NARS Give In Take Dual-Intensity Eye & Cheek Palette Review, Photos, Swatches
NARS Give In Take Dual-Intensity Eye & Cheek Palette
NARS Give In Take Dual-Intensity Eye & Cheek Palette ($69.00 for 0.78 oz.) includes six eyeshadows and three blushes in the Dual-Intensity formula. The Dual-Intensity Eyeshadow formula is supposed to be sheerer when applied dry and more opaque with a “high-impact finish” when used damp. The Dual-Intensity Blush formula is supposed to have a “high-impact” flush when used damp and a “natural-looking glow” when used dry. In general, regardless of whether it’s an eyeshadow or blush, they are sheer to semi-opaque with more of a frosted, shimmery finish when used dry, and then more opaque and more metallic when used damp. The blushes can be more difficult to blend and diffuse when used damp, but I don’t have that issue (or at least, not as often) with the eyeshadows applied with a damp brush–I expect this is partially due to how blush is often applied at sheerer coverage levels than eyesahdow, so it is more obvious when it is not diffusing as readily. Both formulas wear between six and nine hours for me.
The value of the set is ridiculously good, period, but it’s particularly high for NARS, which doesn’t typically do truly value-packed palettes or sets. I think, perhaps, it’s the result of the Dual-Intensity range being rather pricey individually that they could only go so high before the palette reached a price point they did not feel their customer base would pay. Each eyeshadow in the palette is larger than a full-sized Dual Intensity Eyeshadow! If you like the colors, it’s worth checking out. I’m not in love with the shade range or how the blushes and eyeshadows coordinate with each other–the blushes seem like they’re too warm and could be more in a pink/plum/mauve family–I just felt like it looked a bit disjointed together. The quality is fairly consistent with my experience with the formula in full-sized shades, so if the color combination appeals to you, I’d definitely keep an eye out for it.
Minor quibble: why didn’t they give these individual shade names?! They did it for several other palettes this year!
Value
- Dual-Intensity Eyeshadow: $29.00 for 0.05 oz. or $580.00/oz.
- Dual-Intensity Blush: $45.00 for 0.21 oz. or $214.29/oz.
- Set Value: $243.60 worth of eyeshadow, $77.14 worth of blush
- Total Value: $320.74
Give In Take I is a dirty beige with neutral-to-cool undertones and a frosted shimmer. It had semi-opaque pigmentation both dry and damp, but the damp application made it apply more smoothly and amplified the sheen. The texture was soft, firmer in the pan but not stiff to work with, and applied well to bare skin. It lasted for seven hours (both dry and damp) on me before fading. Cle de Peau Serenity (Right) (PiP, ) is more shimmery, darker (95% similar). LORAC French Toast (LE, $19.00) is more shimmery, darker (95% similar). Natasha Denona Cream (21S) (PiP, $29.00) is warmer (95% similar). Chanel Tisse Ombre de Lune #1 (PiP, ) is more shimmery (95% similar). Make Up For Ever S502 White Sand (DC, $21.00) is lighter (95% similar). MAC Vex (P, $17.00) is darker (95% similar). NARS Abyssinia (DC, $25.00) is lighter (90% similar). Tarina Tarantino Fantastical #3 (DC, ) is warmer (90% similar). MAC Chott (LE, $17.00) is more shimmery, lighter, cooler (90% similar). Chanel Poesie #2 (LE, ) is warmer (90% similar). theBalm High Tide (LE, $16.00) is lighter, brighter (90% similar). Tarte Pearl Earring (LE, ) is lighter (90% similar). Chanel Tisse Beverly Hills #2 (PiP, ) is darker (90% similar). Bobbi Brown Sea Glass (LE, $21.00)(90% similar). Disney by Sephora Sea Shells (LE, ) is lighter (90% similar). Make Up For Ever I542 Pinky Clay (DC, $21.00) is darker (90% similar). KVD Beauty Telepathy (DC, ) is more shimmery, warmer (85% similar). Viseart Bijoux Royal #2 (LE, ) is more shimmery, brighter, warmer (85% similar). Clarins Silver Ivory (04) (P, $24.00) is darker (85% similar). NARS Galice (P, $28.00) is more shimmery, darker (85% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.
