NARS Celebrate Soft Touch Shadow Pencil Review, Photos, Swatches
NARS Celebrate Soft Touch Shadow Pencil
NARS Spring 2011: Celebrate
NARS Celebrate Soft Touch Shadow Pencil ($24.00 for 0.14 oz.) is described as a “parrot green” by NARS. The Soft Touch Shadow Pencils are supposed to be “smooth, creamy, and long-wearing.” They are touted as the “ideal base for layering with powder eyeshadow to increase color intensity.” It’s a multi-tasking pencil that can be used to “Shade the lid, line, or highlight the eye.”
Celebrate is a bright, chartreuse green with a strong yellow base. It applied semi-opaque but glided on easily. The problem with this shade was its complete inability to not crease. I tried it alone, and it creased within minutes. I layered eyeshadow on top (Giorgio Armani Transluminence palette–the teal–I just used whatever I had nearest to me), and it still creased in less than an hour. It’s not even a little creasing–it’s painful to see. Not to be daunted, I also tried it over NARS’ Smudgeproof Eyeshadow Base with the same eyeshadow layered on top, and I still had the same results (a veritable creasing bonanza).
my thoughts on the formula: More often than not, the Soft Touch Shadow Pencils are a bust for me–they crease alone but also when layered with powder–and Celebrate continues to show that NARS’ Soft Touch Shadow Pencils really can be hit or miss.
Celebrate
PPermanent. $24.00.
NARS Celebrate Soft Touch Shadow Pencil
NARS Celebrate Soft Touch Shadow Pencil
NARS Celebrate Soft Touch Shadow Pencil
NARS Celebrate Soft Touch Shadow Pencil, after 15 minutes
NARS Celebrate layered over NARS’ Smudgeproof Eyeshadow Base + teal eyeshadow on top, after 1 hour
Wow… what a disappointment. I don’t understand how a brand known for such high quality products could put something like this out. Seriously… why would they do it?
oh dear, i think this is the worst eyeshadow I have ever seen!
Yikes.
I’m feeling like these soft touch pencils are not worth the $. I won the Palladium pencil from the fall collection and felt the same way; it’s just not pro-long wearing and/or really wearable. You could put this is in your Halloween reserve…it would make for a lovely sugar skull look.
I had the same issue with Palladium. Even used as a liner and set with another shadow it ends up everywhere.
Bummer, I was really looking forward to this one. Thanks for the review, Christine (and for saving me $$)!
Wow, that’s pretty bad. The color isn’t something I’d pick up anyway, but I know to stay away from the product all together. That’s disappointing.
Oh my gosh, that’s terrible! I’m definitely passing on this (even though I do love me some chartreuse)
Wow, how horrible. At least the NYX pencils work out when you set them, and they’re less than $4!
Such a shame, it’s an awesome color, too.
I can’t help but think of someone using a yellow highlighter for eyeshadow when I see the swatch on your eyes.
lmao good analogy
what a shame! They look good just to see as a pencil not the product 🙁
wow, a single digit product rating. the color reminds me of shrek anyway!
LOL that’s funny
Fifteen minutes? And that? Wow! I can’t believe it.
NYX makes the same greasy pencil for $3.
It kind of makes you wonder if he even bothers testing his products before they ship out? If I were Nars, I’d be embarassed, to say the least.
lol, that creasing is HORRIBLE.
wow, and i almost bought this!
When I saw the 5/30… I thought, “I know it sounds bad, but it can’t be that bad.” But, seeing the pics… it is even worse! Now, I know you were actually being kind.
Sad, since it’s such an awesome color.
the 5 was a little generous, too.
It did have good texture and decent color pay off 🙂
I was really looking forward to this pencil… but now? :/
This looks gross and for $24.00 they should be ashamed!
I don’t know why, but I get all excited when I see an F product… haha. I like to see the extreme of good and the extreme of bad I guess!
LOL I thought I was the only one!
lol! Me too!
Me too!
Ditto! It’s a shame that so many beauty bloggers and vloggers think they are being “mean” when they do a negative review so they don’t do negative reviews at all. I love that Christine keeps it real! I much more appreciate blogs that SAVE me money rather than ones that make me want to go out and buy everything!
Hahahah the picture after 15 minutes made me laugh.
