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NARS Liberte Blush Review, Photos, Swatches

NARS Liberte Blush
NARS Liberte Blush

NARS Liberte Blush

NARS Liberte Blush ($28.00 for 0.16 oz.) is described as a “burnished apricot.” It’s a burnt orange-red with a very subtle sheen. Fans of NARS Exhibit A will probably enjoy this–it’s just a bit darker, more muted compared to Exhibit A. It’s not as bright; it reads softer, and the subtle sheen gives it a more luminous look on the cheeks. MAC My Paradise has a similar feel, though it is a touch lighter.

Admittedly, it’s horrible on me, but I think this is something that will look absolutely stunning on deeper complexions. There’s just something about this color and my particular skin tone that makes it read “terribly sunburnt” rather than “gloriously blushing.” It is also an interesting shade, because it reinforced my feelings that this collection was more of a split personality than anything else–this blush would complement the Ramatuelle trio, but it doesn’t work at all with the Marie-Galante duo (similarly, Moscow looks awful with Marie-Galante but would work with Ramatuelle).

It can be used both intensely and more sheered out, depending on how heavy-handed you are and what brush you use.  I’d recommend a stippling or really fluffy brush if you wanted a softer look, because this powder is rather pigmented.  The texture is a little on the drier, powdery side, so blending wasn’t effortless–it did take some maneuvering to get the edges to diffuse properly.  I ended up cheating a bit and using a pat or two of foundation over the edges, because it just wasn’t getting there for me.  A good method to try is to apply a very soft layer first, diffuse that, and then apply a bit more exactly where you want it.  I wore this yesterday for wear, and it wore for seven hours with just a little fading along the cheekbones.

NARS Liberte Blush
NARS Liberte Blush

NARS Liberte Blush
NARS Liberte Blush

NARS Liberte Blush
NARS Liberte Blush

NARS Liberte Blush
NARS Liberte Blush

NARS Liberte Blush
NARS Liberte Blush

NARS Liberte Blush
NARS Liberte Blush

45 Comments

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Nichole Avatar

I knew this would be a good buy for me. I’m NC45 and can’t wait to try out this blush I pictured being a deeper version of Gilda. I wish it were a matte finish, but a subtle sheen will do.

Kafka Avatar

I would look jaundiced with this colour. Or suffering from malaria! I think I’ll stick to my Torrid, which is about as orange as I can go. I must say, I laughed my head off at the subtle implication that the collection was bi-polar or schizophrenic. *grin*

K.B. Avatar

Darnit! I KNEW I should have waited for swatches before I ordered this blush, but I figured that I couldn’t go wrong with a NARS blush. I’ll give it the benefit of the doubt and at least try it before I buy it, but I am not as excited for this blush as I was pre-swatches.

K.B. Avatar

I’m NW20ish, so I’m nervous about the color. My idea of experimenting is wearing a brighter pink blush. lol The difficulty you had blending it also makes me feel a little skittish. I will definitely try using a stippling brush like you suggested before I make any rash decisions, though.

Christine Avatar

Here are a couple more tips:

1.) If you use liquid/cream foundation, let it dry down first. Sometimes you don’t, because it enhances the wear and pigmentation of a blush, but you need no help in the pigmentation with this one. It’ll be harder to blend if the foundation is still wet/damp.
2.) You can use foundation (whether your normal or pressed powder, or even loose powder) or setting powder along the edges to help blend it out (cheating, so-to-speak).

K.B. Avatar

Thank you so much for your tips! I will definitely be spending this weekend playing with this blush. lol I really appreciate you taking the time to reply to my comments, especially as I know you get tons of comments every day.

Laia Avatar

I love the fact that it’s NOT limited edition – I wanted to get MAC My Paradise but I couldn’t so this could be the one that makes up the missed chance. Thanks Christine for the review! 🙂

fabiola Avatar

Well I think this blush looks amazing on you Christine. It really works for you along with that lipstick and that beautiful makeup in your eyes. It just works.

