True story: I was so starstruck when I briefly met Francois Nars last year that I lost all control of my vocal cords. With my head tilted ever so slightly and my eyes locked on his, I asked, “Did you ever know that you’re my hero?”
Yup, I’d quoted Wind Beneath My Wings… If there was an
award for World’s Biggest Dork, someone should’ve handed it to me right then and there!
I appreciate that Francois Nars didn’t bust out laughing at me that day, but I admire him for something else — how he handles his seasonal color collections.
As cheesy at it sounds, I think his color stories are metaphors for how I want to live my life. He’s always dancing to the beat of his own drum and clearly having a blast while doing it.
For his fall 2010 collection, he added a smattering of kooky colors to a base of everyday wearable shades. I’ve been playing with six items from the nine-piece collection, which debuts online on August 5 before arriving in stores this September July 15 and in stores this August, methinks Francois was feeling experimental.
He uses a variety of different textures and levels of pigment here; the practical part of me that likes workhorse eyeshadows — ya know, the colors you can just grab, swipe and go — digs Tzarine (a duo with a shimmery beige and a shimmery gunmetal), Rajasthan (a duo with a shimmery brown and a shimmery bluish black) and Coconut Grove (a deep matte brown). Each one feels silky smooth and applies with lush color; I can easily see myself using all three of them often come fall.
My whimsical side, however, prefers Mangrove (a yellowish green matte) and Daphne (a purple matte), two eyeshadows that intimidated me in their pans. Both apply sheer, though, like a gentle wash of watercolor paint on my lids, and blend surprisingly well.
Oh, and then there’s the shockingly bright Palladium Soft Touch Shadow Pencil, a shimmery teal that reminds me of the glittery greenish blue waters of a sunny tropical beach.
Rajasthan Duo Eyeshadow, $32
Tzarine Duo Eyeshadow, $32
Daphne Single Eyeshadow, $23
Coconut Grove Eyeshadow, $23
Mangrove Single Eyeshadow, $23
Palladium Soft Touch Shadow Pencil, $24
Rajasthan (two swatches on left) and Tzarine (two swatches on right) on NW20 skin
From left: Mangrove, Coconut Grove and Daphne on NW20 skin
From left: Palladium, Strawberry Fields on NW20 skin
Rajasthan (two swatches on left) and Tzarine (two swatches on right) on NC35 skin
From left: Mangrove, Coconut Grove and Daphne on NC35 skin
From left: Palladium, Strawberry Fields on NC35 skin
Swatches on NC35 skin
As for ending with a bang, Francois couldn’t bid adieu to fall without a little something for lips, so there’s Strawberry Fields Lipgloss —
You know how NARS will sometimes release lipglosses that might look dark and scary in the tube but actually apply really sheer? Well, this creamy reddish berry isn’t one of ’em. This one packs real deal, unmistakable pigment. If that’s your thing (I 
this one), check out Strawberry Fields.
I’ve got some looks lined up (let me know if you have any ideas for things you’d like to see), but from what you’ve seen of the collection so far, what do ya think?
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Methinks the shadows look better on the NC35 than NW20; it’s amazing how Daphne become Iodine on the pinkish skin, but is a true regal purple on the warmer skin. Francois is a master of color and panache!
i was just thinking that! i completely agree!
you gotta rock that daphne, karen, it looks great on your skintone
I really does look better on NC35, amazing how skin tone changes the appearance of the colors…
OMG! Im drooling over these GORGEOUS colors!!! Looooove Nars!
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I MUST have Strawberry Fields lipgloss NOW! ^^
Ooo, I would love to see the looks you come up with the 2 eyeshadow duos-Rajasthan & Tzarine. They both look so pretty (and tempting)! Also, I would love to see a look with the Daphne eyeshadow-it looks so bright!
I’m loving that tzarine shadow duo and the pallidium liner 😮
Would love to see a sunny-beachy drama kinda look with those, babe!
Mangrove and Coconute Grove — you shall be mineeeee!!!
Oh my goodness, the pigmentation, the colors. I am in love!
I thought I was the only person who fell in love with Mangrove! 🙂 Oh, pretty, pretty darling…
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Its so pretty, I cannot wait to have it! <3
Hi, I just had one quick and random question. How do you show the shadows and glosses on two different skin tones? Do you have someone else with a lighter/darker skin tone help you? Haha sorry this is completely random, I was just wondering.
Ahhh Francois Nars, one of my loves. His photography is amazing (if only I could get my hand on x-ray!) and he’s a makeup genius. Definitely picking up strawberry fields and tzarine!
Francois Nars is hawtness…. 🙂
Soooooo pigmented! I am seriously loving Tzarine (colors that would look good on me and that I would wear on a regular basis) and Palladium (I have weak spot for fun turquoise shades!). I’m not gonna lie though, the bright, matte shades kind of scare me. Fun, but I don’t think I’d be able to pull them off.
OMG these are gorge! Marking my calender right now, I want most of this. Thank you so much Karen 🙂
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Haha, love the story with Francois 🙂
Palladium Pencil looks amazing!
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I NEED THE DUOS. (Sorry for shouting.) But they look gorgeous!
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Oh no. Once again NARS has swept me off my feet. I think I would be an even bigger dork than you if I ever met Francois Nars. I might fall to my knees. Seriously. 😛
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strawberry fields…love the name and i love the color! i need to get this!
Palladium is GORGEOUS!!!! Such a Shimmery TEAL! May I add…it’s like the crystal clear waters reflecting the rays of the Sun.
When I saw Mangrove in the pan, I was like “YELLOW”, a bright yellow. But the swatches showed that the yellow is not as bright, with a bit of olive tone to it? No?
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Rajahstan looks like it belongs in my makeup box very soon 🙂
I love to admire his duo e/s, the way he matches colors that I can’t imagine could pair up so complimentary.
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The purple is just beautiful and the yellow looks fun too! Looking forward to seeing them on your face 🙂
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daphne & strawberry fields are GORGEOUS! i should definitely pick those up once released. thanks for the info!
*tries to hide drool*
Okay, this is just…. gorgeous. Everything. All of it. Gorgeous!
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I totally need Rajasthan and Strawberry Fields!
Do you know if these are permanent additions to the current NARS line? I think they’re usually permanent… Hope they are because I don’t want to do so much damage in one go! My list of stuff to get from the fall collections (so far!) is kind of…long. 🙁
.-= Maggie’s last blog post… Soft Pink -amp Purple EOTD =-.
Those two are limited editions from what I’ve read. 🙁
I wonder how Daphne compares to MUFE 92, do you think they’re different enough to warrant owning both? I do reaaally like purple.
I really enjoy your reviews. Your story upon meeting Francois Nars was hilarious! I cant wait to get my hands on this collection. The Daphne and Mangrove shadows and the Strawberry Fields are mine for sure. I adore Nars cosmetics!!! Thanks for your great blog!!!
Love Tzarine. LOVE. Might just have to return Cleo in exchange.
I looooove NARS! the quality of the shadows are so nice and smooth, and I love their color range!
I am sure that the Tzarina duo will be my first-ever Nars purchase when I get to London this summer 🙂
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EXCITING!
wow. gorgeous colors! I wish NARS was easier to get a hold of here in austria 🙁
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that teal colour looks amazing!!!!!!!!!!!! i feel like i hav one like it from gosh, but the richness is too tempting! xo
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Ahhh I need Strawberry Fields!
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