NARS Dark Rite Soft Touch Shadow Pencil Review, Photos, Swatches
Friday, January 13th, 2012
NARS Dark Rite Soft Touch Shadow Pencil
NARS Dark Rite Soft Touch Shadow Pencil
NARS Dark Rite Soft Touch Shadow Pencil ($24.00 for 0.14 oz.) is described as a “navy blue.” It’s a dark navy blue with a shimmery finish. I feel it necessary to do a full copy-and-paste from spring’s press release regarding this product, because too often I receive comments and emails saying I’m being unduly harsh and unfair, all because NARS “meant” for this product to crease; that this is supposed to have that “creased” look. I’m harsh, but I don’t think unduly so; this is an atrocious product, and from a high-end brand that can and does put out quality products, it’s appalling. I don’t make excuses for brands, least of all when they create products that perform this poorly.
This is what the press release states: “The navy blue Soft Touch Shadow Pencil complements any warm-weather look. Use the creamy, long-wearing formula alone, as a base for layering with powder shadow, or to line and sculpt the eye.” This product is long-wearing by itself, can be used as a base beneath powder eyeshadow, as well as an eyeliner. There is nothing about this product creasing, migrating, moving, turning to sludge, or otherwise indicating it’s supposed to look like this on the lid.
Whenever I wear/experiment NARS’ Soft Touch Shadow Pencils, I notice my eyes are a bit irritated; there’s a burning sensation (not on the lid but of my eye), especially when I use these as eyeliners. I’ve tried Dark Rite in the three methods that NARS states: alone, as a base, and as an eyeliner. None of these methods was successful. The good news is this product creases so quickly that it takes very little time to go through all those tests!
Alone, it fades, smudges on the beneath the lower lash line (from the lid!), creases, and pools into creases. It isn’t dry to the touch after a half hour of wear, which is obviously going to be a problem–if it doesn’t dry, it doesn’t set, so it won’t stay in place. It applies somewhat evenly but does have problems; if you apply with a finger, it seems to just slide around but I wasn’t able to get a really even look with it using my fingers. I had the best luck doing one pass and doing my best not to layer.
As a base with powder eyeshadows on top, it’s both a pain to use (because it’s wet, the powder eyeshadow tends to clump and stick to it but not blend out well; the darker hue also has a tendency to “eat” the eyeshadow) and wear (because it creases after five minutes, just not as bad as it was alone). In the past, I have tried several of these pencils over/under various bases, with/without eyeshadow, and the results are dismal (See Celebrate.). I tried the same methods with this one as well with the same disappointing results, whether it’s used alone, underneath eyeshadow, or over a primer, it’s a one-way trip to Crease City.
Finally, as an eyeliner, it smudges and travels further and further away from the lash line. I don’t need any help making my under eye circles look any darker, but this product excelled at it.
The only reason it earns any points is that it is pigmented, but the pigmentation is patchy and uneven, which does impact the overall pigmentation score. The texture is creamy enough that it glides on the lid without too much tugging or pulling, which accounts for some points. But you’ll notice that when it comes to overall product score and longevity, there are none. These continue to be one of the worst formulas I’ve come across. At $24, it’s a slap in the eye.
If you want a shadow pencil that actually works, consider Urban Decay 24/7 Shadow Pencils, which not only wear all day long without trouble, they’re four bucks cheaper. Here are some navy blue eyeliners to consider as well.
Where to Buy: NARS on January 13th, $24.00
The Glossover
If you're been looking for a product to deliver a creased, glossy look, perhaps for an editorial, maybe this is up your alley. I suspect you could find a cheaper cream product to do something similar or else pat Vaseline or gloss over your favorite navy blue eyeshadow.
See more photos & swatches!
NARS Dark Rite Soft Touch Shadow Pencil
NARS Dark Rite Soft Touch Shadow Pencil
NARS Dark Rite Soft Touch Shadow Pencil
NARS Dark Rite Soft Touch Shadow Pencil – 30 seconds
NARS Dark Rite Soft Touch Shadow Pencil – 5 minutes
NARS Dark Rite Soft Touch Shadow Pencil – 30 minutes
Disclosure
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Product & Review FAQ
Where can I purchase it? How much is it?
NARS on January 13th, $24.00.
Is it limited edition?
No.
Any dupes?
See individual shade reviews! :)
I think you're harsh in a good way. Actually, maybe not even "harsh," as that implies being excessively critical; more like stringent. Demanding of high performance/having high standards? Sure, but never unreasonably so IMO. Like a good toner, you cut through all the junk out there and leave us feeling much better ;P
<3 Thank you!
Gorgeous color, too bad its horrible. It reminds me of MAC Petrol Blue, which I love.
I have problems with this product too, I've tried two other shades and they've creased in no time. How can they say the product is creaseproof and long wearing when it creases in five minutes. Isn't that classed as false advertising. For something that costs this much, you would not expect it to be so bad.
You do expect every company to have some not so great products, as well as the super best sellers, but for a company like NARS to have something this horrifically bad??? No, you don't expect that. I mean if you said they had some slight creasing after 5-6 hours, I'd be like, oh well, not every product is going to be perfectly wonderful. You know?
My eyeshadow pools into my crease and disappears in my inner part of my lid. I don't know why this is happening! It wasn't always like this! And yes I do use a primer and I even tried putting powder on my lids! But it still happens! Any suggestions?!
