NARS Loaded Eyeshadow Palette Review, Photos, Swatches
Loaded
NARS Loaded Eyeshadow Palette ($59.00 for 0.48 oz.) is a new, limited edition palette that features twelve eyeshadows in varying shades of warmer neutral tones. The palette will launch March 22nd at NARS and March 28th at other retailers. Some shades were nice, some shades were less impressive, but the majority of them would benefit greatly from an eyeshadow primer–both for longer wear as well as greater color payoff.
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Loaded
LELimited Edition. $59.00.
Newbury Street
Newbury Street is a light, white gold with warm undertones and a frosted finish. It had good pigmentation with a soft, blendable texture that was a touch powdery but applied well and did not look dry or dusty on the lid. It lasted for seven and a half hours on me.
Top Dupes
- LORAC Dance 'Til Dawn Eyeshadow #2 (LE, $19.00) (100% similar).
- Becca Chardonnay (LE, ) (100% similar).
- LORAC Moonlight (LE, $19.00) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- LORAC Unlocked (PiP, $19.00) is brighter (95% similar).
- Buxom Born Glam (LE, $12.00) is lighter (95% similar).
- NARS Mythos (DC, $25.00) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- Guerlain L'Heure de Nuit #1 (DC, ) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- Sephora White Gold (LE, ) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- ColourPop Squeezed (PiP, $4.50) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- Too Faced Snowflakes (LE, $16.00) is warmer (95% similar).
Newbury Street
DCDiscontinued. $25.00.
Windsor
Windsor is a light-medium, peachy beige with warm undertones and a matte finish. The color coverage was good, though shy of being opaque, and applied well to bare skin. It seemed slightly denser and “thicker” in a way compared to most of NARS’ matte eyeshadows (which are often thinner to me). It wore well for seven hours on me before fading.
Top Dupes
- MAC Totally Obsessed (PiP, ) is darker (95% similar).
- Huda Beauty Desert Sand (PiP, ) is lighter (95% similar).
- Wet 'n' Wild Not a Basic Peach #6 (PiP, ) is cooler (95% similar).
- Estee Lauder Vanille (LE, ) is darker (95% similar).
- ColourPop No Worries (PiP, $4.50) is darker (90% similar).
- Inglot J335 Pearl (LE, $10.00) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- ColourPop Wiggles (LE, $4.50) is warmer (90% similar).
- ColourPop Peach Me (PiP, $4.50) is more shimmery (90% similar).
- LORAC Butterscotch (LE, $19.00) is brighter (90% similar).
- Urban Decay Nudie (PiP, $19.00) is darker (90% similar).
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Windsor
DCDiscontinued. $25.00.
Privilege
Privilege is a medium gold with warm, yellow undertones and a frosted sheen. The pigmentation was semi-opaque, while the texture was chunkier, almost looser in the pan, which made it harder to apply evenly. It started to fade after seven and a half hours of wear.
Top Dupes
- Tarte Hussy (LE, $14.00) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- MAC Gingerluxe #1 (LE, ) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- Makeup Geek Magic Act (P, $9.99) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- Coloured Raine Gold Rose (LE, $6.99) is warmer (95% similar).
- NARS Hollywoodland (P, $28.00) is lighter (95% similar).
- Anastasia Glistening (PiP, $12.00) is less shimmery (90% similar).
- ColourPop Cruisin' (PiP, $4.50) is less shimmery, lighter, warmer (95% similar).
- Dior Devilish #1 (LE, ) is less shimmery, darker, warmer (95% similar).
- Tom Ford Beauty Sun Worship (Eye Color) (LE, ) is more shimmery, darker (95% similar).
- Cle de Peau Stellar Gaze #1 (PiP, ) is less shimmery (95% similar).
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Privilege
DCDiscontinued. $25.00.
Dover
Dover is a medium-dark taupe brown with neutral-to-warm undertones and a matte finish. The consistency was more powdery, and it had a tendency to kickup quite a bit of excess product in the pan and have some fallout during application as it sheered out. I was able to build the coverage back up, but it seemed to fade rather quickly (without a primer) at six hours.
Top Dupes
- Smashbox Soft Brown (PiP, ) is darker, warmer (95% similar).
- KVD Beauty Sage (Contour) (PiP, ) is lighter (95% similar).
- Huda Beauty Suede (Remastered) (PiP, ) is brighter (95% similar).
- theBalm Flawless (P, $16.00) is warmer (95% similar).
- Marc Jacobs Beauty O Boy (600) (LE, $29.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- Viseart Shoreline (Cool Mattes 2 #5) (P, ) is lighter (90% similar).
- Marc Jacobs Beauty Butterfly (PiP, ) is darker (90% similar).
