NARS China Seas Eyeshadow Duo Review, Photos, Swatches
NARS China Seas Eyeshadow Duo
NARS China Seas Eyeshadow Duo ($34.00 for 0.14 oz.) is a new and permanent duo just in time for spring that features a teal and plum. While Kauai knocked my socks off, China Seas left me wanting more–pigmentation, softer, smoother textures. It’s a workable duo, and there’s no stiffness despite some of the drier consistencies, so they still blend out without a lot of work. The left side of the duo lasted almost eight hours on me, while the right side of the duo had faded noticeably by seven and a half hours.
China Seas #1 is described as an “iridescent turquoise with gold infusion.” It’s a bluish-teal with a golden sheen and frosted finish. The texture was fairly soft and smooth, but it didn’t have as much pigmentation as I expected–it was a little weak and resulted in more semi-opaque color payoff. It didn’t build up much more than what was there, but if you use it wet and really pack it on, you can get a more true-to-pan color to come forth. Makeup Geek Mermaid (P, $5.99) is very similar. Too Faced Jingle All the Way Eyeshadow #9 (LE) is greener. NARS Bavaria (P, $24.00) is surprisingly similar–perhaps a smidgen bluer. theBalm Open to Offers Olwen (LE, $16.00) is brighter, richer. MAC Rain Drop (LE, $32.50) is more metallic, darker. Inglot #413 (P, $6.00) is similar. See comparison swatches.
China Seas #2 is described as an “iridescent plum.” It’s a medium-dark, warm-toned plum with a sparkly finish that’s just slightly frosted. The texture was somewhat dry, though it didn’t feel stiff so it wasn’t difficult to apply or blend, but it is a drier texture, which resulted in a less color payoff. MAC A Medley of Mauves #3 (P, $21.00) is darker. Tom Ford Beauty Seductive Rose #4 (P) is also a bit darker. Anastasia Pink Sapphire (LE) is warmer. Makeup Geek Last Dance (P, $5.99) is darker. Makeup Geek Enchanted (P, $6.99) is slightly lighter. Sleek MakeUP A Vow in Venice (LE, $9.99) is similar. Urban Decay Last Call (P, $18.00) is more metallic. MAC Star Violet (P, $15.00) is browner. Lancome Colour du Jour (P, $19.00) is similar. Chanel Harmonie du Soir #3 (LE) is slightly lighter. See comparison swatches.
China Seas
PPermanent. $34.00.
China Seas #1
DCDiscontinued. $25.00.
China Seas #2
DCDiscontinued. $25.00.
NARS China Seas Eyeshadow Duo
NARS China Seas Eyeshadow Duo
NARS China Seas Eyeshadow Duo
NARS China Seas Eyeshadow Duo
NARS China Seas #1 Eyeshadow
NARS China Seas #1 Eyeshadow
NARS China Seas #2 Eyeshadow
NARS China Seas #2 Eyeshadow
NARS: Kauai #1 (inner lid), China Seas #1 (middle of lid), China Seas #2 (outer lid),
Kauai #2 (crease), Khao San Road, Puerta del Sol on lower lash line
NARS: Kauai #1 (inner lid), China Seas #1 (middle of lid), China Seas #2 (outer lid),
Kauai #2 (crease), Khao San Road, Puerta del Sol on lower lash line
The blue is nice! I don’t care too much for the purple.
I wish it had a better texture 🙁
I was kind of hoping this would turn out like Kauai but I guess it’s for the best that it didn’t because NARS would just be taking over my life at this point lol. I really like the colors but I’m not a fan of sheer shadows. They’re usually more trouble than they’re worth trying to work with them
It’s so funny how different the two are!
Aw, I was hoping for more. I guess I’ll just have to skip it then.
Me too, Jamie! 🙁
Thats the problem with nars is that it is so hit and miss and for the price it just isn’t fair. Urban Decay on the other hand is almost always consistent. May I just say that the look you created was so beautiful. Honestly, it is one of your best looks to date. If the duo sucked, it sure didn’t show as you looked beautiful!!
Thank you so much <3
Hi Christine,
I was bummed to see that Nordstrom has this palette but not the Kauai one. I even checked Saks but the collection isn’t out yet at Saks. Do you know if any other place has it or if Nordstrom will bring it? It’s strange that they would have one but not the other. 🙁
I would contact Nordstrom, as I don’t know why they don’t have it!
NARS typically releases Spring collections on January 15, so it may be that Nordstrom just has this out early, like they sometimes do with MAC LE collections. Being as both are apparently permanent, I think they’ll eventually have both. It could also be a mistake online; I went to a Nordstrom a couple of weeks ago, and the one item I wanted most was sold out, yet listed as 3 in-stock, yet another item I wanted that said sold out *was* in-stock. Just try calling your local counter.
I really like the plummy shade – it looks very much like the plum in the Cheyenne duo!
Good eye!
I’s such a shame that this palette kind of places *itself* in the shadow (no pun intended, ouch) of its sister Kauai…. 🙁
LOL!
Fabulous eye look, I really like these colors together 🙂
Thank you!
These shades really do compliment each other. You put together a beautiful look. Want this!
Thanks a lot, Celine!
This review is a bit of a letdown after Kauai… Maybe you should have posted this one *first*, LOL! Still, the plum is gorgeous, and for some reason, not an abundant shade in my stash (although I love it). Bavaria came to mind immediately when I saw the initial swatches, so I can at least wait on picking that up for a while!
It’s funny – it is a lot like Bavaria, even in terms of its drawbacks!
this looks so beautiful in the pan…i was hoping for a stellar review.
It seemed promising in the pan!
I stopped by because I thought these colors were an unusual pairing, but they really complement each other nicely.
Monica
They do work well together, but you are right that they’re a more unusual combo!
Is it wrong that I kind of like how pigmented they aren’t? Blue shadow has a habit of looking truly foul on me, but a slightly more sheer blue… I’m definitely drawn to this duo, even though I probably really shouldn’t be. It doesn’t help that you created an absolutely AMAZING look with it! I love the two liners together. Just beautiful! Great work as always, Christine 🙂
Nah, there’s nothing wrong with it, Georgiana! Some brands make sheer eyeshadows for people who aren’t looking for more pigmented ones. I don’t even have a problem with sheer eyeshadows *but* I expect brands to make it pretty clear that they are sheer (since they’re typically supposed to be very pigmented, or in the case of NARS’ eyeshadow formula, they are supposed to be).