NARS Cool Crush Eyeshadow Palette Review & Swatches
Cool Crush
NARS Cool Crush NARSissist Eyeshadow Palette ($59.00 for 0.48 oz.) is a new, limited edition warm-toned, neutral palette with two pops of blue-teal to add more versatility and dimension. The palette performed decently and was consistent with NARS’ eyeshadow formula, generally. Most shades had semi-opaque to opaque coverage, while several were more powdery or slightly drier in texture, so there was light to moderate fallout depending on the shade. If you typically use an eyeshadow primer, I expect some of the issues I noticed to be solved satisfactorily.
Cool Crush
LELimited Edition. $59.00.
Soft Chill
Soft Chill is a light-medium, yellowed peach with strong, warm undertones and a matte finish. The color coverage was opaque, while the texture was soft, moderately powdery, and prone to fallout, so I’d recommend applying this first or using a lighter hand and building up coverage to minimize fallout chances. It wore well for seven hours before I noticed signs of fading.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Colour Pop Hustler (PiP, $4.50) is darker, warmer (95% similar).
- Wet 'n' Wild Flock Party #1 (LE, ) is warmer (95% similar).
- Colour Pop Fighter (LE, $4.50) is darker (90% similar).
- Milani My Daily Latte (PiP, $5.99) is lighter (90% similar).
- Urban Decay Caution (PiP, $19.00) is darker, warmer (90% similar).
- NARS Hammamet I (P, $19.00) is darker (90% similar).
- Urban Decay Antidote (LE, $19.00) is darker, warmer (90% similar).
- Urban Decay Stark (PiP, $19.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Colour Pop State of Mine (LE, $4.50) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- LORAC Mimosa (LE, $19.00) is lighter, 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.
Soft Chill
LELimited Edition. $19.00.
Sexed
Sexed is a light gold with strong, warm undertones and a frosted sheen. It was richly pigmented with a soft, lightly powdery consistency that blended out easily but could be prone to fallout if I wasn’t careful to tap off excess. This shade stayed on well for seven and a half hours before fading a bit.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Bad Habit Daphne (PiP, ) is more shimmery, cooler (95% similar).
- Viseart Ceska (PiP, ) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- MAC Desert Rose-mance (LE, $17.00) is darker (95% similar).
- Tom Ford Beauty Suspicion #1 (PiP, ) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- Colour Pop Cattitude (LE, $6.00) is more shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
- Ardency Inn Sunday (DC, $21.00) is more shimmery, darker, cooler (90% similar).
- Makeup Geek Magic Act (P, $9.99) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
- Colour Pop Cruisin' (PiP, $4.50) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- PIXI Beauty Nude Lustre (PiP, $20.00) is more shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
- Dose of Colors Suz (LE, ) is more shimmery, cooler (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.
Sexed
LELimited Edition. $19.00.
Superclass
Superclass is a light-medium, golden peach with warm undertones and a metallic sheen. It was richly pigmented with a soft, smooth consistency that was a smidgen dry but “melted” a bit when applied to bare skin. I think it had a smoother finish when applied with a dampened brush, though. It wore well for eight hours before fading visibly.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Giorgio Armani Cold Copper (9) (P, $30.00) is less shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Colour Pop Happy Go Lucky (PiP, $4.50) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Guerlain Gold Palette #4 (LE, ) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- Sephora Feather (PiP, ) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- Rouge Bunny Rouge Rain Dove (P, $19.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- Natasha Denona Glaze (12M) (PiP, $29.00) is more shimmery, darker, more muted (90% similar).
- LORAC Black #2 (LE, $19.00) is lighter (85% similar).
- Urban Decay Sin (P, $19.00) is lighter (85% similar).
- Natasha Denona Laurel (PiP, $29.00) is lighter, warmer (85% similar).
- Colour Pop Getaway (LE, $4.50) is more shimmery, lighter, brighter (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.
Superclass
LELimited Edition. $19.00.
Nylon
Nylon is a medium-dark peach with strong, warm undertones and a matte finish. It had nearly opaque color coverage paired with a soft, lightly powdery consistency that sheered out a bit initially over bare skin. It definitely performed better over a primer as that seemed to prevent it from sheering out too easily. There were signs of fading present after seven and a half hours of wear.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Urban Decay Caution (PiP, $19.00) is lighter, warmer (95% similar).