OH snap. I’ve never seen an F rating before.
stupid NARS. >:(
That’s too bad since that shade of green is gorgeous! Sigh…
yuk
That is a hot mess! I’d be embarrassed to release such an ineffective product with the NARS name attached. What were they thinking?!
Oh, my goodness. That would be a total waste of money. You really expect more from a brand like NARS.
Oh, how awful! The color is incredible, too. 🙁
eew. That is icky.
Creasing is bad 🙁 Well, hopefully they will work in the formula; the color looks amazing in the pencil.
Thats a shame 🙁 Although I am SOOO looking forward to your review on Calanque! The trio :D.
Thanks for that I was about to get it!
This is just horrible. Goes to show that even the higher end brands can make a mess sometimes too.
EW!! Thanks for the warning!! I’m sad, because I thought this would be a great, vibrant summer colour, but product tends to crease on my lids as a rule, so I can’t imagine what this would look like after a few hours’ wear, let alone an entire hot day’s!
Bummer…the color is gorgeous. Shame shame, NARS! Do they make a similar shade in shadow formula?
The Rated R duo would be similar!
I have the Rated R duo. It is gorgeous and highly pigmented. Needs a base to get full effect though.
Wow! I was hoping so much for this to be fabulous too. So disappointed!!
Sorrrry! Nevermind, just saw your dupe list. I’ll check out the MAC pigment. *facepalm* I’m so ditzy today.
such a shame! cant believe Nars is producing this stuff for the make up world with that kind of quality..was looking forward to this bright green color for spring but sadly and gladly wont be buying this!
I know how it can be used. Fake mucus/slime/snot drips under the nose for Halloween or Zombie walk. Or it could be melted into paraffin to create a chartreuse candle. Waste not want not…
Or you could do a small art piece with it. Like an oil painting.
Wow. That’s really bad! I’ve never seen anything like this.
Wow, that is really bad. Makes be think of how awful the Covergirl Smoky Shadow Blast was on me. Of course the Covergirl is only like $5, I’d expect a lot more for $24, especially from Nars
Wow! That crease is one of the worst I’ve ever seen! I’m disappointed in Nars.
Ouch. An F rating? From a company like NARS? I hope the rest of their products don’t go downhill!
That is aweful! Thanks for the heads up!
I don’t know if you could possibly answer this but, what do you thin it is about the formula that makes this pencil so bad in application? It’s weird how the swatch looks so good but the actual application didn’t go well. And I’m also wondering if one of MAC’s Paints (from cream to powder) would do better as a base…
No idea – there is probably something in it or not in it that either makes it so it doesn’t dry down or makes it too emollient.
I can not believe that a company like NARS would put out a product like this. NARS products are not cheap and when you buy NARS you expect a level of quality, and this is just unacceptable. Don’t they test their products before they put them out?
Thank you temptalia for reviewing products and showing us all how some products aren’t winners, no matter what company it is. I don’t buy a makeup product without reading your review first. You’re honest, and I thank you for that.
It’s too bad that it creases. That looks like an exact dupe for both Pharaoh paint pot and Colour Matters e/l.
wow, what a disappointment….guess that saves me $24.00!
Thanks Christine!!
Sad to say, but this is just plain ugly. Francois Nars needs to realize that not EVERY color is meant to be a makeup color. What ever happened to using color to FLATTER and ENHANCE one’s features???
I love, love, LOVE chartreuse as an eyeshadow color myself, so I respectfully disagree – it can be an awesome color to wear!
Yes, this shade of green does have that jaundiced look to it.
That little bit of shadow pencil under your lower lid: Did that migrate from your lower lashline? I ask because if it did, that’s impressively bad. Your lower lashline is totally clean.
Yes, yes it did. I don’t even know what dark magic it worked to do that.
Wow that sucks!
Wow! I’ve never seen you give an F before Christine!
I’ve given several before, actually!
EWWWWWWWWW OH MY GOD.
Awww what a disappointment this product wasn’t good! I saw the product and thought for sure it was something i must try, ughhh not anymore! LOL Thanks for saving me $24 Christine!! =)
wow, that really is a disappointmen, because the colour looks really cool and original, plus you expect something from a brand like NARS.
