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NARS Transvaal, Solomon Islands, Ubangi Eye Paints Reviews, Photos, Swatches

NARS Transvaal Eye Paint
NARS Transvaal Eye Paint

NARS Transvaal Eye Paint ($25.00 for 0.08 oz.) is described as a “grey.” It’s a medium-dark, neutral-cool gray with a mostly matte finish. It was intensely pigmented and very creamy. NARS Madison Ave. is bluer, darker. Maybelline Audacious Asphalt is shimmery, warmer. See comparison swatches.

Solomon Islands is described as “turquoise blue.” It’s a medium-dark blue with a hint of teal/green to give it a more turquoise coloring. It has a matte finish and rich color payoff. MAC Mountain Air is darker and pearly, but it was the only turquoise-ish cream eyeshadow/eyeliner I could think of to compare. See comparison swatches.

Ubangi is described as a “black with blue shimmer.” It’s a cool-toned black with medium blue and navy blue micro-shimmer. This particular shade had a very slippery consistency–it was wetter than the others–and the color payoff was less intense as it had a tendency to sheer out. Urban Decay Sabbath is bluer. MAC Night Trail is similar. MAC Petrol Blue is lighter, bluer. MAC Waveline is lighter, less shimmery. bareMinerals Noon is more muted. See comparison swatches.

Please refer to my original review here for a more in-depth look at the formula as a whole. To recap, Eye Paints are designed to be a long-wearing, highly-pigmented gel formula that can be used as an eyeshadow or as an eyeliner. I applied each shade using NARS’ #38 brush to mimic applying it as an eyeliner (narrow swatch) and then applied the same color with the horizontal edge of the #38 to mimic applying it as an all-over lid color (wide swatch). The formua’s strength is its creaminess and intense color payoff, but it dries and sets very quickly so it can be difficult to blend the shades together or soften the edges if you do not work quickly.

As a cream eyeshadow, the wear is just okay; there is some fading apparent after six to seven hours, and Ubangi seemed more prone to fading than the other two shades. I did not experience creasing with any of these shades. When worn as an eyeliner, Solomon Islands did not fade or migrate, and it seemed to last quite well over a nine-hour period. These definitely perform best as eyeliners, less so as cream eyeshadows. If you want to use them as a base, they wear well with powder eyeshadow on top–no creasing or fading after ten hours of wear.

See more photos & swatches!

NARS Transvaal Eye Paint
NARS Transvaal Eye Paint

NARS Transvaal Eye Paint
NARS Transvaal Eye Paint

NARS Transvaal Eye Paint
NARS Transvaal Eye Paint

NARS Transvaal Eye Paint
NARS Transvaal Eye Paint

NARS Solomon Islands Eye Paint
NARS Solomon Islands Eye Paint

NARS Solomon Islands Eye Paint
NARS Solomon Islands Eye Paint

NARS Solomon Islands Eye Paint
NARS Solomon Islands Eye Paint

NARS Solomon Islands Eye Paint
NARS Solomon Islands Eye Paint

NARS Solomon Islands Eye Paint
NARS Solomon Islands Eye Paint

NARS Solomon Islands Eye Paint
NARS Solomon Islands Eye Paint

NARS Ubangi Eye Paint
NARS Ubangi Eye Paint

NARS Ubangi Eye Paint
NARS Ubangi Eye Paint

NARS Ubangi Eye Paint
NARS Ubangi Eye Paint

NARS Ubangi Eye Paint
NARS Ubangi Eye Paint

NARS Solomon Islands Eye Paint
NARS Transvaal, Solomon Islands, Ubangi, Interstellar Eye Paints

NARS Solomon Islands Eye Paint
NARS Transvaal, Solomon Islands, Ubangi, Interstellar Eye Paints

26 Comments

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Adriana Avatar

I’d never wear it, but that Solomon Islands pot is beyond beautiful, isn’t it? It’s so blue. Lagoon blue. Cartoon paradise blue. I’m far too shy and pale and tentative to feel comfy wearing it where people could see me but oh, I do love it. Maybe I’ll buy it and wear it at home to channel my grass-skirt-wearing, ukulele-strumming alter ego while I do the vacuuming.

KT Avatar

Ubangi looks so so so beautiful in the pot……. it’s a shame the swatches don’t look as nice as i had hoped ): the formula for most seems promising though.

Wwendalynne Avatar

These look incredible as well. I have to say the product looks wickedly budgeproof and opaque so I really give you credit for your eye look. You pulled these three shades together beautifully.

Susan Avatar

These look amazing! That blue is SO tempting, but I know I don’t have the guts to ever leave the house in it! But still… it’s so beautiful…. Sigh.

I also agree that your brows look especially great here! It looks like you have them more squared off at the front (which I love!). And your look is lovely! I was expecting the blue to be in the inner corner/inner 1/3 of the lid but the gray looks awesome there. Then again, you tend to make everything look good… Darn you.

Arianna Avatar

“Ubangi” is pretty but I probably wouldn’t get it because although I’m certain NARS was referring to the name of the Ubangi river, I’ve only heard that term used in racist contexts so I’d feel weird buying it. But anyway, I love how opaque Transvaal is.

Erica Avatar

When I want to wear teal blue, I have been totally content wearing my beautiful canard eye liner creme by Laura Mercier with a neutral eyeshadow. But now, you’re messing with my wallet by rocking Solomon Islands and Ubangi worn together Christine. No fair…..

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