NARS Earthshine, Mendoza, Pointe Noire, New York Eyeshadows Reviews & Swatches
Earthshine
NARS Earthshine Hardwired Eyeshadow (2018) ($22.00 for 0.04 oz.) is medium pink with warm undertones and lots of copper and lighter pink sparkle. It had more of a shiny, metallic finish but plenty of sparkle that twinkled when the light reflected off of it. It had semi-sheer coverage applied dry, and the texture was more loosely pressed with a drier consistency that resulted in some fallout, even when I pressed and pushed the eyeshadow onto my skin. It was buildable in coverage, though, without having to use it damp. The eyeshadow did apply significantly better–nearly opaque, smoother, less fallout–when used with a dampened brush. It wore well for eight hours both wet and dry but had less fallout over time when I had applied it with a dampened brush.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Huda Beauty Supernova (PiP, ) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- Smashbox Rose Rocked (LE, ) is warmer (95% similar).
- ColourPop Video Nite (LE, $4.50) is warmer (95% similar).
- Pat McGrath Blitz Venus (PiP, $25.00) is more shimmery, darker, cooler (95% similar).
- NARS Bikini (LE, $19.00) is warmer (95% similar).
- Hourglass Aura (P, $29.00) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- Anastasia Rose Quartz (LE, $12.00) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- Lethal Cosmetics Acolyte (P, $6.50) is more shimmery, lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- ColourPop 11:11 (LE, $4.50) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- NARS Rigel (P, $29.00) is warmer (90% similar).
Formula Overview
$22.00/0.04 oz. - $550.00 Per Ounce
The formula "can be applied dry or with a dampened brush for stronger intensity." It is a very glittery formula, and naturally, it performed significantly better when used with a dampened brush or an adhesive base.
Applied dry, they were typically sheer to semi-sheer with light to moderate fallout when blended out on my lid. They lasted between five and seven hours with light to moderate fallout. Applied wet, they were typically semi-opaque to opaque with minimal fallout when blended out and minimal to slight fallout during wear (about eight hours).
The consistency was soft, slightly drier/chunkier, but they the base colors were blendable and easy enough to use. I did find that they applied decently over primer when applied dry compared to on bare skin.
Browse all of our NARS Hardwired Eyeshadow (2018) swatches.
Look Using this Product
Earthshine
PPermanent. $22.00.
Mendoza
NARS Mendoza Hardwired Eyeshadow (2018) ($22.00 for 0.04 oz.) is a medium, coppery brown with warm, orange undertones and flecks of gold and pink sparkle. The texture was soft, loosely pressed, and a touch drier compared to the average eyeshadow. I found that it was usable dry when I pressed and patted it onto my lid, though there was slight fallout, and I could get medium, buildable coverage that way. If I used it with a dampened brush, it yielded opaque, smooth coverage with very little fallout (if any). It wore well for eight hours regardless of application method but had a bit of fallout over time when used dry.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- ColourPop Star Dust (PiP, $4.50) is darker (95% similar).
- Natasha Denona Bronze Foil (437M) (PiP, $29.00) is lighter (95% similar).
- Huda Beauty Do It (PiP, ) is darker, cooler (95% similar).
- Touch in Sol Golden Tangerine (3) (P, $18.00) is lighter (95% similar).
- ColourPop Arrow (LE, $4.50) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- Tarte Spin (LE, ) is lighter (90% similar).
- MAC She-nanigans (LE, ) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- Stila Kitten (LE, $30.00) is more shimmery (90% similar).
- Lethal Cosmetics Defiance (P, $6.00) is darker (90% similar).
- NARS Mendoza (DC, $25.00) is darker (90% similar).
Formula Overview
$22.00/0.04 oz. - $550.00 Per Ounce
The formula "can be applied dry or with a dampened brush for stronger intensity." It is a very glittery formula, and naturally, it performed significantly better when used with a dampened brush or an adhesive base.
Applied dry, they were typically sheer to semi-sheer with light to moderate fallout when blended out on my lid. They lasted between five and seven hours with light to moderate fallout. Applied wet, they were typically semi-opaque to opaque with minimal fallout when blended out and minimal to slight fallout during wear (about eight hours).
The consistency was soft, slightly drier/chunkier, but they the base colors were blendable and easy enough to use. I did find that they applied decently over primer when applied dry compared to on bare skin.
Browse all of our NARS Hardwired Eyeshadow (2018) swatches.
Look Using this Product
Mendoza
PPermanent. $22.00.
Pointe Noire
NARS Pointe Noire Eyeshadow (2018) ($19.00 for 0.04 oz.) is a deep plum with subtle, warm undertones and a sparkling finish. It was richly pigmented both wet and dry with a soft, smooth consistency that was a smidgen dry to the touch but wasn’t actually powdery or dusty. It was easy to work with dry for opaque coverage that adhered evenly to bare skin, though the dampened application required even less product and gave it a smoother, shinier finish on my lid. This shade stayed on well for eight hours with a touch of fallout when it was applied dry but no fallout when it was used wet.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Dose of Colors Hot Mesh (P, $20.00) is less shimmery, darker, warmer (95% similar).
