NARS and blush are pretty much interchangeable—when you think of one, you think of the other. It’s as simple as that. With such a legacy in blush, starting with the original NARS Orgasm Blush ($36), which, if you aren’t familiar, is the brand’s seemingly universally-flattering sheer pinky-peach powder formula, when NARS launches a new blush, the beauty world pays attention. And that’s exactly the case with the new Insatiable Liquid Blush ($36), a highly-pigmented, buildable, lightweight liquid blush.
Here's the lowdown on the Insatiable Liquid Blush: It's available in 13 satin-finish shades, including cult-favorite Exhibit A, a warm terracotta. And what about that famed Orgasm shade, you may be asking? Well, it's available in not one, not two, but four satin and shimmery finishes for totally customized iconic looks no matter your skin tone and undertone. Plus, as we've seen with most makeup launches lately, it has a skin-care element to it as well. The formula contains ceramides and peptides that hydrate and smooth to give a radiant glow for healthier-looking skin.
But beyond all that, it’s really a fun and flattering blush. After wearing it several times now, I can speak from experience. It’s incredibly lightweight, blendable and easy to use. It also stays put all day and gives that airbrushed, just-did-my-makeup effect. I wore it three separate times—to a lunch, a networking event and a graduation—and it didn’t budge once (I even got compliments on how glowy and sculpted my face looked).
It's likely in part due to some insider tips and tricks from NARS Artistry Director Niko Lopez. "I often think of blush as a sculpting product rather than simply a pop of color," says Lopez. "With Insatiable Blush, I use placement strategically, almost the way I would contour—to shape and define the complexion while maintaining freshness and vibrancy in the skin. It creates dimension in a way that feels edgy, more modern and incredibly flattering across deeper complexions."
With that in mind, using the blush’s doe-foot applicator, I placed one dot on each cheek (that’s plenty, thanks to the strong color payoff), but rather than placing it on the apples of my cheeks, I opted for the high points of my cheekbones, slightly below my eyes. This definitely delivered that sculpted look that Lopez discusses.
Lopez shared another technique that took my results to the next level: “One of my favorite ways to use the Insatiable Blush is to apply it before concealer, directly after foundation,” says Lopez. “I place the blush high on the cheekbones and diffuse it upward toward the temples, bringing the color close beneath the eyes for a lifted, naturally flushed effect. Then I apply concealer afterward, allowing it to softly blend out onto the edges of the blush. The result is a seamless veil of color that looks airbrushed, effortless and as though the flush is radiating from within the skin.”
By doing it this way, the blush melts into your skin, eliminates any and all harsh lines and looks like you’re naturally rosy-cheeked. What more could you ask for?
NARS Insatiable Liquid Blush ($36) is available at Sephora.
