NARS Frioul & Galice Velvet Shadow Sticks Reviews, Photos, Swatches
Frioul
NARS Frioul Velvet Shadow Stick ($28.00 for 0.05 oz.) is a taupe-brown base with green-to-blue shifting shimmer. It had sheer coverage, which I was able to build to semi-opaque coverage, but it had a tendency to look a little uneven on my lid. I could see it looking more even on deeper skin tones and could work as a smoky, one-and-done shade. The consistency was slightly drier and thinner, so it did tug a bit on the lid initially. It lasted for six hours on me before creasing.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- NARS Malacca (DC, $25.00) is lighter (95% similar).
- LORAC Black Pearl (LE, $19.00) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- MAC Duabandita (LE, $17.00) is more shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
- Makeup Geek Secret Garden (DC, $6.00) is more shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
- KVD Beauty Queen (LE, ) is darker (90% similar).
- Urban Decay Bloodstone (LE, $19.00) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (85% similar).
- MAC Fireside (LE, $21.00) is darker, cooler (85% similar).
- Sephora + Pantone Universe Castor Gray (LE, ) is warmer (85% similar).
- Makeup Geek Insomnia (P, $9.99) is more shimmery (90% similar).
- Makeup Geek Insomnia (P, $12.00) is warmer (85% similar).
Formula Overview
$28.00/0.05 oz. - $560.00 Per Ounce
It is supposed to be a “long-wearing, crease-proof” formula with a “velvety matte finish” that “glides smoothly” with “high impact.” The formula is certainly an improvement from the Soft Touch Shadow Pencils, which were some of the fastest-creasing products I have ever tested. This formula doesn’t crease as quickly, though wear is only five to six hours, which isn’t stellar.
The texture is creamy enough that it doesn’t tug, but it dries down to a “semi-dry” texture quickly and becomes difficult to really smooth out. Consistently, when blended, the shades often looked patchy and uneven. This was least apparent with lighter shades that were closer to my skin tone, as the natural skin makes the patchiness less obvious, while in contrast, darker shades showed just how patchy and uneven the colors blended out. They’re better as eyeshadow bases, as they’ll last a bit longer with powder on top to set and the powder eyeshadow will help even out the base. In order to use these as an eyeliner, I highly recommend using a separate brush to grab color from the stick, because the stick is very rounded and large, which made it a real challenge to get it close enough to the lash line to line as well as keep the color precise (it always gave me a more jagged line).
NARS came up with some really interesting colors, and they’re ones you don’t see as often with this type of formula, but for me, the formula just didn’t perform well. If you’re looking for a cream-based eyeshadow from NARS, try their Eye Paints, which are far superior.
Browse all of our NARS Velvet Shadow Stick swatches.
Frioul
LELimited Edition. $28.00.
Galice
NARS Galice Velvet Shadow Stick ($28.00 for 0.05 oz.) is a light, bright pewter with warm, golden undertones and a metallic sheen. It had medium coverage that was buildable to mostly opaque coverage with two to three layers. The texture was lightweight, thin with a light tackiness that set within a minute. There was enough creaminess that it did not tug noticeably on my mobile lid during application. I saw faint creasing after six hours of wear.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- ColourPop I Dig It (PiP, $4.50) is cooler (90% similar).
- Glaminatrix Ceremony (P, $8.04) is darker, brighter (90% similar).
- Sydney Grace John (PiP, $6.25) is more shimmery, darker, cooler (90% similar).
- Clarins Silver Ivory (04) (P, $24.00) is darker (90% similar).
- ColourPop Snow Flurry (LE, $6.00) is darker, warmer (90% similar).
- ColourPop Hustle Hard (P, $4.50) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- Sydney Grace Heart-dog (P, $6.25) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- Sydney Grace Smooch (Light) (PiP, $6.25) is more shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
- ColourPop Wench (LE, $4.50) is less shimmery, darker, warmer (90% similar).
- Cle de Peau Serenity (Right) (PiP, ) is darker, warmer (90% similar).
Formula Overview
$28.00/0.05 oz. - $560.00 Per Ounce
It is supposed to be a “long-wearing, crease-proof” formula with a “velvety matte finish” that “glides smoothly” with “high impact.” The formula is certainly an improvement from the Soft Touch Shadow Pencils, which were some of the fastest-creasing products I have ever tested. This formula doesn’t crease as quickly, though wear is only five to six hours, which isn’t stellar.
The texture is creamy enough that it doesn’t tug, but it dries down to a “semi-dry” texture quickly and becomes difficult to really smooth out. Consistently, when blended, the shades often looked patchy and uneven. This was least apparent with lighter shades that were closer to my skin tone, as the natural skin makes the patchiness less obvious, while in contrast, darker shades showed just how patchy and uneven the colors blended out. They’re better as eyeshadow bases, as they’ll last a bit longer with powder on top to set and the powder eyeshadow will help even out the base. In order to use these as an eyeliner, I highly recommend using a separate brush to grab color from the stick, because the stick is very rounded and large, which made it a real challenge to get it close enough to the lash line to line as well as keep the color precise (it always gave me a more jagged line).
