NARS Taj Mahal Blush Review

NARS Taj Mahal Blush Review

Taj Mahal is well known across the world as a testament of true love. They say that the first sight of the beautiful monument makes you fall in love with it, its true, I have been lucky enough to experience its beauty and glory! However, what I intend to bring forth to you today is not “the epitome of love,” but something which has made people fall in love with it – its  namesake – Taj Mahal Blush from NARS.

NARS+Taj+Mahal+Blush+Review

Product Description:

NARS – The ultimate authority in blush, NARS offers the industry’s most iconic shades for cheeks. Natural, healthy-looking color that immediately enlivens the complexion. A light application for even the highest intensity hues delivers a natural looking flush.

  • Silky texture in matte and shimmering shades.
  • Micronized powder ensures soft, blendable application.
  • Iconic NARS shades.

NARS Taj Mahal Blush 2

NARS Blush offers a range of translucent, natural shades, each with a subtle pink for natural blush undertone, created to highlight the complexion.

NARS truly needs no introduction. It is known for its blushes which have remarkable smoothness, texture, color pay-off with finely milled texture which blends like a dream!! NARS blushes invariably feature as the “Top Blush” of any and every beauty list – year on year.

NARS Taj Mahal Blush 3

Taj Mahal is an iconic blush from NARS. Everyone’s heard of NARs Orgasm – which may well be the most popular blush from the line. However, for women of color, Orgasm turns lack lustre. Step in – Taj Mahal.  As per NARS, it is a “blazing burnt orange with golden shimmer” – which describes it perfectly!

Price:

Rs. 1800 for 4.8 gm/USD $29

Packaging:

Comes in a black rubberised case which comes enclosed in a cardboard box. The case has a decent-sized mirror. However, there is no applicator with it. (which is okay, considering we anyway do not use these, so why bother!)

NARS Taj Mahal Blush 5

My Experience with NARS Taj Mahal Blush:

Well, for me, love at first sight – this was not! I remember seeing the product at Bangkok Duty Free and wondering – “That colour!! On cheeks?? You kidding me!!” And I conveniently forgot its existence. However, while doing some random searches, I came across FOTDs with TAJ MAHAL blush and started wondering…. hmmmm… should we? Honestly, I was not convinced that this was the color for me. See, when someone says “women of color”, “olive skin” – what come to mind is exotic looking Rihanna, Halle Berry, etc, I am a NC35 – am I a women of color? Or just something in between?? Confused! However, one fine day, while placing my order online, with a  lot of trepidation (I mean A LOT), I finally decided to order Taj Mahal.

NARS Taj Mahal Blush 6

Look at the color in the pan – SCARY!! It’s a burnt orange color! I opened this one and thought – “What did I order? Why did I order this!!”. Did a swatch on my finger and the reaction became worse, “Chalo, Rs. 1800/- down the drain!” But, hold on! Then, I tried it on my cheeks! Voila!! Awesome!! The smoothness, texture, colour intensity, etc., remains the same as for any NARS blush – but the color, its something else! Its warm and golden (not glittery) and orange, like sun-kissed cheeks.

NARS Taj Mahal Blush 7

Honestly, let’s face it, with the Indian skin tone, we are not very comfortable with the bronzed-look because one, we like the fair look instead of the tanned one and two, if used incorrectly, a bronzer might make our face look muddy. So for us, this is actually purrrrrrfect! The color ensures there is no muddiness and we still get the warmth on the face. No wonder they say, its amazing for “women of color!”

NARS Taj Mahal Blush 8

But I have to tell you a secret about this blush! You cannot really use a traditional blush brush to apply this. You could, but you would end up looking like a clown! The color pigmentation is so intense that a single swipe of the blush brush would still be way too much! So, what do we do? Use a fan brush! I use MAC184 (its MAC Pro brush) and a gentle swipe of this on the cheeks imparts the most amazing colour! Yes, I am in love! Not love at first sight but this one is for keeps and its perfect for the summer weather, to be paired with all the corals, peaches and tangerines that feature on our lips! It would go with any warm color on the lips.

It would definitely suit anyone with skin tone NC35 and above. Paler skin tones should try this before taking the plunge.

Is it an iconic shade?? It sure is. I do not see a dupe around for this one. You might get orange but not this burnt golden orange.

Pros of NARS Taj Mahal Blush:

  • Its NARS – finely milled, easily blendable,– the works!
  • Its super pigmented – so a little truly goes a long way!
  • Fabulous for the Indian skin tone – adding warmth and color in one single swipe.
  • Iconic color – not easily dupable.
  • Comes in a sturdy easy to carry packaging (with mirror).
  • Extremely long-lasting. The color stays put for good 8 hours.
  • The color works well for day and night both.

Cons of NARS Taj Mahal Blush:

  • The rubberized packaging is a dust and fingerprint magnet – and difficult to clean.
  • Availability in India is restricted to online sites or some local shop keeping imported goodies (and charging a bomb for it)!
  • You would need to invest in a fan brush!
  • No color indicator on the case to identify, identifiable only by name written on the flip side.  Unless you want to leave an imprint of the swatch on the case!! 😉

I know you would wonder why the price does not feature in the cons. Well, considering the quality of the product, you really are getting what you paid for. Also, you need such little amount of the product for each application that this would last you a lifetime.

The pros definitely outweigh the cons. If there is one blush you want to splurge on from NARS, let TAJ MAHAL be it, this summer!

Here is how it looks on my NC35 skin tone.

Kulpreet

IMBB Rating:

4.9/5 (I cannot take away more than .10 from the product because of the packaging)!!

So, which one is your favourite blush for the summers? Tell me through your comments, what is the one item you are currently saving to splurge on?

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16 thoughts on “NARS Taj Mahal Blush Review

    1. *thankyou* *thankyou* *thankyou* I’m so glad you enjoyed the writing! Writing has been my passion for long, though I am new to the blogspace. Will try to ensure that the articles are as real and entertaining as the product being reviewed! *hihi* *hihi* *hihi*

  1. Loved the way you have reviewed NARS orgasm Kulpreet *hihi* I thought only mauves were for coloured people *hihi*

    1. *thankyou* *thankyou* *hifive* Glad you liked the writeup Jomol! Writing for IMBB has given me a new lease on life – I am currently on a sabbatical for the last 2 years (to take care of my babies!). Though I love them to bits, its the first time in 2years that I feel alive…Cause i have a sense of purpose again and am writing again (which is what I love doing) and trying to work out deadlines for myself! Can’t thank IMBB enough for this!! *haan ji* *haan ji* *haan ji* *haan ji*

      As to the color – yes, this one is definitely for the women of color….move over mauves!! *duel*

  2. i looooved that blush color kulpreet. guess that would def be on my list of must have whenevr I am travelling abroad!! *happy dance* *happy dance* *happy dance* It looks gorgeous on you. *clap* *clap*

    1. *thankyou* Rati! Your words mean a lot cause I really admire your sense of style! BTW…congratulation on achieving yet another milestone!! And many more to come! *happy dance* *happy dance* *happy dance*

      You MUSSSSST pick this shade – it is awesome. I am so very surprised that this shade isn’t talked about as much as Orgasm is. And the name originates from our country…even if the product does not!! rofl Maybe the pan scares off people!

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