NARS Inferno Eyeshadow Palette Review & Swatches
Inferno
NARS Inferno NARSissist Eyeshadow Palette ($59.00 for 0.48 oz.) is a new, limited edition palette that is exclusive to Sephora. It contains three more matte shades, five glitter shades, and four shimmery shades. If you don’t like glitter, this is an easy skip, because five shades contain glitter (one uselessly) and only three of the non-glitter shades are actually good.
The glitter used is plastic, and I have not been able to find any information that has suggested there’s been a change on whether plastic glitter can be marketed for eye usage in the US. I’ve asked a few industry sources, and they weren’t aware of any changes. NARS’ palette has a symbol of an eye on the back of it (typically indicates usage area), it’s listed as an eyeshadow palette, and I couldn’t find any warnings on the packaging, so as far as NARS’ seems concerned, there appeared no warning to give. (They are not the only brand I’ve seen using PET glitter and marketing it for eyes. It has become more common in 2019.)
I also saw that Red 7 is used in Come to Me (not currently approved for usage on the eyes by FDA). I present the information to readers so that they can have it and make whatever decision they’re comfortable with. Both PET glitter and Red 7 seem to have no restrictions for cosmetic use that I could find in the EU via CosIng.
Keep on Dancing
Keep on Dancing is a pale yellow with warm undertones and a semi-matte finish. It had good color coverage but was moderately powdery, which resulted in the product sheering out and dropping fallout during application. The eyeshadow lasted decently for seven hours before fading noticeably.
Top Dupes
- MAC Mamastarrr's Cookie (LE, $17.00) is lighter (95% similar).
- Huda Beauty Warm Browns #6 (PiP, ) is lighter, cooler (95% similar).
- Colour Pop Lil Smiley (PiP, $4.50) is brighter (95% similar).
- Zoeva Across the Street (PiP, ) is cooler (90% similar).
- Huda Beauty Bae (LE, ) is darker, warmer (90% similar).
- Milani Naked Truth (PiP, $5.99) is lighter (90% similar).
- Make Up For Ever M510 Vanilla (DC, $21.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Too Faced Spotlight (LE, $16.00) is darker (90% similar).
- Colour Pop Lil Birdie (LE, $4.50) is darker, warmer (85% similar).
- NARS Taunt (LE, $19.00) is warmer (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.
Ingredients
TALC · ETHYLENE/ACRYLIC ACID COPOLYMER · ZINC STEARATE · ORYZA SATIVA (RICE) EXTRACT · PUNICA GRANATUM EXTRACT · GINKGO BILOBA LEAF EXTRACT · LAUROYL LYSINE · TRIETHOXYCAPRYLYLSILANE · ALUMINUM DIMYRISTATE · DISODIUM STEAROYL GLUTAMATE · POLOXAMER 338 · SILICA · TOCOPHEROL · HYDROGENATED LECITHIN · C12-15 ALKYL BENZOATE · TRIBEHENIN · CERAMIDE NG · PEG-10 PHYTOSTEROL · LACTIC ACID · PALMITOYL HEXAPEPTIDE-12 · SODIUM DEHYDROACETATE · PHENOXYETHANOL · SORBIC ACID · [+/- (MAY CONTAIN/PEUT CONTENIR): CARMINE (CI 75470) · IRON OXIDES (CI 77491) · IRON OXIDES (CI 77492) · IRON OXIDES (CI 77499) · MANGANESE VIOLET (CI 77742) · MICA] ·
Let It Whip
Let It Whip is a light, peachy gold with warm undertones and a frosted finish. The eyeshadow had nearly opaque color payoff that applied evenly to bare skin and blended out well. The texture was a bit firmer in the pan, but it picked up well enough with a brush. It stayed on well for seven and a half hours on me before I noticed fading.
Top Dupes
- Sydney Grace Morning Star (P, $6.00) is more shimmery, darker, cooler (95% similar).
- Pat McGrath Galactic Gold (LE, $25.00) is more shimmery, lighter (95% similar).
