Remember Douceur? That perfect Nars blush—more perfect than Orgasm, more perfect than Deep Throat—that was woefully discontinued? Gone, not forgotten, and ever the touchstone for somber blushes everywhere...so much so that its name ricochets through the digital hallways of ITG (mentioned here, here, and here).
Well last Fashion Week, Nars subtly introduced the world to Impassioned—Douceur's heir-apparent, sans the trace mica particles, making it that much more adult and excellent. It debuted at Mansur Gavriel and Thakoon and will be available to the general public sometime in 2016. Regardless, it's a great goal for winter blush shades, when a vibrant peach doesn't feel right. At the moment, the next best thing is Nars' 413 BLKR Blush Duo. The grayer, taupe-ier of the two, on the left, to be exact. You can save the other half for April. It's what Ji Hye Park is wearing in the above photos. Barely perceptible, but the right amount of life when your cheeks haven't seen proper sun in three months or so.
But given that it's already an approximation of good things to come, here are a few others. Just to tide you over a bit.
Rouge Bunny Rouge Original Skin Blush in Delicata: Slightly pinkier; a sheer Douceur.
NYX Powder Blush in Taupe: The cult favorite, very gray. Dramatic unless layered with something rosier, whatever your pleasure.
Chanel's Highlighting Blush in Coups de Minuit:A little bronze, a little peach, a little taupe, all at once.
Maybelline Fit Me Blush in Light Mauve:A solid stand-in that skews purple.
Ji Hye Park (The Society) photographed by Tom Newton.
More good looks: check out Ava Smith in a barely-there gold eyeshadow, Angel Rutledge with a vampy lip (and then without), and Melodie Monrose wearing every makeup artist's favorite foundation.
