NARS Free Lover Holiday 2019 Cheek Palette Review & Swatches

Christine — Mon, 14 Oct 2019 21:00:00 +0000

Free Lover

NARS Free Lover Cheek Palette ($41.00 for 0.42 oz.) is a new, limited edition palette that features one highlighter and five blushes, which is exclusive to Sephora. It’s a warmer mix of corals, so if you’re a big fan of coral blushes and aren’t already stocked up, it might be worth considering. I think that NARS’ satin and matte blush shades tends to be best suited to those who pair them with a drier base (like drier skin types for bare skin application or over lightly-powdered/set foundations)–I had a bit of sticking with Amour.

Ingredients

Free Lover

LELimited Edition. $60.00.

B+

8.5

Product

9.5

Pigmentation

8.5

Texture

8.5

Longevity

4.5

Application

88%

Total

Disco Nights

Disco Nights is a light gold with warmer undertones and a soft, metallic sheen. It had opaque pigmentation with a soft, lightly powdery consistency that picked up well with a brush and blended out without issue. It wore well for eight hours on me before fading noticeably.

FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).

Top Dupes
Formula Overview

Top Dupes

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Tarte Authentic (LE, $28.00) is more shimmery, lighter (95% similar).
Bobbi Brown Golden Hour (LE, $50.00) is less shimmery, darker, warmer (95% similar).
Iconic London Coral Glow (Right) (PiP, ) is cooler (95% similar).
Sydney Grace Radiant Glow (P, $8.00) is more shimmery, darker (95% similar).
Tarte Spotlight (LE, ) is cooler (95% similar).
Urban Decay Cliché (LE, $26.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
MAC Get It Glowin' (LE, ) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
Urban Decay Beauty Beam #2 (LE, ) is lighter (90% similar).
Sydney Grace Ancient History (LE, $9.00) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar).
Marc Jacobs Beauty Make a Sheen (LE, ) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar).

View Swatches

Formula Overview

$38.00/0.49 oz. - $77.55 Per Ounce

The new powder highlighter formula is supposed to "melt seamlessly into skin to enhance your natural glow" with "buildable radiance." The texture had a smooth feel that was finely-milled but firmer, almost stiff in a way, in the pan (not in a bad way), and it was not at all powdery. There was a dryness and thinness present in the texture that made it less like traditional powder highlighter formulas (including the brand's original range of highlighting powders), and none of that translated into poor performance.

That being said, all of the shades applied better on the cheeks than the they did applied to my arm. I also noticed that finish became more and more luminous--almost blindingly at times!--as the powder was buffed and blended on my cheeks. They were very reflective and shiny on my cheek bones with semi-opaque, buildable pigmentation. I had no trouble blending and diffusing any of the shades on my skin, and despite having a firmer feel in the pan, I could use fan brushes and other feathery brushes to pickup product. The powders lasted between eight and nine hours on me.

Browse all of our NARS Highlighting Powder (2018) swatches.

Disco Nights

LELimited Edition. $38.00.

A-

Product

Pigmentation

Texture

8.5

Longevity

Application

92%

Total

Final Cut

Final Cut is a brighter, medium coral with warm, orange undertones and a matte finish. It had semi-opaque, buildable color coverage with a soft, lightly dusty texture that had some excess product kicked up in the pan. I found that the color darkened and leaned slightly warmer when applied than it did in the pan. It lasted well for seven and a half hours before fading a touch.

FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).

Top Dupes
Formula Overview

Top Dupes

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Fyrinnae Nordic Angel (P, $10.00) is darker (95% similar).
Melt Cosmetics Cali Dream (P, $22.00) is lighter (95% similar).
Sleek MakeUP OC (PiP, ) is glossier, lighter (95% similar).
Give Me Glow Havana Cabana (P, $14.00) is darker (95% similar).
ColourPop She Devil (LE, $8.00) is warmer (95% similar).
Makeup Geek Summer Fling (DC, $9.99) is darker (90% similar).
Giorgio Armani Coral Bliss (LE, ) is lighter (90% similar).
MAC Love & Laughter (LE, $24.00) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
Surratt Beauty Peau de Pêche (P, $32.00) is darker, warmer (90% similar).
Tom Ford Beauty Peach Poison (Left) (PiP, ) is darker, warmer (90% similar).

