Just uttering the words Nars Super Orgasm Blush ($25), makes my cheeks flush with embarrassment. Maybe it was all those Sunday morning Catholic masses, LOL. All I know is when I say the name of this blush, I feel the need to cover the ears of small children (and pets) within the vicinity.
All awkward name issues aside, I have to give Super Orgasm props. It begets cheeks with a perfect, just-pinched, shimmery peach color. Super Orgasm Blush would totally be the stuff of legend if it weren’t for one flaw — massive, meteoric, chunks of golden glitter.
Nars Holiday Collection 2008
Rich, Pigmented Color… YES!
Released as part of the Nars Holiday 2008 collection, Super Orgasm is the amped-up version of Nars’ best-selling Orgasm Blush, touted for years in beauty mags as a universally flattering shade for a boom-chicka-wah-wah glow.
Unfortunately, the light, peachy-pink color never worked on my tanned skin. Instead of a post-O flush, my cheeks looked candy-colored and clownish. Eeek!
But Super Orgasm’s darker, more intense pigmentation works for me. It’s so saturated with color that just one layer produces a beautiful, golden, peachy-pink glow. Oh yes, yes, yes!
Big, Chunky Glitter… NO!
But then comes the glitter.
Sigh.
There’s lots of it. The pieces are very big and unevenly shaped, so they don’t sit on the skin well. Most of the time I see flecks sticking up on my cheeks!
Also, the glitter pieces migrate like a flock of Canada Geese, flying off my cheeks and landing on my nose, chin and forehead.
The Good News: It Looks Great in Photos
There’s one thing that saves this blush, and that is it photographs well. In pictures the glitter isn’t as obvious, and the shimmer looks dewey, not oily.
Despite my issues with Super Orgasm’s gobs of gritty gold glitter, I’m still going to keep this around. I figure if I use it very sparingly I can avoid looking like I just escaped a tranny group hug!
Nars Super Orgasm Blush
Price: $25
Use: A shimmery, peachy-pink blush with gold pearl and glitter
Makeup and Beauty Blog Rating: B
You can’t escape the glitter.
In the future I plan on using Super Orgasm just as an accent color. Next time I wear it, I think I’ll use Nars Torrid blush (a shimmery coral gold) on the cheeks and then pop Super Orgasm on the apples to add some dimension.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
I love the original Orgasm blush. I saw this one and I decided not to get it for exactly that reason – too much glitter! I’m way too old to be wearing that much glitter on my face! I love their new Silent Night eyeshadow too, but I think I’m going to have the same problem with that too 🙁
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I agree. I tried this at Sephora the other night and felt that it was just too much for me. If I were 19, maybe I could wear the glitter, but, well, I am not 19.
Wow..those glitter particles really are huge. Think I’ll pass on this one, I’m super pale and I think I’ll just end up looking all kinds of wrong!
Bx
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Wow, those glitter chunks are seriously massive !
That post had me laughing out loud! I think I shall stay away from this and stick to my regular Orgasm, thank you very much! 😉
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I have the original Orgasm, but I’m just not a “blush” type of person, so it’s barely been used.
That’s the way it is with so many of my makeup items–I think, “Oh wow, that’s a pretty purple eyeshadow, I love it!” Come to find out I have an almost *identical* one at home, sitting a drawer, unused. Perhaps I have so much I just forget what I already own.
With all the Holiday collections coming out I’m having a hard time resisting the urge to buy. But I know I have a ton of wonderful, expensive makeup in my bathroom just waiting for its 15 minutes of fame.
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I wonder if you can brush some of the chunks away with a fan brush after applying it? Sometimes I find the glitter less sticky than the shawod/blush its embedded in.
I was surprised too when I saw the huge chunks of glitter…seems a bit tacky for a brand like NARS.
Hahaha tranny group hug… sounds fun!
I agree, I think even the original is overrated. I have to use it on top of other blushes to get any real colour payoff and in the wrong light I look crrrrazy shimmery. At least this was a castoff from a friend and I didn’t pay out for it.
I have never gotten the appeal of Orgasm or this new Super Orgasm. I tried both…not impressed. It’s like Maybelline Great Lash mascara for me…I just don’t get the hype.
I fell for that Great Lash hype! Ugh…*and* the waterproof version of it …Shame on me!
thanks for the photos/swatches. I haven’t been tempted by this yet, and still aren’t. I’m pretty pale and the regular works for me. Plus, I don’t want chunky glitter migration! (this sounds like another entry in your bad glitter files). For now I’ll stick to punching up my powders by layering becca cream and tarte gel blushes underneath. 🙂
Love the Meg Ryan “original orgasm” photo LOL
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Hey Karen!
