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NARS Cressida, Kari, Tarvos Dual Intensity Eyeshadows Reviews, Photos, Swatches

NARS Cressida Dual Intensity Eyeshadow
NARS Cressida Dual Intensity Eyeshadow

NARS Cressida Dual Intensity Eyeshadow ($29.00 for 0.05 oz.) is described as a “shimmering midnight blue.” It’s a bright, medium-dark blue with a frosted finish. It is more muted and semi-opaque when applied dry, and it wore for seven and a half hours on me. When I applied it damp, the color was fully opaque and brighter, while longevity came in at eight and a half hours. The texture was a little drier and harder to blend out dry, and it was somewhat easier when applied damp, but it tended to dry unevenly. Sephora Diving in Australia (DC, $10.00) is warmer (95% similar). MAC Blue Envy (LE, $17.00) is lighter (95% similar). KVD Beauty Ministry (LE, ) is less shimmery, darker (95% similar). Sydney Grace Abyss (P, $6.25) is less shimmery, lighter, warmer (95% similar). Make Up For Ever I218 Indigo Blue (DC, $21.00) is less shimmery (95% similar). Sephora Aja (LE, ) is lighter (95% similar). ColourPop Kimono (LE, $6.00) is lighter (90% similar). Tarte Dark Seas (P, $14.00) is warmer (90% similar). Urban Decay Danger (LE, $19.00) is darker, more muted (90% similar). Melt Cosmetics Tipsy (LE, ) is less shimmery, warmer (90% similar). Buxom Bulldog (P, $18.00) is less shimmery (90% similar). Anastasia Azure (LE, $12.00) is less shimmery, lighter, more muted (90% similar). Anastasia Star Cobalt (P, $12.00) is lighter, brighter (90% similar). Too Faced Chill Out (LE, $16.00) is lighter (90% similar). Urban Decay Paralyzed (LE, $19.00) is darker (95% similar). LORAC Blue Quartz (LE, $19.00) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar). Dior Party in Colours #5 (LE, ) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar). Make Up For Ever D222 Night Blue (DC, $21.00) is darker (90% similar). JD Glow Sapphire (P, $7.50) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar). MAC In the Shadows (P, $17.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

NARS Kari Dual Intensity Eyeshadow ($29.00 for 0.05 oz.) is described as a “soft rose pink.” It’s a muted, medium rosy pink with neutral-to-warm undertones and a pearly shimmer-sheen. The powder had a soft, smooth consistency to the touch, and it was less dry compared to other shades in the range (I think it’s the lack of shimmer, relative to the other shades). It applied with lighter, semi-sheer coverage that wore for seven hours used dry, and it was fully opaque and wore for eight hours when applied damp. LORAC Plum (Mega Pro 4) (LE, $19.00) is less shimmery (95% similar). Lancome Exhibition (PiP, $19.00) is darker (95% similar). MAC Dress Me Up (LE, $17.00) is darker, cooler (85% similar). MAC Lilacked (LE, $22.00) is warmer (90% similar). MAC Lingering Dusk (LE, $17.00) is warmer (90% similar). LORAC Lotus (LE, $19.00) is darker (90% similar). Givenchy Tentation #3 (PiP, ) is lighter (90% similar). NABLA Cosmetics Mystic (P, $8.00) is more shimmery, lighter (85% similar). Le Metier de Beaute Smoky Quartz (LE, $30.00) is more shimmery, warmer (85% similar). Aveda Bare Bellis (P, $14.00) is warmer (85% similar). Becca Ombre Rouge #2 (PiP, ) is warmer (85% similar). Burberry Tea Rose (200) (P, $29.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar). LORAC Ametrine (LE, $19.00) is more shimmery, darker (85% similar). Buxom Top Shelf (P, $12.00) is less shimmery, lighter, cooler (85% similar). NABLA Cosmetics Glasswork (P, $12.00) is more shimmery (85% similar). Too Faced Winter Dream (LE, $16.00) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar). ColourPop Wattles (P, $6.00) is more shimmery, warmer (80% similar). Make Up For Ever S812 Tea Pink (DC, $21.00) is warmer (80% similar). Tarte Pinky Promise (LE, ) is darker, warmer (80% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

