NARS Verona, Stud, Agentina, Coconut Grove, Biarritz Eyeshadow Review & Swatches
Verona
NARS Verona Eyeshadow (2018) ($19.00 for 0.04 oz.) is a dusty lavender with subtle, warm undertones and a metallic sheen. It was deceptively shimmery–it seemed almost dusty in texture and then appeared rather brightening when applied to my skin. It had rich pigmentation with a soft, blendable texture that adhered well to bare skin despite being a little drier by touch. It lasted for just over eight hours on me before fading noticeably.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Urban Decay Shag (LE, $19.00) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- ColourPop Juice Box (PiP, $4.50) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Sydney Grace Immortal (P, $6.00) is more shimmery (90% similar).
- Giorgio Armani Blue Reflection (32) (DC, $39.00) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- Lisa Eldridge Illusionism (P, $16.00) is less shimmery (90% similar).
- MAC Shine De-light (P, $18.00) is more shimmery (90% similar).
- ColourPop Wavelength (LE, $9.00) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- NARS Rave (DC, $25.00) is less shimmery (90% similar).
- BH Cosmetics Foil Eyes #2 (PiP, ) is more shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
- Linda Hallberg Cosmetics Serein (LE, ) 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.
Look Using this Product
Verona
PPermanent. $19.00.
Stud
NARS Stud Hardwired Eyeshadow (2018) ($22.00 for 0.04 oz.) is a medium-dark, golden taupe with warm undertones and a sparkling, metallic finish. Sometimes, I want to describe it as a deep, warm pewter. It had semi-opaque pigmentation when applied with a dry brush, and it was buildable, blendable, and only had slight fallout that stayed on well for seven hours (with slight fallout). When I tried using it with a dampened brush, it was richly pigmented and had a smoother, more blendable consistency that adhered well to bare skin for eight and a half hour wear. The new formula is slightly drier than the previous one, which was easier to use dry but the quality and application were similar when using the new formula with a wet brush.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Makeup by Mario Ethereal Eyes #11 (LE, ) is less shimmery, cooler (95% similar).
- Dominique Cosmetics Espresso (PiP, ) is less shimmery, lighter, cooler (95% similar).
- KVD Beauty Melancholia (DC, ) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- ColourPop Bashful (P, $4.50) is less shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
- Sephora Smokey Quartz (PiP, ) is less shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
- Sydney Grace Wondrous Knight (PiP, $6.25) is lighter (90% similar).
- Huda Beauty Bold Moves (PiP, ) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- Viseart Jeu de Paume (PiP, ) is less shimmery, darker, warmer (90% similar).
- Touch in Sol Aurora Taupe (7) (P, $18.00) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- LORAC Olivine (LE, $19.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
Formula Overview
$22.00/0.04 oz. - $550.00 Per Ounce
The formula "can be applied dry or with a dampened brush for stronger intensity." It is a very glittery formula, and naturally, it performed significantly better when used with a dampened brush or an adhesive base.
Applied dry, they were typically sheer to semi-sheer with light to moderate fallout when blended out on my lid. They lasted between five and seven hours with light to moderate fallout. Applied wet, they were typically semi-opaque to opaque with minimal fallout when blended out and minimal to slight fallout during wear (about eight hours).
The consistency was soft, slightly drier/chunkier, but they the base colors were blendable and easy enough to use. I did find that they applied decently over primer when applied dry compared to on bare skin.
Browse all of our NARS Hardwired Eyeshadow (2018) swatches.
Look Using this Product
Stud
PPermanent. $22.00.
Argentina
NARS Argentina Hardwired Eyeshadow (2018) ($22.00 for 0.04 oz.) is a medium-dark purple with subtle, warm undertones and cooler overtones that gave it a slightly “cooler” appearance overall. It was paired with a sparkling, lightly metallic finish. Applied dry, it had semi-sheer coverage, moderate fallout, and really had to pressed and pushed onto my lid in order to get a mostly even application. Applied with a dampened brush, it had opaque pigmentation with a smoother consistency that was easier to work with and to blend out on my skin. It wore well for six hours dry (with moderate fallout) and eight hours damp (with slight fallout).
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Lisa Eldridge Iris (P, $27.00) is less shimmery, lighter (95% similar).
- NARS Canberra (LE, $25.00) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- NARS Kauai #2 (DC, $25.00) is less shimmery, cooler (95% similar).
- MAC Pinkluxe #4 (PiP, ) is less shimmery (90% similar).
- MAC Get Physical (LE, $18.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- NARS Jardin Perdu (Right) (DC, $25.00) is less shimmery, lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- Makeup Geek Hype (P, $9.99) is less shimmery, lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- Huda Beauty Purple Haze #9 (PiP, ) is less shimmery, lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- Urban Decay Freakshow (LE, $19.00) is less shimmery (90% similar).