- Make Up For Ever Hotshot (LE, ) is less shimmery, lighter (95% similar).
- Colour Pop 24K (LE, $6.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Charlotte Tilbury Easy Smokey Day (Prime) (LE, ) is more shimmery, darker, more muted (90% similar).
- Colour Pop Watch Out (LE, $4.50) is lighter (90% similar).
- KKW Beauty Saint (PiP, ) is less shimmery, darker, more muted (90% similar).
- Colour Pop CREAM (LE, $4.50) is less shimmery, more muted (90% similar).
- Viseart Alexandre Trois (P, ) is lighter (90% similar).
- Cle de Peau Champagne Supernova #1 (PiP, ) is more shimmery, cooler (90% 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.
Ingredients
Oryza Sativa (Rice) Extract, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Talc, Ethylene/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Zinc Stearate, Punica Granatum Extract, Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract, Lauroyl Lysine, Tin Oxide, Poloxamer 338, Silica, Tocopherol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Tribehenin, Ceramide Ng, Peg-10 Phytosterol, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Aluminum Dimyristate, Disodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Lactic Acid, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Phenoxyethanol, Sorbic Acid, [+/- (MayContain/Peut Contenir): Bismuth Oxychloride (Ci 77163), Carmine (Ci 75470), Ferric Ferrocyanide (Ci 77510), Iron Oxides (Ci 77491), Iron Oxides (Ci 77492), Iron Oxides (Ci 77499), Mica, Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891)].
Rock Freak
Rock Freak is a slightly muted, medium-dark copper with warm, rusty red undertones and a matte finish. It had excellent pigmentation with a smooth, velvety texture that was a smidgen powdery in the pan. The eyeshadow applied evenly and blended out without difficulty. This shade wore nicely for eight hours on me before fading visibly.
Top Dupes
- Sydney Grace Supreme Harvest (PiP, $5.00) is darker (95% similar).
- Pat McGrath Burnished Honey (P, $25.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- Kaja Velvety Mauve (PiP, ) is more muted, cooler (90% similar).
- Melt Cosmetics Break Up (PiP, ) is lighter (90% similar).
- Sydney Grace Underworld (P, $5.00) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- LORAC Spice (LE, $19.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- Viseart Roussillon (PiP, ) is lighter (90% similar).
- Smashbox In the Mood (PiP, ) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Colour Pop Hooky (LE, $4.50) is lighter, warmer (85% similar).
- Colour Pop No Promises (P, $6.00) is lighter, brighter (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.
Ingredients
TALC · ETHYLENE/ACRYLIC ACID COPOLYMER · ZINC STEARATE · ORYZA SATIVA (RICE) EXTRACT · PUNICA GRANATUM EXTRACT · GINKGO BILOBA LEAF EXTRACT · LAUROYL LYSINE · TRIETHOXYCAPRYLYLSILANE · ALUMINUM DIMYRISTATE · DISODIUM STEAROYL GLUTAMATE · POLOXAMER 338 · SILICA · TOCOPHEROL · HYDROGENATED LECITHIN · C12-15 ALKYL BENZOATE · TRIBEHENIN · CERAMIDE NG · PEG-10 PHYTOSTEROL · LACTIC ACID · PALMITOYL HEXAPEPTIDE-12 · SODIUM DEHYDROACETATE · PHENOXYETHANOL · SORBIC ACID · [+/- (MAY CONTAIN/PEUT CONTENIR): CARMINE (CI 75470) · IRON OXIDES (CI 77491) · IRON OXIDES (CI 77492) · IRON OXIDES (CI 77499) · MANGANESE VIOLET (CI 77742) · MICA] ·
I'm So Excited
I’m So Excited is a light-medium copper with strong, warm undertones and a metallic sheen. The eyeshadow had opaque pigmentation in a single layer, which adhered well to bare skin with a smooth, even lay down of product. It lasted well for eight hours before I noticed signs of fading.
Top Dupes
- Devinah Cosmetics Anodized (PiP, $5.00) is more shimmery, darker, warmer (95% similar).
