NARS Dark Rite Soft Touch Shadow Pencil Review, Photos, Swatches
NARS Dark Rite Soft Touch Shadow Pencil
NARS Dark Rite Soft Touch Shadow Pencil
NARS Dark Rite Soft Touch Shadow Pencil ($24.00 for 0.14 oz.) is described as a “navy blue.” It’s a dark navy blue with a shimmery finish. I feel it necessary to do a full copy-and-paste from spring’s press release regarding this product, because too often I receive comments and emails saying I’m being unduly harsh and unfair, all because NARS “meant” for this product to crease; that this is supposed to have that “creased” look. I’m harsh, but I don’t think unduly so; this is an atrocious product, and from a high-end brand that can and does put out quality products, it’s appalling. I don’t make excuses for brands, least of all when they create products that perform this poorly.
This is what the press release states: “The navy blue Soft Touch Shadow Pencil complements any warm-weather look. Use the creamy, long-wearing formula alone, as a base for layering with powder shadow, or to line and sculpt the eye.” This product is long-wearing by itself, can be used as a base beneath powder eyeshadow, as well as an eyeliner. There is nothing about this product creasing, migrating, moving, turning to sludge, or otherwise indicating it’s supposed to look like this on the lid.
Whenever I wear/experiment NARS’ Soft Touch Shadow Pencils, I notice my eyes are a bit irritated; there’s a burning sensation (not on the lid but of my eye), especially when I use these as eyeliners. I’ve tried Dark Rite in the three methods that NARS states: alone, as a base, and as an eyeliner. None of these methods was successful. The good news is this product creases so quickly that it takes very little time to go through all those tests!
Alone, it fades, smudges on the beneath the lower lash line (from the lid!), creases, and pools into creases. It isn’t dry to the touch after a half hour of wear, which is obviously going to be a problem–if it doesn’t dry, it doesn’t set, so it won’t stay in place. It applies somewhat evenly but does have problems; if you apply with a finger, it seems to just slide around but I wasn’t able to get a really even look with it using my fingers. I had the best luck doing one pass and doing my best not to layer.
As a base with powder eyeshadows on top, it’s both a pain to use (because it’s wet, the powder eyeshadow tends to clump and stick to it but not blend out well; the darker hue also has a tendency to “eat” the eyeshadow) and wear (because it creases after five minutes, just not as bad as it was alone). In the past, I have tried several of these pencils over/under various bases, with/without eyeshadow, and the results are dismal (See Celebrate.). I tried the same methods with this one as well with the same disappointing results, whether it’s used alone, underneath eyeshadow, or over a primer, it’s a one-way trip to Crease City.
Finally, as an eyeliner, it smudges and travels further and further away from the lash line. I don’t need any help making my under eye circles look any darker, but this product excelled at it.
The only reason it earns any points is that it is pigmented, but the pigmentation is patchy and uneven, which does impact the overall pigmentation score. The texture is creamy enough that it glides on the lid without too much tugging or pulling, which accounts for some points. But you’ll notice that when it comes to overall product score and longevity, there are none. These continue to be one of the worst formulas I’ve come across. At $24, it’s a slap in the eye.
If you want a shadow pencil that actually works, consider Urban Decay 24/7 Shadow Pencils, which not only wear all day long without trouble, they’re four bucks cheaper. Here are some navy blue eyeliners to consider as well.
Dark Rite
PPermanent. $24.00.
NARS Dark Rite Soft Touch Shadow Pencil
NARS Dark Rite Soft Touch Shadow Pencil
NARS Dark Rite Soft Touch Shadow Pencil
NARS Dark Rite Soft Touch Shadow Pencil – 30 seconds
NARS Dark Rite Soft Touch Shadow Pencil – 5 minutes
NARS Dark Rite Soft Touch Shadow Pencil – 30 minutes
I know for a fact that you(and your reviews)are a known entity in the beauty world. How could they know they’re product creases like this and still write their press release the way they do? Not to mention fixing the formula.
Oh dear god that is awful. Too bad, the color looked so pretty in the picture before it creased.
These reviews always make me giggle. Thank you for being so honest, Christine!
