Best & Worst of NARS Eyeshadows (2018)
NARS Eyeshadow ($19.00 for 0.04 oz.) 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).
My personal favorites: Guayaquil, Persia, Virgin Gorda, Fez, Kashmir, and Lahore.
NARS Guayaquil Eyeshadow (2018) ($19.00 for 0.04 oz.) is a deep, coppery brown with warm undertones and a satin sheen. It had opaque color payoff...
NARS Guayaquil Eyeshadow (2018) ($19.00 for 0.04 oz.) is a deep, coppery brown with warm undertones and a satin sheen. It had opaque color payoff...
NARS Persia Eyeshadow (2018) ($19.00 for 0.04 oz.) is a deep orange with warm, red undertones and a matte finish. It was intensely pigmented with a...
NARS Persia Eyeshadow (2018) ($19.00 for 0.04 oz.) is a deep orange with warm, red undertones and a matte finish. It was intensely pigmented with a...
NARS Virgin Gorda Eyeshadow (2018) ($19.00 for 0.04 oz.) is a medium peach with warm undertones and a metallic sheen. It had excellent pigmentation...
NARS Virgin Gorda Eyeshadow (2018) ($19.00 for 0.04 oz.) is a medium peach with warm undertones and a metallic sheen. It had excellent pigmentation...
NARS Fez Eyeshadow (2018) ($19.00 for 0.04 oz.) is a medium bronze-shimmered brown with warm undertones and a pearly sheen. It was richly pigmented...
NARS Fez Eyeshadow (2018) ($19.00 for 0.04 oz.) is a medium bronze-shimmered brown with warm undertones and a pearly sheen. It was richly pigmented...
NARS Kashmir Eyeshadow (2018) ($19.00 for 0.04 oz.) is a soft, golden taupe with warm undertones and a pearly sheen. It had excellent color payoff...
NARS Kashmir Eyeshadow (2018) ($19.00 for 0.04 oz.) is a soft, golden taupe with warm undertones and a pearly sheen. It had excellent color payoff...
NARS Tulum Eyeshadow (2018) ($19.00 for 0.04 oz.) is a muted, medium brown with warm, yellow undertones and a matte finish. The pigmentation was...
NARS Tulum Eyeshadow (2018) ($19.00 for 0.04 oz.) is a muted, medium brown with warm, yellow undertones and a matte finish. The pigmentation was...
St-Paul-de-Vence I is a medium, peachy orange with warm undertones and a frosted sheen. It had excellent pigmentation with a soft, blendable texture...
St-Paul-de-Vence I is a medium, peachy orange with warm undertones and a frosted sheen. It had excellent pigmentation with a soft, blendable texture...
NARS Fatale Eyeshadow (2018) ($19.00 for 0.04 oz.) is a bright, pinky-red with subtle, warm undertones and a semi-matte finish. The pigmentation was...
NARS Fatale Eyeshadow (2018) ($19.00 for 0.04 oz.) is a bright, pinky-red with subtle, warm undertones and a semi-matte finish. The pigmentation was...
NARS Mekong Eyeshadow (2018) ($19.00 for 0.04 oz.) is a deep brown with neutral-to-cool undertones and a matte finish with micro-sparkle on top. The...
NARS Mekong Eyeshadow (2018) ($19.00 for 0.04 oz.) is a deep brown with neutral-to-cool undertones and a matte finish with micro-sparkle on top. The...
NARS Ishta Eyeshadow (2018) ($19.00 for 0.04 oz.) is a deep, reddish-berry with subtle, cool undertones and a mostly matte finish. I could see very,...
NARS Ishta Eyeshadow (2018) ($19.00 for 0.04 oz.) is a deep, reddish-berry with subtle, cool undertones and a mostly matte finish. I could see very,...
NARS Showgirl Eyeshadow (2018) ($19.00 for 0.04 oz.) is a bright, medium blue with cool undertones and a frosted sheen. The pigmentation was...
NARS Showgirl Eyeshadow (2018) ($19.00 for 0.04 oz.) is a bright, medium blue with cool undertones and a frosted sheen. The pigmentation was...
NARS Noumea Eyeshadow (2018) ($19.00 for 0.04 oz.) is a medium brown with warm undertones and a matte finish. The texture was smooth, silky, and...