- Urban Decay HBIC (PiP, $19.00) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- Natasha Denona Day Spring (PiP, $29.00) is more shimmery, cooler (95% similar).
- Zoeva Pure Ganache (PiP, ) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (95% similar).
- Charlotte Tilbury Power Eyes (Smoke) (LE, ) is more shimmery, darker (95% similar).
- Sephora Tiger Eye (PiP, ) is more shimmery, darker, cooler (90% similar).
- Tom Ford Beauty Reflection (Cream Color) (LE, $45.00) is more shimmery, darker, cooler (90% similar).
- Colour Pop Cinnamon Sugar (LE, $4.50) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- Marc Jacobs Beauty The Siren #3 (LE, ) is more shimmery, brighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Tarte Sunset (PiP, ) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% 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.
Ingredients
TALC · ORYZA SATIVA (RICE) EXTRACT · ETHYLENE/ACRYLIC ACID COPOLYMER · ZINC STEARATE · PUNICA GRANATUM EXTRACT · GINKGO BILOBA LEAF EXTRACT · LAUROYL LYSINE · TRIETHOXYCAPRYLYLSILANE · ALUMINUM DIMYRISTATE · DISODIUM STEAROYL GLUTAMATE · POLOXAMER 338 · SILICA · TOCOPHEROL · HYDROGENATED LECITHIN · C12-15 ALKYL BENZOATE · TRIBEHENIN · CERAMIDE NG · PEG-10 PHYTOSTEROL · LACTIC ACID · PALMITOYL HEXAPEPTIDE-12 · SODIUM DEHYDROACETATE · PHENOXYETHANOL · SORBIC ACID · [+/- (MAY CONTAIN/PEUT CONTENIR): IRON OXIDES (CI 77491) · IRON OXIDES (CI 77499) · MICA] ·
Do It Right
Do It Right is a soft, rosy copper with warm undertones and a pearly sheen. It was richly pigmented with a smooth, slightly thin consistency that applied evenly and blended out well. This shade stayed on nicely for eight hours before fading visibly.
Top Dupes
- Marc Jacobs Beauty Cause a Fuss (PiP, ) is less shimmery, darker (95% similar).
- Charlotte Tilbury Walk of Shame #3 (PiP, ) is cooler (95% similar).
- LORAC Iced Rose (PiP, $19.00) is more shimmery, more muted (90% similar).
- Sydney Grace Guardian Angels (DC, $5.00) is more shimmery, brighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Hourglass Reflect (P, $29.00) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- Too Faced Push-up (2018) (PiP, $16.00) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Huda Beauty Crave (PiP, ) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- NARS Basic Instinct (LE, $19.00) is less shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
- Charlotte Tilbury Love Glow (Prime) (LE, ) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- bareMinerals Bubbles (LE, ) is more shimmery, lighter (90% 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.
Ingredients
TALC · CAPRYLIC/CAPRIC TRIGLYCERIDE · ORYZA SATIVA (RICE) EXTRACT · DIMETHICONE · ZINC STEARATE · LAUROYL LYSINE · PUNICA GRANATUM EXTRACT · GINKGO BILOBA LEAF EXTRACT · TRIETHOXYCAPRYLYLSILANE · ALUMINUM DIMYRISTATE · DISODIUM STEAROYL GLUTAMATE · TOCOPHEROL · HYDROGENATED LECITHIN · ETHYLENE/ACRYLIC ACID COPOLYMER · C12-15 ALKYL BENZOATE · TRIBEHENIN · CERAMIDE NG · PEG-10 PHYTOSTEROL · LACTIC ACID · POLOXAMER 338 · SILICA · PALMITOYL HEXAPEPTIDE-12 · SODIUM DEHYDROACETATE · PHENOXYETHANOL · SORBIC ACID · [+/- (MAY CONTAIN/PEUT CONTENIR): BISMUTH OXYCHLORIDE (CI 77163) · CARMINE (CI 75470) · FERRIC FERROCYANIDE (CI 77510) · IRON OXIDES (CI 77491) · IRON OXIDES (CI 77492) · MANGANESE VIOLET (CI 77742) · MICA · TITANIUM DIOXIDE (CI 77891)] ·
Can You Feel It
Can You Feel It is a glittering, medium-dark copper with moderate, warm undertones. It had opaque pigmentation with larger flecks of glitter throughout, so there was some fallout during application and movement of the glitter particles when blended out. The underlying base was smoother and sat well on bare skin. It wore well for eight hours but had moderate fallout over time.