I think a lot of nars products are crappy. Love their complexion products but i’ve had some major issues with some of their eyeshadows and lipsticks. it used to be my favorite brand =(
I completely agree. Their cream shadows are appalling (beautiful colours, but awful formulae). I get similar creasing with them as Christine did with this pencil.
These NARS shadow pencils are just awful. I don’t understand how any brand, but especially NARS, can be so great with some products and so bad (F) with others. But this is why we count on you, Christine, to warn us. Thanks.
WOW LOL This DOES indeed look terrible. As everyone knows, I am obsessed with NARS and have yet to try this product out. I will definitely have to check this out for myself, speak to some people and see what’s the deal with this one because I know sometimes NARS makes products that have to be used a certain but this one? I’m not so sure:( ~sP
Only one out of all the shades (probably 4 or 5 now) I’ve tried has been OK. Palladium is SO SO SO GORGEOUS OMG but it just doesn’t want to work.
Haha Brian I knew you’d piss yourself seeing an F rating for a NARS product…believe me I did too! But there seems to be a consensus among beauty bloggers that the soft pencils are crap. Sad because the colours are so purdy. :'(
Christine that’s horrible!
I hate to say it but that last picture made me think of the Creature From the Black Lagoon (and not by any fault of your own).
What a disappointment!
Wow that is ridiculous. It looks like you just put some watercolor on your lid.
Utter disappointment – I wonder how it would look on someone that has oily eyelids. Thanks Christine, once again you saved me some money that can now go to the D&G Spring line.
Too bad! Such a pretty color!
Thank you for posting those ‘fail’ pictures so we can see what the products does (or doesn’t lol) 🙂 I would’ve thought Nars test their products extensively.. or they should include a manual 😉
Regardless the quality of the product, the color is fuggo! Who would want the color of jaundice next to their eyes??
Ugh, that is some severe creasing!!
What a disappoinment considering it’s a cool colour, and 24 dollars is quiet pricey!
I feel bad for the ones who are gonna spend money on this and discover that it creases so badly >.<
ewww
Geez…NARS just can’t do creams, it seems.
you’re really the best shopping guide ever christine! thanks for your honest review <3
Eek, that’s horrid!
I thought cosmetic companies had people who tested stuff for ages before even considering putting it on sale? Obviously they missed this one!
I have been so disappointed by Nars in the past couple of years. Powdery shadow with weak pigment, Migrating eye pencils nad the Orgasm Blush seems to rub off after a while. Very disappointing.
I was extremely disappointed in Palladium also. I will never buy another soft touch shadow from them.
Did they not test this?
no tell me it’s not Nars! sadness!!! pretty color too 🙂
Shame… it looked pretty too.
Oh my gosh. The color is pretty (although it would look gross on me), but I literally gasped when I saw the photos on your lid. That much creasing is disgusting.
Lol. Just lol.
this actually worked really well for me, i have it in a light champagne kinda color and i loveee it!!! i wear it all the time!
Lol omg don’t mean to laugh but the first picture just had me laughing. Man that really sucks that such great company like NARS has products like this. Thanks Christine for warning us 😉
AAHH! Now, that’s some truly frightening creasing. It’s too bad – the shade is actually really cute, at least in your skin swatch!
I don’t understand how a company like Nars could put out a product like this. Don’t they do any kind of product testing at all?
Booo! Hiss! lol bummer that these suck so bad cuz the colors are so pretty! I guess you win some and you lose some.
*winces* No wonder it got an F. Thank you for protecting us from the horror that is Celebrate.
OMG YES. Poor Christine our sacrificial lamb who posts pics others dare not lol. I have to say I wouldn’t wear this if they paid ME the 24 bucks! (and I could use the money!!)
I hope Christine gets hazzard pay on these ones!
WORD!
oy vey!
Yikes! How disappointing! It’s a beautiful color, but that won’t cover up the fact that it’s the opposite of the name!
Shame shame shame we NARS your name! OMG that is soo beyond bad. what exactly were they thinking?
(umm 8/10 for VALUE??? Christine!) <:-O
Value is just quantity/price, nothing to do with quality! 😉
Nars makes some amazing colors but when they have formula mishaps they are HUGE, like their glitter shadows/blushes being a hot mess, and the shadow pencils. I’ve tested this with stay don’t stray and nars eye primer with the same results. 🙁
oh wow > <
Oh no! This looked so pretty, I’m so sorry to see that it’s such a fail!
