NARS Orgasm Illuminator Brightens Post-Winter Complexions

Amber Valletta models the new NARS Orgasm Illuminator, applied all over her face for a dewy complexion.

While on a recent cosmetics-counter mission to Saks Fifth Avenue, we found ourselves at the NARS Cosmetics counter, where we discovered the new Orgasm Illuminator ($29).

We sat down for a makeover, and were given a fresh eye look by the makeup artist, who then applied the sheer fluid Illuminator to our cheeks and under our brow line. When used on the highest points of the face, such as the cheekbones and forehead, the product creates a healthy glow with flecks of gold, peach and pink shimmer. For the face of NARS Orgasm Illuminator, company founder François Nars selected 36-year-old Amber Valletta, model, actress and spokeswoman for Oceana’s Stop Seafood Contamination campaign.

To try it at home, squeeze a pea-sized amount of the brightener onto your finger and dot along the cheekbone or brow bone; the liquid formula blends and spreads easily. For more illumination, simply apply more of the product until you reach your personal preference. Mix Illuminator with your regular foundation or moisturizer in about a 3:7 ratio and apply all over the face to create a dewy complexion.

Though the product can be applied with a brush, as it was backstage at the 3.1 Phillip Lim Spring 2010 show, the illuminator is designed to be blended with the fingertips for the natural look that François Nars prefers. This latest addition to the popular NARS Orgasm line, which includes blush ($26), lip gloss ($24) and nail polish ($16), also can be swept onto neck, shoulders or décolletage for added sheen. For the 2010 Academy Awards, makeup artist Tina Turnbow used the NARS Orgasm Illuminator to accent Law & Order SVU star Mariska Hargitay‘s face, neck and shoulders, visible in her strapless Vera Wang gown.

We think the makeup is a good choice for brightening dull, winter-wearied complexions. It also helps to create the fresh-faced look that we noticed at the Burberry, Ralph Lauren and Phi spring shows in our March/April issue’s “Runway Report.” The Illuminator contains raspberry and black currant, known for antioxidant and emollient properties, as well as soothing, anti-inflammatory bisabolol (found in chamomile) and Indian frankincense. Panthenol (vitamin B5) conditions the skin, while sodium hyaluronate moisturizes.

We thought the Orgasm Illuminator gave us a nice, subtle glimmer without making us conspicuously glittery, like a sun-drenched Edward Cullen in Twilight. How do you combat post-winter skin dullness?

Tags: Amber Valletta, beauty, Cosmetics, Edward Cullen, fluid Illuminator, Foundation, François Nars, Human behavior, illuminator, makeup artist, Mariska Hargitay, Marketing, model actress and spokeswoman, Nars, National Asset Recovery Services, Oceana Shipping Company Ltd., Orgasm, Orgasm Illuminator, Panthenol, Ralph Lauren, Saks Fifth Avenue Enterprises, the 2010 Academy Awards, Tina Turnbow, USD, Vera Wang