4.29.2014

This or That: NARS Orgasm Vs. Milani Luminoso (Peach Blushes for Spring and Summer)

Hello, my name is Elle, and I have a weakness for peach-gold blushes. And polishes. And lip glosses. But seriously, do you have a color you have a weakness for when it comes to cosmetics? I decided to take two of my favorite blushes and pit them against each other. Oh, and I threw in some more because this is my blog and I can do what I want! ;)



Whenever I hear the phrase "dupe alert!" I roll my eyes. It's overused and oftentimes just not true. I don't call something a dupe unless I own both products and can truly verify it. I don't just repost what others have said. And today I'm putting NARS Orgasm against Milani Luminoso (Minerals) to see which is better, and if Luminoso is truly a dupe. Here's this week's This or That:


NARS Orgasm:
  • One of the most popular blush shades of all time, as it is flattering on just about everyone.
  • $24 

Milani Luminoso (Minerals)
  • Often listed as a dupe for Orgasm
  • $7.99
  • Via paper swatch, these do not look alike at all.
  • NARS was difficult to swatch (not a bad thing--some blushes swatch awful, some swatch chalky but look nice on skin)
  • Luminoso was very pigmented.








Swatched on my fingers, they look a bit more similar, with Orgasm having more shimmer.











Swatched on my arm, again they look similar, but NARS isn't as pigmented. NARS is a bit pinker, but still peachy.
  • However, on my cheeks they look so similar, and are very hard to tell apart. I had to build the swatch of NARS to match Milani. The NARS had the slightest bit more of a golden sheen to it.
  • You know I tested these in a variety of ways/methods, such as: O on one cheek, L on the other, vice versa, individual shades worn full day, dry skin, created oily skin, arm swatches, hand swatches, wrist swatches, etc.
  • This or That: Both of these gave me the same amount of wear, and are so similar, that I love them both and would recommend either. It just depends on preference. I wouldn't call Luminoso a dupe, but it is so similar, that I doubt anyone could tell the difference in person.
More Options:





Best Value: Jordana Coral Sandy Beach
    • $2.49
    • Not as much shimmer, which many will prefer
    • But harder to find (try online or Kmart)

Best for Travel: The Balm Frat Boy
    • $21 and cheaper 
    • Very similar to Milani, but with less sheen.
    • Great portable packaging
      • Similar, but more pigmented/no shimmer, The Balm Instain Swiss Dot
      • Similar, but more sheen, The Balm Hot Mama


Best All-in-One: Benefit Coralista
    • $28
    • Comes with mirror and brush (I use the brush to contour with)
    • Scented
    • Creamy and warm-toned peach
  • For those who want a cream blush alternative, I also recommend NYX Cream Blush in Tickled. It looks peachy-golden but swatches a bit pinker, like NARS).
  • I also have some ELF blushes, but none of them were similar enough to compare here.

What's your favorite blush?


55 comments:

  1. they all are very pretty colors :) love em all !! xx
    www.ambifashion.com

    ReplyDelete
  2. Nice post, but I need to clarify it:
    You have the discontinued Milani Blush Luminous, not the Milani Baked Blush Luminoso. That old line of blushes was discontinued for the current line of baked blushes. Supposedly, the old blush is a better dupe than Luminoso.
    How do I know you don't own Luminoso - the lid is completely clear (Luminoso has a gold ring around the clear window) and your blush is flat, while the baked one is curved. Also, I own Luminoso (which I love btw), so I can see the differences.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. People aren't seeing this: the blush Elle compared is DISCONTINUED.
      The one you can still buy is the BAKED blush, NOT the MINERALS one.
      Luminoso (baked) is NOT Luminous (minerals)

      Delete
  3. Definitely agree on the fact that the word dupe is thrown around too lightly! I get sad when I buy a product because I heard it was a dupe but it ends up being totally different. Orgasm and Luminoso both look amazing! xx Rena Kiss and Make Up

