Dominate/Cyprus
NARS Dominate/Cyprus Summer Unrated Cheek Duo ($45.00 for 0.64 oz.) includes a shimmery blush and a matte bronzer; the blush is an existing shade, while the bronzer is new. The compact was quite large, and each pan contained a hefty amount of product relative to even full-sized shades, so the value ended up being better than anticipated. Both shades were pigmented, fairly blendable, and lasted around eight hours.
Ingredients
Dominate
Dominate is a rich, medium-dark plum with strong, warm copper undertones and slightly cooler, pinkish shimmer that translated into a soft sheen once applied and diffused over my skin. It had rich color coverage with a smooth, lightly creamy texture that was dense without being overly firm or stiff to work with, which ensured it blended out well on my skin. This shade lasted well for eight hours before fading visibly.
FURTHER READING:
Formula Overview
for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
- Black Up NBL 04 (P, $26.50) is less shimmery, darker, cooler (90% similar).
- NARS Deep Orgasm (LE, ) is less shimmery, lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- LORAC Rose (LE, $23.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- Dior Plum Pop (11) (LE, $48.00) is less shimmery, darker, cooler (90% similar).
- Shiseido Berry Dawn (08) (P, $29.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
- MAC Faux Sure (P, $31.00) is less shimmery, darker, warmer (85% similar).
- Surratt Beauty De Cherubique (P, $32.00) is less shimmery, lighter, cooler (85% similar).
- Milani Red Vino (P, $7.99) is less shimmery, darker, cooler (85% similar).
- MAC Rhubarb #2 (LE, $39.00) is less shimmery, darker, warmer (85% similar).
- MAC Wonder Years (LE, ) is less shimmery, lighter, cooler (85% similar).
Formula Overview
$30.00/0.16 oz. – $187.50 Per Ounce
From NARS’ website, their blush formula is described as “beautifully pigmented” and “soft [and] blendable.” NARS’ blushes, since they’ve been released in such a massive range of shades over the years, can vary from shade to shade to some degree. Most shades are pigmented with firmer, slightly stiffer consistencies that can also run on the thinner side, which allows greater control when picking up product but some of the more matte shades could be a bit more blendable or easier to work with.
Some of the more newly-released shades have softer, more yielding textures that are a bit creamier and are easier to blend out, though most of NARS’ blushes are fairly blendable. The wear typically ranges from eight to nine hours with a few shades falling above or below this range.
Browse all of our NARS Powder Blush swatches.
Ingredients
ISODODECANE • DIMETHICONE • CAPRYLIC/CAPRIC TRIGLYCERIDE • TALC • PHENOXYETHANOL • [+/- (MAY CONTAIN/PEUT CONTENIR): BISMUTH OXYCHLORIDE (CI 77163) • IRON OXIDES (CI 77491) • IRON OXIDES (CI 77499) • MICA • RED 30 LAKE (CI 73360) • TITANIUM DIOXIDE (CI 77891)]
Disclaimer: Ingredient lists are as available by the brand (or retailer)
at the time of publishing. Please always check product packaging, if it exists, for the ingredient list applicable
to the product you’re purchasing, or the brand or retailer’s website for the most up-to-date ingredient list.
Cyprus
Cyprus is a medium-dark brown with warm, reddish undertones and a matte finish. It had nearly opaque pigmentation in one layer, which could be dialed down by using a lighter hand or built up if desired. The texture was soft, smooth, and velvety to the touch, which helped it pick up evenly with a brush but not be too powdery–I would say a lighter hand is best as it was more apt to adhere strongly to skin if applied over a non-matte finish. It wore well for eight hours before fading a bit.
- Becca Maui Nights (P, $38.00) is more shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
- Jouer Sungaze (PiP, ) is darker, warmer (90% similar).
- REFY Onyx (P, $26.00) is darker, cooler (80% similar).
- Gucci Beauty Dark (05) (P, $62.00) is darker, cooler (80% similar).
- Fenty Beauty Mocha Mami (P, $30.00) is darker, warmer (80% similar).
- ColourPop Bits and Pieces (P, $8.00) is more shimmery, darker, cooler (80% similar).
Ingredients
TALC · MICA · ALUMINUM HYDROXIDE · DIMETHICONE · OCTYLDODECYL STEAROYL STEARATE · ISOSTEARYL NEOPENTANOATE · OPUNTIA FICUS-INDICA FLOWER EXTRACT · MAGNESIUM MYRISTATE · ZINC STEARATE · CAPRYLYL GLYCOL · HEXYLENE GLYCOL · POLYBUTENE · ISOPROPYL ISOSTEARATE · BRASSICA CAMPESTRIS (RAPESEED) SEED OIL · CAMELINA SATIVA SEED OIL · TOCOPHEROL · LECITHIN · ASCORBYL PALMITATE · GLYCERYL STEARATE · GLYCERYL OLEATE · CITRIC ACID · PHENOXYETHANOL · [+/-(MAY CONTAIN/PEUT CONTENIR): IRON OXIDES (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499) · RED 7 LAKE (CI 15850) · YELLOW 5 LAKE (CI 19140)]
Disclaimer: Ingredient lists are as available by the brand (or retailer)
at the time of publishing. Please always check product packaging, if it exists, for the ingredient list applicable
to the product you’re purchasing, or the brand or retailer’s website for the most up-to-date ingredient list.
Cyprus
LELimited Edition. $38.00.