NARS Unfiltered I Cheek Palette Review, Photos, Swatches
Unfiltered I
NARS Unfiltered I Cheek Palette ($59.00 for 0.72 oz.) includes six powder blushes. It’s a new, limited edition palette for spring, which should officially release soon. There is another palette–Unfiltered II–which features cooler, softer shades and leans pinker overall, while this one is bolder, richer, and warmer across the board. I think there’s a good mix of finishes, lights and darks, and like the addition of one cooler shade that still makes sense with the other shades.
Unfiltered I
LELimited Edition. $59.00.
Watch Me
Watch Me is a light, golden beige with warm, yellow undertones and a fine, pearly sheen. The consistency was soft, lightly dusty, so it was more prone to sheering out (which made it easy to blend, though!). It had semi-opaque pigmentation that sat well on the skin, as it did not emphasize my skin’s natural texture. This shade lasted for eight hours on me.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- LORAC Daylight (P, $23.00) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- Becca Moonstone (P, $38.00) is more shimmery (90% similar).
- Anastasia Summer (LE, ) is more shimmery (90% similar).
- Tarte Champagne (LE, ) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- Wet 'n' Wild Sun Ceremony (LE, $2.99) (90% similar).
- Melt Cosmetics Ghostlight (P, $22.00) is less shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
- Anastasia Moonstone (LE, ) is more shimmery, darker, warmer (90% similar).
- Smashbox Glow (LE, ) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- Becca Champagne Pop (P, $41.00) is less shimmery (90% similar).
- ColourPop School is Fun (LE, $10.00) is less shimmery, darker (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.
Watch Me
LELimited Edition. $30.00.
Me First
Me First is a bright, medium orange with warm, red undertones and a fine, golden sheen. It had good color payoff that was nearly opaque and easily built-up to full coverage with just a touch more product. The powder had a finely-milled, smooth, and firmer texture, but it wasn’t difficult to get product onto the brush or to blend out on the skin. It started to fade after eight hours on me.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- By Terry Tropical Sunset #1 (LE, ) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- NARS Soulshine #2 (LE, $30.00) is darker (95% similar).
- ColourPop Tasty (DC, $8.00) is darker, cooler (95% similar).
- Hourglass Lucid Glow (LE, $40.00) is less shimmery, lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- MAC Seduced at Sea (LE, $31.00) is more shimmery (90% similar).
- ColourPop Hooked (P, $8.00) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- NYX Synthetica (P, $7.99) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- NARS Frenzy (Right) (PiP, ) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- Too Faced Sugared Peach (PiP, ) is less shimmery, lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- NARS Ambition (LE, $30.00) is less shimmery, brighter (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.
Me First
LELimited Edition. $30.00.
Takeover
Takeover is a muted, medium brown with warm, reddish brown undertones and a frosted finish. The consistency was soft, a touch loose in the pan, but it had more body to it than a lot of NARS’ blushes (which I find thinner), which made it easier to work with, blend out, and yielded better color payoff–completely opaque with little product. This shade lasted for just over eight and a half hours on me.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Chanel Accent (84) (LE, $45.00) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- NARS Liberation (Right) (LE, ) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- Dior Blush Bronze (PiP, ) is darker (90% similar).
- Bite Beauty Oyster Pearl (P, $24.00) is more shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
- MAC Love Joy (P, $29.00) is less shimmery, darker (85% similar).
- Revlon Naughty Nude (006) (P, $9.99) is warmer (85% similar).
- MAC Glow With It (P, $42.00) is less shimmery, darker (85% similar).
- Laura Geller Honeysuckle (P, $28.00) is less shimmery, warmer (85% similar).
- Stellar Beauty Eclipse (P, $25.00) is less shimmery, lighter, warmer (85% similar).
- Chanel Golden Sun (280) (P, $45.00) is less shimmery, lighter, cooler (85% 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.
Takeover
LELimited Edition. $30.00.