Hi Petrice, With this product or with all products?
I love the colors that NARS has been releasing for the Soft Touch Shadow Pencils, why can't they just fix the stupid formula! They can't honestly think that this product works... Can they!? I have had such good luck with so many of their products that are spot-on, I can't believe that they let this go into production, much less that they continue to release new shades in the same formula!
lmao @ NARS! what is up with them lately? horrible products. im still upset over the arabian nights shadow trio looked so gorgeous in the pans but when swatched all you get is mac carbon with some sparse colored glitter.
Such a shame considering that it's such a beautiful color. Thanks for your honest review!
I really appreciate these kinds of reviews! For me, Nars is a brand that has some great products that I use all the time and some that don't work at all... plus I love blue eyeliner. Good to know that this is a dud. Thanks!
EEWWW! NARS should be ashamed!
OMG you can see it starting to crease by the first 30 seconds! That's just nasty. Just why.
A big Fail !!!
What a shame. I purchased this online yesterday.
I might be the only person around that actually doesn't have problems with the soft touch pencils--although I can't say anything about Dark Rite because I don't have it--they don't crease on me when I use a primer and they don't really move around on me, either...I actually have liner my lower lid with them! But if Dark Rite is wetter/creamier than the others, that could be a problem. (I also really love my NARS cream shadow duo, but have had less success with the single cream shadows, those, to me, are about a D rating) In contrast, I can't get the MAC Black Chromographic pencil to stay put at all, and that smears everywhere when I use it on my eyes. Thanks for the review, excellent as always.
That's so crazy, but I'm glad these work for you!
Good grief that is absolutely appalling!! Nars made this? I was going to scoop up the Xmas set of these and I'm so glad I hadn't done it yet. The color is stunning too, making this an even more disappointing Big Mess..... I'm just floored that Nars would let this out of the house.
Im a huge nars fan but i agree that this pencil is definitely a miss. I own the black one and i have hardly used it cuz it smudges very badly. Thanks for always giving very honest reviews & not giving in to pressure!
The shade is lovely, but it's a shame about the formula. Do you have any dupes in mind?
Wow what a shame... the first pic is so gorgeous, if only it stayed that way.
I've never seen you give anything an F since I've followed your blog!
Who is responsible for testing their products??!?? That person should probably be fired.... I am just shocked such a reputable brand such as Nars would even dare put out such a poor product! People are going to realize the second they use it... tis a shame as Nars makes such amazing eyeshadow...
I don't know if I'm lucky or what, I've seen them crease like MAD on people but I don't have a huge problem with them. I've tried a few and they've seemed to stay on fine on me but I know on most people they crease like no tomorrow!
You're so lucky it works for you! :) How do you normally wear them?
I usually don't like wearing cream shadows by themselves so I used NARS smudge proof under it and an eyeshadow over top of it.
I've definitely tried that but can't say my results were as good as yours :( Enjoy!
The best part is the fact that 14 people are loving it anyway. I wonder if it'd be usable as a body art crayon or something.
Hi Christine, I have combination skin and I have the gold one from NARS. I use it with UD primer potions and with a shadow over and I have no problems with it creasing. Have you tried the gold one?
Which shade? The name of it? All of the ones I've tried, I have reviewed here.
Goodness, that creasing/fading reminds me of the time I used expired UDPP under my shadows. Who would buy a product that fades that much after a half an hour? I mean, who has time to touch up every 30 minutes...horrible.
lol! I love when this happens.
Sad, and such a pretty color too...
Thank you so much for this!! I love my nars blush products and the color of this pencil is so beautiful I can see myself plunking down the 24 I-dont-have-to-spend dollars for it and being so broken hearted. Such a shame!!! THANK YOU!!
Happy to help, Amy!
if I'd seen this product without seeing your review, I probably would've bought it because the color is gorgeous. the last thing I need is something else that's useless but pretty. thanks for saving me from wasting $24, Christine!
No prob, Esther! :)
WOW I also tried a similar WnW shadow pencil and it was exactly like this. It was a super creamy/greasy consistency that refused to set and creased instantly. At least I only wasted $3 on that though! I can't believe NARS would release a product this bad!
"it’s a slap in the eye." ! hahaha Christine your the BEST! thankyou for always being honest. :D
I am shocked, how can they launch such awful product in the market? i felt the same way with the big bounce eyeshadows. Thanks so much for the honest review. That's what I most appreciate in your blog.
Makes you wonder who exactly did the testing!
I fully agree. Your honesty, backed up so undeniably by those photos, makes you stand out from the bloggerscene in my opinion! Thanks for being so honest!!!
ugh. I see this in your "worst of 2012" already. ick. which is a real shame because the color is really pretty :-/ what a terrible product though :-/
Haha, probably - fingers crossed they don't release any more.
This is ridiculous.. How do they even put in the market a product like that? Clueless...
These are SO pretty and I wish Nars would get their crap together and make them awesome. :(
Such a shame since other brands can and have done it, so why not NARS?
Damn girlfriend! You gonna put NARS out of business with that horrid creasing.
NARS Soft Touch Shadow Pencils are the epitome of worst beauty product, Christine. I remember your review about NARS Celebrate Soft Touch Shadow Pencil. Bad, bad, bad product. What a shame this is come from NARS, a makeup company that I love (read: obsess) so much.
All beautiful colors, too! Such a disappointment!
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