NARS Illicit Blush Review & Swatches
Illicit
NARS Illicit Powder Blush ($30.00 for 0.16 oz.) is a light-medium, peachy-brown with moderate, warm undertones paired with a satin finish. It had very fine shimmer throughout that looked quite luminous once applied and buffed onto my skin, so it was lightly glowing but not overly shimmery. The texture was soft, a smidgen powdery but very blendable and easy to work with. It had nearly opaque coverage in a single layer that stayed on well for eight hours before fading slightly.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- MAC Radiant Medium Golden (P, $35.00) is lighter (95% similar).
- Clinique Solar Pop (LE, $32.50) is lighter (95% similar).
- Essence Bespoke (P, $2.99) is more shimmery, brighter, warmer (95% similar).
- ColourPop Summerland Beach (P, $12.00) is less shimmery, lighter (95% similar).
- Physicians Formula Sunkissed Bronzer (P, $14.99) is more shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
- Tom Ford Beauty Gold Dust (P, $110.00) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- Marc Jacobs Beauty Tantric (P, $49.00) is less shimmery, more muted (90% similar).
- Huda Beauty Medium (P, $31.00) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- Charlotte Tilbury Stoned Rose Beauty #4 (LE, ) is darker, warmer (90% similar).
- Tom Ford Beauty Terra (P, $110.00) is 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.
Ingredients
TALC • OCTYLDODECYL STEARATE • OCTYLDODECYL STEAROYL STEARATE • ZINC STEARATE • TIN OXIDE • CAPRYLYL GLYCOL • PHENOXYETHANOL • [+/- (MAY CONTAIN/PEUT CONTENIR): IRON OXIDES (CI 77491) • IRON OXIDES (CI 77492) • IRON OXIDES (CI 77499) • MANGANESE VIOLET (CI 77742) • MICA • RED 28 LAKE (CI 45410) • RED 30 LAKE (CI 73360) • RED 33 LAKE (CI 17200) • RED 34 LAKE (CI 15880) • RED 7 LAKE (CI 15850) • TITANIUM DIOXIDE (CI 77891) • YELLOW 5 LAKE (CI 19140)] •
Disclaimer: Ingredient lists are as available by the brand (or retailer) at the time of publishing. Please always check product packaging, if it exists, for the ingredient list applicable to the product you're purchasing, or the brand or retailer's website for the most up-to-date ingredient list.
So glad it got a good review, soon as it is available on Nars or Sephora website, i will be purchasing it. Love those peach-brown warm shades. Thanks Christine!!
Illicit looks on you the way MAC Cheek Pollen looks on me; like a peachy bronze, slightly glowing sun-kissed cheek. Super fresh and pretty, especially for a summer faux tan!
Not a colour for me. But I’m glad it rated well.
To me, it looks more like a bronzer… but it has a beautifully soft finish.
This is such a pretty blush/bronzer type of shade.
Ah man, this colour looks beautiful on you!
this looks like something i’ll love in the summer. i don’t bronze but this has just enough warmth to give a sun-kissed look without turning me ornj
This looks lovely and I can’t wait to pick it up.