Out There
Out There is a muted, medium-dark pink with warm undertones and a matte finish. It had a thinner consistency that kicked up some excess product in the pan and had a tendency to apply unevenly to skin–I felt like the natural oils on my skin would capture the blush and make it harder to blend/diffuse the color out. The product was workable, but it definitely took a couple of minute to diffuse enough that it looked mostly blended and even to my eye. This blush lasted for eight and a half hours on my skin.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Bobbi Brown Sand Pink (DC, $30.00) is warmer (95% similar).
- Salt New York Wine (P, $16.00) is lighter, glossier (95% similar).
- Clinique Black Honey Pop (P, $21.00) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- Chanel Lively Rosewood (5) (P, $45.00) is cooler, glossier (90% similar).
- MAC Buddy (Matte) (LE, $24.00) is warmer (90% similar).
- Urban Decay Fetish (-, ) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Rare Beauty Encourage (P, $23.00) is darker (90% similar).
- Makeup Geek Covet (P, $10.00) is darker, warmer (90% similar).
- Anastasia Velvet (PiP, ) is darker (90% similar).
- Makeup by Mario Wildberry (P, $24.00) is lighter (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.
Out There
LELimited Edition. $30.00.
Chic
Chic is a bold, dark plum with cool undertones and a semi-matte finish. It had rich color payoff–I only needed the barest touch of my brush to get enough coverage for semi-opaque color on my skin tone–that blended out fairly easily. The finish seemed to have a “natural matte” finish, where it did not appear completely flat but wasn’t shimmery or luminous either. I noticed signs of fading after nine hours of wear.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- ColourPop New Lowes (LE, $8.00) is brighter (90% similar).
- NARS Candid (LE, $30.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- Viseart Violet #2 (PiP, ) is lighter (90% similar).
- Dior Confident (783) (LE, $48.00) is more shimmery, lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- LORAC Chroma (P, $23.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- Glossier Haze (P, $18.00) is brighter, glossier (90% similar).
- Danessa Myricks Plum Wine (P, $18.00) is less shimmery, warmer (85% similar).
- Kevyn Aucoin Grapevine #3 (PiP, ) is lighter, warmer (85% similar).
- Lethal Cosmetics Morphology (P, $15.50) is lighter, warmer (85% similar).
- Black Up NBL 03 (P, $26.50) is more shimmery, darker, brighter (85% 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.
Chic
LELimited Edition. $30.00.
Exhibit A
Exhibit A is a bright, medium-dark orange-red with a matte finish. The pigmentation was incredibly opaque, while the texture was soft, smooth, and finely-milled without being too powdery or too firm int he pan. It was consistent with the permanent singles I’ve had over the years. It was much more blendable than you might expect, but I have found that it has a tendency to appear pinker or redder (depending on what I pair it with) if worn at medium coverage. This shade wore well for eight and a half hours on me.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Urban Decay Slowburn (LE, ) is darker (95% similar).
- Kevyn Aucoin Fira (P, $37.00) is lighter (95% similar).
- Sephora Oh My Gosh (10) (P, $14.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- Viseart Orange #3 (PiP, ) is lighter, cooler (85% similar).
- Urban Decay Bang (DC, $26.00) is cooler (85% similar).
- NARS Siam (P, $39.00) is darker, cooler (85% similar).
- MAC All Year Red (LE, ) is cooler (85% similar).
- Surratt Beauty Brillante Idée (P, $32.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- Fenty Beauty Daiquiri Dip (P, $20.00) is more shimmery, lighter, cooler (85% similar).
- Flesh Beauty Fever (P, $26.00) is lighter, more muted (85% 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.
Exhibit A is a favorite of mine so I’m glad to see it features in the palette!
Yay!
Beautiful swatches, Christine. Do you think this palette would work on NC15-20 skin tone?
Sure!
That’s what I am and I love my palette! Just be light handed
Watch Me looks a lot like Albatross…are they dupes?
You can compare any two here! http://www.temptalia.com/swatch-gallery/#sbs
Both palettes look gorgeous, and even though I prefer cooler shades this looks good. I may save all my Christmas money to buy them.
Enjoy, Efrain!
Oh man, just as gorgeous as they look in the palette. The temptation is high, but I must buy all the presents for everyone else first….
