NARS Mambo, Via Veneto, Gran Via High-Pigment Eyeliners Reviews & Swatches
Mambo
NARS Mambo High-Pigment Longwear Eyeliner ($24.00 for 0.03 oz.) is a deep, red-brown with subtle, warm undertones and a matte finish. It had nearly opaque pigmentation in a single stroke, which built up easily to full coverage with a second pass. The texture was smooth and glided across my lash line with ease, though it didn’t feel overly wet/creamy. I was able to smudge the edge slightly, but I’d recommend working one eye at a time if smudging was desired. The color stayed on well for eight hours on my lower lash line before migrating noticeably to the outer corner of my eye, while it lasted for six hours on my water line.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- ColourPop Cutest Ever (LE, $6.00) is lighter (95% similar).
- Laura Mercier Espresso (P, $24.00) is darker, warmer (95% similar).
- Natasha Denona Brown (P, $24.00) is warmer (95% similar).
- NARS Mambo (P, $24.00) is lighter (95% similar).
- Chanel Psyche (959) (P, $34.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- Make Up For Ever G*psy (LE, $19.00) is darker, warmer (90% similar).
- NARS Sorrento (P, $26.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Makeup Geek Espresso (DC, $9.00) is warmer (85% similar).
- Marc Jacobs Beauty (Brown)ie (P, $25.00) is lighter, warmer (85% similar).
- Natasha Denona Brown (P, $24.00) is lighter, warmer (85% similar).
Formula Overview
$24.00/0.03 oz. - $800.00 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to have "12-hour wear' that is "humidity-proof," "sweat-proof, "water-resistant, and "transfer-resistant" paired with "high pigment." The texture definitely felt a bit gel-like, as intended, as the product glided across my skin without tugging or dragging, and the pigmentation seemed a bit inkier and richer. They're creamier--but not too creamy--than previous iterations of the formula, and they wore significantly better than most of NARS' pencils have for me.
Some shades lasted longer than others, but most shades were semi-opaque to opaque in pigmentation, comfortable to apply, went on evenly, and were easy to use. Most lasted for eight to ten hours on my lower lash line with wear on my water line being six to eight hours in most instances. They didn't fade/thin on me cleanly; they did migrate to the outer corner (occasionally the inner corner), though.
Browse all of our NARS High-Pigment Longwear Eyeliner swatches.
Ingredients
DIMETHICONE · SYNTHETIC WAX · TRIMETHYLSILOXYSILICATE · C20-24 ALKYL DIMETHICONE · DICALCIUM PHOSPHATE · PHENYLPROPYLDIMETHYLSILOXYSILICATE · POLYETHYLENE · CALCIUM SILICATE · DISILOXANE · PENTAERYTHRITYL TETRA-DI-T-BUTYL HYDROXYHYDROCINNAMATE · RUBUS IDAEUS (RASPBERRY) LEAF EXTRACT · CAPRYLIC/CAPRIC TRIGLYCERIDE · POLYHYDROXYSTEARIC ACID · DISTEARDIMONIUM HECTORITE · PROPYLENE CARBONATE · CALCIUM ALUMINUM BOROSILICATE · CALCIUM SODIUM BOROSILICATE · SILICA · SYNTHETIC FLUORPHLOGOPITE · TIN OXIDE · [+/- (MAY CONTAIN/PEUT CONTENIR): MICA · TITANIUM DIOXIDE (CI 77891) · CARMINE (CI 75470) · FERRIC AMMONIUM FERROCYANIDE (CI 77510) · IRON OXIDES (CI 77491) · IRON OXIDES (CI 77492) · IRON OXIDES (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.
Mambo
PPermanent. $24.00.
Via Veneto
NARS Via Veneto High-Pigment Longwear Eyeliner ($24.00 for 0.03 oz.) is a deep black with neutral undertones and a matte finish. It had rich color coverage that adhered evenly and smoothly to my lash line without tugging or dragging. The texture was creamy without being too slippery, and it was easy to smudge for the first five to ten seconds after application. It wore well for seven and a half hours on my lower waterline and lower lash line before I there was noticeable product that had migrated to the outer corner.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Sephora Black Matte (P, $13.00) is lighter (95% similar).
- Guerlain Black Jack (01) (P, $30.00) is lighter (95% similar).
- MAC Squid (P, $17.00) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- Haus Labs Punk (P, $18.00) is cooler (95% similar).
- Guerlain Noir Volcanique (01) (P, $37.00) is lighter (95% similar).
- Wayne Goss Obsidian (P, $14.00) is cooler (95% similar).
- LA Girl Blackout (P, $4.49) is darker (95% similar).
- MAC Cat's Meow (P, $17.00) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- Fenty Beauty Cuz I'm Black (P, $22.00) is warmer (90% similar).
- Make Up For Ever M10 Matte Black (PiP, ) is lighter (90% similar).
Formula Overview
$24.00/0.03 oz. - $800.00 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to have "12-hour wear' that is "humidity-proof," "sweat-proof, "water-resistant, and "transfer-resistant" paired with "high pigment." The texture definitely felt a bit gel-like, as intended, as the product glided across my skin without tugging or dragging, and the pigmentation seemed a bit inkier and richer. They're creamier--but not too creamy--than previous iterations of the formula, and they wore significantly better than most of NARS' pencils have for me.
