NARS Laguna Unwrapped Mini Eyeshadow Palette Review & Swatches
Laguna
NARS Laguna Mini Eyeshadow Palette ($25.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a pocket-sized palette that includes six eyeshadows–four shimmers and two mattes–in a very warm-toned neutral color story. Most of the shades have been released in the past (across various limited edition palettes or within the permanent range) as Sunkiss was the only new shade.
If you’re into packaging, you may find that it’s lacking at $25 as it is quite small and lightweight enough that it has that “cheaper” feel. Each eyeshadow is only 0.02 oz., which is less than half the typical full-sized eyeshadow. NARS has another holiday palette that contains 16 eyeshadows with 0.03 oz. each for only $59, so this is not a value-packed palette when it comes to cost per ounce.
Ingredients
Laguna
$25.00.
Morongo
Morongo is a light-medium, peachy gold with strong, warmer orange undertones and lighter flecks of gold sparkle. It had opaque color payoff paired with a soft, slightly drier texture, which seemed to have more binder and slip after the first use, but there was light fallout during blending if I wasn’t careful to press it on. It lasted well for eight hours with slight fallout over time.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- ColourPop Sunset Chaser (LE, $4.50) is less shimmery, darker (95% similar).
- Sydney Grace Beach Bum (P, $6.00) is darker (95% similar).
- MAC Melaza (LE, $17.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
- Natasha Denona Shine (218M) (PiP, $29.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
- ColourPop Wild Out (LE, $4.50) is darker (90% similar).
- Lisa Eldridge Ritual (P, $16.00) is less shimmery, darker, cooler (90% similar).
- ColourPop Frostee (PiP, $4.50) is less shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
- Laura Mercier Rose Quartz (LE, ) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- NARS Crete (LE, $19.00) is less shimmery (90% similar).
- Sydney Grace Crema (Deep) (PiP, $6.25) is less shimmery, darker, 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 · MICA · OCTYLDODECYL STEAROYL STEARATE · OCTYLDODECYL STEARATE · CAPRYLYL GLYCOL · MAGNESIUM MYRISTATE · PHENOXYETHANOL · [+/-(MAY CONTAIN/PEUT CONTENIR): IRON OXIDES (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499)] ·
Disclaimer: Ingredient lists are as available by the brand (or retailer) at the time of publishing. Please always check product packaging, if it exists, for the ingredient list applicable to the product you're purchasing, or the brand or retailer's website for the most up-to-date ingredient list.
Morongo
LELimited Edition. $19.00.
Sunstorm
Sunstorm is a bright, medium copper with warm, brownish undertones and a sparkling finish. It had opaque pigmentation paired with a lightly creamy, somewhat dense texture that managed to keep most of the sparkles in place when I pressed/patted the eyeshadow noto my lid. There was light fallout over the eight hours it wore for.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- LORAC Sandbar (LE, $19.00) is lighter, cooler (95% similar).
- NABLA Cosmetics Anomalia (PiP, ) is less shimmery, cooler (95% similar).
- Pat McGrath Gold Nectar (LE, $25.00) is darker (95% similar).
- Sephora Copper (LE, ) is darker (95% similar).
- Tarte Boss Lady (LE, ) is less shimmery, lighter (95% similar).
- ColourPop Save It For Later (P, $4.50) is less shimmery, cooler (95% similar).
- Viseart Limoncello (LE, ) is more shimmery, darker (95% similar).
- Phytosurgence Sun Stress (P, $17.07) is less shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
- Sydney Grace Suntan (P, $8.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
- Viseart Burnt Gold (Siren #4) (PiP, ) is darker (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
DIMETHICONE · TALC · ISODODECANE · MICA · DIISOSTEARYL MALATE · CALCIUM SODIUM BOROSILICATE · ALUMINUM CALCIUM SODIUM SILICATE · CETYL DIMETHICONE · PHENOXYETHANOL · TIN OXIDE · [+/-(MAY CONTAIN/PEUT CONTENIR): BISMUTH OXYCHLORIDE (CI 77163) · CARMINE (CI 75470) · IRON OXIDES (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499) · TITANIUM DIOXIDE (CI 77891)] ·
Disclaimer: Ingredient lists are as available by the brand (or retailer) at the time of publishing. Please always check product packaging, if it exists, for the ingredient list applicable to the product you're purchasing, or the brand or retailer's website for the most up-to-date ingredient list.
Sunstorm
LELimited Edition. $19.00.
