NARS Orgasm Mini Eyeshadow Palette Review & Swatches
Orgasm
NARS Orgasm Mini Eyeshadow Palette ($25.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a new, limited edition travel-sized palette. It’s very compact and small in physical size, but the actual amount of product per shade was still decent (0.02 oz.) and would give plenty of uses. The packaging has a much lighter, flimsier feel to it than most NARS palettes, which may be a surprise for some; it didn’t strike me as prone to falling apart, though. The quality was on par with NARS’ eyeshadows with a mix of hits and misses.
Orgasm
LELimited Edition. $25.00.
Full Moon
Full Moon is a light, golden beige with strong, warm undertones and a metallic sheen. It had good color payoff that was buildable to full coverage with a heavier hand or a second layer. The texture was smooth to the touch, not too powdery nor too firmly pressed into the pan, and applied evenly to bare skin. It stayed on nicely for eight hours before fading noticeably on my lid.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Natasha Denona Flutter (463K) (PiP, $29.00) is lighter (95% similar).
- ColourPop The Cancer (P, $4.50) is darker (90% similar).
- Urban Decay Angelfire (LE, ) is less shimmery (90% similar).
- KVD Beauty Lovestruck (LE, ) is brighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Stila Nude Shimmer (LE, $18.00) is more shimmery (90% similar).
- Cle de Peau Calm (Right) (PiP, ) is less shimmery, darker, cooler (90% similar).
- theBalm #18 (P, $6.50) is less shimmery, darker, cooler (90% similar).
- Sephora Sand (LE, ) is less shimmery, darker, warmer (90% similar).
- MAC Starry Eyed (LE, $17.00) is less shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
- Melt Cosmetics Manipulative (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
Dimethicone, Isododecane, Talc, Diisostearyl Malate, Polyethylene, Cetyl Dimethicone, 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.
Full Moon
LELimited Edition. $19.00.
Maximum Pleasure
Maximum Pleasure is a light-medium, peachy coral with warm, golden pearl that gave it more of a pearl-like sheen. The color coverage was opaque, but the texture was drier and rather dusty, and it seemed to look faded and slightly dry on my skin. It lasted decently for seven hours before showing signs of fading.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Viseart Blossom (PiP, ) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- MAC Dewdrop (LE, $17.00) is more shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
- Make Up For Ever D750 Frosted Peach (DC, $21.00) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- Urban Decay Dazed (PiP, $19.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
- Viseart Sorbet (LE, ) is more shimmery (90% similar).
- Sephora Hippie Girl (223) (P, $9.00) is more shimmery, darker, warmer (90% similar).
- Fenty Beauty Mamacita (LE, ) is more shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
- Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk #3 (LE, ) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- Viseart Coy #12 (LE, ) is more shimmery, brighter (90% similar).
- Milani Lust and Luminous (PiP, $5.99) 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
Talc, Dimethicone, Magnesium Myristate, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Octyldodecyl Stearate, Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, May Contain/Peut Contenir/(+/-): Carmine (Ci 75470), Iron Oxides (Ci 77491), 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.
Maximum Pleasure
LELimited Edition. $19.00.
Danger Girl
Danger Girl is a deeper, reddish-coral with subtle,w arm undertones and a mostly matte finish. It had good pigmentation with a slightly powdery texture felt a touch dusty as well. The color sheered out slightly when applied to bare skin, so a primer would be ideal to pair with it to improve the pigmentation. It wore well for seven and a half hours before fading visibly on me.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- MAC A Little Tamed (P, $20.00) is darker (95% similar).
- Glaminatrix Watermelon (P, $7.30) is darker, warmer (95% similar).
- Pat McGrath Shockwave (PiP, $25.00) is warmer (95% similar).
- ColourPop Wish List (LE, $4.50) is warmer (95% similar).
- Pat McGrath Flame Fatale (LE, $25.00) is darker (95% similar).
- ColourPop Making Moves (P, $4.50) is darker, warmer (95% similar).
- ColourPop Cherry Stem (LE, $4.50) is warmer (90% similar).
