Saturday, July 13, 2013

Signs of Sun

I'm having a bit of a love affair with NARS at the moment. With the exception of NARS Enchanted cream blush, I've pretty much been impressed with everything I've tried from the brand. My latest NARS acquisition is NARS Luster blush. I bought this from a work colleague who originally purchased it off HQhair (after my negative experience with them, I'd be extremely reluctant to buy from HQhair again, but the fact remains they are one of the few online retailers that sell NARS and ship internationally for free). NARS Luster has been on my blush wishlist for a while now, especially after rave reviews from Estée (who called it her "all time favourite blush") and Tiffany (describing it as the "perfect everyday blush"). With that kind of feedback, I knew it was most likely only a matter of time before I'd make it mine. The only reason I resisted purchasing it earlier was because I convinced myself I simply did not need another peachy blush, because let's face it, they're fairly indistinguishable once worn.










l-r: NARS Deep Throat, Benefit Sugarbomb, NARS Luster, Bourjois Rose Coup de Foudre

I pulled out existing blushes I had that I thought would be similar to NARS Luster, and was genuinely surprised at how they didn't really compare. My hunch that Benefit Sugarbomb would probably be the closest was confirmed, but the two are still fairly different. Sugarbomb is considerably lighter and softer, with more of a white, highlighting pearl, less of that almost burnt, outdoorsy quality of Luster. Bourjois Rose Coup de Foudre and NARS Deep Throat are distinctly more pink and reddish, almost bordering on coral in comparison.

NARS Luster is a tawny peach with gold shimmer. There's not a lot of red in it, and I find it more a straight up orange than a conventional peachy-pink, though it's also not predominately brown or muddy like a regular bronzer. I would describe it as an orange-tan that turns slightly more red once applied to the cheeks, with a subtle golden sheen (on me, I don't find it as glowy as other reviews I've read, but maybe I just don't use enough). Like Benefit Sugarbomb, Luster may be a good pick for those who find that certain peachy blushes undesirably emphasise the redness in their face. My preferred brush to use with it is the Real Techniques Blush Brush, which I deposits and blends the powder softly over the cheeks for a natural, diffused effect. The end result is akin to a 2-in-1 combination of golden bronzer and sheer apricot blush. Instant injection of summer for a healthier, warmed up complexion that suggests you've been out and about lapping up the rays.

47 comments:

  1. It's a very pretty apricot- I think it's quite similar to Bourjois Ambre D'Or but I guess we'll have to wait for Michelle to report back on that (her and her Joie de Vivre). Knowing how you love Sugarbomb it's easy to see why you'd love this too- and NARS blushes are so beautiful. I never touch Ambre D'Or so I probably wouldn't get much wear out of something like this. For my next NARS blush splurge I'm thinking... Douceur. :)

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  2. Gorgeous colour! It's a shame HQHair has such horrible service, I wouldn't order from then again either after my first experience!!

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  3. I've had my eye on luster for quite a while now. Have you tried Taj Mahal or Gina? They are my two favourite nars blushes of all time, especially for the summer!

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    1. No, I haven't - I'm a bit scared of Taj Mahal but Gina is right up my alley :)

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  4. This is gorgeous! I've got my heart set on deep throat though.

    Jodie x
    www.retrococktail.co.uk

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  5. This would bareeely show up on my skin tone, the bourjuois one looks beautiful!

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  7. I have heard a lot of bad things about HQhair, glad that your order arrived because a friend of mine ordered some stuffs from there and they never arrive and HQHair cust service is horrible T.T
    The blush looks very natural on you! It might be a tad too pale for my liking since I prefer more pigmented blush >.<

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    1. Happened to me as well! It's ridiculous how many stories you hear of stuff simply not showing up. I hope your friend gets the order sorted out - either replacement or refund.

      I'm sure it would show up on your skin, I usually apply my blushes SUPER lightly and photographs always wash out colours as well. Pigmentation is not an issue, I assure you - plus you have fairer skin than me! :p

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  8. This looks so pretty but I was always unsure of whether it would suit my skintone. I've heard that NYX Terracotta is very similar so I might get that instead.

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  9. I love Nars to death, even though I have a very limited Nars blushes in stash, i always trust this brand a lot. I'm on my way to their lipsticks. My current fave is Nars Gina, but Luster is next in queue. Pretty!
    ♡,
    Riza

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  10. I was thinking about buying Luster for a while but I thought it could be a bit too orangey for my fair skin. I do love how it looks on everyone I@ve seen it on though and what's great about these kinds of blushes is you don't need to add highlighter because they have such a nice sheen to them. Glad you liked it, might try it at a NARS counter before I go and make the purchase!

    Emma x

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  11. I adore Luster! It's one of the first blushes I pull out when the sun comes out x

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  12. This looks so pretty on you :) I love the NARS blushers! xx
    xtouchofbeautyx.blogspot.co.uk

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  13. Ooh don't think that shade would suit me, but looking at those swatches I really like the look of Benefit Sugarbomb!

    dolcebeautyx.blogspot.com

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  14. I have this blush, and even though I didn't really like it so much when I first got it, the more I use it, the more I love it. I will review this soon, but what I love about it is that it sculpts the face and adds a bit of a shimmer all in one, so I use this on its own and I don't need to worry about contour and highlights. I also think its a great everyday colour to wear if you have a heavy eye or lip and don't want to add any pink or coral to the mix

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  15. this looks gorgeous on you! I really want to try out this particular shade from nars - I've never heard anything negative about it!

