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NARS Dual Intensity Eyeshadow Review

ByCordelia

NARS Dual Intensity Eyeshadow Review

Today I’ve got the new NARS Dual Intensity Eyeshadows to show you. This new collection has 12 different eyeshadows and I have two shades to show you – Europa and Lysithea. I’ve also got an eyeshadow tutorial with the shades. These can be applied dry for a sheer, airbrush-like finish with a luminous sheen. If you want more intensity, apply them with a damp brush and they spring to life with opaque color.

NARS Dual Intensity Eyeshadow Review

NARS is cruelty free, but their parent company is not.

Price
$29 for .05 oz, available July 1st, 2014.

You can purchase the Dual Intensity Palette or individual shades.

NARS Europa
Europa

You can sort of see my new shirt in the reflection of Europa.

Maleficent Evil Queen Selfie Shirt

This is my Maleficent and Evil Queen ‘Evil Selfie’ Shirt.

NARS Lysithea
Lysithea

I applied these swatches on bare skin (using a cotton swab) and on Fyrinnae Pixie Epoxy. I also did a swatch of Europa using my finger and rubbed it into my hand, to show how it can be applied sheerly.

NARS Dual Intensity Eyeshadow Swatches Review

NARS Europa Swatch Review Video

Europa is described as a gossamer pink peach. On the left I applied Europa with my finger on bare skin. In the middle I applied Europa on bare skin with a cotton swab. On the right I applied Europa on Fyrinnae Pixie Epoxy. I wanted to show the different intensity you get with the shade by using different application methods.

NARS Lysithea Swatch Review Video

Lysithea is described as a shark grey. On the left I applied Lysithea on bare skin with a cotton swab. On the right I applied Lysithea on top of Fyrinnae Pixie Epoxy.

Pretty Zombie 3 Witches Vegan Liquid Lipstick

In addition to making a great eyeshadow, Europa made a great blush. I used it with NARS Olympia in the look above.


I created this tutorial to showcase NARS Europa and Lysithea. If you like this video please give it a thumbs up and subscribe.

In this tutorial, I show you how to apply upside down cat eye liner. I also follow Kandee J’s quick and easy steps for filling in your eyebrows fast.  I think my brows look great from following her advice!

NARS Europa and Lysithea Eyeshadow Look

NARS Europa, Lysithea and Transvaal Tutorial

NARS Europa, Lysithea and Transvaal Tutorial

NARS Dual Intensity Europa and Lysithea Eyeshadow
NARS Europa and Lysithea Eyeshadow Look

Eyes

  • Too Faced Shadow Insurance
  • Fyrinnae Pixie Epoxy – lid
  • NARS Europa – on top of Pixie Epoxy on lid and on top of primer in crease and lower browbone
  • NARS Lysithea – outer corner of lid and outer crease, blended inward, lower lash line
  • NARS Eye Paint in Transvaal – lower lid in upside down cat eye shape and lower waterline, outer upper lash line
  • Fyrinnae Nijiro – to highlight at the inner corners and under the brow
  • tarte Brow Mousse in Rich Brown
  • Cargo LashActivator Mascara Primer
  • Urban Decay Perversion Mascara

Face

  • Cover FX Anti-Aging Primer
  • NARS Angel Veil Primer – I mixed the primers together
  • NARS Light Reflecting Loose Setting Powder
  • Cover FX Matte Setting Powder in Light – I mixed the powders together
  • Cover FX CC Cream in N Light
  • Face Atelier Zero Minus – used to lighten Cover FX CC Cream
  • NARS Olympia – contour
  • NARS Hot Sand – highlighter
  • NARS Adult Content Cheek Palette – I mixed Miss Liberty and Deep Throat together for my blush

Lips

  • Bite Beauty Cashmere Lip Cream in Napa

My Thoughts
These are definitely the most expensive eyeshadow singles that NARS has ever (to my knowledge) created. A typical NARS single is $26 for .07 oz and these are $29 for .05 oz. You are definitely paying for what I would consider a luxury eyeshadow.

I got all day wear on eyeshadow primer with these two shades, so I always count that as a win.

I do really like the packaging. The design stamped on the eyeshadow is interesting and I like the shape. While I don’t necessarily need the mirror inside the eyeshadow single, I’m sure there are some people who appreciate that aesthetic.

NARS Peachy Pink and Grey Eyeshadow Tutorial

I found the two eyeshadows easy to work with. Europa could be applied very sheerly for the barest hint of color on bare skin. It was still pretty light on primer (like on my crease and lower browbone in the tutorial above). When applied on Fyrinnae Pixie Epoxy it was definitely more pigmented and you could see it. After I finished the tutorial above, Ray commented that it was strange to see me wear such a light color on my lid and crease. I think that Europa is perfect to pair with cat eye liner.

Lysithea is more pigmented than Europa. Even when I used Europa on Fyrinnae Pixie Epoxy for a foiled look, the color was very subtle. Lysithea is great if you use it sheerly all over the lid and crease, or if you use it with a mixing medium for a more intense color. You can shade and contour with Lysithea, like I did above, without having to use a mixing medium. You could also apply Lysithea all over the lid and crease, then go back with a mixing medium to create a deeper liner.

Overall, I love both of the colors, but I don’t love the price point.

What do you think of the NARS Dual Intensity Eyeshadows?

Pros

  • Cruelty free
  • True to pan color
  • Good formula

Cons

  • Expensive compared to the NARS Eyeshadow Single line

 

Cordelia Frost is the creative force behind Phyrra, a treasure trove for cruelty-free indie and goth makeup enthusiasts. She's the author of the game-changing 'Hooded Eyes Makeup Manual' a must-read for hooded eyes makeup.

Cordelia's world is a kaleidoscope of alternative beauty, gothic fashion, and life-enhancing tips, making every visit to Phyrra a journey into a more colorful and inspired self.

45 Comments

  1. Heya… thanks so much for sharing the pic of my Wicked Selfie tshirt 🙂
    Great to see all the lovely comments about it too!
    For anyone looking to buy one, you can find it at Redbubble, Society6, TeePublic, Design By Humans, and Neatoshop – designed by me (SwanStar Designs)
    Thanks again 😀
    (Awesome hair colour, btw!!)

  3. How is Nars cruelty free? I know i keep asking this but I am wondering if we use a different definition of cf?

    1. Hi Honeybuns, please visit my cruelty free page. I state that NARS is cruelty free but their parent company is not. I also list which brands are Leaping Bunny Certified.

      To me, if a brand is cruelty free but their parent company is not, I choose to support them. Brands like L’Oreal look to see how much money their child companies, like the Leaping Bunny Certified Urban Decay makes.

      If you purchase from Sephora, Ulta, or any major retailer you are supporting a brand that pays money to a non-cruelty free company, just like if you buy tofu from a grocery store that sells chicken.

  12. Holy crap, expensive! I actually like the shirt the best of anything you put in the post! haha

  15. Beautiful look! I love Europa especially with the Pixie Epoxy

  17. Great look – I love the upside-down cat eye, too. I like the coral and grey colors together, but I kinda doubt I’ll be springing for these particular ones unless they have a great sale! lol

  21. Thanks so much for introducing me to the Nars Eye Paints….my new favorite eyeliners and Transvaal is a wonderful alternative to black/brown. I love grey eyeliners on green eyes:)

    1. You’re very welcome Rebecca! I find them so comfortable to wear. I love grey with my blue-green eyes because I feel like it does a nice job enhancing them 🙂

  23. Great review!
    With fantastic pics and shades!
    Thank you for this lovely video!

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