NARS Wildfire (Spring 2017) Velvet Shadow Sticks Reviews, Photos, Swatches
Belle-Ile
NARS Belle-Ile Velvet Shadow Stick ($29.00 for 0.05 oz.) is a brighter, medium copper with warm, orange undertones and a golden, pearly sheen. It had semi-sheer coverage, which I was able to build to nearly full coverage with three layers of product. The texture was smooth, slightly creamy but not quite as emollient as most shades in the range. There was some unevenness in the texture as I layered the color, though it did not appear patchy. I noticed creasing after six hours of wear.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- UOMA Beauty Tenerife (LE, ) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- MAC She-nanigans (LE, ) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- Urban Decay Ignite (PiP, $19.00) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- KVD Beauty Hieroglyph (LE, ) is more shimmery, lighter (95% similar).
- ColourPop Secret Garden (LE, $6.00) is darker (95% similar).
- L'Oreal Sunset Seine (P, $5.99) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- Maybelline Caramel Cool (100) (LE, $6.99) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- Marc Jacobs Beauty The Starlet #4 (PiP, ) is darker (90% similar).
- ColourPop Sundance (PiP, $6.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
- Viseart Boheme Dream #5 (LE, ) is lighter (90% similar).
Formula Overview
$28.00/0.05 oz. - $560.00 Per Ounce
It is supposed to be a “long-wearing, crease-proof” formula with a “velvety matte finish” that “glides smoothly” with “high impact.” The formula is certainly an improvement from the Soft Touch Shadow Pencils, which were some of the fastest-creasing products I have ever tested. This formula doesn’t crease as quickly, though wear is only five to six hours, which isn’t stellar.
The texture is creamy enough that it doesn’t tug, but it dries down to a “semi-dry” texture quickly and becomes difficult to really smooth out. Consistently, when blended, the shades often looked patchy and uneven. This was least apparent with lighter shades that were closer to my skin tone, as the natural skin makes the patchiness less obvious, while in contrast, darker shades showed just how patchy and uneven the colors blended out. They’re better as eyeshadow bases, as they’ll last a bit longer with powder on top to set and the powder eyeshadow will help even out the base. In order to use these as an eyeliner, I highly recommend using a separate brush to grab color from the stick, because the stick is very rounded and large, which made it a real challenge to get it close enough to the lash line to line as well as keep the color precise (it always gave me a more jagged line).
NARS came up with some really interesting colors, and they’re ones you don’t see as often with this type of formula, but for me, the formula just didn’t perform well. If you’re looking for a cream-based eyeshadow from NARS, try their Eye Paints, which are far superior.
Browse all of our NARS Velvet Shadow Stick swatches.
Belle-Ile
PPermanent. $28.00.
Siros
NARS Siros Velvet Shadow Stick ($29.00 for 0.05 oz.) is a muted, medium-dark coppery bronze with warm undertones and a golden sheen that also had some larger bits of gold sparkle. It had medium coverage in one pass, which was buildable to opaque coverage in two to three layers. The consistency was creamy without being too emollient, so it was easy and comfortable to run along the eyelid. This shade started to show signs of creasing after six hours of wear.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Tom Ford Beauty Honeymoon #1 (PiP, ) is more shimmery, warmer (95% similar).
- Make Up For Ever D712 Creme Brulee (DC, $21.00) is warmer (90% similar).
- BH Cosmetics Foil Eyes #7 (PiP, ) is lighter (90% similar).
- Makeup Atelier Honey Brown #2 (P, ) is lighter (90% similar).
- ColourPop La-La (P, $6.00) is more shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
- Tom Ford Beauty Reflection (Cream Color) (LE, $45.00) is more shimmery (90% similar).
- Tarte Sassy Bun (LE, ) is lighter (90% similar).
- Rouge Bunny Rouge Angelic Cockatiels (P, $19.00) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- Anastasia Rose (P, $12.00) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- bareMinerals Tan Lines (LE, ) is more shimmery (90% similar).
Formula Overview
$28.00/0.05 oz. - $560.00 Per Ounce
It is supposed to be a “long-wearing, crease-proof” formula with a “velvety matte finish” that “glides smoothly” with “high impact.” The formula is certainly an improvement from the Soft Touch Shadow Pencils, which were some of the fastest-creasing products I have ever tested. This formula doesn’t crease as quickly, though wear is only five to six hours, which isn’t stellar.
The texture is creamy enough that it doesn’t tug, but it dries down to a “semi-dry” texture quickly and becomes difficult to really smooth out. Consistently, when blended, the shades often looked patchy and uneven. This was least apparent with lighter shades that were closer to my skin tone, as the natural skin makes the patchiness less obvious, while in contrast, darker shades showed just how patchy and uneven the colors blended out. They’re better as eyeshadow bases, as they’ll last a bit longer with powder on top to set and the powder eyeshadow will help even out the base. In order to use these as an eyeliner, I highly recommend using a separate brush to grab color from the stick, because the stick is very rounded and large, which made it a real challenge to get it close enough to the lash line to line as well as keep the color precise (it always gave me a more jagged line).