Liz Avatar

I’m sure that there is a perfectly good reason for this, but the blush looks really bad with the other makeup you have on. I think if you had done the something different with the eyes, the blush would look really good. Right now, your makeup looks like it’s really clashing. I think the blush is pretty and would look great on certain skin tones. I mean this in a very respectful way, so please take no offense.

Christine Avatar

Hi Liz,

I mentioned this in the review already — I spoke on how the blush doesn’t flatter half of this collection but would work better with the eyeshadow trio. Unfortunately, everyone wants reviews ASAP so I only have a limited amount of time to test products out for wear and to swatch, so I have to pick and choose my battles – usually me looking ugly is the winner. That’s why it’s just a swatch and not a look post 🙂 The blush looked bad on me (personally) not because of the eyes – the color on its own does not flatter my undertones, as I wore it the next day for wear and hated it on me as much as I did previously! (But it looking bad on me or not being flattering with a particular eye look has absolutely zero impact on the rating.) Thanks for letting me know though!

Liz Avatar

Thanks for the reply. In the photo, I think the blush looks good on you, although it looks a little heavy to me. I just don’t like the overall look. I don’t think that blush should be paired with purple eyemakeup. However, I realize that you do swatch a whole lot of products and you can’t always change your entire look to coordinate with one product. I find your reviews extremely helpful and I think you rate items fairly. I guess I was just trying to say the blush looks bad in perspective with the overall look. I didn’t think that was the reason that you gave it a B+.

Miss J Avatar

I stare at this blush and it just keeps reminding me of Paprika (the spice, not some product named Parika, lol…although, I’m sure there is a product named Parika, too). I’m not sure if this will work for me. I think this is one of the one’s I will for sure have to try on myself. I’m NC20-30 in the summer, not sure how this would look on me.

Kathy S. Avatar

I’m buying this – and Moscow – for someone else’s face, but I may try it myself. It’s too beautiful not to give it a shot. Maybe I’ll go farther back on the cheekbone to try to sheer it out towards the apples of my cheeks. It might work. I also may powder first, then apply this, to minimize the drag. My model? Her complexion is dark enough to take it.

Joanne_ Avatar

i’m so glad that i ordered this sight unseen, the description just let me know that it would look wonderful! i can’t wait to get my hands on one! =) thanks for the review Christine!

Califabulous Avatar

I want this blush but it seems awfully close to exhibit A. I guess i am wondering how different it will look on my skin. less red maybe…not sure if I should splurge but I love nars blushers!

Ruthie Avatar

why oh why?!!! when will I ever stop buying blushes? i just got a couple of them and one of them is Nars Exhibit A!!! NOw i want this one too! Maybe I’ll check it out first in person and try it on myself then I’ll decide from there. Anyways, its good that its not a limited edition so i have plenty of time to decide haha! I need to start saving money! Thanks Christine for always feeding me with my cravings for blushes!

Joanne Avatar

Good morning Christine,
I have a question regarding NARS product pricing. It seems as though the NARS website has increased their prices on some if not all their products including specifically the blushes which now retail for $32. Do you know if it is a glitch? ::crosses fingers::

Joanne Avatar

Christine, color me silly. I ended up on the NARS Canadadian website a couple of days ago at work (do not ask me how) and didn’t realize it. But I’ve spent 2 excrutiating days googling price changes for NARS and couldn’t come up with anything. Sorry about the mix up. Should’ve paid close attention to the URL. THANKS again for all that you do for us make up junkies.

Barbara Avatar

I bought Liberté from the Nars EU website and it is absolutely gorgeous, even on lighter skin (mine: NC20). It deserves a light hand, but that is the fact with almost all Nars blushes I own. Compared to Gilda it seems to be more reddish, less corally-orange nd maybe a bit darker on my skin. At least mine was easy to blend, so no complaints here and gives a beautyful glowy finish though it seems flat matte in the pan. You can even use it to create a similar look as Ramatuelle when using in conjunction with the old Sandra Duo e/s. Do I have to say that I love this blush?

noni19 Avatar

Hi Christine, how does this compare to mac modern mandarin? I’m currently in love with orange-coral blushes and was wondering if this is better/diff enough for me to justifying owning this and mac’s modern mandarin ?

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