Give In Take II is a muted, medium-dark gray with cool, bluish tones and a pearly sheen. Applied dry, it was semi-sheer, while damp yielded nearly opaque coverage. It was easier to diffuse and blend around the edges when I used it dry, but the coverage was hard to build up, so I had the best luck applying it damp initially and then using it dry to diffuse and soften the edges. It lasted for seven hours dry, seven and a half hours damp. Urban Decay Ace (LE, $19.00) is darker (95% similar). LORAC Slate (PiP, $19.00) is more shimmery (90% similar). MAC Retrograde (LE, $25.00) is more shimmery (90% similar). theBalm #5 (P, $6.50) is brighter (90% similar). Chanel Fleur de Pierre (106) (P, $32.00) is warmer (90% similar). NARS Indes Galantes (Left) (DC, $25.00) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar). Tarina Tarantino Lovely #3 (DC, ) is more shimmery, lighter, cooler (90% similar). Laura Mercier Gunmetal (LE, $23.00) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar). Anastasia Denim Smokey (P, $12.00) is more shimmery (90% similar). Urban Decay Redemption (LE, $19.00) is more shimmery (90% similar). Disney by Sephora Flotsam (LE, ) is brighter, cooler (90% similar). Giorgio Armani #21 (DC, $33.00) is more shimmery, lighter (85% similar). Milani Bella Gray (10) (P, $4.49) is more shimmery, lighter, brighter (85% similar). KVD Beauty Santeria (LE, ) is more shimmery (85% similar). MAC Graphic Style (LE, $17.00) is more shimmery, lighter (85% similar). Sydney Grace Black Ice (P, $6.25) is more shimmery, warmer (85% similar). MAC Showgirl (LE, $21.00) is lighter, cooler (80% similar). Giorgio Armani Moonlight White #3 (LE, ) is less shimmery (95% similar). Estee Lauder Modern Mercury #2 (LE, $21.00) is lighter (80% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.
Give In Take III is a blackened teal with subtle, cool undertones and a satin finish. It appeared more muted in color but had semi-opaque coverage when I applied it dry, and it lasted for eight hours. When I tried it damp, it was more intense and fully opaque, but it took extra effort to diffuse the edges, though it lasted for almost nine hours on me. Natasha Denona Deep Pacific (03V) (PiP, $29.00) is more shimmery (95% similar). Guerlain Les Aquas #1 (P, ) is less shimmery (95% similar). Sephora Midnight Swim (16) (DC, $10.00) is more shimmery, brighter (90% similar). bareMinerals Deep Sea (LE, $14.00) is lighter, brighter (90% similar). ColourPop Rhinestone (LE, $6.00) is lighter (90% similar). bareMinerals Dazzle (PiP, ) is warmer (90% similar). Marc Jacobs Beauty The Siren #7 (LE, ) is lighter, warmer (85% similar). The Estee Edit Wavy (LE, ) is more shimmery, lighter, brighter (85% similar). Makeup Geek Houdini (P, $9.99) is more shimmery, lighter (85% similar). Anastasia Mermaid (P, $12.00) is more shimmery, lighter (85% similar). ColourPop Warrior (LE, $6.00) is more shimmery, lighter, cooler (80% similar). Urban Decay Hijack (DC, $19.00) is more shimmery, lighter (80% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.
Give In Take IV is a bright beige with subtle, cooler undertones and a satin finish (even though it looked warmer in the pan). It was more muted and a lot less bright–looked almost faded–when I applied it dry, though it was still semi-opaque in coverage. When I applied it with a damp brush, it was brighter and looked starker against my skin tone with semi-opaque coverage. It was easier to use this one damp, though, as the texture was a bit firmer to work with in the pan, so having the dampness on the brush stretched the color out more. It lasted for seven and a half hours both dry and damp on me. Too Faced Frosty Nog (LE, $16.00)(100% similar). KVD Beauty Bone (LE, ) is darker, warmer (95% similar). Coloured Raine Pure (LE, $6.99) is more muted (95% similar). Marc Jacobs Beauty The Parisienne #5 (LE, ) is more shimmery (95% similar). Sephora Put a Bow On It (LE, ) is darker (95% similar). Anastasia Blanc (P, $12.00) is darker (95% similar). Too Faced Glaze (LE, $16.00) is more muted (95% similar). Viseart Cashmere #1 (PiP, ) is warmer (95% similar). Viseart Cool Mattes 2 #1 (PiP, ) is warmer (95% similar). L'Oreal Paris Beach (P, $5.99) is brighter (95% similar). Make Up For Ever M530 Eggshell (DC, $21.00) is darker, warmer (95% similar). Viseart Petit Pro #1 (LE, ) is warmer (90% similar). Marc Jacobs Beauty Rule (LE, ) is warmer (90% similar). Make Up For Ever M530 Eggshell (P, $17.00) is warmer (85% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.
