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I’ve had more flops from NARS in the last year or so than I would have expected, so that’s been disappointing. I also feel they rely too much on the same types of colors, like Laguna or Orgasm, and they have a much fuller blush/bronzer range to highlight. I like how edited their seasonal launches usually are.
— Christine
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They have some cult favorites, which I’ve tried and liked, but eventually decluttered.
I think they’re overpriced, especially their eyeshadow palettes, and haven’t seen anything new from them in a while… but I’ve also stopped following their releases, too, because they haven’t been a brand that has interested me in quite some time.
Because they’re a brand I only buy from occasionally, I am no expert. However, I love everything that I do have from them. I owe that to your reviews, though.
I do have a few pet peeves about them, however.
1.) What you mentioned above about them overusing the same few shades over and over and over again.
2.) I realize that sex sells, but they sometimes cross the line a bit too far with names and on a few occasions, imagery.
The eyeshadow duos, singles and palettes I have from them are excellent (of course, they’ve got plenty of duds, but what brand doesn’t?) They have several other products I really like (NOT their supposedly Radiant Creamy Concealer, which from my experience is dulling, dry and makes my under-eye area look like a dry river bed) – setting powders, blush, some liners, but I feel their lipsticks especially are overpriced. I also don’t like that so few of the products I do like are available any longer at Sephora.
They’re always been a bit erratic. Way BITD, it was the newer, edgier game in town. The blushes were good, the l/s decent, and the shadows always iffy. The base products, even the renowned RCC, are BF nos for me. The cult products, uh, least fave. I liked the old artist palettes in concept. I still like the blush palettes. Tryst, Wanted, varied, good quality. Right now, I think of Nars as a nostalgia line. Time has passed them by.
I like their cult classics- the Orgasm/Laguna cheek duo and the Dolce Vita Velvet lip pencil have been longtime favorites of mine. When they got their shades right, they really did get them right.
As for dislikes – well, unfortunately their newer releases haven’t been very exciting, their branding feels somewhat dated and overly sexualized product names really out of place.
They were one of the earlier brands to have an extensive shade range for base products, and darker skin friendly blush, but my favorite thing about the brand is also my major frustration. The power matte lip pigment is my favorite liquid lip formula and despite its popularity they seem to have abandoned any plans for shade extensions. Instead of giving us a new matte liquid lip formula that isn’t as good, just give us more of the product we already liked.
They have some great blushes and other permanent products, but they seem to be stuck in a rut the last couple years. Everything has been looking the same. They’ve beat the Orgasm horse to death.
I love their shades and sophistication, but I HATE that they test on animals! I keep wondering if that has changed, or if it will change. I won’t buy it until they stop!
Well, I just love Nars. My first Nars lippie was Dolce Vita and the powder Nico ! Loved them. Not crazy about Orgasm blush, pulls too orange peach on me. I do wish they’d expand/bring back some great sheer lippies.
I love Nars Blushes, but I have become disenchanted with the rest of their line. It’s sad really when you know what they are capable of.
I pretty much only have a few blushes and Laguna bronzer. The blushes are all great so I agree with you, Christine, why isn’t NARS highlighting a few more shades? Laguna, ehh, take it or leave it. It isn’t the best bronzer I’ve tried, but its far from the worst, but why doesn’t the brand highlight other shades? They used to have a nice lipstick formula, but I haven’t tried anything in years. I just don’t feel the brand pulling me in with what they offer. One thing I’m not fond of is the names. I’m over it already regardless of the brand. The shock has worn off. Its no longer edgy. Can we please move on? Personally, I’d rather see shade names as “numbers” instead of “Orgasm”, “Deep Throat”, or in UDs case drug nicknames.
Like: Their Audacious lipstick line was a winner, so too are their many blushes. The eyeshadow palettes can be hit and miss.
Dislike: The names of their products are often overly sexualised and I really dislike that.
My favorite NARS orgasm incantation is the liquid orgasm. I love this so much I am almost out of it. I actually use it as a base for almost any other blush brand and place other blush powders on top. My favorite. I have not tried the potted blush nor the tubes however one of these might be my next purchase.
I hate that Nars dropped its cruelty-free status after entering the Chinese market. It also makes me sad that the collections they put out revolve around the same colors. I wish all collections were as lovingly done as the Claudette collection.
I love Nars concealers and lip products with a passion. I love their single eyeshadows very much as well.
I don’t think I’ve bought anything from NARS since they stopped being cruelty free just to get into the Chinese market. I was so sad that they did that and angry.
I have and still use some of their products and there are some I do love. The Audacious lipsticks are wonderful, their blushes are very good, and I do love Orgasm, mine is getting old and I will repurchase. I liked Nico as well. Some of the eyeshadows are nice.
I finally found Train Bleu just about an hour ago on one of the local retailers, so I may buy that, I’ve wanted it for years.
Apart form what I’ve mentioned nothing stands out , I think.
I’m getting really tired of all the sex oriented names.
Nars..where to begin. For me Nars is the original mid luxury brand. It played a big part in making the industry what it is in terms of makeup artist inspired/ created brands. Every product i’ve tried from them be it my first Torrid blush, velvet matte lip pencils, liquid blush in dolce vita or their single eye shades, concealer, lipstick shades in anna and anita have been my go to’s . I just wish they kept at the forefront…release something innovative, but it seems they have slowed down their game compared to the many competitors on the market now and just follow the trends instead of leading them.
I love the Tinted moisturiser…. The shade Sydney is for me and it couldn’t be better!
I haven’t bought anything from NARS for ages. I loved their Catfight lipstick in its original formula which sadly is no longer available. I also loved their Night Series palette which I still have.
What I DON’T love about the brand, however, is that they’re no longer cruelty free 🙁
NARS was my go-to brand for the longest time because they did excellent staples and also liked to shake things up with less common shades. Unfortunately, when they expanded and revoked their cruelty-free status, things started going down the drain. The Soft Matte Concealer and Radiant Tinted Moisturizer are fantastic, but I haven’t seen a single good complexion release from them since then. Their new foundations are all terrible. Their blushes still are a staple, though. It’s too bad that they opted to expand and the quality went down, but there are enough new brands out there that are cruelty-free and are doing what NARS used to do, so I don’t feel bad about leaving the OG behind.
Like the blushes! Like their texture, how smooth they go on and the spectrum of colors.
Don’t like that I haven’t been inspired by any palettes or singles in a loooooog time.