Is Nars' New Liquid Blush The Next Cult Blush? I Tried It

When I was eighteen years old, my best friend and I went to the NARS Cosmetics boutique on the Upper East Side to get our makeup done before our senior prom. Included in our appointments was the opportunity to take home a couple products of our choosing. The immediate difference that was made upon the artist applying the Radiant Creamy Concealer under my eyes, plus the perfect pink flush that the powder Orgasm Blush gave my cheeks made this decision a no-brainer. And that's the story of how NARS became the beauty brand of my young adulthood.

As a (slightly) older adult who is also somewhat of a beauty editor, I've had the opportunity to test a lot of products—and, in turn, learn more about my personal preferences when it comes to makeup. I know, wholeheartedly, that I'm a liquid blush girl, with the Saie, Rare Beauty, and Armani Beauty products being the rotating stars of my routine. Because of that, my relationship with the NARS blush category became a distant one, but one that I looked back on with nostalgia and fondness—until now, that is. Today, NARS has officially launched their very own line of highly pigmented liquid blushes with its new Insatiable Liquid Blush . While they did release their Afterglow Liquid Blush back in 2023, those were sheer and water-based, while Insatiable is more pigmented.

If you feel like NARS hasn't had a buzzy launch in a minute, you're not alone. Formula changes and minor controversies aside, this feels like this is NARS's return to the scene, and with a product in a category that feels young and modern.

So, let's give a warm welcome to the Insatiable Liquid Blush. Here's my honest review.

My Skin:

I think about how dry my skin is on a regular basis and anything I put on my face is given a lot of thought. When my skin is dehydrated or unhappy, I'm prone to redness in the cheeks and, in general, some makeup products just end up making my skin feel dryer and tighter. In terms of makeup, I'm not only looking for products that won't negatively impact my skin, but those that can also contribute to my skincare routine and overall skin health.

The Product:

While not the first brand or makeup product to infuse skincare ingredients in the formula, the blend of ceramides and peptides in the NARS Insatiable Liquid Blush is a major selling point. While the level at which those ingredients is present in the formula might not be enough to have a life-changing impact on the skin, it might very well contribute to a radiance and glow. Other notable details promised include a second-skin finish, meaning the blush is meant to look like and blend in with your natural skin, 16-hour fade proof wear, and a buildability intriguing to anyone who goes from wanting a subtle flush one day to fully embracing the blush blindness phenomena the next day (me). The formula is also free of alcohol, fragrance, parabens, and sulfates—absolute musts for a dry skinned gal like myself. The Insatiable Liquid Blush comes in a bottle with a doe-foot applicator and is available in a wide range of 13 shades, covering everything from violet to tomato red—and yes, including four reimagined versions of the cult favorite Orgasm shade.

The Results:

Immediately gaining points for the bottle and doe-foot applicator (rather than a squeeze tube), I appreciated the easy application process. I started with two generous dabs on each cheek, and blended with a brush. The product blended seamlessly—there were no streaks and no highly concentrated bits that I could blend out, which I have experienced with other liquid blushes. The product doesn't dry down too quick, especially in comparison to Rare Beauty's Pinch Liquid Blush, so there's no urgency to blend quickly before it sets. That amount of product resulted in a minimal flush, representative of how buildable the product is—this is, in my book, a plus. While some shades offer a shimmery finish, the majority offer a smooth, satiny, natural finish akin to a from within glow and flush. And, when wearing it, generally feels like a second skin without a heaviness or stickiness that I always try to avoid in makeup products.

I have not yet met a liquid blush that doesn't fade at least a little after hours of wear, and this product isn't the exception. But the staying power is notable, as I did still have a distinct flush of blush after 8 hours of wear—which, to me, is worth celebrating.

Of the 13 shades offered, I tried these five: Orgasm (shimmering peach pink), Qué Calor (dusty rose), Brash (mahogany), Orgasm Crush (shimmering mulberry), and Itsy Bitsy (coral). My two favorites, and the ones I can see seamlessly fitting into my everyday makeup habits and routine, were without a doubt Itsy Bitsy and Orgasm Crush.

Worth It?

At a $36 price point, this product falls more in line with Armani's Cheek Tint ($40) than Saie's Dew Blush ($26) and Rare Beauty's Pinch Liquid Blush ($25), all of which also include skincare ingredients in the formulas. With that said, NARS is a high-end brand dipping their toes in a very popular category, which I think is intriguing enough to make this worth trying. Beyond that, the product is easy to use, feels soft on the skin, and actually lasts. So, long story short: yes.

TL;DR

A new liquid blush has entered the chat and we are convinced that this marks a NARS comeback. While the beauty brand hasn't had a buzzy launch in awhile and its Afterglow Liquid Blush (a water-based, sheer blush) didn't exactly reach cult status, the new, highly pigmented Insatiable Liquid Blush has a real shot. The formula includes ceramides and peptides for radiance and glow, the product is available in 13 shades, and the blush is easy to blend, perfectly buildable, and has notable staying power.

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