Isolde II
Isolde II is a muted, medium golden bronze with strong, warm undertones and a smooth, metallic sheen. This has always been one of NARS’ nicest eyeshadows for the last decade; it’s incredibly smooth and almost cream-like with the way it sits and blends out on the lid. The eyeshadow had opaque color coverage that stayed on nicely for eight hours before fading noticeably.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- MAC La Vida Mocha (PiP, $17.00) is less shimmery, darker (95% similar).
- NARS Isolde #2 (DC, $25.00) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- Guerlain Electric Look #6 (LE, ) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- MAC Her Cocoa #3 (LE, $17.00) is more shimmery, warmer (95% similar).
- Chanel Charming #3 (LE, ) is darker, warmer (95% similar).
- Too Faced Tiger's Eye (LE, $16.00) is more shimmery, warmer (95% similar).
- Tom Ford Beauty Honeymoon #2 (PiP, ) is more shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
- ColourPop Fuzzy (PiP, $4.50) is more shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
- Pat McGrath Bronze Desire (PiP, $25.00) is more shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
- Tom Ford Beauty Violet Argente (LE, $46.00) 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 · ISODODECANE · CAPRYLIC/CAPRIC TRIGLYCERIDE · DIMETHICONE · SYNTHETIC FLUORPHLOGOPITE · DIISOSTEARYL MALATE · MICA · PHENOXYETHANOL · CETYL DIMETHICONE · [+/-(MAY CONTAIN/PEUT CONTENIR): BISMUTH OXYCHLORIDE (CI 77163) · IRON OXIDES (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499) · TITANIUM DIOXIDE (CI 77891)] ·
Disclaimer: Ingredient lists are as available by the brand (or retailer) at the time of publishing. Please always check product packaging, if it exists, for the ingredient list applicable to the product you're purchasing, or the brand or retailer's website for the most up-to-date ingredient list.
Isolde II
PiPPermanent in Palette. $19.00.
Sunkiss
Sunkiss is a medium caramel brown with strong, warm undertones and a matte finish. The consistency was smooth, velvety, and blendable with minimal powderiness confined to the pan. It had rich color payoff that lasted well for eight hours before fading a bit.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Kaja Coconut Shell (LE, ) is cooler (95% similar).
- Dior Ombre Sculpting Powder (003) (PiP, ) is lighter (95% similar).
- Makeup by Mario Master Mattes #8 (PiP, ) is lighter (85% similar).
- ColourPop Like a Bull (LE, $4.50) is lighter, cooler (85% similar).
- Dose of Colors Sundown (PiP, ) is lighter (85% similar).
- KKW Beauty Calabasas (PiP, ) is lighter (85% similar).
- ColourPop Chocolate Swirl (LE, $4.50) is lighter (80% similar).
- Too Faced Feelin' Nutty (LE, $16.00) is lighter (80% similar).
- BH Cosmetics Carli Bybel Deluxe Edition #13 (LE, ) is lighter (80% similar).
- Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Date Eyes (Prime) (LE, ) is lighter, cooler (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 · DIMETHICONE · MAGNESIUM MYRISTATE · SILICA · ETHYLHEXYL PALMITATE · OCTYLDODECYL STEARATE · OCTYLDODECYL STEAROYL STEARATE · CAPRYLYL GLYCOL · PHENOXYETHANOL · [+/- (MAY CONTAIN/PEUT CONTENIR): BISMUTH OXYCHLORIDE (CI 77163) · COPPER POWDER (CI 77400) · IRON OXIDES (CI 77491) · IRON OXIDES (CI 77492) · IRON OXIDES (CI 77499) · MANGANESE VIOLET (CI 77742) · MICA · TITANIUM DIOXIDE (CI 77891)] ·
Disclaimer: Ingredient lists are as available by the brand (or retailer) at the time of publishing. Please always check product packaging, if it exists, for the ingredient list applicable to the product you're purchasing, or the brand or retailer's website for the most up-to-date ingredient list.
Sunkiss
LELimited Edition. $19.00.
Faster Pussycat
Faster Pussycat is a deep, rich copper with moderate, warm undertones and a smooth, metallic sheen. It was richly pigmented with a moderately firm consistency that wasn’t too dense, so it applied in a smooth, thin layer that “melted” against my lids and looked very seamless and shiny. It wore well for eight hours before fading visibly.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- NABLA Cosmetics Garcon (PiP, ) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- Dior Cruise Look #3 (LE, ) is lighter (95% similar).
