One of the most talked about so-called ‘dupes’ is the infamous $5.99 Milani Luminous blush which many say is a dead ringer for the even more infamous $25 NARS Orgasm.
Here’s my take on that theory…
You can immediately see the similarities between them. In the pan, Orgasm has a little more sparkle, but the shades are a very close match indeed.
On my skin…
I find Milani’s Luminous to be slightly pinker than NARS Orgasm on my skintone, it also swatches a little heavier which was a surprise to me, as I rank NARS blushes up there as among the most pigmented I’ve used.
The Milani only lasts for a couple of hours before fading compared to Orgasm (a.k.a – shit to a blanket). Once applied to my cheeks, NARS Orgasm has that “Je Ne Sais Quoi”… a slightly ethereal quality that is lacking from the Milani.
Does that relegate the Milani to the dupe bin? Not at all, I would happily take Luminous on a fortnight holiday with me. I love it, it’s a fantastic dupe and I’m pleased to own it. Would I be happy for it to completely replace Orgasm?
No. On my skin, NARS Orgasm gives me that famed full on post coital flush that Milani Luminous only hints at.
oo interesting
I am currently waiting for Luminous from Cherry Culture x
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Thats a pretty close match wow! I actually prefer the Milani one as its packaging looks a bit sturdier than Nars. I find nars products break so easily!
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Did you swatch the old Luminous or the new mineral one? I’ve heard they are significantly different. Apparently, the mineral one is different from the older one.
And, wow! Major pan porn!
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NARS Orgasm and Deep Throat looked like mud on me but Luminous was better but too pigmented. I got rid of all of them eventually. I love your comparison pic! How strange a same blush colour appears so different on different people!
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Can you show swatch pictures of both on your face?
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have you tried elf’s blush.it’s meant to be a good dupe fr the nars orgasm too!
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I really like Luminous but I am a bit more tan than you so I definitely have to use on days when it is not SOO sunny! But it is a GORGEOUS blush for… winter and spring time…
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Love reading your review as always. Luminous sounds nice but I still like my Orgasm
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I totally agree on the quality thing, but you know what else I think you might like – hot mama by the balm, i think it’s warmer but absolutely amazing! and the shimmer in it is stronger to, it’s so dewy/glowy! sexy sexy
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I’m so tempted to buy nars orgasam but somehow I have been convincing myself that I don’t need it.. But tis review was needed..mucho thanks. Love ur posts. U r awsum . xx
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Excellent comparison, thanks
However, i wish soooo much that the Milani had been just as good as the Nars, cos of the price! I just can’t afford Prgasm right now
Mind you, i could just get the Milani one, I guess!
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Prgasm?????
Orgasm i mean!!! lmao
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Hii loser
just wanted to let you know that I’ve featured this post in my ‘Free Love Friday’ post here:
http://freeze3006.blogspot.com/2010/01/free-love-friday-01.html
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Oooh look at you hitting pan on a NARS blush!
I like how both look on you, and agree to how different they look on our skintones! ;o) x
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Shit to a blanket? Care to elaborate on that brilliantly, er, colourful metaphor?
I’ve been meaning to do this comparison since I got a pan o’ Orgasm in my xmas Nars palette, will be interesting to see if my results concur with yours.
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[...] dupes and very nice it is too. But I just don’t use it. I prefer the convenience of the Milani dupe (being a pressed powder) and now I have the real thing, I appreciate that this stuff doesn’t [...]
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As far as Nars Orgasm dupes go, I was satisfied with Milani Luminous until after a few extended wears. Upon switching products around a few times to be sure, I was finally able to deduce it was what was leaving my cheeks with red/blotchy patches.
I shelled out for Tarte Amazon Clay blush in Glisten and found the shade very similar to Nars Orgasm, though a bit more shimmery. Yet, surprisingly, I think I like it best of them all. It’s still a rather pricey blush though.
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