Yuck, what a creasing mess! Way to not deliver, NARS!
as mush as i love NARS, i have never been impressed with his cream formulas or the soft touch shadow pencils.
Holy WOWZA…………….. What a fail of a product!!!!
Oh am I HAPPY to see this! I allllmost bought this and I couldn’t stop thinking about it and trying to decide whether or not to get it and I’m thrilled to just put it behind me now.
That is so disappointing 🙁
Such bright, vivid color. Such a horrible, crease-prone and fadetastic formula. I have one of these in another color and am very dissapoint.
Did you use an eye shadow primer with that? or just on bare skin?
Please read the review or the text under the photo – I am not sure which image you are referring to – thank you!
Yiiiikes. That’s too bad! The swatch was pretty, in any case! This exact thing happened to me with the Covergirl Shadow Blast! I still can’t figure that thing out!!
YIKES… NARS is better than that… They should fix these pencils!
eeeek, that is bad!
Boo!!! When I saw it I loved it, but wow, thank you for saving me money. 🙂 That creasing sucks and is probably one of my biggest pet-pev.
Eww! I hate that. How can they ask for $24 for that stuff?
liking awesome new collection preview banner!!!
wow they were really hyping this product in the beauty magazines too, thanks Christine for the straight story!
Oh my goodness, sooo gross hahaha. So disappointing from NARS!!
I’m shocked that 14 people chose ‘loving it’ xD
Wow. That looks really bad. I can’t understand that NARS is even selling such a bad quality product. It will only destroy there reputation.
This is the first F rating you ever gave, isn’t it?
No, I’ve given several actually!
Both of the color and the quality are horrible !
what a disappointment !
This is a DISASTER!
Phew! That crease is offensive! Sad, I thought that color would have been fun.
Wow. That’s embarrassing.
Boo to you, NARS.
Wow. That’s terrible..
Horrendous!
I love that you posted the pics of how terribly it creases, it helps to see it as well as read it!
I love the color…but that creasing is scary.
They should seriously do something about the formula. Right now, NYX is kicking their ass in terms of product value. I would really like to “love” these shadow pencils out. And based on your last review, for a brand that makes such an awesome shadow base (yes, I am a NARS Smudgeproof Shadow Base convert!), why the underwhelming quality?
Not hating…just hoping NARS would take notice and make some improvements to the formula.
That’s very disappointing. Lemme say something, I have two CoverGirl Smoky ShadowBlast and they do the exact same thing!! I just looked here to see your review on CG Smoky ShadowBlast but you don’t apply it on the eye. But the real problem is not right after applying it, like this NARS shadow pencil, but after some time. The first time it happened, it occurred me that I should have spread the eyeshadow, because I applied too much trying to get a nice look to my new year party. But last monday I used it again, spread with my finger but the same thing happen. It’s very disappointing to look in the mirror and see that the make up you did is a total fail, and you had no idea before you look in the mirror… lol
Oh, BTW, just to add something to my previous comment about CG Smoky ShadowBlast: I used primer potion from Urban Decay both times, and the in 1st time I used a eyeshadow from a Brazilian Brand before the CG shadow.
Eee! That’s baad!!
Holy smokes – what a MESS!!! I just got my first 2 UD shadow pencils and I’m loving them and plan to get more. Heck, you can get better results (they still crease on me but at least they’re cheap) with NYX pencils. Shame on you, NARS!
Isn’t this the fourth or so time you’ve ever given an F before?
I don’t know – I don’t keep track!
Oh wow. I just bought it when I saw the color (absolute green lover here) before I got the chance to read any reviews. This is really saddening….
I did use this as a upper lid liner and it worked quite well! (ie no creasing or smudging…) I wouldn’t have bought the product if I’ve read this beforehand… but oh well.
that looks like an infection lmfao
so i looked this up after i bought it.. worst product ever! i was jabbing my eye trying to get it to go on.. i can’t even get it to go on my lid at all. so angry. swatches beautifully on the hand- i’d have to hold my eyelid taught and jab my eye like crazy to even get this to work. so angry….!!!