NARS 413 BLKR Eyeshadow: Review and Comparisons

 Eyeshadow, NARS  3 Responses »
Apr 062012
 

NARS 413 BLKR ($24) is designed and named for its beautiful New York City boutique at that same address, 413 Bleecker Street. It’s a soft shimmering gray-mauve that exemplify that mix of gray and brick, and the general universal attitude, of the boutique. If you haven’t been there, you really should go. Not only is the space a beautiful oasis of luxury, with an elegant and classic design, but the area is scattered with numerous Marc Jacobs boutiques and a Magnolia Bakery.  It makes for a very pleasant area to explore and shop.

The boutique features the entire NARS line, including some products that are available only at this boutique and online at Narscomsetics.com.

This includes NARS 413 BLKR eyeshadow:  

 This is packaged in the traditional NARS single format, with a small mirror and rubberized black exterior.

 The color is a shimmery mauve-silver-gray neutral that is medium to light in tone.

Here’s a pan comparison between NARS 413 BLKR and NARS Lhasa, released for Spring 2012 (reviewed here). Essentially, NARS Lhasa is deeper and more brown/gray in tone.

I also lined up a few more of my mauve-taupe eyeshadows to compare. Here are NARS 413 BLKR, NARS Lhasa, MAC Moth Brown, Chanel Gris Exquise (reviewed here), and Chanel Fauve (reviewed here).

Here are these items swatched (I’ve also added Chanel Taupe Grise (reviewed here). As you can see, Chanel Gris Exquis is a true gray matte, not a dupe at all.  Chanel Fauve is closer, but with more obvious shimmer.  NARS Lhasa is deeper in tone, slightly less shimmery and with more brown/gray tones.

As  you can see, none of these are a match for NARS 413 BLKR.  All are deeper in tone, and have more gray. NARS 413 BLKR actually makes a beautiful lid color, to wear with NARS Lhasa in the crease, particularly for those with pale skin. There’s a nice compliment of tones between them. This would be true of any other deeper taupe in in the lineup.

Thakoon for Nars Nail Collection

 Nail Polish, NARS  1 Response »
Apr 062012
 

NARS is set to release some of the most gorgeous colors that are perfectly on trend now in the Thakoon for Nars Nail Collection ($18). I beyond excited for these–each of these looks perfect for a Spring/Summer pop of color.  I cannot wait!

As you may know, Francois Nars and fashion designer Thakoon Panichgul work together during New York Fashion Week. It’s sort of perfect that Thakoon is NARS’ first collaboration with a fashion designer for a nail collection. To design this collection, Thakoon was inspirited by the vibrant colors of a typical Indian spice market. As I already love the formula of NARS polishes, I know this is going to be well worth it.

First, below is Lal Mirchi is a Mandarin red that is only available at the NARS 413 Bleecker Street Boutique:

Second, below is Anardana, an azalea pink:

Third is Ratin Jot, an orchid purple:

 

Fourth is Amchoor, a bright yellow:

Fifth is Kutki, a powder blue:

Sixth is Koliary, a cyan blue:

Here are a few images from Thakoon’s Spring 2012 runway:

 

Nars Spring 2012 Lip Products Swatched

 Lipgloss, Lipstick, NARS  8 Responses »
Mar 122012
 

For Spring 2012, Nars released three new lip products as part of its iconic collection. If you fall in love with one, the Nars online site has free 2-day shipping right now with no minimum and no code needed.

First up is the soft, crowd-pleasing warm nude Nars Bilbao satin lipstick ($24).

Accurately described as a “shimmering topaz” this semi-sheer color gives a has a golden beige wash to lips.

It’s a near-nude that has enough color so that it doesn’t wash you out, it leaves a honey glaze color that can be very flattering especially on warm skin tones. Here is Nars Bilbao on Liz:

Here’s a quick swatch comparison with Nars Bilbao, which was closest to Chanel Rouge Coco Baroque. However, Nars Bilbao applies more softly and sheerly than Baroque. Also here is Chanel Rouge Coco Patchouli and Burberry Nude Rose #25.

This Nars collection is a real collection of widely diverse colors and the lip colors are no exception.

 

Nars Spring 2012 brings Pure Matte Lipstick in Valparaiso ($25) a deep beautiful cool red berry.

Although not a traditional color, Valparaiso looks right with evening wear and on cool spring days. Here’s a comparison with a few other vampy darks which I had nearby: Nars Nana Lipgloss, Guerlain Vega, Chanel Rouge Coco in Rouge Noir and Burberry Blueberry Lip Mist.

Here’s how Nars Valparaiso looks on lips, in all of its matte velvet glory:

Nars has also released a Velvet Gloss Lip Pencil in Mexican Rose ($24):

Nars Mexican Rose is an astoundingly beautiful color, particularly on pale lips. It’s a beautiful pink-rose with plenty of color and depth. You can see that it is a beautifully wearable saturated deep rose-pink. Here, it’s compared to the more red Chanel Flamboyante and the more bright pink Chanel Kensington:

Nars Mexican Rose on Liz’s pale pink lips:

Because this pencil has a bit of sheerness, the color is much more muted and deep on my mauve-toned lips. Liz’s lip color is quite light, and so the deep saturated color of Mexican Rose really stands out on her.

All in all, I’d say Nars did an amazing job with three very different lip colors, all suitable for immediate wear. Unfortunately, Liz obtained my Mexican Rose pencil, so I will be buying a replacement for myself. Ah, the joys!