- Melt Cosmetics Blurr (PiP, ) is brighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Huda Beauty Topaz #5 (LE, ) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
- Wet 'n' Wild VI Purple #5 (PiP, ) is darker (90% similar).
- Coloured Raine Cloudy (LE, $6.99) is cooler (90% similar).
- Anastasia Soft Peach (P, $12.00) is brighter (90% similar).
- NARS Hammamet I (P, $19.00) is darker, warmer (90% similar).
- Dominique Cosmetics Fringe (LE, ) is more muted, warmer (90% similar).
- Huda Beauty Play (PiP, ) is lighter, brighter (90% similar).
- Makeup Atelier Red Ochre #3 (P, ) is darker, 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.
Nylon
LELimited Edition. $19.00.
Fresh Cut
Fresh Cut is a medium brown with moderate, warm undertones and a semi-matte finish. There were very fine, gold shimmers throughout the product but it didn’t look overtly shimmery applied. The texture was soft, somewhat powdery in the pan, so it worked best with a lighter hand and a gentle tapping to get rid of excess product to minimize fallout. It had opaque pigmentation that applied evenly and blended out well. This shade lasted nicely for eight hours before fading visibly.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Too Faced Fur Baby (LE, $16.00) is warmer (95% similar).
- NARS Shadow Hill (LE, $19.00) is cooler (95% similar).
- Viseart Praline (LE, ) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Colour Pop Triton (LE, $4.50) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- Urban Decay Boundaries (PiP, $19.00) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Sephora Nylon (PiP, ) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Dior Ombre Sculpting Powder (003) (PiP, ) is darker, warmer (90% similar).
- Colour Pop Caramelo (LE, $4.50) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Too Faced Feelin' Nutty (LE, $16.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- BH Cosmetics Carli Bybel Deluxe Edition #13 (LE, ) is lighter, 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.
Fresh Cut
LELimited Edition. $19.00.
Inception
Inception is a light-medium, bluish-teal with strong, cool undertones and warmer, greenish-gold shimmer. The consistency was drier and felt more loosely-pressed, so there was some fallout during application and difficulty in keeping the shimmer as placed as it overly diffused when blended out. It had good coverage but had to applied with a dampened brush to get true-to-pan color. The color stayed on well for seven and a half hours before fading noticeably.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Anastasia Venice (P, $12.00) is more shimmery, lighter, brighter (90% similar).
- Too Faced Spoiled (Clover) (LE, $16.00) is more shimmery, darker, cooler (90% similar).
- Sydney Grace Comforter (P, $6.00) is darker (90% similar).
- Tom Ford Beauty Siren Blue (LE, $45.00) is darker (90% similar).
- Anastasia Seychelles (LE, $12.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- Milani Bella Teal (21) (P, $4.49) is more shimmery, brighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Colour Pop Flower Shop (LE, $6.00) is cooler (90% similar).
- Kat Von D Ignite (DC, $21.00) is cooler (90% similar).
- MAC Steamy (P, $17.00) is more shimmery, lighter, brighter (90% similar).
- Tarte Dream (PiP, ) is more shimmery (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.
Inception
LELimited Edition. $19.00.
Prowl
Prowl is a light, rosy copper with warm undertones and a frosted finish. The eyeshadow had opaque color payoff that adhered well to bare skin with a smooth, even lay down of product. The texture was soft to the touch, smooth but not too firmly nor too loosely pressed into the pan, so fallout wasn’t a concern. It wore well for eight hours before fading a bit.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- YSL Paris #5 (LE, ) is more shimmery, cooler (95% similar).
- Huda Beauty Ruby #3 (LE, ) is more shimmery, darker (95% similar).
- Charlotte Tilbury Mesmerising Maroon #3 (LE, ) is more shimmery, darker, cooler (90% similar).
- Colour Pop 11:11 (LE, $4.50) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- Charlotte Tilbury Rose Gold (P, $32.00) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- Anastasia Rose Quartz (LE, $12.00) is more shimmery, darker, brighter (90% similar).
- Marc Jacobs Beauty About Last Night No. 06 (LE, ) is more shimmery, more muted (90% similar).
- Huda Beauty Supernova (PiP, ) is more shimmery, lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- Tom Ford Beauty Paradiso (Cream) (LE, $45.00) is more shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
- Hourglass Aura (P, $29.00) is more shimmery, lighter, cooler (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.
Prowl
LELimited Edition. $19.00.
