NARS Nail Polish ($20.00 for 0.50 fl. oz.) has been reformulated and gone through a packaging update with a wider brush (but the bottle and the rest are the same). According to the brand, the formula is supposed to “improve wear and strengthen nails” with a “flexible, high gloss finish.” In the past, I’ve experienced really strong, long-wear (up to ten days with minor tip wear; after seven, tip wear appears very minor). I tested five shades–Thasos, Elbrus, Obscura, Pastorale, and Zakynthos–for wear, and they were fairly consistent with minor tip wear after seven days but no chipping (no top or base coats were used). This is typical wear for me across most formulas, though the tip wear was more noticeable with the new formula than the old one for me. I really liked the brush, as it wasn’t overly wide; I could still apply polish to my pinky nail (which is my narrowest nail) without getting polish all along the cuticle/skin along the nail. Most shades dried down faster than average, and generally, they applied well without streaking, bubbling, or pooling along the edges with good color coverage.

NARS Obscura Nail Polish ($20.00 for 0.50 fl. oz.) is described as a “lavender charcoal.” It’s a dark, smoky purple-taupe with cool undertones and a cream finish. It had full color coverage in two coats, and the consistency wasn’t too thick or too thin. The polish lasted seven days on me with minor tip wear on me. NARS Crossroads (LE, $20.00) is darker, richer. Chanel Charivari (603) (P, $27.00) is lighter, warmer. Cult Nails Ms. Conduct (LE, $12.00) is warmer. NARS Manosque (LE, $20.00) is lighter, warmer. MAC Festive Finery (LE, $16.00) is purpler, lighter. China Glaze Below Deck (LE, $7.50) is lighter. Zoya Petra (P, $9.00) is coler-toned. Essie Smokin’ Hot (LE, $8.00) is very similar. See comparison swatches / view dupes.

NARS Elbrus Nail Polish ($20.00 for 0.50 fl. oz.) is described as a “plum.” It’s a dark, reddish berry with cool undertones and a cream finish. It had mostly opaque color coverage after two coats, and the consistency was slightly thin but not watery or runny. At times, there was a hint of nail line coming through, but most of the time, it appeared opaque. It dried down quickly to a shiny finish without a top coat. I tested this shade for wear, and it lasted for seven days with minor tip wear but no chipping. MAC Dayflower (LE, $16.00) is lighter. MAC Rebel (DC, $16.00) is similar. Chanel Provocation (P, $27.00) is slightly darker, purpler. Rescue Beauty Lounge Drifter (LE, $20.00) is darker. China Glaze Velvet Bow (LE, $7.50) is darker. Zoya Anja (P, $9.00) is darker, cooler-toned. Deborah Lippmann Single Ladies (LE, $19.00) is darker, warmer. Essie Masquerade Belle (LE, $8.00) is warmer. See comparison swatches / view dupes.

NARS Paros Nail Polish ($20.00 for 0.50 fl. oz.) is described as a “red brown.” It’s a medium-dark, slightly muted, warm-toned red with a cream finish. It was fully opaque after two coats, and it dried down to a glossy, high-shine finish faster than average. The consistency was slightly thin but not problematic. Tom Ford Beauty Shameless (LE, $32.00) is lighter. MAC Dangerously Fun (LE, $16.00) is darker. China Glaze Merry Berry (LE, $7.50) is slightly darker. China Glaze Adventure Red-y (LE, $7.50) is similar. Butter London Pillar Box Red (P, $15.00) is brighter, lighter. See comparison swatches / view dupes.

See more photos & swatches!

NARS Obscura Nail Polish

NARS Obscura Nail Polish

NARS Obscura Nail Polish

NARS Obscura Nail Polish

NARS Obscura Nail Polish

NARS Obscura Nail Polish

NARS Obscura Nail Polish

NARS Elbrus Nail Polish

NARS Elbrus Nail Polish

NARS Elbrus Nail Polish

NARS Elbrus Nail Polish

NARS Elbrus Nail Polish

NARS Elbrus Nail Polish

NARS Elbrus Nail Polish

NARS Paros Nail Polish

NARS Paros Nail Polish

NARS Paros Nail Polish

NARS Paros Nail Polish

NARS Paros Nail Polish

NARS Paros Nail Polish

NARS Paros Nail Polish