When NARS does neutral eyes, he gives ‘em a little twist. The new Grand Palais Duo Eyeshadow from the upcoming Fall 2011 collection pairs a silvery taupe with a dusty rose in a partnership designed to flatter most skin tones. The combination takes the idea of the neutral eye well beyond simple brown, gray and beige.
Both shadows feel smooth to me, and they’re quite easy to apply. They pack a real wallop, too, when it comes to pigment, yet neither one leaves behind very much fallout at all.
While they’re intended to be worn separately or together, I have a tough time working these colors by themselves. On my NC42 skin, I feel like the taupe makes me look a little tired in the eyes, and the rose makes me look like I’ve been crying. But mixing both shades together? That’s a whole different story. Teamed up, they’re like the Wonder Twins! — an interesting duochrome of reddish, purplish taupe. 
I prefer the way they look paired together on me, but I bet gals with cooler skin tones will be able to rock them together or alone.
Swatches (applied on top of NARS Smudge-Proof Eye Primer) from the left: taupe side, rose side and mixed together
Taupe and rose mixed together on lids
Additional makeup from NARS Fall 2011 in this look: the rose from Grand Palais on cheeks; Oasis Lip Gloss on lips
Just foolin’ around, I tried using the rose from the duo as a blush, and I actually really like how it turned out — very natural. I think that’ll be the main way I wear the shade this fall.
PRICE: $33
AVAILABILITY: Coming soon to NARS counters and online July 15
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: B+
Circa 1983…
This is how I rolled, LOL!
My little brother sent me this pic today of the two of us at the playground (ya know?) way back when. Even then, I loved pink!
The more things change, the more they stay the same…
For more on the NARS Fall 2011 collection…
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
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- Let Dolce & Gabbana Bouganville Lipgloss Lure Your Lips to the Pink Party
NARS Fall 2011: I’d Sail the Seven Seas for NARS Outremer Eyeshadow 
NARS Fall 2011: Aphrodite Herself Would Call the Delphes Trio Eyeshadow Cool 
NARS Fall 2011: I’m Anything But Neutral on These Latest Lip Colors from François Nars 
NARS Fall 2011: There’s Something Sketchy about Galion Nail Polish 
Wow!! When I first saw this duo I thought there’d be no way I could pull off the rose shade without looking like I’ve been crying my eyes out. But the 2 shades combined – what an amaaaaazing shade! Totally taupetacular!
Yes it is! I hope you give it a go.
That settles it, I’m definitely getting this duo. I would wear the taupe on the lid and in the crease, and then put the rose on top of the taupe in the crease. I love that the rose works as a blush, too!
That picture of you and your brother is adorable!
He steals the show in this pic.
ooh, LOOOVE these shadows and especially how they look blended into each other!
Me too!
That rose shade is gorgeous! Love how it looks too when blended with the taupe.
Right? I love it!
This duo looks amazing, especially that rose shade!
It’s ever prettier in person! Do you think you might give it a try?
Those colours are gorgeous! A bit afraid of trying something that pink though
I’ve been scared by a bad MAC makeup artist recommendation that left me with red-looking eyes..
Wish I could get those colours as clothes though!
Oh, totally. I’d love a dress in that taupe shade with some rose heels to match.
Grand Plais Duo has my name on it! lol… ooohhhh such gorgeous colors!
Do it, girlfriend!
The combo of the 2 shades is awesome!
And good to know that the rose shade can double up as blush too. Makes the duo even a better value to buy!
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Yes! Gotta love the multi-taskers.
How cute are you guys??! I actually want your brother’s track suit, but in a much larger size.
I’m a fan of rose shadow shades and these look super pretty when mixed, as you say. The taupe has a really pretty shimmer. I also really like the Oasis lip gloss. Um, so I guess I think it all looks great. I can’t think about shadows right now – it’s all I can do to wear liner in the summer – but when fall rolls around, it’ll be a different story!
You should check out the trio! I got some glitter fall out on my cheeks from the peach shade and thought of you…
HAHA! I was actually going to comment that there looked like a little extra sparkle under your eye in the pic. I don’t own any taupe shadow (I know.. sorry), so I may check this out!
I’m not sure I can pull off that duo. And, unfortunately, for that price point, I wouldn’t try it only because I’m on a budget now. You made it work, though!
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Thanks! I was surprised to find the colors so wearable when mixed. Maybe try it on just for fun next time you’re at NARS?
When I first saw this collection I thought it would be a big “pass” for me because everything looked so cool toned but seeing this duo on you gives me new hope. I’m a big fan of the pink look for eyes. In fact I recently picked up a NYX blush to try to break out of my blush rut (serious blush-phobic here) and ended up using it as an eyeshadow instead. So this duo could really work well for me this fall!
I like pinks on the eyes too… reddish pinks I have some trubs with, but when this shade’s mixed with the taupe it’s kind of amazing.
that is a gorgeous duo — somehow the two unrelated colors WORK together … love what you did with it!
and how adorable is that picture of you and your bro!
He is so tiny in this picture! I can actually remember the day that we took it.
thats neat! i have this picture of me sitting on a patch of grass in the park and i remember that day so vividly too!
Hi Karen- another beautiful look from you. This would probably look best mixed on me too but what I really like is the idea of using the rose side as a blush. Aside from making this purchase have you brainstormed a possible dupe for that color? Whether it be this brand another, an e/s or a blush.
Hi Lustrebonbon,
Hmm…Off the top of my head try MAC Desert Rose, Mocha or Fevering. They’ll get you pretty close.
The two colors mixed together look gorgeous! Love how you mixed them to make it work for you =D
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I love the shades mixed together. If you have any NARS duos try it sometime — it’s my favorite trick.
I unfortunately don’t own any NARS duos :(…but I just may play with other brands duos to see how it’ll turn out! =D
sillylilacs recently posted … Zoya Zara – Review and Swatches
This looks awesome on you! I like the rose shade. It reminds me of Stila Pigalle.
It’s a really sweet color, right? I love it on cheeks.
Unfortunately, I will pass on this duo – it screams Eczema eye outbreak. At least that’s how it will probably show up on me.
Loving that pic with you and your little bro. I should post pics like this with my little sister. I’m sure she’d love that!
WOW…they great! So wonderful!
*love*
xoxo
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i have literally never wanted a nars duo until today. *jaw drops* wow, those colors are stunning and you make them look even more beautiful!
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Woah! I never realized how big Tabs was!!
I love the two shades mixed together. Cool rosy taupe is my holy grail eyeshadow. Can you think of any dupe for the mix?
Aww, that photo is so adorable! I was actually going through some old albums the other day. I realized that there are a LOT of awkward photos of me from when I was 10. They’re pretty entertaining, but I have to admit, I’m slightly glad they’re sequestered in my parents’ basement! I’d rather have my public childhood photos be from before I turned 8, lol.
Oh, right, the makeup! I’m going to pass on this duo. It’s way too cool for me, too. Also, I’m pretty sure that rose color would make me look like I had an eye infection, ha!
I see trouble on the horizon…this eyeshadow looks lovely! I can’t do pinks that well but the mix together is heavenly! Trouble for my wallet, I mean. I skipped NARS summer collection but NARS is one of my favorites and I can’t resist anymore. Hope its not LE. I love the consistentcy of NARS shadows – so easy to apply and blend.
OMG, Tabs is HUGE!!!