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  16. Your photos are so stunning :D I really love this blush.. I have this one, but looking at your swatches, I realllllly want Benefit Sugarbomb - it looks beautiful xx

    Gemma ♥ | MissMakeupMagpie

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  17. This is right up my alley :) definitely next on my nars blush list now!

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  18. It's funny - I had lusted after "Luster" for ages. But when I finally acquired it I wore it once then pushed it to the back of my makeup drawer. I guess I'm more of a "Douceur" kinda gal. But when the mood strikes, I'm hoping I might just fall in love with Luster after all...

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  19. I'm now 'Lusting' over this (sorry, bad pun!)
    This is so gorgeous!

    xoxo

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  20. NARS Luster is my all-time favourite blush. I love how it looks against my skin tone because it just gives such a nice healthy glow to my complexion.
    xx

    Celina | The Celution

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  21. It's a lovely color but I don't think it'll show up much.
    You must have so many NARS blushes now!

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  22. Great post!
    I haven't been to exposed to this blush yet so yeah, this did peak my interest in possibly investing into some NARS blushes, in due time of course :)

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  23. beautiful color! :) i only have one color from Nars and I absolutely love the texture of the blush. This one is very pretty!

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  24. your cheekbones are so nice, im jelly :D my first nars blush was orgasm and i love it so much. i think my next purchase would either be deep throat or laguna bronzer.

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  25. i've only tried the nars blush in orgasm! would love to own the others as well!

    -Dress Me Up Buttercup

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  26. Ah, Luster. It's a good one. I had it and then sold it in a blog sale last year. Don't miss it too much as there are so many other blushers to play around with, but the NARS blushers are oddly collectible. I'm liking your growing stash. ;)

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  27. Such a pretty colour, I've wanted it for a while! x

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  28. I love how NARS luster blush looks on you! It's really natural, not too pink or too bronzey. Definitely agreed with what you friend said, the perfect everyday blush!! :D

    Joyce @ carouselstreet.com

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  29. I actually like the colour and think its perfect for your skin - natural and good for daytime use :)

    x Gi
    alibimag.blogspot.com

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  30. You can buy Nars from kissandmakeupny.com! That's where I got the Laguna bronzer from & had no problems with them.
    Luster is such a gorgeous colour, it is really pretty on you! A perfect sun-kissed blush, but I think you could get away with wearing more! xx

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  31. Ooh it looks so pretty! This is one of those times where I'm wishing peachy orange shades looked good on me because if they did I'd be adding this to my basket and checking out right this second!

    Jennie xo | sailorjennie.com

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  32. The orange blush or peachy I thinks is really pretty to me. Because I thinks is like a light touch of sun and is really cute. I never tried any product from Nars but I always enjoy your reviews about this Brand. Happy day~
    xx

    www.sakuranko.com

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  33. I've always waffled with the thought of "Luster" because when I swatch it it looks like it won't do much for my skin. It's just slightly too light for me I think? I'm just not much of a subtle blush wearer; if I'm going to wear blush I want to wear BLUSH you know what I mean haha? Either way, I love the way subtle blushes look on others and the way this looks on you is no exception!! Really really lovely :)

    ♥Cassie
    thriftthick.blogspot.com

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    1. I think the issue is I just wear my blushes really lightly LOL. I think I need to apply heaps more next time I photograph something :p I can't imagine this would be too light on you - like the pigmentation can really be built up! I find NARS blushes in general to be really pigmented. I'm sure this would look gorgeous on you - as blushes generally do!

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  34. I love the peachy colour :) If it's (slightly) simlar to sugarbomb I'm on board-I adored that blush!

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  35. i love the subtleness of the shade! it's like the perfect sun-kissed glow. really gorgeous :) gosh i wish i can stock up on a lot of NARS blushes, they're to die for. if only they have sale more often!

    www.chriissydollxo.com

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  36. I've had pretty bad experience with peachy blushes (though they weren't NARS) in the past, as they barely showed up on me :( I am tempted to go to Sephora and try this one out though, since I do like that soft sun-kissed glow. Thanks for the review!

    xoxo
    Jenny @ Geeky Posh

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  37. Luster is the only blush that I have hit pan! love!!

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  38. Luster looks beautiful! I really love Nars blushes.

    Laura
    www.whitewintersblog.com

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  39. It looks quite sheer, might be great for my natural fair skin, xoxo.

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  40. I am in love with NARS makeup :) these are lovely colours! Everytime I go in I always want something new :)

    Katie xx
    http://katiesworld13.blogspot.co.uk/

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  41. So beautiful :) I've still yet to try Nars and to be honest I'm put off as I don't know what to buy for my complexion and because they're so pricy I don't want to buy the wrong thing. I definitely need to take a look at them in store :)
    Amy x
    -A Little Boat Sailing-

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  42. Wow i love the look of this blush! i'll have to have a swatch next time i'm in Mecca! it reminds me of mac warm soul but lighter?

    à la foliee

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  43. You need to try out Madly- It is a stunner.

    xx

    http://handfulofglitterintheair.blogspot.com.au/

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