NARS Hot Tryst Cheek Palette Review & Swatches
Hot Tryst
NARS Hot Tryst Holiday 2018 Cheek Palette ($59.00 for 0.60 oz.) includes six cheek colors–two seem more like highlighters, while the remaining four seem like blushes. Each shade was a good size to accommodate most cheek brushes (both blush and highlighting brushes). The formula more like a hybrid gel-powder or baked product–denser and firmer to the touch, so no powderiness, but still yielding enough to be easily used with brushes; the formula reminded me of the brand’s own Dual Intensity blushes but a bit softer. All six shades performed similarly semi-opaque to opaque coverage, blendable, and long-wearing. This palette is available at NARS today, and then it will launch at Sephora on October 8th.
Updated 10/4 at 10:30AM PST: As the product went live this morning, I was able to read about the formula, and it is one, a wet/dry formula, so the shades can be used with a dampened brush for greater glow and depth (which I tested for, thankfully, based on prior experiences with this type of texture!). They do intensify–both in terms of becoming a bit more shimmery/shiny and also have truer-to-pan color on the more mid-tone shades, though none of them need to be applied damp to get yield coverage/luminosity.
Secondly, NARS described the formula as having “soft, buildable” coverage as well as “buildable radiance.” Under “how to use,” they recommend applying it dry for sheerer coverage and wet for more intense coverage and glow. Again, most of them were rather pigmented dry, but I’ve updated the ratings to reflect the buildable quality of the coverage (which almost just flipped some of the ratings around).
Ingredients
Hot Tryst
LELimited Edition. $59.00.
Kings Road
Kings Road is a pale pink with subtle, warm undertones and a luminous finish. It had semi-opaque, buildable pigmentation with a soft, blendable texture that was firmer and denser in the pan but not difficult to pick, just wasn’t powdery or prone to excess product in the pan. It yielded a noticeable glow but didn’t emphasize my skin’s natural texture. The highlighter wore well for eight and a half hours before fading a bit.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Make Up For Ever #01 (P, $39.00) is more shimmery, warmer (95% similar).
- Dior Pink Glow (002) (P, $50.00) is more shimmery, warmer (95% similar).
- Tom Ford Beauty Peachlight (Top) (PiP, ) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- Dior #002 (DC, $56.00) is more shimmery, warmer (95% similar).
- Wet 'n' Wild Air (LE, $6.99) is more shimmery, warmer (95% similar).
- Dior Pink Glow (02) (P, $50.00) is more shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
- Anastasia Crushed Pearl (LE, ) is more shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
- ColourPop Part of Your World (LE, $10.00) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- The Estee Edit 1st Light (LE, ) is more shimmery, darker, warmer (90% similar).
- Anastasia Starburst (LE, ) is more shimmery, darker, warmer (90% similar).
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.
Kings Road
LELimited Edition. $30.00.
Swindle
Swindle is a light-medium pink with subtle, warm undertones and a natural finish. It was the least shimmery shade in the palette, so it had more of a natural glow than an overtly shimmery finish on my skin. It had excellent color coverage that was easy to sheer out if desired. The texture was denser but not firm or stiff to work with, and it felt velvety and smooth to the touch. It lasted nicely for eight and a half hours on me before I noticed some fading.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Giorgio Armani Euphoric (50) (P, $38.00) is warmer (95% similar).
- Milani Pink Play #1 (PiP, ) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- NYX Hamptons (P, $6.50) is darker, warmer (90% similar).
- Guerlain Happy Glow (LE, $54.00) is more shimmery (90% similar).
- Iconic London Rose Glow (Left) (PiP, ) is less shimmery, darker, warmer (90% similar).
- Clinique Pink Pop (P, $21.00) is darker (90% similar).
- By Terry Savannah Love #1 (LE, ) is less shimmery, darker, warmer (90% similar).
- Chanel Tweed Pink (LE, $45.00) is less shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Kevyn Aucoin Pink Sand #1 (PiP, ) is more shimmery, brighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Cover FX Mojave Mauve (Right) (PiP, ) is darker, warmer (90% similar).
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.
Swindle
LELimited Edition. $30.00.
Untamed
Untamed is a medium-dark plum with warmer undertones and a cooler, violet sheen. The blush had nearly opaque pigmentation in a single layer, though the denser, firmer texture made it easy to use a lighter hand to get sheerer coverage, if desired. There was no powderiness in the pan, but I had no trouble picking up product with a moderately-dense blush brush. It applied evenly and blended out with ease on my skin. This shade stayed on well for nine hours on me before it started to fade noticeably.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- MAC Love Thing (P, $29.00) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- ColourPop Sounds Grape (LE, $8.00) is less shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
- Stila Berry Shimmer (LE, ) is darker, more muted, cooler (90% similar).
- Dior Plum Pop (11) (LE, $48.00) is less shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
- Tom Ford Beauty Pink Glow #5 (LE, $60.00) is more shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
- Sleek MakeUP Pomegranate (P, $6.99) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- Cle de Peau Cranberry (P, $60.00) is less shimmery (90% similar).
