NARS x Man Ray Impassioned/Anna Love Triangle Review, Photos, Swatches
Impassioned/Anna
NARS Impassioned/Anna Man Ray Love Triangle ($24.00 for 0.17 oz.) contains a muted pink blush and deep pink lipstick. I felt the blush was slightly stiffer and harder to blend out compared to the full-sized version, while the lipstick was consistent with its full-sized version.
Value
A full-sized blush retails for $30.00 and contains 0.16 oz. or costs $187.50/oz. A full-sized Audacious lipstick retails for $34.00 and contains 0.14 oz. or costs $242.86/oz. The set contains $15.00 worth of blush and $19.43 worth of lipstick for a total value of $34.43.
Ingredients
Impassioned/Anna
LELimited Edition. $24.00.
Impassioned
Impassioned is a muted, medium pink with neutral-to-warm undertones and a matte finish. It had semi-sheer color coverage that was buildable to medium coverage with two to three layers. This blush seemed like it would work better for fair complexions as it did not show up much on my light-medium skin tone. The texture was thin, slightly powdery, and seemed more reactive to any dampness on the skin (natural oils, still-drying foundation/primer, etc.) and would look splotchy and become hard to blend if the area wasn’t dry or powdered. It wore well for seven and a half hours on me.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Zoeva Gentle Touch (P, $11.80) is lighter (90% similar).
- Burberry S/S15 Runway (LE, $65.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- Smith and Cult Cool Pink (P, $24.00) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- Burberry Misty (P, $42.00) is darker (95% similar).
- ColourPop Whistle While You Werk (LE, $12.00) is less shimmery, darker, warmer (90% similar).
- Wayne Goss Sweetened (PiP, ) is less shimmery, darker, warmer (90% similar).
- Benefit Dandelion (PiP, $29.00) is warmer (90% similar).
- MAC Pink Cult (LE, $24.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- MAC Pink Sprinkles (LE, $24.00) is darker (90% similar).
- Illamasqua Naked Rose (P, $26.00) is darker (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.
Impassioned
PPermanent. $30.00.
Anna
Anna is a deep pink with subtle, neutral-to-warm undertones and a cream finish. The color payoff was opaque in a single stroke, and the lipstick applied evenly and smoothly across the lips without tugging as it had a creamy consistency. This shade lasted for five and a half hours and was non-drying on me.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Pat McGrath Soft Core (P, $38.00) is warmer (95% similar).
- NYX Whipped Caviar (P, $6.00) is darker, less glossy (90% similar).
- Milani I Am Fabulous (P, $6.99) is less glossy (90% similar).
- Urban Decay Local (P, $19.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- Bite Beauty Pastille (DC, $24.00) is darker, less glossy (90% similar).
- Tom Ford Beauty Vervain (P, $55.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- ColourPop Off to Paris (LE, $8.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- ColourPop Bun Head (LE, $6.00) is warmer, less glossy (90% similar).
- Buxom Centerfold (DC, $21.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- ColourPop Prince Charming (LE, $9.00) is lighter, cooler, less glossy (85% similar).
Formula Overview
$34.00/0.14 oz. - $242.86 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to have "one-stroke, full-coverage" pigmentation with a "soft matte finish" that is "long-lasting" and "hydrating." The formula is best characterized by its texture: creamy, smooth, and slightly denser/thicker on (but not heavy) compared to the typical lipstick formula. Most of the shades are opaque, while "weak" shades are more semi-opaque. The majority of the colors I've tested have applied evenly and smoothly with good glide and feel comfortable on my lips. They tend to last between four and six hours and was lightly hydrating to non-drying. There was no noticeable scent or taste.
Browse all of our NARS Audacious Lipstick swatches.
Love Anna, as I should, being that I have several of the dupes.
Just want to share a thought, and forgive me if someone has already said it. The one thing that annoys me about these “Love Triangles” is that there are two products in the box instead of three. I realize that the name is due to the shape of the box, but I think that’s a bit silly. Put three products in a box and then call it a love triangle!
I remain confused why they’re called triangles when it’s a duo, other than the shape of the box…
Maybe the “love triangle” is between the lipstick, the blush, and the box…LOL 😉
There ya go 😉
I’m with you both on this. Calling them “Love Triangles” is just ridiculous considering there’s only 2 products!
I’m so glad you published this review. I have this product and have had the hardest time with the blush. Nars blushes get such good reviews, so I thought it was a problem with my technique and not the blush, but now I know it is probably the blush!
Oooh, I’m so glad I could help you feel like it wasn’t just you, KitKat! If you want to try to make it work, try powdering on your face first 🙂
Great advice, Christine. Powdering my face before applying blush is a technique I just learned in the past month or so. It helps so much with the blending. I use this technique with all of my blushes, which include NARS, Clinique, and Tarte.
Even though I love Anna, I’m skipping this duo. That Impassioned blush would be impossible for me. Much too light and the quality sounds pretty rough, too.
I got this set, the blush doesn’t swatch that well, is on thin, sheer and dusty sides, but applies much better over primer and foundation. I’m NC 15-20, but the color/pigment is light, so I have to pack it on, but once it’s on, staying power is good. The lipstick is good quality. I wish the blush was better quality, but it’s workable and pretty color, and love the mini sizes at mini prices.
I wish this blush was a little better!! I love the shade of it!