Raise yo’ paws to the heavens/roof! — NARS has a new mascara, which is quite a rare occurrence in NARS Land. It’s new NARS Audacious Mascara in Black Moon ($26), and it has an outrageous hook.
Actually, hooks.
No, really, it literally has hooks. See the bristles on the red brush? Those are little hooks…
BANANAS, right? I know! The hooks are supposed to catch lashes to better lengthen, lift, thicken and separate them, and I think it actually works.
I see satiny black lashes with nice length at the tips, and it pulls the lashes upward to keep a good curl. You can also add another layer as the day wears on, because everyone knows that nothing beats the 3 p.m. work blahs like an extra layer of mascara. 🙂
No, seriously, this mascara layers really well. No clumps, bumps or flakes. Just loads of seamless length, separation, lift and volume. It goes from cube mascara to club mascara like *that* (snaps fingers).
So, the brush.
Took a couple times to get used to it, but I adapted quickly, because in the cat-eat-cat world of mascaras, only the strong survive (it’s Darwinian that way!).
The brush head is on the larger side of the brush head spectrum, and the hooks feel a little ticklish and weird sometimes (they kinda poke my lash lines).
They don’t hurt, but expect a mascara “adjustment period.”
I’m still getting used to using the brush on my lower lash lines, and I may even give up on that, because I think the brush might be too big to get at those fine baby hairs.
But even with that, I really like this mascara. A lot. My eyes look wider and really BIG when I wear it — kinda like one of those Big Eyes paintings from back in the day.
Oh! — and NARS has a new twist-up black liner, too. It’s called NARS Kohliner ($25), aka Audacious Mascara’s “partner in line.” It’s for lining water lines to make your lashes look thicker at the base.
I love it. It’s creamy and soft, super black, doesn’t irritate my eyes, and it freakin’ STAYS ON.
Right now it’s only available in one shade, Minorque, which is named after one of the Balearic Islands in the Mediterranean.
And that, my friend, was your fun fact for the day. 🙂
Bust out yo’ day planner because NARS Audacious Mascara is coming to NARS boutiques, NARS Nordstrom counters and the NARS website August 1, while NARS Kohliner arrives August 15 to NARS boutiques and the website, and then on September 1 at Sephora and NARS counters.
PRICE: $26 for the mascara and $25 for the liner
AVAILABILITY: New members of the permanent collection; NARS Audacious Mascara is coming to NARS boutiques, NARS Nordstrom counters and online August 1; NARS Kohliner will be arriving August 15 at NARS boutiques and online, and September 1 at Sephora and NARS counters.
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: B+ for the mascara, and an A for the liner!
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Komal says
It sounds like an interesting mascara! And I love the effect it has on your lashes 😀
Erin says
I like the look of both products. I really need to find a new drugstore mascara though since mine was discontinued!
This new NARS looks good enough to splurge on though!
Lulle says
Wow that brush looks scary in the close-up. Those hooks look like tiny medieval weapons, lol! The liner sounds great, not much stays put on my waterlines and I’m always looking for a long-lasting kohl.
Kiss & Make-up says
Good to hear you’re liking it! What a funky brush 😀
Jessica says
Mascara with hooks…..hmmm.
I have now learned something new about mascara, to be stored with me (limited) knowledge about vibrating mascara wands.
musical says
I see how it opens up the eyes! Talking mascaras, have you tried the Armani mascara (Black Ecstasy)-I got a sample from Sephora, and I am really digging it. It makes the lashes look long while still looking natural! But still, the Too Faced mascara (Better than sex) may be hard to replace! I have gotten so used to it. What’s your all time favorite?
Tatiana says
I wish more companies did sample size mascaras. I would love to try this one (mascara junkie), but lately my eyes have been super sensitive, so I hate to buy a tube and then have to return it. Don’t know why but I always feel guilty returning cosmetics I’ve tried, even if they don’t work out for me. And the liner! A kohl liner that stays put?!! Could this be? I love a soft kohl liner, but usually I end up looking like a raccoon because they migrate all over.
Fancie says
Whoa! Looks like this baby gives lots of length. The wand looks a little weird but I’m down to try it after seeing your results
Alison M says
I am a big fan of both of NARS’ mascaras, so Audacious is a must-try! Is it tough to remove like the LGL mascaras?
Joy says
Wow a mascara brush with hooks, what will they come up with next?
The biology nerd in me can’t help but mention that Darwin’s “survival of the fittest” doesn’t really mean that the survivor is strong per say but “fit” which in the bio world means babies. Whoever has the most babies is the fittest as more genes are being passed down in someone who has 5 babies than someone who has 1. (although with people it us much more complicated than that as compared to (other) animals. Which is why genetic diversity is sooooo important as environments change and species with the most genetic diversity are most likely to survive those changes and those who survive are the ones who create the next generation and so on. Plus species don’t pass on learned adaptations, genetic adaptations are all created by random mutations that’s how species evolve over time, just basically a roll of the dice, roll enough times over a long enough period of time and random mutations that are helpful or not harmful are naturally have more babies thus are more fit. But if the environment changes what was once helpful might not be anymore thus genetic diversity allows for one to not keep all ones (species) eggs in one basket.
Genetics has always been extremely fascinating to me.
Karen says
Hi Joy,
Greetings, fellow bio nerd! Yup, genetics is pretty awesome, isn’t it? Which reminds me…I wonder how mascaras reproduce, LOL!
Deniz says
The brush kinda looks like a coral reef.
Hilary says
I’m intrigued and agree with the above poster that it would be great if all the brands had sample sizes- I can’t manage to go through a whole tube in the appropriate amount of time. Question- I have a new under eye routine (no clue where these circles came from!!) including erase paste, concealer, and finishing powder. No fail, but the end of the day my mascara has smudged all over. Thoughts on what I’m doing wrong in my routine? I’ve tried letting the mascara dry and doing thinner layers of product under my eye.
India says
The wand looks kind of similar to the roller lash, are they similar?
xx,
India
Kwmechelle says
ANY mascara that can go from the cube to the club *snaps fingers* is aight in my book 😉
Kim says
Club lashes? Did you say club lashes? 🙂 This does actually look pretty funky. It seems like it would be excellent at lengthening but it’s the volume I need. THE VOLUME! HAHA! I believe you when you say it does a good job. This is a maybe for my list.
Karen says
Hey Kim,
Your Faux Cils has bigger drama! This one, however, is great for lift and length.