NARS Gienah Contour Blush ($42.00 for 0.28 oz.) features a highlight and contour shade, and they’re supposed to add “natural-looking dimension for the face with a lightweight luminous finish.”  This is the third and final option in the new Contour Blush range, and it’s the darkest of the three, and though any skin tone can wear it, this duo is one that will show up on medium-dark and darker complexions more so than the other two. On fairer skin tones, the highlight shade could be used as a contour or as a subtle bronzer. The finish is far closer to matte than luminous or satin for both shades, and depending on your skin tone and skin type, the more matte highlighter might not read very illuminating on the skin. The contrast on my skin tone did seem to give a slight illuminating effect without the shimmer or sheen, though. Both shades wore well for eight hours on my skin before beginning to fade.

The Highlight shade is a medium-dark, neutral-to-warm-toned brown with a mostly matte finish. The finish almost seemed satiny when built up, but it was still mostly matte. The texture was soft, blendable, and finely-milled. It seemed to take a layer or two before it was a softer powder, as the very top layer was a little drier than what was underneath. NARS Paloma Contour (P) is a smidgen lighter.Chanel Accent (84) (LE, $43.00) is rosier, more shimmery. Kevyn Aucoin Natura (P) is more shimmery, a touch lighter. NARS Madly (P, $29.00) is more shimmery, a little warmer. NARS Douceur (P, $29.00) is cooler-toned, lighter. MAC Harmony (P, $21.00) is a smidgen lighter, warmer. Burberry Earthy (P, $42.00) is a bit darker, more satiny. Bobbi Brown Bahama (LE, $38.00) is more shimmery, slightly rosy. See comparison swatches / view dupes.

The Contour shade is dark, warm-toned brown with a satin-matte finish. It had more buildable color coverage, and like the other shade, it seemed to get a little softer and more pigmented after I swirled my brush across the uppermost layer of the powder. It was blendable on the skin and sat well–didn’t look powdery at all. MAC Exotic Ember (LE, $25.00) is more shimmery. MAC Richly Honed (LE, $20.00) is a cream product, darker. See comparison swatches view dupes.

NARS Gienah Contour Blush

NARS Gienah Contour Blush

NARS Gienah Contour Blush

NARS Gienah Contour Blush

NARS Gienah Contour Blush

NARS Gienah Contour Blush

NARS Gienah Contour Blush

NARS Gienah Contour Blush

NARS Gienah Contour Blush