Gray does not grandstand in the new NARS Steven Klein holiday 2015 color collection, but if it did, and there were more gray in the release, [THIS] would be right about where I’d insert a 50 Shades of Grey joke about my cat’s never-ending need to dominate my life.
Um, yeah! You know how NARS is with their holiday collections — they like to take the road less traveled, which in this case means nothing too candy cane-covered or outwardly holiday-ish. This year’s color collection, a collaboration with fashion photographer Steven Klein, has an artsy edge to it, and by “artsy edge,” I mean that if a billionaire playboy were ever to invite you to the secret playroom in the back of his mansion, this collection would suit your favorite pair of shiny dominatrix boots quite nicely.
As NARS puts it, imagine “Fantasy. Roles. Rules.”
Shiny vinyl-like finishes play a big part in this 15-piece limited edition launch of pieces for eyes, cheeks, lips and nails. As they are with the Steven Klein holiday gifting sets we looked at last week, lip products are again the stars of the show. There are three lipsticks and three glosses in a completely new formula called Killer Shine, and they’re so glossy and bright that your dominatrix boots be totes jelly.
NARS also carries that same concept of lovely lusters over to the products for eyes, cheeks and nails.
And now that I think about it…there’s very little, if any, matte here, so if you’re drawn to glitter and shimmer like a moth to a flame, then holla! — you’ll probably find something to like in this release.
Because roleplaying is one of the themes of the collection (can you remember the last time naughty roleplaying was a theme in a holiday collection??) it’s definitely unconventional, which I like. Understandably (for NARS), the colors also aren’t typical of the season, which is a very NARS thing to do. The closest they get this time is a red gloss.
The collection doesn’t arrive in stores or on counters until November 1, but if you can’t wait that long, it’s available now on the NARS website and at NARS boutiques.
As always, thank you for watching! 🙂
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
jessica says
Wow, I REALLY like that dual intensity blush! But not $45 pretty. That’s almost a whole UD palette!!
But those eyeshadows? Pretty, but they are even more ‘spensive than UD! Whoa!
Karen says
A little does go a long way though!
Kwmechelle says
Yeah, this collection definitely has the “50 Shades of Grey” vibe as opposed to the “Merry Christmas!” vibe. Very NARS, indeed 🙂
Karen says
That would be a very different holiday celebration, haha!
Kwmechelle says
Tehehehehehe! Every time I see pics from this collection, I giggle like a girlie middle school band nerd. It’s so naughty. If I were a fairer-skinned diva, as opposed to a Godiva-skinned diva, I’d be all shades of red ?
Karen says
I think you could work the blush! It’s pretty intense, and it’s a beautiful reddish orange that would look great on you.
Happy Tuesday!
Kwmechelle says
Oooohhhhh, don’t tell me that! This might be my Christmas (and birthday gift) to me, from me with love ☺️
~ carmen ~ says
Thanks for such a detailed review. I especially adore Stud; it’s such a stunning shade.
Karen says
Glad you enjoyed it Carme!
Melissa R says
Oohh I’ve been so looking forward to this collection! I think I will get the Fast Life gloss at least, it looks gorgeous!
Karen says
Hi Melissa,
I love that shade. It looks beautiful both on its own and layered on top of brighter lipsticks.
What do you think of the gift sets from this collection?
LindaLibraLoca says
You can always count on NARS to put some fun in Christmas. I really like the “No Shame” lipstick, but the again I really have a lot of reds already.
My Beauty Dreams says
That blush though!! Gorgeous, and the highlight looks amazing too.
mybeautydreamss.blogspot.com
Kiss & Make-up says
Even though this collection is mostly about the lips it’s the Vengeful duo that’s on my wish list! That brick red is just sooooo beautiful! I love that it’s so intense. The look you’re wearing in the video is just sooo glamorous! Fall glam, oh yeah! Good to hear the eyeshadow stays put well throughout the day.
Laarni says
OMG NARS!!! I love the look of Provoke! I am about to watch the video now!
Agata says
No Shame is absolutely gorgeous and I love all the eyeshadows! I agree, definitely not your typical holiday collection! But then it’s Nars!
Chelsea says
I NEED Never Too Late! It doesn’t show up too much on your skin, but on swatches I’ve seen on lighter skinned ladies, it looks perfect. $25 though! I’ll wait until it comes to Nordstrom or Sephora. It’s almost VIB sale time too!
Erin says
No Shame and Stud have been my faves.
Fancie says
NARS really did a bang up job with this collection! Fast Life and Provoke are gorgeous. I also can’t get over how beautiful Stud looks. This collection may really break me lol. I want SO much stuff ?
Kiersten says
I’ve been eyeballing this collection ever since I found out that it was being released. Your review is the best I’ve found! I’m olive skinned and usually go for dark lips but I’m also super excited to try the duel-intensity blush…if there was one thing you could get from this collection, what would it be?