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
• Look

Ingredients

Looks Using this Product

A Smoky, Metallic Gold Look with Natasha Denona Gold

Read How-To

View all Photos

Read How-To

View all Photos

A Gold & Teal Look with Natasha Denona Gold

Read How-To

View all Photos

Read How-To

View all Photos

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
• Formula Overview

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
• Formula Overview

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
• Formula Overview
• Look

Top Dupes

View Swatches View All 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).
• Laura Mercier Parasol (P, $28.00) is less shimmery, cooler (85% similar).
• LORAC Rose (LE, $23.00) is less shimmery, lighter, warmer (85% 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.

Look Using this Product

A Smoky, Metallic Gold Look with Natasha Denona Gold

Read How-To

View all Photos

Read How-To

View all Photos

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
• Formula Overview
• Look

Top Dupes

View Swatches View All Dupes

• Estee Lauder Modern Mercury (LE, $65.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
• Anastasia Tourmaline (LE, ) is more shimmery, darker, warmer (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).
• 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).

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.

Look Using this Product

A Smoky, Metallic Gold Look with Natasha Denona Gold

Read How-To

View all Photos

Read How-To

View all Photos

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
• Formula Overview
• Look

Top Dupes

View Swatches View All 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).

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.

Looks Using this Product

A Plum & Copper Look featuring NARS Provocateur

Read How-To

View all Photos

Read How-To

View all Photos

A Gold & Teal Look with Natasha Denona Gold

Read How-To

View all Photos

Read How-To

View all Photos

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
• Formula Overview

NARS Hot Tryst Holiday 2018 Cheek Palette

NARS Hot Tryst Holiday 2018 Cheek Palette

NARS Hot Tryst Holiday 2018 Cheek Palette

NARS Hot Tryst Holiday 2018 Cheek Palette

NARS Hot Tryst Holiday 2018 Cheek Palette

NARS Hot Tryst Holiday 2018 Cheek Palette

NARS Hot Tryst Holiday 2018 Cheek Palette

NARS Kings Road Powder Blush

NARS Kings Road Powder Blush

NARS Kings Road Powder Blush

NARS Kings Road Powder Blush

NARS Swindle Powder Blush

NARS Swindle Powder Blush

NARS Swindle Powder Blush

NARS Swindle Powder Blush

NARS Untamed Powder Blush

NARS Untamed Powder Blush

NARS Untamed Powder Blush

NARS Untamed Powder Blush

NARS Friction Powder Blush

NARS Friction Powder Blush

NARS Friction Powder Blush

NARS Friction Powder Blush

NARS Bowery Powder Blush

NARS Bowery Powder Blush

NARS Bowery Powder Blush

NARS Bowery Powder Blush

NARS Adrenaline Powder Blush

NARS Adrenaline Powder Blush

NARS Adrenaline Powder Blush

NARS Adrenaline Powder Blush

NARS Hot Tryst Holiday 2018 Cheek Palette

NARS Hot Tryst Holiday 2018 Cheek Palette

NARS Hot Tryst Holiday 2018 Cheek Palette

NARS Hot Tryst Holiday 2018 Cheek Palette

NARS Hot Tryst Holiday 2018 Cheek Palette

NARS Hot Tryst Holiday 2018 Cheek Palette

NARS Hot Tryst Holiday 2018 Cheek Palette

NARS Kings Road Powder Blush

NARS Kings Road Powder Blush

NARS Kings Road Powder Blush

NARS Kings Road Powder Blush

NARS Swindle Powder Blush

NARS Swindle Powder Blush

NARS Swindle Powder Blush

NARS Swindle Powder Blush

NARS Untamed Powder Blush

NARS Untamed Powder Blush

NARS Untamed Powder Blush

NARS Untamed Powder Blush

NARS Friction Powder Blush

NARS Friction Powder Blush

NARS Friction Powder Blush

NARS Friction Powder Blush

NARS Bowery Powder Blush

NARS Bowery Powder Blush

NARS Bowery Powder Blush

NARS Bowery Powder Blush

NARS Adrenaline Powder Blush

NARS Adrenaline Powder Blush

NARS Adrenaline Powder Blush

NARS Adrenaline Powder Blush