NARS Noumea Eyeshadow (2018) ($19.00 for 0.04 oz.) is a medium brown with warm undertones and a matte finish. The texture was smooth, silky, and...
NARS Sophia Eyeshadow (2018) ($19.00 for 0.04 oz.) is a muted, light-medium taupe with subtle, warm undertones and a matte finish. The texture was...
NARS Sophia Eyeshadow (2018) ($19.00 for 0.04 oz.) is a muted, light-medium taupe with subtle, warm undertones and a matte finish. The texture was...
NARS Lahore Eyeshadow (2018) ($19.00 for 0.04 oz.) is a soft brown with warm undertones and a satin sheen. It had opaque pigmentation that adhered...
NARS Lahore Eyeshadow (2018) ($19.00 for 0.04 oz.) is a soft brown with warm undertones and a satin sheen. It had opaque pigmentation that adhered...
NARS Blondie Eyeshadow (2018) ($19.00 for 0.04 oz.) is a soft, yellowed taupe with subtle, warm undertones and a matte finish. It had opaque...
NARS Blondie Eyeshadow (2018) ($19.00 for 0.04 oz.) is a soft, yellowed taupe with subtle, warm undertones and a matte finish. It had opaque...
NARS Verona Eyeshadow (2018) ($19.00 for 0.04 oz.) is a dusty lavender with subtle, warm undertones and a metallic sheen. It was deceptively...
NARS Verona Eyeshadow (2018) ($19.00 for 0.04 oz.) is a dusty lavender with subtle, warm undertones and a metallic sheen. It was deceptively...
NARS Zambezi Eyeshadow (2018) ($19.00 for 0.04 oz.) is a pale, mint green with subtle, warm undertones and a metallic sheen. It had nearly opaque...
NARS Zambezi Eyeshadow (2018) ($19.00 for 0.04 oz.) is a pale, mint green with subtle, warm undertones and a metallic sheen. It had nearly opaque...
NARS Big Sur Eyeshadow (2018) ($19.00 for 0.04 oz.) is a medium-dark, navy blue with subtle, cool undertones and a satin finish. It had nearly opaque...
NARS Big Sur Eyeshadow (2018) ($19.00 for 0.04 oz.) is a medium-dark, navy blue with subtle, cool undertones and a satin finish. It had nearly opaque...
NARS Ashes to Ashes Eyeshadow (2018) ($19.00 for 0.04 oz.) is a soft, golden taupe with warm undertones and a pearl finish. The texture was smooth,...
NARS Ashes to Ashes Eyeshadow (2018) ($19.00 for 0.04 oz.) is a soft, golden taupe with warm undertones and a pearl finish. The texture was smooth,...
NARS Bengali Eyeshadow (2018) ($19.00 for 0.04 oz.) is a medium, taupe-brown with subtle, warm undertones and a matte finish. It had nearly opaque...
NARS Bengali Eyeshadow (2018) ($19.00 for 0.04 oz.) is a medium, taupe-brown with subtle, warm undertones and a matte finish. It had nearly opaque...
NARS Goldfinger Eyeshadow (2018) ($19.00 for 0.04 oz.) is a light-medium gold with strong, yellow undertones and a frosted finish. It had opaque...
NARS Goldfinger Eyeshadow (2018) ($19.00 for 0.04 oz.) is a light-medium gold with strong, yellow undertones and a frosted finish. It had opaque...
NARS New York Eyeshadow (2018) ($19.00 for 0.04 oz.) is a medium, plummy brown with warm undertones and a matte finish. It had semi-opaque, buildable...
NARS New York Eyeshadow (2018) ($19.00 for 0.04 oz.) is a medium, plummy brown with warm undertones and a matte finish. It had semi-opaque, buildable...
NARS Isla Bonita Eyeshadow (2018) ($19.00 for 0.04 oz.) is a very pale green--almost like a green-tinged white--with a metallic sheen. It had good...
NARS Isla Bonita Eyeshadow (2018) ($19.00 for 0.04 oz.) is a very pale green--almost like a green-tinged white--with a metallic sheen. It had good...
