NARS St Germain des Pres Eyeshadow Palette Review & Swatches
St Germain des Pres
NARS St Germain des Pres 6-Pan Eyeshadow Palette ($49.00 for 0.36 oz.) is a new, limited edition six-pan palette that included three shimmery shades and three matte shades. I think the palette will work best for someone who typically wears an eyeshadow primer, prefers more buildable coverage with their mattes, and doesn’t mind a bit of fallout during application. It was the kind of performance that felt more workable once I started using it, even though there were definitely some issues.
Ingredients
St Germain des Pres
LELimited Edition. $49.00.
Envie
Envie is a light-medium, warmer taupe-brown with a sparkling, metallic finish. It had opaque color coverage in a single layer, which applied evenly to bare skin and blended out with minimal fallout. The texture was smooth, lightly creamy, and moderately dense without being too thick or too firmly pressed into the pan. It wore well for eight hours before fading visibly.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- ColourPop Juvenile (LE, $7.00) is darker (95% similar).
- Sydney Grace Devotion (Light) (PiP, $6.25) is more shimmery, darker, warmer (95% similar).
- Lisa Eldridge Moonswirl (P, $16.00) is cooler (95% similar).
- ColourPop Saute (LE, $4.50) is warmer (95% similar).
- MAC Superwatt (LE, $22.00) is less shimmery, warmer (95% similar).
- Pat McGrath Gilty Pleasure (PiP, $25.00) is darker (90% similar).
- Tom Ford Beauty Rose Topaz #3 (PiP, ) is less shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
- Tom Ford Beauty Rose Cashmere #4 (LE, ) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- Too Faced Rum Raisin (PiP, $16.00) is darker, warmer (90% similar).
- Buxom Mink Magnet (P, $12.00) is less shimmery, 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
DIMETHICONE • ISODODECANE • DIISOSTEARYL MALATE • TALC • POLYETHYLENE • CETYL DIMETHICONE • SILICA • PHENOXYETHANOL • [MAY CONTAIN/PEUT CONTENIR/(+/-): ALUMINUM POWDER (CI 77000)• BISMUTH OXYCHLORIDE (CI 77163) • IRON OXIDES (CI 77491, CI 77499) • 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.
Envie
LELimited Edition. $19.00.
Joie
Joie is a very light, peachy gold with strong, warm orange undertones and a pearl finish. It had semi-opaque, buildable pigmentation with a soft, thinner texture that wasn’t dry, thankfully, but it tended to look more faded and satin-like when applied. The color showed signs of fading after seven hours of wear.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Natasha Denona Linen (183M) (LE, $29.00) is more shimmery, darker, cooler (95% similar).
- Viseart Alexandre Trois (P, ) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
- Wayne Goss Imperial Topaz #1 (PiP, ) is more shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
- Tarina Tarantino Taurella (DC, ) is more shimmery, lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- Wet 'n' Wild Dragon Scales #2 (LE, ) is more shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
- NARS Let It Whip (LE, $19.00) is more shimmery, darker, cooler (90% similar).
- Make Up For Ever Hotshot (LE, ) is more shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
- Tom Ford Beauty Last Dance #1 (PiP, ) is cooler (90% similar).
- Dior Grand Bal #4 (PiP, ) is more shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
- ColourPop Watch Out (LE, $4.50) is more shimmery, 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 • SYNTHETIC FLUORPHLOGOPITE • POLYGLYCERYL-2 TRIISOSTEARATE • MAGNESIUM MYRISTATE • OCTYLDODECYL STEAROYL STEARATE • TIN OXIDE • OCTYLDODECYL STEARATE • CAPRYLYL GLYCOL • PHENOXYETHANOL • MAY CONTAIN/PEUT CONTENIR/(+/-): CARMINE (CI 75470) • IRON OXIDES (CI 77491, CI 77492) • 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.
Joie
LELimited Edition. $19.00.
Rue de Tournon
Rue de Tournon is a medium-dark gold with moderate, warm undertones and a sparkling, metallic finish. The texture was more loosely-pressed, so I’d recommend using a lighter hand to avoid fallout during application along with pressing and patting the color into place, which achieved more even coverage. It had opaque pigmentation that wore well for eight hours before fading noticeably.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Pat McGrath Golden Honey (LE, $25.00) is more shimmery, lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- Pat McGrath Liquid Sun (LE, $25.00) is darker, warmer (90% similar).
- Pat McGrath Refined Gold 002 (LE, $25.00) is less shimmery, lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- Pat McGrath Incandescent Gold 003 (LE, $25.00) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- Urban Decay Fool's Gold (DC, $20.00) is cooler (90% similar).
- Glaminatrix Constellation (PiP, $8.77) is more shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
- Charlotte Tilbury Green Lights #1 (LE, ) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- Chanel No 5 #1 (LE, ) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Laura Mercier Lumineuse (LE, ) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- Pat McGrath After Glow (LE, $25.00) is more shimmery, lighter (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 • DIISOSTEARYL MALATE • POLYETHYLENE • TALC • CETYL DIMETHICONE • PHENOXYETHANOL • [MAY CONTAIN/PEUT CONTENIR/(+/-): BISMUTH OXYCHLORIDE (CI 77163) • IRON OXIDES (CI 77491, CI 77499) • 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.
Rue de Tournon
LELimited Edition. $19.00.
L'Ephemere
L’Ephemere is a medium-dark, coppery-brown with warm undertones and a matte finish. It had semi-opaque, buildable pigmentation with a slightly firmer, drier texture that was best applied in layers and built up. It’s the kind of texture that ended up being fairly blendable but really works best for someone who likes to build up their pigment. It lasted well for eight hours before fading visibly.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- ColourPop Herd to Get (LE, $4.50) is darker, warmer (95% similar).