- ColourPop Just Rosy (LE, $8.00) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- LORAC Rose (LE, $23.00) is less shimmery, lighter, warmer (85% similar).
- Becca Dahlia (DC, $34.00) is more shimmery, darker (85% similar).
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.
Look Using this Product
Untamed
LELimited Edition. $30.00.
Friction
Friction is a medium taupe with warmer undertones and a metallic sheen. It was richly pigmented and had a soft, smooth texture that was blendable and easy to work with but had no powderiness in the pan. It could be used as a blush or almost cooler bronzer on some skin tones and as a true highlighter on other skin tones. This shade applied well, didn’t accentuate my skin’s natural texture, and stayed on well for eight and a half hours on me.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Estee Lauder Modern Mercury (LE, $65.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
- Anastasia Riviera (DC, $28.00) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- Fenty Beauty Sand Castle (PiP, $36.00) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Anastasia Tourmaline (LE, ) is more shimmery, darker, warmer (90% similar).
- Sydney Grace Allegro (P, $9.00) is more shimmery, brighter, warmer (85% similar).
- Cover FX Sweet Mulberry (Right) (PiP, ) is less shimmery, darker, cooler (85% similar).
- Morphe Boom (P, $14.00) is more shimmery, darker, warmer (85% similar).
- Moira Rose Petals (P, $14.00) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (85% similar).
- Make Up For Ever 15 Golden Pink (P, $21.00) is more shimmery, darker, warmer (85% similar).
- Sydney Grace Shooting Star (LE, $8.00) is more shimmery, darker, cooler (85% similar).
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.
Look Using this Product
Friction
LELimited Edition. $30.00.
Bowery
Bowery is a soft, pinky-coral with warm undertones and a luminous sheen. It had semi-opaque color coverage in a single layer, which was buildable to full coverage with slightly more product layered on top; the color did seem less intense/more subdued in practice than it appeared in the pan. The powder had a smooth, blendable texture that was denser in the pan but not stiff to work with. It applied evenly, blended out well, and lasted for eight and a half hours on me.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Hourglass Iridescent Rose (LE, $40.00) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- MAC Spellbinder (LE, $24.00) is less shimmery, lighter, brighter (90% similar).
- ColourPop 25/8 (P, $8.00) is less shimmery, darker, cooler (90% similar).
- Dior Rayonnante (330) (P, $48.00) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- Hourglass Infinite Flush (LE, $40.00) is less shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Essence Pretty Peach (P, $5.99) is less shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
- Urban Decay Score (DC, $26.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
- Hourglass Luminous Glow (LE, $40.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Make Up For Ever B302 (P, $23.00) is less shimmery (90% similar).
- Benefit Shellie (P, $29.00) is lighter (90% similar).
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.
Bowery
LELimited Edition. $30.00.
Adrenaline
Adrenaline is a deep pink with warmer undertones and a golden, luminous sheen. It had nearly opaque pigmentation in a single layer, which applied evenly and smoothly to bare skin. The consistency was denser but not stiff or difficult to work with, so there was no powderiness but it was still blendable on my skin. It had a more skin-like finish–luminous but not frosted or metallic–that did not emphasize my skin’s natural texture. It wore well for eight and a half hours on me.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- ColourPop Court of Miracles (LE, $12.00) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- MAC Simmer (LE, $29.00) is more shimmery, brighter (90% similar).
- MAC Cheeky Bits (P, $31.00) is more shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
- NARS Fireclay (LE, $42.00) is less shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- MAC Sweets for My Sweet (P, $31.00) is lighter, more muted (90% similar).
- Wayne Goss Sunny (PiP, ) is less shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
- Too Faced Will You Merry Me (LE, ) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- Chanel Rose Glacier (170) (LE, $45.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Natasha Denona Bloom (P, $19.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Laura Geller Guava (P, $26.00) is brighter, warmer (90% similar).
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.
I have my eyes on this palette since the first promo picture and your review just sealed the deal. Thank you for the review Christine.
Yep. This is a must buy! I’m so happy it performed so well, I think all of these shades would suit me beautifully! My makeup vanity is lacking in blushes so I thought this would be the perfect product! Thank you for the quick review, Christine!
No problem, Alana!
What are you doing, Christine! I am getting the advent calendar so I was trying to resist this palette so hard! 🙂
what a gorgeous palette! Wish I needed this but I don’t
These are all gorgeous, but for my skin tone, I’m loving only Kings Road, Swindle, and Bowery. Not worth $59 for three shades, so my wallet is safe.
Side note: I’m just not getting the punk tie-in with this particular product at all. Punk names and punk-inspired packaging for pretty, girly colors?
Ugh, this really is so gorgeous. And the packaging too! Definitely will buy. Dang it.
This is really pretty palette. Some of them seem too intense for my skintone, but I can always use those on my eyes. Between this and the Clinique blush palette, I’m going to have a hard time choosing.
This is definitely going to be more intense/deeper/richer overall. Clinique’s are much more subdued shades, IMO! Which would you wear more often? Which is already in your stash?