- Sydney Grace Sun Poisoning (PiP, $5.25) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- ColourPop Hop On (P, $4.50) is darker, warmer (90% similar).
- Natasha Denona Sangria (LE, ) 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
Talc, Octyldodecyl Stearate, Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate, Caprylyl Glycol, Magnesium Myristate, Phenoxyethanol. May Contain/Peut Contenir/(+/-): 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.
Danger Girl
LELimited Edition. $19.00.
Wild One
Wild One is a light-medium pink with strong, warm gold pearl throughout. The base was less warm-toned compared to the shimmer, so the golden shimmer contrasted noticeably with the base pigment. It had good color coverage that applied well to bare skin and blended out easily. The texture was firmer, though, and I had to use a heavier hand to pick up product evenly. This shade stayed on well for seven and a half hours before fading noticeably.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Too Faced Crisp (LE, $16.00) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- Sydney Grace Sunset Glow (P, $8.00) is darker, warmer (95% similar).
- ColourPop Come and Get It (P, $4.50) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- Terra Moons Wicked Rose (P, $6.25) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- Pat McGrath Pink Champagne (LE, $25.00) is more shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
- Huda Beauty Angelic (PiP, ) is more shimmery, darker, warmer (90% similar).
- Makeup Geek Wildfire (P, $12.00) is more shimmery, darker, warmer (90% similar).
- YSL Paris #4 (LE, ) is more shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
- Tarte Frose (LE, $22.00) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- Natasha Denona Golden Rose (60M) (P, $29.00) is more 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, Dimethicone, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Magnesium Myristate, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Tin Oxide, Octyldodecyl Stearate, Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol. May Contain/Peut Contenir/(+/-): Carmine (Ci 75470), Iron Oxides (Ci 77491, 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.
Wild One
LELimited Edition. $19.00.
Pattaya
Pattaya is a medium brown with moderate, warm undertones and flecks of pink and copper sparkle. It had semi-sheer coverage applied dry and semi-opaque coverage applied with a dampened brush. It is of the Hardwired formula, which is intended to have greater pigmentation when used damp; that was true here, but it’s a difficult formula to work with dry as it had a ton of fallout, poor coverage, and didn’t adhere evenly.
It really had to be applied with a dampened brush for decent adhesion, hold, and coverage. Dry, it lasted for six hours but had noticeable fallout over time, whereas dampened application had better wear at seven hours with less fallout (but still some).
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Isamaya Brass (PiP, ) is less shimmery, lighter, cooler (95% similar).
- ColourPop Relic (PiP, $4.50) is less shimmery, lighter, cooler (95% similar).
- Touch in Sol Golden Tangerine (3) (P, $18.00) is darker (95% similar).
- ColourPop Arrow (LE, $4.50) is less shimmery, lighter, cooler (95% similar).
- Huda Beauty Do It (PiP, ) is lighter (95% similar).
- Guerlain Golden Stars #1 (LE, ) is less shimmery, lighter (95% similar).
- Becca Sandstone (LE, ) is less shimmery, lighter, warmer (95% similar).
- BH Cosmetics Foil Eyes #7 (PiP, ) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- Huda Beauty Topaz #2 (LE, ) is less shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
- Dominique Cosmetics Bohemian (LE, ) is darker (90% similar).
Formula Overview
$22.00/0.04 oz. - $550.00 Per Ounce
The formula "can be applied dry or with a dampened brush for stronger intensity." It is a very glittery formula, and naturally, it performed significantly better when used with a dampened brush or an adhesive base.
Applied dry, they were typically sheer to semi-sheer with light to moderate fallout when blended out on my lid. They lasted between five and seven hours with light to moderate fallout. Applied wet, they were typically semi-opaque to opaque with minimal fallout when blended out and minimal to slight fallout during wear (about eight hours).
The consistency was soft, slightly drier/chunkier, but they the base colors were blendable and easy enough to use. I did find that they applied decently over primer when applied dry compared to on bare skin.
Browse all of our NARS Hardwired Eyeshadow (2018) swatches.