This shade contains PET glitter. Please see the beginning of the post for a discussion on this ingredient!
Top Dupes
- Dominique Cosmetics Bohemian (LE, ) is warmer (95% similar).
- Touch in Sol Golden Tangerine (3) (P, $18.00) is more shimmery, lighter (95% similar).
- Huda Beauty Nude Medium #5 (PiP, ) is darker, cooler (95% similar).
- Urban Decay Red Keep (LE, $19.00) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- Urban Decay Trax (LE, $19.00) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- Tarte Citrine (LE, $22.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
- Colour Pop ZZZ (LE, $6.00) is less shimmery (90% similar).
- Viseart Aurora (GPV2 #27) (LE, ) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Pat McGrath Blood Moon 005 (PiP, $25.00) is brighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Colour Pop Muze (LE, $4.50) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar).
Ingredients
ORYZA SATIVA (RICE) EXTRACT · CALCIUM SODIUM BOROSILICATE · POLYETHYLENE TEREPHTHALATE · SYNTHETIC WAX · SYNTHETIC FLUORPHLOGOPITE · TALC · POLYURETHANE-11 · TRIETHOXYCAPRYLYLSILANE · ALUMINUM DIMYRISTATE · TIN OXIDE · DISODIUM STEAROYL GLUTAMATE · NYLON-12 · LAUROYL LYSINE · BORON NITRIDE · SODIUM DEHYDROACETATE · PHENOXYETHANOL · SORBIC ACID · [+/- (MAY CONTAIN/PEUT CONTENIR): ALUMINUM POWDER (CI 77000) · IRON OXIDES (CI 77491) · MICA · RED 40 (CI 16035) · TITANIUM DIOXIDE (CI 77891) · YELLOW 5 (CI 19140)] ·
Come to Me
Come to Me is a darker, coppery-red base packed with lots of red glitter. Per the brand, this seems to be one of their glitter “toppers” that they say to layer over other shades You’d have to be quite careful working with this as a layering product as it had a stronger base color that would mix with anything it went over.
It had semi-opaque pigmentation with a warmer, browner base that felt very emollient and had a firmer feel in the pan. The product was rather textured, almost gritty, as it was mostly glitter. It had fairly good dispersion of the glitter without much fallout during application. I tested it below my lid, and it had some migration after eight hours of wear but definitely kept most of the glitter in place.
This shade contains PET glitter. Please see the beginning of the post for a discussion on this ingredient!
Top Dupes
- Colour Pop Our Secret (LE, $4.50) is less shimmery, lighter, warmer (85% similar).
- Urban Decay Stonewall (P, $21.00) is less shimmery, lighter, more muted (85% similar).
- Marc Jacobs Beauty Glittering (LE, ) is less shimmery, lighter, cooler (80% similar).
- Natasha Denona Dragon Bite (148DC) (PiP, $29.00) is less shimmery, lighter, warmer (80% similar).
- Tom Ford Beauty TFX15 (LE, $36.00) is less shimmery, lighter, brighter (80% similar).
- MAC Flame-boyant (PiP, $17.00) is less shimmery, lighter, warmer (80% similar).
- Huda Beauty Mauve #4 (PiP, ) is lighter, brighter, cooler (80% similar).
- Natasha Denona Purpure (147M) (PiP, $29.00) is less shimmery, darker, cooler (80% similar).
- Kat Von D Rapture (LE, ) is lighter (80% similar).
- Hourglass Rapture (P, $29.00) is less shimmery, lighter (80% similar).
