Nude & Champagne Eyeliners: Your Guide

Two years ago, I went through and swatched every eyeliner I owned by color, so that they could easily be compared.  It’s time for a re-do, because we have so many more shades to add to our comparisons!  Our first part of this on-going series is a comparison of the various nude and champagne eyeliners I have on hand.  This shade is typically used on the lower lash line or water line to help brighten and open up eyes.

1. BAREMINERALS 5AM is a pewter–it’s a dirty, cool-toned gold with a silvered sheen. I didn’t expect it to be similar to anything here, but it didn’t fit well with golds either.
2. MAC GILDED WHITE is a warm white gold with a metallic sheen. (LE)
3. MAC NC15/NW20 is a light beige/fleshy shade. It is a hair darker than NARS Rue Bonaparte.
4. MAC NW25/NC30 is a darker version of NW15/NC20. Almost looks like a darkened peach.  It is very similar to Givenchy #2.
5. MAC NC42/NW35 is darker version of NW25/NC30. It looks a bit peachy/orange on me.
6. GIVENCHY #2 is a warm, peachy beige with yellow-beige undertones and a mostly matte finish. It is comparable to MAC NW25/NC30.
7. NARS RUE BONAPARTE is a soft beige with a matte finish. It is just barely lighter than MAC NC15/NW20.
8. MAC I GET NO KICK is a soft champagne nude with a metallic sheen. (LE) It is ever-so-slightly warmer than MUFE #23L but very comparable to UD Midnight Cowboy.
9. MAKE UP FOR EVER #23L is a shimmering golden champagne with a nearly metallic finish. This shade is slightly less warm compared to MAC I Get No Kick and UD Midnight Cowboy.
10. URBAN DECAY MIDNIGHT COWBOY is a shimmering champagne peach with a subtle metallic sheen. (LE) This is most comparable to MAC I Get No Kick.  An alternative to this shade would be Urban Decay’s Shadow Pencil of the same name.

TEMPTALIA PICKS:  #1 (high quality), #3-6 (good formula), #9 (versatile, readily available)

Behind-the-Series:  These swatches should not be used to judge the quality of an eyeliner.  Some eyeliners required one pass, some required five, and a few even more.  It was my intention to provide heavy, opaque swatches to provide an accurate color comparison.  When possible, the shade name (above) is linked to the original review.  If we’ve never done a review, there will be no link.  Shades that were limited edition will be marked with “(LE)” and shades that were discontinued will be marked with “(DC)” after the color description.  You can also find all comparisons on The Dupe List.

What’s your favorite champagne/nude eyeliner?

See more swatches!

Nude Eyeliners: bareMinerals 5AM, MAC Gilded White, MAC NC15/NW20, MAC NW25/NC30, MAC NC42/NW35, Givenchy #2, NARS Rue Bonaparte, MAC I Get No Kick, MUFE #23L, UD Midnight Cowboy

Nude Eyeliners: bareMinerals 5AM, MAC Gilded White, MAC NC15/NW20, MAC NW25/NC30, MAC NC42/NW35, Givenchy #2, NARS Rue Bonaparte, MAC I Get No Kick, MUFE #23L, UD Midnight Cowboy

Nude Eyeliners: bareMinerals 5AM, MAC Gilded White, MAC NC15/NW20, MAC NW25/NC30, MAC NC42/NW35, Givenchy #2, NARS Rue Bonaparte

Nude Eyeliners: NARS Rue Bonaparte, MAC I Get No Kick, MUFE #23L, UD Midnight Cowboy