Tabby-san, your training is almost complete. You have learned to wax on, wax off, and to refrain from sweeping the leg (so not kosher!).
But by far the most important lesson you have learned under my tutelage is your extensive knowledge of useless fun facts, including the names of long-forgotten R&B girl groups and how they relate to makeup.
I sleep soundly at night knowing that you are now prepared to answer crucial questions like, “Which early ’90s trio shares names with the new NARS spring 2013 blush?”
“Meow!”
Yes, Tabby-san! You are correct. The answer is Seduction…
Released with the new Spring 2013 collection, Seduction is not only one of the most intensely pigmented blushes I’ve ever worn, it’s also the name of the girl group trio behind hits like Heartbeat and It Takes Two.
Does Seduction the band have anything to do with Seduction the blush? Well, no…although both of them do make me want to do The Snake.
The blush, a rich, brick red berry with a satiny finish, officially launches tomorrow.
The color’s also a perfect match for Dressed to Kill lipstick, also from the spring collection…just in case you were already thinking about bringing the later home. Hint-hint. 😉
If you fancy yourself as savvy when it comes to vivid blushes like NARS Mounia and MAC Frankly Scarlet, prepare to be seduced by Seduction.
It’s the kind of color that says, “Hey, look at me. JAZZ HANDS!!” But if you decide to take the plunge, keep your fan brush and a tissue handy…
The first time I applied Seduction on my cheeks with a fan brush, I expected a light dusting of color. I mean, fan brushes are usually good for that, but a light dusting is not at all what I got.
If super dark blush is your thing, hey, that’s cool. It’s just a very distinct look, and one that I don’t always feel I can pull off (the words “Bratz Doll” come to mind).
I usually prefer more natural cheek looks, and to get that kind of look with Seduction, I like to use a fan brush and a tissue.
First, I lightly load the fan brush by dragging it across the pan, and then tap it to unload any excess product. Then, I swipe the brush head across a tissue until very little of the pigment remains on the bristles, and apply what’s left on my cheeks.
One layer is usually enough for a bright, flushed look.
As for wear time, it’s great. Seduction lasts on either my bare skin or foundation for what feels like days, fading slowly and without any patchiness.
It’s gotta be the pigment. There’s so much of it!
So, do I like Seduction? Why, yes, I do. 🙂 But I’ve been more into fresh-faced flushes lately, like with Laura Mercier’s Oleander and Praline, or Too Faced’s Sweethearts Perfect Flush Blush.
I’d probably wear Seduction more in the early fall, when I tend to go heavier with blush colors and makeup in general, than I will this winter, but I still think it’s a great color.
And like Dressed to Kill Lipstick, I bet it would look AH-MAY-ZING on darker skin.
While it’s not a traditional spring cheek color, that may have have been exactly what NARS was going for. I give ’em props for bucking trends (and for the crazy-@ss amount of pigment!), even if the color can be a little challenging to use.
Seriously, a pan could easily last years. Maybe even decades! 🙂
PRICE: $28
AVAILABILITY: Coming January 15 to NARS counters and narscosmetics.com
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: A-
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Hey Karen, what kind of fan brush do you use?
Hi Chris,
I have a few. My go-to is the 7.5 EX by Shu Uemura, but it’s not easy to find in stores these days. Trish McEvoy makes a fan brush that’s pretty good that I like, and so does Sonia Kashuk.
What are you wearing on your eyes? Looks very pretty.
Hey friend! It’s the Too Faced Boudoir palette again! I’m really loving on it. 🙂
Oh, I knew it!
Good eye, girlfriend!
Super gorgeous!! I want this blush. BAD!
Hi Lily,
You’ll dig it if you’re into pigmented blushes.
Are you a NARS fan?
Oh this blush is gorgeous! 😀 But I’m with you on this one! It’s definitely a fall/winter blush for me too.
Yeah, it’s got that feel to it! I want to wear it with a wine/berry lipstick and put on a cozy sweater.
How was your Monday? Good, I hope!
Yes! I can see it! Cozy sweater!
My Monday is…well. It’s my first day back for Spring Semester. A little overwhelmed with my classes, but just baby steps right? 😀
I totally want to try this! I like/need more color on my cheeks. I hope this isn’t too much.