- Huda Beauty Henna (Remastered) (PiP, ) is lighter (95% similar).
- Viseart Roussillon (PiP, ) is darker, warmer (95% similar).
- Melt Cosmetics Downtown (LE, ) is lighter (95% similar).
- ColourPop Top Notch (P, $4.50) is warmer (90% similar).
- Persona Passionate (PiP, ) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- ColourPop Fortunate (LE, $4.50) is cooler (90% similar).
- ColourPop Feel Free (PiP, $4.50) is darker (90% similar).
- LORAC Romance (LE, $19.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
- Pretty Vulgar Formation (PiP, ) is brighter, 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 • OCTYLDODECYL STEAROYL STEARATE • OCTYLDODECYL STEARATE • CAPRYLYL GLYCOL • MAGNESIUM MYRISTATE • PHENOXYETHANOL • [MAY CONTAIN/PEUT CONTENIR/(+/-): BISMUTH OXYCHLORIDE (CI 77163) • CARMINE (CI 75470) • IRON OXIDES (CI 77491, CI 77492, 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.
L'Ephemere
LELimited Edition. $19.00.
Nostalgie
Nostalgie is a medium, plummy brown with subtle, warm undertones and a matte finish. The texture was soft, blendable, and lightly powdery with a bit of thinness present. It had semi-opaque, buildable pigmentation that adhered evenly and 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
- ColourPop Butterflies (LE, $4.50) is more shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
- LORAC Burgundy (PiP, ) is lighter (90% similar).
- MAC Lo and Behold (LE, $17.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- Natasha Denona Soil (213CM) (PiP, ) is darker, warmer (90% similar).
- Sydney Grace The Next Chapter (LE, $5.25) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- Pat McGrath Major Mahogany (LE, $25.00) is darker (90% similar).
- Blackbird Cosmetics Ruca (DC, $8.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- Chanel Lumieres et Vibrations #4 (LE, ) is more shimmery, darker, warmer (90% similar).
- ColourPop Choc (LE, $4.50) is darker, warmer (85% similar).
- Morphe Brave (PiP, ) is warmer (85% 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 STEAROYL STEARATE • OCTYLDODECYL STEARATE • CAPRYLYL GLYCOL • MAGNESIUM MYRISTATE • PHENOXYETHANOL • [MAY CONTAIN/PEUT CONTENIR/(+/-): BISMUTH OXYCHLORIDE (CI 77163) • CARMINE (CI 75470) • IRON OXIDES (CI 77491, CI 77492, 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.
Nostalgie
LELimited Edition. $19.00.
Liberation
Liberation is a deep, almost plum-tinged, brown with neutral-to-warm undertones and a matte finish. It had semi-sheer pigmentation that could be built up to semi-opaque coverage with two to three layers. The consistency was soft, blendable but somewhat powdery and a little on the drier side, so there was fallout during application. I’d recommend using this over an eyeshadow primer, which helped the product adhere more evenly and minimized some of the fallout. It wore decently for seven and a half hours before fading a bit.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Sydney Grace Maple Sugar (LE, $5.25) is warmer (95% similar).
- Charlotte Tilbury Smokey Eyes are Forever Confident Eyes Enhance (LE, ) is warmer (95% similar).
- Anastasia Palm (LE, ) is cooler (90% similar).
- ColourPop Who (LE, $4.50) is lighter (90% similar).
- Marc Jacobs Beauty The Rhythm (LE, ) is lighter (90% similar).
- Melt Cosmetics Moonchild (LE, ) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Smashbox Miss Chili (PiP, ) is more shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
- Sephora Maca (PiP, ) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- ColourPop Top Down (LE, $4.50) is warmer (90% similar).
- Dior Lucky Star #5 (LE, ) is lighter (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 STEAROYL STEARATE · OCTYLDODECYL STEARATE · CAPRYLYL GLYCOL · MAGNESIUM MYRISTATE · PHENOXYETHANOL · [MAY CONTAIN/PEUT CONTENIR/(+/-): BISMUTH OXYCHLORIDE (CI 77163) · CARMINE (CI 75470) · IRON OXIDES (CI 77491, CI 77492, 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.
The shades themselves all put together the way they are, is beautiful. Too bad that the quality is rather iffy, or I’d buy it in a heartbeat.
This is disappointing, really was hoping the colors are true in pan. The brighter red brick brown could be so beautiful in winter. I guess now I just have to find it in maybe Viseart?
This palette is so pretty – all the looks I’ve stern with it are so nice. It’s a definite “maybe!”
I just ordered this… The bottom row is just stunning, especially that middle shade.
It could have been a very pretty palette, but true to Nars’s form, it has been poorly put together with loose shimmers and underwhelming mattes. The pale gold shade was really unnecessary in this offering too.
Nothing here I want or need. Liberation looked good and it’s the sort of colour that’s “new” for me (vis that “rut” question further up) but with a C rating, it’s not worth it. This palette kind of reminds me of the Nars Suede Voyageur palette in a lot of ways but the colours and quality of that one are so much better for me.
It’s also reminiscent of Provocateur, which is far better for me. It’s good to have BSS! (Bloated Stash Syndrome.)
I thought it stood for “Beautiful Shadow Supply” but I guess it’s kind of the same thing!
Kinda relieved this did not receive a stellar review because I was tempted by the packaging and colour story (which I can easily dupe).
Honestly, the only shade that appeals to me here is the first one.
Yes, Envie is beautiful, but I am sure we can find it elsewhere.