- Natasha Denona Lucy (464CM) (PiP, ) is lighter (90% similar).
- Tarte Taupe of the World (LE, ) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- elf Cool Beans (P, $5.00) is lighter (90% similar).
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Dover
DCDiscontinued. $25.00.
Foix
Foix is a light-medium orange with warm undertones and a matte finish. It had good color payoff with a soft, smooth, and slightly thin texture that applied fairly well to bare skin. The eyeshadow stayed on well for seven and a half hours.
Top Dupes
- BH Cosmetics Carli Bybel Deluxe Edition #1 (LE, ) is darker (95% similar).
- Kylie Cosmetics Sorbet (LE, ) is lighter, brighter (95% similar).
- Ciate Coco (LE, ) is lighter (95% similar).
- ColourPop Zing (LE, $4.50) is darker (90% similar).
- Make Up For Ever M720 Apricot (DC, $21.00) is darker (90% similar).
- ColourPop Treasure (LE, $4.50) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- ColourPop Nekkid (PiP, $4.50) is darker (90% similar).
- ColourPop Knead U (LE, $4.50) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
- MAC Satin Ochre (Right) (LE, ) is darker (90% similar).
- ColourPop Make Waves (LE, $4.50) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
Foix
DCDiscontinued. $25.00.
Castille
Castille is a medium brown with warm, orange undertones and a matte finish. The pigmentation was fantastic, while the consistency was soft, smooth, and blendable without being too firm or too soft in the pan. It wore well for seven and a half hours before fading on me.
Top Dupes
- Urban Decay Low Blow (PiP, $19.00) is lighter (95% similar).
- Coloured Raine Satin (PiP, $6.99) is cooler (95% similar).
- NYX Dance the Tides (P, $4.50) is darker (95% similar).
- ColourPop Sea Stars (P, $4.50) is darker (95% similar).
- ColourPop Note to Self (P, $4.50) is lighter (95% similar).
- KKW Beauty Miami (LE, ) is lighter (95% similar).
- ColourPop Bingo (LE, $4.50) is cooler (95% similar).
- Makeup Geek Sora (LE, $6.00) is warmer (95% similar).
- Anastasia Bengal (P, $12.00) is darker (95% similar).
- Zoeva Substitute for Love (PiP, ) is warmer (95% similar).
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Castille
DCDiscontinued. $25.00.
Alnwick
Alnwick is a medium-dark, coppery brown with warm, reddish undertones and a pearly sheen. It had good color coverage that went on evenly and smoothly. The texture was slightly dense, but it was blendable and easy to use on the lid. It wore well for just over seven and a half hours.
Top Dupes
- Sydney Grace Spiced Cider (P, $8.00) is more shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
- Sydney Grace Spiced Cider (DC, $8.00) is more shimmery, brighter (90% similar).
- Tom Ford Beauty Leopard Sun #3 (PiP, ) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- Pat McGrath Copper Toned (PiP, $25.00) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- Ciate Copper (LE, ) is darker (90% similar).
- Kosas Fiery (P, $15.00) is more shimmery, lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- Smashbox Outfoxed (PiP, ) (90% similar).
- Marc Jacobs Beauty They Call Her (PiP, ) is more shimmery, darker (85% similar).
- Make Up For Ever I702 Mahogany (DC, $17.00) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (85% similar).
- Morphe Firework (LE, ) is more shimmery, darker (85% similar).
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Alnwick
DCDiscontinued. $25.00.
Beaumaris
Beaumaris is a medium-dark brown with warm undertones and a frosted sheen. The consistency was slightly drier and looser in the pan, so there was some unexpected fallout when I used this shade on the lid. It also had a tendency to look more ragged along the edges, so I found using one of the matte shades in the palette essential for “smoothing” out the edges of this shade. The color started to fade after seven hours of wear.
Top Dupes
- Too Faced Cobbler (PiP, $16.00) is lighter (95% similar).
- Smashbox Party Time (PiP, ) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- Laura Mercier Crystal Beige (LE, $23.00) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- MAC Heavenly Bliss (LE, $17.00) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- Chanel Mystere et Intensite #1 (PiP, ) is lighter (95% similar).
- Clarins Brown Sugar #3 (PiP, ) is less shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
- LORAC Black Tie Attire #6 (LE, $19.00) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- MAC Go Wilder (LE, $17.00) is cooler (90% similar).
- MAC Softened Up (LE, $22.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- Laura Mercier Bamboo (PiP, $23.00) is less shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
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Beaumaris
DCDiscontinued. $25.00.
Splendor
Splendor is a dirty, golden taupe with warm undertones and a frosted sheen. It had rich color payoff that applied beautifully to bare skin. The texture was smooth, firm without being stiff, and easily blended on the skin. On me, it lasted for eight hours.
