Archived Post

NARS Reckless Blush Review, Photos, Swatches

NARS Reckless Blush
NARS Reckless Blush

NARS Reckless Blush ($30.00 for 0.16 oz.) is described as a “sheer pink shimmer.” It’s a very light, pink-tinged beige with warm undertones and a frosted sheen. Bobbi Brown Pink Glow (LE, $45.00) is darker, warmer. Cle de Peau Delicate Pink (14) (P, $55.00) is cooler-toned. Urban Decay Streak Highlighter (P) is pinker. Urban Decay Highlighter (P) is pinker. NARS Devotee (LE, $29.00) is a smidgen warmer. Urban Decay Luminous (P, $29.00) is lighter. Kevyn Aucoin Candlelight (P, $44.00) is warmer, less shimmery. MAC Light Sunshine (LE, $24.00) is less shimmery. Chanel Poudre Signee de Chanel Illuminating Powder (LE, $68.00) is pinker. See comparison swatches / view dupes.

I’m genuinely puzzled why NARS didn’t make this a “Highlighting Blush,” since they have that designation for other shades like this in their range. I’m not even sure it will be a blush on very fair skin tones–maybe just barely–because it is, by description, sheer, and then it’s very light. Functionally, it just seems far more like a highlighter than a blush. It is sheer, as described. The powder’s consistency is soft, blendable and doesn’t emphasize pores as it tended to give more sparkle than outright sheen. On that note, there is a fair amount of iridescent sparkle in it, which some may find dazzling while others will want to steer clear from–they are noticeable on the skin, and the sparkles travel all-over the face. On me, the effect of the sheen lasts seven hours before fading/turning patchy.

See more photos & swatches!

NARS Reckless Blush
NARS Reckless Blush

NARS Reckless Blush
NARS Reckless Blush

NARS Reckless Blush
NARS Reckless Blush

NARS Reckless Blush
NARS Reckless Blush

NARS Reckless Blush
NARS Reckless Blush

NARS Reckless Blush
NARS Reckless Blush

Makeup Look
On face:
  • Guerlain Parure Gold Foundation
  • Urban Decay Naked Loose Powder
On eyes:
  • NARS Valhalla Eyeshadow
  • NARS St-Paul-de-Vence Eyeshadow Duo
  • Urban Decay Roach Eyeliner
On lips:
  • NARS Liguria Lipstick

48 Comments

Comments that do not adhere to our comment policy may be removed. Discussion and debate are highly encouraged but we expect community members to participate respectfully. Please keep discussion on-topic, and if you have general feedback, a product review request, an off-topic question, or need technical support, please contact us!

Please help us streamline the comments' section and be more efficient: double-check the post above for more basic information like pricing, availability, and so on to make sure your question wasn't answered already. Comments alerting us to typos or small errors in the post are appreciated (!) but will typically be removed after errors are fixed (unless a response is needed).

We appreciate enthusiasm for new releases but ask readers to please hold questions regarding if/when a review will be posted as we can't commit to or guarantee product reviews. We don't want to set expectations and then disappoint readers as even products that are swatched don't always end up being reviewed due to time constraints and changes in priorities! Thank you for understanding!

Comments on this post are closed.
xamyx Avatar

I’m sooo glad I didn’t cave and buy either of the two palettes that contained Devotee, LOL! I had a feeling when Devotee showed twice, back to back, NARS was going to release it on its own, or at the very least, something similar. I did start to feel regret after skipping ot the first time, though, but I couldn’t figure out how I’d store it…

As far as calling it a “blush”, Nico is classified as a blush as well, and I see more color in this one.

Christine Avatar

Nico shows up more than this one does on me, as this one is actually sheer, not just light in color. I just find it curious that when a brand already has “highlighting blush” as a product, and this is very similar to every other “highlighting blush” why this one didn’t make the cut.

xamyx Avatar

I’m <NC15, and I use Nico to set undereye concealer, and I get no color from it, LOL! If it were one of my eBay scores, I'd question its authenticity, and give it another look-over given your reply, but I bought it directly from Nordstrom, LOL! I get more "color" from the Hungry Heart duo, which for the record is *insanely* sparkly.

Rachel R. Avatar

This would be a beautiful highlighter. I don’t know how it would show up as a blush on anyone. I’m really pale, and I don’t think it’s dark enough for me.

Ginny Avatar

Man I’m so into this. But… I have NARS New Order, and I expect this would look more or less the same applied. New Order might actually impart more color and be more blush-like. No way I need two blushes with such high sparkle. If this didn’t have sparkle I would buy it, because I could layer it and make it a blush. I don’t like to layer on the sparkle.

Sylirael Avatar

I definitely would have thought this was a highlighter, if they didn’t put ‘blush’ in the title! I’m not sure I’m totally down with actual bits of iridescence (in a face product – eyes and lips are another story! 😀 ), and so this product as a whole is a bit pointless for me. Having said that, my hypothetical highlighter love is still being fought over by the Burberry and Chanel holiday 2014 ones, LOL!

Emily Avatar

That looks so pretty! How would you say it compares the theBalm’s Cindy-Lou, Christine? I’m pale enough that Cindy-Lou works as a subtle blush on me. By the way, thank you so much for this blog – I’ve purchased so many products based on your reviews!

Katherine T. Avatar

Huh, this is a blush ??? Squints at screen, trying to find any pigment, nope, none! Surprised this even got a B+, as I think it fails as a blush (no color) and as a highlighter (unless you like sparkles travelling all over your face)

Christine Avatar

It’s pretty much as described – sheer and shimmery, but I’m really the wrong skin tone to showcase, because I’m much darker than the product so when it is sheer, it doesn’t really show up well on me, unfortunately. There is a sheen wherever it is applied, as well as sparkle, so it does highlight, but whether one wants sparkle is another story for sure. I wish I could represent it better, but I’m the wrong skin tone.

Lotus Avatar

I think this is my favorite blush of the year! It’s so gorgeous on! I see no glitter chunks, it just melds well with my very fair pale complexion and peaches & creams me up! Excellent as an eyeshadow as well! 😀 Thumbs Up!

xamyx Avatar

I am looking forward to nabbing this, and the Multiple! I’m not “fair”, but I don’t like a lot of color on my cheeks, so these are right up my alley.

Alex S Avatar

I looked at it in the shop, it does have a bit of colour on me over foundation (but only because I am ridiculously pale) but I find the sparkle far to silver to add any warmth to my skin.

MelanieB. Avatar

This is so lovely that I weep to know it won’t show up on me, as I am extremely fair. This is so lovely though. It imparts a beautiful glow to your face though, Christine! <3

We try to approve comments within 24 hours (and reply to them within 72 hours) but can sometimes get behind and appreciate your patience! 🙂 If you have general feedback, product review requests, off-topic questions, or need technical support, please contact us directly. Thank you for your patience!