NARS Tarvos Dual Intensity Eyeshadow ($29.00 for 0.05 oz.) is described as an “icy mint.” It’s a subtly cool-toned, mint green with a frosted, slightly metallic finish. Applied dry, it was semi-sheer and appeared warmer-tone, while applied damp yielded nearly opaque coverage and a more metallic and cooler-toned sheen. The texture was soft, blendable, and smooth, though a little dry to the touch. It wore well for eight hours when applied damp but only six and a half hours when applied dry. Lancome My French #7 (LE, ) is less shimmery, darker, more muted (90% similar). CoverGirl Turquoise Glow (325) (LE, $4.99) is less shimmery (90% similar). Sydney Grace On the Road Again (DC, $8.00) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar). City Color Tide Pool (P, $6.99) is darker (90% similar). theBalm #36 (P, $6.50) is lighter, warmer (90% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Soleil et Lune #4 (LE, ) is darker, warmer (90% similar). MAC Lucky in Love (LE, $21.00) is cooler (90% similar). Giorgio Armani Sea Green (LE, ) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar). Huda Beauty Mint #8 (LE, ) is lighter, warmer (90% similar). Make Up For Ever #53 (LE, $23.00) is less shimmery (90% similar). ColourPop Special Delivery (P, $6.00) is darker, warmer (85% similar). Dior Garden Pastels #5 (LE, ) is darker, warmer (85% similar). Tarina Tarantino Violet Storm #1 (DC, ) is darker, cooler (90% similar). Chanel Delicatesse #1 (LE, ) is warmer (85% similar). NYX Mermaid (P, $6.00) is lighter (85% similar). Sydney Grace Scrooge (P, $8.00) is less shimmery, darker, less pigmented (85% similar). Melt Cosmetics Blue Dream (LE, ) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (85% similar). theBalm Big Kahuna (LE, $16.00) is darker, warmer (85% similar). Urban Decay Big Sky (PiP, $19.00) is darker (85% similar). theBalm B2 (LE, $16.00) is less shimmery, lighter (85% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

See more photos & swatches!

NARS Cressida Dual Intensity Eyeshadow
NARS Cressida Dual Intensity Eyeshadow

NARS Cressida Dual Intensity Eyeshadow
NARS Cressida Dual Intensity Eyeshadow

NARS Cressida Dual Intensity Eyeshadow
NARS Cressida Dual Intensity Eyeshadow

NARS Cressida Dual Intensity Eyeshadow
NARS Cressida Dual Intensity Eyeshadow

NARS Cressida Dual Intensity Eyeshadow
NARS Cressida Dual Intensity Eyeshadow

NARS Kari Dual Intensity Eyeshadow
NARS Kari Dual Intensity Eyeshadow

NARS Kari Dual Intensity Eyeshadow
NARS Kari Dual Intensity Eyeshadow

NARS Kari Dual Intensity Eyeshadow
NARS Kari Dual Intensity Eyeshadow

NARS Kari Dual Intensity Eyeshadow
NARS Kari Dual Intensity Eyeshadow

NARS Kari Dual Intensity Eyeshadow
NARS Kari Dual Intensity Eyeshadow

NARS Tarvos Dual Intensity Eyeshadow
NARS Tarvos Dual Intensity Eyeshadow

NARS Tarvos Dual Intensity Eyeshadow
NARS Tarvos Dual Intensity Eyeshadow

NARS Tarvos Dual Intensity Eyeshadow
NARS Tarvos Dual Intensity Eyeshadow

NARS Tarvos Dual Intensity Eyeshadow
NARS Tarvos Dual Intensity Eyeshadow

NARS Tarvos Dual Intensity Eyeshadow
NARS Tarvos Dual Intensity Eyeshadow

NARS Kari Dual Intensity Eyeshadow
Tarvos (inner lid), Cressida (outer lid), Kari (above crease), L’Oreal Cobalt Eyeliner

NARS Kari Dual Intensity Eyeshadow
Tarvos (inner lid), Cressida (outer lid), Kari (above crease), L’Oreal Cobalt Eyeliner

NARS Spring 2016 Dual Intensity Eyeshadow

60 Comments

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Claire L Avatar

I love the look you’ve created here, it’s so pretty! I’m tempted to buy all 3 colours but it’s a bit expensive. Might look up the dupes.