I knew when you posted on twitter about a “crease city” product that this was it, but I really was hoping it wasn’t so! This is the first time I’ve actually liked the color of one of these pencils, so it’s a shame it performs so terribly. I was indifferent before, but now I wish they’d change the formula!
I know! I realllllly loved the color of this and was sure I was going to get it, but now…
AWWWWW…..it’s such a pretty color! Such bad creasing…darn it.
Its so unfortunate that these pencils are so bad…the color of it is one of my favorites for pencils. I had a similar shade for MAC but lost it. 🙁
Ah well, I’m not gonna spend my money on something that doesn’t work.
Also, love the progression of time pictures, it made me laugh and cringe.
Too bad, the color is gorgeous… I’m curious how NARS will react to this, I’m sure you’re not the only one who’s having problems with this product.
Oof. That’s awful, particularly as the color is so lovely. And seriously, people say that it’s supposed to have a “creased look?!” People actually email you and say that?! No one wants a “creased look!” I want to put my makeup on a place and have it stick there til I take it off. It’s not a silk shirt or a twisty dress,, it’s eyeshadow. Goodness gracious.
That’s exactly what I’m thinking! Who in their right mind wants to have a creased look??
DEAR GOD THE CREASING AAAAAAAAAHHHH
What a disappointment! The color is beyond gorgeous! I wonder if it wouldn’t crease if used with a good eyeshadow base. I really like the glossiness of it, I’d hate to have to set it with a powder shadow just to make it crease a bit less :s
I tested this alone, with an eyeshadow base, with eyeshadow over it, and over an eyeshadow base AND eyeshadow on top – it creases all the same.
It’s a a shame it creases so badly, because I’d definitely consider buying that color in a better formula.
The colour is gorgeous, too bad it wears so poorly. Hopefully I didn’t miss missed this when reading your review, but does it wear any better with an eyeshadow primer beneath?
It’s in the review, but no, it doesn’t. It never dries – that’s the main problem. In order to have a long-wearing cream-based product, it has to dry down.
You forgot to show the lovely eye boogies this product creates. Angel Noir always makes these awesome gold infused black ones whenever I wear it. I bet the ones Dark Rite makes are aces!
By the way, I’m kidding about wanting to see the eye boogies.
Aren’t these pencils a total shame? Always look gorgeous swatched but so poor when worn!
People really say that? LOL, there are tons of cheap brands that can give you “that creased look” for a fraction of the price of Nars. Maybe if people don’t want a critique, they should just read the press releases? It’s not as if you don’t provide pics to show that yeah, it really did perform like you described.
I appreciate your honesty and thoroughness in testing these products – and your speed in getting the reviews up! I was all set to fall in love with this one, but then I thought, “Hmm, I bet Christine’s reviewed it by now.” So I’m disappointed it didn’t live up to expectations, but I’d be a whole lot more disappointed if I bought it, had the same experience, and ended up returning it.
Yep, every time I review these, there are a few who really go to bat for the product and end up saying that’s how it’s supposed to look! It’s fine if someone else has had a better experience, found ways to make it work, though — but it’s usually been “These are for an editorial look. Don’t you get it?” type of comments re: this formula.
Wish UD had a pencil in navy blue – that would make it way easier to pass up!
I have a navy blue cream pencil from Wet-n-Wild. It’s not the greatest thing but about a million times better than these! For shame, Nars…
For an editorial look? If it’s really for makeup art to make the models look like a hot mess, then don’t make it available to the general public or advertise that everyone can use it. That is the most horrible creasing I’ve seen. Even on my oily lids without a primer, I can’t make eye shadow crease so bad!
Oh, I very much agree – and if NARS were to release some product that was very makeup artist-friendly (in the sense, for artists in editorial), I think they’d say something to that effect.
What about UD 24/7 pencil in Binge? Maybe not a true navy but looks close enough to the swatch for me!
The look after 30 minutes reminds me of the Gaga “eyeballs on my eyelids” look and I laughed so hard.
Your reviews just can’t be topped Christine – detailed and thorough, clear, honest, and include the product on a (beautiful) face, which, for me, is the best way to gauge the actual color. I love A+ products but the Fs always bring laughter to my day, thank you 😉
Thank you!
