Nars Orgasm Albatross Blush Highlighter duo Review Photos Swatches

Nars Orgasm Albatross blush highlighter duo ($ 41) available at narscosmetics.comHow do you review an icon, a cult classic, THE blush to end all blushes, the blush that has spawned dozens of dupes?  There is so much hype surrounding the Nars Orgasm blush that I have been thinking about getting it for a really long time.  Nars is not easily available in India and so when I got the chance to get it, I grabbed it immediately.  The blush alone is available for $29 and the duo for $41.  So for just $12 more you get two products in one.

Packaging – Nars Orgasm Albatross Duo comes in the standard Nars rubberized black packaging.  It does attract a bit of shimmer and powder from the fall out and I find myself cleaning the compact after each use. Shade – I’ll start with the most sought after blush, Orgasm.  Sleazy innuendos aside, Nars claims this blush gives you the most natural looking flush.  It is supposed to flatter all skin tones and colors and therefore is one of the most well-known Nars products. In the pan, it is a peachy pink shade with a little bit of shimmer in it.  In the pan it looks more pink to me but once applied it pulls towards peach.  The shimmer is clearly visible once applied.

One of the reasons I picked up the duo instead of just the blush was that I had heard great things about the Albatross highlighter.  This shows almost completely white in the pan and if you take a heavy swatch.  On my skin however, the minute I start blending it in, it gives a yellowish tinge.  This was rather surprising.  I have in fact, used this as a gold accent on my eyelids and it was perfect.  Like any highlighter, this has a fair amount of shimmer.  Blended completely it is very warm and gives me a glow.

Texture and formula – The texture of Nars Orgasm Albatross is super smooth and buttery.  There is some amount of shimmer fall out.  If you are heavy handed and swipe your blush a number of times, you will find a considerable amount of powder gathering towards the edges of the pan. Though both Orgasm and Albatross are almost the same texture, I find Albatross marginally softer and smoother. 

Pigmentation – As you can see in the swatches, Orgasm barely shows up on my NC 30/35 skin.  Seriously! There is a sheer hint of colour with some shimmer but that’s that.  Its great for daily use for this very reason,its there, gives a glow but does not shout for attention.  The swatch on my hand is a really heavy handed swatch where I have gone over the same place 4 to 5 times.

Albatross, being a highlighter, is supposed to be sheer.  Once blended it gives a warm yellowish glow.  I tried getting you a blended swatch, but then highlighters are notoriously difficult to capture on camera.

While Nars does suggest that you use these two together, I find that the blush itself has a sufficient amount of shimmer and does not really need a highlighter to complement it.

Staying Power – Unfortunately this is where both Orgasm and Albatross fall flat in my opinion.  The blush stays on me for a maximum of 2 to 3 hours depending on how hot or humid it is.  I normally don’t use a primer or a setting spray, so you will get some more mileage out of these if you use a primer regularly.  I do use a primer for a night out or a wedding, but then this blush is more of a daily work wear shade for me.

Overall thoughts:

I was expecting to be truly blown away by Nars Orgasm.  Sadly, it did not live up to its lofty expectations.  It is a very pretty shade but I’ve seen similar. The staying power kind of did it in.   I much prefer my beloved Benefit Benetint for a natural daily wear look.

As a highlighter, Albatross does ok.  Can I live without it? Happily.  I prefer the more subtle look of my Estee Lauder Illuminator for an overall glow.

Ratings 

Orgasm 3/5

Albatross 2.5/5

*Written By Dela