Marie-Estelle Avatar

I had quite a love/hate relationship with my dual-intensity palette but using matte color tattoos solve the most problems I could encounter… So yes! That’s a possibility. Especially if Sephora carries it in Europe 🙂 (we often get discount codes 3:) ).

I understand that it won’t be added to the permanent line though?

Marie-Estelle Avatar

That’s a great news, thanks ! I totally see myself hitting pan on this color.

A new dual-intensity would be even better :p (I passed on the 2nd because 2 colors out of the 4 were repeat/similar colors)

Katherine T. Avatar

Oh my gosh, that would be a stunning combo for spring! I have Passiphae already, and a mint green, just need to find a light pink- rose in my stash to create that look 🙂

Katherine T. Avatar

*Cressida (blue) is really pretty but I already have a lot of great blues right now, so will skip
*Kari (light rose) is interesting, don’t think I have anything like it in my stash, but it’s more of an accent color for me, so will try to find a cheaper dupe or swatch in store and see if it’s worth getting
*Tavros (mint) is very pretty —Christine, if you combine the 2 shades of Tom Ford Raw Jade, is it close to Tavros or no?

Nicole Avatar

Christine, I have to admit , I’m baffled because Cressida looks good to my eyes on your swatch. So, what happens when a shawdoe dries unevenly? Does it wind up looking patchy? Excuse me if that’s a silly question. I don’t use wet shadows often and the ones I have are all ones that have received good marks from you already. So, there is no poor drying.

Andrew Avatar

I’ve yet to indulge in NARS’s new formula, but Kari is calling my name! It’s absolutely gorgeous and what I’ve been looking for!

Aj Avatar

I find Tarvos interesting but I want Kari more. I’ll have to swatch it and see in person how it looks. I think it may be my new favorite for everyday wear if it’s not too light for my skintone.
I wish I found Cressida more appealing though because I love a good blue eyeshadow. I personally feel it needs something more.

Michele @Binxcat4ever Avatar

Like your other readers I love your eye look! Considering Kari and Tarvos. I have a similar blue in a NARS duo already. But not sure about the buy as I want to see your reviews on the Glowing Gardens blue and Indie Jasper first. I’d rather drop the money for a full palette if they’re decent.

Fran Avatar

Very pretty! I really want to get Tarvos, it’s a cool-leaning green that just might work on me, and I think it would be really interesting with either Pasiphae or Lysithea. Cressida is beautiful, but I have dupes. It’s so beautiful that, if its performance was outstanding, I’d be tempted anyway. And Kari is very pretty, just not a color that’s likely to be super-flattering on me. Definitely spring colors, just a little bit different from usual. And the look you did with them is gorgeous, Christine!

Cat Avatar

I really like Kari. Hopefully I’ll remember to swatch it. It reminds me a lot of Soulful from the It Cosmetics Naturally Pretty Vol. 1, and it’s one of the most-used shades in that palette.

Mary Avatar

Oh I love Kari I think it’ll make such a pretty wash of color on my paler skin with a little grey liner, perfect easy eye look for me! That’s going to be mine for sure!

Anat Schlezinger Avatar

Hi Christine,
I want to ask you this for a long time, and youve probably been asked and answered about this bazilion times but i never saw it so… – how to you apply eye-shadows wet? do you wet the pan? the brush? and if you wet the brush, what do you use for it? fix+? essence water? thermal eater?
Thank a lot!
LOVE you blog, you saved me from a lot of terrible expenses, but also hooked me on some AMAZING ones!

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