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  4. Awww I love the Nars one, btw the shades are so similar and very very pretty, like them so much *-*
    Xxx doll

    Carolina

    www.theworldc.com

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  5. Gorgeous colours! I have a soft spot for peaches, too, I think they just look so gorgeous on the skin! x

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  6. Ling--Correct, that is why I shared this version. I do own both and a post with the "new" baked blushes will be next week.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I see, though the names of the two blushes are different (Luminoso vs Luminous).
      You put down Luminoso, which is the other blush. So I think a clarification of the actual name of the blush is due. For that post, are you planning to compare Luminoso to Orgasm? Or just the new matte ones? I would like to see what you think of them!

      Delete
  7. I'm soooooo disappointed we still don't have Milani and Jordana here....grrrrr....

    PS Been wearing a Rimmel bronzer as a blush lately.

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  8. Thanks for being so thorough with your review! They are both gorgeous colors, but so similar I would probably go with the cheaper version! ;)

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  9. I'm in the market for a new blush....you've got some great recommendations here!

    Courtney ~ Sartorial Sidelines

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  10. NARS has a more soft color for that reason I like it more~
    xx

    www.sakuranko,com

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  11. I love the NARS blush, it is on my wishlist!

    www.sohostyles.blogspot.nl

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  12. I'm loving all these dupes for Nars which can get a bit expensive.

    Cindy's Little Black Book

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  13. i have the orgasm blush but it's a bit too shimmery for me for the day; i usually only use that at night. my go-to daily blush is one by la bella donna (tangerine). but this is a great post for someone looking for a (cheaper) alternative.

    -kathy
    Vodka and Soda

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  14. I could not agree more - dupes are very few and far between!! Would love to see if you could find some dupes for MAC lipsticks!! I'm a huge fan of benefits blushes - so pretty and last a long time...currently I'm using Tarte Amazonian Clay blush and honestly it lasts up to 16 hours!!

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  15. I haven't used any of these brands before. They all are a pretty shade for a blush.

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  16. I have Swiss Dot from the Instain line of blushes from theBalm, but I'm scared to use it! It seems so dark that I'm terrified I'll overdo it! I own Frat Boy, which I love and the baked version of Milani's Luminoso (which I also love). I suppose I need to use Swiss Dot and with a light hand to see if I love it as much as the others. Great post Elle!

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  17. I have heard great things about Luminoso, I'd never heard it was an Orgasm dupe though, news to me haha! Blushes are definitely my weakness, I love Orgasm however I do feel like I have to work a little harder to get a good color payoff.

    ReplyDelete
  18. I always have a hard time with blush so thanks for this review, I have heard great things about that blush from NARS.

    Also, some great giveaways going. I better make sure to enter all of them and hopefully my Birthday Gods will be on my side and I can win some or all. It will be a great Bday gift after all, especially the one from C. Wonder. =)

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  19. I have both Luminoso and Orgasm and I find myself reaching for the Milani blush more often.
    Beautetude

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  20. I wear Benefit's Coralista and I also love NARS' Orgasm, too ; ) Great review/comparison!

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  21. Thanks for sharing! I've always wondered about NARS, so it's great to see actual comparisons.

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  22. Nars Orgasm is my daily blush! I had no idea that the Milani one was so similar...I might get it when my Nars runs out!

    -Sharon
    The Tiny Heart
    Betsey Johnson Giveaway!

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  23. Love that Benefit color! It's so perfect for summer! Great post!

    <3, Pamela
    sequinsandseabreezes.blogspot.com

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  24. I love coral blushes! So flattering and I love that you can build the intensity or blend them with other colors depending on the "look" you're going for.

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  25. Love NARS blushes! I've also been wanting to try the NARS Orgasm Illuminator for spring/summer when I don't like to wear as much powder!

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  26. I love NARS Orgasm! The other blush looks nice too, but during the summer the more shine, the better!

