You know what they say: you never forget your first NARS blush (well, I’m sure someone says that).
I remember mine like it was yesterday… I’d just gotten my first paid freelance writing gig, an interview for a small magazine that paid a whopping $25. Man, I was all kinds of nervous, but I got through it without making a terrible fool out of myself, and at the end I felt such relief that I decided to treat myself with makeup.
I made a beeline for Sephora, setting my mind on finding something pretty to wear with NARS Dolce Vita Lipstick, which I was wearing at the time.
I asked a friendly sales associate at the store for ideas, and his eyes lit up immediately. He knew just the thing and pulled out a pan of matte peachy pink NARS Amour Blush ($27).
He beckoned me to come closer. I did, and he swept a layer of Amour on my cheeks, and then gestured toward a mirror. “Pretty!” I exclaimed when I saw the combo with Dolce Vita. It was amour at first sight. 🙂
Ever since then I’ve thought of Amour blush as my interview blush/power tie. It’s one of the products I reach for when I want a polished, confident cheek flush that doesn’t overpower my eye or lip makeup.
If the $27 price tag ties your stomach in knots (a perfectly understandable reaction), keep this in mind: it packs off-the-chart pigment, which means you probably won’t have to use a lot. I’ve had mine for years, and despite using it about once a week, I still haven’t made much of a dent in the pan.
Amour is sometimes referred to as a matte NARS Orgasm, but I find it noticeably redder that that, with less peach. The color seems to vary widely on different skin tones, sometimes appearing more coral, other times more pink or red. One thing it almost always does, however, is look natural, and I think it looks particularly great on gals with golden undertones on skin that pulls to the warmer side of the spectrum.
And even if you’re a lighter lovely, I encourage you to give it a chance. I know it looks dark in its pan, but I’ve seen Amour give a gorgeous pinched cheek look to girls without a tan. I usually apply one layer with a blush brush, but darker damsels may need two. Girls with very light skin might want to try it using a fan brush and a light hand.
Well, mi amour, have you met this loving hero yet? 🙂
The NARS Unsung Heroes series features some of my favorite products from the NARS permanent collection
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Such a pretty pretty blush. This is probably the first blush I ever tried, and therefore NARS = blushes in my mind (yeah, I’m strange like that).
Until I get around to buying, I’m holding on to the little Sephora sample for dear life. Occasionally, I’ll pull it out and sigh at its beauty…..
It’s so pigmented that you probably will be able to hold onto that sample for a while! 🙂
I know, eh!
Wow, I’ve never even seen this blush when I’m at the NARS area of Sephora but now I’m thinking I should! I just hope it doesn’t pull brown on me, as some reds do. I like how you expanded the Unsung Heroes series to NARS!
I hope you take this blush for a spin. 🙂
Have a great rest of your weekend!
I love this color on you! It comes off as a coraly peach, but maybe in person it looks a lot redder? Its funny because in the pan it looks so pink, but it plays off beautifully against your tan skin, I’m definitely going to have to try this! It kinda reminds me of Bare Minerals blush in Flowers, same effect. Either way it’s so pretty 🙂
Will have to check out Flowers. Is it shimmery?
Ooh, this looks super pretty – and I love that it’s matte. (Orgasm is lovely and all, but I’m just not a fan of shimmery cheek products! I find that I don’t reach for it very often at all, so perhaps I’ll need to give this one a try instead.)
I hope you love it, Rae. 🙂
Enjoy the rest of your weekend!
Love this one! It is a lot deeper toned than Orgasm.
Yes! I still love the big O, but this one’s great too.
I only have two NARS blushes and this is one of them. I really like it. I am one of the few people that isn’t a fan of NARS Orgasm.
What’s your other color?
BTW, are you back up in Slo-vato?
This is on my shopping list! I love NARS blushes. I own so many!
Which ones are your faves?
Dolce Vita, Torrid, and Luster!
Ahh I love that color!
I have a Park Avenue blush I bought from Belgium that is exactly the same color, but I was worried I would never be able to get that color again since it’s a European brand. Thanks for this post, Karen!
Hope you’re having a great weekend, Alex!
I LOVE Amour! My first NARS Blush was Outlaw—a really pretty pinky red with shimmer. It’s funny because I went in a Sephora as well and that’s what the rep picked out for me immediately…lol. I don’t think they sell Outlaw anymore and I’ve bought a gazillion other NARS blushes since then so I’ve neglected it. I should break her out tomorrow and reminisce…lol.