I was at Sephora yesterday and tried Super Orgasm and yeah, the glitter totally killed it for me. There were literally big huge pieces of glitter on my cheeks…I’ll have to pass on this one. HOWEVER, I would like to happily inform you that it was also my first time trying Orgasm and Oh. My. God. I loved it! I am buying it ASAP! I went with my sister and showed her after trying because I was so excited, but all she could muster was a deflated “Um…It looks like you just went running and your cheeks are still red from it.” Ummm Hellooooo that’s why it’s so perfect, right???? It’s on my list 😉
Ohh Karen, One more thing, I just scrolled up and realized in the pic with all the NARS products above the eyeshadow I tried on yesterday is also there–the yellow/green one. I really loved that but I wanted your opinion on it…What do you think?
Also, about the Orgasm blush (the original), what do you think of the staying power of it? I want to get it but I don’t want it to be something that is completely invisible in 2 hours…I forgot to check how long it was still on my cheeks yesterday.
I really like glitter but hate the feel of it thats why i probably will stay clear of this!
I have the chanel gloss but i found that it really was too glittery after it wore off. I was left with a silvery mess on my lips…. i guess we just have to wait for a lightweight formula. (For now i use glittery eye shaddows as glitter for my lips)
I hope your ok and not too sad?! Is Tabs keeping you company while the hubby is gone?
On the glitter theme…Today picked up my new Paul and Joe haul!
The new eye glosses (N series)- New improved formula! I picked up #1 & #2 (I used to use the old formula #1 called sable dore religiously)
Karen i strongly suggest you try them out on the back of your hand. Whilst wet you can mix them with your shaddow to create more sparkly shades PLUS they feel so cool and non-grainy on your eyelids!!
Milky Lip Treatment: Marie the Cat from Aristocats- AMAZING!! I used it 2x today and my cracked lips have dissappeared but i can see that the tube wont last long!
The hand cream is fantastic too!!
Argh I just cannot decide if i want this blush or not!! I adore the original, but half of the appeal for me of it is that its so subtle and I can apply a lot without it looking like those photos of me as a 5 year old after I got hold of mum’s blush!!
Im torn because I love the original so much that I feel like I want to hop on this bandwagon but at the same time chunky glitter drives me insane and I reeeeeally shouldn’t buy much makeup before I go to NY in Jan as I intend to haul like theres no tomorrow there!!
P.s. you are SO not alone in being embarassed by the name, the first time I bought it I couldn’t bring myself to ask for it by name and just kind of pointed at the tester and blushed, now I really want the multiple to go with it but lord knows how im going to bring myself to ask for that one, I think I will have to order it online haha!!
LOL Karen – tranny group hug! You’re too much 😀 Thanks for reviewing this, I’ve had my eyes on it for some time. I treated myself to the original Orgasm blush a while back (and showed it to no one, that name is embarrassing! :/). It looks great as an accent color over a deeper blush (just like the “super” version does) or combined with bronzer. It’s also high quality and lasts forever, so I have no regrets. The only downside is that in the summer I’ll be too dark to pull off the bright pink, but it’s making itself useful for this season.
I haven’t commented here in forever, so I hope you’re doing well and hanging in there. Best wishes to your family. 🙂
Dang! That’s some crazy chunky glitter. I don’t like shimmer in my blush in the first place so I’m definitely going to have to pass on this one.
How’s your mom in law doing?
Ha! Love the glitter chunks as a flock of geese! 😀
I like Orgasm well enough, but it’s not my fave. It borders on too peachy for me, so I wouldn’t buy another version. I might try the new Benefit Coralista for a subtle, blush!
i too have never gotten the hype for the orgasm blush. instead i stick with mac’s margin.
Ah, I was about to get the Super O yesterday but clicked on the red X on the upper right corner of the screen at the very last minute. Your review cracks me up!
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Yeees girl – orgasm never worked on my tanned skin either!! I’ll check out the rest of the Holiday line next time I’m at Sephora cuz right next to MAC and Stila I’m a Nars girl!
HI Jenni,
Yeah, I hear you. I feel like my big-glitter-on-the-face days are behind me, too. I haven’t tried the Silent Night eyeshadow. It looks pretty…
Hi Bella,
What did you think of the other stuff in the collection?
Hi Beth,
Yah, this might be a bit too much for you. It’s pretty bright on me if I go crazy with two whole layers, LOL.
Hope you are having a nice week. 🙂
Hi Anna,
Yah! And they’re unevenly shaped… it so weird. Do you think you might try any other items from the holiday collection?
Hi Vampyvarnish,
Ah, you are one of the lucky ladies who can wear that color! I am so jealous.
Hi P. Potter,
I hear you. I like to think of it as collecting. Some people covet Beanie Babies or stamps; makeup is just another thing to hoard. I spoke with a guy the other day who was a freelance makeup artist and he told me in great detail about his Dior quint eyeshadow collection. Yes, I was totally enthralled. 🙂
Hi Cloudburst,
I tried manually picking them off with my fingernails. I got most of the bigger chunks, but not all of em. Later on in the day it was all over the frickin’ place. I looked ready to go clubbing at 4 in the afternoon, ha ha ha!
Hi Shiny,
Good thing you got it for free!
Hmm, maybe you can mix it with a bronzer?
Hi Shefali,
Ha! It’s good to know that I’m not the only one not in the cult of Nars Orgasm.