Ingredients
Talc, Isododecane, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Dimethicone, Diisostearyl Malate, Polyethylene, Cetyl Dimethicone, Phenoxyethanol, [+/- (May Contain/Peut Contenir): Bismuth Oxychloride (Ci 77163), Carmine (Ci 75470), Iron Oxides (Ci 77491), Iron Oxides (Ci 77492), Iron Oxides (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.
Look Using this Product
Pattaya
LELimited Edition. $22.00.
Seduced
Seduced is a medium-dark, coppery-red with moderate, warm undertones and flecks of red and gold sparkle. It had medium coverage applied dry and opaque coverage applied damp. The texture felt a bit denser and more emollient, which seemed to give it better adhesion to bare skin, even dry.
With its Hardwired formula, I’d highly recommend using it with a dampened brush, which minimized fallout and improved coverage and adhesion. Applied dry, it lasted for seven hours with some fallout, while dampened application yielded eight hours of wear with minimal fallout.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Lisa Eldridge Tomorrow's Party (P, $16.00) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- Charlotte Tilbury Lovers Diamond (LE, $34.00) is lighter (95% similar).
- LORAC Desert Rose (PiP, ) is more shimmery, lighter (95% similar).
- ColourPop Tis Firm (LE, $4.50) is less shimmery, lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- Tom Ford Beauty Electric Cherry #1 (LE, ) is less shimmery, darker, warmer (90% similar).
- Natasha Denona Lola (248M) (PiP, $29.00) is darker (90% similar).
- ColourPop Muse (LE, $6.00) is less shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
- ColourPop Infatuation (LE, $4.50) is darker (90% similar).
- ColourPop Kaboom (LE, $4.50) is darker (90% similar).
- ColourPop Arrow (P, $6.00) is less shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar).
Formula Overview
$22.00/0.04 oz. - $550.00 Per Ounce
The formula "can be applied dry or with a dampened brush for stronger intensity." It is a very glittery formula, and naturally, it performed significantly better when used with a dampened brush or an adhesive base.
Applied dry, they were typically sheer to semi-sheer with light to moderate fallout when blended out on my lid. They lasted between five and seven hours with light to moderate fallout. Applied wet, they were typically semi-opaque to opaque with minimal fallout when blended out and minimal to slight fallout during wear (about eight hours).
The consistency was soft, slightly drier/chunkier, but they the base colors were blendable and easy enough to use. I did find that they applied decently over primer when applied dry compared to on bare skin.
Browse all of our NARS Hardwired Eyeshadow (2018) swatches.
Ingredients
Isododecane, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Dimethicone, Diisostearyl Malate, Talc, Polyethylene, Calcium Sodium Borosilicate, Silica, Cetyl Dimethicone, 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.
This confirm my opinion that NARS eye palettes aren’t worth the money at all. Moreover, they are so boring in their releases, whereas outside it’s full of innivative brand, and they are continuing to repeat themselves. Ok you made a blush that had indeed a lot of success (mostly due to the name, since the color it’s basical too light for be used as a blush even for a light or light-to medium skin tone), but why repeating the same mood forever in the next 10 years of realases? Where is the innovation? Or they are relying only on the naming of their product? thinking that a product will be sold at quite high price only for the evocative name, even if it’s identic to the previous 1000 relases, even if the quality it’s not here?
Even though I love the color scheme to this, I’m going to pass on it I think. After seeing both yours and Mel Thompson’s reviews, and both indicating that this isn’t all that, I’d probably be better off just duping it within my stash.
So, ho hum and not great quality. Again, Nars riding the Orgasm train to the station. I do like Danger Girl but with a B rating and housed in a not great palette, it is easy to pass. I no doubt have a dupe in my collection.
I figured I might have a dupe for that beautiful reddened coral in the ND Love palette.
This is a really mixed palette of ratings – entirely consistent with Nars. The two pink shimmer shades are far too similar to be in such a small palette and it was disappointing to see shades, that should have been formulated well, to be so bad.
Not a great performance. I also find the palette entirely too red and hot for me
I adore these teeny little palettes for travel and hope to see more in the future. Maybe something not so pink heavy?
Tiny palette, color story is done to death, mediocre quality. Big “no” from me.