I also wanted to second your recommendation of the UD shadow pencils. I have super oily lids (literally could not wear eyeshadow before the invention of primer) and those pencils have hung on through a 10 hour day, WITHOUT touch ups! (*heavens part, doves flit about, and angels sing*)
Thank you for not letting companies off the hook about quality Christine!!!
LOL, that’s what I’m here for! I probably should just stick a fork in this formula and stop reviewing it at this point!
Wow that’s horrible! Too bad because the color is pretty.
UGHHH that looks so gross! It looks all greasy and clumpy in that last picture. How horrible. That’s so shocking and disappointing, coming from a brand like NARS.
Oh wow, this is drastic! I guess the good thing is it didn’t take you long to test it out and let us know it’s SO bad!
You had me cracking up with this review… LOL…
Lovely color, terrible formula.
Haha the word “atrocious” made me laugh…but after seeing the photos, it IS pretty atrocious. Too bad, because the colour is so pretty. I can’t believe it creased so badly after only 5 minutes! They need to seriously fix the formula for this product.
Christine- your eyelashes look amazing!:)
LOL, all natural there! I knew it would be an on-and-off testing session, so I didn’t bother with brows or lashes!
wow, this product is beyond awful – such a disappointment from NARS! but I do think your reviews on the occasional bad product are really amusing! =]
Oh my…… this color is so beautiful! :((
Thank you for always being so honest, Christine!
kisses,
Dâmaris
Such a pretty color too :/.. Oh well! Thanks christine!
I commend you for even reviewing another one of these after the disaster of the green one! NARS should just give up on these and put their development money elsewhere.
I don’t really want to keep reviewing them, since–at this point–I don’t think there is any chance they’ll magically change unless NARS actually says “reformulated!”
Thank you for posting the press release with this review! I never think your reviews are harsh, in fact I really, really, really (times fifty) appreciate your honesty. I’ve come across a few bloggers that *only* say positive things unless a product is really shitty, in which case they’ll just present us with swatches and say *nothing* of the quality or wear time. I like that you judge products against what the company says it will do *and* your personal experience with them. I never come here thinking I’m going to be mislead simply because you got some free samples and don’t want the source to dry up. So thank you for your honesty. 🙂
Also – damnit! That is a goooorgeous color! My lids aren’t particularly oily, but even the shadows you can wear without a primer, I can’t….so…yeah….
Thank you, Z!
30 minutes?! I’ve seen it on Twitter and I expected 8 hours at least!
Ugh. Why do NARS keep coming up with these failures? I don’t get it.
i felt the same way! i have a nars pencil shadow in another color and it had the same look as yours; within a short period of time it was a creased mess 🙁 i thought that I was doing something wrong, because I used it with primer and everything, no luck
It’s bad when you do primer + product + powder, and it’s STILL bad! Worse when it’s supposed to be long-wearing!
At least you didn’t pay for it. Eeeew that’s gross.
Christine: the upside of terrible products is your awesome reviews!!
Everyone: if you’re looking for a gorgeous, wet-look, non-creasing long lasting navy, may I suggest the l’oreal color infallible navy? It is gorgeous.
Just wanted to say, “it’s a slap in the eye” made me giggle!
Thank you for your honest review! I rather have honesty than some sponsored crap selling me a product that they know isn’t worth 2 cents.
Go Christine!
No prob!
What the heck is the problem with NARS and cream shadows? So many companies have products out that perform so well now. Why can’t they get this right? So many of their products are exceptional.
I’m a huge fan of Nars, but the soft touch shadow pencils are a complete disaster. I can’t even begin to comprehend how they ended up on the market. They do work on me as an eyeliner (on the top lid, as my waterline is too sensitive to handle eyeliner of any kind), but it’s the only use I manage to get out of the one I bought (I don’t like to throw products away).
It’s too bad because some of the colors are lovely. And it casts a really bad shadow on the brand which has some other good products to offer.
What a terrible result.It is funny that a brand like Nars still can’t come up with a decent eyepencil formula while having great shadows and a perfect base.The color looks alot like like bobbi brown’s denim ink gel eyeliner IMHO,maybe a nars is a little glossier.
I wonder what they’re doing wrong. I have some fat MAC eye shaders/pencils and they stay on. NARS should just stop putting these pencils out…stick to the larger than life formula.
