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I have such weird mixed feelings about Nars powder products. Formula-wise, I think the eyeshadows and blushes are decent, though not the best I’ve tried. They’re often too shimmery for my liking too, though I will readily admit my pretty significant Nars obsession in 2008-2009. There’s something about the palettes that just get me. I couldn’t tell you how many times I’ve thought about buying their latest blush palette (or any other blush palette for that matter), and I’ve clearly been unable to resist both of their NARSissist Eyeshadow palettes.
Now by no means do these feelings mean that I don’t enjoy Nars as a brand - I definitely do. A few of my everyday staples are by Nars (see that post here), and I don’t think I could be without my Tinted Moisturizer, Larger Than Life Eyeliner, or Eyeshadow Base.
Still, these (and every palette from Nars) seem to be an endless debate for me.
Narsissist Dual Intensity Eyeshadow Palette • $79.00
I just about died when I saw this palette in a case at my local Nordstrom counter 2 weeks ago, and when I heard the words "pre-sale" and "gift with purchase" I didn't even blink. I handed over my card immediately, even though I had some concerns about the shimmer factor in these shadows when they originally launched.
Having tried a shade with my best friend at the Nars Boutique in San Francisco in September, the shimmer wasn't quite as scary as I had originally thought, and as I wear these shades, I'm finding that the shimmer is quite fine and very wearable. Not nearly as intense as I expected, which is good for me, though perhaps not for you!
I'm not sure if it is the brush, but I'm finding that I need it to be wet (not just damp) for the shadow to apply easily and with the best pigment. It wears for about 6 hours without primer before creasing slightly (and that's with a workout class!) and 8+ hours on my lids with primer. If you typically don't have trouble with wear time, then these will wear very well for you.
UPDATE: If you are a light-handed makeup applier like I am, then PRESS HARDER. No, seriously. When wet and applying a good amount of shadow, these seem to come out to a similar finish as the Laura Mercier Caviar Sticks.
(And someone remind me to use more/press harder on all my makeup please, lol!)
NARSissist Eyeshadow Palette • $79.00
Surprisingly, the original NARSissist palette is still available on the Sephora website. Despite my misgivings about the formula, I really liked the combination of colors and used this palette quite a lot when it first came out. I don't have any complaints about wear time - in fact, the shadow wears all day with primer - but I hate to admit that I haven't even used all of the shades in this palette yet. I was a big fan of doing smokey eyes with this one, and even have a video!
Are either of these palettes a must-have? Probably not, if you have a ton of shadows/palettes or are deeply in love with other, dreamier, formulas like Tom Ford, Burberry, and the like. I'm still undecided on the Dual Intensity palette, (and I honestly go back and forth on the original) though I do think it is a great way to try a lot of shades in the formula.
Have you tried either of these palettes from Nars? How did they work for you? I would love to know! :)