Shake It
Shake It is a light-medium orange with moderate, warm undertones and ultra-fine gold pearl running through its more semi-matte finish. It had nearly opaque color coverage that applied evenly to my lid and blended out without difficulty. The texture was soft, finely-milled, but it was slightly thinner so it performed best over primer. The color showed signs of fading after seven and a half hours of wear.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Colour Pop Dynamite (LE, $4.50) is less shimmery, darker (95% similar).
- Anastasia Papaya (LE, $12.00) is less shimmery, warmer (95% similar).
- MAC Coral (DC, $17.00) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- Colour Pop Okurr (PiP, $4.50) is less shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
- NYX Tantilizing (P, $4.50) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- Sephora Adobe (LE, ) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- Huda Beauty Eden (PiP, ) is less shimmery, darker, cooler (90% similar).
- Too Faced Honey Brittle (LE, $16.00) is less shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
- Colour Pop In Frequency (P, $4.50) is darker, brighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Makeup Geek Summer Lovin (DC, $6.00) 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.
Shake It
LELimited Edition. $19.00.
Feist
Feist is a brighter, medium copper with moderate, warm undertones and a metallic sheen with faint micro-sparkle throughout. The texture was softer but on the drier side, so some of the sparkles dispersed too easily away from the base product. I’d recommend applying with a dampened brush to get more precise application out of this shade. It had opaque coverage that stayed on well for eight hours on me before fading visibly.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Linda Hallberg Cosmetics Ara (LE, ) is darker (95% similar).
- Sephora Sandcastle (PiP, ) is less shimmery, lighter (95% similar).
- Colour Pop Save It For Later (P, $4.50) is lighter (95% similar).
- Hourglass Graphite #2 (PiP, ) is lighter, brighter (95% similar).
- Pat McGrath Gold Rush (LE, $25.00) is more shimmery, warmer (95% similar).
- Too Faced Candy Queen (LE, $16.00) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- Charlotte Tilbury Celestial Eyes (Pop) (LE, ) is more shimmery, darker (95% similar).
- Smashbox Ambient (PiP, ) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- Too Faced Glitter Donut (LE, $16.00) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- Stila Sunset Fire (LE, $24.00) is less shimmery, darker (95% 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.
Feist
LELimited Edition. $19.00.
Ganges
Ganges is a deep teal with subtle, cool undertones and a satin finish. It had very fine, lighter blue-teal pearl throughout the more matte base. The texture was soft, smooth, and a smidgen thin compared to the other mattes in the palette, but it seemed easier to work with than the permanent single I have of this shade.
It had opaque pigmentation in a single layer, which applied decently but took a little more effort to blend out than others in the palette–not a huge surprise given the intensity and depth of color. There were signs of fading after eight hours of wear.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Tom Ford Beauty Photosynthesex #4 (PiP, ) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- Melt Cosmetics Meltdown (PiP, ) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- Chanel Road Movie #1 (PiP, ) is darker, warmer (90% similar).
- Maybelline Never Fade Jade (P, $6.99) is lighter, cooler (85% similar).
- Melt Cosmetics Space Queen (LE, ) is less shimmery, darker (85% similar).
- Makeup Geek Shark Bait (DC, $6.00) is less shimmery, lighter, cooler (85% similar).
- theBalm #43 (P, $6.50) is less shimmery, lighter, cooler (85% similar).
- Sydney Grace Thrilled (P, $5.00) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- theBalm C2 (LE, $16.00) is less shimmery, lighter, cooler (85% similar).
- Cle de Peau Les Annees Folles #5 (LE, ) 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.
Ganges
LELimited Edition. $19.00.
Risk
Risk is a very deep, rusty red with strong, warm undertones and a matte finish. The texture was denser and more substantial, which ensured that it didn’t lose its opaque coverage or its intensity when applied and blended out on bare skin. That richness, though, meant it worked best applied with a lighter hand and patted into place, then blended rather than swept on. It wore nicely for eight and a half hours before fading noticeably.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- UOMA Beauty Mazatlan (LE, ) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Colour Pop Silhouette (LE, $4.50) is lighter (90% similar).
- Urban Decay Tunnel (LE, $19.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- Wet 'n' Wild My Glamour Squad #3 (PiP, ) is more muted, warmer (90% similar).
- Sydney Grace Gulf Coast (P, $5.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- Makeup Geek Juicy (LE, $6.00) is lighter, warmer (85% similar).
- Kaja Velvety Mauve (PiP, ) is lighter (85% similar).
