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NARS Holiday 2011 Gifting


NARS Holiday 2011 Gifting

For Holiday 2011, NARS introduces Modern Kabuki, a collection of specially designed gifts for the ardent makeup aficionado, inspired by François Nars’ travels throughout Japan, his deep interest in Japanese culture, and his fascination with Kabuki makeup. The collection captures the exquisite artistry of Japan’s Kabuki theater. Every detail is a vibrant, modern, iconic interpretation of the centuries-old dramatic form.

Hanamichi Kabuki-Inspired Eyeshadow Palette ($65.00) (narscosmetics.com)

Japanese for “flower path,” this Kabuki theater walkway that extends into the audience was the inspiration for this eyeshadow palette, featuring a Kabuki-themed design and accompanied by a mini Kabuki Eye Brush. The colors are evocative of shades found in Kabuki theater- an icy white with flowers in rich shimmering deep rose and gold and matte black.

Kudoki Kabuki Mini Lip Coffret ($125.00)

Named for an element of Kabuki dance, this year’s take on the Bento Box set features three new vibrant, super-saturated, limited edition shades poured into custom ceramic cups. Included is its own Kabuki Lip Brush and sleek keepsake wooden box.

  • Ougi Deep red
  • Takebue Neutral
  • Botan Deep pink

Mie Kabuki Mini Soft Touch Shadow Pencil Coffret ($55.00)

A collection of six mini, top-selling and limited edition Soft Touch Shadow Pencils. Just like their namesake Mie Kabuki— which references a moment of high emotion culminating in an extremely dramatic pose—these creamy, blendable, long-wearing crayons create bold, dramatic looks with just a few strokes.

  • Tall Tale Deep metallic purple
  • Magic Moon Deep metallic navy blue
  • Ballets Russes Silver
  • Aigle Noir Black infused with gold shimmer
  • Palladium Turquoise with silver glitter
  • Skorpios Copper

Kuroko Kabuki Mini Nail Polish Coffret ($35.00)

The set includes four mini-sized, bold and vivid nail polish colors based on shades traditionally used in Kabuki theatre.

  • Yoshiwara Red
  • Shiro-Nuri White
  • Kata Black
  • Senryou Gold

Nagauta Kabuki Brush Set ($225.00) (Barneys Exclusive)

Encased in an ultra-luxurious keepsake wooden bento box with red lacquer interior, this exquisite five-piece brush set is named for the principal musical forms in Kabuki theater and includes two new brushes exclusive to the set. Kabuki Eye Brush (exclusive to the set), Botan Brush, Ita Brush, Yachiyo Brush, Kabuki Lip (exclusive to the set).

availability: November 1st, 2011 @ narscosmetics.com (except brush set)

See more photos!





47 Comments

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Ani_BEE Avatar

I like the Nagauta Kabuki Brush Set but not at the $225 US price tag.

It’s interesting to see that the Kudoki Kabuki Mini Lip Coffret BENTO CUPS are back this year. I guess they sold at that price range to people with “money”.

JJ Avatar

The Kabuki brush box is $315 in Australia! (I checked the exchange rates on 4 Nov, and at that price, it’s the equivalent of $327 US – ouch!)

Ashley Sarah Avatar

That palette looks great! I love the design of the brushes and the colors of the polish! I’m sure I wont be getting any of this, I can’t afford it however I love the look of it all!

Jasmine Avatar

This is the first Nars products I’ve really WANTED in long time! Love the brush set (the price is cuckoo) and I think I could actully use the shadow palette.

Megan Avatar

If you do the math…the brush set is $45/brush. I’m not counting the box, though I’m sure that adds to the cost, too. I’d expect to pay *more* than $45 for a good Kabuki brush like the Botan, same for the Ito. I’d pay about $45 for the Yachiyo…and I’m pretty sure my paying more for the first two evens out the cost of the other two.

$225 is a hefty all-at-once price tag, but broken down, it’s fairly reasonable for quality brushes–and these are definitely quality brushes.

Lark Avatar

You’re right about brush prices Meghan. The Botan is. $75, Yachiyo is $50, Ita about $45? So that’s $170, so another $55 for two smaller brushes and the box, it’s actually a deal.
This time of year is really cash stressed, but if you added up some of the stupid purchases we all make it’s not out of reach. In July. Right now it’s tough.

Julia Minamata Avatar

Eeeeee! This is so, so, gorgeous. This is the first time I’ve ever wanted to buy luxury cosmetics. The brushes and boxes are pure love. I’m Japanese-Canadian so I have a HUGE soft spot for Japanese-themed stuff.

Lark Avatar

That IS the elegance of an Asian brush!!

An artist in Japan or China makes his own brushes; Often the hair is cut from a beloved pet or even a dear friend if the texture is right. Western Painting has it’s own old rituals of the artist creating his/ her own tools. If you can’t get the larger transformative values of Kabuki as performance art than these weren’t made for you.
You may want to think about the fact that every day you pick up the tools of the artist and re invent your self into some one else. These brushes are the same hair as those middling grade MACs you aspire to. So what’s the problem? Even She Uemura uses the black white yellow and red in his signature tools. These colors were tied to cycles of creation death and rebirth before civilization took root.

And you say “Icky”?
Well that’s OK. More for me when I figure out how to pay for this all!

Nina Avatar

I know, those brushes are elegant and gorgeous! Kabuki teather really is facinating! And as a MA or just someone who loves applying makeup, you should want the best tools. Yes it’s pricey but those brushes are handmade and high quality. I would love to have those brushes. But unfortunately, my wallet is too skinny. I’ll need to figure out how to pay for that brush set.

Carolyn Avatar

I keep coming back to the eye palette–it’s so gorgeous I know I couldn’t bear to actually use it if I bought one. On the practical side I think I’m going to pass just because if I was to use it I can’t imagine the white would stay pristine longer than 3 seconds after one of the other shades was disturbed with a brush.

Mariella Avatar

The brushes look like works of art (and are priced almost like a work of art!). And that eye shadow looks so pretty that I almost wouldn’t want to ruin it by using it but I’ll wait to see what the reviews are like in terms of quality before committing one way or the other.

Lark Avatar

I love it! Yet I’m strangely underwhelmed… I think Holiday does this to me and by April I’ll be kicking myself for not getting at least two of these. But I don’t know which ones?

Happens every darn year

Katherine Avatar

I ordered the eye palette from Nordstrom and received it yesterday. Thank you for keeping us up to date on releases. The packaging is to die for on this palette. I found the product itself to be good/excellent. Gorgeous and to die for packaging though.

Myriam Avatar

I have the palette and it’s totally usable! The red looks like a pink if you apply it with a light hand and can also be used as a blush. I’ve tried it myself and it looks perfect. The black is very pigmented, great as a shadow or as an eyeliner, and the brush is super-soft!

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