Nars | Beauty and Fashion Tech

Best Affordable Makeup Series: Best Drugstore Blush

Readers often ask about the best drugstore makeup or affordable cosmetics, and a previous syndicated post on the best drugstore mascara has been rather popular here on the site. So,welcome to the first installment of series on drugstore makeup. Today, I take a look at some of the best drugstore blush items. Plus, I will tell you a few I thought were duds. Over the coming weeks I will write more on the best affordable makeup in other categories.

When it comes to finding the best drugstore blush, there area few key considerations. The best powder blush will have good pigment concentration for lasting color, be finely milled for good blending, and have a pleasing shade. The best cream blush will also have good pigment and will be soft and creamy. Where drugstore makeup brands often fail is in using little pigment and more fillers. When that happens, the product might look quite lovely in the package, but won’t actually wear well when applied. It will either be too light, wear off too fast, or both. Also, don’t get fooled by the name “mineral blush.” Some mineral makeup products are wonderful because they pack in mineral pigments with few fillers, but others will dilute the blend with fillers to the point that the product is not very well pigmented. Most mineral makeup items will also contain bismuth, which is an irritant for some people. That is true both at the drugstore and premium levels of cosmetics.

Below are a few drugstore blushes that do particularly well in terms of pigment and long wear. Although I have provided some affiliate links to the products, you should also be able to find them in drugstores or big box stores.

Best Powder Drugstore Blush

There is no need to spend extra for a good cheek color. Several companies make highly pigmented blush that rivals, or is even better than, many higher end and luxury cosmetics brands. I particularly like Milani Mineral Blush, despite that it includes bismuth as an ingredient.

Milani Mineral Blush is the best pigmented drugstore blush that I have found. It is also talc free—something rare for a drugstore blush. However, a word of warning, instead of being cut with talc, it uses bismuth, which some people are sensitive too. It is very well pigmented and comes in a variety of lovely shades. At just under $6, you can’t beat Milani for value. Milani’s Mineral Blush is honestly better than a number of high end items that I have tried. If you are a Nars Orgasm fan, look in stores for the shade Luminous (which I linked to). It is essentially the same as Nars Orgasm with perhaps slightly more shimmer, but much more affordable. By the way, also check out Milani eye shadows, they too are highly pigmented and are top on my list of best drugstore eye shadows.

Jane Blushing Cheeks is very affordable at $3.69 and has decent pigment, wears well, and comes in some nice shades. Jane also has a Nars Orgasm clone. Look for the shade Blushing Earth, which is almost a dead ringer for it. Jane cosmetics are pretty good all around, but their blush is my favorite item from them. For more see my previous review: Jane Cosmetics Blush.

Revlon ColorStay Cheek Color Mineral Blush is at the higher price range for a drugstore cheek color. At around $13, it comes in cheaper than higher end lines, but frankly, I recommend Milani and Jane before it because of their incredible prices. regardless, Revlon Mineral Blush is a darn nice blush. Although not talc free like Milani, it is still high in pigment and it blends and wears very nicely.

Best Cream Drugstore Blush

I have not fared as well at finding a quality affordable cream blush. Many seem to lack pigment or simply don’t wear as long as some of my favorite department store brands (Estee Lauder and Nars are a couple of favorites). I do, however, particularly recommend Maybelline Dream Mousse, which I prefer over many of the higher end brands. The entire Maybelline Dream Mousse line is rather nice. My other recommendations from Revlon and Sally Hansen Natural Beauty also fare pretty well

Maybelline Dream Mousse Blush is one of my all time favorites. Dream Mousse has a light texture (hence the mousse name) that makes it blend incredibly well. It is also seriously packed with pigment. If you want a good cream color, this it the way to go. At around $6 it is also an incredible value. For yet another Nars Orgasm look, check out the shade Peach Satin.

Sally Hansen Natural Beauty Blush (link is to previous review) has a good texture and decent pigment. It also comes in some particularly pretty shades. I like the Sally Hansen line as a whole and their powder version is also pretty good.

Revlon Cream Blush blends nicely and lasts pretty well. It is not as highly pigmented as some higher end brands that I have tried, but then again, I prefer my cream blush to be on the sheer side anyway. It builds fairly well for extra color and usually lasts all day. Revlon also leaves out the shimmer, which I appreciate. For more see my previous review: Revlon Cream Blush

A Few Duds

Just as there are some good drugstore makeup bargains, there are some items that just don’t cut it. A few that I didn’t care for were Neutrogena Mineral Sheers Blush (the one with loose powder and built in brush) which, although easy to use, took the word “sheer” to a whole new level by being barely visible on the face and wearing off quickly. Almay and Physician’s Formula blushes have also not fared as well with me for the same reason—there simply is not enough pigment.