What I don’t understand is LashBlast…
Hi Amanda,
Oh, layering is so much fun. Have you ever tried Laura Mercier cream blushes? I really like hers.
Speaking of Becca, I saw the Avalon palette the other day and I think I’m going to get it!
Hi Katee,
Thanks!
Hi Okyanus,
Oh, you’re one of the members of the Orgasm cult now! 🙂 I wish that same magic worked on me… le sigh.
Regarding the yellow color, that’s Silent Night eyeshadow. I haven’t tried that one yet! Out of the holiday eyeshadows I only have the Jolie Poupee Duo. I swatched it the other day and am liking both the shades (read = no obnoxious glitter). 🙂
Hi Tali,
EEK! You just reminded me that I have to call Bergdorf’s! I hope the collection is still in stock. *tears*
I am very intrigued by the eye glosses. I don’t have a Paul and Joe counter near me so I’ll have to go on info I find online. I am worried that the N series glosses will slide off my eye. How is the staying power?
Oh, and Tabs is being a very good roommate. Although he never cleans up and never cooks he always lets me pick him up and hug him when I need too. 🙂
Hi Holly,
Oh thank gawd! I feel really ridiculous saying it out loud, “Super Orgasm.” LOLOL! You think that they’d be able to think of a better name, sheesh!
Ya know, if you love the original shade then you probably won’t need this. It’s *really* dark, even on me!
Hi Elena,
It’s nice to hear from you. 🙂 How have you been?
Hi Brittany,
Wait till you see it in person. When you see the glitter you’ll feel like you’ve been instantly transported to Studio 54 in the 70s! I kid you not!
Thanks for asking about her — she went in for tests today. Tomorrow is the operation. El Hub says that she’s nervous, but she’s hanging in there. I just keep hoping for the best, you know?
Hi Glosslizard,
I am *dying* for that new Benefit blush. I can’t wait to see it! Part of it is the box… it’s so cute!
Hi Allie,
Margin is a good one. I have Sunbasque, which is the deeper version of Margin, and I love it.
Hi Dao,
LOL! You are a girl after my own heart. I do that all the time!
It’s so satisfying to put all that stuff in my cart and then just walk away from the temptation!
Hi Lexi,
Be sure to check out the Joie Poupee duo — tis very pretty on tanned skin! Hopefully I’ll have some time to use it tomorrow for a fotd.
Hi Karen! I’m so glad that someone else felt the same way too! I bought the blush online at Sephora, and when the box came I was so excited – who wouldn’t love a souped up version of the original blush? Apparently me and you! I opened it up, and was like “What’s with the giant glitter chunks?!” I returned it…which was too bad, b/c the color is really pretty. I just think I’m too old for glitter that is that chunky. 🙁
Hi Jaime,
Eek, de ja vu, vu ja de! I totally had that same reaction. I wish they’d do a revamp of this one and just leave out the glitter chunks. That would be my dream come true!
Man o man, I loooove NARS blushes but I hated the original Orgasm because it just didn’t look good on my skin tone. I am also avoiding this one because too much shimmer/glitter makes me look super oily in person and especially in photos! I was at MAC the other day though and I can honestly say that their new blush from Red She Said, STARK NAKED, is a fantastic dupe! It doesn’t have the chunky glitter and gives a nice gold sheen instead and the color is almost identical. I am thinking of purchasing it since I only have 1 MAC blush to date =)
Karen.. eyeglosses are amazing for impact but you do get a bit of glitter on your cheeks at the end of the day. I use Urban Decay eyelid primer.. it lasts all day on the eyelid though!
I would not but the brown (i think its #5) way too shiny for a brown!
My only advice to you is with paul and joe eye glosses… only buy if you use a glittery eye regularly!
OMG Huge glitter chunks. Definitely not my cup of tea. But I’d like to try the original (no glitter) Orgasm blush. I heard it’s perfect for fair-skinned ladies such as myself 🙂
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Those glitter chunks are enormous!!! I have the original and on my super fair freckly skin it looks gorgeous so I bought the multiple orgasm too but that is also way too glittery, great colour too much glitter and super orgasm looks even worse.
Can I just ask your opinion on nars lipglosses, I’ve been wanted to try them but wonder if they’ll be as good as chanel aqualumiere (I’m not really into sticky glosses).
Love your blog it always brightens my day!
Hello Karen!
The Super O looks great on you!! I wanted to know… what’s on your lips? I just read your review for Givenchi pop gloss and I can’t wait to try it myself.
Love your posts, always refreshing!!
lol…this post was funny! I also may consider staying away from this shade, although I may still try the original.
Nars Orgasm didn’t do it for me so I won’t be checking out the super O.
That’s what I exactly loved about the blush – the golden glitter! honestly, I probably woul not wear that. I tried NICO which is very subtle nude with a bit of goldglimmer, and it works fine.
But when you have skin that is juts not perfect, the glitter will put an emphasis on every scar and pimple you have.
It works though very well for photos because trhe light is refelcted, and for the club 😉
Still – it glitters, I want it. Ha.
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