NARS Baalbek Eye Paint ($25.00 for 0.08 oz.) is described as “bronze.” It’s a blackened-brown with warm, olive undertones and dirty gold and bronze shimmer. MAC Past Twilight (LE, $16.00) is cooler-toned, less shimmery. Sephora Collection Diving in Malaysia (18) (P, $9.00) is less shimmery. Urban Decay Crave (P, $19.00) has no shimmer. Urban Decay Corrupt (P, $19.00) is lighter. MAC Orpheus (LE, $16.00) is lighter. See comparison swatches / view dupes.

NARS’ Eye Paint formula is supposed to be richly pigmented, smooth, quick-drying, long-lasting gel eyeliner. I was really impressed with the formula when it first released, because they can also be used as cream eyeshadows and have a consistency that works exceptionally well as an eyeliner and as a cream eyeshadow–and they wear long and hard. Baalbek is intensely pigmented, so a little goes a very long way, and it applies smoothly and evenly. It wore well for over twelve hours and didn’t budge or fade (it could have kept going!) as an eyeliner, and as an eyeshadow, it held up without creasing or fading for nine hours (then it slightly creased). It’s a new (and permanent) shade from NARS’ Adult Swim collection, which launches April 15th.

See more photos & swatches!

NARS Baalbek Eye Paint

NARS Baalbek Eye Paint

NARS Baalbek Eye Paint

NARS Baalbek Eye Paint

NARS Baalbek Eye Paint on lower lash line (NARS Tropical Princess on eyelid)