Presents for others, and maybe there will be room for a present for you at the end! 🙂
I read that this is coming back to Sephora tomorrow- and it’s going to be mine, all mine!
Here’s hoping!
Really lovely blushes. I have always like Nars blushes but don’t have too many. I think that all of these colors would work for me if applied lightly and blended out a bit. So glad they scored well. Thank you, Christine.
No problem, Deborah! 🙂
Exhibit A (bright orange) looks kind of scary, but I love the great mix of colors here, and some unusual shades too. Unfortunately, I have close-enough dupes for all of them (curse of too much stash), except for Takeover. Love the color and the shimmery finish, wish that was a single.
It’s more wearable than it looks, but Exhibit A is definitely a bold shade!
I’m so glad that they did mostly different blushes in these palettes! It gets so boring seeing the same ones everywhere!
Me too!!
Kinda kicking myself for not getting this gorgeous blush palette instead of the Viseart Chroma Theory palette….not that I don’t love a great smokey eye palette, but these blushes are really gorgeous! And would work very well with my coloring, too.
Awww!
I haven’t bought a NARS blush in ages but I might have to splurge on these… it’s so dramatic and has such a lovely range of shades and finishes, swoon!
It’s not a bad way to add some NARS’ shades without buying singles!
Wow, what a gorgeous palette! The shades would be awesome on darker skintones.
They should be! I wish the first shade was a bit darker to make it truly a palette geared towards darker skin tones, though.
Honestly, I haven’t been more intrigued by a blush palette in years. The variety of shades is wonderful. It’s different than the NARS Danmari palette from a few years back (one of my main one-that-got-away type products), but I think it’s the best spread of colors since then. If I hadn’t gone so wild for Black Friday/Cyber Monday, I would probably pick this up. Unfortunately I spent a ton of money and am not a blush fanatic, so this will likely be a pass. I’m a little sad it’s LE, I would eventually pick it up as a perm item.
I like how it is a more unique color selection for a blush palette!
I’m really looking forward to this palette’s release. Finally, a good NARS palette with no Laguna or Orgasm!
Woohoo!
The only color in this palette that would really work for me is Chic, and only if used with a *really* light hand. This palette could be nice for my kit, though! For some reason a lot of people seem to light up when they get to choose a NARS blush to wear 🙂
Maybe the other one would work for you (personally)! 🙂
Do you know when these will launch on Sephora? I’ve seen few different dates floating around, and I absolutely love this palette- so much so I am convinced I need to add Unfiltered II to my collection as well!
NARS hasn’t given me a specific date for Sephora yet!
Very pleased with the quality. The newly minted blush whore in me kinda wants it 🙁
Woohoo!! 🙂
Being a lover of Nars blushes, I will for sure get this palette! It is a good value for the quality considering the single blushes are $30.00 plus all the colors look pretty and different from each other.
Enjoy the palette when you get it, Carmen! xo
Thank’s Christine!
A huge range of shades in this palette and unless you would use all or most them, it would be a bit of a waste.
However, these are really well pigmented shades and they rate well.
That is true! If you only use one or two, it wouldn’t be worth it.
I like Nars blushes, I really do. I think they earn their reputation in that area. But…
Would someone please explain this palette to me? Honestly, I think this is the ugliest collection of basically unusable colors I have ever seen put together in one place. I saw it in Sephora this weekend, and I just stood there looking at it thinking “what a miss!” What am *I* missing? Do you mix them? That orange on anyone but a deep hued woman? Honestly, if this were marketed under some low-end drugstore brand, we’d walk by it and say eww (well, at least I would).
To each his own, and maybe my tastes aren’t sophisticated enough, but I do not get this at all. I really really dislike it, IMO.
Different strokes for different folks — my initial reaction was that it was a stunning set of shades. I would wear orange blush, and I’m light-medium 🙂 But even this palette was best for darker skin tones, I think that in itself is beautiful because there are so many brands and blushes that don’t even offer shades that would show up on deeper complexions.
As you mentioned, this will look better on darker skinned people than lighter, although lighter skinned people can still use it with light hand. I have medium skin but use Exhibit A and a dupe of Chic regularly with light touch. I think this was a great move from Nars considering that there are not that many shades that are friendly for darker skin tones. There are plenty of palettes friendly for light complexions, so this is a breath of fresh air.
