NARSissist Dual-Intensity Eyeshadow Palette ($79.00 for 0.24 oz.) includes eight shades, seven of which are part of the permanent range (Ursa Major is, at this time, exclusive to the palette). The Dual-Intensity formula is supposed to give eight-hour, can be used wet or dry (dry for “sheer soft touch of sensual color” and wet for “high-impact finish”). They are sheerer applied dry, but I find them surprisingly buildable dry as well, so it takes two to three layers, and it doesn’t take real packing on, just going back for a little more product. They will be more intense right off the bat if applied with a damp brush, though, which is as described. The formula has a soft, finely-milled feel to it, and they’re very smooth and easily blended on the skin. The only downside is the wear varies anywhere from six to nine hours, and dry application seems to consistently wear between six and seven hours before creasing, whereas damp application lasts slightly longer with seven to nine hours of wear. The eyeshadows felt and performed very much in line with their permanent counterparts, but some of the under-performers from the original launch seemed improved in this palette, which is very rare to see.

Each eyeshadow is 0.03 oz., and full-sized versions are 0.05 oz. for $29, which makes the palette a $139 value in terms of amount of product, and in a more big picture way, to get eight shades would run you $232 (though they would be full-sized, just to be clear). I think this palette is an excellent way to try out NARS’ newer eyeshadow formula without completing breaking the bank. All but Ursa Major are part of the permanent range. The palette launches at NARS on January 1st but will head to other retailers and stores that carry the brand on February 1st as well.

Europa is a pink-tinged peach with warm undertones and a soft frosted finish. It had semi-sheer pigmentation applied dry and full opacity applied damp. The version in the palette actually performed better than the single I have–it feels almost smoother and softer (my single felt a little dry). It wore well for six and a half hours dry, seven hours damp. See comparison swatches / view dupes.

Himalia is a medium-dark golden brown with a frosted, metallic sheen. It had semi-sheer coverage applied dry that made the color appear softer and lighter, compared to the damp application, where the color was fully opaque and richer-looking overall. This shade wore well for almost seven hours dry, eight hours when applied damp. See comparison swatches / view dupes.

Ursa Major is a dark brown with subtle, warm undertones and a slight gray tint. It had more of a pearly sheen, though it lookst more satin-like in the pan. It had sheer color payoff applied dry, which intensified to opaque payoff applied damp, though the color seems lighter applied than it appears in the pan. It wore well for six hours when I tried it dry, and it was slightly better applied damp with seven and a half hours of wear. See comparison swatches / view dupes.

Subra is a rich, burgundy purple with subtle, warm undertones and a pearl finish. It had semi-opaque pigmentation dry and was fully opaque applied damp. It wore well for just over seven hours when I wore it dry, but it lasted for almost nine hours when applied damp. See comparison swatches / view dupes.

Andromeda is a light beige with a golden shimmer-sheen finish. It had fairly opaque color both wet and dry, though it was brighter when applied with a dampened brush. It started to crease after six and a half hours applied dry, seven and a half hours applied amp. See comparison swatches / view dupes.

Lysithea is a gray-ish pewter with a hint of olive and gold in it and a metallic sheen. It was sheer applied dry and nearly opaque applied damp. I was able to wear this for six hours before it creased applied dry, and the wear extended to eight hours if I applied it with a dampened brush. This one was also better in the palette, as it actually had color when applied dry. See comparison swatches / view dupes.

Giove is a blackened navy blue with a soft, frosted finish. It had semi-sheer pigmentation applied dry and appeared darker, while applying it with a dampened brush yielded good color payoff and a stronger, brighter blue coloring. It wore well for six and a half hours when I applied it dry, but it lasted for eight hours applied with a damp brush. See comparison swatches / view dupes.

Sycorax is a dark black with a satin finish. It had semi-sheer color payoff when I tried using it dry, and it was very nearly opaque applied damp (and it appeared richer, too). I thought it was softer in the palette than the single. This shade started to crease after six hours of dry wear, and eight hours of wear when applied damp. See comparison swatches / view dupes.

See more photos & swatches!

NARSissist Dual-Intensity Eyeshadow Palette

NARSissist Dual-Intensity Eyeshadow Palette

NARSissist Dual-Intensity Eyeshadow Palette

NARSissist Dual-Intensity Eyeshadow Palette

NARSissist Dual-Intensity Eyeshadow Palette

NARSissist Dual-Intensity Eyeshadow Palette

NARSissist Dual-Intensity Eyeshadow Palette

NARSissist Dual-Intensity Eyeshadow Palette

NARS Europa Dual-Intensity Eyeshadow

NARS Europa Dual-Intensity Eyeshadow

NARS Himalia Dual-Intensity Eyeshadow

NARS Himalia Dual-Intensity Eyeshadow

NARS Ursa Major Dual-Intensity Eyeshadow

NARS Ursa Major Dual-Intensity Eyeshadow

NARS Subra Dual-Intensity Eyeshadow

NARS Subra Dual-Intensity Eyeshadow

NARS Andromeda Dual-Intensity Eyeshadow

NARS Andromeda Dual-Intensity Eyeshadow

NARS Lysithea Dual-Intensity Eyeshadow

NARS Lysithea Dual-Intensity Eyeshadow

NARS Giove Dual-Intensity Eyeshadow

NARS Giove Dual-Intensity Eyeshadow

NARS Sycorax Dual-Intensity Eyeshadow

NARS Sycorax Dual-Intensity Eyeshadow

Andromeda (inner lid), Himalia (middle of lid), Ursa Major (outer lid), Subra (crease),
Europa (brow bone), Sephora Flirting Game Eyeliner

Andromeda (inner lid), Himalia (middle of lid), Ursa Major (outer lid), Subra (crease),
Europa (brow bone), Sephora Flirting Game Eyeliner