What a shame, it’s such a beautiful color :/
That is horrible. I’m on Nars’ site now getting ready to order the pink matte lipstick and the shadow duo. Definitely won’t buy this pencil. I remember you having issues with their lime green shadow pencil too.
The color is soo beautiful. What a pitiful shame….. 🙁
It’s such a pretty shade, such a shame it SUCKS for wear! BOOOOO
Ok, if people think, this is how it should look, whatever.
But if it claims to be long wearing, it’s just a huge lie.
Don’t these companies TEST their products before they sell it?
How arrogant can a company be?
Do they think people just are ok with wasting so much money on this?
I’d be very pissed and step back from Nars…
Thanks Christine for your honesty!!
Christine thanks for your honesty!!!
FYI If anyone is looking for a nice navy blue shadow I recommend try the new L’oreal Infallible 24 hr eye shadow in midnight blue. (The packaging is similar to Armani Eyes to Kill). They are available in drugstores for less than $10!!! While I don’t know about 24hr claim (I mean really who wears eye shadow that long!!) it has held up for 16hr so far so good 🙂
$24? For such a low performing formula? This is like a joke where the punchline is a bat to your kneecaps.
Thank you for your integrity and an honest review!
BTW, Laura Mercier’s Caviar EyeStick in Sapphire is a gorgeous shade of navy that actually performs.
This is so disappointing, the color looks so good in the swatch. It would have been so funny to see a time lapse gif showing the awful creasing progression. Terrible terrible terrible.
*shock face* 😮
The colour is so pretty but the product is not at all what I expected from Nars.
I already have oily lids and I have a ‘process’ I have to do to get any eyeshadow to stay put and look nice. This product would make me look like a hot mess. $24.00 to look like a hot mess, is defo something I will be skipping.
Thank you for this review Christine. I admire your honesty and hard work.
Too bad because the color looks awesome! But that creasing is terrible!
Ahahahahaha. Oh wow. A review has never made me laugh this much, just because, after seeing your tweet yesterday, then this, well it made it too funny!
NARS really should take a leaf out of Urban Decay’s book regarding shadow pencils. I haven’t even used them on my eyes (not too interested in shadow pencils), but did swatch several – they were a pain to get off my hands and lasted through several washings.
I know now to go to UD if I ever do want to try shadow pencils. With so many duds in the formula, I do have to wonder about the thought processes going through their minds at NARS. I just can’t see the logic behind releasing a product so bad. Early candidate for worst of 2012?
I guess it would be easy for a makeup artist to just use this for an editorial (morning-after look perhaps) than applying normal eyeshadow and messing it up on purpose.
A little more seriously though, I do appreciate how honestly and thoroughly you test your products Christine and the detailed reviews. The honesty comes through in your writing, and that’s why your beauty reviews are No.1 on the internet.
Thank you, Leila! 🙂
Such a shame! Though the color itself is very beautiful , I think.
How dare they sell that??
It makes me wonder if anyone acutally test their product before they release them… don’t they have a lab where they put the formulas to test??
Or do they know it’s performs so poorly, but they decide to sell it for 24 bucks anyway?
In both cases, they’re doing a terrible job.
… NARS why do you do this.
That colour needs to be on my eyes as an eyeshadow. Not creasing.
Fix this now. Kthxbye.
Really? Do these yoyos actually test their products before sending them out? This is despicable, esp. considering their prices.
Christine, I just want to chime in and say that this review is a prime example of why your site is ALWAYS the first one I check whenever new products come out (and on a daily basis, for that matter!). I greatly appreciate your honesty and how thoroughly you conduct your testing. I know that I can rely on you to tell it like it is and come down hard when a product just plain fails to live up to its claims.
Over the years, you’ve saved me a heck of a lot of time, money, and disappointment! Thank you for what you do for us! <3
My pleasure, Erin! 🙂
Its honest reviews like this that make me relieved to have this blog, and others, to read. I would be so disappointed if I had spent $24 on a product that performed as bad as this. Thanks for the heads up!
Thank you, Casey!
I think this product was used a S/S 2012 runway show, I think Rodarte… in the beauty shots it showed that creased backstage, before the girls even got on the runway!
I’m sorry, I don’t understand how anyone could say “That’s how this is supposed to look” when it costs $24…
Wow! 5 minutes and it looks like that?? Not what I expected from NARS. The swatches are gorgeous- shame the product just doesn’t perform.
that’s too bad, the color is so gorgeous!
