NARS Dual-Intensity eyeshadows, my review | Bonnie Garner

I have to warn you, if you’re not a fan of the makeup brand NARS, you must feel like you’re having an overdose coming here, at the moment ! wink

Because finally, yes, NARS is available here in Dubai!!! I mean in a real, proper store, not only online. Because, especially for makeup, nothing beats a good old beauty counter, where you can do a little swatchy swatch of everything on your forearm!

As soon as I could (like, the official launch day), I ran to the Sephora in Mall of the Emirates to finally get my hands on all the products I had wish-listed for months. Yes, that’s true, I spent a little bit of time on Temptalia‘s website, I’m not gonna lie! wink

Most importantly, I had the opportunity to discover the new Dual-Intensity eyeshadows during the press presentation in Dubai, last June. Since then, I was kind of obsessed by them.
I guess I was not the only one, am I, Fatma, Laura and Simone? wink

Nars Dual-Intensity eyeshadows, what are they?

So these are mono eyeshadows, with a metallic finish that can be used dry (like conventional eyeshadows) or wet (with a wet brush).
So NARS calls these eyeshadows “dual-intensity”. First, the colours have many different reflections with their metallic finish. But being able to use them either wet or dry also really changes the intensity of the colour.

Using it dry, it is more “powdery” and light on the skin, but certainly more wearable during the day. Using it wet, the finish is completely metallic, and also more opaque, with higher pigmentation too. The texture is much creamier. As you can tell, I much preferred using them wet than dry! ;)

For the application, I didn’t buy the brush that NARS created especially for these eyeshadows, and I’m using a Sephora brush that is perfect in this case: the number 28. Basically a synthetic brush, a little fluffy. I think it’s ideal. The Real Techniques eye brushes are also not too bad (when they don’t fall apart, but that’s another story).

NARS has done things really well, as usual. These eyeshadows are very high quality, with impressive pigmentation and beautiful texture (almost no fall out during application, which is quite an achievement for a eyeshadow with this type of finish). The formula is great and very innovative!

I also absolutely love the packaging!

It’s a square box with a cute mini mirror inside along with it’s own magnetic opening (I love this trend in packaging!!!) (I was always breaking my nails with boxes that were impossible to open). With these products, NARS has also finally changed this annoying gummy aspect on its packaging which was a major dust catcher, so I can finally keep my products almost clean (my inner house cleaning OCD is very happy).

The lasting power is also very good. Once applied, they don’t move anywhere and don’t crease. However, they blend perfectly and they’re very easy to apply; the texture is very buttery.
As a precaution, I always use my trusty Smudge Proof Eye Shadow Base (the black and white tube on the picture above). It really makes my very oily eyelids keep my makeup all day (and night if I want).

They’re not exactly cheap. They are cost 29$ each. Yep. The quality is just crazy though. I don’t regret my purchase (but my bank manager thinks I need help).

So let me introduce you to five (yes, 5)(ahem) colours that I bought.

Just a small clarification: I had a terrible time taking pictures of these eyeshadows! They are so bright and shiny on the sun that my camera refused to focus, and a lot of my photos were bad and blurry. I tried twice with the same poor results. So I apologize in advance for the quality of my photos.

NARS Dual-Intensity eyeshadow in Cassiopeia:

Nars Dual Intensity eye-shadows Cassiopeia

NARS describes Cassiopeia as an “iridescent electric pink”. For me, this is more a kind of pretty pinkish electric white, almost bluish. This is not the most pigmented of the collection, it’s a little bit sheer. This does make it easier to wear, because an opaque white eyeshadow is not really the easiest makeup! wink
Generally, I prefer to use it dry, combined with other colors (it’s beautiful paired with Phoebe for exemple). I find it very beautiful placed in the inner corner of the eye or on the middle of the eyelid. It really catch the light.
It’s very easy to wear. I’m sure this color is also beautiful on brown eyes!

NARS Dual-Intensity eyeshadow in Callisto:

Nars Dual Intensity eye-shadows Callisto

NARS speaks of a “icy pink silver” to describes Callisto‘s colour. For me, it’s a silvery taupy mauve, with a strong metallic effect. This one is very pigmented, not transparent like Cassiopeia, so I use it wet to reveal its brilliance. Most of the time, I’ll use it only paired with black liner, but I tried it over a matte black eyeshadow, and it was stunning! For a more dramatic makeup, that’s a good option! wink
I think this is really one of the most successful of the collection, especially if you like that kind of “liquid metal” effect.

NARS Dual-Intensity eyeshadow in Dione:

The star of the collection! Watch out, Dione is always out-of-stock! wink
It’s a beautiful shade, for sure, and it’s also the easiest color to wear, one that anyone can wear, every eye colour really.
NARS describes it as a “metallic champagne beige” and it’s exactly that. An ultra bright color that instantly awakens the eyes. The kind of color that we all definitely need! wink
I prefer to use it wet, for its highly shiny effect and I often used it as the halo on my eyelid with a black liner (like Callisto) or paired with Himalaia. I love the duo of these two colors!

NARS Dual-Intensity eyeshadow in Himalaia:

Nars Dual Intensity eye-shadows Himalaia

Personally, Himalaia is my favorite. For NARS, this is a “Shimmering Topaz”. I would describe it more as a light and warm bronze. It’s a beautiful color that really enhances the eyes, not too dark, but intense.
And again, I mostly used it wet. It’s clear that Himalaia is the one I wear the most (I chose it for my photos at the of this blog post). I’m wearing it alone or in combination with Dione. And I’m sure it will be gorgeous with a beautiful emerald green or a golden khaki liner! Even a navy blue, why not? Oh, so many possibilities! wink

NARS Dual-Intensity eyeshadow in Phoebe:

So far, Phoebe is the least favorite of my (not too) small collection.
I hesitated a lot between this color and Subra (a dark plum). I bought Phoebe online, with the risk of misinterpretation of color that results from buying makeup online that you’ve never seen in real life.
I saw expected it to be a lot darker than it actually is. This is, according to NARS, a “deep shimmering amethyst” colour and this “deep” confused me… This is a fairly light pinkish purple, and I find that it lacks a intensity.
In any case, I use it rather wet than dry so that the color comes out better, but I’ll have to experiment a little to see its possibilities, I guess. If you have it and you love it, feel free to let me know ways to wear it in the comments! smile