NARS Thasos, Ikiru, Kalymnos Nail Polishes Reviews, Photos, Swatches
NARS Thasos, Ikiru, Kalymnos Nail Polishes
Today, I have three of the more pastel-hued polishes from the newly reformulated NARS Nail Polish ($20.00 for 0.50 fl. oz.), which will have a total of 43 permanent shades. The official launch is July 15th, and both the formula and the brush have been changed. According to the brand, the formula is supposed to “improve wear and strengthen nails” with a “flexible, high gloss finish.” In the past, I’ve experienced really strong, long-wear (up to ten days with minor tip wear; after seven, tip wear appears very minor). I tested five shades–Thasos, Elbrus, Obscura, Pastorale, and Zakynthos–for wear, and they were fairly consistent with minor tip wear after seven days but no chipping (no top or base coats were used). I really liked the brush, as it wasn’t overly wide; I could still apply polish to my pinky nail (which is my narrowest nail) without getting polish all along the cuticle/skin along the nail. Most shades dried down faster than average, and generally, they applied well without streaking, bubbling, or pooling along the edges with good color coverage.
NARS Thasos Nail Polish ($20.00 for 0.50 fl. oz.) is described as a “mint green.” It’s a light-medium, sea foam green with a cream finish. It was opaque after two coats, and the consistency of the polish wasn’t too thick or too thin. It was really close to being opaque after one coat, which was impressive, but what was even more impressive was the lack of streakiness even on that initial coat. This shade lasted for seven days with minor tip wear. MAC In the Limelight (LE, $16.00) is bluer. Illamasqua Nomad (P, $17.00) is darker, brighter. China Glaze Keep Calm, Paint On (LE, $7.50) is greener, warmer. Zoya Wednesday (P, $9.00) is darker. Butter London Fiver (P, $15.00) is lighter. See comparison swatches / view dupes.
NARS Ikiru Nail Polish ($20.00 for 0.50 fl. oz.) is described as a “light blue.” It’s a softened, light-medium blue with a cream finish. It had full color coverage after two coats, and the polish applied evenly and smoothly without issue. The formula was slightly thick but not problematic. Cult Nails Nakizzle’s Shizzle (P, $12.00) is lighter. NARS Koliary (LE, $20.00) is brighter. Chanel Coco Blue (LE, $27.00) is lighter. See comparison swatches / view dupes.
NARS Kalymnos Nail Polish ($20.00 for 0.50 fl. oz.) is described as a “lilac.” It’s a muted, grayish lavender with a cream finish. It was very nearly opaque after two coats. The formula was slightly thick in consistency but applied evenly without streaking or pooling along the edges. Essie Warm & Toasty Turtleneck (P, $8.00) is warmer. Essie Full Steam Ahead (P, $8.00) is warmer, brighter. Rescue Beauty Lounge Forgiveness (LE, $20.00) is slightly darker. Cult Nails My Kind of Cool Aid (P, $12.00) is darker. Zoya Marley (P, $9.00) is a touch lighter. Essie Cocktail Bling (LE, $8.00) is darker. Essie Bangle Jangle (LE, $8.00) is warmer. See comparison swatches / view dupes.
Thasos
PPermanent. $20.00.
Ikiru
PPermanent. $20.00.
Kalymnos
PPermanent. $20.00.
See more photos & swatches!
NARS Thasos Nail Polish
NARS Thasos Nail Polish
NARS Thasos Nail Polish
NARS Thasos Nail Polish
NARS Thasos Nail Polish
NARS Thasos Nail Polish
NARS Thasos Nail Polish
NARS Thasos Nail Polish (One Coat!)
NARS Ikiru Nail Polish
NARS Ikiru Nail Polish
NARS Ikiru Nail Polish
NARS Ikiru Nail Polish
NARS Ikiru Nail Polish
NARS Ikiru Nail Polish
NARS Ikiru Nail Polish
NARS Kalymnos Nail Polish
NARS Kalymnos Nail Polish
NARS Kalymnos Nail Polish
NARS Kalymnos Nail Polish
NARS Kalymnos Nail Polish
NARS Kalymnos Nail Polish
NARS Kalymnos Nail Polish
I LOVE the first two.
Thasos <3
I really like Ikiru, and I’m rarely really drawn to blue nail polish.
Ooh! How fun. I wonder if it’s the softness that draws you in?
I’m SO glad that Thasos is so easy to work with! That is going to be the first polish I purchase from this collection as I’ve had my eye on it ever since you showed us swatches, Christine! I also love the look of Kalymnos. Can’t wait to purchase these!
I was really pleasantly surprised by Thasos!
gotta love pastels…. and Nars
When they’re easy to apply, they can be great!
It’s official: I NEED thasos! Gorgeous!
That was my fave shade of these three!
They scream spring and they also scream… BUY ME! Kalymnos is perfect.
Haha! 😉 I like the softness and tone of Kalymnos a lot.
Agreed, it’s a really nice lavendar
Thasos….dying. Lol.
It’s so pretty!
Ikiru looks like a good color for me to use when I want to paint my nails UCLA’s colors!
Fun! 😀
I just bought a few colours from Kiko at a fraction of price and very similar to Thasos and Ikiru!
Ooh, nice! Which shades?
I love the blue and purple!
Yay!
They all look so gorgeous on you Christine but Kalymnos is so super pretty!!THe texture even LOOKS great. Thanks for the swatches!
No prob, Dee!
Thasos is the kind of color I love, but I know it looks a little off on me, but I’d still totally wear it. No shame.
Same — it’s not a naturally flattering shade on me, but I don’t care. It’s too pretty to NOT wear!
Ikiru is just gorgeous, and I love the softness of Kalymnos – it makes me think of rain and mist and Victorian dresses, for some reason, but it’s a good thought! 😉
That makes it sound even prettier 🙂
I love the first and last ones!
Thasos was my fave!
these are such pretty colors and the finish is superb!
I couldn’t believe how well Thasos applied!
Love the thasosn and Kalymnos shades.. very sober and pretty !
Nice picks!
I love them all! I like Thasos the most though. It’s so perfect!
Me too 😀
I’m pretty much making grabby hands at Ikiru through my screen
Haha!
All of them are such softer versions of the shades.. loved Thasos the most here.. <3 <3
Thasos <3
I like all 3. The mint color of Thasos is just right… well done NARS!
Thasos is awesome!
These three are GORGEOUS! The only thing better than a pastel nail polish is a bunch of pastels all bunched together — for some reason, I’ve always been crazy about soft, colourful palettes.
And that cream finish — talk about major heart eyes. I literally cannot pick a favourite out of these three o.o
I was even more impressed by application of these softer shades!
Thasos is such a pretty sea foam green that is perfect for a beach trip!! I love that you do swatch comparisons, it really helps differentiate between shades and brands! I think I might like the Mac one better because it’s a little brighter!
I’m glad I could help a little 🙂