After the last soft touch shadow pencil bombed here you’d think NARS would have changed the formula since then. A lot of NARS eye products seem to under-perform for their cost it seems.
It’s been awhile since they launched these, and they’re still permanent, still adding shades to the existing range, so I guess they’re cool with how they perform. I can’t figure it out myself, though!
Its unfortunate that such a beautiful color performs soo badly, I respect your reviews Christine and obviously everyone’s presence in makeup performance is different, I definitely do not like this excessive creasing in a product, also if I spend $24 on a product I expect it to work just like it says and not have to do more work just to make the product work. Thanks!!!
Oh my! Those pictures said it all Christine! But on a side note, your lashes are to die for! They are the best part of those pics 🙂
Awww, that’s awful that you and others have issue with this line of products. I seem to be one of the lucky few that these work for. Maybe because I have dryer skin and live in a dry climate? Either way, I love the product and have one in almost every color.
Weird – I have normal-to-dry lids and live in a dry climate, too (California), but I’m glad they work for you. How do you use it?
I use lighter colors like Goddess daily to brighten up my inner eye, I also like using them as liner (over TF shadow insurance and under whatever powder shadow I’m using), and rarely I’ve used them as an all-over shadow including the crease (again over TF shadow insurance, but I always make sure that any bare skin between my crease and brow bone is covered in powder shadow or at least a translucent powder. This morning after reading this review I thought “am I crazy?” so I tried the copper one as an all over shadow and 3 hrs later when I had to shower and get ready – still no creasing! What gives? Still if a product performs so poorly for so many people, it’s probably not a good business decision.
You’re just lucky 🙂
I applaud your fairness, Christine. I guess when the truth hurts, some think it’s harsh?
It seems so!
NARS Soft Touch Shadow Pencils are the epitome of worst beauty product, Christine. I remember your review about NARS Celebrate Soft Touch Shadow Pencil. Bad, bad, bad product.
What a shame this is come from NARS, a makeup company that I love (read: obsess) so much.
All beautiful colors, too! Such a disappointment!
Damn girlfriend! You gonna put NARS out of business with that horrid creasing.
These are SO pretty and I wish Nars would get their crap together and make them awesome. 🙁
Such a shame since other brands can and have done it, so why not NARS?
This is ridiculous.. How do they even put in the market a product like that? Clueless…
ugh. I see this in your “worst of 2012” already. ick. which is a real shame because the color is really pretty :-/ what a terrible product though :-/
Haha, probably – fingers crossed they don’t release any more.
I am shocked, how can they launch such awful product in the market? i felt the same way with the big bounce eyeshadows.
Thanks so much for the honest review. That’s what I most appreciate in your blog.
Makes you wonder who exactly did the testing!
I fully agree. Your honesty, backed up so undeniably by those photos, makes you stand out from the bloggerscene in my opinion! Thanks for being so honest!!!
“it’s a slap in the eye.” ! hahaha
Christine your the BEST!
thankyou for always being honest. 😀
WOW I also tried a similar WnW shadow pencil and it was exactly like this. It was a super creamy/greasy consistency that refused to set and creased instantly. At least I only wasted $3 on that though! I can’t believe NARS would release a product this bad!
if I’d seen this product without seeing your review, I probably would’ve bought it because the color is gorgeous. the last thing I need is something else that’s useless but pretty. thanks for saving me from wasting $24, Christine!
No prob, Esther! 🙂
Thank you so much for this!! I love my nars blush products and the color of this pencil is so beautiful I can see myself plunking down the 24 I-dont-have-to-spend dollars for it and being so broken hearted. Such a shame!!! THANK YOU!!
Happy to help, Amy!
Sad, and such a pretty color too…
lol! I love when this happens.
Goodness, that creasing/fading reminds me of the time I used expired UDPP under my shadows. Who would buy a product that fades that much after a half an hour? I mean, who has time to touch up every 30 minutes…horrible.
Hi Christine, I have combination skin and I have the gold one from NARS. I use it with UD primer potions and with a shadow over and I have no problems with it creasing. Have you tried the gold one?
Which shade? The name of it? All of the ones I’ve tried, I have reviewed here.
