Rose Gold Blushers: Affordable vs High End

Nars Orgasm dupe

Before I get into this post, just wanted to throw something out there. The word "dupe" quite often winds me up. A "dupe" is a product, usually an affordable one, which models itself on a more expensive, higher end brand offering. It may or may not also take inspiration from the packaging but in essence it means that the product "should" perform the same as its more expensive counterpart, with a similar shade, formula and durability. To me, the packaging doesn't matter. And to be honest, I would prefer if affordable brands didn't copy the high-end brand's packaging. To me it discredits the designers of the original product who more than likely spend considerable time getting the logos, branding and packaging right. All that being said, curiosity got the better of me and I couldn't not test this one out! So today I'm comparing a very affordable supermarket blusher with a higher-end counterpart.

Nars Orgasm dupe

The affordable blusher is in this week's Aldi Special Buys and it's the Lacura Blush in the shade Rose Blush. It contains 4.5g of product and will set you back €5.99 if you were to throw it in your trolley with the weekly shop. It is part of a range of several beauty Special Buys this week which all give a very strong nod to more expensive brands - including a face moisturiser/balm, a primer, a foundation, a mascara and a bronzer. It's clear when you look at each of those products where their inspiration came from.

Nars Orgasm dupe

In  this case, the writing, the sleek matte packaging and the colour itself bear a striking resemblance to one of the most popular and possibly one of the most universally flattering blushers with a rather cheeky name - Nars Orgasm.

I don't have the full-sized version of Nars' blusher but I do have this rather cute mini that came in a previous Glossybox so that's what I'll be comparing the Aldi offering with. The full sized Nars version would contain 4.8g and set you back €32.00.

Nars Orgasm dupe

In terms of packaging, as I mentioned, both are very similar. I thought that the Aldi packaging would feel less sturdy but it's hard to tell the difference. Also, sometimes affordable brands don't add mirrors to their compacts but the Lacura one does thankfully have a decent mirror.  You can't see much in the mirror in my Borrowers'- sized Nars one but to be fair you would in the full-sized version. My Nars one has been in my collection a while and you can tell that it's well used - which is why it doesn't look as smooth as the brand new Aldi one does.

Looking at the product in the pan, there is also quite a good resemblance. Both are a very similar rose gold shade, and both have a shimmer going through them. I had thought that the Lacura one would be a chalkier or more glittery powder but it's actually quite soft and smooth like the Nars one.

As you can see from the swatches, it is difficult to tell the difference between the two - can you tell which is which?

Nars Orgasm dupe

On the left is Nars Orgasm and on the right is Lacura Rose Blush.

It is worth  noting that I did have to swipe a little more into the Lacura blusher to get the same intensity as the Nars blusher, but not overly so.

It is also worth noting that the Lacura blusher has a cruelty-free symbol on it whereas Nars is sadly not a cruelty-free brand anymore.

So do I consider them "dupes"? In my opinion, and I know it's a bold claim to make and one that I don't make often, yes they can be considered to be dupes. If I was looking to buy a rose gold blusher but didn't want to spend a fortune, I would opt for the Lacura version. I do wish they hadn't copied the packaging so much though as I don't think it's necessary. If I felt strongly enough about that not to buy this product or if you do, then Sleek Makeup do a very pretty Rose Gold blusher shade, both in a single compact and in their face palettes which contain a blusher, highlighter and contour powder.

If you're interested in picking up the Lacura blusher, I'd move fast because as per usual with the Special Buys, they are limited edition and I'm sure they won't last long. They are in stores as of today Thursday 22nd November. If you try it out, let me know what you think!

Bye for now,

1 comment

  1. Picked the Aldi blush yesterday, great colour, minimal shimmer and luxe packaging-its talc free so it's a winner for me! ��