NARS Danger Control Eyeshadow Palette Review, Photos, Swatches
Danger Control
NARS Danger Control Spring 2018 Eyeshadow Palette ($49.00 for 0.42 oz.) is a new, limited edition palette exclusively available at Sephora for spring. According to the brand, the eyeshadows have a “wet or dry” formula that is “high-pigment, high-shine” and “long-wearing, crease-resistant.” It’s marketed primarily as an eyeshadow palette, but it could also be used a highlighting palette, though the pan size is that designed for eyeshadow. The brand seemed to say that it could be “applied sheer” with respect to the sheen and layered for a “more dramatic shine,” so referring to the finish rather than the coverage.
The eyeshadows had semi-opaque to opaque pigmentation, eight-hour wear, and were fairly easy to use, even just dry, but the more loosely pressed formulation made these easiest to work with using a dampened brush.
Top Dupes
- Morphe Sissy (LE, ) is lighter (95% similar).
- ColourPop Come and Get It (P, $4.50) is darker, warmer (95% similar).
- Coloured Raine Expensive (PiP, $6.99) is warmer (95% similar).
- Sephora Dew Drop (PiP, ) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- Cle de Peau Silver Eclipse #1 (PiP, ) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- ColourPop Fancy That (LE, $4.50) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- Coloured Raine Pinkleberry (LE, $6.99) is more shimmery, darker (95% similar).
- Essence Be My Spacelight (P, $4.49) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- ColourPop Banana Split (LE, $4.50) is less shimmery, warmer (95% similar).
- Natasha Denona Illusion (423DC) (LE, $29.00) is less shimmery (95% similar).
Ingredients
Look Using this Product
Danger Control
LELimited Edition. $49.00.
Rave
Rave is a soft lavender with subtle, warm undertones and a frosted sheen. It had excellent color payoff both wet and dry, but the dampened application made the color apply slightly more smoothly and gave it a stronger sheen. The texture was soft, a little dry, but it blended out well and did not lose its intensity. It wore well for eight hours on me.
Top Dupes
- Sephora Dew Drop (PiP, ) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- Sydney Grace Baby Cheeks (P, $6.25) is cooler (95% similar).
- Viseart Lunar Eclipse (GPV2 #5) (LE, ) is darker (90% similar).
- MAC Shine De-light (P, $18.00) is more shimmery (90% similar).
- Anastasia Touch of Lilac (P, $12.00) is less shimmery (90% similar).
- Urban Decay Electric Air (LE, $19.00) is more shimmery, lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- Lisa Eldridge Illusionism (P, $16.00) is less shimmery (90% similar).
- NARS Verona (P, $19.00) is more shimmery (90% similar).
- MAC Girls, Girls! (LE, $22.00) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- NARS Pulp Fiction #1 (PiP, $19.00) is less shimmery, lighter, cooler (90% similar).
Look Using this Product
Rave
DCDiscontinued. $25.00.
Elektra
Elektra is a medium-dark, pink-coral with warm undertones and a metallic sheen. It had good pigmentation applied dry and more opaque, smoother coverage applied damp than was more metallic. The texture felt more loosely pressed into the pan, so there was some powderiness/excess product dislodged in the pan after each use. I preferred applying this shade with a dampened brush as it helped to minimize the excess and applied the color better overall. It lasted for eight and a half hours on me before fading slightly.
Top Dupes
- Morphe Sissy (LE, ) is lighter (95% similar).
- ColourPop Come and Get It (P, $4.50) is darker, warmer (95% similar).
- Wet 'n' Wild Stop Ruffling My Feathers #4 (LE, ) is lighter (95% similar).
- ColourPop Tropical Punch (PiP, $4.50) is less shimmery, darker (95% similar).
- Coloured Raine Pinkleberry (LE, $6.99) is more shimmery, darker (95% similar).
- Juvia's Place Zulu #7 (LE, ) is darker, warmer (90% similar).
- ColourPop Blossom Up (PiP, $4.50) is lighter (90% similar).
- Pat McGrath Pink Mystique (LE, $25.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- ColourPop Cheers Babe (P, $4.50) is less shimmery, lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- Sleek MakeUP Sunset #12 (PiP, $9.99) is lighter (90% similar).
Look Using this Product
Elektra
DCDiscontinued. $25.00.