NARS came up with some really interesting colors, and they’re ones you don’t see as often with this type of formula, but for me, the formula just didn’t perform well. If you’re looking for a cream-based eyeshadow from NARS, try their Eye Paints, which are far superior.
Browse all of our NARS Velvet Shadow Stick swatches.
Siros
PPermanent. $28.00.
Usbek
NARS Usbek Velvet Shadow Stick ($29.00 for 0.05 oz.) is a vibrant, medium-dark purple with warmer, plummy undertones and a cooler, blue and violet pearl finish. It had a smooth, creamy consistency that wasn’t too slick, so I was able to build the coverage from semi-opaque to opaque with two layers without getting any patchiness. The edges were a little harder to diffuse compared to a powder eyeshadow, and the richer color made that more apparent. It wore well for six hours on me before creasing.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- MAC Grape (LE, $32.50) is warmer (90% similar).
- Coloured Raine Fetish (DC, $6.99) is lighter (90% similar).
- Melt Cosmetics Flaky (LE, ) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- Urban Decay Vice (DC, $19.00) is lighter, more muted (85% similar).
- MAC Highly Charged (LE, $22.00) is lighter (85% similar).
- Inglot #439 (P, $7.00) is cooler (90% similar).
- Ardency Inn Royal (DC, $21.00) is lighter, brighter, cooler (80% similar).
- MAC Pink Union #2 (LE, $21.00) is lighter, brighter, cooler (80% similar).
- Guerlain Attrape-Coeur #3 (LE, ).
- ColourPop Crown Jewel (P, $4.50).
- Sydney Grace Abigail (Deep) (PiP, $6.25).
Formula Overview
$28.00/0.05 oz. - $560.00 Per Ounce
It is supposed to be a “long-wearing, crease-proof” formula with a “velvety matte finish” that “glides smoothly” with “high impact.” The formula is certainly an improvement from the Soft Touch Shadow Pencils, which were some of the fastest-creasing products I have ever tested. This formula doesn’t crease as quickly, though wear is only five to six hours, which isn’t stellar.
The texture is creamy enough that it doesn’t tug, but it dries down to a “semi-dry” texture quickly and becomes difficult to really smooth out. Consistently, when blended, the shades often looked patchy and uneven. This was least apparent with lighter shades that were closer to my skin tone, as the natural skin makes the patchiness less obvious, while in contrast, darker shades showed just how patchy and uneven the colors blended out. They’re better as eyeshadow bases, as they’ll last a bit longer with powder on top to set and the powder eyeshadow will help even out the base. In order to use these as an eyeliner, I highly recommend using a separate brush to grab color from the stick, because the stick is very rounded and large, which made it a real challenge to get it close enough to the lash line to line as well as keep the color precise (it always gave me a more jagged line).
NARS came up with some really interesting colors, and they’re ones you don’t see as often with this type of formula, but for me, the formula just didn’t perform well. If you’re looking for a cream-based eyeshadow from NARS, try their Eye Paints, which are far superior.
Browse all of our NARS Velvet Shadow Stick swatches.
Usbek
LELimited Edition. $28.00.
Grand Large
NARS Grand Large Velvet Shadow Stick ($29.00 for 0.05 oz.) is a light-medium sky blue with cool undertones and a metallic sheen. It had sheer coverage, which was buildable to medium coverage, but the texture did no favors as it built up. The consistency, while creamy and smooth on the lid, bunched up and looked uneven and thicker in places as I tried to get more pigmentation out of it. It was really best applied as an all-over wash of color and used as a base for powder eyeshadow. It started to crease after five hours of wear on me.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Fenty Beauty Igloo Bloo (LE, ) is more shimmery, darker (95% similar).
- Giorgio Armani Jade (03) (DC, $39.00) is less shimmery, darker (95% similar).
- JD Glow Secrets (P, $7.50) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (95% similar).
- Terra Moons Rhea (P, $8.50) is more shimmery, darker (95% similar).
- Make Up For Ever I210 Light Turquoise (DC, $21.00) is brighter (95% similar).
- City Color Breezy (P, $6.99) is more shimmery, darker (95% similar).
- Make Up For Ever I204 Sky Blue (DC, $21.00) is brighter (90% similar).
- Glaminatrix Arctic (P, $8.04) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- Maybelline Icy Mint (LE, $6.99) is lighter (90% similar).