Give In Take V is a light-medium taupe with warmer, brown undertones and a gray overtone paired with a satin finish. It had semi-sheer coverage when applied dry, and the color itself was much warmer and lacked the gray overtone. If I used it with a damp brush, the color was more intense, grayer, and more opaque. I noticed fading after seven hours when I used it dry, and then after eight hours when I used it damp. Too Faced Erotica (PiP, $16.00) is darker (95% similar). Sephora Cashmere Coat (DC, $10.00) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar). Guerlain Les Cendres #1 (LE, ) is less shimmery, warmer (90% similar). Sephora Coffee (LE, ) is less shimmery, lighter, warmer (85% similar). theBalm Dig It (LE, $16.00) is less shimmery, warmer (85% similar). NARS L'Amour, Toujours L'Amour #7 (DC, $25.00) is less shimmery, lighter (85% similar). Urban Decay DTF (LE, $19.00) is less shimmery, warmer (85% similar). bareMinerals Head Over Heels (LE, ) is less shimmery, darker (85% similar). Guerlain Two VIP #2 (LE, ) is lighter, cooler (85% similar). Too Faced Pecan Praline (PiP, $16.00) is less shimmery, lighter (85% similar). Marc Jacobs Beauty Bearish (LE, ) is darker, cooler (80% similar). MAC Brains & Brawn (LE, $17.00) is less shimmery, lighter (80% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.
Give In Take VI is a deep, blackened brown with subtle, warmer, olive undertones and a satin finish. It had sheer coverage applied dry, which looked more like a dark brown than a blackened brown, while damp application yielded rich, opaque color that was much deeper and darker. The consistency was soft, firm without being stiff, and blended out fairly well on the lid. It lasted for seven hours dry and eight hours damp. Too Faced Lava Cake (LE, $16.00) is less shimmery (95% similar). Too Faced Cup of Joe (LE, $16.00) is cooler (95% similar). Marc Jacobs Beauty As Well (PiP, ) is darker, cooler (95% similar). Zoeva Infusion (PiP, ) is lighter (95% similar). Marc Jacobs Beauty Everywhere (PiP, ) is cooler (95% similar). MAC Beluga (LE, $17.00) is lighter (95% similar). Chanel Noir Petrole (812) (P, $36.00) is cooler (95% similar). Bobbi Brown Black Chocolate (LE, $22.00) is less shimmery, darker (95% similar). Anastasia Deep Brown (P, $12.00) is less shimmery (90% similar). Zoeva Beans are White (PiP, ) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar). NARS Mesopotamia (P, $25.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar). Chanel Clair Obscur #4 (PiP, ) is lighter (90% similar). MAC Join My League (LE, $17.00) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar). NARS Mekong (DC, $25.00) is warmer (90% similar). Melt Cosmetics Rott #2 (PiP, ) is less shimmery, cooler (90% similar). Chanel Topkapi #3 (LE, ) is darker (90% similar). Give Me Glow Dirt Road (P, $7.00) is less shimmery, cooler (90% similar). Viseart Cool Matte #12 (PiP, ) is lighter (90% similar). KVD Beauty Vox (LE, ) is less shimmery (90% similar). Buxom Unapologetic (P, $12.00) is less shimmery (90% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.
Give In Take Blush I is a light, white gold with warm undertones and a metallic finish. It had similar, medium, buildable coverage both dry and damp, but the damp application was definitely more intense with a smoother, but stronger, sheen. The consistency was smooth, a touch dry in a way, but it was blendable and did not appear dry on the skin. It lasted for eight hours both dry and damp on me. Melt Cosmetics Ghostlight (P, $22.00) is less shimmery, warmer (95% similar). Sleek MakeUP Subsolar (PiP, ) is less shimmery (95% similar). Makeup Geek Electrify (P, $20.00) is lighter, brighter (90% similar). Clionadh Cremait (P, $12.50) is more shimmery (90% similar). ColourPop Perilune (DC, $10.00) is more shimmery, darker, more muted (90% similar). Chanel Duo de Camelias (Right) (LE, $80.00) is warmer (90% similar). Sephora Stardust (01) (P, $14.00) is less shimmery (90% similar). Anastasia Helia (PiP, ) is more shimmery (90% similar). Zoeva Glowing Still (PiP, ) is more shimmery (90% similar). Makeup Geek Lit (P, $20.00) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar). Makeup Revolution Golden Lights (P, $6.00) is more shimmery (90% similar). Tarte Sunlight (PiP, ) is darker (85% similar). Anastasia Moonstone (LE, ) is darker, warmer (85% similar). Anastasia Summer (LE, ) is more shimmery, darker (85% similar). Anastasia Sunburst (LE, ) is more shimmery, darker (80% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.
