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NARS Isolde Eyeshadow Duo Review, Photos, Swatches

Monday, November 28th, 2011

NARS Isolde Eyeshadow Duo
NARS Isolde Eyeshadow Duo

NARS Isolde Eyeshadow Duo

NARS Isolde Eyeshadow Duo ($33.00 for 0.14 oz.) is described as “frosted ginger” and “shimmering copper.” This is one of the best NARS duos I’ve tried when it comes to quality, but I will readily admit that as far as the shades themselves go, they’re not unique, so you may already own similar shades. It’s a great basic duo for someone who hasn’t already added a few coppers to their stash, though! This is part of the brand’s permanent range, so I think it’s a nice core product to have.

The left side of Isolde is a medium copper with a frosted gold sheen. It has an incredibly soft, smooth texture that’s buttery and dense without being powdery. It delivers excellent color payoff, too! This shade is similar to: Bare Escentuals Louder, MAC Amber Lights, and theBalm Meep Meep.

On the right side, there is a deeper copper with burnished brown undertones and a frosted golden sheen. Like the left side, the texture is amazing–soft, smooth, rich–with intense pigmentation. It’s has more copper compared to Make Up For Ever #12, while MAC Bronze is too brown. Giorgio Armani #5 comes closest but is a touch browner.

Isolde adhered really well to the lid without base, and it wore longer than most of NARS’ eyeshadows do for me–I was able to get eight hours without creasing and to ten with very faint creasing, which is really good. Of course, with a base, there wasn’t any issues at the twelve-hour mark.

Where to Buy: NARS, $33

The Glossover

A

One of NARS' best duos in regards to quality--excellent color payoff, good wear with or without a base, and a divine texture that's soft and silky smooth.

Product

10/10

Pigmentation

10/10

Texture

10/10

Longevity

9/10

Application

5/5

Packaging

5/5

See more photos & swatches!

NARS Isolde Eyeshadow Duo
NARS Isolde Eyeshadow Duo

NARS Isolde Eyeshadow Duo
NARS Isolde Eyeshadow Duo

NARS Isolde Eyeshadow Duo
NARS Isolde Eyeshadow Duo

NARS Isolde Eyeshadow Duo
NARS Isolde Eyeshadow Duo

NARS Isolde Eyeshadow Duo
NARS Isolde Eyeshadow Duo

NARS Isolde Eyeshadow Duo
NARS Isolde Eyeshadow Duo

NARS Isolde Eyeshadow Duo
NARS Isolde Eyeshadow Duo

NARS Isolde Eyeshadow Duo
NARS Isolde Eyeshadow Duo

Disclosure

This review contains a sample product sent for consideration by the brand or its PR firm. Our priority is to you, and we honor that commitment by being honest! We don't do paid reviews or guarantee reviews. We're going to give you the truth and nothing but! For more information, please read our editorial/review policies.

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Product & Review FAQ

Where can I purchase it? How much is it?

NARS, $33.

Is it limited edition?

No.

Any dupes?

See individual shade review! :)

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So glad I found this review after buying it. It just reassured my purchase. I don't have any coppers, only golds. I find these so vibrant and unique. I couldn't wear MAC Amber Lights, but for some reason I can wear these. Much more wearable than I would have thought. I smoke these up with NARS Mekong.

These colors are amazingly vibrant! I know I already have more than enough golds and coppers, but I waaaaaannnt!!!

This is goregoussssssssssssssssssssssss Christine!

Hi Christine, I seem to have a problem with pictures on your blog for a couple of days now, namely, I cant see any of them.. I don't have the same problem with any of the other pages and blogs I visit, and I am wondering what is going on. I would very much like to be able to see your pictures again..sigh. Thank you for all the information you are sharing with us. Love, Nana

Hi Nana, I am not sure - all of the photos load for me :(

Hi Christine, can you think of any other NARS colors that would work well with this duo to create a look for fall? I own mostly NARS and am confused as to what other colors to use to make a complete eye look. thanks!

Stage Beauty? I think has a soft gold!

That's a beautiful set of coppers. I do wish there was a little more shade contrast, as I think these two alone would make me want to bring along another color to offset the similarity.

It look very pretty, I love the pigmentation! I just don't really see anything special about the actual color of the eyeshadows though. That's just my opinion. Anyone else?

Wow pigmentation is awesome. Too bad I already have A TON of copper eyeshadows. Any other NARS duos to recommend? I don't have any currently.

Wow, wish all eyeshadows were this good. Me like. Me buy.

Are any of these similar to Urban Decay Half Baked from the Naked Palette? Because i have that and love it! But find it hard to wear for some reason, i feel like i have to be fairly tanned to wear it x

Baked is kind of in-between the two!

Nice. But the two shades look almost identical :/

The texture looks amazing! however the colors aren't really doing much for me.

I have this. It was one of the wisest purchases I ever made. I did a look with it using green eyeliner. http://themakeuptrain.com/2011/08/24/eotd-golds-with-poison-ivy-liner/

I own this duo and love it; it is one of the best of the brand. Great for summertime but I also use it with darker earth tones for fall.

Very beautiful colors. I'd definitely add this duo to my collection IF the shades weren't so dupeable with shades I already own.

Look so similar for esp. for buying a set.

you're right..i would purchase something different from Nars..maybe if they were a gold and another darker color (for example something like Mac Smut),it would have been better..

Christine, do you think this color would look nice on green/blue eyes?

I'm a bit surprised to see two shades that are so similar in a duo. I would prefer if the darker color were a tiny bit darker to create more of a contrast.

My thoughts, exactly! They are incredibly pigmented but, much too close in appearance to be a duo.

Never expected that from nars!

These shades are so pretty together! I love the copper shades, especially for fall & winter.

Wow! That's really all I can say about this. I already have my fair share of coppers, so I'll be passing on this, but it really looks amazing. I think it would make a fantastic gift for someone just getting into makeup, or loves neutrals.