Wednesday, August 12, 2015

Moderate About You

NARS Madly was a makeup product I'd been meaning to get my hands on for the longest time, but never made a priority to buy. Even with its reputation as a staple, must-have blush despite its unassuming appearance, it never inspired strong feelings of desire or excitement. Having said that, two beauty vloggers who have been effusive in their praise for Madly tipped me over the edge: 1) Casey Holmes ("If you had to get one high end blush, this is the blush for you.") 2) KathleenLights ("This is my favourite blush of all time. I have a crap ton of blushes — this is my favourite blush ever ever ever.") Though described as a "warm soft-focus seashell pink", I find the shade undeniably brown. I really can't see pink in it. Still, I hoped it'd be a quintessential bronzy-nude blush to sculpt the face and impart a realistic, healthy glow, so I finally purchased it along with Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation from COSME-DE.COM.







I've heard that Madly is a blush that needs to be applied to the face rather than swatched to be fully appreciated. I can kind of see why the sentiment exists, but for me, I honestly don't discern a humongous difference between how it swatches on my wrist and how it appears when worn. It's probably slightly more red/orange/pink rather than purely brown/tan, but nothing distinct. The colour transformation might be more pronounced depending on your skin tone though.

To me, Madly is better defined as a warm bronzer with subtle terracotta tones and fine microshimmer. It does have more colour (in the sense of earthy ochre hues) than a more traditional bronzer which might be less warm and more yellow, brown or golden, but I can't imagine using this focused on the apples of my cheeks like a conventional blush. It's more of a hybrid blush/bronzer that is swept along the cheekbones and blended onto the cheeks for an overall bronzed, softly sculpted, "healthier" look. As KathleenLights so evocatively put it, "It reminds me of a goddess walking on the beach with flowers in her hair and a big seashell necklace, talking about life's mysteries, wearing this blush." Immediate Birth of Venus vibes.

NARS Madly

l-r: Chanel Soleil Tan de Chanel, Charlotte Tilbury Sculpt, NARS Luster, NARS Madly, NARS Laguna

Compared with a bunch of other bronzers and NARS Luster, another illuminating hybrid blush/bronzer, Madly is somewhere in between the golden brown NARS Laguna and more orangey NARS Luster, with a hint of the shimmering, cooler brown Sculpt shade in Charlotte Tilbury Filmstar Bronze & Glow.

I'm somewhat on the fence with Madly. I don't love it, but I'm still glad it's in my collection. It's a useful, versatile, "throw it on in a rush" product that acts as a blush and bronzer in one. Colour-wise, it's a bit too brown and similar to a regular bronzer for the effect on my skin to be anything particularly special or unique. I almost wish there was more of that promised "seashell pink" to provide a point of difference. Still, the quality is top notch as you'd expect from NARS, it goes with anything and provides natural definition and a sun-kissed, enlivening warmth to the complexion.

19 comments:

  1. Madly doesn't really seem like a shade I would use as a bronzer but I do think it swatches up quite nicely. It has a lovely subtle and natural look to it :)

    sayyip.blogspot.com.au

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  2. I've actually been really into blush shades like this - namely MAC Warm Soul, though I'd say Warm Soul is a lot more shimmer and peachy-bronze. MUG Infatuation is quite similar to this except matte. It is a curious shade but I love it to just add a bit of colour and warmth and dimension etc.

    Tasha // shiwashiful.

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  3. I usually just wear bronzer as a blusher and this shade looks lovely for that! I've been wanting to try a NARS blush for the longest time but had no idea what shade to go for, I think it might be Madly now! x

    TR's Thoughts

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  4. It actually looks great on you! I have had Madly on my wishlist ever since they dc Douceur which I initially wanted so bad! I definitely want a more pink tinged blush so may be Madly isn't such a good idea after all!

    TheConscienceFund

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  5. I think it looks beautiful on you, but I can see where you are coming from. I would love some pink or peach find in my blush.

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  6. Madly looks like a pretty peachy bronze to me, I think it wouldn't work as a bronzer on my complexion, more like a blush. But it is indeed a unusual shade, unlike other pink or coral blushes out there. I sadly didn't have good experience with NARS blushes, the formula is just not something I prefer. It looks great on your skin , a lovely bronzy glow but not too much :)

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  7. I've read SO many rave reviews of this and it looks so pretty, but I don't think I love it. Although to be honest I do compare EVERYTHING to douceur and nothing quite lives up to that! x

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  8. very pretty on you. Heard so much about this and as pretty as it looks, don't think it would show up much on my NC30 skin tone as a blush. Very unique shade though.

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  9. I'm such a bronze-tone lover and I absolutely adore Nars Luster, so I have no idea how I've skipped adding Madly to my collection! Although it is quite brown, as you say, it'll be great for when you want to add some healthy colour to the face, when rushed for time. I shall definitely head to my local counter to give it a swatch and inevitably make a purchase, this weekend!

    Alice / Alice Grace Beauty

    x

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  10. I wasn't sure when I saw it in the pan, but it looks really lovely on you! It's subtle, but I can definitely see where the beach goddess comparison comes from. I agree that it's not an absolute musthave, but I might try it sometime!

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  11. I always thought Madly was super pale and more pink-toned! The comparison swatches are very helpful. Thank goodness I never picked up Laguna in any of its incarnations.

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    1. HAHA. Laguna is gooooood though, Liz :p I swear! Without irony, one of my favourite bronzers. But I do love me some Benefit Hoola lately, especially for a more contoured look. Plus it's matte and darker/cooler than Laguna.

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  12. Ooh dang I love it! I actually remember seeing Madly on someone else ages ago, and it looked more dusty pink! Interesting :P But I actually love warm, browny shades like this.

    Sheri | Behind The Frames

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  13. This is so pretty and looks amazing on you. I would have only glanced over it if I saw it in shop but you make it look so nice.

    Jackie | fashionxfairytale |

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  14. I have to admit that I usually don't really like bronzers. I mean, I don't hate them but, it's nothing that I actually feel I have the need to use. But I like this blush shade.
    Although it's one of those that I really need to test before committing myself to.
    Take care*

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  15. Oooo it's gorgeous swatched though! I love the light sheen it has and it look so natural but effortless on the cheeks. I can't resist a gorgeous neutral type blush!

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  16. Have you tried Tarte in Exposed? I think the concept is similar except Exposed is a nudey blush whereas Madly comes off more like a bronzer.

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    1. Yeah, I have Exposed. It's quite nice if I don't go overboard. Actually I used it this weekend. I tend to neglect it. I favour NARS Douceur which is similar but both are beautiful nude blush shades. Exposed is a bit plummier and Douceur is more brown.

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