NARS Coconut Grove Eyeshadow Review, Photos, Swatches (Fall 2010)
NARS Coconut Grove Eyeshadow
Get Down & Dirty with Coconut Grove
NARS Coconut Grove Eyeshadow ($23.00 for 0.07 oz.) is a rich, decadent dark chocolate. This is an intense brown–there is no subtly here. It’s one of the darkest browns I’ve seen without veering into black. I love the pigmentation of it, too. It doesn’t quiver in its boots! It charges straight ahead and goes on as dark as it looks in the pan. You gotta love when an eyeshadow looks exactly the same in the pan as it does in practice.
Unlike Daphne, Coconut Grove has no problem showing up to the party, no matter where it’s at! It swatches intensely, but more importantly, it applies the same way when used on the eye. I wore it in this smoky eye, and I had to do some furious blending to keep it from being too dark and sultry (just because I was pairing it with red lips, but it could have easily been left in its stronger form and paired with a nude lip). If pressed, I’d say this is a cooler brown, but I don’t think it leans very cool, and I liked it against my warmer skin tone as well.
According to NARS, this can be used wet as eyeliner, and since it’s incredibly deep in color and excellent in pigmentation, it could easily emphasize the eyes as eyeliner. I don’t think you’d have any trouble getting this to look smooth and pigmented in a tight line at all. From my experience, Coconut Grove is one of the best single eyeshadows by NARS to date.
Don’t forget — use code TEMPTALIA for a free mini lipgloss trio featuring Turkish Delight, Gothika, and Greek Holiday at NARS — expires 8/15.
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- Product: 29/30
- Value: 8/10
- Ease of Use: 4/5
- Packaging: 4/5
RECOMMENDATION: For an alternative to black, Coconut Grove would make an excellent multi-tasking “darkening” agent. It’s also lovely on its own!
AVAILABILITY: NARS
NARS Coconut Grove Eyeshadow
NARS Coconut Grove Eyeshadow
NARS Coconut Grove / Daphne Eyeshadow
love this! Might have to pick this one up!
Wow, that’s dark! So many dark browns look like black with a hint of brown
What MAC eyeshadow would you say Coconut Grove is closest to?
Brun, maybe.
perhaps showstopper?
It’s kind of like Showstopper… on steroids.
what about mystery?
Not quite as dark!
Do you know how this compares to NARS Bengali?
I don’t have Bengali to compare! It seems like it is a little darker from swatches I’ve seen online.
Coconut Grove looks a tad warmer than Bobbi Brown’s Espresso which I own and use in the same way, as liner and occasionally for a smokey eye over a metallic cream eyeshadow. This type of deep dark brown flatters a lot of eye colors. It’s an investment shadow; you’ll have it a long time.
Between this and Rajasthan Duo, I am now a NARS convert. Love their eyeshadows!
Is this similar to Mekong without the shimmer?
Darker!
Wow! Darker then Mekong?!?!? LOL I may have to get this, I love colors like this.
I love this! Very lovely color and such extreme pigmentation! Rich browns are definitely a must-have.
it sounds like it would be GREAT as a liner!!
I am in the process of upgrading some of my past poor, impulse makeup choices to high-end, better quality and pigmentation products that are similar in color. Would you say this color is a better alternative to MAC Espresso, or is it too dark? I generally use Espresso to smoke out various colors, but as you said above still show as brown and not black when built up in intensity.
It’s definitely darker than Espresso – more like Brun, but a little more pigmented/intense.
Wow – love it!
Hmm this might just be the first NARS single I might get 😀 Do you think it could work for eyebrows, too?
It could – it’s very dark, though!
Ohhh! I like this brown!!
Wow, that’s dark. I like it! Imagine a smoky eye with that instead of black. And perhaps used with a rusty red color. I can already see the possibilities!
Hmmm, I’m gonna look into this. A TRUE brown is what I need…
I am seriously adding this to my loooong wishlist!
Mahalo for the review Christine!
No prob, Adelinky!
When does this NARS collection come to stores?
I know some stores have it – you may want to call yours!
Oh this is decently pigmented
Could be used wisely for a brownish somky eyes
this looks beautiful! its nice to see a matte brown thats not all chalky or powdery… i will probably pick this up
Do you think this is a dupe for MAC Handwritten (in regards to color, texture, finish, etc.)? I use Handwritten pretty heavily and this looks about the same.
Handwritten is redder, I believe… I don’t remember Handwritten being so dark.
Great pigmentation but I’d be so afraid to over-apply and then have to wipe half of it off.
Hi Christine, looooove all your swatches! I actually do listen to all your recommendations & if you grade something an “A” I’m sure it must be a great product..anyhow on to my ?…The only matte brown color I have is expresso by mac do you think I should get coconut grove?
How’s Espresso working for you? I don’t think this is necessarily a must-have color no matter what, but it’s a nice shade of brown — if you need one.
well I don’t even use expresso because the first day I got it I tried to use it as an eyeliner and I ruined it I think-the pigmentation was really bad afterwards and I left a big spot on it..anyhow enough about that, I guess I am just looking for a good brown-any recommendations? I’m warm toned (nc25-nc30 in mac)
Soft Brown is excellent for something medium brown, then Satin Taupe for a very dark brown (though it’s not matte).
You could try to rub off the top layer of your Espresso to see if that helps!
Lovely eyeshadow color! I might buy it…
But I have a question: does the color come out warm? To me, the swatch isn’t as warm as the color appears in the pan.
Also does it have a lot of shimmer? I’m hoping it’s more matte…
There is no shimmer in Coconut Grove – it’s matte. The color doesn’t pull warm to me!
Can we use this wet as liner?
According to NARS, yes.
curse you & your swatches ! that looks beautiful. must haveeee.
LOL! Sorry 😛
I’ve been looking for a shadow like this!
this might be my first Nars eyeshadow!:)
Is it sad that I want this because of the name (I need another dark brown like I need to get hit by a car)? Coconut Grove is a city by where I live in Miami, FL. Its our favorite hang out every weekend and I think thats what they named it if I remember correct from reading the promos?! One of those places that just makes you happy!!
Hey I live near Coconut Grove. It doesn’t look anything like that. It’s more taupe actually. 😉 😀 hehe That is a serious dark brown. That would be an awesome crease color. 🙂
I like its darker shade. I’m thinking of getting this one and using it to apply a smokey effect around my eyes. I have large eyes so these should do the trick. I’m going to a reunion party with college girl friends some time next week. Thanks! = )
This seems like just the shade I have been looking for, a really dark brown that is not black. <3
This looks excellent!
The other day, though, I bought Bare Escentual’s powder liner in Coffee Bean (described as tobacco leaf), and it looks pretty similiar. Even though it’s a liner, I found that it worked nicely as a shadow. So, in case there’s anyone out there looking for slightly cheaper alternative ($13, I think) and doesn’t mind working with loose powder, it’s worth a try. 🙂
Hello Christine! I am dying to see a swatch of Mekong versus Coconut Grove (since I have to order it and can’t see it in person). I couldn’t find this on any other blogs. :/ Are they the same shade, just one w/microglitter and one without? I love using Galapagos as an eyeliner, and was wondering which of the two was less black – Mekong or Coconut Grove? If it’s too dark, it’ll just read black on super fair skin like mine. What are your thoughts, Christine? Thank you!
Mekong isn’t quite as dark and much warmer in comparison to Coconut Grove!
Mekong is less black for sure.
Is this going to be limited edition?