NARS Shadow Side Velvet Shadow Stick Set ($39.00 for 0.21 oz.) contains three miniature sized twist-up cream eyeshadows and a miniature sized mascara. I haven’t had great luck with the Velvet Shadow Stick formula, as they are harder to blend and work with on the lid and have shorter-wear (five to six hours). They tend to work best for me as an eyeshadow base rather than as a standalone eyeshadow, though the shades that are closer to the skin tone and have some pearl are the easiest to use as-is. My experience with these three was consistent with past experience–shorter wear and harder to blend and even out on the skin.

Formula Overview

• Velvet Shadow Stick: $28.00 for 0.05 oz. or $560.00/oz.
• Mascara: $26.00 for 0.32 oz. or $81.25/oz.
• Set Value: $50.40 worth of cream eyeshadow, $9.75 worth of mascara
• Total Value: $60.15

Lucid Dream is a light-medium, golden brown with warm, golden shimmer. It had semi-sheer coverage that was buildable to medium coverage. The consistency was somewhat creamy with slight drag across the skin. It was blendable for a few seconds initially but then became harder to diffuse and even out. It started to crease after six hours of wear. Burberry Nude (No. 002) (P, $29.00) is more shimmery (95% similar). Chanel Talpa (14) (P, $30.00) is more shimmery, lighter (95% similar). Lisa Eldridge Moonswirl (P, $16.00) is more shimmery, lighter (95% similar). Laura Mercier Topaz (PiP, ) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar). Dior Infinity (751) (LE, $31.00) is warmer (90% similar). Chanel Silver Screen (822) (LE, $36.00) is cooler (90% similar). Dior Cosmopolite (P, $29.50) is more shimmery, warmer (90% similar). Chanel City Lights #4 (LE, ) is more shimmery, cooler (90% similar). CoverGirl Melted Caramel Flame (350) (P, $7.99) is less shimmery, warmer (90% similar). Smashbox Smoke Break (PiP, ) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Fleur Neige (Cream Color) (LE, $45.00) is less shimmery, darker, warmer (90% similar). KVD Beauty 3AM (LE, ) is more shimmery (90% similar). Coloured Raine Iconic (LE, $6.99) is more shimmery, darker (85% similar). Sydney Grace Tiara (P, $6.25) is more shimmery, brighter, warmer (85% similar). Dior Smoky Sequins #3 (LE, ) is more shimmery (85% similar). ColourPop Flecks (LE, $4.50) is darker, warmer (85% similar). ColourPop Saute (LE, $4.50) is more shimmery, warmer (85% similar). Urban Decay Suspect (DC, $19.00) is more shimmery, lighter (85% similar). MAC Crushed Clove (PiP, $17.00) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (85% similar). Dior Moonlight #4 (LE, ) is darker, cooler (85% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

Real Surreal is a muted, medium-dark plum with warm, brownish undertones and a pearly sheen. It had semi-sheer pigmentation in one pass, but it was creamy enough that it layered to opaque coverage in two to three passes. The consistency was fairly easy to maneuver around the curve of the lid, but it was hard to get soft, diffused edges, even when I used fingertips to blend. It lasted for five and a half hours before creasing on me. Make Up For Ever S832 Ash Plum (DC, $21.00) is brighter (95% similar). Dior Feel #1 (PiP, ) is less shimmery (95% similar). Urban Decay Third Eye (LE, $19.00) is less shimmery (95% similar). Stila Garnet (PiP, ) is less shimmery (95% similar). Viseart Cerise (PiP, ) is less shimmery, darker, cooler (95% similar). Make Up For Ever I834 Grape (P, $17.00) is warmer (95% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Photosynthesex #3 (PiP, )(95% similar). Tarte Show Plum Love (LE, ) is brighter (95% similar). ColourPop Magic Carpet (LE, $4.50) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar). Lancome Colour du Jour (P, $19.00) is warmer (90% similar). Chantecaille Starfish (P, $34.00) is more shimmery, warmer (90% similar). Laura Mercier Cherrywood (LE, ) is warmer (90% similar). Laura Mercier Plumifique (LE, ) is warmer (90% similar). MAC Higher Power (LE, $25.00) is more shimmery (90% similar). Hello Kitty Celebrate (LE, ) is warmer (90% similar). MAC Frock Talk (LE, $17.00) is warmer (90% similar). NARS China Seas #2 (DC, $25.00) is lighter (90% similar). Viseart Mahogany (PiP, ) is darker (90% similar). Makeup Geek Sensuous (DC, $6.00) is more shimmery, brighter, cooler (90% similar). Laura Mercier Plum Frost (LE, ) is less shimmery, darker (85% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

Nunavut is a rich, deep purple with cooler undertones and a satin shimmer. It had semi-sheer to semi-opaque coverage in one stroke, but the consistency was so creamy that the color tended to move around as I applied it, so it was hard to get an even layer of coverage. I had the best luck applying one layer, trying to even it out with my fingertip, and then applying another layer on top, but it still looked patchy in places. The color started to crease after five hours on me and migrated towards the corners of my eyes. KVD Beauty Exorcism (LE, ) is cooler, less glossy (85% similar). Tarte Le Cordon Bleu (LE, ) is darker, less glossy (90% similar). MAC Lover In Me (LE, $17.00) is more muted, less glossy (90% similar). bareMinerals In Vogue (LE, ) is warmer (90% similar). Inglot #377 (P, $6.00) is cooler, less glossy (90% similar). MAC Ron Ron Run (LE, $17.00) is darker, less glossy (90% similar). ColourPop Echoes (PiP, $4.50) is less shimmery, lighter, warmer (85% similar). Give Me Glow Blackened Plum (P, $7.00) is less shimmery, lighter, warmer (85% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

NARS Shadow Side Velvet Shadow Stick Set

NARS Shadow Side Velvet Shadow Stick Set

NARS Shadow Side Velvet Shadow Stick Set

NARS Lucid Dream Velvet Shadow Stick

NARS Lucid Dream Velvet Shadow Stick

NARS Lucid Dream Velvet Shadow Stick

NARS Real Surreal Velvet Shadow Stick

NARS Real Surreal Velvet Shadow Stick

NARS Real Surreal Velvet Shadow Stick

NARS Nunavut Velvet Shadow Stick

NARS Nunavut Velvet Shadow Stick

NARS Nunavut Velvet Shadow Stick