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NARS Paloma Contour Blush Review, Photos, Swatches

 

NARS Paloma Contour Blush
NARS Paloma Contour Blush

NARS Paloma 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.”  It’s more of a medium, neutral-toned set of shades, relative to the other two duos available, though I think the textures and finishes will make each duo more versatile and work for multiple skin tones.  The Highlight shade wasn’t as powdery as the shades in Olympia, while the Contour shade was a little drier but luckily did not look dry on the skin.  Both shades wore well for eight hours before starting to fade slightly.

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 neutral-to-cool toned, light beige with a matte finish. It had good color payoff, while the texture was soft, finely-milled, and not too powdery. NARS Olympia Highlight (P) is lighter. Chanel Jardin de Camelias (LE, $70.00) is more shimmery, lighter. NARS Nico (P, $29.00) is more shimmery, warmer, darker. See comparison swatches.

The Contour shade is a medium-dark, neutral-to-warm-toned brown with a satin finish. It had decent pigmentation but builds slightly. The texture was fairly soft but seemed a little dry. Too Faced Chocolate Soleil (P) is warmer. Kevyn Aucoin Natura (P) is similar. NARS Madly (P, $29.00) is more shimmery. MAC Harmony (P, $21.00) is similar. Burberry Earthy (P, $42.00) is cooler-toned. See comparison swatches.

NARS Paloma Contour Blush
NARS Paloma Contour Blush

NARS Paloma Contour Blush
NARS Paloma Contour Blush

NARS Paloma Contour Blush
NARS Paloma Contour Blush

NARS Paloma Contour Blush
NARS Paloma Contour Blush

NARS Paloma Contour Blush
NARS Paloma Contour Blush

NARS Paloma Contour Blush
NARS Paloma Contour Blush

NARS Paloma Contour Blush
NARS Paloma Contour Blush

NARS Paloma Contour Blush
NARS Paloma Contour Blush

NARS Paloma Contour Blush
NARS Paloma Contour Blush

NARS Paloma Contour Blush
NARS Paloma (your left) / Olympia (your right) Contour Blush

Makeup Look
On face:
  • Guerlain Parure de Lumiere Foundation
  • Guerlain Les Voilettes Loose Powder
On lips:
  • Chanel Tocade Glossimer
On eyes:
  • : Sephora + Pantone Luminizer

51 Comments

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Wwendalynne Avatar

As much as I want these, I actually already own shades that are incredibly similar. Mac Harmony, NARS Madly, Burberry Earthy, NARS Douceur. The highlight shades do not appeal to me as a highlighter. I prefer something with a bit of shimmer or colour nuance. These just look like light coloured matte eyeshadows. Still, they look great in the pans, but I’m not viewing this as a must have and perhaps something I pick up down the road since they are not LE.

Mariella Avatar

This looks gorgeous on you, Christine, and now, seeing them side by side, I’m torn as to which might be better for me. I will have to wait for these to arrive in store and maybe give them both a try, one on each side of my mug, as you’ve done.

Monica Avatar

I’m really torn. These look so new NARS contouring shades look so pretty on you! I don’t know if I want to get them or the Anastasia contouring palette. How do you think NARS vs Anastasia vs MAC (sculpt/shape)?

Christine Avatar

I haven’t tried Anastasia’s before, so I can’t weigh in on those… MAC’s Sculpt/Shape line is one of the best contouring/highlighting lines, IMO. Sculpt still remains one of my favorites, because it just works well on my skin tone. The Shaping range has a little more satin/shimmer to them overall, so I think they’re more versatile as highlighters (without as much worry about the highlight in the NARS’ compacts blending too much with the natural skin color). The Anastasia contour palette is probably the best value, though.

Hope you’ve been well, Monica <3

Monica Avatar

Thank you! Your reviews are always in-depth. I always like to check them out first and the swatches because we have the same coloring.

I have been doing well. Hope you’re having a great weekend 🙂

xamyx Avatar

You should also take a look at NARS Zen while at the counter. I fall in between Siberia & Deauville, and Zen is one I use quite often, with Nico as a subtle highlight.

Veronica Avatar

This one looks cooler toned than Olympia, but it still isn’t quite grey enough that I’d consider it for my skin. I do, however, like the look of this for my sister who is an NW20/25. Would you mind telling me which one you think would work better for that skin range – Olympia or Paloma?

Christine Avatar

It’s listed after the last image of the post, here it is for reference:

THE MAKEUP LOOK
On face: Guerlain Parure de Lumiere Foundation, Guerlain Les Voilettes Loose Powder. On lips: Chanel Tocade Glossimer. On eyes:: Sephora + Pantone Luminizer.

Elle Avatar

I can’t decide between this and Olympia! I have NC20 skin that is really fair in the winter and I usually get a little darker over the summer (although this year I’m trying not to tan, lol). I have yellow undertones for sure but I’m worried Paloma will be too dark on me. I also love the rosy contour of Olympia but again I don’t want it to clash with my skin tone! What do you think?

Christine Avatar

Hi Lisa!

It is listed at the end of the post (after the last image), just as an FYI!

THE MAKEUP LOOK
On face: Guerlain Parure de Lumiere Foundation, Guerlain Les Voilettes Loose Powder. On lips: Chanel Tocade Glossimer. On eyes:: Sephora + Pantone Luminizer.

KC Avatar

Ahhh thank you so much for these amazingly helpful reviews!! How does Paloma contour compare against Nars douceur (sp?). I like douceur but it’s a tad light on me.

laurin Avatar

i bought this sunday and absolutely love it. I have fair skin and decided to go for paloma and it works well on me. Love your pics and how you applied it!

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