I don’t want to divulge too much, because I like being mysterious, and I want RyGos to continue thinking that I wake up with these chiseled cheekbones (Haha! Not). Better to have him believe they were sculpted by Michelangelo than have him know they were actually contoured by NARS.
I mean, you already know so many of my secrets — what’s one more? Like, you know that I hide a Mini Babybel Cheese in my purse (because you never know when the urge to eat a small cheese wheel will hit you. #imjustsaying). You know that I love Bravo. You know that I am obsessed with makeup, Trader Joe’s and cats. You also know that one of my legs is slightly longer than the other.
Wait — you didn’t know that? Oops, I thought you did. 🙂
I guess what I’m trying to say is this: being as how you already know so much about me, what’s a little covert contouring talk between friends?
The secret to the chiseled cheeks I’m currently sporting is the new NARS Contour Blush in Paloma, one of three $42 contouring powder blush duos recently added to the permanent line.
Each of the duos has — no surprise here — two shades, one darker than the other. The darker shade is used to define and add depth to the face, while the lighter shades is used for highlights.
Paloma, the one I wear, is the middle-of-the-road option.
Olympia, the lightest of the three duos, has an ivory and a rose; Paloma, a pinkish beige and a deep rose; and Gienah, the darkest duo, houses a honey and an amber.
Like the MAC Pro Sculpting and Shaping Powders, they’re designed to shape and contour, and have a similarly smooth texture (not patchy at all), finely-milled powders and a soft sheen.
Initially, I was a little freaked out by the strong pink, rose and beige tones among these NARS duos and thought, “Are these only going to work well on cool-toned skin?” But nope, that’s not a problem.
I feared that the pinkish beige and rose tones in Paloma would go grayish on me and my warm skin tone, and they do — if I pile on too much — but as long as I stick to using a few light layers, I can easily sculpt and shape.
You may have to use a few layers, depending on how deeply cut you want your contour, because these powders are on the sheer side — which isn’t a bad thing, mind you. I actually think it’s pretty genius. It makes them easy to control and virtually goof-proof. In my experience, it’s much easier (and even quicker) to build up sheer layers of contour color, as opposed to starting with something darker and trying to buff it down.
Buuuut, even if you do happen to over-apply one of these Contour Blushes — no worries. The buttery formula is easy to blend out.
As far as the finish, it appears matte in swatches, but I do see a hint of sheen on my face, which I think is nice. It seems real and natural.
I used to think that contouring would add tons of extra time to my routine, but it doesn’t. Not really. But my kind of contouring isn’t overly carved out.
To apply these, I load an angled face brush with one of the darker shades, then swipe it beneath my cheekbones, along my hairline, down the sides of my nose and along my jawline. Then, with the same brush, I apply the lighter shade on my upper cheekbones, down the bridge of my nose and on my Cupid’s bow, finishing with a dusting of whatever blush I happen to be wearing on the apples of my cheeks.
As long as I’m not foolin’ around (which, actually, does happen often), I can knock out a quickie contour in 2-3 minutes.
That’s what I like best about these Contour Blushes — they’re user-friendly. It makes them perfect for beginners and others interested in light contouring. Just be a little careful not to over-apply if you have warm skin tone like mine.
PRICE: $42 each
AVAILABILITY: Available now at NARS Boutiques and coming April 1 to NARS counters (also coming soon to narscosmetics.com)
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: A-
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Hi Karen,
I was *just* searching for swatches of NARS Paloma when your review of the new contour blushes popped up! I haven’t used much bronzer lately, but I suppose I should get into the habit now that warmer weather is coming around. Love the naturally beautiful effect NARS Paloma has on you here 🙂
Hi Dovey,
Glad that I was able to do swatches for ya. I should mention that bronzer seems to give a different effect — more warmth, rather than straight chisel. Does that make sense? Anywho, you will enjoy Paloma, I think! It’s very easy to use and looks natural on the skin.
Have been loving Nyx’s Taupe but I think I really need this new NARS offering! And yay for cheese 🙂
I haven’t tried NYX Taupe. Is it an eyeshadow?
YAY CHEESE. Have you had the Babybels? Oh gosh…SO GOOD!
It is technically a blush! I use it to contour as well. 😀
I love all things NARS! These blushes look perfect for a natural looking contour.
Yes! They definitely look very natural on the skin.
I can’t wait to try these! I’m so excited and glad that the highlighter side it’s glitter city.
Definitely. It’s nice to have a non-shimmery option to highlight. 🙂
I do declare, I have the same little vice. But I love the light version of those cute little Mini-Babybels. They are great for taking the edge off when I’m out and about or at home and it’s not dinnertime. Love the Nars duos. I have to learn how to contour and highlight. It makes such a big difference. I have fair skin, and the contouring thing has always scared me, but the lightest of the 3 duos maybe just the thing! I guess I’ll pull out one of the contour/highlight charts and give it a shot 🙂
Great minds think alike! I haven’t tried the light version. Is it just as yum?
