NARS Orgasm Jumbo Blush Review & Swatches
Orgasm
NARS Orgasm Powder Blush ($40.00 for 0.28 oz.) is a brighter, light-medium pink base with warm, golden shimmer and faint micro-sparkle. It seemed slightly more sparkly than I recall past editions of Orgasm being, though I have tried probably nearing on a dozen of them in the last decade, but is very similar to the last permanent single I have of it.
The texture was firmer, stiff, and drier overall, which isn’t that far from the permanent version I have, but I find NARS’ newer shade releases (within this formula) to be a lot more yielding and easier to work with. The texture is the type where it seemed to get softer with more use, and a bigger, denser brush is best for picking up and applying product. I didn’t have any issues actually apply and blending out the color, just that it was more medium coverage and buildable. It wore well for eight hours on me before fading noticeably.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- NARS Orgasm (P, $30.00) is more shimmery, lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- KIKO 103 Golden Peach (P, $12.00) is less shimmery, lighter (85% similar).
- Sleek MakeUP Rose Gold (P, $6.99) is more shimmery, brighter, more pigmented (90% similar).
- Tom Ford Beauty Pink Sand (LE, $68.00) is less shimmery, lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- Milani Dolce Pink (P, $7.99) is cooler (90% similar).
- Becca Flowerchild (P, $32.00) is brighter, warmer (90% similar).
- bareMinerals The Natural High (PiP, $22.00) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- Dior Rose Frisson (353) (LE, $48.00) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- Kaja Aura (P, $19.00) is less shimmery (90% similar).
- Chanel Fantaisie de Chanel (LE, $80.00) is less shimmery (90% 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.
Ingredients
I’m confused. Is this the same as the large size Orgasm blush I bought last year? I bought it because the original Orgasm is my most-used blush and I thought it would save me money to get the large size. The large size I bought last year seems exactly the same as the original. Is the one you’re reviewing a new formula? If so, why would they change such a classic?
They didn’t change the formula – it’s just the larger size. That being said, I have tried many pans of this shade over time, and they are all over the map in terms of quality (which affects the finish/payoff/appearance).
I haven’t found that problem with Orgasm, and I’ve bought it several times over the years. Then again, I’m not as knowledgeable and detail-conscious as you have to be to write about makeup products, so maybe these things have slipped by me. I’ll definitely pay attention to this next time I buy this product!
Little question: When I look at the teaser for this post the rating says C+, but when you click on “read review” it says B-. Is this on purpose, and if so, what does it mean?
I will have to have that fixed – that means it is pulling in the average rating for Orgasm (it’s been rated maybe eight or more times) – and it should be pulling in the rating for this specific review.
I thought it was going to be the same formula…darn I don’t know if I should get it now.
I don’t think the formula is different – I’ve probably tried almost a dozen different physical pans of Orgasm over the years, and they do vary from pan to pan in terms of texture, which results in a stronger/weaker base color and more/less shimmer/sparkle coming through (or getting lost).
Seldom wear Orgasm; doesn’t suit me particularly well. Never bought it as a single. But, being old, have 5 from passé palettes, depotted. Side by side, they don’t even look the same color in the pan, look slightly different swatched, and indistinguishable on the cheeks, blended out or intense. You’d think they’d get an XXL of his most famous and universal product down pat in the formula. They’ve had enough practice. The cynic in me says they don’t have to, because it’ll be a best seller, regardless.
B-, eh? One would think (and hope) that Nars would do a better job of producing their very popular blush that they’re known for consistently. But, nope. That’s alright, I have a mini of Orgasm, Nyx Pinched and MAC Sweet Vision. We probably all have something similar if we have a moderate or larger stash.
I much prefer Sleek Rose Gold, myself.
I purchased this a couple weeks ago and I actually like it better than the original Orgasm blush. I think this one is more pigmented, and the one I got actually is a bit LESS sparkly lol. I tried the 2 of them side by side and I like this new one better.
Seems pretty consistent for Orgasm. It’s a stiffer blush but in use it performs fine (maybe it’s the sparkle?). I think it looks absolutely beautiful and the packaging elevates it.
I find it hard to believe that NARS has so many variations of formula for probably one of their best selling blushes. This is not a successful one at all. No wonder I get disillusioned with the brand.
I’m so tired of Orgasm; especially since it doesn’t do anything for me. Not knocking it for others, but I was around eons ago when this was released with its then audacious name. I didn’t realize we’d go down that rabbit hole further with future references to buttholes, but there you have my kvetch for the day. I’m old and crotchety (pun intended).
Yeah, I’m in the “old and crotchety” zone right there with you, Wednesday. LOL. But it’s so true. It all seems to have steadily devolved ever futher since the inclusion of Orgasm blush years ago. We now literally have lipsticks named Backdoor (UD) and Derriere (MAC). Both are… brown. ?
Somehow, having ?lips doesn’t quite strike me as being glamorous!
????
I purchased this, because it is more pink and less gold than the classic Orgasm Blushes in my stash. I first bought this shade probably 20 years ago, and while I haven’t really been into it in the meantime, the new one I got is not sparkly, but nice and pink with that gentle gold veil. The color has always suited me.
You make me laugh because, they things that look pretty on you, you don’t like. For example a few weeks ago you said the “eyeshadow was not good” but, you did your eyeshadow fierce.
I don’t think I said I didn’t like the color? The quality of the product itself isn’t fantastic, but I wear and like this type of color – there are just way better options.