Aeryn Sun
Aeryn Sun is a soft pink with subtle, warm undertones and a sparkling, metallic sheen. It had semi-opaque pigmentation when applied dry and opaque coverage when applied wet. The texture was slightly dry to the touch and more loosely pressed in the pan, so there was some excess product kicked up in the pan if I used a fluffier brush. It applied better to the lid than I expected, as it seemed to sit and “melt” a bit and did not look dry or dusty. On me, it wore well for eight hours before fading noticeably.
Top Dupes
- Tom Ford Beauty White Suede #2 (LE, ) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- ColourPop Sleeping In (PiP, $4.50) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- Cle de Peau Silver Eclipse #1 (PiP, ) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- Dior Ambre Nuit #3 (LE, ) is cooler (95% similar).
- Anastasia Pearl (LE, $12.00) is less shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- ColourPop Extravaganza (LE, $4.50) is darker (90% similar).
- Give Me Glow Blossom (PiP, $7.00) is more shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
- Natasha Denona Piggy (80M) (PiP, $29.00) is darker (90% similar).
- Urban Decay Royal Flush (LE, $19.00) is cooler (90% similar).
- Guerlain Les Precieux #2 (LE, ) is warmer (90% similar).
Look Using this Product
Aeryn Sun
DCDiscontinued. $25.00.
Bionic
Bionic is a bright, white gold base with a cooler undertone and a warmer, yellow gold sheen. It had rich color payoff both wet and dry, though the dry application was easier to control for sheer application if desired. The shimmer was more noticeable when applied with a dampened brush. The texture was smooth, almost cream-like. It applied evenly and smoothly to my bare lids and blended out without issue. It stayed on nicely for eight hours.
Top Dupes
- NABLA Cosmetics Honey Drip (PiP, ) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- Victoria Beckham Beauty Blonde (P, $36.00) is lighter (95% similar).
- ColourPop Cowgirl (LE, $4.50) is lighter, warmer (95% similar).
- Dior Eternal Gold #3 (LE, ) is lighter (95% similar).
- ColourPop Perfection (LE, $4.50) is warmer (95% similar).
- ColourPop Fancy That (LE, $4.50) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- Too Faced Beamin' (LE, $16.00) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- ColourPop We Jammin' (P, $9.00) is less shimmery, warmer (95% similar).
- ColourPop Banana Split (LE, $4.50) is less shimmery, warmer (95% similar).
- Coloured Raine Expensive (PiP, $6.99) is warmer (95% similar).
Look Using this Product
Bionic
DCDiscontinued. $25.00.
Haedus
Haedus is a pale lavender with a pink-to-violet shifting pearl. The color payoff was opaque in a single layer both wet and dry, while the dampened application yielded a more pearlescent finish that looked glowing on the lid. It had a soft, blendable consistency that had a bit of excess powderiness in the pan, but it did not have fallout and lasted for eight hours on my lid.
Top Dupes
- Essence Be My Spacelight (P, $4.49) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- Natasha Denona Illusion (423DC) (LE, $29.00) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- ColourPop Back to Back (LE, $4.50) is less shimmery, warmer (95% similar).
- Chanel Iridescent (112) (LE, $32.00) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- Makeup Geek Mood Ring (P, $12.00) is more shimmery (90% similar).
- Huda Beauty Rose #2 (LE, ) is darker, warmer (90% similar).
- Too Faced Le Marais (LE, $16.00) is less shimmery (90% similar).
- NARS Thessalonique I (PiP, $19.00) is less shimmery (90% similar).
- KVD Beauty Opal (PiP, ) is less shimmery (90% similar).
- NARS Cassiopeia (P, $29.00) is cooler (90% similar).
Look Using this Product
Haedus
DCDiscontinued. $25.00.
Tonic
Tonic is a medium-dark lavender with subtle, warm pink undertones and a glittering, metallic finish. It had semi-opaque pigmetnation when applied with a dry brush and was more metallic and more opaque when applied with a dampened brush. The consistency felt more loosely pressed, which made it easier to work with a dampened brush as it helped to minimize fallout and helped the color go on more evenly. It wore well for eight hours but had a bit of fallout over time.
Top Dupes
- Anastasia Celestial (LE, $12.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- JD Glow Viola (P, $7.50) is less shimmery, lighter, cooler (95% similar).
