NARS Orgasm Eyeshadow Quad Review & Swatches
Orgasm
NARS Orgasm Eyeshadow Quad ($52.00 for 0.16 oz.) is a new, limited edition quad that is inspired by the brand’s Orgasm and Orgasm X blushes. It’s a very light-leaning quad, so it was hard to get diverse looks out of it. I’d say it’s more suitable for someone who likes lighter tones and tends to work with one or two shades per look. The dustiness of the matte coral only made it harder to get contrast using the four shades. The quality of the shimmers was good, though, and those were pigmented, blendable, and long-wearing on me.
Ingredients
Orgasm
LELimited Edition. $52.00.
Orgasm I
Orgasm I is a brighter, light-medium gold with strong, warm orange undertones and a metallic sheen. It had opaque coverage in a single layer with a soft, smooth consistency that wasn’t too firmly nor too softly pressed into the pan. It applied evenly, blended out well, and wasn’t prone to fallout. This shade stayed on nicely for eight hours before fading visibly.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- ColourPop Ginger (LE, $4.50) is more shimmery, darker (95% similar).
- Hourglass Champagne Gold (PiP, ) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- MAC Natural Vigor #1 (LE, $21.00) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- Pat McGrath Skinshow Fever (PiP, $25.00) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- KKW Beauty Saint (PiP, ) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- Smashbox Champagne (PiP, ) is more shimmery, lighter, cooler (95% similar).
- ColourPop The Mayor (LE, $4.50) is cooler (95% similar).
- Maybelline Beige-ing Beauty (85) (LE, $6.99) is more shimmery (90% similar).
- NARS Icon (LE, $19.00) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- Fenty Beauty Royal Dazzle (LE, ) is darker, 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
Dimethicone, Isododecane, Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Triethylhexanoin, Polyethylene, Magnesium Myristate, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol. may contain/peut contenir/(+/-): Bismuth Oxychloride (Ci 77163), Iron Oxides (Ci 77491), 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.
Orgasm I
LELimited Edition. $19.00.
Orgasm II
Orgasm II is a medium, pink-leaning peach with moderate, warm undertones and a frosted sheen. It had excellent color payoff that adhered evenly to bare skin and blended out well along the edges. The texture was soft without being powdery, smooth to the touch, and easy to pick up with a brush. It wore well for eight hours before showing signs of fading.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Give Me Glow Ice Princess (P, $7.00) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- ColourPop Bicoastal (PiP, $4.50) is more shimmery, cooler (95% similar).
- Sugarpill Elevate (PiP, $13.00) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- bareMinerals Future (PiP, ) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- ColourPop Drizzle (LE, $4.50) is more shimmery, darker, cooler (90% similar).
- NARS Virgin Gorda (P, $19.00) is more shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
- ColourPop Enamored (PiP, $4.50) is more shimmery, lighter (95% similar).
- Tom Ford Beauty Winter 2018 #2 (LE, ) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- Tom Ford Beauty Orchid Haze #1 (PiP, ) is more shimmery, lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- Natasha Denona Transparent (PiP, $29.00) is more shimmery, 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
Isododecane, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Dimethicone, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Diisostearyl Malate, Talc, Polyethylene, Cetyl Dimethicone, Tin Oxide, Phenoxyethanol. May Contain/Peut Contenir/(+/-): Bismuth Oxychloride (Ci 77163), Carmine (Ci 75470), 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.
Orgasm II
LELimited Edition. $19.00.
Orgasm III
Orgasm III is a dusty, medium coral with strong, warm orange undertones and a matte finish. The texture was powdery, which resulted in the product sheering out, being harder to build up (even over primer) from semi0opaque coverage, and gave it some fallout during application. It applied fairly evenly and blended out along the edges, though. There were signs of fading after seven hours of wear.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Viseart Cupid (PiP, ) is lighter (95% similar).
- Charlotte Tilbury Love Eyes (Smoke) (LE, ) is lighter (95% similar).
- Sydney Grace French Hens (P, $5.25) is lighter (95% similar).
- Zoeva MT070 (PiP, ) is lighter (95% similar).
- ColourPop Charge It (P, $4.50) is darker (95% similar).
- Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk #2 (LE, ) is warmer (95% similar).
- Melt Cosmetics Nip Slip (LE, ) is lighter (95% similar).
- Pat McGrath Naked Blush (LE, $25.00) is darker (95% similar).
- Anastasia Coastline (LE, $12.00) is lighter (95% similar).
- Haus Labs Blush Matte (P, $24.00) is darker, 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, Magnesium Myristate, Octyldodecyl Stearate, Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol. May Contain/Peut Contenir/(+/-): Carmine (Ci 75470), Iron Oxides (Ci 77491, Ci 77492, Ci 77499), Manganese Violet (Ci 77742).
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.
Orgasm III
LELimited Edition. $19.00.
Orgasm IV
Orgasm IV is a light-medium, rosy bronze with moderate, warm undertones and a sparkling, metallic finish. It had rich color payoff with a soft, lightly creamy consistency that felt a bit richer and creamier compared to the other shades in the palette. The eyeshadow applied well to bare skin and looked almost “melted” with how smooth the sheen appeared after blending. It stayed on well for eight hours before fading visibly.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- elf Comet (P, $6.00) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- Auric Temper (Cream) (PiP, ) is more shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
- Makeup Geek Elegance (LE, $9.99) is less shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
- Huda Beauty Nude Rich #2 (PiP, ) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Makeup by Mario Ethereal Eyes #6 (LE, ) is less shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Urban Decay Turn On (PiP, $19.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- ColourPop Hard Place (PiP, $4.50) is darker, warmer (90% similar).
- Charlotte Tilbury Rose Gold (P, $34.00) is less shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
- Tom Ford Beauty Rose Prisme #4 (PiP, ) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- KVD Beauty Quartz (LE, ) is 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
Isododecane, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Calcium Sodium Borosilicate, Triisostearyl Citrate, Tin Oxide, Phenoxyethanol, [+/- (May Contain/Peut Contenir): Iron Oxides (Ci 77491), 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.
I was kind of excited when I thought it was a blush and highlighter quad. Then I re-read and realized it’s an eyeshadow quad and I’m pretty meh about it. It’s an easy pass for me.
Too bad that the lone matte shade isn’t a whole lot better, because the shimmers look so nice. Money saved, I suppose.
So basically “Dupe-able I, Dupe-able II, Dupe-able III and Dupe-able IV” and all pretty blah for the price. I think Nars has overdone their Orgasm shtick far more than UD overdid Naked, and at least the Naked palettes and other releases often were exciting.
Bought everything that was released, but haven’t opened anything. Bought this palette, the blush (??) palette (looks sort of like it could be used for more than just blush), and the Orgasm XL lip gloss. This palette is too pale, even for this porcelain, cool-toned person. Who is this going to be a good fit for? I’m going to keep everything except for this palette and buy the Orgasm XL eye shadow palette.
This is indeed a quad for those who like very soft, muted shades. It would be perfect to use in conjuntion with other more colourful shades. I find myself liking #4 the best.
This quad would be such a snorefest on me. Orgasm blush was never my friend, so I didn’t really expect much in the e/s palette.
This one seems more like a companion to the Orgasm X quad than a standalone.
Everything about how you describe this palette, is what I look for. I love light bright shades, with nothing too deep. My favourite palette is Charlotte Tilbury original Pillow Talk (same description). I might get this if there is a sale code or something…it’s a bit steep in price.