Top Dupes
- MAC Moodmaker (LE, $17.00) is darker (95% similar).
- LORAC Graphite (LE, $19.00) is darker (95% similar).
- Kaja Tiger's Eye (P, $16.00) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- Give Me Glow Robot Girl (P, $7.00) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- MAC Bye Bye Bahamas (LE, $17.00) is cooler (95% similar).
- Anastasia Brownie (P, $12.00) is darker (95% similar).
- Anastasia Truffle Glitter (P, $12.00) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- Makeup Geek Moondust (DC, $6.00) is darker, more muted (90% similar).
- NARS Madrid (P, $22.00) is more shimmery, lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- Lisa Eldridge Anais (P, $27.00) is more shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
Splendor
DCDiscontinued. $25.00.
Versailles
Versailles is a rich, golden bronze with warm undertones and a frosted finish. It was intensely pigmented with a smooth, blendable texture that wasn’t too firm or too soft in the pan, which made it easy to work with. The eyeshadow started to fade after seven and a half hours of wear.
Top Dupes
- Gucci Beauty Oxydus (DC, $37.00) is warmer (95% similar).
- Urban Decay Brokedown (LE, $19.00) is darker (95% similar).
- LORAC Penny (LE, $19.00) is lighter (95% similar).
- Natasha Denona Spectrum (101K) (2020) (PiP, ) is less shimmery, lighter, warmer (95% similar).
- MAC Chains of Love (LE, $17.00) is warmer (95% similar).
- Urban Decay Bass (LE, ) is darker (95% similar).
- Urban Decay Smog (DC, $19.00) is less shimmery, darker (95% similar).
- LORAC Whiskey (PiP, ) is less shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Urban Decay Deeper (LE, $19.00) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- Pretty Vulgar Conquer (PiP, ) is darker (90% similar).
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Versailles
DCDiscontinued. $25.00.
Montaillou
Montaillou is a deep, blackened brown with neutral undertones and a matte finish. It had medium, buildable coverage, but it was extremely difficult to blend out as it always looked uneven and patchy. It started to fade after seven hours of wear.
Top Dupes
- Make Up For Ever M620 Gray Brown (DC, $21.00) is more muted (95% similar).
- Tarte Sweetie (LE, ) is cooler (95% similar).
- Tom Ford Beauty Noir Fume #4 (PiP, ) is cooler (95% similar).
- MAC Dash of Mocha (LE, $17.00) is lighter (95% similar).
- L'Oreal Continuous Cocoa (P, $7.99) is darker (95% similar).
- Anastasia Deep Brown (P, $12.00) is darker (95% similar).
- Tarte Dark Drive (LE, ) is lighter, warmer (95% similar).
- Tarte Charcoal Sketch (LE, ) is brighter (95% similar).
- Laura Mercier Espresso Bean (LE, $23.00) is darker (95% similar).
- Stila Chocolate (LE, $18.00) is lighter (90% similar).
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Montaillou
DCDiscontinued. $25.00.
Reale
Reale is a dark black with a warm, brown base and a satin sheen. It had good pigmentation with a slightly drier texture, which tended to look ragged around the edges as I blended it. It wore well for seven and a half hours on me.
Top Dupes
- Viseart Royal (PiP, ) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- NARS Look Closer IV (DC, $25.00) (95% similar).
- Ulta Night Sky (P, $10.00) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- Cle de Peau Silver Eclipse #4 (PiP, ) is lighter (95% similar).
- Chanel Noir Lamé (908) (LE, $30.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
- ColourPop The Feels (LE, $4.50) is less shimmery, darker, cooler (90% similar).
- Tom Ford Beauty Soleil Neige #4 (LE, ) is more shimmery (90% similar).
- NARS Uncensored Black (LE, $19.00) is less shimmery, darker, cooler (90% similar).
- Charlotte Tilbury Fallen Angel #4 (LE, ) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- Dior Smoky Canvas #3 (LE, ) is less shimmery (90% similar).
These shades should’ve been a slam dunk to formulate, what a shame the kit wasn’t better, could’ve been a great workhorse palette for many people
I was hoping for a little more myself!
Splendor was my favorite but I don’t like the rest of the palette enough to but it.
One out of 12, lol!
Me and my hooded eyes are LOVING the amount, and different shades of mattes here!!!
I also look the eye look you did, Christine!! I love the softer crease, with the deeper lower lashline. So lovely.
Thank you, Shannon!
