If you read my post last week you might remember that I have been considering replacing my beloved Nars Orgasm blush.
While I still love the color, I had been debating if the Nars blush was worth the $25 price tag.
So, in the name of comparison shopping, I decided to comparethe only way I knew how: side by side.
On first look, I like the Nars packaging better. It’sgot a lovely, slick-yet-sturdy little compact. Mine is obviously dirty because it’s been hanging out in my makeup bag for a few months, so pardon my dirtyness.
TheBalm blush is in a papery compact. While it’s nice now, I can imagine that in a few months it might start to fall apart and not hold up as well as the Nars packaging.
Looking at the blush itself – the two are very similar.
The differences: the Nars blush is pinker. TheBalm blush is peachy.
TheBalm blush is also a bit more powdery – I believe it will not hold up as well as the Nars. It seems very crumbly and I even broke out a chunk of it with my fingernail by accident.
And now, the true test: how does it look. (I apologize for the picture quality. It was late at night… and it’s blurry – but it gets the point across).
The Nars blush is much pinker, much more of a natural flush.
TheBalm blush is very pretty on the skin. It feels very smooth and wears nicely. If you have large pores, I might steer clear – the shimmer in Hot Mama is much more instanse than Orgasm.
If you are very fair-skinned, you may prefer TheBalm Hot Mama over the Nars Orgasm.
I’m definitely going to use Hot Mama – it’s pretty and I think it’s nice.
However… in my battle of the blushes – there’s a clear winner.
Nars Orgasm, 1. TheBalm Hot Mama, 0.
About Jo-Lynne
You’re right, they are very similar. But, I do like the Nars better on you (I know, that’s probably not what you wanted to hear!). 😉 I’ve been wanting to try Nars Orgasm for a while now, but I’ve had a hard time swallowing the price tag, too. I already pay an insane amount for my foundation… although it’s totally worth it.
Nars Orgasm is my favorite blush ever and I love me some blush. I just ran out this morning and I need to get some more stat!
Nice smackdown! I couldn’t deal w/the papery container of Hot Mama. Thanks for pointing out how the colors might look on fair skin vs darker skin. Org is great because it looks good on so many skin tones. Whoever created it is genius.
i definitely like the nars blush better on you. I use Bobbi Brown though and love it.
I finally broke down and bought the Nars Orgasm after someone reviewed it here on Chic Critique and declared it fabulous. I love, love, love it, and it’s well worth the price. I’ve had mine for a few months, and it looks hardly touched. It’s lasting forever, and the compact is nice too. 🙂
I’ve worn Nars blush forever. Love it!
The Nars blush really is pretty. I have it, myself, and I’m typically a thrifty gal when it comes to makeup. It just looks so natural; I haven’t found anything else that looks as good!