Give In Take Blush II is a light-medium peach with warm, orange undertones and a satin sheen. The coverage with medium, buildable dry and then semi-opaque, buildable damp. It had a more obviously, pearlescent sheen when applied damp, but it was never flat even when applied dry. The texture was soft, smooth, and blendable on the skin, and it did not emphasize my pores or skin’s natural texture. It wore well for seven hours dry and eight hours damp. Suqqu Yawakouki (05) (P, $34.00) is less shimmery (95% similar). Clinique Nude Glow (P, $27.00) is less shimmery (95% similar). MAC Highlighter (LE, $34.00) is more shimmery (95% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Warm (Winter 2016) Highlighter (LE, $60.00) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar). bareMinerals The Premiere (LE, $26.00) is darker (90% similar). MAC Glow Rida (LE, $22.00) is less shimmery (90% similar). ColourPop Highly Waisted (P, $10.00) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar). Wet 'n' Wild Hummingbird Hype (LE, $4.99) is more shimmery, darker (85% similar). NYX Nectar (P, $5.00) is lighter (85% similar). By Terry Light & Tan Vibes #3 (LE, ) is more shimmery, lighter (85% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.
Give In Take Blush III is a bright pop of peony pink with subtle, warm, yellow undertones and a pearly sheen. The texture was soft, firm but blendable on the skin, and it was flattering on the skin and did not enhance pores or the skin’s natural texture. It had semi-sheer coverage dry and semi-opaque coverage damp, and it was buildable regardless of application method. On me, it lasted for eight hours both dry and damp. Haus Labs Rose Quartz (P, $40.00) is less shimmery (95% similar). Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess Blush (LE, ) is darker (90% similar). MAC Into the Pink (P, $31.00) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar). Kevyn Aucoin Pink Sand #1 (PiP, ) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar). NARS Undefeated (LE, $30.00) is more shimmery (90% similar). Kevyn Aucoin Grapevine #1 (PiP, ) is lighter (90% similar). Guerlain Smile (Right) (LE, $52.00) is less shimmery, warmer (90% similar). ColourPop Boba (DC, $8.00) is more shimmery (90% similar). NARS 413 BLKR (Blush) (P, $30.00) is darker, brighter (90% similar). Laura Geller Rosewater (P, $26.00) is darker (85% similar). Natasha Denona Golden Pink (PiP, ) is more shimmery, warmer (85% similar). Ciate Baby Doll (P, $26.00) is darker (85% similar). Becca Camellia (DC, $34.00) is more shimmery, darker (85% similar). Natasha Denona Rayo (P, $38.00) is less shimmery, lighter, warmer (85% similar). Milani Bella Bellini (P, $7.99) is more shimmery, darker, warmer (80% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.
Give In Take
LELimited Edition. $69.00.
Give In Take I
LELimited Edition. $29.00.
Give In Take II
LELimited Edition. $29.00.
Give In Take III
LELimited Edition. $29.00.
Give In Take IV
LELimited Edition. $29.00.
Give In Take V
LELimited Edition. $29.00.
Give In Take VI
LELimited Edition. $29.00.
Give In Take Blush I
LELimited Edition.
Give In Take Blush II
LELimited Edition.
Give In Take Blush III
LELimited Edition.
