Nars Dolce Vita Blush Review by Storybookheroine

When the first pictures of Dolce Vita popped up on the internet I have to admit I was disappointed. It was dark, muddy, matte and did nothing to make me want it. Now I love Dolce Vita lipstick. It's an easy staple to love with it's flattering muted dusty rose color and go with everything appeal, but I saw little resemblance to my beloved lipstick in the picture (nor did it look like the DV Velvet Matte or Lipgloss). When the collection hit the internet I decided to give in and order it and I have to say I am very pleased I did. The initial pictures did not show the true color and for those of you looking at the pictures I shot this is a more accurate depiction of Dolce Vita blush and it is not as dark once applied.

So, what does Dolce Vita blush look like on? On me (NARS Mont Blanc, BECCA Sand, PPP/FFF) it's a nice, muted, fresh from the cold flush that is not too pink or too bright. Dolce Vita has a touch of red to it but the "dustiness" of the color mutes enough to save me from looking like a clown. As for it being a matte, I love the look. It's a perfect choice for rosy cheeks (even for us neutral to warm tones) and if you have not been able to pull off rosy cheeks before without looking like you have rosacea, Dolce Vita may be just the blush you are looking for.
The soft pomegranate color is perfect for the fall, it just about screams it but I can not help but wish it was more the same shade as the lipstick.
Let me explain.
I think, though the bit of red makes for a gorgeous blush it is not true to the original Dolce Vita shade. So really my only compliant is the name since I don't find it is true to the spirit of the color NARS has managed to duplicate in three lip products (and I'm sure a future nail polish and who knows what else). I wish it was that color because I feel it would be a great shade for my coloring. What has been released is a beautiful shade but not what fans the lipstick would think it would be based on the Dolce Vita name.

Dolce Vita is a very pigmented and I recommend just touching your brush to the pan and building to the intensity you like. I use the standard NARS blush brush, tap the color on one side, apply to the apple, then flip the brush over to the clean side and drag the color from the apples back and up. It is not as challenging as say Exhibit A which I gave up on years ago but I don't think anyone will be hitting pan on this in a very long time. It has the same quality of other NARS blushes, long lasting, silky texture and high pigmentation. If you have a skunk brush or the MAC 187 this would be a good choice for application to fair skin and I think this would look great from the lightest to the darkest of skin tones and maybe that is the point for intensifying the color for a more universal appeal.

Overall I think this is a great blush for Fall and Winter, just remember it's very pigmented, it is not going to be the same shade as the lipstick and apply sparingly and I think you will be very happy with the results and product.

Photo Credits: Storybookheroine

Disclosure: All products mentioned in this review were purchased by the reviewer.