NARS Panic Dual-Intensity Blush Review, Photos, Swatches
NARS Panic Dual-Intensity Blush
NARS Panic Dual-Intensity Blush ($45.00 for 0.21 oz.) is a vibrant duo featuring a bright pink and rusty coral. This seemed to be the least forgiving of the duos releasing as we’re working with much richer shades to begin with, so any weakness in blending is easily seen, and it is lacking that blendability that is so necessary when you have deeper shades like these two. The texture of the product dry is firm and a little stiff, so getting a really even, smooth layer of color dry wasn’t easy and required some buffing with a separate brush to get everything in place. Applied damp, it was hard to avoid splotchy color. Worth repeating, NARS described the formula to have richer color payoff applied dry with more of a wash of color applied damp, and the latter isn’t true whatsoever–applying with a damp brush results in much richer, deeper color and a more intense finish (typically more shimmery).
Panic (Left) is described as a “shimmering shocking fuchsia.” It’s a brightened, medium fuchsia pink with cool, blue undertones and a soft, frosted finish. Applied dry, it had mostly opaque color coverage, was somewhat blendable but not easy to apply, and the shimmer very slightly emphasized pores, but with enough buffing, it’s possible to tamp it down, while the color itself lasted for seven and a half hours on me. Applied damp, it was fully opaque with really rich color coverage but lacked blendability as it adhered and “dried” in place and didn’t want to diffuse/blend out after a few seconds. The finish is more noticeably shimmery on the skin and tended to emphasize the skin’s natural texture. The damp application lasted eight and a half hours. NARS Adoration (Right) (P) is warmer. Clinique Berry Pop (03) (P, $21.00) is brighter, darker. Tom Ford Beauty Narcissist (LE, $55.00) is darker. MAC Supernova (LE, $27.00) is warmer. MAC Feeling Flush (LE, $27.00) is more muted. Burberry Hydrangea Pink (P, $42.00) is less shimmery, darker. See comparison swatches / view dupes.
Panic (Right) is described as a “shimmering orange-pink.” It’s a brightened, medium coral with a hint of pink and a gold, frosted shimmer. Applied dry, it had mostly opaque color payoff with a fairly shimmery finish, so it did make my pores more noticeable, and the color stayed on well for seven hours before fading. Applied damp, it deepened and turned a reddish-orange coral with a more metallic sheen, and definitely made my cheeks look very textured as a result, though it lasted a bit longer than dry application at eight hours. It was also rather difficult to blend the color out when I tried using it damp. MAC Secret Admirer (LE, $20.00) is a cream product. Surratt Beauty Ponceau (P, $32.00) is less shimmery, lighter. IT Cosmetics Pretty in Peony (P, $24.00) is pinker. Clinique Ginger Pop (01) (P, $21.00) is less shimmery. NARS Realm of the Senses (Together) (LE, $29.00) is pinker. MAC Simmer (LE, $27.00) is pinker. Tom Ford Beauty Flush (P, $55.00) is less shimmery, lighter. See comparison swatches / view dupes.
Panic
PPermanent. $45.00.
Panic (Left)
PiPPermanent in Palette.
Panic (Right)
PiPPermanent in Palette.
See more photos & swatches!
NARS Panic Dual-Intensity Blush
NARS Panic Dual-Intensity Blush
NARS Panic Dual-Intensity Blush
NARS Panic Dual-Intensity Blush
NARS Panic (Left) Dual-Intensity Blush
NARS Panic (Left) Dual-Intensity Blush
NARS Panic (Left) Dual-Intensity Blush
NARS Panic (Left) Dual-Intensity Blush (Wet)
NARS Panic (Left) Dual-Intensity Blush (Wet)
NARS Panic (Right) Dual-Intensity Blush
NARS Panic (Right) Dual-Intensity Blush
NARS Panic (Right) Dual-Intensity Blush
NARS Panic (Right) Dual-Intensity Blush (Wet)
NARS Panic (Right) Dual-Intensity Blush (Wet)
NARS Pani (Both) Dual-Intensity Blush (Dry)
Ooop – a C+? Well, at $45 (so probably $50 or 55 or more here in Canada), at least my wallet will be happy. This is the pair I was most interested in but a poor performance is enough to put me off.