NARS Give In Take Dual-Intensity Eye & Cheek Palette (Holiday 2016)
NARS Give In Take Dual-Intensity Eye & Cheek Palette (Holiday 2016)
NARS Give In Take Dual-Intensity Eye & Cheek Palette (Holiday 2016)
NARS Give In Take Dual-Intensity Eye & Cheek Palette (Holiday 2016)
NARS Give In Take Dual-Intensity Eye & Cheek Palette (Holiday 2016)
NARS Give In Take Dual-Intensity Eye & Cheek Palette (Holiday 2016)
NARS Give In Take Dual-Intensity Eye & Cheek Palette (Holiday 2016)
NARS Give In Take Dual-Intensity Eye & Cheek Palette (Holiday 2016)
NARS Give In Take Dual-Intensity Eye & Cheek Palette (Holiday 2016)
NARS Give In Take Dual-Intensity Eye & Cheek Palette (Holiday 2016)
NARS Give In Take I Dual Intensity Eyeshadow
NARS Give In Take I Dual Intensity Eyeshadow
NARS Give In Take II Dual Intensity Eyeshadow
NARS Give In Take II Dual Intensity Eyeshadow
NARS Give In Take III Dual Intensity Eyeshadow
NARS Give In Take III Dual Intensity Eyeshadow
NARS Give In Take IV Dual Intensity Eyeshadow
NARS Give In Take IV Dual Intensity Eyeshadow
NARS Give In Take V Dual Intensity Eyeshadow
NARS Give In Take V Dual Intensity Eyeshadow
NARS Give In Take VI Dual Intensity Eyeshadow
NARS Give In Take VI Dual Intensity Eyeshadow
NARS Give In Take Blush I Dual-Intensity Blush
NARS Give In Take Blush I Dual-Intensity Blush
NARS Give In Take Blush I Dual-Intensity Blush
NARS Give In Take Blush I Dual-Intensity Blush
NARS Give In Take Blush I Dual-Intensity Blush
NARS Give In Take Blush II Dual-Intensity Blush
NARS Give In Take Blush II Dual-Intensity Blush
NARS Give In Take Blush II Dual-Intensity Blush
NARS Give In Take Blush II Dual-Intensity Blush
NARS Give In Take Blush II Dual-Intensity Blush
NARS Give In Take Blush III Dual-Intensity Blush
NARS Give In Take Blush III Dual-Intensity Blush
NARS Give In Take Blush III Dual-Intensity Blush
NARS Give In Take Blush III Dual-Intensity Blush
NARS Give In Take Blush III Dual-Intensity Blush
I’m so glad you’ve reviewed this, Christine!
I’m pleased with the cooler neutral eyeshadows and think they would complement my other dual-intensity shadows well. I’m pleased that NARS didn’t just duplicate their own shades and that they managed to keep the quality at least solid.
Like you, I wish they’d included cooler-toned blushes in the set — a cool mauve and a cool plum, or even a cool taupe, with an actual cool-toned highlighter shade would have been perfect for fall/winter, I think. But I guess I can’t get everything I want! I would use the first and third blush shades, as well as the eyeshadows, so I probably will get this set 🙂
I thought it was a bit odd that they weren’t cooler-toned blushes myself! Glad to hear that despite the warmer blushes, two will still work for you!
My thoughts exactly Fran!
Exactly. I’d have been all over this with cooler blushes. That would have been more cohesive. Tried the first di shadow palette instore, and the darks overwhelmed into a muddy mess. This has 4 lighter shadows. Nice. I almost didn’t keep the summer di blush palette, bec. it wouldn’t start up with WGs, but once it was going, I use almost nothing else. It has 2 warm and 1 cool, but the shades are almost fall-like, fairly saturated. These blushes are spring-y and spot on for what I never wear. If this were just eyes, I’d be there in a ny minute. Just adore the eyes Christine does with this palette. This one is a tad expensive for a depotting experiment.
Hmmm, I don’t know about this one. Overall, the colors are not really appealing to me. I do like the dual intensity formula and find it works well on my eyelids. I only have one Nars blush so can’t really speak to those although I do find the blush colors to be more appealing. I doubt I will splash out the money on this one. As usual, your eye looks are amazing.
Thank you, Deborah!
I’m just not feeling these colors for some reason. I have their dual intensity eyeshadow palette from a year (or a few) years ago and while i like it, i don’t feel the need to get more.
As always, thanks for your review.
PS: i agree on the name thing…
No problem, Lena! 🙂
Pretty! Can’t say I’m a fan of the packaging though, but the colors are lovely.
Glad you liked the inside, at least!
Melissa, I had to scroll back up because I figured I must have missed something when I read your comment and Nicole’s comment about the packaging…. sure enough, I did. Francois Nars is up to his usual again. Why on makeup for women? Ugh. Well, if I buy it, there’s ways to deal with that!