Ingredients
CALCIUM SODIUM BOROSILICATE · POLYETHYLENE TEREPHTHALATE · SYNTHETIC FLUORPHLOGOPITE · ISODODECANE · ISOSTEARYL NEOPENTANOATE · PHENYL TRIMETHICONE · ETHYLENE/PROPYLENE/STYRENE COPOLYMER · ETHYLHEXYLGLYCERIN · POLYURETHANE-11 · TIN OXIDE · BUTYLENE/ETHYLENE/STYRENE COPOLYMER · SORBIC ACID · [+/- (MAY CONTAIN/PEUT CONTENIR): ALUMINUM POWDER (CI 77000) · IRON OXIDES (CI 77491) · MICA · RED 7 (CI 15850) · YELLOW 5 (CI 19140)] ·
Shake Your Body
Shake Your Body is a pale, golden beige with a sparkling sheen. It had sheer coverage with a firmer, stiffer consistency that didn’t pick up well with a brush or even a fingertip. What little I could apply to my lid seemed to last for five to six hours — it was hard to tell.
Top Dupes
- Tom Ford Beauty Fleur Neige (Eye Color) (LE, ) is less shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
- YSL Rosy Glow #2 (PiP, ) is darker (90% similar).
- MAC It's About Shine (P, $18.00) is more shimmery (90% similar).
- MAC Best Makeup (LE, $22.00) is more shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
- NABLA Cosmetics Honey Drip (PiP, ) is more shimmery (90% similar).
- MAC Moon Rock (LE, $17.00) is more shimmery (90% similar).
- Milani Diamonds and Pearls (PiP, $5.99) is warmer (90% similar).
- Kat Von D Absolution (LE, ) is more shimmery (90% similar).
- Anastasia Trust Issues (LE, $12.00) is more shimmery, darker (85% similar).
- Make Up For Ever 102 White Gold (P, $26.00) 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.
Shame
Shame is deep brown with neutral undertones and flecks of multi-colored glitter. This shade might appear matte-ish in the swatch, but the photo of the pan shows all of the larger glitter particles that existed… but never translated. This occurred during practice as well, so I would take great care using this shade as most of the glitter ends up on lashes, below the lid, etc. and could more readily get in the eye than some of the other glitters in the palette (which have more adhesive ingredients to bind them better).
It had sheer coverage with a very powdery, drier texture, and as a result, lots of fallout. It seemed to show signs of fading after six hours of wear, and there was hardly any glitter to detect whether it had migrated or not but hard to imagine that it did not.
This shade contains PET glitter. Please see the beginning of the post for a discussion on this ingredient!
Top Dupes
- Urban Decay Low (LE, $19.00) is more shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
- Sephora In the Woods (343) (P, $8.00) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- NARS Cordura II (PiP, $19.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- Too Faced Yule Log (LE, $16.00) is more shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
- Dior Fahrenheit (781) (LE, $31.00) is more shimmery, warmer (85% similar).
- Colour Pop Never Never (LE, $4.50) is more shimmery, more pigmented, warmer (85% similar).
- Too Faced Dirt Bag (LE, $16.00) is more shimmery, lighter, brighter (80% similar).
- Make Up For Ever D326 Black Bronze (DC, $17.00) is more shimmery, darker, warmer (80% similar).
- Anastasia Dark Chocolate Shimmer (P, $12.00) is more shimmery, darker, warmer (80% 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.
