Say it with me – gloooooooooooooow! The one thing we all want: Healthy, glowy skin. Guess what, Astrid and I found two products that are perfect for exactly that, even if they approach the way to the glowy look a bit differently. Also, this month’s favourites are a bit Nars-centred, but I guess that’s ok with you, right? Right. Let’s dive into our marvellous May Beauty Favourites, featuring a great blush and a perfect primer!
Dorit’s fave
Nars Loves Me Not Blush
Yes, I totally admit that I wanted a piece of Nars x Erdem’s collection before I even knew how the collection would look like, because I just find Erdem’s flowery designs so very soothing to look at.
I love the collection for the traces of kookiness – sheer lipsticks that masquerade as super bold, a lip palette that’s actually wearable, eyeshadows that mirror their clothing line quite well – love. Neverthless, if Nars shines at something, it’s at blush. (Orgasm, anyone?) (There is actually an Orgasm-like blush in this collection as well.)
But, I wanted a blush without a whole lot of attitude, something barely there, for quite a long time, and after seeing the first swatches, I pounced.
Packaging
Yes, part of the allure is the packaging. And why, WHY is the super pretty flowery print only on the inside of the boxes?! WHYYYYYYYYY.
The blush itself is housed in the typical NARS rubber packaging, but in a pale seafoam grey instead of black. (Note: the blush already started to tint the edges pink. Yay. Not.) Inside, the plastic insert has a flower print as well – which is the reason I keep it.
Shade
Nars calls LMN ‘a soft lavender pink’ and sorry, it’s not. There is not ONE hint of lavender, but instead LMN looks like a strawberry milkshake. With a hint of shimmer. Which is a good thing. On me, it imparts little colour to my cheeks, but a lot of a luminous, healthy glow. It’s impossible to overdo, and I’m in love.
Formula
It’s on par with other Nars blushes – not particular soft or ‘buttery’, but easy to pick up, apply and blend. They say:
“Cheeks feel the flush with two shades of blossoming blushes. Sheer, buildable color that imparts a silky-soft pearlescent finish with a velvety feel.“
Rightly so. It starts to get a bit dusty if you go in there aggressively with your brush, but that’s quite normal.
Longevity
On me, it holds up nicely for 8+ hours. I’ve used it on top of liquid foundations (note that I always powder with Nars Translucent Setting Powder BEFORE I apply any blush), and loose mineral foundations, and I’ve not run into any issues.
Price/Availability
It’s limited edition, but thank you, NARS, for not making limited editions available for one hot minute only. You can still get it at various retailers, including Nars’ own site.
0,16oz/4,8g – $30.
Astrid’s fave
NARS Radiance Primer SPF35 / PA+++ : The Glow With a Purpose
Now, this is truly something I wore a lot during the past months. I got this on kind of a whim, actually last winter, as a product that I thought could boost my glow during the dull winter months. (And glow it delivers!)
Come the warmer months, and I still like to wear Nars’ Radiance Primer! The glow is subtle (not blingy, but more of healthy glow), and the extra SPF protection is an awesome bonus (especially after I found out about the proper amount of sunscreen one must have to get properly protected!). This primer truly takes me through all seasons and that in all weather conditions! Winter, Spring, Summer, Tropics!
Consistency
It looks pink when first squeezed out, which I was really skeptical about, because of my skintone. But it turned out I have nothing to worry about. Spreaded out, this formula doesn’t impart any color at all! It feels really light on the skin, doesn’t feel oily at all (although slightly imparts more moisture), and the foundation sits pretty on top. Word of warning though, it smells like sunscreen (I personally don’t mind).
Btw, have a look at the ingredients: The formula is oil free, paraben free, alcohol free, synthetic fragrance free. It’s also dermatologist tested and non-comedogenic!
What to Wear It With
I love wearing Fenty Beauty Foundation (my shade is 330) with my tanned skin, the Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation (in shade 8) with my pale winter skin, and Hourglass Vanish Seamless Finish Foundation Stick (in Golden Tan) for days when I just need a spot foundation! All of them are my holy grail foundations, btw! And all of them layer well with Nars’ primer.
Price/Availability
You can get it at every Nars retailer or at their own site here. A tube of 1 oz/30 ml sets you back $36.
Please note that this review is not sponsored in any way. We buy products ourselves, with our own money, and don’t accept exchanging goods, or money, for reviews. We are completely independent, and our reviews reflect that.