Oh, and contouring is easy once you get the hang of it. 🙂
I do like the idea of these! I can imagine getting myself one with a gift card since I wouldn’t pay $42 plus tax for one, I don’t think. I’m not sure which of the lighter two I’d get.
You could pull off both, but if you tan in the summer you may want to go with Paloma.
I like them!
Yay!
Karen, you remind me of my dog lol. Not that you look like a dog lmao. But EVERYTHING you do is so adorable!! Like who looks cute eating cheese? No one but you LOL! These duos look so amazing! I can’t wait to swatch Gienah!
Hi Fancie,
Nobody has ever told me that I look cute eating cheese, LOL! Thank you!
Oh i now think the void in my bronzer drawer will be filled! I have never found a bronzer that i have been happy with in terms of how well they sculpt my cheeks!
Since yours is the same skin tone as mine, i know which one to pick!
Hopefully this will fill the void! 🙂
Oh these seem great! I typically don’t contour with blush but Paloma seems great:)
It’s pretty cool. I hope you give it a go!
Damn Karen… I just stocked up on costa riche and now Iwant these so bad… You are not good for mywallet …. (But then you mention RyGos and I melt)
Muahhhhh
LOL, Bee! I wore Costa Riche today, as a matter o’ fact. 🙂
I love a good rosey shade for contour. These look fab!
They sure do. 🙂
Paloma and Olympia look nice!
Hi Let,
They’re both really nice. I can’t do Olympia now, but maybe next year in the dead o’ winter, LOL.
Do you currently contour on a daily basis? Or is it a once in a while thing for you?
I always try to do a tiny bit, just to warm up my skin and build back in the curves after I do foundation.
Nope. I can’t contour to save my life :p . I’ve been looking at a few tutorials and products, but still not sure if I’m doing it right. On the rare occasions that I practiced, I ended up either with obviously asymmetric/unequal contours between left- and right- sides of my face , or with contour that’s way too sharp.
On another note, maybe the contour shade of Olympia could work as a blush on you in the summer? 🙂 It looks like a rosey color on your skin swatch.
I love these! I think the lightest one would work for me, right?
Hi Agata,
Yeah, totally. You might be able to do Paloma after you come back from a long beach vacation!
I was thinking of you the other day…do you have Urban Decay Scorch liner? It would look GREAT with your eyes.
I really think I should get Olympia! Lol. I don’t have Scorch liner, I will have to swatch it next time I am at Ulta but I did love the way it looked in your Unsung Heroes review. How would you see me wearing it?
Gurrrl. These look so good! As a contour addict through and through (did you know that I bought my first contour powder long before my first blush? >.<), I'm dying to give these a go.
And that purse-cheese idea, too 😀 😛
I didn’t know that! That’s really cool though. I bought many blushes before I even entertained the idea of contouring. You’ve got those killer cheek bones, though!
Wow, Karen! Cheekbones for days. What color do you recommend for a NC 30-35 ish? Can you do a YouTube tutorial on how you chiseled does cheeks and face?! With the orgasm blush, please?!
These look awesome! I just ran out of my Nars Laguna. Maybe I’ll try these out. Thanks Karen!
Hey Karen, you’ve piqued my interest in contouring!! However, I have a narrow face. From what I’ve read in the past, it seems that contouring can narrow a face — do you find that the case? Would you still recommend contouring for a person w/ a narrow face and noticeable cheekbones already? Thanks!!
Hi Carolyn,
Yes, I’ve noticed that. I can definitely see the difference in pics — with a little contouring I feel like my face looks a lot slimmer.
You can always modify your contour to suit your face shape. On you, I think I would do a little bit underneath the cheekbones, just to add that extra something if you were going to take pics. Then I think I’d do a very light wash of color just along the edges of the forehead, but I wouldn’t bring it too far inward, because if you do that the face can look more narrow. Does that make sense?
Yes, thanks so much for the tip, Karen!! Hope you are having a good week!
I just saw these online and was wondering how I haven’t seen any reviews for these and here you are! I like how they’ve added some rose tones to the lighter shades. I think very warm contouring can give a muddy appearance on lighter complexions.
I just wanted to note, on top of the baddest cheekbones I’ve seen since Kim K, your skin looks RADIANT and flawless! You must tell me what you’re wearing and your secret!! xoxo
looks really nice, and I like how the shades add subtle depth to the skin.. not very harsh.. me likey 😀
I love love love the subtle but noticeable effect! Can’t wait to swatch!
These duos are nice! I am getting paloma 😉 ! Thanks for those helpful swatches!
I didn’t think these would be my thing, but after your swatches, I need to check the lightest shade. I really love the look it gave, natural but contoured! I bet they would be good multi taskers too, maybe working as eyeshadows in a pinch. 🙂
Why oh why did they not bring back the ITA brushes with these!?! I can’t wait to try this as I love that it is packaged together and who can go wrong with NARS.
Karen,
I love your swatch of Olympia. I use Bobbi Brown honey, do you think Olympia would show up on my skin tone?
I get such a kick out of your clever and well-described shopping/eating/makeup/makeup and more makeup economical writing style. You are an A+ in my (mac) book.
Sincerely, Ann