NARS Iraklion Soft Touch Eyeshadow Pencil Review, Photos, Swatches

NARS Iraklion Soft Touch Eyeshadow Pencil
NARS Iraklion Soft Touch Eyeshadow Pencil

NARS Iraklion Soft Touch Eyeshadow Pencil ($24.00 for 0.14 oz.) is described as a “smoky rose quartz.” It’s a medium, muted brown with warm undertones and a champagne sheen. Tom Ford Beauty Orchid Haze #2 (P) is a powder. MAC Pink Sensibilities #1 (LE, $21.00) is also a powder. Too Faced Amaretto (P, $16.00) is warmer, darker, powder. Urban Decay Liar (P, $18.00) is a powder. Tom Ford Beauty Platinum (LE, $40.00) is darker, warmer. See comparison swatches / view dupes.

Long-time readers will know that this is a formula I struggle with, and while it’s still not a product I’d recommend or reach for, this was significantly better than the last few shades I’ve tested. Instead of being extremely creamy, a little thick, with a lot of slip, it was a drier, thinner texture, which improved longevity but made it less comfortable to apply to the eyelid, lash line, and so forth. It tended to drag, catch, and apply unevenly. I would recommend using a separate brush and applying that way to improve comfort. It had semi-opaque color payoff, but it was buildable to mostly opaque. Longevity on these pencils is usually minutes, not even hours, but this managed four hours on me before it started to crease slightly. The creasing worsened as I wore the pencil until it was fairly significant at the six-hour mark. When used as an eyeshadow base with powder eyeshadow on top to set, I didn’t have visible creasing for five and a half hours.

See more photos & swatches!

NARS Iraklion Soft Touch Eyeshadow Pencil
NARS Iraklion Soft Touch Eyeshadow Pencil

NARS Iraklion Soft Touch Eyeshadow Pencil
NARS Iraklion Soft Touch Eyeshadow Pencil

NARS Iraklion Soft Touch Eyeshadow Pencil
NARS Iraklion Soft Touch Eyeshadow Pencil

NARS Malacca Eyeshadow
NARS Iraklion and NARS Malacca Eyeshadow

NARS Malacca Eyeshadow
NARS Iraklion and NARS Malacca Eyeshadow

42 Comments

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Patricia Avatar

It’s too bad about the quality. I love the color, but with ky oily lids and hooded eye shape I’m not going to bother with it. At least I already have liar…

Carrie Avatar

So…progress? Kinda? Baby steps, I guess!

That said, there are enough dupes that are close enough that it still isn’t worth the effort.

Mariella Avatar

Sephora’s Jumbo pencils cost about half what the Nars ones cost, there is a pretty good colour range (from the photos, this looks very much like Taupe 04. The big difference (besides the price) is that the Sephora ones are EXCELLENT. They remain blendable for a short time (unlike UD’s 24/7 shadow pencils) but when they set, they don’t move. I absolutely LOVE them and just wish there were a few more shades.

Sam Avatar

I don’t know why Nars bothers with these pencils, they always perform so poorly, shame as well because it’s such a nice colour 🙁

Julie Avatar

So disappointing…for 2 reasons: my grandfather was from Crete, so I would have really liked for this to do well…but I also was looking forward to seeing a big ol’ F!!! Such a pretty color…such a shame 🙁

Andrea Avatar

Do you know when these new colors are going to be available? Can’t find them on the website. I think the color is so stunning, that i will get it either way…

xamyx Avatar

I know a lot of people have difficulty with these pencils, but they wear like iron on me (which I guess is a tradeoff for the horrible luck I have with UD 24/7 liners, LOL!), so needless to say, this will end up in my stash. Plus, my father’s side is originally from Crete, so…

Adrienne Avatar

Hey Christine! Random question came to mind since I was browsing the dupes for this…. have you ever/do you think its possible to use the urban decay eyeliners as cream shadow?

Christine Avatar

Yes, you definitely can! You’ll find a jumbo pencil probably more comfortable to apply than a regular pencil, but you can definitely use an eyeliner (Urban Decay’s or another brand’s) as a cream eyeshadow. It won’t be as blendable as one made for all-over application, though!

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