Today, I have three of the more pastel-hued polishes from the newly reformulated NARS Nail Polish ($20.00 for 0.50 fl. oz.), which will have a total of 43 permanent shades. The official launch is July 15th, and both the formula and the brush have been changed. According to the brand, the formula is supposed to “improve wear and strengthen nails” with a “flexible, high gloss finish.” In the past, I’ve experienced really strong, long-wear (up to ten days with minor tip wear; after seven, tip wear appears very minor). I tested five shades–Thasos, Elbrus, Obscura, Pastorale, and Zakynthos–for wear, and they were fairly consistent with minor tip wear after seven days but no chipping (no top or base coats were used). I really liked the brush, as it wasn’t overly wide; I could still apply polish to my pinky nail (which is my narrowest nail) without getting polish all along the cuticle/skin along the nail. Most shades dried down faster than average, and generally, they applied well without streaking, bubbling, or pooling along the edges with good color coverage.

NARS Thasos Nail Polish ($20.00 for 0.50 fl. oz.) is described as a “mint green.” It’s a light-medium, sea foam green with a cream finish. It was opaque after two coats, and the consistency of the polish wasn’t too thick or too thin. It was really close to being opaque after one coat, which was impressive, but what was even more impressive was the lack of streakiness even on that initial coat. This shade lasted for seven days with minor tip wear. MAC In the Limelight (LE, $16.00) is bluer. Illamasqua Nomad (P, $17.00) is darker, brighter. China Glaze Keep Calm, Paint On (LE, $7.50) is greener, warmer. Zoya Wednesday (P, $9.00) is darker. Butter London Fiver (P, $15.00) is lighter. See comparison swatches / view dupes.

NARS Ikiru Nail Polish ($20.00 for 0.50 fl. oz.) is described as a “light blue.” It’s a softened, light-medium blue with a cream finish. It had full color coverage after two coats, and the polish applied evenly and smoothly without issue. The formula was slightly thick but not problematic. Cult Nails Nakizzle’s Shizzle (P, $12.00) is lighter. NARS Koliary (LE, $20.00) is brighter. Chanel Coco Blue (LE, $27.00) is lighter. See comparison swatches / view dupes.

NARS Kalymnos Nail Polish ($20.00 for 0.50 fl. oz.) is described as a “lilac.” It’s a muted, grayish lavender with a cream finish. It was very nearly opaque after two coats. The formula was slightly thick in consistency but applied evenly without streaking or pooling along the edges. Essie Warm & Toasty Turtleneck (P, $8.00) is warmer. Essie Full Steam Ahead (P, $8.00) is warmer, brighter. Rescue Beauty Lounge Forgiveness (LE, $20.00) is slightly darker. Cult Nails My Kind of Cool Aid (P, $12.00) is darker. Zoya Marley (P, $9.00) is a touch lighter. Essie Cocktail Bling (LE, $8.00) is darker. Essie Bangle Jangle (LE, $8.00) is warmer. See comparison swatches / view dupes.

See more photos & swatches!

NARS Thasos Nail Polish

NARS Thasos Nail Polish

NARS Thasos Nail Polish

NARS Thasos Nail Polish

NARS Thasos Nail Polish

NARS Thasos Nail Polish

NARS Thasos Nail Polish

NARS Thasos Nail Polish (One Coat!)

NARS Ikiru Nail Polish

NARS Ikiru Nail Polish

NARS Ikiru Nail Polish

NARS Ikiru Nail Polish

NARS Ikiru Nail Polish

NARS Ikiru Nail Polish

NARS Ikiru Nail Polish

NARS Kalymnos Nail Polish

NARS Kalymnos Nail Polish

NARS Kalymnos Nail Polish

NARS Kalymnos Nail Polish

NARS Kalymnos Nail Polish

NARS Kalymnos Nail Polish

NARS Kalymnos Nail Polish