NARS has extended their 413 BLKR Collection with two new items in a Blush ($30) and Illuminator ($30). Items are currently exclusive to NARS Boutiques and Narscosmetics.com. (If you missed it, you can check out my feature on the Melrose Boutique.) Both are lovely classic shades suitable for everyday wear.
413 BLKR Blush is a satiny rosebud pink color. It’s a neutral pink rose leaning slightly cool on the skin. It has a soft sheen but isn’t shimmery. The pigment is quite rich with this color but it is easy to blend. I’ve been applying with a super fluffy brush since it packs in a lot of color with a few swipes. It’s a soft rosy color compared to other NARS rose colored blushes which tend to have a darker undertone.
413 BLKR Illuminator is a champagne colored highlighter. The color is exquisite on the skin without being too frosty or pale. I have and use Copacabana on occasion but find it has a sharp contrast with my olive skin. This new 413 BLKR Illuminator has a bit of yellow/gold in it to make it a bit warmer on the skin.
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Some more photos, swatches and comparisons. 413 BLKR Blush and Illuminator:
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413 BLKR Blush
Blush comparisons, left to right:
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Illuminator
Illuminator comparisons: Koh Gen Do Beige (review here), Estee Lauder Tom Pecheux (discontinued), Giorgio Armani Belladonna (discontinued, review here), NARS 413 BLKR, NARS Copacabana, Giorgio Armani Fluid Sheer #2 and Giorgio Armani Fluid Sheer #13 (discontinued, review here)
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Overall lovely classic pieces that are luminous but glitter/frost-free you can easily wear everyday. The 413 BLKR blush swatches warm on my arm but applies cooler and more neutral on the face. It’s a good medium rose pink without being too cool toned or dark. It stays put all day and I like that there is no brown in the color – it doesn’t darken or turn muddy like some rosy colors do on me.
The 413 BLKR illuminator will probably give you a very similar effect to other highlighters, but I like that this one has a very fluid texture that dries to a non-dewy/moist finish (perfect for warmer weather). This prevents it from sliding around. I’ve been using the illuminator a number of ways – on the eyes, under blush, over blush, dabbed over bronzer, and as a regular highlighting product. I own a lot of highlighters already and could probably have skipped this one but I really like it for a liquid.
These are a bit harder to find and test in person if you’re not near a NARS boutique (I ordered mine online) but these two are versatile and neutral enough that I think most skin tones will find these flattering in a good way. They are classic colors with a bit of a kick.
Both are part of the 413 BLKR Collection. The Blush and Illuminator are both in NARS Boutiques now and online at Narscosmetics.com.
Have you tried anything from the 413 BLKR collection? I have the eyeshadow single and love it but haven’t looked into anything else.