You need to show her some love! I know what you mean about getting distracted by other colors, though. 😉
Your description on the peachy-coral shade sold me on this. It looks lovely for your skin tone but it might be a tad dark for mine. Will probably keep this into consideration when I go on another NARS haul 🙂
Even if your skin is lighter you might be able to rock this. Do you have a fan brush? If you use one and a light hand you should be good. Plus the blush will last you FOREVER! 🙂
Cute! Sorta reminds me of MAC’s Pinch Me sheertone blush. What do you think? Great article (as always)! Another must try on my next makeup adventure lol. Thanks, Karen!
You’re welcome, Shann!
What blushes are you loving these days?
Now I am debating on returning my recently purchased and unused NARS Orgasm. I have the exact same skin tone as you, Karen, and I am not a big fan of shimmery blushes. Hmmm. Thank you as always for a great article!:)
Hi Sasha,
You’re welcome. If you like mattes you might love this one!
Another great matte to consider is MAC Blushbaby.
The Amour blush looks really awesome on you! Sooo going back to the NARS counter next week. Oh my poor wallet LOL! Thank you for the recommendation, Karen! I am still very new to the NARS line so your tips are really helping me out:)
Anyways, when is your MAC Evolution Revolution coming out? It’s such a pretty and versatile shade, and I am buying it too. Hats off to you for creating it!:)
Ahhhh, thanks you for this! I bought this on a whim a few months ago when a particularly kind salesman gave me the last untouched tester of Babe, which had been discontinued, and I felt like buying something else would give him more commission maybe!? I don’t know! But ever since, I’ve been so intimidated by how dark it looks, and have been wondering how to wear it…. not anymore!!!!
Funny to think that my first NARS blush was Exhibit A, though, and I had no problems with that! :p
This looks awesome on your skin! I agree, it’s definitely a bit redder than NARS O, which incidentally was my first NARS blush. And it was love at first brush! I’m a bit scared of amour and the more pigmented NARS blushes since I have lighter skin, but I’m encouraged to try it in store now!
I like the look of this one much better than Orgasm, since it’s matte and not so shimmery. Lovely!
You’ve really made me curious with this one! Orgasm is more a highlighter color for me and my go-to shade for NARS is actually the Dolce Vita blush! But I will definitely check this out!
Thanks for the reco, Karen! Keep ’em coming!
(oh gosh, all these exclamation points.)
OMG, I don’t feel so alone now!
I love love love Amour. I recommend t to anyone who would listen. I think it’s a color that looks great on everybody, and it’s seriously underrated (compared to the overrated Orgasm).
I’m NW07 and applied lightly with the Yachiyo it looks beautiful and natural on me.
To me Amour is the perfect summer blush. For winter Douceur is perfection for me (as I’m still so stupidly pale).
I had Amour and I swapped it… now I kind of want it again.
Hi Karen! The blush looks so pretty on you! I think I might try something like this, because I do have medium tan skin with very golden tones, and those sorts of colors always look so natural on.
I usually stick with cream blushes though… do you have any recommendations for Nars Amour shade “dupes” in cream blush form?
Ohh, this is pretty! I will have to check this out!
Btw, Karen, what are you wearing on your lips in the first pic? Is it dolce vita, perhaps?
Thanks! Have a good week.
Hello Dear Girl,
Long time-no talk. I have a new job so I have been rather busy for a while. I used to work for U. but now I work for S. selling perfume and makeup. I will tell you this about working in the industry. It is rather like a person who loves sweets and works in a bakeshop. After awhile, it gets old. You do not have your cravings. At least, I do not have them. i dropped a lot of money at Chanel in April with a national artist. I am completely over Chanel But I must say that when I saw your write up about Amour, I had to let you know that was one of the blushes by Francois that I did have. I also have his Cactus Flower in the cream formula. The Amour is an interesting color; it is not pink or red. It is just that magical color that goes with most skiin tones in a flattering way. I just love to wear it when I do a red lippie. How is your dear kitty? Louise Gray
Hi Karen – same question as Zara above. What other makeup are you wearing in the photo with Amour?
I think this is one of the best blush colors I’ve seen on you! Very pretty
ommmgggg i want this blush! i love matte blushes and this one is gorgeous!
it looks great on you!
The blush looks great.