NARS Isolde Duo Eyeshadow (2018) Review & Swatches
Isolde
NARS Isolde Duo Eyeshadow (2018) ($35.00 for 0.08 oz.) features two metallic hues–mid-tone copper and warm bronze–that can be popped out of the compact for mixing and matching. Both shades had opaque pigmentation, long-wear, and were easy to apply and blend out on bare skin. Isolde I seemed half of a shade darker (not quite as golden) compared to the original duo, while the texture of both shades was slightly denser (less yielding) compared to the original, though I didn’t notice any actual difference in quality or application.
Look Using this Product
Isolde
PPermanent. $35.00.
Isolde I
Isolde I is a medium-dark copper with warm undertones and a metallic sheen. It had a smooth, lightly creamy texture that was firm but not dense or thick, so it didn’t have any powderiness in the pan but picked up easily with a brush. The pigmentation was opaque in a single layer and applied evenly and blended out beautifully. It wore well for eight hours on me before it started to fade noticeably.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Sephora Break the Bank (386) (P, $9.00) is less shimmery, lighter (95% similar).
- MAC A Glimmer of Gold #2 (PiP, $21.00) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- Laura Mercier Tiger's Eye (LE, ) is cooler (95% similar).
- Milani Just Bronzing Around (PiP, $5.99) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- Too Faced Bon Bon (Semi-Sweet Palette) (PiP, $16.00) is lighter, warmer (95% similar).
- Viseart Boheme Dream #5 (LE, ) is darker (95% similar).
- Too Faced Jingle All the Way Eyeshadow #7 (LE, $16.00) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- MAC Luscious (LE, $17.00) is brighter, warmer (95% similar).
- Pat McGrath Gold Rush (LE, $25.00) is more shimmery, warmer (95% similar).
- Givenchy Palette Ors Audacieux #4 (LE, ) is less shimmery (95% similar).
Formula Overview
$19.00/0.04 oz. - $475.00 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to have "rich, high-impact color" that is "lightweight" and has "increased blendability." Like most larger ranges, there are winners and losers, and some of how they perform can be related to the type of finish. The mattes are soft, slightly dusty in the pans (or not at all) with medium to opaque, often buildable, color coverage. The satin and metallics tend to be smoother, more blendable, and more pigmented with less effort; NARS does the these lower shimmer finishes particularly well, which just looks "melted" on the skin as they lay down so smoothly and have a great shine.
Most shades applied better on my lid than swatched on my arm, which has been something seen across NARS' eyeshadows for years and didn't change with the recent update to their powder eyeshadow formula. On average, they lasted between seven and nine hours on me without primer. They did apply well over primer and stayed on well for 14 hours with minimal fading.
Worth noting: the updated formula and packaging resulted in a product decrease from 0.07 oz. per pan to 0.04 oz. The single eyeshadows received a more noticeable price drop (from $24 to $19) but the duo eyeshadows could be priced better (from $36 to $35).
Browse all of our NARS Eyeshadow (2018) swatches.
Look Using this Product
Isolde I
PiPPermanent in Palette. $19.00.
Isolde II
Isolde II is a medium bronze with soft, warm undertones and a metallic sheen. It had rich color payoff that applied evenly and smoothly across my lid, almost blending itself as it went. The consistency was smooth to the touch, lightly creamy, and soft enough to be yielding without being powdery. It sat beautifully on the lid with a high-shine finish but did not emphasize my lid’s natural texture, which gave it a more “melted” appearance on my skin. This shade lasted for eight and a half hours on me.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Guerlain Electric Look #6 (LE, ) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- MAC Her Cocoa #3 (LE, $17.00) is more shimmery, warmer (95% similar).
- Chanel Charming #3 (LE, ) is darker, warmer (95% similar).
- Too Faced Tiger's Eye (LE, $16.00) is more shimmery, warmer (95% similar).
- NARS Isolde #2 (DC, $25.00) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- MAC La Vida Mocha (PiP, $17.00) is less shimmery, darker (95% similar).
- NARS Code Red (LE, $19.00) is more shimmery, darker, cooler (90% similar).
- Persona Goddess (PiP, ) is more shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
- Make Up For Ever D652 Celestial Earth (DC, $21.00) is more shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
- NABLA Cosmetics Danae (P, $12.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
Formula Overview
$19.00/0.04 oz. - $475.00 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to have "rich, high-impact color" that is "lightweight" and has "increased blendability." Like most larger ranges, there are winners and losers, and some of how they perform can be related to the type of finish. The mattes are soft, slightly dusty in the pans (or not at all) with medium to opaque, often buildable, color coverage. The satin and metallics tend to be smoother, more blendable, and more pigmented with less effort; NARS does the these lower shimmer finishes particularly well, which just looks "melted" on the skin as they lay down so smoothly and have a great shine.
Most shades applied better on my lid than swatched on my arm, which has been something seen across NARS' eyeshadows for years and didn't change with the recent update to their powder eyeshadow formula. On average, they lasted between seven and nine hours on me without primer. They did apply well over primer and stayed on well for 14 hours with minimal fading.
Worth noting: the updated formula and packaging resulted in a product decrease from 0.07 oz. per pan to 0.04 oz. The single eyeshadows received a more noticeable price drop (from $24 to $19) but the duo eyeshadows could be priced better (from $36 to $35).
Browse all of our NARS Eyeshadow (2018) swatches.
Ingredients
TALC · ISODODECANE · CAPRYLIC/CAPRIC TRIGLYCERIDE · DIMETHICONE · SYNTHETIC FLUORPHLOGOPITE · DIISOSTEARYL MALATE · MICA · PHENOXYETHANOL · CETYL DIMETHICONE · [+/-(MAY CONTAIN/PEUT CONTENIR): BISMUTH OXYCHLORIDE (CI 77163) · IRON OXIDES (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499) · TITANIUM DIOXIDE (CI 77891)] ·
Disclaimer: Ingredient lists are as available by the brand (or retailer) at the time of publishing. Please always check product packaging, if it exists, for the ingredient list applicable to the product you're purchasing, or the brand or retailer's website for the most up-to-date ingredient list.
Pretty. Did you just color your hair? I love it.
Earlier this week, yes!
Your hair looks super cute! I’m glad these duo’s are turning out well.
Thanks, Erin!
I really like the combination of shades in Isolde – they are the essence of the coppery shades that are so popular now. Both shades have a great rating (doesn’t always happen with NARS) and I like the finish on them.
Yes! So far, we’re starting off on the right foot!
I have this duo in the original format, and it’s nice to see that they perform well. I use the original quite a bit. I use my NARS singles and duos with palettes to get more looks. I have enough Nars, and will probably never hit pan, but I love them. NARS has great testers at Sephora and Ulta, so I only selected colors that performed well. I was heart broken when NARS was no longer cruelty free. I won’t be buying anymore, but I will use what I have.
Enjoy what you have! 🙂
My goodness your look here is absolutely stunning. I can’t stop staring! Hair, eyes, blush, lips! Wow! So well done 🙂 I just bought Lahore and Sophia. I’ve got this in a palette I’m putting together and I love these brightening type colors.
What a perfectly lovely duo! It has that really nice molten metal quality to it that I love so much. I do see this as a future purchase. ?
When NARS does this finish, sigh, they do so well!