I am about NC20-25 and I would wear all the colors in this palette applied with a duo fiber or fan brush. That is how a wore Exhibit A when I owned it. Even as a fairly pale woman sometimes paler blushes just look chalky and lighter than my natural flush. Everyone is just different. And I totally agree that it is wonderful for cosmetics companies to appreciate woman of all skin tones. I actually LOVE it when they do that even if the particular item may not work for me. Love your blog! I come here first whenever I am looking for honest reviews about cosmetics items. Thank you for being such a big help!
Well, there isn’t many blush palettes available for deep hued women so i’m sure you’ll find something more your taste amongst the hundreds of other products in Sephora
Don’t need the highlighter or frosty bronze product, so no reason to get this, but I really appreciate the variety in this palette.
I agree – the variety is nice!
This is a great blush palette. A good array of finishes and colors, no dupes for one another. The first three and Exhibit A look especially lovely. Super chic packaging that doesn’t feel needlessly bulky or wasteful.
I’m with you Ginny! I think they did a nice job.
This is a pretty impressive blush palette, love a NARS blush palette!
It is!
Would this be a good palette for those of us that have olive tones. I’m pretty light olive in the winter but medium-tan olive in the summer. Could this work? Would the other unfiltered palette II be better? I’m guessing that would be too cool and pink on me, but I’m not very good with color matches. Thanks!!
I think this could work!
I haven’t ever tried a NARS blush, for no particular reason other than no shade has struck me. All but Exhibit A and Chic look interesting, so will check it out in stores. Is it only me, or does this remind of a Viseart palette, in terms of packaging and a bit in colors.
It does – it’s like a more mixed Viseart palette (not quite as similar in tone/depth).
Christine, would you say that it’s usable on light skin, or would most shades be a little too intense for someone who likes a subtle blush?
I think so, but it just depends on how you apply and whether you’re familiar with pigmented blush 🙂 You can always sheer it down/apply less, but it will take more patience/precision.
Hmm I might not have the required patience, lol! The other palette seems a little too cool for my taste, but I’ll wait for your review to see how the shades look on you. Sometimes cool tones can actually turn out very fresh and brightening on warm skin.
I at first said I wanted both pallets, but after seeing them swatched I think i’m going with neither!
I’m NC23/NC24 right now, and this pallet is too bold/pigmented for me (I’m pretty heavy handed with blush! I have to tap off, and i’ll usually pat the brush onto the back of my hand to take off some of the pigment as well!) PERSONALLY, And the other one if i’m remembering, is too light/pink for me.
If I was still going to beauty college, I would consider adding these to my kit, but with me putting it off. I’m going to wait!
Wow! Well, sometimes it’s good to save money 😀
Beautiful palette. NARS Chic reminds me the MAC’s Restores Dazzle creme blush.
I can see some resemblance!
I’m getting this. Im not a big fan of the first 3 rows, but that bottom row makes it worth it for me. Hopefully I can snag one after Christmas
Fingers crossed, Jaz!
The skeptic in me says this won’ be back on Sephora until after the coupon date. These are fairly intense, but bring on the fan brush, the Waynes, and sheer out. Never could justify a big Ex A, but a small one? The orange isn’t too coral. The pink isn’t too pink. The cool one rules. Not highly duped, despite TMS. I am so there.
It is back in time to use the coupon code 🙂
Ohhhh, that’s so beautiful!!!!
Glad you liked it, Astrild!
Interesting palette. Something to go with everything, if that makes sense. I like it a lot.
It is more versatile!
just purchased thanks!!!
No problem!
I hate that this is available online only at Sephora – I live overseas and I will be in Hawaii for the holidays, but they refuse to ship to business addresses, like my hotel for example. It’s so frustrating when there’s a limitation to acquiring a product and they discriminate against customers who don’t meet certain – and somewhat unnecessary – requirements. Why online only? Why not a order-online-pickup-instore service? I’ve totally gone off Sephora as a result of the mess I’ve been dealing with the last three days…