- Guerlain Shalimar (Top) (LE, ) is less shimmery, darker, cooler (90% similar).
Formula Overview
$22.00/0.04 oz. - $550.00 Per Ounce
The formula "can be applied dry or with a dampened brush for stronger intensity." It is a very glittery formula, and naturally, it performed significantly better when used with a dampened brush or an adhesive base.
Applied dry, they were typically sheer to semi-sheer with light to moderate fallout when blended out on my lid. They lasted between five and seven hours with light to moderate fallout. Applied wet, they were typically semi-opaque to opaque with minimal fallout when blended out and minimal to slight fallout during wear (about eight hours).
The consistency was soft, slightly drier/chunkier, but they the base colors were blendable and easy enough to use. I did find that they applied decently over primer when applied dry compared to on bare skin.
Browse all of our NARS Hardwired Eyeshadow (2018) swatches.
Look Using this Product
Argentina
PPermanent. $22.00.
Coconut Grove
NARS Coconut Grove Eyeshadow (2018) ($19.00 for 0.04 oz.) is a deep, taupe-brown with neutral undertones and a matte finish. It had semi-opaque, buildable color payoff with a soft, silky texture that wasn’t too powdery nor too firmly pressed in the pan. I found it easier to work with than the previous formulation, as the eyeshadow applied more evenly and blended out with less effort. It stayed on nicely for seven and a half hours o me before starting to fade noticeably on my lid.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Hourglass Charcoal Brown (PiP, ) is lighter, warmer (95% similar).
- Makeup Geek Nightfall (LE, $6.00) is cooler (95% similar).
- NARS Bali (DC, $25.00) is lighter, warmer (95% similar).
- MAC Bowl Out (LE, $17.00) is lighter (95% similar).
- Marc Jacobs Beauty The Free Spirit No. 20 (LE, ) is cooler (95% similar).
- Wet 'n' Wild Lights Out #1 (PiP, ) is darker (95% similar).
- Sydney Grace Alpha (P, $5.25) is more shimmery, warmer (95% similar).
- MAC Ashbury (LE, $17.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- Sydney Grace Admiral (P, $5.25) is lighter (90% similar).
- Urban Decay Old Smoke (LE, $19.00) 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
Talc, Lauroyl Lysine, Isopropyl Titanium Triisostearate, Octyldodecyl Stearate, Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate, Magnesium Myristate, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol. May Contain (+/-): Carmine (Ci 75470), Iron Oxides (Ci 77491), Iron Oxides (Ci 77492), Iron Oxides (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.
Look Using this Product
Coconut Grove
PPermanent. $19.00.
Biarritz
NARS Biarritz Eyeshadow (2018) ($19.00 for 0.04 oz.) is a bright beige with soft, warm undertones and a matte finish. It had excellent pigmentation that adhered fairly well to bare skin, though it sheered out a bit. The consistency was denser and more substantial than a lot of the matte eyeshadows I’ve tried by NARS, which gave it better opacity on bare skin, but it did have some powderiness and fallout that could drop down and cause deeper matte shades to look lighter (almost ashy). It wore well for seven and a half hours on me.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- LORAC Blanc (PiP, $19.00) is cooler (95% similar).
- Too Faced Peach Cream (PiP, $16.00) is warmer (95% similar).
- NYX I Have a Headache (P, $4.50) is darker, cooler (95% similar).
- Tarte Base Coat (LE, ) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- Laura Mercier Buttercream (PiP, $23.00) is darker (95% similar).
- Wet 'n' Wild The Night's Quad #2 (LE, ) is cooler (95% similar).
- ColourPop Crystal Cove (LE, $4.50) is darker (95% similar).
- Tarte Compassionate (LE, ) is more muted, warmer (95% similar).
- Sydney Grace Coconut (PiP, $5.25) is lighter (90% similar).
- Anastasia Vanilla (P, $12.00) is 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.
Lovely range of shades and finishes, although the glittery/sparkly one was not quite as good as the others. I love Stud the best and it is a kind of a pewter shade, which I adore.
Beautiful eye look Christine.
Thank you so much, Genevieve!
Love your eye look here…muted yet colorful
I like Verona. I typically do not buy singles anymore and dumped all my Nars shadows and blushes which I had been hoarding since the early 2000’s. It was difficult to part with them so I’m reluctant to jump back in with the reformulation. Still, there are a few of the new shades which are calling to me, but I’m playing the waiting game. Just caught the Huda post and eyeballing the PMcG. ?
I really love the looks of Verona! Stud is gorgeous, too.
The shade argentina is beautiful! Reminds me of Tom Ford Tempete Bleu, are they very very similar?
I think you’re thinking of another shade?
https://www.temptalia.com/side-by-side/?sbs_1_search=Tom+Ford+Beauty+Tempete+Bleu&sbs_1=328208&sbs_2_search=NARS+Argentina&sbs_2=355245