I looked at the packaging twice and I don’t see anything, what am I missing?
I’m underimpressed. The packaging is off putting as well. $ saved! ?
Sometimes that is a good thing 😀
I absolutely LOVE the cool plum/pink face look you did in that last pic, but will try to dupe with my own stash. The NARS Dual Intensity shadow isn’t the longest lasting formula on my oily lids ( I get about 7-8 hrs with primer before fading/creasing, but I can get +8-12 hrs with other brands, and my days are looong), so I only buy the pricey singles if there’s a unique color ( ie Tarvos mint green). The blush colors look pretty, but I feel the shadow colors are fairly basic and dupe-able, so skip for me, but glad this got a decent score for those interested.
Thank you, Katherine!! 🙂
That cool brown (V) alone is making me want this palette!
Aww!
I’m obsessed with the Dual-Intensity eyeshadows but these colors are not working for me.I don’t think I’ll be getting this.
The color selection is different than your usual variety for holiday, but at the same time, I can see this having less mass appeal as a result!
I really, really like this palette a LOT! It does seem to be a fantastic deal, too on top of it having some very versatile smokey eye options. But I am holding out for the Estee Edit Gritty & Glow palette review for now. Although I love the look of both, I will only buy one or the other.
I was really surprised by the value of the palette!
I’ve been waiting eagerly for your review of this. I absolutely love 3 of the shadows – I, V and VI – but the cheek products aren’t really floating my boat. I wish Nars would release those 3 shadows as singles…or I might just make do with the dupes (I’ve always wanted an excuse to buy Sephora’s Cashmere Coat, though I already have UD DTF). Of course, I may just cave entirely and buy this palette. It’s $85 here though Sephora’s website says it’s got a value of $250 so I guess they’ve done the math differently.
Oh, and speaking of names (and I’m with you about the absence of names – it’s something I dislike too) – what’s with the “Give IN Take”? I’ve heard of “give AND take” but am I missing something? Is there some significance to this name that I’m not aware of?
I just figured it was something to do with “intake” rather than give and take, but I have no idea!
I did the calculations twice, because it seemed extraordinary, and should I be wrong, hopefully someone can correct me! But with the Dual Intensity eyeshadows being $29 and only 0.05 oz. – and these being larger (!) – it seems like a really value-packed palette.
You could always get Cashmere Coat at the Sephora sale, for dirt cheap. The singles pop out easily. CC is also in the Sephora Vintage palette. I like that one, though the consumer reviews aren’t great. For me, it’s a good non brown-dominant neutral palette. Check it out.
I don’t need this palette at all so I’m passing but I love the look you created with it!
Thank you, Sarah! 🙂
Ok, I’ve got a potentially silly question. So while these look very pretty, I never really got the dual intensity thing because…aren’t all shadows more intense when applied damp? Is there anything that makes this line actually different?
Ultimately, it’s more to do with the type of formula overall than anything else – and not every eyeshadow formula can be used damp (some will harden over time), but it’s definitely a formula we have seen by a lot of brands – MAC, Estee Lauder, Lancome, etc. I do feel a difference in terms of texture compared to the Dual Intensity (and other brands’ similar formulas) vs. regular NARS eyeshadows. I’d actually argue that there is a BIG difference between the Dual Intensity range and NARS’ regular eyeshadows, as those are thinner and often powdery.
If I had to pinpoint anything, I would say that these do have a more pearlescent finish typically that seems to have a more “lived in” look to the eye – very blended, almost wet-looking.
Thanks so much for explaining, Christine! This clears up a lot and I never really apply shadows damp anyhow and just assumed they’d all get funky after wetting. Now I’m actually curious to try out specific wet/dry formulas.
Also agree with you about the NARS regular line, which has been hit/miss for me. I have one that I really love (Persia) and one that I loved in store while swatching but at home was just very dry (Mekong).
A good general rule that has served me well (I guess guideline is a more appropriate name) is that very shimmery, more metallic finishes tend to be OK used wet or dry, but when in doubt, get product on your brush first, then spritz with water.
Unless it actually says wet/dry, I avoid using mattes damp!
