fotd: smokey eyes watercolour cheeks

I just realised I haven’t done a full face like this in such a long time! I had to take passport photos on the same day I shot these, so I really REALLY heaped everything on. But this is meant to be a continuation of my review on the NARS Dual-Intensity Cheek Palette, so please focus on my cheeks!

There’s nothing I can say about the performance of the palette that would be news to anyone – the quality of the blushes in this palette are of the same excellent quality as the regular Dual-Intensity Blushes. They’re pigmented and beautifully textured and a joy to both look at and use.

But I did make a new discovery with this palette. Wanna hear something funny?

I realised I (and like, everybody else in the world) have been using NARS Dual-Intensity Blush wrong for years. You know how they say you can use them wet as well, and everyone assumes that to mean you should use a damp brush for an ultra-pigmented look, except nobody really wants to look like a clown so we just all use them dry?

Yeah, well it turns out they actually mean wet wet. Like, watercolour wet.

According to the very bemused NARS ladies who were no doubt wondering why I’d aspire to the neon clown look, you’re meant to use a sopping wet brush and treat these like solid watercolour paints. The resulting finish should be beautifully sheer washes of colour that melt delicately into your skin. This makes SO much more sense now, because a damp application of a sheen-y blush is going to give you a metallic, pore-enhancing mess and I’ve always had trouble reconciling that visual with NARS’ aesthetic. I finally get it, you guys!

To preserve the blushes however, I opted for a safer mixing method: I picked up as much pigment as possible with a damp flat foundation brush with blush, and worked it on a palette with more water till I got that watercolour consistency. Then I sort of dabbed the flat side of the brush against my face and built up the colour slowly.

I applied the highlighter dry though, just to see how it would stack up against my other powder highlighters. And boy did it bring the heat! I got such a gorgeous glow, even though I was using a fairly light coat applied with a very fluffy brush. I love it so much I’m kind of panicking about this palette being limited edition. Logic dictates I shouldn’t buy a second whole palette just for one shade I’ll never use up anyway, but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t seriously considering it anyway.

Face: Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Liquid Foundation in Y225, Kevyn Aucoin Sculpting Cream from the Contour Book Vol. II, Cle de Peau Beaute Concealer in Ivory, NARS Light Reflecting Setting Powder (Pressed)  Cheeks: NARS Dual Intensity Cheek Palette  Eyes: Coastal Scents Revealed Palette, Lancome Hypnose Drama Mascara, NARS Velevet Eyeliner in Black Moon  Brows: Anastasia Dipbrow Pomade in Dark Brown  Lips: NARS Lip Cover in Get Dirty

This post features products were provided as press samples, however all opinions and observations are my own and not influenced by the brand or its PR team. This post contains affiliate links.