NARS Multiples in St. Barts, Maui, Luxor Swatches, Photos, Reviews

Julio broke into a smile when I told him before the start of my NARS makeover that what I really wanted to try were the Multiples. Oh my god, it's my favorite thing, he gushed, every makeup artist has this in his/her kit. After letting him know that no, I didn't like too much shimmer, he whipped out what he called the trifecta: St. Barts, Maui, and Luxor, and I was relieved. I've known about these things for such a long time, I just hadn't been able to pick out the best colors (for me) out of their impressive lineup. The ones he picked were the ones I've put into online carts but never took the plunge. So with that out of the way, we got right down to business.

Luxor - an "iridescent pink"

Maui - a "sheer dusty rose"

St. Barts - a "taupe shimmer"

NARS Multiples ($39) have a pretty unique texture. I know it's a stick of cream, but it doesn't feel like one because it's so lightweight. I should note that I do experience some crumbling if I push them too hard against my skin, but that doesn't impede their performance in any way. Crumbled or not, it's good pigment!

The colors are extremely pliable when on the skin. It will literally move anywhere you lead it to, so you can apply the heaviest strip ever on your cheeks and you'll still be able to blend it out. This is potentially dangerous if you have straying fingers. But mistakes can be fixed with a simple swipe of a tissue. 

L-R: St. Barts, Maui, Luxor

The good thing about the Multiples is they could be as sheer or as pigmented as you like. The trick is to build it up in layers, meaning if you want a more obvious look, apply and blend a few layers instead of placing a slab of cream on your cheeks from the get-go. This is because it's difficult to maintain an even intensity if you're dabbing it bit by bit (imagine leveling sand by poking at it finger by finger). You want to drag your fingers through the cream and slide an even layer around your cheeks, then repeat process till satisfied. I should let you know that NARS meant these to be "sheer color" sticks. If intensity is what you want, there are millions of better products out there more suited for that purpose.

My only beef with the Multiples is I can't call them "long lasting." To their defense, NARS never described them that way, but I'm used to my creams being perspiration buffers that cling on against all odds. If I touch my face when the Multiples are on, the color instantly migrates to my fingers. If it's an intense layer of color on my cheek, you will actually be able to see the offending smear. And while I know, I know, I'm not supposed to touch my face... well, who ever eats the vegetables they're supposed to eat? 

One last thing, NARS Multiples are packaged in smooth, velvety twist-up sticks that pick up fingerprints like your life depends on it.

I don't like the idea that these colors could disappear from my face any second of the day, but I do love the teehee I just giggled finish I get from them. I have absolutely no color on my face, so any product that allows me to fake convincing natural flushes will receive a hearty yes, please.