View Swatches

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.

Final Cut

PPermanent. $30.00.

B+

8.5

Product

Pigmentation

8.5

Texture

Longevity

Application

87%

Total

Amour

Amour is a medium pink with subtle, warmer undertones and a matte finish. The blush had excellent pigmentation paired with a soft, finely-milled texture that wasn’t too powdery nor too firmly pressed in the pan. I had a bit of trouble applying the color evenly and spreading it out for a gradual, more seamless blend, as it seemed to stick more heavily to certain areas; I’d recommend applying over a matte finish foundation or a set foundation/base. This shade stayed on well for eight hours before showing signs of fading.

FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).

Top Dupes
Formula Overview

Top Dupes

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Tarte True Love (P, $29.00) is lighter, more muted (95% similar).
Guerlain Coral Blush (LE, ) is lighter (95% similar).
MAC Simmer (LE, $29.00) is lighter (90% similar).
NARS Realm of the Senses (Together) (LE, $30.00) is more shimmery (95% similar).
Makeup Geek Love Affair (DC, $9.99) is cooler (95% similar).
Too Faced Cherry Bomb (Blush) (PiP, ) is more shimmery, lighter, cooler (90% similar).
NARS Peep Show (LE, $30.00) is lighter, brighter (90% similar).
theBalm Toile (P, $22.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
KVD Beauty Sid (Shade) (DC, ) is lighter (90% similar).
NARS Realm of the Senses #1 (LE, $30.00) is lighter (90% similar).

View Swatches

Formula Overview

$30.00/0.16 oz. - $187.50 Per Ounce

Browse all of our NARS Powder Blush swatches.

Amour

PPermanent. $30.00.

A-

8.5

Product

Pigmentation

Texture

8.5

Longevity

4.5

Application

90%

Total

Luster

Luster is a light-medium peach with warmer undertones and a fine, golden pearl woven throughout. The texture was soft, a little on the dusty side, but it applied well to bare skin and blended out without losing its intensity (where wanted). It had semi-opaque, buildable pigmentation that wore nicely for seven and a half hours on me before I noticed any fading.

FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).

Top Dupes
Formula Overview

Top Dupes

View Swatches View All Dupes

ColourPop Extra Sprinkles (PiP, $12.00) is less shimmery (95% similar).
Anastasia Peach Nectar (DC, $28.00) is more shimmery (95% similar).
elf Candlelit (P, $9.00) is cooler (90% similar).
NARS Frenzy (Right) (PiP, ) is less shimmery, darker, cooler (90% similar).
NARS Esoteric (LE, $30.00) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
MAC Peaceful (LE, $22.00) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
MAC Cheeky Bronze (P, $34.00) is darker, cooler (95% similar).
MAC Perfectly Poised (Outer) (LE, $34.00) is less shimmery (95% similar).
Too Faced Luminous Peach (LE, ) is lighter (85% similar).
NARS Soulshine #2 (LE, $30.00) is less shimmery, cooler (85% similar).

View Swatches

Formula Overview

$30.00/0.16 oz. - $187.50 Per Ounce

Browse all of our NARS Powder Blush swatches.

Luster

PPermanent. $30.00.

Product

Pigmentation

Texture

Longevity

Application

84%

Total

Crave

Crave is a bright, medium-dark pink-coral with warm undertones and a matte finish. It had good color coverage that was buildable to full coverage with less than half of a layer. The consistency was soft, lightly dusty in the pan, and blendable on my skin. It lasted well for eight and a half hours before starting to fade noticeably.

FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).

