NARS Hydra & Titania Dual Intensity Eyeshadows Reviews, Photos, Swatches
Hydra
NARS Hydra Dual-Intensity Eyeshadow ($29.00 for 0.05 oz.) is a muted, smoky teal with subtle, warm undertones and a pearl-to-metallic finish. It had medium coverage when applied with a dry brush with a more pearlized finish, and then the coverage ramped up to completely opaque with a more metallic finish when applied with a dampened brush.
The Dual-Intensity Eyeshadow formula is a wet/dry one where dry application is supposed to have sheerer coverage (and that’s typically true) and damp application is supposed to have opaque coverage (again, typically true). Hydra is one of two limited edition shades for fall (the other is Titania, which follows in this review). The eyeshadow had a soft texture that was a touch dry in the pan but was fairly blendable on the eye, but I noticed that it had a tendency to look a little patchy as if it darkened from the natural oils on my eye and not so much from issues with blending. On me, the color stayed on well for eight hours both dry and damp.
Top Dupes
- MAC Water (LE, $21.00) is warmer (95% similar).
- Marc Jacobs Beauty The Siren #7 (LE, ) is brighter (90% similar).
- bareMinerals Dazzle (PiP, ) is more shimmery, brighter (90% similar).
- Linda Hallberg Cosmetics Orphic (PiP, ) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- Natasha Denona Deep Pacific (03V) (PiP, $29.00) is darker, brighter (90% similar).
- Makeup Atelier Amazon #5 (P, ) is darker, more muted, warmer (85% similar).
- Natasha Denona Aurora (PiP, ) is less shimmery, darker, cooler (85% similar).
- MAC Blue Noir (LE, $21.00) is lighter (85% similar).
- Laura Mercier Turquoise Blaze (LE, ) is less shimmery, warmer (85% similar).
- Fenty Beauty Souq It 2 Me (PiP, ) is less shimmery, darker (85% similar).
Look Using this Product
Hydra
LELimited Edition. $29.00.
Titania
NARS Titania Dual-Intensity Eyeshadow ($29.00 for 0.05 oz.) is a smoky, medium-dark gray with silver and greenish-teal shimmer that gave it a more frosted sheen overall. The dry application gave me semi-sheer coverage with a more toned-down finish–shimmery but not metallic or frosty, whereas applying the color with a dampened brush made the pigmentation mostly opaque and frosted.
The Dual-Intensity Eyeshadow formula is a wet/dry one where dry application is supposed to have sheerer coverage (and that’s typically true) and damp application is supposed to have opaque coverage (again, typically true). Titania is one of two limited edition shades for fall (the other is Hydra, which was reviewed above in this review). The consistency was soft, smooth, and a little dry to the touch but not powdery. It was easy to apply, blend out, and to intensify on the lid, both dry and damp. On me, the eyeshadow wore well for seven hours dry, seven and a half hours damp.
Top Dupes
- Fenty Beauty Brain Freeze (LE, ) is less shimmery, darker (95% similar).
- Urban Decay Digitalized (P, $26.00) is less shimmery, darker, cooler (90% similar).
- Pat McGrath Falcon Noir (LE, $32.00) is less shimmery, darker, cooler (90% similar).
- Gucci Beauty Cosmic Deco #3 (DC, ) is more shimmery (90% similar).
- Stila Vivid Labradorite (P, $24.00) is more shimmery, more pigmented, cooler (90% similar).
- Moira Black Hole (P, $7.50) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
- ColourPop Full Metal (DC, $4.50) is more shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
- KVD Beauty Filthy (LE, ) is less shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Make Up For Ever ME108 Steel (P, $17.00) is cooler (90% similar).
- Tom Ford Beauty White Suede #4 (LE, ) is less shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
Hydra is GORGEOUS and most of the dupes don’t seem all that close – this one seems to be unique (and, again, here in Janie-Canuckland it’s “online only” – GRRRR). Titania ain’t none too shabby either but I’ve lots of dupes for that one.
Boo for online only!
I know…. I might actually break down and order this particular beauty. I just have to think in terms of how often I’ll actually use it rather than just stare at it in the pan and think how pretty it is.
Hydra is a great looking smokey teal! Might need to check this one out, as I can see its potential in a deep, murky oceanic smokey eye look. It has that sexy smouldering factor to it.
It is a more smoky teal – that is a great way to describe it!
Oooh, I’m liking Hydra, the color and finish looks complex, looks like it will make a quick and easy smoky eye! But the Dual Intensity formula has never been the longest lasting on my oily lids, I can usually eek out 7-8 hrs with primer, but would prefer longer wear as my days are long, but I will go for unique colors. A bit worried since you said it’s looking patchy from the oils from your normal lids, not sure how it will hold up on mine. Will only buy if I can easily return
7-8 hours with primer is no good! 🙁
Nice but I’m more feeling the blush and the lips from this collection so far.
Gotcha 🙂
Titania looks STUNNING.
Do you think you’ll try it?
I got my first duo intensity shadow recently, and I’m really digging it!! I’m liking this formula!
Nice! Which duo was it?
Hydra is really beautiful.
It is!
Lovely eye look! I love the dual intensity formula.
Aw, thank you Lupe! 😀
I remember MAC Water when it came out no wonder I like this shade of Hydra, but I’m just not a fan of the price point. 🙁
Yeah, the Dual Intensity Eyeshadows are pricey for a single!
These are both beautiful shades and there’s not too many dupes around of them either. They are perfect shades to add a bit of glamour to an eye look, or in the case of the grey shade, a beautiful everyday shade too.
Your eye look is stunning Christine.
Thank you, Genevieve!
I’m one who is not a fan of this formula, particularly the lighter colours and the shimmer, but I have to say I really like how that teal colour is super muted. Hmmm…
I’m going to get both!The Dual Intensity is one of my favorite eyeshadow formulas.These 2 shades are very pretty and I didn’t get the limited edition Teal shade they released last summer I think so I need a Teal in this formula. I love that it’s a smoky Teal I think that makes it more versatile.
Just came here to say that your eye look is STUNNING!!!!
I know i’m late to the game on this post. I think i’m going to snag both of the shadows here. I love this formula. I don’t see what you used in your eye look. Specifically which gold shadow you used? Thanks so much!
Hydra is beautiful. It reminds me, the two colors from Tom Ford Midnight Sea layered . I love that NARS named many products with greek names.