Some shades lasted longer than others, but most shades were semi-opaque to opaque in pigmentation, comfortable to apply, went on evenly, and were easy to use. Most lasted for eight to ten hours on my lower lash line with wear on my water line being six to eight hours in most instances. They didn't fade/thin on me cleanly; they did migrate to the outer corner (occasionally the inner corner), though.
Browse all of our NARS High-Pigment Longwear Eyeliner swatches.
Ingredients
DIMETHICONE · SYNTHETIC WAX · TRIMETHYLSILOXYSILICATE · C20-24 ALKYL DIMETHICONE · PHENYLPROPYLDIMETHYLSILOXYSILICATE · DICALCIUM PHOSPHATE · POLYETHYLENE · CALCIUM SILICATE · DISILOXANE · PENTAERYTHRITYL TETRA-DI-T-BUTYL HYDROXYHYDROCINNAMATE · RUBUS IDAEUS (RASPBERRY) LEAF EXTRACT · CAPRYLIC/CAPRIC TRIGLYCERIDE · POLYHYDROXYSTEARIC ACID · DISTEARDIMONIUM HECTORITE · PROPYLENE CARBONATE · SYNTHETIC FLUORPHLOGOPITE · CALCIUM SODIUM BOROSILICATE · SILICA · TIN OXIDE · [+/- (MAY CONTAIN/PEUT CONTENIR): TITANIUM DIOXIDE (CI 77891) · IRON OXIDES (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.
Via Veneto
PPermanent. $24.00.
Gran Via
NARS Gran Via High-Pigment Longwear Eyeliner ($24.00 for 0.03 oz.) is an intense, inky black with cool undertones and a matte finish. The eyeliner was richly pigmented with a smooth, gel-like texture that glided easily across my skin but didn’t feel too wet or creamy. It applied comfortably to my lower water line and lower lash line, though it definitely started to migrate to the outer corner within eight and a half hours of wear with six-hour wear on my lower water line.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Urban Decay Legend (P, $20.00) is lighter (95% similar).
- Ardency Inn Black (P, $19.00) is lighter, warmer (95% similar).
- LA Girl Blackout (P, $4.49) is warmer (95% similar).
- MAC Squid (P, $17.00) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- MAC Black Ice (P, $20.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- Wayne Goss Obsidian (P, $14.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Make Up For Ever M10 Matte Black (PiP, ) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- MAC Black Black (P, $16.00) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Fenty Beauty Cuz I'm Black (P, $22.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Make Up For Ever M10 Matte Black (P, $21.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
Formula Overview
$24.00/0.03 oz. - $800.00 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to have "12-hour wear' that is "humidity-proof," "sweat-proof, "water-resistant, and "transfer-resistant" paired with "high pigment." The texture definitely felt a bit gel-like, as intended, as the product glided across my skin without tugging or dragging, and the pigmentation seemed a bit inkier and richer. They're creamier--but not too creamy--than previous iterations of the formula, and they wore significantly better than most of NARS' pencils have for me.
Some shades lasted longer than others, but most shades were semi-opaque to opaque in pigmentation, comfortable to apply, went on evenly, and were easy to use. Most lasted for eight to ten hours on my lower lash line with wear on my water line being six to eight hours in most instances. They didn't fade/thin on me cleanly; they did migrate to the outer corner (occasionally the inner corner), though.
Browse all of our NARS High-Pigment Longwear Eyeliner swatches.
Ingredients
DIMETHICONE · SYNTHETIC WAX · TRIMETHYLSILOXYSILICATE · C20-24 ALKYL DIMETHICONE · PHENYLPROPYLDIMETHYLSILOXYSILICATE · POLYETHYLENE · CALCIUM SILICATE · DISILOXANE · PENTAERYTHRITYL TETRA-DI-T-BUTYL HYDROXYHYDROCINNAMATE · RUBUS IDAEUS (RASPBERRY) LEAF EXTRACT · CAPRYLIC/CAPRIC TRIGLYCERIDE · POLYHYDROXYSTEARIC ACID · DISTEARDIMONIUM HECTORITE · PROPYLENE CARBONATE · [+/- (MAY CONTAIN/PEUT CONTENIR): MICA · TITANIUM DIOXIDE (CI 77891) · BLACK 2 (CI 77266) (NANO) · FERRIC AMMONIUM FERROCYANIDE (CI 77510) · IRON OXIDES (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.
That rich, warm brown of Mambo sure seems like something I would enjoy using in with my warmer neutral eye looks!
If Gran Via had lasted as well as MJ Blacquer, I might have given it a shot as an upper lashline tightliner.
The Mambo shade is one I like, but not the matte finish. When looking at the Dupe list, I spotted the Stila Spice Smudge liner and that shade was more to my taste.
Funny, I had the exact same thoughts!
I love the color of Mambo.
How does Gran Via compares to Urban Decay’s Perversion eye pencil as far as how black it is?
They are similar in intensity.
Unlike the Mulholland Drive pencil, these all look pretty ordinary and dupe-able at a much lower price point so easy passes for me.
Liner has traditionally not been a strong suit for Nars. Have these improved? Yes, a bit. But there are far better choices on the market, even in-stash. Not even any unique colors, this far. Workhorses that don’t quite pull their weight.