NARS Olympia Contour Blush Review, Photos, Swatches
NARS Olympia Contour Blush
NARS Olympia Contour Blush ($42.00 for 0.28 oz.) features a highlight and contour shade, and they’re supposed to add “natural-looking dimension for the face with a lightweight luminous finish.” The finish is far closer to matte than luminous or satin for both shades, and depending on your skin tone and skin type, the more matte highlighter might not read very illuminating on the skin. The contrast on my skin tone did seem to give a slight illuminating effect without the shimmer or sheen, though. The powders lasted for eight hours on my skin before beginning to fade.
The Highlight shade is a very light–almost white–beige with neutral-to-warm undertones. In the pan and swatched on my skin tone, it has a smidgen of warmth. The texture was finely-milled and soft enough to be a little powdery in the pan, but it didn’t look powdery applied to the skin. It had good color payoff, and it was very true-to-pan. This is not your traditional highlighter–there’s no shimmer to it at all–as it is matte. It is going to resemble more of a very light-toned powder foundation than traditional highlighters — MAC Too Chic (LE, $24.00) is light and beige but much more shimmery. See comparison swatches.
The Contour is a rosy, medium beige-brown with subtle warm undertones and a mostly matte finish. The texture of this shade was soft, blendable, and finely-milled, albeit a little powdery in the pan again, but it didn’t appear powdery applied to the skin. Tarina Tarantino Neopolitan Lane (P, $25.00) is a bit brighter. Kevyn Aucoin Natura (P) is browner. NARS Douceur (P, $29.00) is browner, darker. MAC Blush All Day (P, $23.50) is pinker. MAC Baby Don’t Go (P, $23.50) is a touch darker. Burberry Earthy (P, $42.00) is darker, browner. See comparison swatches.
Olympia
PPermanent. $42.00.
Highlight
PiPPermanent in Palette.
Contour
PiPPermanent in Palette.
NARS Olympia Contour Blush
NARS Olympia Contour Blush
NARS Olympia Contour Blush
NARS Olympia Contour Blush
NARS Olympia Contour Blush
NARS Olympia Contour Blush
NARS Olympia Contour Blush
NARS Olympia Contour Blush
NARS Olympia Contour Blush
NARS Olympia Contour Blush
Hm, I like it!
Yay!
want! are these permanent christine?
Yes! Just as a FYI, but you can see if it’s permanent, limited edition, or discontinued right in The Glossover – there will be a P, LE, or DC!
I want to like this, because I’m in need of a contouring shade and highlighter, so this is super convenient, but I’m worried the contour shade won’t work on my skintone. I use Nars TM in Groenland, does have any idea if it would work?
It probably will – I think I’m a little darker than Groenland. I think that it’s too rosy on my skin tone, because I’m yellow-toned, so I don’t like Olympia on my skin tone!
I think it looks beautiful on your skintone! Your eye color really pops! It’s very pretty.
You just saved me $40+, LOL! I have Douceur already, which I use sort of in the same manner I’d use this, as well as Nico, so I don’t think this is necessary… For now!
OT, but your eye makeup looks very intriguing in these photos!
Always good to save someone money!
I love it! Looks very natural on you..! I’m wondering if you can achieve a more intense pigmentation with the biscuit color, just to define better the bone..
It would depend on your skin tone on whether it highlights, blends, etc.
Very interesting. It’s almost blush-like. I wonder if people with fair skin can wear the contour shade as such for a natural looking “glow.”
Christine, I am so not used to seeing you without a lovely smile on your face. LOL! I know you didn’t so that we could see the contouring, but definitely not used to it. 🙂
Your eyes look pretty! Is it the luminizer you’re referring to the one that comes in the artistry set?
Yes, it’s the one in the Radiant Orchid set!
I saw this product on another blog this week, and was happy to see your review as well. Although it’s pricey for me, I’m considering it (a lighter/cooler shade combo, maybe) because I really need to learn more about highlighting/contouring and would prefer an all-in-one compact like this. Plus NARS is lovely.
I think this is the lightest, though Paloma isn’t too much darker.
Beautiful! This one looks SO natural on you! I think we have similar skintones, so this would be the one I would pick up! <3
Glad you liked it!
Whoa! You look gorgeous! I literally said “whoa” out loud when I saw your pictures! I might have to get this contour!
Hope you can check it out!
Ahh I think I’m quite sold on this. The colours seem just right for my skin – no sparkles/shimmers in the highlight and I’m really digging the matte contour shade!
Definitely no shimmer in the highlight!
Christine, do you think this is too warm or pink as a contour shade for fair skin?
No, I don’t think it’s too warm/pink – I think it would look better on cooler skin tones than mine (I don’t like it on me).
Thanks!
These are interesting? A must have or practically speaking something many of us like in theory but never take time to use? How much extra time did adding this to your routine add? Or would you just use this instead of blush (that’s what you did right?).
I love your eye look. So lovely!
It takes maybe thirty seconds? About as long as blush or less! I didn’t use any blush in this, as I’m trying to show the product I’m reviewing and blush would definitely alter the coloring of both the highlight/contour shade here, but I would normally wear blush and contour together! It really just depends on the look you’re going for 🙂
Thanks. Interesting idea…I might try one…we’ll see….
ooooh this is very tempting. what’s the value like, compared to other nars powders? and that lip gloss is super pretty! you look lovely as always~
Same size as their bronzers!