It was such a fussy product! I’m surprised, as blush has been such a cult category for the brand.
I wonder if this new “dual intensity” thing is going to be front and centre for Nars. Perhaps it isn’t a very good indicator but I’ve noticed that online at Sephora, many of their standard permanent duo and single shadows are now showing with a “just a few left” advisory. This could just be Sephora but part of me is wondering if Nars is planning to replace their tried and true formulas with “dual intensity” (sort of like Hourglass getting rid of their great old shadow formulation for this disappointing new one). I sure hope it’s not the case but you never know….
It would be interesting if they did, since the Dual-Intensity still has a fairly different finish compared to mattes/satins. Though NARS might discontinue certain duos or shades that overlap with ones in the Dual-Intensity line – that I could definitely see.
Aw, too bad this deserves only a C. I liked this duo. A lot.
The colors chosen are nice in theory!
Two pretty blushes in one compact! it’s a shame it didn’t perform well!
Agreed!
Oh no, a C!! Panic was the only one I wanted. Money saved. Thanks Christine.
My pleasure!
Say the C+ isn’t so! NARS “does” blushes and these colors look so beautiful —- I am truly sad.
The colors are so pretty! I wish the formula was easier to work with!
Oh, no! Such a shame because the colors are so pretty. At this price, it shouldn’t take this much work, the blushes should be blending themselves. By happy coincidence, I ordered one of the dupes last night from QVC – IT Cosmetics Blush in Pretty in Peony (A rated by you!) and comes with a gorgeous French Boutique IT brush.
Very true! I also think that blendability is SO SO vital in anything really pigmented or intense, because otherwise, it’s a lot of work.
Wow, this duo seemed the most promising. So glad you reviewed this Christine! I’ll just stick with the dual intensity eye palette.
Good call 🙂
This is the duo I wanted the most. Now I’m not too sure. Guess I’ll have to check them out in stores when they’re available
Definitely see it for yourself if you can 🙂
Sad, I liked the shades in this. I already have Berry Pop, maybe I should just get Ginger and call it a day!
Um…. yes, yes you should 😉
I love both these colors on you Christine! I think you look prettier than usual here! <3 🙂
Wish these blushes had a better texture and rating the colors are so fab!
Me too! 🙁 They’re beautiful colors.
Despite my pale complexion, I like bright blushes, because I find that a “doll cheek” effect works for me and therefore this was the duo that appealed to me the most. However, I really can’t abide blushes that emphasize my pores or skin texture- with the extreme range of temperature here, my skin has more than enough problems! Too bad, because the colours themselves do look really pretty.
If you can check it out in store, worth doing so, if you really like these types of colors, but they’re surprisingly hard to work with (and I find that with brighter/deeper shades, that’s a real key).
It’s disappointing to see a flop release from Nars after such amazing ones like the Audacious lipsticks, Dual-Intensity shadows, and great holiday releases. This was a palette I would’ve had my eye on, but I’ll pass!
Part of it is just poor positioning/claims that don’t make sense, but I think they would have be better off making the texture a bit softer as blush brushes are often less dense than eyeshadow ones, so it doesn’t seem to work quite as well here.
Hi Christine, what’s the lip color you are wearing in these pics?
Here you go!
THE MAKEUP LOOK
On face: Guerlain Parure Gold Foundation, Urban Decay Naked Loose Setting Powder. On eyes: Le Metier de Beaute Obsidian Odysea Eyeshadow Palette, Sephora My Boyfriend’s Jeans and Baby Blue Eyeliners. On lips: NARS Anna Lipstick.
I am disappointed as the colors in this duo are so beautiful. By the way, are you going to do reviews on the new MAC eyeshadow times nine palettes? I think they are very interesting in terms of value and concept. However, I think I am going to wait until I see your review.
Sorry, I don’t have those!
