NARS Melina Contour Blush ($42.00 for 0.28 oz.) is one of two new, permanent highlighting/contour duos for fall. The highlighting shade in the duos tends to be mostly matte, so it is not your typical shimmery, glowy highlighter. This is one of the deeper duos, so it should be good for someone who wants a more dramatic contour or for someone with a medium or darker skin tone.

Melina (Highlight) is a muted, medium tan with warm, yellowish undertones and a matte finish. It had semi-sheer, buildable coverage that was fairly blendable and soft on the skin without looking dry or powdery. The color lasted for eight hours on me. ColourPop Bon Voyage (P, $8.00) is darker (90% similar). KVD Beauty Shadowplay (PiP, ) is darker, cooler (85% similar). bareMinerals The Ocean View (LE, $24.00) is darker (90% similar). Laura Mercier Bronze (03) (P, $40.00) is darker (85% similar). Givenchy Ambre Saison (P, $52.00) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar). ColourPop Skinny Dip (P, $8.00) is darker (85% similar). Dolce and Gabbana Desert (P, $51.00) is darker (80% similar). Kevyn Aucoin Desert Days (P, $48.00) is darker, cooler (80% similar). Laura Mercier Bronze (01) (P, $40.00) is darker, cooler (80% similar). MAC Aphrodite's Shell (LE, $34.00) is darker, cooler (80% similar). Tarte Contour Soft (Tarteist) (LE, ) is darker, cooler (80% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

Melina (Contour) is a deep, dark brown with neutral-to-warm undertones and a semi-matte finish. The texture was soft, smooth, and blendable, while it had really rich color payoff. This should work on medium-dark and darker skin tones (I’ll be curious to hear if this works on very deep skin tones–do let me know if you’ve tried it!) better than other contours. On me, a little went a long way, but it was blendable enough that I could use it as a more dramatic contour. This shade wore well for eight and a half hours. Phytosurgence Golden Twilight (11) (P, $25.50) is less shimmery, warmer (95% similar). MAC Naturally Enhanced (LE, $34.00) is lighter (90% similar). Fenty Beauty Chocolate (P, $32.00) is lighter, warmer, glossier (90% similar). Kaja Hot Chocolate (PiP, ) is less shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar). Coloured Raine Mocha Queen (P, $16.00) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar). MAC Billionaire Bronze (LE, $29.50) is lighter, warmer (85% similar). MAC Galaxite (LE, $16.50) is darker (90% similar). Coloured Raine Cocoa Goddess (P, $16.00) is less shimmery, cooler (85% similar). MAC Raizin (P, $24.00) is lighter, warmer (85% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Moss Agate Sculpt (LE, ) is lighter, cooler (80% similar). MAC Swiss Chocolate (P, $24.00) is lighter, warmer (80% similar). Tower 28 Pacific Coast (P, $20.00) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (80% similar). Makeup Geek Chivalry (P, $10.00) is lighter, warmer (80% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

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NARS Melina Contour Blush

NARS Melina Contour Blush

NARS Melina Contour Blush

NARS Melina Highlighting Powder

NARS Melina Highlighting Powder

NARS Melina Contour Blush Duo (your left) | NARS Talia Contour Blush Duo (your right)

NARS Melina Contour Powder

NARS Melina Contour Powder

NARS Melina Contour Powder