NARS Virgin Gorda, Guayaquil, Galapagos, Bengali Eyeshadows Review & Swatches
Virgin Gorda
NARS Virgin Gorda Eyeshadow (2018) ($19.00 for 0.04 oz.) is a medium peach with warm undertones and a metallic sheen. It had excellent pigmentation with a smooth, lightly creamy texture that wasn’t too dense nor too soft in the pan, so it applied without fallout but still blended out easily. The color stayed on well for eight hours on me.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Urban Decay Club Hop (LE, $19.00) is less shimmery, darker (95% similar).
- Wet 'n' Wild Walking on Eggshells #4 (PiP, ) is lighter (95% similar).
- ColourPop Unsupervised (LE, $4.50) is more shimmery, darker, warmer (95% similar).
- Tarte Heat Wave (LE, ) is more shimmery, lighter (95% similar).
- ColourPop Diamond Cut (PiP, $4.50) is warmer (95% similar).
- Inglot J301 Pink Satin (LE, $10.00) is more shimmery, lighter (95% similar).
- Urban Decay Last Sin (LE, $19.00) is more shimmery, warmer (95% similar).
- Sephora Twinkle Twinkle (362) (P, $9.00) is more shimmery, warmer (95% similar).
- Too Faced Sparkling Cider (LE, $16.00) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (95% similar).
- Anastasia Dreamer (LE, $12.00) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (95% 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
Virgin Gorda
PPermanent. $19.00.
Guayaquil
NARS Guayaquil Eyeshadow (2018) ($19.00 for 0.04 oz.) is a deep, coppery brown with warm undertones and a satin sheen. It had opaque color payoff paired with a smooth texture that wasn’t too firmly nor too softly pressed in the pan, so it picked up easily with a brush and adhered well to bare skin without fallout. It wore well for eight and a half hours before fading on me.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- NARS Hard to Get (DC, $25.00) is more shimmery, darker (95% similar).
- Pat McGrath Copper Toned (PiP, $25.00) is more shimmery (90% similar).
- Charlotte Tilbury The Dolce Vita #2 (PiP, ) is more shimmery, darker, warmer (90% similar).
- Make Up For Ever I702 Mahogany (DC, $17.00) is more shimmery (90% similar).
- Tarte Metal Work (LE, ) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- theBalm #39 (P, $6.50) is darker, warmer (90% similar).
- NARS Alnwick (DC, $25.00) is less shimmery, darker, cooler (90% similar).
- Urban Decay Dirty Talk (PiP, $19.00) is more shimmery, darker, cooler (85% similar).
- Fenty Beauty Foxy (LE, ) is more shimmery, lighter, brighter (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
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Talc, Dimethicone, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Magnesium Myristate, Octyldodecyl Stearate, Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, [+/- (May Contain/Peut Contenir): Bismuth Oxychloride (Ci 77163), Carmine (Ci 75470), Iron Oxides (Ci 77491), Iron Oxides (Ci 77492), Iron Oxides (Ci 77499), Manganese Violet (Ci 77742), 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.
Guayaquil
PPermanent. $19.00.
Galapagos
NARS Galapagos Hardwired Eyeshadow (2018) ($22.00 for 0.04 oz.) is a medium-dark brown with warmer, reddish undertones and flecks of gold micro-sparkle. It was easier to work with and keep some of the sparkles on my lid in the Hardwired formula than the original, regular eyeshadow formula that came before it. It had semi-opaque pigmentation with less richness applied with a dry brush, whereas dampened application yielded opaque coverage and a smoother application with better adherence of the sparkles as well. It lasted nicely for eight hours with slight fallout when I used it damp and moderate fallout when I used it dry.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Hourglass Rich Brown (PiP, ) is less shimmery, lighter, cooler (95% similar).
- MAC Choco Cake (LE, $17.00) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- Tarte Heartbreaker (LE, ) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- MAC Brown Down (P, $17.00) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- ColourPop Hot Bod (PiP, $4.50) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- Chanel Quintessence #2 (LE, ) is darker (90% similar).
- Bad Habit Gaia (PiP, ) is less shimmery, lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- Viseart Grande Pro (Vol. 1) #9 (LE, ) is less shimmery, lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- Viseart Mocha (Warm Mattes #11) (P, ) is less shimmery, lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- Melt Cosmetics Whiskey Neat (LE, ) is less shimmery, lighter (85% 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
Galapagos
PPermanent. $22.00.
Bengali
NARS Bengali Eyeshadow (2018) ($19.00 for 0.04 oz.) is a medium, taupe-brown with subtle, warm undertones and a matte finish. It had nearly opaque pigmentation with a soft, velvety texture that was smooth without being powdery, which helped it sit well on my skin and blend out with little effort. It wore well for eight hours before fading noticeably on me.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Viseart Grande Pro (Vol. 1) #4 (LE, ) is darker (95% similar).
- Sydney Grace Frappe (Deep) (PiP, $5.25) is lighter (95% similar).
- Too Faced Sexpert (PiP, $16.00) is darker, warmer (95% similar).
- Kaja Cocoa Dip (PiP, ) is darker (95% similar).
- Pretty Vulgar Nest Egg (PiP, ) is darker, warmer (95% similar).
- Inglot J323 Walnut (LE, $10.00) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- Make Up For Ever M631 Cappuccino (P, $17.00) is warmer (95% similar).
- Stila Being (PiP, ) is darker (95% similar).
- Hourglass Neutral Brown (PiP, ) is darker (95% similar).
- Natasha Denona Titania (108CM) (PiP, ) is darker (95% 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.
These are definitely work horse shades – very practical. I like the Virgin Gorda shade the best because it is the kind of shade that will work with any other colour and it is also, probably, the one you hit pan on first in a palette.
Gorgeous eye look Christine.
I know Virgin Gorda is named after a place, but it’s still such a silly/weird name for an eyeshadow.
Nars LOVES place names; the more obscure, the better. Either that, or sex: yet another mascara with an overt sex theme! Ribbed, no less.
Okay, so they decided to give an eyeshadow one of the most bizarre names ever: Fat Girl Virgin….?
I’m not even mad at it. Nope. I’d wear that!
With Galápagos!
I’m from Ecuador, Guayaquil is a big and beautiful city located in the coast of the country and our ecuadorian Galápagos Islands are a pretty amazing and unique place! I should buy both shades as a tribute to my country! Virgin Gorda (fat) is one of the British Virgin Islands but I have to say it’s a funny name for an eye shadow lol. All the shades are very nice and as always your look is stunning Christine!