NARS Biarritz Eyeshadow (2018) ($19.00 for 0.04 oz.) is a bright beige with soft, warm undertones and a matte finish. It had excellent pigmentation...
NARS Biarritz Eyeshadow (2018) ($19.00 for 0.04 oz.) is a bright beige with soft, warm undertones and a matte finish. It had excellent pigmentation...
Hammamet I is a medium peach with warm, orange undertones and a matte finish. The color coverage was nearly opaque in a single layer, though the...
Hammamet I is a medium peach with warm, orange undertones and a matte finish. The color coverage was nearly opaque in a single layer, though the...
NARS Douro Eyeshadow (2018) ($19.00 for 0.04 oz.) is a bright, medium yellow with a mostly matte finish. It had rich color coverage with a soft,...
NARS Douro Eyeshadow (2018) ($19.00 for 0.04 oz.) is a bright, medium yellow with a mostly matte finish. It had rich color coverage with a soft,...
NARS China Blue Eyeshadow (2018) ($19.00 for 0.04 oz.) is a deep, navy blue with cool undertones and a matte finish. It had semi-opaque, buildable...
NARS China Blue Eyeshadow (2018) ($19.00 for 0.04 oz.) is a deep, navy blue with cool undertones and a matte finish. It had semi-opaque, buildable...
NARS Outremer Eyeshadow (2018) ($19.00 for 0.04 oz.) is a bright, cobalt blue with cool undertones and a matte finish. It had good pigmentation that...
NARS Outremer Eyeshadow (2018) ($19.00 for 0.04 oz.) is a bright, cobalt blue with cool undertones and a matte finish. It had good pigmentation that...
NARS Coconut Grove Eyeshadow (2018) ($19.00 for 0.04 oz.) is a deep, taupe-brown with neutral undertones and a matte finish. It had semi-opaque,...
NARS Coconut Grove Eyeshadow (2018) ($19.00 for 0.04 oz.) is a deep, taupe-brown with neutral undertones and a matte finish. It had semi-opaque,...
NARS Kingston Eyeshadow (2018) ($19.00 for 0.04 oz.) is a pale taupe with neutral-to-cool undertones and a matte finish. It had semi-opaque,...
NARS Kingston Eyeshadow (2018) ($19.00 for 0.04 oz.) is a pale taupe with neutral-to-cool undertones and a matte finish. It had semi-opaque,...
NARS Matcha Eyeshadow (2018) ($19.00 for 0.04 oz.) is a bright pop of light-medium lime green with warm undertones and a matte finish. It had nearly...
NARS Matcha Eyeshadow (2018) ($19.00 for 0.04 oz.) is a bright pop of light-medium lime green with warm undertones and a matte finish. It had nearly...
NARS Banquise Eyeshadow (2018) ($19.00 for 0.04 oz.) is a bright silver with a metallic sheen. It had good pigmentation with a slightly drier, more...
NARS Banquise Eyeshadow (2018) ($19.00 for 0.04 oz.) is a bright silver with a metallic sheen. It had good pigmentation with a slightly drier, more...
NARS Domination Eyeshadow (2018) ($19.00 for 0.04 oz.) is a medium-dark pink with subtle, cool undertones and a satin finish. It had semi-opaque,...
NARS Domination Eyeshadow (2018) ($19.00 for 0.04 oz.) is a medium-dark pink with subtle, cool undertones and a satin finish. It had semi-opaque,...
NARS Cabo San Lucas Eyeshadow (2018) ($19.00 for 0.04 oz.) is a muted, medium pink with warmer undertones and a satin finish. The consistency was...
NARS Cabo San Lucas Eyeshadow (2018) ($19.00 for 0.04 oz.) is a muted, medium pink with warmer undertones and a satin finish. The consistency was...
NARS Sultan Eyeshadow (2018) ($19.00 for 0.04 oz.) is a bright, medium purple with subtle, warm undertones and a satin finish. It had semi-opaque,...
NARS Sultan Eyeshadow (2018) ($19.00 for 0.04 oz.) is a bright, medium purple with subtle, warm undertones and a satin finish. It had semi-opaque,...
NARS Night Star Eyeshadow (2018) ($19.00 for 0.04 oz.) is a light beige with warm, yellow undertones and flecks of chunky sparkle strewn throughout. ...