Ingredients
TALC · CALCIUM SODIUM BOROSILICATE · ORYZA SATIVA (RICE) EXTRACT · SYNTHETIC WAX · NYLON-12 · POLYETHYLENE TEREPHTHALATE · PUNICA GRANATUM EXTRACT · TRIETHOXYCAPRYLYLSILANE · ALUMINUM DIMYRISTATE · DISODIUM STEAROYL GLUTAMATE · TIN OXIDE · POLYURETHANE-11 · LAUROYL LYSINE · TOCOPHEROL · HYDROGENATED LECITHIN · BORON NITRIDE · C12-15 ALKYL BENZOATE · TRIBEHENIN · CERAMIDE NG · PEG-10 PHYTOSTEROL · LACTIC ACID · PALMITOYL HEXAPEPTIDE-12 · SODIUM DEHYDROACETATE · PHENOXYETHANOL · SORBIC ACID · [+/- (MAY CONTAIN/PEUT CONTENIR): ALUMINUM POWDER (CI 77000) · CARMINE (CI 75470) · FERRIC AMMONIUM FERROCYANIDE (CI 77510) · IRON OXIDES (CI 77491) · IRON OXIDES (CI 77492) · IRON OXIDES (CI 77499) · MANGANESE VIOLET (CI 77742) · MICA · RED 7 (CI 15850) · ULTRAMARINES (CI 77007) · YELLOW 5 (CI 19140)] ·
Turn the Beat Around
Turn the Beat Around contains smaller and larger, hexagon-shaped multi-colored glitter suspended in a clear base. It had a more emollient consistency that I could push around slightly with the end of a brush in the pan itself. It had good dispersion of the glitter without it resulting in a lot of fallout. It had medium to semi-opaque coverage, but if patted over something else with a fingertip, it worked as a topper–which was how it was marketed–but the glitter definitely dominated. I tested wear below my lid, and it seemed to stay mostly intact for eight hours with light glitter migration.
This shade contains PET glitter. Please see the beginning of the post for a discussion on this ingredient!
Top Dupes
- Colour Pop Floating Lantern (LE, ) is lighter (85% similar).
- Colour Pop Grove (LE, ) is lighter, warmer (85% similar).
- Colour Pop Indio (LE, ) is lighter, warmer (80% similar).
- Colour Pop Indio (LE, ) is lighter, warmer (80% similar).
- Colour Pop Cuteness (LE, ) is lighter, warmer (80% similar).
- Colour Pop Emuse Me (LE, ) is lighter (80% similar).
Ingredients
POLYETHYLENE TEREPHTHALATE · JOJOBA ESTERS · ETHYLHEXYL ISONONANOATE · SILICA SILYLATE · POLYURETHANE-11 · SILICA · GLYCERYL CAPRYLATE · HYDROGENATED STYRENE/ISOPRENE COPOLYMER · TOCOPHEROL · C12-20 ALKYL GLUCOSIDE · [+/- (MAY CONTAIN/PEUT CONTENIR): ALUMINUM POWDER (CI 77000) · BLUE 1 (CI 42090) · CHROMIUM HYDROXIDE GREEN (CI 77289) · FERRIC AMMONIUM FERROCYANIDE (CI 77510) · RED 40 (CI 16035) · YELLOW 5 (CI 19140) · YELLOW 5 LAKE (CI 19140)] ·
Wishing on a Star
Wishing on a Star contains medium-dark purple and plum glitter particles in an assortment of sizes, but it ran a bit finer, all suspended in a translucent base. It had a more emollient quality to it, and I could push the glitter around slightly in the pan with the end of my brush. The glitter applied evenly and spread out well without bunching up, and there was very minimal fallout during application. I tested wear below my lid, and it had light glitter migration/travel over an eight-hour period. It was more semi-opaque, so I’d use a small dab if using it as a topper was your aim (which is how it was marketed).
This shade contains PET glitter. Please see the beginning of the post for a discussion on this ingredient!
Top Dupes
- Colour Pop Floating Lantern (LE, ) is lighter, warmer (85% similar).
- Urban Decay Ether (P, $20.00) is less shimmery, lighter (85% similar).
- Fenty Beauty Space Owt (LE, ) is brighter, cooler (85% similar).
- Natasha Denona Nightfall (P, $25.00) is less shimmery, darker (85% similar).
- Bobbi Brown Volcanic (PiP, $38.00) is less shimmery, more pigmented (85% similar).
- MAC Midnight Shine (P, $18.00) is less shimmery, more pigmented, warmer (85% similar).
- Stila Plum On (P, $24.00) is less shimmery, lighter (85% similar).
- Colour Pop Indio (LE, ) is lighter, warmer (80% similar).
- Marc Jacobs Beauty Glamethyst (P, $28.00) is less shimmery, more pigmented, cooler (80% similar).