- Dior Olympe (871) (LE, $31.00) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- Huda Beauty Courageous (PiP, ) is darker (95% similar).
- ColourPop Something Special (LE, $4.50) is lighter, warmer (95% similar).
- Urban Decay Extragalactic (DC, $20.00) is more shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
- Sydney Grace Smoke and Mirrors (P, $8.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- Giorgio Armani #27 (DC, $33.00) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Dior Fever (794) (P, $29.50) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Makeup Geek Drama Queen (DC, $6.00) is less shimmery, darker, warmer (90% similar).
- MAC Rare Find (LE, $21.00) is less shimmery (90% similar).
Formula Overview
$22.00/0.04 oz. - $550.00 Per Ounce
The formula "can be applied dry or with a dampened brush for stronger intensity." It is a very glittery formula, and naturally, it performed significantly better when used with a dampened brush or an adhesive base.
Applied dry, they were typically sheer to semi-sheer with light to moderate fallout when blended out on my lid. They lasted between five and seven hours with light to moderate fallout. Applied wet, they were typically semi-opaque to opaque with minimal fallout when blended out and minimal to slight fallout during wear (about eight hours).
The consistency was soft, slightly drier/chunkier, but they the base colors were blendable and easy enough to use. I did find that they applied decently over primer when applied dry compared to on bare skin.
Browse all of our NARS Hardwired Eyeshadow (2018) swatches.
Ingredients
ISODODECANE • CAPRYLIC/CAPRIC TRIGLYCERIDE • DIMETHICONE • DIISOSTEARYL MALATE • TALC • POLYETHYLENE • CETYL DIMETHICONE • PHENOXYETHANOL • [+/- (MAY CONTAIN/PEUT CONTENIR): BISMUTH OXYCHLORIDE (CI 77163) • CARMINE (CI 75470) • IRON OXIDES (CI 77491) • IRON OXIDES (CI 77492) • IRON OXIDES (CI 77499) • MANGANESE VIOLET (CI 77742) • MICA • TITANIUM DIOXIDE (CI 77891)] •
Disclaimer: Ingredient lists are as available by the brand (or retailer) at the time of publishing. Please always check product packaging, if it exists, for the ingredient list applicable to the product you're purchasing, or the brand or retailer's website for the most up-to-date ingredient list.
Pointe Noire
LELimited Edition. $22.00.
New York
NARS New York Eyeshadow (2018) ($19.00 for 0.04 oz.) is a medium, plummy brown with warm undertones and a matte finish. It had semi-opaque, buildable color coverage with a smooth, velvety texture that felt finely-milled and was easy to blend out on my skin. It applied evenly and lasted well for eight hours on me.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- LORAC Goji (LE, $19.00) is darker (90% similar).
- Inglot J319 Crimson (LE, $10.00) is more shimmery, lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- Chanel Blurry Mauve #3 (PiP, ) is darker (90% similar).
- Fenty Beauty Spice Trip (PiP, ) is more shimmery, darker (85% similar).
- NYX Bare It All (P, $4.50) is darker (85% similar).
- Melt Cosmetics Enigma (PiP, ) is darker (85% similar).
- NARS New York (DC, $25.00) is darker, cooler (85% similar).
- ColourPop Winning Ticket (PiP, $4.50) is lighter, cooler (85% similar).
- Make Up For Ever M822 Plum (DC, $21.00) is darker (85% similar).
- Viseart Nuance #3 (PiP, ) is more shimmery, darker (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.
It looks like Earthshine is much improved from the 2016 release (I recall seeing a lot of complaints about fallout and poor pigmentation and integration of the glitter with the base colour). Pointe Noire looks like a stunner and I tend to avoid that sort of shade but I might buy this if it turns up at my local Sephora.
I’m curious if it’ll be at your local Sephora! Even online, they are not carrying all shades.
I know – it’s really annoying because there is at least one duo I’d like that Sephora isn’t carrying. I’m glad they have Kalahari at least – I know it’s not everyone’s favourite but it’s one I really like so I’m glad to have the opportunity to buy a “backup” of sorts (though I need to take in my “old” one to compare just how similar they are….or aren’t!).
Mendoza and Pointe Noire are lovely shades and your eye look is beautiful.
Thank you, Genevieve!
Now that Nars has *improved* New York (I think?), I so have to have it! ?
Pointe Noire is a perfect shade in my book. Possibly just because I know I’d use it to death! ?♥️?
Pointe Noire is stunning! It would probably turn brown on me, though.
Oh Nars… why do you continue to disappoint me all these years….
The shades I’m interested in always score a B or below! LOL
I’m a fan of all of these colors, I’m glad not all of these have been duds.