Looks like both the contour and highlight would probably suit only fair skin. By the way, girl your skin is looking amazing!!! Is it your foundation or have you been doing something else?. Please spill 🙂
Thanks, Vanessa! I’m sure it’s just the foundation.
Hi! I really like how you used the palette! Which brushes did you use or would recommend? I’m affraid of contouring, altthough I have Chocolate soleil and Naked flushed in my stash. Could you tell me where did you apply which shade; did you apply the highlighter on your forhead too? Is the palette good for beginners?
I just used an angled contour brush (I used NARS’ here, but any would work). I applied the highlight on my cheek bones and down my nose, and the contour in the hollows of my cheeks. Contouring isn’t difficult – it is mostly about picking the right color and making sure that it’s well-blended! Hope this helps! 🙂
Thanks 🙂
I am not so sure about both the shades! Not the contour shade I prefer at all! 🙁 Maybe the next 2!
Hopefully!
Hi Christine:
Do these state whether or not they are safe to use in the eye area?
Thanks!
I didn’t get any boxes, just compacts!
Yay, thank you for including the non-smiley picture to show off the contour! This shade is probably a bit too light to not look subtle on your skintone, but I think it would make it a really good shade for everyday contouring (where the absence of lighting and camera makes the subtlety so valuable).
I don’t think it’s the right one for my skin tone at all, but hopefully others can still find the post useful!
True, I can imagine the rosiness of the shade would better translate as a blush on you than as a contour shade. I’m sure those with lighter, cooler skintones would find this post very helpful. 🙂
I’m hoping this one will be a good fit on cool skin tones, too!
WANT. So much. Though I’ll have to check out the other shades before purchasing
Hope you find one that works for you! 🙂
I am really torn with this one. I might have to go and see it in store to make up my mind.
If you can see them in store, it might be best!
Hmmm, I am cooler with a pink undertone, but this may still be a tad too warm, still. I generally find the best contours on me have some grey to them, more taupe-y. This would work more like a blush on an NW10. It’s worth giving it a look in store, though. 🙂
Hm… this is something I might have to make the pilgrimage to Mecca Cosmetica (only place to get NARS in NZ that I know of) to actually swatch!
I really want to try a contour, but I’m so pale and cool that it’s hard to find the right look. This one looks like it might be gentle enough?
I think this one might work 🙂
This shade is not quite the best for your skin tone, but you apply and wear it so well that no one should really notice. 😉 It really gives you some OOMPH and dimension in these photos, Christine! It makes me excited to see the rest of the contour blushes!
That said, as much as I love the contour shade, I’m not entirely sure a matte highlighter will work so well on my skin tone. I’m so pale that I wonder if it will simply blend away and look like nothing! The only other semi-comparable product I own is the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder in Ethereal Light… which probably counts as somewhat of a matte highlighter? And it does give me a really nice, subtle glow where I want it. Hmmmmmmmmm….
Ethereal Light still has some shimmer/satin/luminosity to it – the highlight here seemed really quite matte to me! It might still work, but it’ll be interesting to see what readers think as people try ’em.
This is kind of off-topic but what’s the best highlighting pen you’ve used? iI could be Mac but I want to try one other then the Mac like the color bright forecast! Please let me know. Thanks!
Hi Kay!
I rarely use them myself, but the ones MAC makes are nice, as are classics like YSL Touche Eclat (which I would consider a highlighting pen rather than a concealer). I think Garnier or Maybelline have a good formula, too.
I could be wrong, but the highlight shade looks like it might be too similar to my skintone! Still, im glad that nars came out with a product like this and i could see it getting introduced into my kit in the future
It might be!
Yup. I need dis
Enjoy!
Mmm New photo posture. like it!
Thanks, Amalia!
Beautiful on you. I’m much fairer with a cool tone. I like NARS Albatros-that’s not spelled correctly but I think you get the idea. It has a very fine pearl finish but is a warm cream white. I think I’m so light that a bit of shimmer/pearl is needed to even show. I use a light bronzer for contout. The brand and color depends on the time of day and my mood and other colors worn.
I do love NARS cheek and highlighting products.
Thanks, Susan! 🙂
I really like this, but I do prefer my highlighter to have a tiny amount of shimmer or glow.
Same here!
I’m not convinced, the colour seems very pink!
It is definitely pink-toned! I don’t think it works quite right on my skin tone (yellow undertones).
I’m dying to swatch this one!
I hope it works for you, Erin! 😀
how would you say the bronzer shade compares to benefit’s dallas? i’m super fair and that KIND OF works as a contour, but i’d rather something a little lighter!
Dallas seems darker, so this might work for you 🙂
Hia!
First of all, another great review from you! Thank you for doing this 😀
Secondly, may I dare ask which would you recommend? The Nars Contour Blush or the Kevyn Aucion Sculpting Powder? I can’t decide!!!
Thanks!
Hey Samantha,
I haven’t tried Kevyn Aucoin’s Sculpting Powder, unfortunately! I’ve had good luck with his other cheek powders, so I’d lean that way, though.
thank you for your reply! 😀
… and the warm undertone means I can’t use it, but what else is new for NWzero!
Aw 🙁