- Clionadh Aqua Vitae (P, $5.25) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
Formula Overview
$28.00/0.05 oz. - $560.00 Per Ounce
It is supposed to be a “long-wearing, crease-proof” formula with a “velvety matte finish” that “glides smoothly” with “high impact.” The formula is certainly an improvement from the Soft Touch Shadow Pencils, which were some of the fastest-creasing products I have ever tested. This formula doesn’t crease as quickly, though wear is only five to six hours, which isn’t stellar.
The texture is creamy enough that it doesn’t tug, but it dries down to a “semi-dry” texture quickly and becomes difficult to really smooth out. Consistently, when blended, the shades often looked patchy and uneven. This was least apparent with lighter shades that were closer to my skin tone, as the natural skin makes the patchiness less obvious, while in contrast, darker shades showed just how patchy and uneven the colors blended out. They’re better as eyeshadow bases, as they’ll last a bit longer with powder on top to set and the powder eyeshadow will help even out the base. In order to use these as an eyeliner, I highly recommend using a separate brush to grab color from the stick, because the stick is very rounded and large, which made it a real challenge to get it close enough to the lash line to line as well as keep the color precise (it always gave me a more jagged line).
NARS came up with some really interesting colors, and they’re ones you don’t see as often with this type of formula, but for me, the formula just didn’t perform well. If you’re looking for a cream-based eyeshadow from NARS, try their Eye Paints, which are far superior.
Browse all of our NARS Velvet Shadow Stick swatches.
I don’t understand why Nars hasn’t done anything about the quality of these. Years ago, they were pretty bad and they still seem to be uniformly “bad-to-worse”.
Well, they’re better than before – the prior formula may have lasted 2-5 minutes, lol!
It’s a shame these performed so poorly. There’s some beautiful colors there.
I wish this formula worked better for me!
It’s such a shame that these only last roughly 6 hours before creasing. I was really hoping these would be more like the Laura Mercier ones. Especially Uzbek! Wondering if primer could save that one? Or a super light application of an HD face powder? Perhaps Both?
Primer might help!
I like Siros and Usbeck, wish the formula was a bit better
Me too 🙁
Whoa, I wasn’t expecting grades this low from NARS.
This formula hasn’t been too great for me!
Oops. Nars blew it.
This formula never works quite right for me!
Yikes! Not a very good range despite how lovely the colours are!
I wish it was better!
That purple ??
It’s very vibrant!
Damn, I guess forgetting to add Usbek to my order last night wasn’t a bad thing 🙁 I love the color so that sucks.
Aww! 🙁 Have you tried the formula before?
These aren’t great are they? Apart from being very dupable shades, the wear time and quality of the products is pretty average.
They could be better!
An easy pass as the price range is too high to get such bad grades. I do love Uzbek, though. A wonderful colour, but I have no patience trying to blend eyeshadows that are too stubborn to diffuse nicely.
The colors NARS puts out are always fun!
Christine, have you tried the Laura mercier caviar sticks? If so how would you rate those? Also I have seen how much you like the Armani Eye tints! Have you tried the YSL Full Metal shadows!? My favorites are 4 & 6 🙂
I have reviews for the Caviar Sticks on the blog – just do a search for those – the rating for all products tends to vary from shade to shade!
Thanks – that just saved me some money.
No problem, Brenda!
Beautiful colors, too bad the quality is so poor.
I wish they were better!
What a sobering report. Good that I just got pretty nice eyeshadow sticks 2 euros each…
Ugh 🙁 Such a shame. I’ve never had much luck with eyeshadow sticks anyway (not even the A rated ones) so I’m sure these would be a nightmare for me.
Usbek is gorgeous and seems to be the most opaque..
Yikes, looks like these new colors are the same disappointing formula. I had some of these shadow sticks, but sold them after seeing the F reviews. Not going to bother trying to make these work, even if I got them at a low price.
Usbek is pretty and it got a C+…is it worth trying? I feel like all of these would come off fast…
I was hoping.. Usbek looked so rich and my kind of plummy purple..
I wonder if a primer would help Siros perform at least around 8 hours… I like that it’s not totally pigmented and I love that shade, so poor longevity is the only thing that would prevent me from getting it.
Too bad about Usbek because it’s such a vibrant beautiful shade but somehow I doubt I would ever get that much depth and vibrancy on my eyelid. Plus at that price nothing about application or wear should be difficult! You should start a “How did this happen” hall of shame for products like that light blue. At one point or another I think we’ve all said “How did this ever get to production? “Or “How did this make it to stores?” I vote Grand Large as the first inductee!
i don’t know why NARS can’t seem to do a good job with this kind of product! I actually have Usbek, though, and like it very much as a base for some purple eyeshadow looks (I especially like it under the Thessalonica eyeshadow duo — it’s because I swatched Thessalonica over this in the store that I purchased both products, Thessalonica by itself doesn’t do that much for me, but it looks beautiful over Usbek).
I was all excited about the copper one, Belle Ille, I love the color better than those of the dupes, but the grade is a real turn off.