apply; it stayed luminous without emphasizing pores regardless of application method. On me, the blush lasted for seven hours applied dry and eight hours applied damp. LORAC Underrated (LE) is darker, more matte. MAC Modest Blush (LE, $27.00) is more matte. MAC Lesson in Love (LE, $21.00) is lighter. Chanel Sakura (87) (LE, $45.00) is more matte, warmer. Charlotte Tilbury Love Glow (P, $40.00) is similar. Giorgio Armani Eccentrico (LE, $88.00) is warmer. MAC Dainty (P, $27.00) is less shimmery. See comparison swatches / view dupes.
Fervor (Right) is described as a “sparkling deep coppery rose.” It’s a medium-dark, coppery brown with pink and gold shimmer for a more frosted finish. Applied dry, it had semi-opaque pigmentation with a soft, frosted finish. Applied damp, it was darker, bolder, and nearly metallic. It is a lot harder to work with damp than dry, so my recommendation is to apply dry unless you really need the color intensify of damp application, but be prepared for a lot of buffing and/or dusting of translucent powder to tamp it down. Just blending the damp product is significantly harder, whereas dry application feels nearly effortless. Applied damp, the metallic finish emphasizes the skin’s natural texture and any pores in the area. Applied dry, it wore well for eight hours, and applied damp, it lasted for eight and a half hours. This one was more of a chameleon between dry and damp applications, as it takes on a stronger rosy/plum color damp compared to how warm and copper it is dry. Sephora + Pantone Universe Marsala (LE) is rosier. MAC Make You Mine (P, $23.50) is less shimmery. Gucci Beauty Cherry Nectar (P, $49.00) is redder. Tom Ford Beauty Contour (Softcore) (LE, $55.00) is redder. NARS Mauritanie (LE, $39.00) is a cream, matte. Chanel Canaille (89) (LE, $45.00) is similar to the dry application, primarily. NARS Na Pali Coast (P, $39.00) is a cream. MAC Scene to Be Seen (Inner) (LE, $30.00) is similar. NARS Lovejoy (P, $29.00) is slightly more plum. MAC Stylish Me (LE, $21.00) is darker. MAC Ambering Rose (P, $21.00) is warmer, brighter. MAC Stratus (LE, $27.00) is darker. See comparison swatches / view dupes.
Fervor
PPermanent. $45.00.
Fervor (Left)
PiPPermanent in Palette.
Fervor (Right)
PiPPermanent in Palette.
See more photos & swatches!
NARS Fervor Dual-Intensity Blush
NARS Fervor Dual-Intensity Blush
NARS Fervor Dual-Intensity Blush
NARS Fervor Dual-Intensity Blush
NARS Fervor (Left) Dual-Intensity Blush
NARS Fervor (Left) Dual-Intensity Blush
NARS Fervor (Left) Dual-Intensity Blush
NARS Fervor (Left) Dual-Intensity Blush (Wet)
NARS Fervor (Left) Dual-Intensity Blush (Wet)
NARS Fervor (Right) Dual-Intensity Blush
NARS Fervor (Right) Dual-Intensity Blush
NARS Fervor (Right) Dual-Intensity Blush
NARS Fervor (Right) Dual-Intensity Blush (Wet)
NARS Fervor (Right) Dual-Intensity Blush (Wet)
NARS Fervor Dual-Intensity Blush (Both) (Dry)
I think both shades are really pretty and they look great on you. And Anna on your lips compliments the cheeks so well!
Thank you, Agata!
I totally understand the reasons behind the lower ratings for these blushes (I do not know why they would think the wet application of this would be sheer!) – BUT I am really digging all of these right now! This one is especially pretty and I think would be good on me in the summer (even though I am crazy pale right now). I think I will end up grabbing a few in the coming months. Thanks for the in depth review, Christine! It’s so nice to not only know how well a product performs, but WHY.
It is confusing to me, given that their Dual-Intensity Eyeshadow is positioned as more intense wet! (Plus, wet application of powder products typically results in richer pigment!)
Hope you can check ’em out when they hit counters. Keep us posted on how you like them 🙂
The left side is sooooooo nice. I wish you could customize your duo!
Oooh, that would have been very cool!
I like the left but I’m not sure about the right side on my coloring.
Aww!
These blushes are looking so pretty when used dry. I don’t think I would want to apply them damp, anyway!
They are very pretty dry for sure!
This was the duo which interested me most from your pre-review swatch post. The first two reviews had me concerned I would not be able to wear this entire line due to the heavy shimmer factor, but looking at this pairing, I’m thinking I can pull this one off. I love the right (plum) side and think the two paired together is very attractive.
It seems like the more satiny ones are the easiest/best to use, and they don’t get too shimmery on the skin applied damp.
Wow, I don’t usually comment, but Fervor was MADE to be worn by your skin tone. It looks so good!
Thanks, Liza!
I wonder how well these would apply with a damp makeup sponge , especially one of those flat round ones or a beauty blender. I like the idea of a longer lasting blush but I’m not keen on having to work so hard for it lol. Thanks for the in depth review!
No problem, Neni!
These are all so pretty, but like I stated in a previous post, they seem geared towards deeper/tanner complexions, and this is definitely another easy skip…
I think applied dry that fair skin tones will have little problem applying any of the shades, personally!
I was just going to post asking if you think the plummy shade would be too dark for my NW20 skin. . . but maybe it’s not? This is my favorite palette I think. Love it! I do have the Sephora Marsala blush which I saw was a dupe though – think they are too similar to have both?