- JD Glow Pressed (P, $7.50) is more shimmery, lighter, cooler (95% similar).
- ColourPop Wing Woman (LE, $4.50) is more shimmery (90% similar).
- Smashbox Oxidize (LE, ) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- MAC Floral A Go Go (LE, $17.00) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- ColourPop Celosa (LE, $4.50) is more shimmery, brighter (90% similar).
- ColourPop Pitter Patter (LE, $4.50) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- Chanel Splendeur et Audace #1 (PiP, ) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Marc Jacobs Beauty Copperazi (P, $28.00) is more shimmery (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
SYNTHETIC FLUORPHLOGOPITE · TALC · DIMETHICONE · MAGNESIUM MYRISTATE · ETHYLHEXYL PALMITATE · SILICA · OCTYLDODECYL STEARATE · OCTYLDODECYL STEAROYL STEARATE · PHENOXYETHANOL · CAPRYLYL GLYCOL · [+/- (MAY CONTAIN/PEUT CONTENIR): CARMINE (CI 75470) · COPPER POWDER (CI 77400) · IRON OXIDES (CI 77491) · IRON OXIDES (CI 77492) · IRON OXIDES (CI 77499) · MICA · TITANIUM DIOXIDE (CI 77891)]
Disclaimer: Ingredient lists are as available by the brand (or retailer) at the time of publishing. Please always check product packaging, if it exists, for the ingredient list applicable to the product you're purchasing, or the brand or retailer's website for the most up-to-date ingredient list.
Look Using this Product
Faster Pussycat
LELimited Edition. $19.00.
Liberation
Liberation is a deep brown with subtle, warm undertones and a matte finish. It had semi-opaque, buildable pigmentation that applied fairly evenly but wasn’t the easiest matte shade to diffuse without a primer underneath. The texture was lightly powdery so using a lighter-hand was key to minimizing fallout. This shade showed signs of fading after eight hours of wear.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Charlotte Tilbury Smokey Eyes are Forever Confident Eyes Enhance (LE, ) is warmer (95% similar).
- Sydney Grace Maple Sugar (LE, $5.25) is warmer (95% similar).
- ColourPop Facet (P, $4.50) is cooler (90% similar).
- Huda Beauty Coco (LE, ) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Anastasia Palm (LE, ) is cooler (90% similar).
- ColourPop Who (LE, $4.50) is lighter (90% similar).
- Marc Jacobs Beauty The Rhythm (LE, ) is lighter (90% similar).
- Melt Cosmetics Moonchild (LE, ) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Smashbox Miss Chili (PiP, ) is more shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
- Sephora Maca (PiP, ) is lighter, 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
TALC · OCTYLDODECYL STEAROYL STEARATE · OCTYLDODECYL STEARATE · CAPRYLYL GLYCOL · MAGNESIUM MYRISTATE · PHENOXYETHANOL · [MAY CONTAIN/PEUT CONTENIR/(+/-): BISMUTH OXYCHLORIDE (CI 77163) · CARMINE (CI 75470) · IRON OXIDES (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499) · MANGANESE VIOLET (CI 77742) · MICA · TITANIUM DIOXIDE (CI 77891) · YELLOW 5 LAKE (CI 19140)] ·
Disclaimer: Ingredient lists are as available by the brand (or retailer) at the time of publishing. Please always check product packaging, if it exists, for the ingredient list applicable to the product you're purchasing, or the brand or retailer's website for the most up-to-date ingredient list.
Not a good bargain at all! But.. small enough to bring it with me in a couple weeks when I get my surgery. So, who knows?
😮 I didn’t know you’d be needing surgery :S Good luck!
Hope nothing serious and God bless!
I like this.. puts me in mind of CP lucky penny which just arrived today. I like the simplicity of shades like this which are core for my current aesthetic.
More boring brown. . .I used to love NARS!
I actually really like this little gem, all the shades are of consistently good quality and the colour story works for me. Only two mattes and the rest lovely shimmers. I don’t mind that the palette is very small, it means that you have a realistic chance of using it up.
Yes, I probably do have dupes for at least half of these shades, but not always altogether. It could be quite a nice little Christmas present for moi.
I am completely duped out for this palette, as is my daughter. They are not my preferred shades but my daughter loves the. I think that she would be happy with just this palette when travelling and it certainly is small enough to take along. The issue is that who wants to only bring one little palette on a trip! You need options when you travel, LOL! I am happy to see that Nars has released a good quality palette but for the price and size, I am not interested.