NARS Shock 'Em, Slam, Stricken Powerchrome Eye Pigments Reviews & Swatches
Shock 'Em
NARS Shock ‘Em Powerchrome Loose Eye Pigment ($28.00 for 0.05 oz.) is a shiny, sparkling light, golden beige with more of a transparent base. It was one of the chunkiest eyeshadows I’ve come across, and the size of the clumps and flakes was daunting (though it doesn’t contain any plastic glitter). It would have been easier to work with if the larger pieces broke up and could be really smoothed out, but it was hard to get all of it to lay flat so there was a fair amount of fallout during application.
It had medium coverage applied with a fingertip as a fair amount seemed stuck to my fingertip, so I found using a dense brush (like an oversized pencil brush) or a dampened brush to give better, more even application of product. A dampened brush seemed to help smooth out the product a little more than either a fingertip or a dry brush.
The major appeal was how shiny it was–it was definitely very brightening and had a really wet-looking shine to it; the unevenness in texture ensured that it was the type of product that looked best from a normal viewing distance rather than really close-up. It stayed on well for eight hours but had light to moderate fallout.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Moira Infinity (P, $7.50) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- Ciate Entwine (P, $24.00) is less shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
- Huda Beauty Rose #5 (LE, ) is less shimmery (90% similar).
- Chanel Lumiere et Opulence #2 (LE, ) is less shimmery, darker (85% similar).
- Natasha Denona Lumino (212M) (PiP, $29.00) is less shimmery, darker (85% similar).
- Fenty Beauty Milky Way (LE, ) is warmer (85% similar).
- ColourPop Arbane (LE, $4.50) is less shimmery, darker (85% similar).
- Bobbi Brown Sunstone (LE, $38.00) is darker, cooler (85% similar).
- Milani Sands of Time (PiP, $5.99) is less shimmery, darker, warmer (85% similar).
- ColourPop Balloon Pop (LE, $6.00) is less shimmery, warmer (85% similar).
Formula Overview
$28.00/0.05 oz. - $560.00 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to be "intense payoff" in "one swipe" with "all shine." The brand recommends applying with fingertips (actually "fingerprint application") to get "intense payoff with as minimal fallout as possible." It's a loosely-pressed eyeshadow formula that's more of a pressed eyeshadow than a true, loose pigment, but if it gets knocked around, it could appear looser. They're easiest to work with when pressed and packed into the jar, though, as it enabled better control over coverage and minimized fallout opportunity.
Most shades had semi-opaque to opaque pigmentation that applied with light fallout during application (whether with fingertips or brushes), but fingertips definitely were easier to sue when deeper shades when I wanted more seamless edges. Brushes tended to move the shimmer/sparkle around and leave behind a patchier base pigment for deeper shades. I tried using the products with a dampened brush, which was a successful alternative to fingertip application with all but the chunkiest of shades.
The texture ranged from smooth, lightly creamy, and dense to chunky and hard to apply in an even layer (even with fingertips!). The shades lasted between seven and nine hours before creasing faintly or having some fallout, though most shades didn't suffer from much fallout over time.
Browse all of our NARS Powerchrome Loose Eye Pigment swatches.
Ingredients
Look Using this Product
Shock 'Em
LELimited Edition. $28.00.
Slam
NARS Slam Powerchrome Loose Eye Pigment ($28.00 for 0.05 oz.) is a bright, medium gold with strong, warm undertones and a sparkling, metallic finish. It had rich color coverage in a single layer applied with fingertips or brushes (dry or wet), which made it easy to work with. The consistency was dense, lightly creamy but more loosely-pressed into the pot, though it was more 80% pressed than it was loose. The edges diffused with ease, and there wasn’t any noticeable fallout during application. It lasted nicely for eight and a half hours before creasing faintly.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Tarte Sun Drenched (P, $22.00) is less shimmery, lighter (95% similar).
- Melt Cosmetics Tequila (LE, ) is less shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
- Sydney Grace Suntan (DC, $8.00) is darker (90% similar).
- ColourPop Jinxie (LE, $6.00) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- Tom Ford Beauty Black Sand (Powder) (LE, ) is darker (90% similar).
- ColourPop Keep It PG (PiP, $4.50) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- Tarte Irrelephant (LE, ) is less shimmery, darker, warmer (90% similar).
- ColourPop Cruisin' (PiP, $4.50) is less shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Laura Mercier Intense Copper (LE, $29.00) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- ColourPop Lucido (LE, $4.50) is lighter (90% similar).