You can do it, KPrice! Just keep that fan brush nearby. 🙂
That color looks beautiful on your skin.
Gorgeous on you!
OOh Karen, looks amazing on you! I def. will look into this!
Is this blush similar tu MAC Fever?
What a gorgeous deep color, looks great on you. I love Nars blushes! This one may be a bit dark for me, but I will definitely try it out at the counter when I’m picking up Dressed To Kill.
Yup! Need this! I actually think it’s super pretty for Spring!
Gorgeous! This is the kind of color I’ve been thinking on getting. Love the Boudoir palette as well.
That’s such a pretty shade! But I think it’s too pigmengted for my pale skin. I think I will have to pass..
I actually do have and love Mounia and thought about getting this one, too.
What most attracts me to this blush for spring is the look it is paired with in the promotional ad. Sure, Seduction is a deeper pigmented shade, but when combined with fresh glowing skin, pink and mauve tones of Bouthan and a pop of blue from Mad Mad World, it is such a fresh take on a spring look. Exactly the kind of thing I prefer to pastels.
I agree, the promotional pic is cool. And I remember wearing that pink/blue combo a lot circa 1990, LOL!
I agree, I think this is a dark skin color… my fair skin would look painted in it!
Hi Jennifer,
You still might want to try it. It’s the same shade they use in the campaign imagery on model Stella Tennent; she’s pretty fair and it looks amazing on her!
Pretty color, but this would probably make me look like Bozo. I can’t do super-pigmented products!
Hi LC,
They can be tricky, but if you own a fan brush, you could work it!
It’s a bolder look, for sure, but I like it. I think your light touch (and tissue) makes is work. 🙂 And, even without the sound, your Snake tutorial made me smile. It also kind of made my neck hurt while I was trying it at my desk. HAHA!
You know you’ve reached a certain point in life when you need to stretch before doing the Snake.
I can no longer do a break dance six-step without a slow 20-minute cardio warm up and some yoga. I don’t know whether to laugh or cry…
HAHA! No doubt! I feel like everything is cracking, spraining or tearing lately. I tore my rotator cuff serving in a non-competitive, adult volleyball league. Not kidding. The shame is almost too much to bear!
Gurl, I couldn’t do a break dance six-step EVER. But I’ll bet you’d be busting a gut, laughing, if you watched me try! 🙂
Ya, a bit dark for me .. I am still considering Praline.
Monica
Praline’s a good color! Do it. 🙂
I bet this blush would look lovely on my dark skin. I.MUST.HAVE.SEDUCTION!!!
Hello from California, Dominique!
Yes it would. You need it in your life, ASAP. Maybe consider the lipstick too (Dressed to Kill). It looks fab with the blush.
I like it! It reminds me of Chanel Plum Attraction a bit. Definitely in the same family
WOW. What a great blush — I can’t believe it’s out for Spring!
Despite being pretty darn pale, I’ve always been a huge fan of super-pigmented blushes. There’s just something in the way that they wear that you can’t replicate with sheerer ones, you know? If I can get something like this to go on well (which I’ve never had a problem with before), I’ll pick it over a medium-pigmented blush in a heartbeat.
Invisible application and a zillion hours’ wear, yes please 😛
I know! It’s kind of nice surprise.
Speaking of super pigmented blushes…do you have MAC Frankly Scarlet? I think it would look great on you.
I actually don’t! My dark MAC blush love is Desire — shades as bright red as Franky Scarlet sometimes makes me look a little feverish, I’m afraid 🙁
Ahh, I know that feeling all too well. It happens to me with reddish eyeshadows, eeek.
How have you been? I feel like I haven’t talked to you in ages.
Quite honestly, this blush really scares me and it’s not really my kind of color anyway (it would definitely accentuate the red tones around my nose and upper lip area :/), so I will pass
It’s not for everyone. 🙂
That’s one gorgeous blush.
How would you say this compares to Buxom’s shangri-la-la blush? I’m looking for a berry colored blush but can’t decide between the two 😛
Ooh… It’s so pretty and I want it as an eyeshadow. <3