A warm neutral palette with a small nod to red leaning. How surprising and unusual! Still, there are plenty of newish-bies who could enjoy it. Five bucks per pop isn’t bad, but less than half an ounce means really a smidgen per shade, given 12 pans. The ones you like would be panned pretty quickly, and many of the others aren’t particularly good. Sorry to be snarky, but thanks, Francois, I’ll stick to the lips and cheeks.
I feel like NARS could definitely improve their eyeshadow formula!
The quality looks pretty good on the shimmery shades, but if one already has a large stash of neutral eyeshadows, this is probably not a necessity. Still nice, though!
Not bad, not amazing, but like you said, if you have a lot of neutral eyeshadows already, skippable!
Wow, I expected this palette to do better! I still may pick it up anyway.
Let me know if you try it, Indya!
Some of the shades are really nice, I’m not going to buy it unless I can find it on sale. I think I have enough eyeshadows like these, though I don’t have many of the dupes. I especiall like Alnwick a lot.
Here’s hoping you can find it on sale!
It is an interesting mix of warm toned, neutral shades that really are very, very dupable. By looking at your dupe list for the shades, I had nearly all of the ones I liked by owning Naked 1 and Lorac’s Pro Metal palette. There were lots of dupes for Tarte and Too Faced as well as all the other brands.
In other words, for serious makeup lovers, such as all of us here on your blog, this palette doesn’t really offer us anything new and the quality is so so for a few of the shades.
Thank you so much for the review Christine and, as always, your eye look is lovely.
These are fairly dupable if you already have a couple of warmer, neutral palettes!
Thank you for your kind words, Genevieve 😀
Even with my overwhelming amount of eyeshadow, I still plan to get this palette. While I can dupe the shades, there’s just something about a ” one & done” neutral palette I can’t resist… I’m honestly at the point where I really dislike having to pull several products, then put them all back, and repeat the process the next day. This looks like an assortment from which I can create several looks, and on days I have a bit more time, I can add a red or purple.
Hope you enjoy it, Amy!
I wonder who this palette is meant for;
it’s full of extremely dupable shades while the pigmentation also falls a little short.
by no means are dupable shades ‘bad’ but this seems like something that only people new into makeup could find worthwhile and even then they’d have trouble blending the shades without patchiness.
I’m guessing it’s for someone newer to NARS!
Wow I have voluntarily sworn off palettes, especially more neutral shades, as I already have so many but this one is calling me! The shades in Loaded are different than many others I own, and after reviewing your dupe list I find that indeed I don’t have similar shades. What to do? I am warm toned and think I would really use this palette. I have never used the burnt orange shades and know I can’t wear red shadows, so I skipped ABH Modern Renaissance. The Orange shades aren’t very orange in this palette, and I love the shimmery colors as well. I am thinking I am going to purchase it. The price is good for the amount of product we get. And it’s hard for me to pass up new Nars eyeshadow palettes anyway. I can easily skip his cheek palettes but his eyeshadow palettes are my true weakness. This will be mine! ?
What is going on with the big companies just blowing it over and over on shades they should be able to nail blindfolded, drunk, spun around and forced to pin the tail on the pantone chart kind of easy neutrals?!? What the heck? And Tarte, TARTE is the one coming out with amazing singles. It’s an upside down world.
Hello Christine!
I was wondering if you could help me with something: I´m relatively new to good make up and I decided to spend some money on a nice eyeshadow palette, and my budget goes around this palette. I’ve always loved the Naked 2 by UD, but doing some reaserch I found this NARS loaded palette and ABH Modern Renaissance and now I don´t know which one to buy!
Do you have any recommendations on this? (I have dark brown eyes if that helps, and I have some skills when it comes to make up, so it´s not that I´m a complete newbie on this! Just in case it mattered whether I knew how to use a palette, but I don´t know that much about formulas and I as I don´t have the chance to try them (I’m from Argentina, so I have to order it online) I don´t want to spend that money on something that´s not worth it)
Thank you a looooot!
Agustina.
Hi Agustina,
I like UD’s formula a bit more than NARS’ between Naked 2/Loaded. Modern Renaissance has a very different color scheme – do you think you’d use it over the more neutral shades in Naked2/Loaded?
Hello!
Kind of what I like about Modern Renaissance is that is different than what I have, or can get a little easier. Though maybe I should start with the neutral ones. Is Naked 2 more flexible for a high finished than MR?
Again, thanks!
Wondering if this is similar to the KVD Monarch palette?
All dupes are listed above – I’m not sure offhand what number of dupes may overlap!
You can also compare any two palettes side-by-side through the Dupe List. http://www.temptalia.com/makeup-dupe-list/#pvp
why does this look like the Jouer Essential Palette..Boy, the color palette looks so familiar!
They’re both neutral palettes – neither are original or anything new!