Popularity: 1% [?]

Nars Cosmetics and Phillip Lim

NARS Cosmetics created the makeup look at the Phillip Lim NEW York Fashion Week, Fall 2010 show . The inspiration was disco-punk. “This is a youthful, rebellious look that exudes a strong sense of confidence. Energy radiates within the girls through their makeup with eyes that have a bit of a rock and roll feel,” said designer Phillip Lim whose inspiration stemmed from an image of Blondie’s Debbie Harry.

“This look has many layers,” said NARS lead artist Lisa Butler. “The eyes are punchy and edgy while the skin was kept healthy and glowing. The lips are a soft, sheer pink for the elegant punk-rock princess style that Phillip was looking for.”

Here are the NARS products used in the look.

FACE

· Riviera Multiple

· Douceur Blush (NEW for Fall 2010); try Lovejoy or Madly Blush for a similar effect

· Luxor Multiple

EYES

· Abyssinia Single Eyeshadow

· Nymphea Single Eyeshadow

· Coconut Grove Single Eyeshadow (NEW for Fall 2010); try Bali Single Eyeshadow for a similar effect

· London Eyeliner Pencil

LIPS

· Bangkok Pure Matte Lipstick (NEW for Fall 2010); try Sex Machine Velvet Matte Lip Pencil for a similar effect

Popularity: 1% [?]

Nars 15th Anniversary Palettes

Nars has two limited edition makeup palettes out for their 15th anniversary. Both are quite nice and neither will last long.

Popularity: 1% [?]

Nars Makeup Technique Video: A Beautiful Cheek

This is the second in a series of videos being released by Nars. In this video you can learn how to apply power and cream blush and features the popular Nars product, the multiple (read review).

Nars Makeup Technique Video: A Beautiful Cheek

Watch for further videos from Nars in November and December!

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Nars Holiday Collection 2008

The Nars holiday collection looks as gorgeous as ever.

Below is information on the collection sent by Nars:

Gild yourself from head to toe with a posh array of luxuries from NARS’ Holiday 2008 Collection. Festive and fabulous, the products are available starting today at www.NARScosmetics.com, just in time for the holiday party season. Below are the highlights:

Super Orgasm Blush $25 – NARS takes the classic Orgasm Blush to the next level with this new favorite. Richly concentrated and enhanced with more intense golden flecks, this blush is sure to become a staple in your makeup bag.

Jolie Poupee Duo Eyeshadow $32 – Chic and compact, this new eyeshadow boasts shades of vibrant violet and pearlescent purple, the ultimate for creating a bold eye for the holidays.

Night Life Single Eyeshadow $22 – Add light and shimmer to your lids with this ultra-festive silver shadow infused with silver particles.

Silent Night Single Eyeshadow $22 – Gild your eyes with this new shadow enhanced with flecks of gold.

Canaille Lipstick $24 – The ultimate in chic, this satin lipstick is now available in a shade of shimmering mahogany.

All Night Long Lip Gloss $24 – Impart color and shine to your lips with this new semi sheer dusty raspberry shade.

Orgasm Nail Polish $16 – Complete your holiday look with this new shade of polish in the classic peachy pink an golden shimmer hue.

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Nars Makeup Technique Video: A Healthy Radiant Complexion

Nars is releasing a set of short makeup technique videos. In this first one, you can learn how to use Nars foundation, powder, and bronzer.

Nars Makeup Technique Video: A Healthy Radiant Complexion

Note the application of the bronzer in a number 3 movement. This is the best way to apply bronzer and the video shows it very well.

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Nars Summer Collection: Duo Cream Eyeshadow

I was sent a NARS Duo Cream Eyeshadow Compact in Unconditional Love from the Nars Summer collection to try. Not only were the shades both unique and quite attractive, the shadow itself is very impressive.

This is a cream shadow, but it is quite silky and quickly turns to more of a powder consistency, but with the opacity often seen from a cream. I found that made it easy to apply and blend, while still getting a cream shadow look.

The shadow wears well. It lasted all day for me and I had no issues with creasing. The case is also attractive. In addition, both shades are gorgeous! This one does run a bit on the expensive side though.

Below is a swatch taken in natural light: