Hot Mama powder blush was a gift from a friend a while ago, before theBalm made its way to our shores. She thought I’d like to try something new and different and she was absolutely right.
At first glance, I thought “Hmm… Hot Mama looks a lot like Nars Orgasm!” Its got that same peachy pink tone but I swatched them side by side and its not quite as close. Hop on below for the swatches.
On its own Hot Mama is a peach pink powder that is supposed to work as blush, highlighter and eyeshadow. Theoretically it does. In practice, unless you want to look perpetually flushed and erm… looking like you had too much “fun”, I don’t recommend using Hot Mama all over. What it does work well as is a blush and I would say that it could suit most skin colouring.
Personally I feel that its more wearable for the majority than Nars Orgasm because it isn’t as shimmery and the colour is more flattering. I can wear Orgasm but I much prefer most of the dupes I’ve found and I never caught the hype anyway. My Orgasm blush is languishing away in my drawer untouched for many many moons. So, coming back to Hot Mama – how does it look on? Well, swatches are below 🙂
You might remember me overdoing Hot Mama in a look I did using Guerlain Grace Rouge G lipstick. Yes, Hot Mama is very easy to overdo if you have a heavy hand or if you aren’t careful. If you have darker skin then its not much to worry about. If you have fair skin then you might want to use a light hand and a light touch, building up colour and intensity.
If you are more careful the effect is more subtle. The cover is cute and it comes in a cardboard slip case identical to the cover. I don’t see the point because the case is kept shut with a magnet anyway.
So I know you are wondering this – How does it compare to Nars Orgasm then?
Straight off, side by side with Nars Orgasm and Torrid blushes, Hot Mama is pinker. Its less shimmery than Orgasm but a little more shimmery compared to Torrid.
Hot Mama was the first item I tried from theBalm. Its a nice little brand but it would also be nice if they broke away from the mould of Benefit Cosmetics or Pout (now defunct). Retails in the USA for US$19 and locally at Sasa (so I’m told – I haven’t seen it with my own eyes 🙂 ) but I don’t know the price.
Pros: Nice colour, lasts on my skin,
Cons: Easy to overdo
Have you tried Hot Mama or anything by theBalm? I hear their eyeshadows are getting raves and I was also gifted with Down Boy blush last year which I’ll talk about a little later.
Paris B
Jenn says
Thanks for the review Paris!! I was smitten by this blush when i saw it at Sasa!! So pretty!! 😀
Orgasm didn’t work for me too… 🙁
ParisB says
Orgasm actually works for me but I must prefer the dupes 😀
Joyce Loh says
yup.. they sell it at sasa.. but no idea what is the price. but there is this pouch-set that is rm88 (i believe). They are travel kit size with all there famous product. I guess it’s a good kit to start off with.. and totally agree that you can be too much when using theBalm and have to be extra careful..
ParisB says
Thanks for the confirmation Joyce and I’d read of that set before this and it sounds like a great deal!
Monstro says
Yay! You finally reviewed it! It looks great on you!!
Hot Mama looks better than the other 2 Nars 🙂
I enjoy using it, but definitely only on the cheeks. Who’d use it as an eyeshadow or all over?? LOL!
I heard Hot Mama’s concealer is nice too, but I haven’t tried. Maybe I can check it out at Sasa.
ParisB says
Yay! Thank you for sharing it! 😀 Its definitely cheek only material for me hehe
shaynaJo says
i think i prefer hot mama to Orgasm haha. it has the “washed out” effect that I like when I checked it out in SaSa. Hmm… still thinking if i should get it…
ParisB says
Ironically, yes its got a nicer sheerer effect on the skin as opposed to Orgasm that tends to give you “colour” If its within budget and you don’t have a similar shade, I’d say its a pretty good buy
Jyoan says
I like theBalm cosmetics! I can’t help liking cardboard finish cosmetics, such as theBalm and Benefit. LOL. theBalm lip plumper feels really good, it’s very skin friendly. My first item from them is the Read My Lips Lipstick. It has got jojoba oil and Vit E, I think.
ParisB says
That sounds good! I’ll take a look the next time I steel myself to step into Sasa LOL
gio says
Thanks for the review. The blush looks great on you!
ParisB says
Thanks Gio!
Hanny says
Pretty!!! It looks great on you!!
And as a joke, would you be willing to distribute your NARS Orgasm to the less-endowed masses?
ParisB says
LOL! I would have if the stupid case of the blush did not melt. Its now so horrid and sticky I don’t even want to touch it – hence I don’t use it anymore. I don’t think anyone else would want something so gunky 🙂 Here’s my rant on Nars blush melting cases.
Connie says
hahaha. I certainly wouldn’t wanna look like I’m having too much “fun”! 😉
I’ve tried it, separately, as a blush and as an eyeshadow — not too bad 🙂 I’m trying to make myself love it a little bit more before I review it! Bought mine from sasa for RM65. Quite a good price right? comes up to be the same price as in the US 😀
ParisB says
Ooh thanks for updating the price and yes, its a good price for a decent blush!
Yani says
You’re soo right about how easy it is to overdo it – I did on my first try, and ended up looking like I had “too much fun”!! 😀
ParisB says
Ahem! Not something you want the world to know eh? 😉
Nikki says
very very pretty!!! I will take a look at it down here, I think we have the brand down here , thanks 🙂
ParisB says
I’d love to hear what you think of it!
Adrianna says
Ohh..long awaited review of Hot Mama! I love this blush but somehow the colour will not show up on me(due to darker complexion) 🙁 so what I do is apply a Nars Orgasm dupe and layer Hot Mama on top and ta-da! nicely flushed cheeks 🙂
ParisB says
Thats a great tip for darker complexioned girls! Thanks