Would you believe that in my huge collection of makeup, I only have four blush shades, a neutral nude-toned pink, a cooler pink, a coral melon, and a lavender! I’m afraid of never finishing a blush if I own too many (I don’t seem to have that fear with eyeshadow, though…lol!). I think I would naturally lean towards the Clinique, but the Nars shades are just so darn pretty!
Seems like Clinique might be a good pick 🙂
I picked up the Clinique one and it’s really lovely. You certainly can’t go wrong with the price. I have pretty light skin with a pretty light hand and the first two look like blushes on me while the third is a pretty blush topper or highlight. I’m glad I grabbed it when I did because it’s been sold out at Sephora since the day after I snagged it.
You can wear any of these colors, really, if you use a light hand on the darker ones. Plenty of the cult classics like Exhibit A look great on fair skinned people if you just use a light hand and blend well.
Thank you CK!! You answered a question I asked this morning 🙂 (not yet published, still waiting for approval).
This palette is gorgeous and I love the luminosity of the colours but there are two-three shades will be a bit problematic to work with on my skin tone (Untamed, Friction and Adrenaline). I wonder if I can get sheerer coverage with these three if I use a little and if they work on my fair-light skin. Thank you for the quick review Christine!
I’m very happy with the grade on this one. It’s so freaking gorgeous.
I wish all the shades had more shimmer. I find that blushes with shimmer look better on me, instead of using a matte blush and adding a highlighter. I’m not sure why that is, but seems to be the case for me.
This is a beauty of a cheek palette! I’m loving Adrenaline, Friction, King’s Road the most. Yet, I love the other 3 as well. I was so afraid that Swindle and Bowery would run too pale, but seeing them actually applied to your cheek changed my mind about that! They do have enough intensity to show up on me, I believe.
Is Friction at all similar to Too Faced Pink Leopard bronzer/blush?
I don’t think I have that one!
Fans self dramatically.
SAH-WOOOOOOOON!
this is hands down the most beautiful makeup item this holiday season, if not year. I will not be getting it though since I would only use the middle two shades, not to mention I barely ever wear blush at all. maybe if it was more readily available for non-us peeps I still might be tempted but as it is I’ll spend money elsewhere. still bummed about it though 😐 I mean it truly is beautiful. sigh 😐
The product seem to be quite special, even if one ignores the packaging (not that anyone would think otherwise with a RECOMMENDED stamp). Even when the dupes have a similar color and intensity, these are almost translucent; they don’t cover up your skin, so much as supplement its color (if that makes any sense). I guess it’s the hybrid/gell aspect to the formula, but I’ve never seen it so well done before!
I’m also surprised at how nice/interesting/different/cool toned Friction is, almost a polar opposite from the ever-present-Laguna/Casino theme that NARS usually pushes.
Completely unrelated, I see the names as more of a continuation of NARS usual sex theme with a nod to history rather than explicitly, obviously punk (the location of the original punk store and the great rock-n-roll swindle are pretty specific but they’re still kind of subtle, and the other four could come from any NARS collection – it’s not like they’re called “anger” or “bloody” or anything).
I Love this!!!! I must ask Santa for Christmas!!!!
This would only be perfect if nearly all the shades suited you and if they do, then this is fabulous.
Such a beautiful palette, I’m glad it got great reviews.
I love nars blushes. This palette looks fabulous. I believe I could use every shade.
Still have to see and swatch. Very few dupes. Love both HLs, and talked myself out of the Killawatt dupe. Yowza, that Friction. The pink channels my pre Big M pink choices. The brights are glorious. Bowery looks more peach than coral on my screen. All good, but Bad words! It’s Nars blush, and i’m far too weak to persuade myself out of it. If I can make it through S sale, Nars f&f comes on its heels. Mentally washing my fan brushes in anticipation.
This palette does not disappoint. Thank you for reviewing this hot item, Christine!
This is a really cool looking palette. Friction is such a neat color…it kind of reminds me of the color of sand at the beach
Wow, this is stunning! NARS knocked it out of the ballpark with this one!
Did you try the taupe shade as an eyeshadow? If not do you think it would work well as an eyeshadow? Thanks
I didn’t! I’m sure it would work fine as one. My only hesitancy would be whether it’s safe for eyes (pigments, particle size).
This palette looks beautiful! Thanks for the post! Could you compare Friction to Modern Mercury? They look similar from the swatches.
You can compare any two shades using “Compare Any Two Swatches” in the Swatch Gallery! 🙂
Hi Christine! Does this have the same formula with the reformulated NARS Highlighting Powder? I have the highlighting powder in Fort de France, how can you compare them when swatched side by side in person?
No, this is a different formula!
I’m not sure what your last question is asking!
This is definitely one of the products I have on my wishlist and I’m hoping it will be available doing the VIB sale. I just recently picked up the NARS wanted cheek palette II and I love it.
What type of brush did you use with these?
I used six different brushes – whatever was clean at the time – but I didn’t keep track as I did have any issues that made me have to experiment with a lot of tools to make it work!
I’m strugglling to get the blush colors to show up on my med-dark skin tone. It’s so pretty to look at but so far the longevity and pigmentation has been weak. Just read the update and will try a damp brush. But for $60 this may be going back!