NARS Baby Jane, Tropic, Outremer, Showgirl, Zambezi Eyeshadows Reviews & Swatches
Baby Jane
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 semi-opaque color payoff, but it was more powdery in the pan and seemed to darken noticeably on my skin as it absorbed the natural oils on my skin (almost bluish-teal), even when I tried layering it over a primer. It lasted for seven hours on me before fading noticeably.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Terra Moons Azure Skies (P, $6.00) is cooler (95% similar).
- ColourPop Beauty Call (LE, $6.00) is darker, cooler (95% similar).
- Anastasia B2 (Norvina Mini Vol. 3) (LE, $12.00) is cooler (90% similar).
- Huda Beauty Sapphire #4 (LE, ) is darker, warmer (95% similar).
- Wet 'n' Wild To Muse and Carouse #3 (DC, $2.29) is darker, warmer (90% similar).
- MAC At the Turntable (LE, $17.00) is darker (90% similar).
- Make Up For Ever S208 Baby Blue (DC, $21.00) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- Urban Decay Narcotic (DC, $19.00) is darker (90% similar).
- Natasha Denona Fun-tomime (368CP) (LE, ) is lighter (90% similar).
- Make Up For Ever M208 Baby Blue (P, $17.00) is darker (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.
Look Using this Product
Baby Jane
PPermanent. $19.00.
Tropic
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 finish. The texture was drier and firmer with a stiff texture that was more difficult to pick up, apply, and blend out. I was able to pack it on and build up to opaque coverage with three to four layers, but there was a moderate amount of fallout from the glitter. It started to fade noticeably on me after seven hours of wear.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Sephora Shawn (LE, ) is less shimmery, cooler (95% similar).
- theBalm #43 (P, $6.50) is less shimmery, more pigmented, cooler (90% similar).
- Melt Cosmetics Meltdown (PiP, ) is less shimmery, more pigmented (90% similar).
- theBalm C2 (LE, $16.00) is less shimmery, more pigmented, cooler (90% similar).
- Cle de Peau Les Annees Folles #5 (LE, ) is darker (90% similar).
- Make Up For Ever S228 Petrol Blue (DC, $17.00) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- Maybelline Never Fade Jade (P, $6.99) is more pigmented, cooler (90% similar).
- ColourPop Runnin' Thru the Six (LE, $6.00) is lighter, cooler (85% similar).
- MAC Robin's Egg (LE, $17.00) is less shimmery, lighter, cooler (85% similar).
- MAC Double Feature #3 #1 (LE, $17.00) is less shimmery, brighter, more pigmented (85% 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
Tropic
PPermanent. $19.00.
Outremer
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 was buildable to opaque coverage with a second layer. There was darkening within a few minutes of application on my skin, but itt was still noticeably blue–just more of a brighter, navy blue. In order to retain the brightness, it needed a white base underneath it. The consistency was soft, slightly powdery in the pan, but it blended out easily. It wore well for eight hours on me before fading noticeably.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Anastasia C3 (Norvina Vol. 2) (LE, ) is darker (95% similar).
- KVD Beauty Velour (LE, ) is warmer (95% similar).
- About Face No Queen Blues (P, $16.00) is lighter (95% similar).
- Urban Decay Chaos (DC, $19.00) is more shimmery, lighter (95% similar).
- By Beauty Bay Lavish (LE, ) is lighter (95% similar).
- Estee Lauder Bleu Electrique (LE, ) is darker (95% similar).
- NARS Stage Dive (LE, $25.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- Illamasqua Sadist (P, ) is warmer (90% similar).
- NABLA Cosmetics Majorelle (PiP, $8.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- Coloured Raine Neo Blue (PiP, $6.99) is lighter (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.
Look Using this Product
Outremer
PPermanent. $19.00.
Showgirl
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 fantastic with rich, opaque coverage in a single layer. The texture was denser, almost cream-like, and had a thicker consistency compared to most of the shades in the range. It applied well to bare skin but took a little more effort to diffuse and blend along the edges due to the thickness (but it adhered extremely well, so as a lid shade, it’s great). It lasted for eight and a half hours on me.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Fenty Beauty Glacier Gang (LE, ) is darker (95% similar).
- Sephora Rio (LE, ) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Make Up For Ever S214 Ultramarine Blue (DC, $21.00) is less shimmery (90% similar).
- MAC How Royal (DC, $17.00) is less shimmery (90% similar).