- Lancome Always Fuchsia (P, $24.50) is darker (90% similar).
- Urban Decay Flash (DC, $19.00) is less shimmery (90% similar).
- ColourPop AEIOU (LE, $4.50) is less shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
- Anastasia Cupcake (LE, ) is lighter (90% similar).
- ColourPop Ignition (LE, $6.00) is less shimmery (90% similar).
- Sydney Grace Totally Worth It (P, $6.25) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- Sydney Grace Euphoria (P, $8.00) is less shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
- Viseart Coy #8 (LE, ) is less shimmery, darker, cooler (90% similar).
Don’t need it. Can’t afford it. But so pretty, kinda different, and I want it.
I wish this had a liiiiittle more color variation. The two darker colors and the yellow gold are so pretty. The other three are also pretty but I think would look the same when applied on me. That said, I’m not sure what other colors I would want. I wish it was a trio!
I think this palette is gorgeous and very spring-looking. And kudos to them for not slapping a “unicorn” label on it!!
Right! Grown up shimmer!
It looks gorgeous, but I’ve gotta ask… what’s with the name? Danger Control? I guess these are very non-dangerous colors…do they help you avoid danger somehow? I know makeup names are pretty silly, but what is this even hinting at?
Good question. I can usually follow along with the references in cosmetic names (NARS tends to be especially thematic: places, mythology/astronomy, NSFW language lol), but this is a concept in psychology…? And the shade names don’t seem related; Aeryn Sun is a character in a sci-fi TV show. I’m terribly confused!
Very, very pretty shades that are definitely in keeping with this year’s purple Pantone theme! I would just on this if not for MAC’s Jeremy Scott collection coming up this week.
Just saw it at Macy’s tonight . The eyeshadow palette is horrible. Even the MAC artist said it was bad. Small too with wasted space. I was told it was briought out to view, today , a lot of ppl didn’t know it was there. So it was barely swatched. It swatches horrible . MA said you have to dig into them. What??
The cd palette looks dupable and cheap. The lip palette is very small as well.
You should really not buy this collection. Terrible
I’m on the proverbial fence with this one… On the one hand, I love all the shades, and can actually see myself using all of them, especially the purples, and have several products to use them with; on the other, I would have to pull out other palettes to make it work, which I can’t always be bothered to do… However, I do have some singles that would fit well with this palette, and I tend to neglect them because I hate pulling out multiple singles, and an entire palette may actually motivate me to use them…
Who am I kidding, this will more than likely find it’s way to me…
Pretty! Very spring-y. Needs more deep colors for contrast tho.
I’m so happy they named a shade Aeryn Sun. Farscape forever!
Not another Farscape fan? My eldest son loved that show.
I know! I heard Nars’ makeup artist mention the shade name and I was like, ‘wait, what?’ Got me nostalgic for the early 2000’s.
Quite pretty, very spring, good rating. I used to make lists by palette release of the dupes I have, and should restart that. Vice 2, think it is, has 2 or 3 dupes here. This is a refreshing change from the sea of warm neutrals, f’sure. Prob a want, don’t need. This does not seem to be any of the Nars ‘regular’ shadow formulas, right?
It’s more consistent with their most recent palettes, like NARSissist Wanted, but less so compared to their duos.
Think this might be a good highlighter palette, if it’s OTT as a shadow. I like the cooler shades that were described as less great by some readers.
I am so happy this reviewed well!! I don’t have anything like it in my collection. Now I feel confident making this purchase. Thank you!
Oh wow.. these are gorgeous. Some of these remind me of McGrath’s Mothership palettes. The way you put it all together is super beautiful!
Very pretty but not shades I can wear easily. Too white based looking to me but glad that they scored so well for everyone who wants it.
This is kind of lovely and unexpected! The whole thing comes together much better than I thought it might when I just saw the colors in their pans. I did not think I’d like it but I really do. I think I’ll be saving my pennies for the new Viseart palette at least in the immediate future though.
These are really lovely colours for the spring time. I didn’t think much of it until I saw your eye look. The colors are more pigmented than I thought!
Pretty, a little different, don’t need it, not the color I would have picked for something called Aeryn Sun.
OMG, this looks way prettier than I was expecting.