These three lip colors-Mexican Rose, Valparasio and Bilboa–were provided by Nars to Cafe Makeup for consideration for review.

Nars Paramaribo Eyeshadow Duo and Gaiety Look

 Eyeshadow, NARS  6 Responses »
Mar 032012
 

Spring ’12 brings the new Nars Paramaribo Eyeshadow Duo ($34), an lighter olive-gold-brass and a greyed green-bronze. As with many Nars eyeshadow duos, the texture of these was soft, easy to use and blended beautifully. The colors look vibrant in the pan, especially to one who has green/blue eyes and therefore doesn’t own many green eyeshadows. I was pleased to find that the yellow tones in the lighter shade seemed to recede on application into a pretty metallic green-brass that stayed wearable.

When Paramaribo is applied, the colors became gorgeous metallic neutrals. This is unquestionably an amazingly textured eyeshadow duo–the powder is extraordinarily fine and dimensional. One can tell that these colors were formulated with care and attention. Quick swatches:

When Nars Paramaribo is applied, the colors become instantly wearable. The colors neutral bases come out, giving just a subtle wash of color. Although Liz is warm toned, you can see that the yellow tones in the eyeshadow seem to recede when applied, and the olive tone becomes much more of an everyday shade. Is olive the new taupe? You decide.

 

Here, Liz is wearing Nars Gaiety blush. I’ve been wearing Gaiety several times every week–it’s a great Spring blush that looks fresh on warm-toned skin. Of course, it’s lavender tones will look amazing on cool skin tones as well. We did not add any other colors to the lid, and Liz is wearing Chanel Super lipstick.

Both Nars Gaiety Blush and Paramibo product was provided by Nars Cosmetics to Cafe Makeup for review.

Nars Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer SPF 30 PA+++ Review

 Foundation, NARS  13 Responses »
Mar 022012
 

I’ve been wearing the just-released Nars Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer SPF 30 Sunscreen/ PA +++ ($42) for about one month. I picked up the product when I read the Nars brochure, which promised broad spectrum sun protection, increased hydration, giving skin a more radiant and luminous surface and “helping to reduce the appearance of discoloration and dark spots in just four weeks.”

Part of me wondered whether Nars Tinted Moisturizer was an ambitious effort to deliver skin care protection in an everyday foundation-type product. Last year, Le Metier de Beaute’s Peau Vierge promised skin care benefits in its tinted moisturizer, why not other companies? As many of you have noticed, the BB Creme trend promises skin care as well, and currently Dior, Estee Lauder, Boscia and others are introducing those products to the U.S. I chose to investigate Nars, in part because it seemed to offer something seriously different than the others. Nars Tinted Moisturizer improves skin through protection and hydration, relying on Octinoxate 7.4% and Titanium Dioxide 6.1% to keep skin protected from the sun.

Nars Tinted Moisturizer comes in nine shades. At my local Nordstrom, I was matched to Alaska (the 2nd lightest shade), which is a touch too yellow and slightly dark, although not noticeably so once I add bronzer and blush. Some Makeupalley users wear Alaska and they are NC 20/25. Note that I’m really pale now in this post-winter phase, although sometimes I lean NC 15/20, I’m definitely a solid NC15 now.

If I apply this with my fingers, I get medium coverage (with a brush, I can sheer it out). The texture is very lightweight and it feels a little like a gel. It’s weightless and lasts the entire day (14-16 hours). It gives a slightly glowy look that I absolutely love. It doesn’t emphasize any pores. No breakouts or clogging.

The most delightful part is that my skin has noticeably improved. Some darker old acne marks have noticeably lightened. Although the formula is hydrating, it doesn’t feel oily or heavy (the brochure says that the product is oil-free). I love the small size, which I can tuck into my bag without the weight or breakage of a glass product (will be loving this for travel!). It’s a generous 1.9 oz. size (most foundations have 1 ounce only).

Dear reader, I know that foundations are very much “your mileage may vary.” I’ve been absolutely loving this one for me. Unlike Chanel Perfection Lumiere, the Nars has more “life” and luminosity. It has a solid dose of sun protection, which I greatly appreciate living in sunny California. Unlike the vast majority of my foundations, I’ve seen improvement in the texture and even toned texture of my skin. Great, lightweight formula. Love.

The ingredient list for Alaska is:  Water, Dimethicone, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Titanium Dioxide, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, Diethylhexyl Succinate, Glycerin, Nylon-12, Cyclomethicone, Peg-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Peg-10 Dimethicone, Aluminum Hydroxide, Diphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Sorbitan Sesquiisostearate, Stearic Acid · Phenoxyethanol, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Fragrance, Dimethicone/Vinyl, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Trisodium, Edta, Aluminum Distearate, Talc, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Polysilicone-2, Vibrio Alginolyticus Ferment Filtrate, Tocopherol, Alteromonas Ferment Filtrate, Maris Sal (Sea Salt), Hydrogen Dimethicone, Bht, Algae (Algae Extract), Sodium Metabisulfite, Curcuma Longa [Curcuma Longa (Turmeric) Root Extract], Potassium Sorbate, Geraniol, Limonene, Citral, Linalool [+/- (May Contain): Ci 77891 (Titanium Dioxide), Ci 77491 (Iron Oxides), Ci 77492 (Iron Oxides), Ci 77499 (Iron Oxides)].   Note that Sephora.com has the ingredient list for all shades.

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