NARS Intensely Blush Review, Photos, Swatches
Intensely
NARS Intensely Powder Blush ($30.00 for 0.15 oz.) is a bright, light-medium orange with strong, warm yellow undertones and a matte finish. It was a lot more yellow based compared to most orange blushes on the market.
It had nearly opaque pigmentation in a single layer, which was buildable to full coverage by patting a touch more on top. The blush had a soft, silky texture that was a bit thin but not dusty in the pan. I had no trouble applying or blending out the powder on my cheeks, but I noticed that the color looked a bit less matte applied as it seemed to absorb some of my skin’s natural oils. On me, the color started to fade slightly after eight hours of wear.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Lethal Cosmetics Tendril (P, $15.50) is more shimmery, more muted (90% similar).
- Guerlain Orange Blush (LE, ) is darker (90% similar).
- Surratt Beauty Cantaloup (P, $32.00) is darker (90% similar).
- Give Me Glow Hey Honey (P, $14.00) is more shimmery, lighter, cooler (85% similar).
- Viseart Orange #1 (PiP, ) is darker (90% similar).
- ColourPop Lunar Has It (DC, $12.00) is cooler (85% similar).
- Flower Beauty Nectar (P, $9.99) is more muted, cooler (85% similar).
- REFY Citrine (P, $20.00) is darker (85% similar).
- Fenty Beauty Fuego Flush (P, $20.00) is more shimmery, darker, glossier (85% similar).
- MAC Sunny Side (LE, $34.00) is darker, more muted (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.
I just love this blush!
This is beautiful, I need this! Do you know if it will be at Sephora?
It’s supposed to be!
Thanks! It’s not there yet. Hopefully it will be by the fall sale!
Still not there ?
I love this but I have a Sleek one called Life’s a Peach that’s probably close enough.
I don’t know whether I could pull off this color, but I like that NARS chose such an unusual shade. I’m intrigued.
I’m really intrigued by this color, as it’s so unique, I have nothing like it in my stash, and all the close dupes were LE or part of some set. I’m just worried it’s going to look too yellowish with my yellow undertones, but in winter time, my face seems to get lighter and more neutral, so might work. And oh dear, I wasn’t planning at all to get that NARS Zambeze gloss, but it seems to pair perfectly with it. I feel I might be falling down a rabbit hole here…..
While I ADORE that MUFE orange blush, this one would look hideous on me. Or like my cheeks had a sickly look. Looks good on your skintone, though, so I’m supposing this would do well on lighter, yet still a bit warm, skintones.
This is def a try before you buy. It might read way wrong, or it could be terrific. Admit I’d eyed Cantaloup before, but never in person. Funny how I love orange and hate coral. The fetishized one is perfection on you.
I love it, this is exactly my kind of shade!
Thank heavens, finally, this is one I can actually say “no” to. Yellow/Orange anything doesn’t go with my skin tone. So lovely though and I am happy for those who can wear it. Looks beautiful on you, Christine.
Christine, how did you read my mind?! I have been looking for a blush exactly this shade.
Finished reading your review and immediately jumped to EBATES and ordered from Nars with 5% cash back.
Thanks for the timely review.
My pleasure, Hilda!
This looks interesting. I have Viseart Orange which is a dupe but haven’t worn it yet. I tend to wear the middle orange shades in that palette. I’m probably going to get Nars Fetishized blush because I love that color and would wear it a lot.
Love this!!!
Love the whole look you did with this. You seem to be able to use any blush color with success. I would have to try such a distinctly yellow-orange color out first, Very if-fy, it would be nice for a change.
You look lovely all the time but this whole look is just gorgeous!
So pretty but a pass for me