NARS Night Star Eyeshadow (2018) ($19.00 for 0.04 oz.) is a light beige with warm, yellow undertones and flecks of chunky sparkle strewn throughout. ...
NARS Bali Eyeshadow (2018) ($19.00 for 0.04 oz.) is a medium-dark, taupe-brown with subtle, warm undertones and a matte finish. The texture was soft,...
NARS Bali Eyeshadow (2018) ($19.00 for 0.04 oz.) is a medium-dark, taupe-brown with subtle, warm undertones and a matte finish. The texture was soft,...
NARS Strada Eyeshadow (2018) ($19.00 for 0.04 oz.) is a medium lavender with subtle, cool undertones and flecks of greenish-gold sparkle over a matte...
NARS Strada Eyeshadow (2018) ($19.00 for 0.04 oz.) is a medium lavender with subtle, cool undertones and flecks of greenish-gold sparkle over a matte...
NARS Pyrenees Eyeshadow (2018) ($19.00 for 0.04 oz.) is a deep gray with cool undertones and a frosted finish. It had semi-opaque pigmentation paired...
NARS Pyrenees Eyeshadow (2018) ($19.00 for 0.04 oz.) is a deep gray with cool undertones and a frosted finish. It had semi-opaque pigmentation paired...
NARS Night Porter Eyeshadow (2018) ($19.00 for 0.04 oz.) is a medium-dark green with warmer undertones and a satin finish. It had semi-opaque color...
NARS Night Porter Eyeshadow (2018) ($19.00 for 0.04 oz.) is a medium-dark green with warmer undertones and a satin finish. It had semi-opaque color...
NARS Rome Eyeshadow (2018) ($19.00 for 0.04 oz.) is a light-medium taupe with subtle, warm undertones and a pearly sheen. The texture was firmer and...
NARS Rome Eyeshadow (2018) ($19.00 for 0.04 oz.) is a light-medium taupe with subtle, warm undertones and a pearly sheen. The texture was firmer and...
NARS Nepal Eyeshadow (2018) ($19.00 for 0.04 oz.) is a light brown with warm undertones and a satin finish. It had semi-opaque pigmentation with a...
NARS Nepal Eyeshadow (2018) ($19.00 for 0.04 oz.) is a light brown with warm undertones and a satin finish. It had semi-opaque pigmentation with a...
NARS Baby Jane Eyeshadow (2018) ($19.00 for 0.04 oz.) is a bright, sky blue with a matte finish. It had medium coverage that was buildable to...
NARS Baby Jane Eyeshadow (2018) ($19.00 for 0.04 oz.) is a bright, sky blue with a matte finish. It had medium coverage that was buildable to...
NARS Tropic Eyeshadow (2018) ($19.00 for 0.04 oz.) is a medium-dark green-leaning teal with subtle, cool undertones and flecks of glitter over a matte...
NARS Tropic Eyeshadow (2018) ($19.00 for 0.04 oz.) is a medium-dark green-leaning teal with subtle, cool undertones and flecks of glitter over a matte...
Glossover Averages
Reader Reviews
Based on 0 Reviews, 1 Quick Review
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Lots of the most successful shades here are fairly warm neutral shades that are found in lots of palettes, so owning a single could be a bit redundant. The shade I really liked was Big Sur – a beautiful shade of blue.
Thank you so much for reviewing these Christine, a big undertaking.
Domination and Fatale are both very appealing to me, but I’m sure I have “close enough” colors.
Outremer reminds me strongly of a color from Silk Naturals called “Paranormal,” except Paranormal is worlds more stunning; over an eyeshadow primer it’s magic — a satin royal blue so deep and intense that it looks like it’s bending light waves into another dimension. I bet Outremer would cross over into impressive with something enhancing it, but I own Paranormal … ’nuff said.
I wish Rome had rated better because it looks like the perfect eyeshadow. I also wish they’d re-released Lhasa…it’s one of my e/s treasures!
Woohoo! Thanks so much for the herculean effort, Christine!! I’ve picked up a couple of these that piqued my interest already and really enjoy them. 🙂
Holy massive reviews, Batman! That’s an impressive body of work.
Thanks for all the work on these, Christine. It’s good to see so many great scores and only a few fails.