- NARS Rock Freak (LE, $19.00) is lighter, 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.
Risk
LELimited Edition. $19.00.
Isolde II
Isolde II is a rich bronze with strong, warm undertones and a smooth, metallic sheen. It was intensely pigmented with a dense–but not thick or too firmly-pressed feel–consistency that applied beautifully to bare skin. It performed consistently with the permanent duo it was released in originally. This shade stayed on nicely for nine hours before fading a bit.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- MAC Her Cocoa #3 (LE, $17.00) is more shimmery, warmer (95% similar).
- Guerlain Electric Look #6 (LE, ) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- Chanel Charming #3 (LE, ) is darker, warmer (95% similar).
- Too Faced Tiger's Eye (LE, $16.00) is more shimmery, warmer (95% similar).
- NARS Isolde #2 (DC, $25.00) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- MAC La Vida Mocha (PiP, $17.00) is less shimmery, darker (95% similar).
- Huda Beauty Topaz #6 (LE, ) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Fenty Beauty Desert Baked (PiP, ) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (95% similar).
- Coloured Raine Who Me (P, $6.99) is more shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
- Chanel Cuivre Lamé (907) (LE, $30.00) is more shimmery, 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.
I do still “like” it, but I also wish that the quality had been more consistent throughout the palette. Feeling rather let down by the lighter teal shade. Sure, I could apply it dampened, but I’d rather not have to fuss with it. Not so set on getting this as I thought I would be.
Pardon my lack of enthusiasm, but does the world really need another peachy palette with a pop of teal?
There are always new people entering into beauty, so it might not be for someone who already has several palettes but for someone who might just be starting or who isn’t already covered! 🙂 IMO, not any different then brands putting out a new lipstick formula or blush range and always having a red or coral shade in them. As long as they’re of quality, more choice isn’t a bad thing – my opinion, of course!
This is so true! And honestly, every time I see a new cool-toned neutral palette, I get a bad case of the “wants,” no matter how many I already have. Lol!!
^^^^ Seraphine, what you said about wanting a cool toned neutral palette no matter how much you don’t need one – exactly my reaction too!
I really love this color story however does anyone else look at it and think of the Kathleen Lights collab with Colourpop? Her Dream Street palette has nearly the same color story, not exactly but pretty close with the shimmery and matte teal colors, warm mattes and some coppery and gold shimmers? TBH I really like the quality of the Colourpop shadows and have that palette already, soooo, as pretty as this is it will be a pass for me.
YES!! I took one look and was about to ask the same question! The color story is the same as Kathleen’s Dream St, even down to the matte and shimmer teals. There are less reds and way more midtone tans/peaches, which may not work as well with darker skin?
I have a soft spot for Ganges. That was a killer shade when NARS first came out with it.. there was nothing around like it.
It’s a really pretty colour, it quite caught my eye as I looked at it!
I am sure it is just me and not NARS but all their palettes are starting to look the same to me. The format, the shades, etc. I am just super jaded right now but likely because I was sick. I don’t find anything exciting here.
Not just you.
And another palette that pretends to be cool tones and is all warm, minus two. I guess I must be the only one not thrilled by colours like this.
I really love the wide range of warm neutrals in this palette – I think, generally, they have been beautifully done and nearly all of them I would happily wear.
It is when NARS has added the ‘pops of colour’ that it has gone awry – the soft shimmer teal shade should have been better – but the way the brand delivered the overly thick Ganges shade left me shaking my head – because this shade could have been stunning.
I am not sure why this lovely neutral palette needed a red (of all shades) in it either….
Beautiful eye look Christine.
Anastasia Venice is now on my wish list. 🙂 The only eye shadow I liked in the palette was Inception ans I’m not getting a palette for only one shade that got a bad grade. I really shouldn’t say it’s the only colour I liked, I like the rest of the eye shadows as well, but I feel I have about a hundred close enough eye shadows.
I suppose I have so many palettes and singles now that very few palettes seem worth buying.
This immediately streuck me as half UD Beached, half ABH Soft Glam.
Yes, this is what i though exactly
How I wish Sephora still carried a wider range of NARS shadows, duos, etc. I know a lot of folks aren’t wild about NARS’s shadows, but I’ve been lucky with the ones I’ve purchased and just wish I had easier access to them.
Inception and Ganges are beautiful, but I don’t know how anyone else feels about NARS palettes for the past two years they seem “dah”. I almost wished they go back to duos, as these two I would buy in a duo.