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NARS California Eyeshadow Review, Photos, Swatches

NARS California Eyeshadow
NARS California Eyeshadow

NARS California Eyeshadow

NARS California Eyeshadow ($23.00 for 0.07 oz.) is described as a “rich copper.” It’s a warm, reddish copper with a frosted finish. The color payoff is good, though the texture seems on the drier side–but luckily, it still comes together with a smooth feel and even color. It seems a touch redder and deeper compared to MAC Mythology but not as red as MAC Coppering.

According to NARS, their eyeshadows are supposed to be long-wearing and crease-resistant. In my experience, they still need to be worn over an eyeshadow base for all-day wear, but alone, they wear seven to eight hours with subtle creasing. They don’t fall apart immediately after application, but an eyeshadow base is recommended for best results.

Oh, and p.s.? It’s available for $8 at Sephora.com.  Talk about perfect timing! 🙂

NARS California Eyeshadow
NARS California Eyeshadow

NARS California Eyeshadow
NARS California Eyeshadow

NARS California Eyeshadow
NARS California Eyeshadow

NARS California Eyeshadow
NARS California Eyeshadow

NARS California Eyeshadow
NARS California Eyeshadow

42 Comments

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Shubana Avatar

I had picked up both Night Sun and Cali from Sephora last week when I saw them at $8 (I’m a huge Nars fan so I snatched them up asap). I saw the California to be a shade that would suit me well, fingers crossed for Night Sun 🙂

Karol stefany Avatar

Hello Christine. I wonder what camera do you use for you to take the photographs, they look awesome. I tried to take some pics and was a total mess. Can you help me? Is yours an HD cam? Thanks a lot.

JCz Avatar

I just got this e/s too, also thinking that it would look good with my green eyes. I made the mistake of using it on my entire lid and it was a little, um, intense – I had to temper it with a cream colored shadow on top. It did make my green eyes look great, but next time I’ll be a bit more judicious with the placement of the color!

Lisa Avatar

Christine, I just bought this yesterday and I *adore* it.

What a pretty color! I’m so impressed with NARS eyeshadows (but I still probably would never purchase at $23 each)

Emily Avatar

Thanks for warning about the $8 deal! I just picked it up, along with Night Sun, and I’m already picturing the looks I can do with them!

Babs Avatar

I bought both Califoria and Night Sun for $8 at Sephora. I’m not pleased wth either. The California is okay for eight bucks, but no way worth $23. I tried it on my cheeks, ad it is actually nice is applied lightly.

The Night Sun is a huge glitter bomb. Not even worth $8 as far as I’m concerned.

Shannon Avatar

I just got this and love it! it’s really quite warm though so i can imagine cooler girls would want to stay away…but for that price, the texture and color’s totally worth it!

the other one (Night Sun?) isn’t quite as good unfortunately…the base gold color isn’t bad, but the large glitter chunks is bothering me. i’m tempted to return it even if it was only $8 >.<

Patricia Avatar

I got mine a while back. Beautiful color and excellent pigmentation but it creased for me a little bit during the day. Even with UD’s primer potion. But besides that, amazing.

April Avatar

A really good duplicate for this shade, I’d say 98% comparable, is BareMinerals “Beautiful Melodie” This shade came in the set called “Women of BE” that contained 20 mini pots, all named after their customers. I love the BE shade because it’s so silky, and is beautiful applied dry, wet, or over a base. I wish I could include a picture, it’s that lovely!

Kaylin Brown Avatar

Can you please PLEASE! do a review on night sun too! i saw that they’re both 8 dollars and i don’t know whether to buy both, i love and trust your reviews so much!

Lori Avatar

I work for a Sephora (JCP) and of course we don’t have this shadow in our stores but when I saw it online at that price I couldn’t resist. It definitely looks good on darker skin but NEEDS an eyeshadow base for that smooth look on the lids. I love it!!!!!!!!

Michelle Avatar

so glad you did this review. i got it for the sale price alone without really knowing what the color payoff was and with no luck on finding any other reviews. now just waiting for it to show up. 🙂

whitepepper Avatar

This reminds me a little of the red/copper half of NARS Bladerunner, or a more red/copper version of MAC Glamour Check. I’d get it if Sephora would ship it to me, though. 🙂

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