Aww I was hoping to see reviews of these too! Christine you spoil us with early reviews so we think it’s the norm,lol
It’s too bad about these! The colors are so pretty in the pan, and it seems like other shades in this formula at least apply well when used dry. Maybe I’ll have to spring for Berry Pop and Ginger Pop after all (currently only have Plum Pop), looking again at how pretty these colors are on skin.
Clinique’s formula is actually more similar than not, as it’s not a traditional powder either.
That’s good to know! Thanks 🙂
This is too intense for my blush taste these days.. I can see the blending issues in a few photos, but boy o boy, this is pretty on you and the two shades together = stunning.
They are beautiful hues – if only they performed better!
Thank you for your honest review on the products!
But of course! xo
Dang, this was the one I was hoping would get around an A for.
Aww!
WOW! Those are A LOT brighter than I was expecting. Guess I’ll be passing on this one. Still like Fervor though.
Definitely a bold combo!
Nooo, so sad about this! I guess it saves me the money, but it looked so pretty. I’m surprised to see NARS put out a poor blush, too.
The application issues surprised me!
Colors beautiful on you but based on price and application issues, I will stick with Clinique.
Clinique’s Cheek Pop formula is SO much better.
I wonder if you could apply these with a dampened beauty blender to sheer them out more? Either way, the price tag is way beyond what I’m willing to sink into for a subpar product. They are gorgeous in pan, though!
That might work!
My, those are bright, even by my standards! Lol. I think they might work okay for someone with medium-dark to dark skin, but even with decent quality those would overwhelm my pale face. Such pretty colours, though. Have you tried using them as eyeshadows at all?
I haven’t, because as far as I know, they’re not eye-safe (many pigments you’d find in blush aren’t).
That pink is soooo gorgeous. What a shame these don’t perform well. It’s hard to believe Nars dropped the ball on blush, of all things.
I had higher hopes when they announced!
these colors look awesome.. especially the right side, i would love to wear that for an eyeshadow. too bad it was such a finicky duo!
I was really surprised at how these weren’t easy to use.
Surprisingly, I *really* like the pink side, and enough to actually put up with its “issues”. However, the orange side would be completely neglected, so I don’t know if this duo is worth buying…
The pink side, when applied to the face, actually reminds me a lot of the Multiple in Riviera, which is oneof my most favorite cheek products.
Maybe if you manage to depot and had a friend to give the coral to? But otherwise it seems like a lot for what would effectively be a single!
Thank you, you just saved me $45., these two shades were definitely on my radar. Sad thing is that Nars really should have nailed these blushes. But nope.
They’re just so hard to use 🙁
What a bummer these blushes are getting poor ratings! I was so excited about them. Oh well, I guess I didn’t need any more blushes. 🙂 Thanks for the reviews, Christine.
No problem, Pteetsa!
They look extremely beautiful I do want to try these but I’ve read so many mixed reviews about these. Maybe I should try them out for myself
xx
Always worth trying if you can!
Both colors look so pretty on you, though. I love this whole makeup look.
Thanks, Ginny!
welp. I cant spend 50 bucks on this and its only getting a C. I wont be getting any of these
lol!
Damn. They’re gorgeous and the name is so cool for a blush too. Boo, Nars.
Also that eye look is amazing on you.
Thanks, Kat!
Since someone else brought it up…
The eye look is indeed gorgeous. Did you use anything other than the LMdB kaleidosocope? Because the muted crease color doesn’t resemble any of the colors in the palette.
Thanks in advance (I’m thinking of buying it, but not if it requires an additional shadow to create that gorgeous hint of brown–or is that orange + blue?)!
Nope, I only used Le Metier de Beaute’s eyeshadows for the look, it’s just layered 🙂 I probably used Burberry Trench on the brow bone, though!
Thanks for getting back to me!
Even though I don’t need anymore blush in this lifetime, I’m disappointed in this blushes performance. It looked so pretty and well it’s Nars!
I really wanted these to be better!
Pity this got such bad grades as it’s my favourite of the duos. Oh, well, I don’t really need more blushes right now 🙂
Phew 😉