Product Spotlight: NARS Blusher in Orgasm

Product Spotlight: NARS Blusher in Orgasm

Few beauty products are as iconic as the NARS cult blush in Orgasm. With one sold every second around the world, it’s the perfect hybrid of pink and peach, with a soft gold shimmer that looks flattering on all skin tones. If you’re not already familiar, here’s why it’s worth a place in your make-up bag…
Photography: @NARSISSIST

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Why It’s So Cult

Developed by Mr. Francois Nars himself, this cult product was inspired by his mother, who loved how blush made her feel. Since its launch in 1999, the NARS blusher has since become a favourite among celebrities like Catherine Zeta-Jones, Emma Stone and Jennifer Lawrence. Wearable, versatile and perfect for a little bit of glow, it’s no wonder one sells every second globally. It’s now so popular in fact, the brand has built an entire collection around the ‘Orgasm’ shade – including a gloss, an illuminator and a multi-puspose stick which can be used on the eyes, lips and cheeks. 

Why It Has So Many Fans

Make-up artists, influencers and top A-listers all swear by this blush, including Meghan Markle – who said it was one of her “top five, can’t-live-without-products”. The reason? It suits every single skin tone. The pink undertones naturally look great on lighter skin, while the peachy undertone and gold shimmer give additional warmth. On darker skin, this combination gives the complexion an instant hit of brightness, while the in-built shimmer provides some subtle glow. Other fans include Millie Mackintosh who uses the Cream Blush Stick formulation to lift her skin tone “for a flush that’s youthful, pretty and believable”. Let’s not forget the texture either – despite being a powder, it’s finely-milled for a sheer finish that looks light and luminous. 

@NARSISSIST

@NARSISSIST

How To Use It

Most experts will say blush shouldn’t just be relegated to the apples of your cheeks – instead, think about where you would naturally flush and go from there. To get the most from this NARS iconic shade, focus on an upward trajectory: “Take your blusher slightly higher, in an upward direction towards your ears,” advises make-up master Ruby Hammer MBE. “This will look a bit more sophisticated and define the shape your face, giving a more chiselled appearance overall. My other tip is to blend, blend and blend again. It will help everything melt into the skin for a seamless glow.” 

What The Brand Says:

Few blushers have stood the test of time quite like NARS Orgasm. Still popular 20 years later, brand founder Mr. Francois Nars believes its name and versatility explain why: “I never anticipated ‘Orgasm’ becoming so successful. Looking back, I think the combination of the name and the shade helped it become such a sensation. Without such an audacious name, I don’t know if it would have become so iconic. When I named blushes at the time, I wanted them to evoke an emotion or a feeling. When you blush naturally, it’s a reaction to that feeling, so I wanted the shade names to relate appropriately. I had other names in mind, including ‘Passion,’ ‘Sensation’ and ‘Gaiety,’ but we landed on ‘Orgasm’ and never looked back. As for the shade, it’s special because it really does suit all skin tones – there’s no one that can’t wear it.” 

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