Well, one, if you can wear the Sephora Marsala, this definitely isn’t too dark! Two, I don’t think they’re really close dupes (finish is pretty different, and Marsala is much redder) – similar but not 100%!
They still seem to run pretty warm, though. As pretty as they are in the pan, on my face, I’d look sunburned! I find that’s usually the case with NARS blush in general, so it doesn’t surprise me. Even the contour duos & matte Multiples run warm…
That’s too bad!
This is one of those rare occasions when I don’t like your rating system. Seriously, though, I realize you have to be consistent, so I understand why you do it. I just hate when something like product description makes the rating wonky. I’m just interested in whether the product was awesome or not. LOL I mean, had they gotten the description right, what would these rate? I am pretty darn faithful to your reviews. If something doesn’t get an A or A+ I don’t bother spending my hard earned money on it. But these are so pretty, and look SO lovely on you!
If we look at the blushes and say, “OK, wet = more pigmented,” the pigmentation scores would be better, but the texture/application would remain the same (it’s still difficult to use them wet). If you eliminate the wet application entirely from the rating, then they would be rated more highly across the board. I guess it depends what you’re looking for in a blush!
What score would you give these if they were only marketed as dry powder blushes?
Closer to B+ (I think A- might be a stretch, because longevity would go down, pigmentation would go up, and then you’d see application go up for some shades). The texture could be a bit better, while wear for dry tends to be shorter (below average).
Love it! Looks gorgeous on you!
Thanks, Nicole!
Too warm for me, but pretty on you. Since the damp application is such a pain, I think they should skip the “dual intensity” hype, lower the price, and just promote this as a regular blush, to be used dry.
These would be a lot better-performing if they were just regular blushes, lol!
I don’t think the “dual intensity” factor is what makes it so pricey. Considering the contour duos & blush/bronzer duos are around the same price, and a single blush is $30, the fact there are 2 shades justifies the price, IMO. That said, I would rather pay $30 each for these as singles, since I’m liking the lighter shades so far, LOL!
I LOVE the look of sunburnt skin on the cheeks and bridge of the nose (don’t ask me why). Do you think if I applied the right side wet I could achieve that affect? If I brushed it across my nose and the tops of my cheeks
If you go heavy on the plummy shade, yes, I think so. It seemed to go into sunburn territory for me initially (I had to take it down a LOT), but you may find you have to play with it to get the sunburn effect/coloring without the full-on metallic finish.
Sorry for the second comment. I was noticing the 7 hour wear time on the first shade. You don’t wear a primer or anything under these,correct? I prefer at least 8-8.5 wear time for cheek products. I really am liking this and Frenzy.( But, maybe this one a little more). Blush doesn’t tend to “slide” off my face. I just was wondering if the regular routine of primer, foundation,setting powder under may help extend that wear time, do you think?
In theory, that kind of routine/type of products should definitely extend the wear.
I think this is the prettiest one so far.
Pretty enough to consider or merely to admire from afar?
Pretty enough to make a point of hitting a Space NK shop next time I’m in London to swatch and then consider ;-). My local department store carries NARS products on the website, but it doesn’t have a counter so whilst I can obtain this easily enough, I can’t actually try the product before buying unless I go into the city.
Gotcha! I don’t live near a Sephora or Nordstrom any more so I’ve gotten so used to buying online myself!
I so wish the pink shade wasn’t so pale. I just love the other shade! It’s so beautiful!
I wonder why they decided to go with duos instead of singles!
wow! I was not expecting this beautiful of an outcome with this one. I actually wasn’t excited about any of them in the swatch post, but this has changed my mind. These colors complement you so well!
Yay for a surprise! 🙂
Nars really nailed the beautiful colors in this collection.
Some of the colors are nice!
I love this! It is very pretty on you Christine. I see this as a nice pinky bronze shade against my skin. I have to try it out when I get a chance. Thanks Christine!
No prob, Melissa! 🙂
i like the colors in this compact but im still not convinced its worth the price. have you tried any of these as eye shadows? are they the same formula as the eyeshadows?
I haven’t, since they’re blushes and they may not be eye-safe. I try not to use products that aren’t eye-safe in the U.S. myself (to err on the side of caution), and these days, the only time I do is when I don’t realize they’re not eye safe 🙁
Oh thought they were the same formula as the eye shadows!
The formula is very similar, but it doesn’t mean the ingredients are the same – it is usually the pigments used in blush (like reds) that make them not safe for eyes.
So pretty but I cant take my eyes of Anna!!
Haha!
I like this duo on you. Rusty shades suit you so well.
Thanks! So funny, but I don’t like “rusty” shades on me much.
IM LITERALLY SCREAMING WITH JOY YAAAAAAAAAS I NEEEEEED THIS I cannot tell you how long I’ve been waiting for a coppery blush with pink and gold sparkles and a warm pink blush but together? And nars? And great formula? Im soooo getting this! It looks amazing on you Christine!
Thanks, Noah! So glad this is what you’ve been looking for!
I like the way the soft pink shade shimmers! Not too glittery
Yay!
I love both colors, but the right one might be too dark for my pale face 🙁
Light hand, keep buffer brush on standby 🙂 You’ll be golden! Or plummed?
This one is my favorite so far out of the ones you’ve reviewed.
Do you think you’ll get any of the duos, Jessica?
I just purchased Fervor at Sephora. I am excited to try it out and see how it works!
Nice!!
When will this be available?
http://www.temptalia.com/nars-dual-intensity-blush-spring-2015