- Sydney Grace Boy Crazy (P, $6.25) is more shimmery, darker, cooler (90% similar).
- Urban Decay Blindsided (LE, $19.00) is less shimmery, warmer (85% similar).
- MAC Blue Horizon (LE, $17.00) is less shimmery, more muted, warmer (85% similar).
- Urban Decay Peace (DC, $19.00) is less shimmery, brighter, warmer (85% similar).
- ColourPop Tide Pool (PiP, $4.50) is more shimmery, lighter (85% similar).
- Disney by Sephora Blue Lagoon (LE, ) is less shimmery, warmer (85% 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
Showgirl
PPermanent. $19.00.
Zambezi
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 pigmentation with a soft, smooth consistency that was a smidgen dusty in the pan, but it seemed more from being more loosely pressed and didn’t have fallout when I worked with it on my lid. This shade stayed on well for eight hours on me before creasing faintly.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Makeup Geek Abracadabra (P, $12.00) is more shimmery, darker (95% similar).
- Juvia's Place Chefchaouen (P, ) is more shimmery, brighter, cooler (95% similar).
- YSL Indie Jasper #5 (LE, ) is lighter (95% similar).
- ColourPop Facet-nation (LE, $4.50) is lighter, cooler (95% similar).
- City Color Hint of Mint (P, $6.99) is more shimmery, darker, cooler (90% similar).
- MAC All Hands on Deck (LE, $17.00) is warmer (90% similar).
- Melt Cosmetics Blue Dream (LE, ) is more shimmery (90% similar).
- Huda Beauty Mint #8 (LE, ) is darker (90% similar).
- Moira Neptune (P, $7.50) is less shimmery, lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- ColourPop Freshman (PiP, $4.50) is more shimmery, 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.
Showgirl and Zambezi are beautiful. I have no words for how awful Tropic looks.
I don’t know how they brought Tropic back and made it at least as bad!
The 2 I would have loved to see do better really fell much too short for me to bother with them. The glittery teal was fairly obviously going to be a fail, though. I also like Zambezi and Showgirl, but can probably get a similar type of look just taking out my pan of Buxom Room Service, UD Madness, and the Electric Palette, I’m guessing.
Good plan to use those dupes, Nancy!
Such a shame that Tropic isn’t better; it sucked in its previous formulation and I was hoping this time, they might have improved it but, alas, no…
I don’t know why they bothered!
Is Tropic cursed?? ? The old one wasn’t great, can’t understand why they’d bring it into the new lineup and still unfortunately have the it perform badly.
I do have my eye on Zambezi though!
Yeah, them bringing it back and it still being terrible is where I get lost.
Zambezi is the prettiest shade there, I have a feeling that the rest are dated shades and as for Tropic…..
Wow. Just wow. Zambezi and Showgirl look fantastic but Tropic… eesh. And Baby Jane looks like a darker, matte version of Cleo I. I would have liked to have seen Cleo II in this collection but they better not screw it up.
I would love some good blues but the quality is an issue in most reviews.
Hello Christine.How does outremer in the new formula compares to the old one?
Milani Pure Passion
I am devoted to NARS dual intensity eye shadows and they seem to be phasing those out. None of their other shadows seem to perform nearly as well. Glad I stocked up on Himalia. Don’t know what I’ll do when it runs out!
Maybe they’re getting a package update – hard to say.
What can I say, there you go again Christine making poor shadows look great and thus I feel like they can’t be THAT bad. LOL! But, I’m going to trust your ratings and the vanity tool, and if I can dupe then, then voilà!
I think the look is subpar, personally! Like I don’t see anything great about it. There’s patchiness, could be more blended (best I’m capable of), and muddy.
Well must be my eyesight then because I see six distinct colors in your photos. Tropic is ugly (to me) and muddy looking, but the others look good! Outremer is lost in this color combo, but I think it might pop with other colors; Zambezi is the only one that I’d condor buying because I don’t have anything like it and I like it. All said, though the look works and I couldn’t see the patchiness.
Okay, I compared this eye look to the latest Natasha Denona eye look you did (the green-rust one) and I see now that this one looks less blended. But I don’t see the patchiness. 🙁
Getting a serious 70’s vibe … 😉
Hi Christine! Just wanted to let you know this post seems to be missing the “NARS Cosmetics” tag. I was trying to browse the single eyeshadows via the brand tag and realized this one wasn’t showing up.
Just thought you might like to know, thanks for all your hard work always! 😉