Nars Dual-Intensity Eye Shadows were one of the products that caused lots of buzz in 2014. These arrived to Europe quiet late. I have ordered then a few sight-unseen. As expected I went for the purples and plums, Desdemona, Phoebe and Callisto. I have reviewed two of them here. For a single eye shadow which comes rather expensive, I was not very convinced of the highly frosty/metallic finish. As a single I wouldn't use it. I ended up buying no more colors and the ones I have gotten moved unloved to the bottom of my drawer.
After I have seen that eight shades are being released in an eye shadow palette I considered to give it all a second go. I was lucky that none of the singles I have were in the palette as well, another thing which convinced me to pull the trigger.
Is it love? Is it like? Me and metallics how do we get along?
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| Nars Dual Intensity Eyeshadow Palette |
First things first, I really like the packaging. The plastic is sturdy and the the lid is covered with a mirror. It does pick up some finger prints but I appreciate that it is not the rubbery gummy lid like other Nars palettes. Inside the lid there is another mirror as well. Both of the mirrors are not really made of glass so although the packaging looks elegant, it is not too heavy. The compact has a click opening but it is not hard to open/close.
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| Nars Dual Intensity Eyeshadow Palette Compact |
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| Close-up: Nars Dual Intensity Eyeshadow Palette |
Nars Dual-Intensity Eyeshadow Palette comes with a synthetic brush #49, called Wet/Dry Eyeshadow Brush and can be purchased separately for $28 (although this one is said to be mini, I believe it is just the handle). I can already tell you that the eye shadow brush works wonderfully with this formula. I am so frustrated with all the brushes which come inside palettes and never work, so this was a great surprise.
Aside from Ursa Major all of the shades here are in the permanent range. Usually a single comes with 1.5 g of product. In the palette each eye shadow is 1 g. All of the shades can be used wet and dry. Some swatch great once dry but I like using them wet most. Even after using them wet, the surface doesn't harden and can be used dry next time, thumbs up for this.
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| Swatch of First Row: Nars Dual Intensity Eyeshadow Palette |
Europa is a light cool pink with subtle duo chrome shimmer and satin to shimmery finish. It is great for an everyday look all over the lid.
Himalia is a mid-toned bronze taupe with metallic finish. It is one of the frosty ones and I like it most once applied over a deeper shade.
Ursa Major is a mid toned cool brown with satin to shimmery finish. The finish of this one is close to Europa and it is great to deepen the crease in a natural look.
Subra is a very deep aubergine with shimmery finish. Subra is more shimmery than Europa and Ursa Major. I like using it on the crease or all over the lid for a smoky eye.
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| Swatch of Second Row: Nars Dual Intensity Eyeshadow Palette |
Andromeda is a very pale shimmery neutral pink. It is almost white, I like it mostly on the inner corner of the eyes.
Lysithea is a mid-toned metallic neutral silver. I like that it is not too cool for me to pull off. Still I am a little reluctant to use it on an extended area because I fear that finish and color may not be the most flattering for me.
Giove is a deep neutral blue with metallic finish. I like Lysithea and Subra both as a base and apply them all over the lid before layering some of the lighter shades on top.
Sycorax is a very deep black with satin finish. It can be used as a liner or a definition shade, great to have it in there.
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| FOTD with Europa, Andromeda and Subra |
One thing I really appreciate with this palette is the versatility. Although it looks like metallic shades over kill, it is easy to go for a subtle day look (up) or a metallic smokey look (down). For the neutral look (up) I have used Europa all over the lid, mixed a little Andromeda on the inner corner and defined the crease with Subra.
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| FOTD with Giove, Himalia, Ursa Major and Sycorax |
For an intenser look, I applied Giove all over the lid and blended over the crease with Ursa Major. then I added Himalia in the middle of the lid. I used all of the shadows wet and with the brush provided. To make the brush damp, I have sprayed some MAC Fix + on it from a distance. You have seen this look on my last post about Laura Mercier Paint Wash Lip Colors, hence for this FOTD I am wearing Rosewood from that range.
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| FOTD with Lysithea, Himalia, Ursa Major and Sycorax |
My favorite way to use Nars Dual-Intensity Eyeshadow Palette is to layer shades. I especially like the lighter shades padded wet on the deeper shades. There are not many edgy palettes for spring and this is definitely one which is not to miss. Unless you own at least three/four of the shades. Although my singles never received the love they deserved, I am trying hard not to use this palette every single day. I am hooked! That is because these shades make sense all together and they are especially pretty once layered. I am too lazy to open up a handful of singles to create a look in the morning. I also thing that singles are shades which have to work great on their own. I think Dual Intensity Eye Shadows are better in a palette than they are as singles. Does that make sense?
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| Nars Dual Intensity Eyeshadow Palette |
Final thoughts: Love love love. I love the packaging, consistency and versatility. The shades layer beautifully and the surface stays usable after wet application. The pattern doesn't wear off easily. Even the provided brush is useful! Although the shades are not full sizes (1 g instead of 1.5g) it is a great deal. If you get one palette this spring, make it this one!
Availability: Nars Dual-Intensity Eyeshadow Palette was available in the states through brands web store since January, where I purchased mine. It will be available in Sephora from 1st of February. As for Europe, it was available shortly on nars.eu but Ingrid reported that there are over 500 orders they couldn't process and she is waiting for hers over a week. Let's hope for the best. My instincts tell me that Sephora.fr might get it as well.
How do you feel about Nars Dual-Intensity Eye Shadows? Are you getting this palette?
Disclaimer: The product in this post is purchased by me.