- Colour Pop Indio (LE, ) is lighter, warmer (80% similar).
Ingredients
POLYETHYLENE TEREPHTHALATE · JOJOBA ESTERS · ETHYLHEXYL ISONONANOATE · SILICA SILYLATE · POLYURETHANE-11 · SILICA · GLYCERYL CAPRYLATE · HYDROGENATED STYRENE/ISOPRENE COPOLYMER · TOCOPHEROL · C12-20 ALKYL GLUCOSIDE · [+/- (MAY CONTAIN/PEUT CONTENIR): ALUMINUM POWDER (CI 77000) · BLUE 1 (CI 42090) · CHROMIUM HYDROXIDE GREEN (CI 77289) · FERRIC AMMONIUM FERROCYANIDE (CI 77510) · RED 40 (CI 16035) · YELLOW 5 (CI 19140) · YELLOW 5 LAKE (CI 19140)] ·
Love and Desire
Love and Desire is a medium-dark black with a satin sheen. It had opaque pigmentation but was very firmly-pressed into the pan, which meant I had to really jab my brush at the pan’s surface to get product to come off of the surface. It blended out decently but took extra effort to diffuse overall. It wore well for eight hours on me before fading visibly.
Top Dupes
- Too Faced Ooh La La (Left) (LE, $16.00) is darker (95% similar).
- Anastasia Coal (LE, $12.00) is more muted (95% similar).
- NARS White Horse (LE, $19.00) is less shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
- MAC A Waft of Grey #4 (PiP, $21.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- LORAC Swept Up (LE, $19.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- Colour Pop Spy Glass (PiP, $4.50) is less shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
- Sephora Obsidian (PiP, ) is less shimmery, darker (85% similar).
- Too Faced Pure Glam (LE, $16.00) is less shimmery, darker (85% similar).
- Chanel Splendeur et Audace #3 (PiP, ) is lighter, more muted (85% similar).
- LORAC Caviar (LE, $19.00) is lighter, more muted (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.
Ingredients
CAPRYLIC/CAPRIC TRIGLYCERIDE · TALC · ORYZA SATIVA (RICE) EXTRACT · STEARYL DIMETHICONE · ZINC STEARATE · PUNICA GRANATUM EXTRACT · GINKGO BILOBA LEAF EXTRACT · LAUROYL LYSINE · OCTADECENE · TRIETHOXYCAPRYLYLSILANE · ALUMINUM DIMYRISTATE · DISODIUM STEAROYL GLUTAMATE · TOCOPHEROL · HYDROGENATED LECITHIN · ETHYLENE/ACRYLIC ACID COPOLYMER · C12-15 ALKYL BENZOATE · TRIBEHENIN · CERAMIDE NG · PEG-10 PHYTOSTEROL · LACTIC ACID · POLOXAMER 338 · SILICA · PALMITOYL HEXAPEPTIDE-12 · SODIUM DEHYDROACETATE · PHENOXYETHANOL · SORBIC ACID · [+/- (MAY CONTAIN/PEUT CONTENIR): IRON OXIDES (CI 77499) · MICA · TITANIUM DIOXIDE (CI 77891)]
NARS Inferno NARSissist Eyeshadow Palette
NARS Inferno NARSissist Eyeshadow Palette
NARS Inferno NARSissist Eyeshadow Palette
NARS Inferno NARSissist Eyeshadow Palette
NARS Inferno NARSissist Eyeshadow Palette
NARS Inferno NARSissist Eyeshadow Palette
NARS Inferno NARSissist Eyeshadow Palette
NARS Inferno NARSissist Eyeshadow Palette
NARS Inferno NARSissist Eyeshadow Palette
NARS Inferno NARSissist Eyeshadow Palette
NARS Keep on Dancing Eyeshadow (2018)
NARS Keep on Dancing Eyeshadow (2018)
NARS Let It Whip Eyeshadow (2018)
NARS Let It Whip Eyeshadow (2018)
NARS Rock Freak Eyeshadow (2018)
NARS Rock Freak Eyeshadow (2018)
NARS I'm So Excited Eyeshadow (2018)
NARS I'm So Excited Eyeshadow (2018)
NARS Do It Right Eyeshadow (2018)
NARS Do It Right Eyeshadow (2018)
NARS Can You Feel It Pressed Glitter
NARS Can You Feel It Pressed Glitter
NARS Can You Feel It Pressed Glitter
NARS Come to Me Pressed Glitter
NARS Come to Me Pressed Glitter
NARS Come to Me Pressed Glitter
NARS Shake Your Body Eyeshadow (2018)
NARS Shake Your Body Eyeshadow (2018)
NARS Shake Your Body Eyeshadow (2018)
NARS Shame Eyeshadow (2018)
