NARS Liberation Dual Intensity Blush Review, Photos, Swatches
NARS Liberation Dual Intensity Blush Duo
NARS Liberation Dual Intensity Blush Duo ($45.00 for 0.21 oz.) is a new, limited edition duo for summer. Both shades had sheerer, softer color and shimmer applied dry and richer, deeper, and more metallic color when applied damp. The shades work well together, if one wants to layer or use the lighter shade as more of a highlighter and the darker shade to define the cheek. It was very similar to Fervor, which is just a little darker across the board and doesn’t seem quite as warm-toned (but it’s still warm-toned).
I noticed something interesting on the packaging, which says: “apply dry for sheer color or with a dampened brush for high-impact finish.” The reason this is interesting is because this is the exact opposite of the formula when it initially launched (see original press release verbiage here) that stated “sweeps on dry for a bold flush or wet for a translucent wash of color.” It was an issue, because they are pigmented both wet and dry, but they darken, intensify, and become more metallic when used damp (by no means translucent!). It was also odd, even at the time, as the Dual Intensity Eyeshadows are described as dry application resulting in sheer coverage and damp application resulting in more opaque coverage (in fact, the copy for the eyeshadows is the exact copy printed on the boxes for the blushes in this launch). NARS’ website copy sounds different to me than when the formula debuted (I’d say it’s almost more confusing), though is still mentions to apply it “wet for translucent, second skin finish.” Anyway, since the boxes for the blush duos in the launch specifically say one thing, that’s what I’ll be rating on — but they should decide once and for all what they want these to be!
Liberation (Left) is described as a “shimmering light pink.” It’s a light-medium pink with warm, yellow undertones and a frosted sheen. Applied dry, it had semi-sheer coverage that was somewhat buildable, but this is one that you’ll want to dab on with a damp brush if you prefer richer coverage. The finish becomes more metallic and noticeably shimmery when applied damp, but it didn’t seem to emphasize pores or my skin’s natural texture. It lasted for seven and a half hours when applied dry and eight hours when applied damp. It was blendable both dry and damp, which was an upside, as I haven’t found this formula to be as blendable damp as dry in the past. Estee Lauder Peach Passion (P, $34.00) is less shimmery (95% similar). LORAC Wavelength (LE, ) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar). MAC Mother o' Pearl (LE, $34.00) is more shimmery, warmer (90% similar). NARS Loves Me Not (LE, $30.00) is less shimmery (90% similar). CoverGirl Medium Rose (DC, $9.99) is more shimmery, darker (95% similar). Benefit Dandelion (PiP, $29.00) is lighter (90% similar). NARS Fervor (Left) (PiP, ) is more shimmery, brighter (90% similar). Catrice La Vie En Rose (P, $5.99) is less shimmery, cooler (90% similar). Giorgio Armani Eccentrico (LE, $88.00) is more shimmery, brighter (90% similar). MAC Cheeky Devil (LE, $30.00) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar). Clinique Pink Honey Pop (P, $21.00) is less shimmery, warmer (90% similar). Hourglass Incandescent Electra (LE, $40.00) is less shimmery, lighter, brighter (90% similar). By Terry Savannah Love #1 (LE, ) is more shimmery, cooler (90% similar). Hourglass Sublime Flush (P, $40.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar). Smashbox Carnation (LE, ) is darker (90% similar). Guerlain Smile (Right) (LE, $52.00) is brighter, cooler (85% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Frantic Pink (P, $60.00) is less shimmery, brighter (85% similar). Too Faced Peach Dream (P, $30.00) is more shimmery, lighter (85% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.
Liberation (Right) is described as a “caramel rose.” It’s a medium, rosy bronze with warm undertones and a soft, frosted shimmer-sheen finish. It is a little lighter applied dry, and then it becomes more medium-dark and has a stronger orange tone (along with a smoother sheen) when applied damp. The finish on this shade never translates to emphasized pores, which is nice, and so it is more forgiving and easy to use. Applied dry, it had medium, buildable coverage that was easy to blend out and wore for seven hours. Applied damp, it was intensely pigmented and a little went a long way, but it wasn’t as easy to blend out the edges–my trick is to use it dry to buff out the edges, which helps a lot. It lasted for eight and a half hours when applied damp, though. Buxom Seychelles (P, $22.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar). Stellar Beauty Eclipse (P, $25.00) is lighter (95% similar). MAC Perfectly Lit (LE, $34.00) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar). MAC Love Joy (P, $29.00) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar). Laura Mercier Spellbound (LE, $45.00) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar). Charlotte Tilbury The Climax (P, $40.00) is more shimmery, darker, warmer (90% similar). NARS Savage (2020) (P, $30.00) is less shimmery, darker, cooler (90% similar). NARS Takeover (LE, $30.00) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar). NYX Bronzed (P, $6.50) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar). NARS Cheek Studio III (LE, $30.00) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar). NARS Fervor (Right) (PiP, ) is more shimmery, darker, cooler (90% similar). Becca Blushed Copper (LE, $38.00) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar). Dior Charnelle (459) (P, $48.00) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar). Black Opal Rose Gold (P, $8.95) is less shimmery, darker (85% similar). Becca Songbird (P, $32.00) is darker, brighter, warmer (85% similar). MAC Glow With It (P, $42.00) is darker, warmer (85% similar). Pat McGrath Desert Orchid (P, $38.00) is less shimmery, cooler (85% similar). Chanel Alezane (260) (P, $45.00) is less shimmery, darker, cooler (85% similar). MAC Cheek Pollen (LE, $24.00) is darker, more muted, warmer (85% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Lissome (Top) (LE, ) is less shimmery, lighter, cooler (80% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.
