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.