NARS Shame Eyeshadow (2018)
NARS Turn the Beat Around Pressed Glitter
NARS Turn the Beat Around Pressed Glitter
NARS Turn the Beat Around Pressed Glitter
NARS Wishing on a Star Pressed Glitter
NARS Wishing on a Star Pressed Glitter
NARS Wishing on a Star Pressed Glitter
NARS Love and Desire Eyeshadow (2018)
NARS Love and Desire Eyeshadow (2018)
Wow, that is a hard pass on this palette to me. Too many low grades on the shades! Thanks Christine!
As the nostalgia factor actually only brings back some very painful memories along with it, plus the glitter being PET, I’m good over here just using my Fenty Galaxy Palette and similar such. At least Fenty’s doesn’t have PET glitter as far as I know. No eye irritation, either. I only own one questionable e/s that does have the plastic glitter. Had a bad enough experience one night removing it, that from now on I will only use my MJ Topaz Flash with glitter primer, and sweep UPWARDS away from my eyeball when removing!
I couldn’t believe that Shame included the larger glitter pieces since they don’t stick anyway!
It’s downright scary and irresponsible on Nars part! It will sadly and tragically involve some poor soul losing their eyesight or even their actual eye before these brands stop this incredibly foolish course they’ve taken using PET in eye products.
It’s weird that a US-based company would leave off the eye safety warnings! Definitely seems a bit sketchy. I’m guessing they know whatever regulatory body supposed to protect consumers from unsafe products will not concerned with glitter in an eyeshadow palette (for better or worse, since Europe doesn’t have the same restrictions).
I will definitely not be getting this palette, since I don’t do glitters. I’m still waiting for that perfect Nars palette to buy. Hasn’t come out yet, but one day I’m sure it will!
Pass.
I am not a fan of Nars shadow’s in the best of times so this is an easy pass for me. I am also not a pressed glitter fan, regardless of what they are made of, but I do have to say, I like the combinations of glitter shades within the pressed glitters. I would use them in my mixed media work, LOL!
Well, the name of that brown shadow, Shame, sort of says it all. I cling to my sentimental love of Nars shadows but it’s getting harder and harder not to feel real sadness. Turn the Beat Around looks so interesting. It’s not an eye product for me but my late mom was a fabulous seamstress and made hand beaded evening wear and the closeup of that shadow reminds me of her trays of mixed sequins.
I haven’t purchased NARS e/s’s in a very long time and seems like that’s not going to change. Makes me a bit sad. I was a huge fan in the late 90’s and early 2000’s. At that point, they were quite edgy and unique.
Shame is aptly named. Easy pass for me. Not in to glitter at my age.
I’m glad I passed on this one. For being called “Inferno,” it doesn’t look so hot.
How awful is this? With the high number of shades that contain the plastic glitter and shades that the brand could have/should have done well, but didn’t.
Thank you Christine for this review as many unsuspecting buyers could end up with a stack of glitter on their faces.
Nope. Fooled me last year with the holiday palette. Not going to fall for it again. Hard pass.
TURN THE BEAT AROUND, would be a beautiful fabric for sewing!
Is it me or is Nars stuck in the late 80’s-90’s? I like the look, but I am so disinterested by their latest palettes, so since the reviews aren’t grate that makes it easy to avoid.