Formula Overview
$28.00/0.05 oz. - $560.00 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to be "intense payoff" in "one swipe" with "all shine." The brand recommends applying with fingertips (actually "fingerprint application") to get "intense payoff with as minimal fallout as possible." It's a loosely-pressed eyeshadow formula that's more of a pressed eyeshadow than a true, loose pigment, but if it gets knocked around, it could appear looser. They're easiest to work with when pressed and packed into the jar, though, as it enabled better control over coverage and minimized fallout opportunity.
Most shades had semi-opaque to opaque pigmentation that applied with light fallout during application (whether with fingertips or brushes), but fingertips definitely were easier to sue when deeper shades when I wanted more seamless edges. Brushes tended to move the shimmer/sparkle around and leave behind a patchier base pigment for deeper shades. I tried using the products with a dampened brush, which was a successful alternative to fingertip application with all but the chunkiest of shades.
The texture ranged from smooth, lightly creamy, and dense to chunky and hard to apply in an even layer (even with fingertips!). The shades lasted between seven and nine hours before creasing faintly or having some fallout, though most shades didn't suffer from much fallout over time.
Browse all of our NARS Powerchrome Loose Eye Pigment swatches.
Ingredients
Look Using this Product
Slam
LELimited Edition. $28.00.
Stricken
NARS Stricken Powerchrome Loose Eye Pigment ($28.00 for 0.05 oz.) is a medium brown with moderate, warm undertones and a sparkling sheen. The texture was soft, more loosely-pressed (but more pressed than loose) with a light creaminess to it. Applied with fingertips, it was slightly more sparkling but less even compared to applying with a dampened brush, which gave it a more metallic finish. It had opaque color coverage regardless of application method. This shade wore well for eight and a half hours but had a bit of fallout over time.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Pat McGrath Dawn Fawntasia (LE, $25.00) is more shimmery, darker (95% similar).
- Glaminatrix Second Skin (PiP, $8.04) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- Makeup by Mario Master Metallics #3 (PiP, ) is cooler (95% similar).
- Anastasia B2 (Norvina Vol. 1) (LE, $12.00) is less shimmery, lighter, cooler (95% similar).
- Rare Beauty Strong (LE, ) is darker, cooler (95% similar).
- Tom Ford Beauty Warm (Winter 2016) Eyeshadow #2 (LE, ) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- Natasha Denona Glam Dark (407KS) (PiP, ) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- ColourPop Milli (P, $4.50) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- Charlotte Tilbury Supersonic Girl #3 (LE, ) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- ColourPop Material Girl (P, $4.50) is darker (90% similar).
Formula Overview
$28.00/0.05 oz. - $560.00 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to be "intense payoff" in "one swipe" with "all shine." The brand recommends applying with fingertips (actually "fingerprint application") to get "intense payoff with as minimal fallout as possible." It's a loosely-pressed eyeshadow formula that's more of a pressed eyeshadow than a true, loose pigment, but if it gets knocked around, it could appear looser. They're easiest to work with when pressed and packed into the jar, though, as it enabled better control over coverage and minimized fallout opportunity.
Most shades had semi-opaque to opaque pigmentation that applied with light fallout during application (whether with fingertips or brushes), but fingertips definitely were easier to sue when deeper shades when I wanted more seamless edges. Brushes tended to move the shimmer/sparkle around and leave behind a patchier base pigment for deeper shades. I tried using the products with a dampened brush, which was a successful alternative to fingertip application with all but the chunkiest of shades.
The texture ranged from smooth, lightly creamy, and dense to chunky and hard to apply in an even layer (even with fingertips!). The shades lasted between seven and nine hours before creasing faintly or having some fallout, though most shades didn't suffer from much fallout over time.
Browse all of our NARS Powerchrome Loose Eye Pigment swatches.
Ingredients
I’m going to check out Shockém in store, it just looks so intriguing and confusing.
I’m truly SHOCKED that I have no dupes for Stricken, yet I have 3 for Slam! That’s okay because I’m looking at Stricken as one of those very rare shades that I’d us as a “one ‘n done”. Might just pick this gorgeous chocolate bronze goodness up!
I am not really impressed with any of these shades or the formula. There are so many similar products that perform better.
Shock ‘Em looks like a nightmare to work with!
I keep coming back to look at that amazing macro shot of ‘Shock ’em’. It’s so beautiful!
I love Slam and Stricken – gorgeous, but popular shades though. I think Shockem could be problematic.
Beautiful eye look Christine.
Sigh, I love these sparkles but the crepe of my lids really limits me. I would use such a product only on my mobile lid or just above the center of my lash line in a lighter color.