NARS came up with some really interesting colors, and they’re ones you don’t see as often with this type of formula, but for me, the formula just didn’t perform well. If you’re looking for a cream-based eyeshadow from NARS, try their Eye Paints, which are far superior.
Browse all of our NARS Velvet Shadow Stick swatches.
Both of these could have been such fun
NARS stick eyeshadows have bad qualities as always.
OMG – what happened to Frioul? It’s a lovely shade, but that is really poor.
Not shocked at all by your grades. These shadow crayons or whatever you want to call them must be difficult to make. Why that is, I have no idea. I stopped experimenting with non-LM ones a couple years ago, because they just didn’t work — creased, poor staying power, patchy, too sheer, etc., etc. etc. I just stick with my LM caviar sticks. I have around a dozen of them. (None have dried out or gone bad.) Wish she’d add even more colors — for the permanent collection, that is. I love them.
You should check out the By Terry ones if you like the LM. I’m a fan of the LM shadow sticks, but the By Terry ones are even more amazing if you can believe it. They’re pricy, but so, so worth it and will help you find some more shades. I highly recommend Bronze Moon and Misty Rock – they’re my top picks to start with; Misty Rock if you think Bronze Moon will be too similar to LM if you have that many of them. I know I’ve converted a few other readers here to them and friends of course. I sent one to a friend as a thank you gift with the Baume de Rose and she’s hooked now. She put it on early one morning before flying from Ohio to DC, had meetings and then took a nap before we met for dinner and it hadn’t budged an inch on her. She was totally sold on the price tag after that.
I have all By Terry sticks and all LM sticks and strongly prefer LM ones because they are less glittery. There are only 4 not glittery shades in By Terry line, but Bronze Moon and Misty Rock are glittery. LM sticks are more appropriate for daytime and they last much better. By Terry Ombre swatch nice on arm, but are extremely shimmery (accentuate the lid texture and look funny in daylight, even if sheered out) and what is more important they have very poor staying power (crease after 2-3 hours ). I had my By Terry Ombre Blackstar sticks for 3 years, had 2-3 occasions to use them and recently purged them all. I am a huge fan of By Terry makeup, but I find the Ombre Blackstar sticks overrated and overpriced. The newer edition of By Terry sticks from last summer stayed well, but they are another extreme (awfully drying and look crunchy on lids), I returned them right away.
Just shows that everyone has different success with products for sure. I would call By Terry shimmery more than glittery, but that is semantics. I don’t have the staying power issues that you mention and find the LM by comparison move around the lid on me. So long as we can each find something that works, it’s all good!
Well, those grades aren’t very good. Too bad as both shades had beautiful potential.
Shockingly, I still love Galice. My use for it would be the thought of it being fantastic as in inner corner highlight that wouldn’t break down the way s powder does when my eyes get teary due to allergies. Also, looks like a nice lid shade for the inner half. But for the price, I know I wouldn’t buy it with such a low grade.
Dammit. I usually enjoy an F rating but I really liked the look of Frioul. Thanks, Christine!
Ah, the ol’ Nars Shadow Stick strikes again!
I had Galice in my shopping cart this morning but had difficulty checking out, so didn’t complete the purchase. Thank goodness! Not worth $28.
These are pretty dismal. 🙁
That stinks that they didn’t perform well for you. =( I loved them as bases for my eyeshadows. I used them with the Persona Identity Palette and the looks turned out well. I wouldn’t wear Frioul on it’s own but I definitely would for Galice. They were my favorites from the entire line!
I’ve Bobbi Brown Sea grass and this one looks similar. I wish it had better formula like Bobbi brown.
From looking at the swatch, I knew Frioul wasn’t going to score high, but wow, that bad! Regardless, I’m skipping, I’ve had no luck with the NARS shadow sticks, they always crease on my lids, will stick with the LM ones
Booooo! Wanted, but did not expect these to be good. A stick that looks like old mufe cgb? Hell, yeah. Well, at least Galice is double duped and Bae is an easy add at CP. Disappointed. Seems that LM and Julep are the only fairly good performers for me. Terry de G’s stuff is usually made with Benzyl salicylate, which leaves it out for me. Nars blew it. These could have been serious contenders.
Too bad about Frioul. From the promos I was hoping it would be good and it looked like my kind of color, but one look at the initial swatches made me know it wouldn’t be. I’m amazing how such poor quality gets past quality control (if they even have quality control anymore…). It seems like that sort of shade may be a tough blend, if I’m thinking back to the recent Bite Pristmatic stick and some others. But if it’s not possible to make decent quality I don’t get why they bother.
Galice reminds me of MAC’s Cake Shop Shadestick. Nostalgia!
This type of eyeshadow crayon from NARS has always performed badly which is why I’ve never tried a single one. I don’t understand why Sephora and even Essence can get this type of product so right and for a small price but NARS keeps on failing.
Man, that sucks.