This blush will launch on narscosmetics.com on April 15th.
Liberation
LELimited Edition. $45.00.
Liberation (Left)
LELimited Edition.
Liberation (Right)
LELimited Edition.
See more photos & swatches!
NARS Liberation Dual Intensity Blush Duo
NARS Liberation Dual Intensity Blush Duo
NARS Liberation Dual Intensity Blush Duo
NARS Liberation Dual Intensity Blush Duo
NARS Liberation Dual Intensity Blush Duo
NARS Liberation Dual Intensity Blush Duo
NARS Liberation (Left) Dual Intensity Blush
NARS Liberation (Left) Dual Intensity Blush
NARS Liberation (Left) Dual Intensity Blush
NARS Liberation (Left) Dual Intensity Blush
NARS Liberation (Left) Dual Intensity Blush
NARS Liberation (Right) Dual Intensity Blush
NARS Liberation (Right) Dual Intensity Blush
NARS Liberation (Right) Dual Intensity Blush
NARS Liberation (Right) Dual Intensity Blush
NARS Liberation (Right) Dual Intensity Blush
Thanks for the review!
I didn’t expect this duo to be so pretty :). I’m eyeing this blush formula since a long time but I wonder if I could wear those specific shades, having a fair skin and pink undertones!
No problem, Marie-Estelle!
*Oh my goodness, you look stunning in that 1st pic! With the peachy skin/blush, teal eyeliner, and teal earrings, you look ready for a tropical vacation on a beach, just add a cocktail with little umbrellas 🙂 What is that teal eyeliner you’re wearing??
*Maybe NARS read your initial reviews of the formula and decided to change the wording on wet/dry? The colors are pretty, and it’s nice to have the option to go sheer or intense/metallic
I don’t remember the eyeliner, sorry!
Ohhhhhh I LIKE! Very pretty. I love glowy blushes. I think this will go on the wish list.
Have you tried any of NARS’ other duos?
This is nice. It’s almost like a 2 in 1 blush!
It really is!
I think this duo has a beautiful color combination. At least the directions make more sense on this one, but you’re right: If they’re changing it, they need to have consistent info on their website. The artwork on the box is really cute.
I’m like, did someone not change the wording for the blush boxes (vs. the eyeshadow boxes) or did they actually decide to change it? It’s always been a little backwards to me!
Beautiful duo!
Glad you liked it!
This duo is very nice and definitely says “summer”! I think that *perhaps* applying MAC OtherEarthly over Love Joy may give me that similar vibe? Otherwise I may need to put aside $$$’s for this duo.
Or my MAC Cheek Pollen with OtherEarthly?
I bet that could totally work!
That packaging is so adorable!! I’m not if I like this formula a lot – I feel some colours are more pigmented than others and this is more of the blah colours. Which shades are your favourite Christine?
I don’t know – I never find myself reaching for this formula. They tend to be too shimmery for me!
Packagings are illustrated by Greek painter Konstantin Kakanias. His heroine Mrs.Tependris ,is his fictional “alter-ego,” is a caricature of an art collector and a high society doyenne. She is an eccentric character, a big-haired, beak-nosed, fashion-crazed woman-of-a-certain-age .
Looks like an excellent warm pink blush.
It is nice!
thanks for the review. the duo is so gorgeous! and the packaging is just so cute! will it be available at sephora?
It should be, but NARS only gave me April 15th for their launch date (for their site).
A very pretty duo – but I don’t think I would like to apply my blush wet…..
I don’t mind it so much for eyeshadows, but I haven’t found it to be great for cheek products!
Christine, I love all these colors on you. Both light and darker blushes took great and would look good as a combo.
I love the left shade — it seems like a perfect light, soft, warmish pink — but not the right shade, at least for myself — it’s got too much orange for me. Too bad! It’s too expensive to buy it planning to use only half of it… maybe someday I’ll get it and de-pot, putting the right side in my professional kit — but I can’t wait too long, since it’s LE!
I like them both! I prefer them dry though. But I’m so pale it would look like racing stripes!
Didn’t buy any of the other ones that came out. None of them really called to me but this one yes siree, will definitely get it! Wonder when they will hit sephora….
Awesome 🙂 Enjoy, Ally!
Christine! Which brush did you use to apply it wet? I really don’t like that Nars wet brush
I used MAC’s 159!