Thanks so much for the tips, Christine! I think the biggest barrier to me using things wet was fear of screwing up the pans, but I think I’ll try your spritz-after method 🙂
There ya go 🙂
This is awesome! I love your value analysis. I recently got my first dual-intensity blushes (“Sexual Content” summer LE set) and eyeshadow (Himalia from the Sephora Extravagant eyes set) and am totally in love with the formula. I’m not going to get this set though, because I completely agree that they don’t work together as a set. I probably would have bought it if they had a plum, brownish, or deeper red/rose blush instead of the light pink one. Gorgeous packaging though. I think I’d rather save my nickels for the Viseart theory palette and just tote a separate blush.
On one hand, I like that it is an unexpected combo, but on the other, I know I found it harder to wear the colors together!
I’ll take the Kira version, please. With the three alternates you suggested. Any time, any day. I suspect many folks will like either eyes, or blushes, but not both. If I could safely depot the face products into a small z for a gift, I’d consider this. But I would never wear the bottom row. Ever.
Pass for me. I don’t find the shadow shades very appealing. Plus, I didn’t love the Dual-Intensity eye palette from a couple years ago.
Easy skip 🙂
I think this palette, although a great value, it is for fairer skin tones. I’m an NC42 in mac terms and the blushes would not look good on me. If the bottom of the palette were three blushes or, highlight blush bronzer, that worked on a variety of skin tones, this palatte would be a winner, for me at least.
I totally understand, Carmen! They could have definitely put one deeper (maybe a plum/berry) shade in the palette.
Christine, I agree with your comments, the palette colors could be more cohesive for sure. I don’t have any of the Dual Intensity shadow and have been wanting to try them. When I first saw this I was convinced that I’d pick it up, especially after seeing the eye look you put together a while back. (maybe with a lipstick review – unsure)
However, I hate the need to apply with a damp brush. For an everyday look that’s too much fuss for me. So, I’m sort of left wondering if I’ll be happy with the colors used dry.
I actually like this palette. I like the dual intensity formula, at least when it comes to eyeshadows, I’ve yet to try it in blushes.
I’m putting this on my wishlist, and when most of the holiday LE’s and sets and all other holiday goodies are reviewed, I guess I’ll have to start prioritizing.
Hmm for some reason this doesn’t excite me. I mean the colours are very wearable but there’s just something very blah about the palette to me. I loved the NARS x Steven Klein holiday collection last year, I bought the mini lip set and the Despair cheek palette. I even deliberated over the One Shocking Moment palette. Oh well there’s the MAC Nutcracker collection to get excited about lol.
I’ve been dying to try the Dual Intensity formula, so at such a great value, I’m thinking this might be my golden opportunity. MY minor quibble: the name! Am I missing something? Shouldn’t it be Give AND Take?!
It’s a pretty palette, it’s on my consider it list.
I really like this palette – all the shades I would actually wear. I see what you mean about the blushes though.
However these are blush colours I like.
I do have dupes for a couple of these shades, but they are spread all over the place. The colour combinations are useful, I just wish that the mid brown was a taupey shade.
This looks like a decent palette for travel but I suspect most of us have these colors or similar in other collections. Pass for me.
The colors in this palette don’t particularly strike me, but it really is a great value! The swatches look really nice as well.
Not for me, what I like best about your eye look here is the •Sephora Eccentric Diva Eyeliner!
I understand why they’ve chosen the colours they have but unfortunately they won’t translate across skintones, after a certain point shades of white really are just “white” 🙁
Great value for light to medium skintones though!
Though I like the color selection in the eyeshadows, the blushes seem VERY oriented to medium-and-lighter skin tones. The highlighter has enough white it could easily pull ashy on deep and dark skin tones. NARS’ four-color cheek palette from earlier this year had an excellent rich color for darker skin, so they’re definitely capable of including them in palettes, but it’s disappointing how they limited their holiday audience with the light color selection here.
I have been eagerly awaiting this review! I am 100% getting this with my rouge discount, so it will be an even more amazing value!!! I agree the blushes could definitely coordinate better but I still love it nonetheless. The nudity on the packaging doesn’t bother me at all, it’s more artsyl than sexual.
I’ve been so in to the super warm reddish, cranberry, orangey , golden russet colors that are so popular right now. I’m shopping MORE from the VIB sale and checking this rating and just saw your look. It’s so muted and sophisticated. It felt almost restful to the eye and makes the current looks seem garish. I’m still probably going to basically rub my face in the Mario palette again tomorrow but you really just inspired me. I know I joke a lot, too much probably but I’m being serious. It’s a fantastic reminder why simple and classic are always the most elegant.