Top Dupes
Formula Overview

Top Dupes

View Swatches View All Dupes

Pat McGrath Electric Bloom (P, $38.00) is lighter (95% similar).
ColourPop Virtual Reality (LE, $8.00) is warmer (95% similar).
Chanel Foschia Rosa (430) (P, ) is darker (90% similar).
ColourPop Fruit Stand (DC, $8.00) is darker (90% similar).
Chanel Wake-up Pink (4) (P, $45.00) is warmer, glossier (90% similar).
ColourPop Ooh She's Blushing (LE, $8.00) is cooler (90% similar).
ColourPop RomCom (DC, $12.00) is darker, more muted (90% similar).
Zoeva CR010 (P, ) is darker (90% similar).
ColourPop Ex (LE, $5.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
Flower Beauty Melon (P, $9.99) is darker, warmer, glossier (90% similar).

View Swatches

Formula Overview

$30.00/0.16 oz. - $187.50 Per Ounce

Browse all of our NARS Powder Blush swatches.

Crave

PPermanent. $30.00.

A-

8.5

Product

9.5

Pigmentation

8.5

Texture

Longevity

Application

90%

Total

Loves Me

Loves Me is a bright, raspberry pink with subtle, cooler undertones and warmer, golden pearl throughout. The texture felt drier, a little grainy to the touch, but it applied nicely to bare skin and blended easily along the edges. The more I buffed the product onto my skin, the glower the finish became. It had nearly opaque color payoff in a single layer that wore well for nine hours before fading visibly.

FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).

Top Dupes
Formula Overview

Top Dupes

View Swatches View All Dupes

Sephora Love Sick (22) (P, $14.00) is less shimmery, darker (95% similar).
Becca Hibiscus Bloom (DC, $34.00) is more shimmery (95% similar).
Charlotte Tilbury Filmstar Blush (Original) (LE, ) is more shimmery (95% similar).
Anastasia Breeze (LE, ) is more muted (95% similar).
Tom Ford Beauty Lavender Lure (Bottom) (LE, ) is brighter (95% similar).
Too Faced Pink Wink (PiP, ) is brighter (90% similar).
Jouer Kiss Me (PiP, ) is lighter, brighter (90% similar).
NYX Rose Garden (DC, $5.00) is less shimmery (90% similar).
Clinique Rosy Pop (P, $21.00) is more shimmery, darker (95% similar).
NARS Come Hither (LE, $30.00) is lighter (90% similar).

View Swatches

Formula Overview

$30.00/0.16 oz. - $187.50 Per Ounce

Browse all of our NARS Powder Blush swatches.

Loves Me

LELimited Edition. $30.00.

A-

Product

9.5

Pigmentation

Texture

9.5

Longevity

Application

91%

Total

NARS Free Lover Cheek Palette

NARS Disco Nights Highlighting Powder (2018)

NARS Final Cut Powder Blush

NARS Amour Powder Blush

NARS Luster Powder Blush

NARS Crave Powder Blush

NARS Loves Me Powder Blush

NARS Free Lover Cheek Palette

NARS Disco Nights Highlighting Powder (2018)

NARS Final Cut Powder Blush

NARS Amour Powder Blush

NARS Luster Powder Blush

NARS Crave Powder Blush

NARS Loves Me Powder Blush

Temptalia

NARS Free Lover Holiday 2019 Cheek Palette Review & Swatches

Free Lover

Ingredients

Free Lover

LELimited Edition. $60.00.

Quick Shop: Sephora, Custom

Disco Nights

Top Dupes

Formula Overview

Disco Nights

LELimited Edition. $38.00.

Quick Shop: Sephora, Custom

Final Cut

Top Dupes

Formula Overview

Final Cut

PPermanent. $30.00.

Quick Shop: Sephora, Custom

Amour

Top Dupes

Formula Overview

Amour

PPermanent. $30.00.

Quick Shop: Sephora, Custom

Luster

Top Dupes

Formula Overview

Luster

PPermanent. $30.00.

Quick Shop: Sephora, Custom

Crave

Top Dupes

Formula Overview

Crave

PPermanent. $30.00.

Quick Shop: Sephora, Custom

Loves Me

Top Dupes

Formula Overview

Loves Me

LELimited Edition. $30.00.

Quick Shop: Sephora, Custom