My Picks from NARS The Sweet Sensations Collection – No Inhibitions, High Gear, and Secret Lover
I look forward to NARS seasonal releases, and the latest spring launch didn’t disappoint! Sweet Sensations Collection landed with six new shades of TikTok viral Afterglow Sensual Shine Lipstick, three new shades of cult favorite Afterglow Liquid Blush, and a limited edition eyeshadow palette.
Typically, I don’t accentuate my lips much when I do my makeup. I simply don’t think they are among my best features and prefer to drive the attention elsewhere. However, some lipsticks tend to flatter me more than others, and NARS Afterglow Sensual Shine is among the best I’ve tried so far. The formula combines the lasting powder of a traditional lipstick with the glossy and semi-sheer finish of a lip gloss. This combination helps make the lips look fuller and more even, essentially hiding any lip lines. Glossy finish combined with the highly pigmented coverage helps visually balance uneven lip thickness. My top lip is much thinner than the bottom, but Afterglow Sensual Shine Lipstick creates an optical effect that makes it less noticeable.
I fell in love with two new shades in particular: 210 No Inhibitions and 218 High Gear. I love how both of them are perfect for daytime wear but can be elevated to complement nighttime looks as well. They apply smoothly and instantly make my lips look younger, a high compliment coming from a girlie that’s turning 40 this year!
Thanks to The Sweet Sensations Collection, I also have a newfound appreciation for NARS liquid blush formula. I had used their Orgasm liquid blush for years, but it been sitting in the drawer since I bought some new cream blushes during the previous Sephora sale. NARS Afterglow Liquid Blush comes in a much more consumer-friendly packaging – lightweight plastic tube with a doe-foot fluffy applicator, similar to other currently popular cream blushes at Sephora. It’s much easier to travel with and to carry in your makeup bag. My old one comes in a glass bottle with a pump dispenser, which is kind of heavy and the dispenser can get messy. I feel like this format is more suited for pro-MUAs, while the new Afterglow Liquid Blush packaging is better for everyday use.
Secret Lover is the perfect watermelon pink that can complement a variety of spring and summer outfits. It’s a cheerful and bright shade that sheers out beautifully into a soft wash of color, or can be built up to look more opaque, depending on the effect you’re going for. Secret Lover is also a great choice for anyone that doesn’t like shimmer in their makeup – the formula is totally shimmer-free!
L to R: NARS Afterglow Liquid Blush Secret Lover; Afterglow Sensual Shine Lipstick No Inhibitions, High Gear.
The new Spring collection is available at NARS online and at Sephora.
Have you tried anything from the latest NARS releases? What’s your favorite NARS blush shade?