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  27. Those are all gorgeous blushes! I have found that Pinched blush by Nyx is a really good dupe for Nars orgasm too.

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  28. You know how I feel about dupes! If they are the same or similar bring em on! How was the staying power in comparison to the NARS blush? Yeah thanks so much for the introductions!

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  29. I feel like the only person in the world that doesn't own NARS orgasm! I use Laguna {have for years} but need to get on this. They don't sell Milani in Can but will def check it out when I'm in the States next.
    Love these posts girl. xox

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  30. Great post with the comparison. The Nars is my favourite I think...but I love blush from Laura Mercier even more I think...xo Caroline

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  31. I do love Orgasm (I almost made way too many terrible puns/horrible jokes), but I'm glad there is another option out there.
    You are awesome - I really appreciate all the work you dedicated to this :)

    ReplyDelete
  32. I love these type of posts! I am loving the Milani Baked blushes! I don't know if the Luminoso that you have is the same as the Luminoso I have because the baked one is more of a Peach. I think my blush may be different because the packaging looks different too. Either way I love this color and think these comparisons are great.

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  33. Great comparison! I love my Milani blush and have also used Bobbi Brown and Mary Kay.

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  34. Loved this post. I've never heard of the Milani Luminoso Minerals blush - where did you find it? My current favorite blushes are my Hourglass Ambient Lighting blushes.

    katespitz.blogspot.com

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  35. Aphrodisiac by Bare Minerals is really similar too!

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  36. I'm with you on people using the word "dupe" when it shouldn't be used. Just b/c two products are marketed similarly and may LOOK similar does NOT mean they are the SAME... and that's what "dupe" means to me - the SAME!
    I've actually never tried a Milani product for whatever reason. I do like that color... I think I might actually like it more than Orgasm!

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  37. love this post. I usually pick based on colors and then price :)

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  38. You just mentioned three of my faves Luminoso, Coralista and Orgasm!

    Great post.

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  39. i rarely wear blush but i love all these pretty picks! xo jillian - cornflake dreams

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  40. I would have never thought to compare these two blushes but when you show the swatches on your skin they definitely are a bit similar. Smashbox's blush rush in chiffon is another really nice blush in the same color family.

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  41. Great review, Elle (as usual). I love my NARS Orgasm, and have hit pan on at least 3 of those blushes that I can recall. Always a repurchase! :) But I'm truly a coral blush addict- I have soooo many! Don't have the Milani though, so maybe a pick up next time I'm a CVS.

    -Ashley
    http://lestylorouge.com

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  42. I found your blog through GA Bloggers! So glad I did! I love this post! I have a beauty blog too and I'm from GA as well! Following you on Bloglovin'! :)

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  43. i'll have to check out that nyx tickled. looking to try creme blushes.

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  44. Great peachy shades and reviews! I bought a peachy blush (with shimmer) last summer from Lancome. Can't think of the name of the shade right now--but I really liked it. T. http://tickledpinkwoman.blogspot.com

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  45. I like the Jordana Coral Sandy beach. I like how you try it so many ways to get a real sampling.

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  46. I have heard lots of raves about Nars blush. Nice swatches and comparison dear.
    I love maybelline blushes :-)
    http://naturelbellefemme.blogspot.com

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  47. Thanks for the comparison and review! I have been meaning to pick up the Milani blush. It's gorgeous!

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  48. Those are so pretty! I always go for those shades too.
    http://www.averysweetblog.com/

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  49. I've been trying to find a new blush because a lot of blushes don't show up on me very well. I love the peachy color of the blushes but I'm not a fan on the golden sparkle but I know at the end you talked about nyx cream blushes and I own one and I really like it so I'm going to look into the color your mentioned! :)

    Nina
    http://curvymod.blogspot.com/

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  50. The sheen of NARS Orgasm is way too much for my tastes, I much prefer Milani Luminoso

    http://www.mercuteify.com/

    ReplyDelete

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