NARS Wildfire (Spring 2017) Velvet Shadow Sticks Reviews, Photos, Swatches

Christine — Tue, 07 Feb 2017 19:00:00 +0000

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).

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ColourPop Secret Garden (LE, $6.00) is darker (95% similar).
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).
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).
ColourPop Fool's Rush (PiP, $4.50) is more shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
Marc Jacobs Beauty The Starlet #4 (PiP, ) is darker (90% similar).
ColourPop Sundance (PiP, $6.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar).

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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.

Product

Pigmentation

Texture

6.5

Longevity

Application

66%

Total

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).

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Tom Ford Beauty Honeymoon #1 (PiP, ) is more shimmery, warmer (95% similar).
Tarte Medium (LE, ) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
Too Faced Friendspiration (LE, $16.00) is darker (90% similar).
theBalm #21 (P, $6.50) is lighter (90% 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).

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Formula Overview

$28.00/0.05 oz. - $560.00 Per Ounce

Browse all of our NARS Velvet Shadow Stick swatches.

Siros

PPermanent. $28.00.

Product

Pigmentation

Texture

6.5

Longevity

4.5

Application

76%

Total

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).

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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).

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Possible Dupes

These are likely to be very similar shades based on our duping algorithm.

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

Browse all of our NARS Velvet Shadow Stick swatches.

Usbek

LELimited Edition. $28.00.

C+

Product

8.5

Pigmentation

Texture

6.5

Longevity

4.5

Application

79%

Total

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).

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Formula Overview

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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).
ColourPop Mavs (LE, $4.50) is lighter (90% similar).
Buxom Husky (P, $18.00) is less shimmery, lighter (90% 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).

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Formula Overview

$28.00/0.05 oz. - $560.00 Per Ounce

Browse all of our NARS Velvet Shadow Stick swatches.

Grand Large

LELimited Edition. $28.00.

Product

Pigmentation

Texture

5.5

Longevity

2.5

Application

49%

Total

NARS Belle-Ile Velvet Shadow Stick

NARS Siros Velvet Shadow Stick

NARS Usbek Velvet Shadow Stick

NARS Grand Large Velvet Shadow Stick

NARS Belle-Ile Velvet Shadow Stick

NARS Siros Velvet Shadow Stick

NARS Usbek Velvet Shadow Stick

NARS Grand Large Velvet Shadow Stick

Temptalia

NARS Wildfire (Spring 2017) Velvet Shadow Sticks Reviews, Photos, Swatches

Belle-Ile

Top Dupes

Formula Overview

Belle-Ile

PPermanent. $28.00.

Quick Shop: Sephora, Ulta, Nordstrom, NARS

Siros

Top Dupes

Formula Overview

Siros

PPermanent. $28.00.

Quick Shop: Sephora, Ulta, Nordstrom, NARS

Usbek

Top Dupes

Formula Overview

Usbek

LELimited Edition. $28.00.

Quick Shop: Sephora, Ulta, Nordstrom, NARS

Grand Large

Top Dupes

Formula Overview

Grand Large

LELimited Edition. $28.00.

Quick Shop: Sephora, Ulta, Nordstrom, NARS