Generally, I’m not a big fan of Holiday makeup collections and frankly, I’m not really into it (not Holidays, I’m so into that, the Holiday’s collections, not my cup of tea!). NARS usually launch something very different from others makeup brands, so I was curious to see their collection!
For me, holiday makeup collections often equals overdose of glitter, gold, silver … Well, it’s also a lot of red and I love that, but regarding the giant disco ball effect, thank you but no thank you!
However, the great thing about Holiday makeup collections is that it’s easy to find some very cool gift sets at this time of the year! It’s always nice to have some nice products for a good price… in order to make you love ones some gifts, obviously! (oops).
Every year, I’m pretty excited to discover the NARS Holiday collection. Their gift sets are usually amazing (this year is no exception) and their last Holiday makeup collections were also super pretty!
So, what about this year?
NARS Holiday 2014 collection, Laced with Edge*:
I was lucky enough to receive some products from the collection in order to do a review here. So I received three eyeshadows from the collection, three lipsticks, one lip gloss and the blush from the Laced With the Edge collection.
It is a limited edition with a special packaging, inspired by a kind of modernized lace. It’s very pretty (note to the makeup collectors! ;)).
Regarding the choice of colours, it’s not the usual christmassy combo (gold or silver with a bit of red) although the colour’s finishes are still very iridescent. I find it personally classier than the usual big chunks of glitter but still gives a very festive touch. Come on, it’s Christmas anyway!
I won’t insist on the overall quality of the products as it’s quite similar to other NARS products from the permanent collection, same great formulas as usual! wink
Here is a general overview of the products with some swatches:
Opal Coast, Canberra and Gabon eyeshadows:
The colours are lovely and aren’t too christmassy, which I find pretty cool. Indeed, given the price of products, it’s nice to be able to use them more than just during the festive season!
Opal Coast is a very iridescent off-white. The pigmentation of the product is excellent, it’s not sheer at all! This one is my least favorite colour. I find the white a little difficult to wear, even in small touches. It’s funny because younger, I used to love iridescent white eyeshadow and I wore it all the time on my eyelids. Taste changes when you grow up, I guess!
Canberra is a rather bluish dark purple, again very iridescent. Same, a great pigmentation. I love this color, against all (my) expectations. I love to apply it along the lashline, it really makes the color of my eyes pop!
And finally, Gabon, my favorite color of the three! It’s a green khaki/bronze with golden shimmer in it. It’s absolutely sublime.
However, regarding the pigmentation, I found Gabon to not be as good as the two other eyeshadows, it’s a little too sheer for my taste. Well, of course, it’s quite buildable and it’s easy to layer the product in order to add more coverage.
NARS mono eyeshadows are not my favorite, though. I don’t know how to explain that but I find that the duo eyeshadow’s texture is creamier and less dusty than the monos. I have absolutely no idea how it’s possible!
So, these three eyeshadows have a tendency to fall out when you apply them… My tip: dab gently your brush before applying it on your eyelids to remove the excess, it works pretty well! smile
These three eye shadows are available on the NARS website at $25 each.
Adriatic, Femme Fleur and Deadly Catch lipsticks and Soleil d’Orient lip gloss:
I was very pleased with the eyeshadow colours but concerning the lipsticks colours, it’s a different story… You’ll have got to know me by now, beige/brown lipsticks are not really my thing… And if on top of the colour, they have a pearlish finish, that’s definitely the worst for me!
Of course it has to do with my skin tone. I’m quite sure that these kind of colours would be a better match with a darker skin for example.
Adriatic is a light cream pearl lipstick. Yup, cream colour.
Clearly, this one is just not possible on me. I feel like I’m wearing one of those white stick used to protect the lips while I was skiing in the 80s… Nice, really! Obviously, I didn’t take a photo with this one on my lips, ridicule has its limits!
I tried to apply it in light touches in the middle of the lips but no luck, this color just doesn’t work on me at all. However, I think it can be nice on someone with a very dark skin. If it’s your case and you’ve tried it, leave me a comment, I would be interested to know if this type of color works for you! smile
Femme Fleur is a light brown copper with golden shimmer.
Same, I’m not a big fan. This kind of brown/ beige colours, especially with a pearly effect, it doesn’t suit me. But I know that on a more golden skin than mine, it’s very pretty!
Deadly Catch is a carmine red, a beautiful deep cold red (slightly pinkish) which is beautiful and perfect for Holidays. This one clearly screams “Christmas”! Well, of course there is no surprise, I love this lipstick, it’s totally my kind of color. It’s not at all iridescent but it has a glossy finish that really enhance its beautiful shade. A must-have!
These three lipsticks have a very creamy texture and a satin finish. They are comfortable on the lips and last pretty well (3-4 hours).
Soleil d’Orient is a lip gloss and it’s an iridescent champagne beige. Although I love the texture of the NARS glosses (creamy, not sticky at all) and their super pigmentation, this color again is not really the most flattering on me. Too much beige and not enough pink for my taste… Same as what I said above, I think it really depends on your complexion! ; )
I tried it, applied lipstick with a light touch, but almost pearlescent finish is not my favorite either …
The lipsticks and the gloss costs $26 on NARS website.
Almerla blush:
My favorite of the collection!
Almerla is a rather dark pink brown and it has a matte finish. I love the fact that it is matte, I find it so much more natural and beautiful than a splash of glitter on the cheeks! (yes, I’m talking about you, Super Orgasm!)
It’s a really beautiful colour, very easy, and I think it can go with many different skin tones. All you need is to apply more or less depending on your skin tone!
The pigmentation is great, like most NARS blushes, no surprise. The lasting power also. In short, a very good product!
This blush is sold $30 on NARS website.
Finally, here is a preview of the NARS Holiday 2014 collection on me:
I applied the three eyeshadows on my eyes: Opal Coast in the inner corner, Gabon on the eyelid and the outer corner and Canberra in the upper and the lower lashline.
I applied Almerla blush on my cheeks and on my lips, I’m out of my comfort zone because I chose to apply Femme Fleur with a tiny amount of the gloss Soleil d’Orient in the middle.
The result is not ugly, but the beige/brown lips are not my favorite on me!
A second look more classically “christmassy”: I applied Opal Coast all over the eyelid and on the inner corner of the eyes. I paired it with a lot of black eyeliner and mascara.
I applied Almerla on my cheeks and the star of this makeup is obviously Deadly Catch, this sublime red lipstick, on my lips!
And you, what do you think of the NARS Holiday 2014 collection? Do you have a favorite Holiday makeup collection this year?
*: the brand sent me the NARS Holiday 2014 collection for consideration.
Photo credits: bonnie-garner.com
Cet article est aussi disponible en français: NARS collection de Noël 2014, ma revue