Bronzers are tricky. Not that I’ve done an incredible amount of research (please, suggestions are welcome), but I think I gave up because as soon as I see shimmer in that compact—or, God forbid, sparkle—the deal’s off. I’m all for some glimmer, just not covering mass areas.

So that leaves me with blush, which is a fickle thing in and of itself—you want to look like a cool girl with an imperceptible flush, not a goody-goody cherub. Enter NARS’ new ‘Douceur’ blush. A soft pink brown, it looks, in the compact, like the perfect accoutrement to fall’s fashion palette of tonal beiges. A swipe of it over the nose, forehead, chin and up the cheeks with a big fluffy brush gives my face subtle definition that the daily minimum of mascara and lip balm just can’t deliver. It goes on super sheer and, best of all, there’s not a sparkle in sight.