On trial: the new NARS blush collection

Exciting new shades (Dominant, Infatuated, Orgasm Edge and Orgasm Rush) sit alongside bestsellers Taj Mahal, Dolce Vita, Deep Throat, Thrill, Behave, Orgasm, Orgasm X and Sex Appeal, so you can create a cheek colour based on your mood and emotions. There’s provocative pinks, captivating corals, vivid reds and more. 

Four may be called Orgasm – but they are all different. Orgasm Edge (a matte peach-pink shade) and Orgasm Rush (a deep warm red with gold shimmer) are brand-new iterations of the famous shade, to ensure there's a shade that suits everyone.

I’ve always leaned towards peachy pink shades of blush, and I apply blusher by tapping the powder onto my cheeks with a brush, but you can pat on with your fingers. I wear Orgasm X (a deep pink coral with a gold shimmer) on the daily (the photo proves it), and I really noticed the formula change. The new blusher blends better with the skin, helping to hide pesky pores and uneven texture.

Orgasm Edge is essentially the new matte version of Orgasm, so I prioritised applying Orgasm Rush, a new, deeper shade of pink with bronze undertones and a shimmery finish. I thought it would be too dark for my skin tone, but I felt sunkissed, and I’m definitely packing it for my upcoming summer holiday.

Meanwhile, Taj Mahal –  an original bestseller described as a burnt orange shade with a gold shimmer – scared me. It looks very pigmented and erm, very orange, but don’t be put off. It is also perfect for a natural-looking summer glow and the subtle specks of gold immediately brought my complexion to life.

• They last on your skin for up to 16 hours, although I don't recommend testing this – go to sleep and wash your face!
  
  
• The blendable formula glides on smoothly and evenly while helping to blur the look of imperfections, pores and fine lines.
  
  
• It's refillable, which means reduced plastic waste produced by the beauty industry.
  
  
• The packaging is bigger, so there’s a better-sized compact mirror to use on-the-go.
  
  
• A vegan-friendly formula, which means it’s accessible to all (the pigments are naturally derived and mineral-based).
  
  
• The shades are buildable and natural-looking, and they offer a weightless feel.

It was 1999 when Orgasm blush by NARS was born. Since then, it has transformed into the French beauty brand’s cult product (at one point, one NARS Orgasm blush was sold every minute in the United States, according to brand sales data in 2020). It’s loved for many reasons, including its beautiful pigmentation that enlivens the complexion, whichever shade you choose.

At £34, you’ve got to be feeling flush to commit, but let me tell you – a little goes a long way. If you’ve bought a NARS blusher before, you’ll know this. Seriously, you do not need much of this highly pigmented product to create a radiant finish and it will last ages. 

And while it’s not marketed as a multipurpose product, you can absolutely use the blush as an eyeshadow. So, really you’re saving money?  

Cream and liquid blushes are all the rage, but in my opinion, you just can’t beat a NARS powder blusher. I also like that the powder blush serves to mattify and I LOVE that you can’t see your pores on application. It genuinely blurs any imperfections.

Put simply, any of these shades will make you look more alive, and that really is priceless. ★★★★★