I am loving the cool to neutral vibe of all these shades and was just wishing that shades like Haedus, Bionic and Aerin were a touch deeper rather than looking so white. That being said, I would mostly used them as a middle of the eyelid brightener over other matte shades. I am hoping they would not prove too powdery for that.
Ooo, this is the first palette I’ve seen in a while that I really, really want, and I have nothing like!
I can’t believe I’m saying this but I wish it had reviewed poorly. Now I will have to buy it. ?
I wish there was an icy blue in there…..then it would be perfect! As of now I doubt I’ll get it. Elektra is gorgeous though….
Whilst not my kind of shades, this is so pretty – etheral shades and a great rating overall. Perfect for spring/summer. Lovely eye look Christine.
This is better than I thought it would be! I want it but I shouldn’t probably get it!
How funny and timely. I remember some recent posts about pastels coming back, and here it begins. I have a few of the dupes, I can’t pull pastels off very well. I could wear every color in this palette. Thanks Christine! This would have been a pass for me without your review! I love it already.
I really, really love this and am definitely planning to purchase. It’s interesting that it has a color named tonic that is a dupe for an UD color named tonic. Of course I already have the UD one but that’s because these colors are most definitely my jam. And the look you put together is beautiful, Christine. I wish I had just a little of your artistic talent!
Oh no!! I didn’t want this. Thought too expensive for what this is. I think I want this now! Luckily, Nars isn’t like MAC and has enough to stay awhile . Hopefully it will be around for VIB Spring Sale
Really like these colors but my eyes need a deeper crease color. Have plenty of crease colours but would need to add to the palette.
I’ve been waiting so long to hear your two cents! The swatches made me so curious! It looks quite similar to the Aurora glow kit… How would you say they compare, price aside? I thought I’d love it, but my Aurora palette is just sitting there. Paired with the fact it doesn’t have a mirror (shame on you, Abh), I’m really considering returning it in exchange for this one.
They named a shadow Aeryn Sun?? Does Aeryn Sun mean ANYTHING other than the name of a character on Farscape?? Seriously, is there some other meaning I didn’t know? Or is someone at Nars just a HUUUUGE Farscape fan sneakin in a shadow name on the DL?
I’m normally 100% on board with your reviews but I had a very different experience and thought I’d share for anyone on the fence. Besides the fact that 3 shades look almost the same, 4 were very chunky and grainy. The purple had terrible fallout and faded away to nothing even over a primer in 1 hour which is never a problem for me ever. Also they all built up well on a finger but were so hard to build on a brush. Very disappointing if it’s supposed to be a cohesive palette. Especially since it was marketed as an intensely pigmented iridescent palette. Used once and it went immediately back to the store. Wish they’d go back to their other formulas.
Wow, I’m so confused! There aren’t many reviews at the Sephora website yet, but they are terrible. I really loved the colors and your review, but maybe you’re lucky, because the reviews are really bad 🙁
I’m so mad at myself. I loved this palette from the first time I saw it. These colors are so perfect for me but was waiting for your review on this to help me decide if this was worth the money. As soon as I read it yesterday I drove out to my nearest Sephora which is about an hour away in good traffic. Yesterday was very bad traffic but whatever. I was so glad they still had it in stock and I snagged it and head to the checkout. I couldn’t wait to get home to play. As soon as I could I pulled it out… and it was the Wanted palette :’( So now I have drive all the way back out there in Friday traffic because I can’t make it today. I can’t believe I just grabbed the palette in the corresponding spot without checking the name on it :,( fingers crossed they still have it in stock tomorrow.
I swatched this in store before I saw the review and I was impressed at the pigmentation considering these are all pretty pastel and are hard to do right.I think I’m going to purchase it.It is giving me such a beautiful spring vibe and I adore the look you created with it, Christine!!
Hi Christine
I’m just wondering what brush did you use for this palette? I’m using Mac 239 but the color payoff is not as good as yours (I tried wet and dry) . I’m wondering whether I’m not using the correct brush or the colors just won’t show on my skin tone, yellow that is. Thanks!
Hi Anna,
Sorry – I don’t write down what brushes I use and definitely don’t remember 🙁 I imagine I used a MAC 239 or similar as I didn’t have to switch brushes due to any problems myself!
I don’t know if any one else mentioned this but I am a HUGE Farscape fan so I totally want this palette just for the shadow named after Aeryn Sun!
It’s on sale now for $24.50 on Sephora’s website 🙂