The best part is the fact that 14 people are loving it anyway. I wonder if it’d be usable as a body art crayon or something.
I don’t know if I’m lucky or what, I’ve seen them crease like MAD on people but I don’t have a huge problem with them. I’ve tried a few and they’ve seemed to stay on fine on me but I know on most people they crease like no tomorrow!
You’re so lucky it works for you! 🙂 How do you normally wear them?
I usually don’t like wearing cream shadows by themselves so I used NARS smudge proof under it and an eyeshadow over top of it.
I’ve definitely tried that but can’t say my results were as good as yours 🙁 Enjoy!
Who is responsible for testing their products??!?? That person should probably be fired…. I am just shocked such a reputable brand such as Nars would even dare put out such a poor product! People are going to realize the second they use it… tis a shame as Nars makes such amazing eyeshadow…
I’ve never seen you give anything an F since I’ve followed your blog!
Wow what a shame… the first pic is so gorgeous, if only it stayed that way.
The shade is lovely, but it’s a shame about the formula. Do you have any dupes in mind?
Im a huge nars fan but i agree that this pencil is definitely a miss.
I own the black one and i have hardly used it cuz it smudges very badly.
Thanks for always giving very honest reviews & not giving in to pressure!
Good grief that is absolutely appalling!! Nars made this?
I was going to scoop up the Xmas set of these and I’m so glad I hadn’t done it yet. The color is stunning too, making this an even more disappointing Big Mess…..
I’m just floored that Nars would let this out of the house.
I might be the only person around that actually doesn’t have problems with the soft touch pencils–although I can’t say anything about Dark Rite because I don’t have it–they don’t crease on me when I use a primer and they don’t really move around on me, either…I actually have liner my lower lid with them!
But if Dark Rite is wetter/creamier than the others, that could be a problem.
(I also really love my NARS cream shadow duo, but have had less success with the single cream shadows, those, to me, are about a D rating)
In contrast, I can’t get the MAC Black Chromographic pencil to stay put at all, and that smears everywhere when I use it on my eyes.
Thanks for the review, excellent as always.
That’s so crazy, but I’m glad these work for you!
What a shame. I purchased this online yesterday.
A big Fail !!!
OMG you can see it starting to crease by the first 30 seconds! That’s just nasty. Just why.
EEWWW! NARS should be ashamed!
I really appreciate these kinds of reviews! For me, Nars is a brand that has some great products that I use all the time and some that don’t work at all… plus I love blue eyeliner. Good to know that this is a dud. Thanks!
Such a shame considering that it’s such a beautiful color. Thanks for your honest review!
lmao @ NARS! what is up with them lately? horrible products. im still upset over the arabian nights shadow trio looked so gorgeous in the pans but when swatched all you get is mac carbon with some sparse colored glitter.
I love the colors that NARS has been releasing for the Soft Touch Shadow Pencils, why can’t they just fix the stupid formula! They can’t honestly think that this product works… Can they!? I have had such good luck with so many of their products that are spot-on, I can’t believe that they let this go into production, much less that they continue to release new shades in the same formula!
My eyeshadow pools into my crease and disappears in my inner part of my lid. I don’t know why this is happening! It wasn’t always like this! And yes I do use a primer and I even tried putting powder on my lids! But it still happens! Any suggestions?!
Hi Petrice,
With this product or with all products?
You do expect every company to have some not so great products, as well as the super best sellers, but for a company like NARS to have something this horrifically bad??? No, you don’t expect that. I mean if you said they had some slight creasing after 5-6 hours, I’d be like, oh well, not every product is going to be perfectly wonderful. You know?
I have problems with this product too, I’ve tried two other shades and they’ve creased in no time. How can they say the product is creaseproof and long wearing when it creases in five minutes. Isn’t that classed as false advertising. For something that costs this much, you would not expect it to be so bad.
Gorgeous color, too bad its horrible. It reminds me of MAC Petrol Blue, which I love.
I think you’re harsh in a good way. Actually, maybe not even “harsh,” as that implies being excessively critical; more like stringent. Demanding of high performance/having high standards? Sure, but never unreasonably so IMO.
Like a good toner, you cut through all the junk out there and leave us feeling much better ;P
<3 Thank you!