The New NARS Artistry Eye and Lip Brushes Make Accuracy an Art Form

We’ve got a pooped princess over here…but she’s gonna do her best to persevere and proclaim pertinent particulars about the new NARS Artistry Eye and Lip Brushes.

Oh, boy, lots of “p” words up there… I can already tell it’s gonna be one of those reviews (read: wackadoo).

This is round two. We looked at the face and cheek brushes in round one.

So why am I tired? Well, I went out to dinner last night and partook (partook — is that a word?) of some wine, and now I’m having trouble stringing coherent sentences together.

Funny how that happens.

Anywho! These new brushes…

There are nine eye brushes and one lip brush in the new Artistry Brush line (we looked at the Face and Cheek brushes the other day). I’ve been using them to paint my mug for a few days, and so far I’m impressed.

With the eye and lip brushes we’re looking at today, “versatility and soft bristles” are the figurative words. There are some exciting things here if you like makeup tools.

NARS Eye Shadow Brush 40, $32

Like my favorite tubby tabby, the flat, paddle-shaped NARS Eye Shadow Brush 40 ($32) is on the thicker side.

Also like my husky tabby’s tum, the shape is…interesting. 🙂 It’s flat like a paddle brush, but fluffy like a domed blending brush, and the shape makes it usable for a variety of tasks, like dusting a base color all over your lids, blending two different shades together, or sweeping color into your crease.

It also blends as well as it applies, so it’s a multitasking mofo. If you want an eye brush that does it all, I think the 40, with its super soft, sable hair bristles, is a good option.

NARS Diffusing Brush 41, $32

If the Eye Shadow Brush 40 is a toy poodle, the 41 is a standard. You might like this one’s larger paddle if you have a lot of space to play with on your lids.

As my lids are on the smaller side, I like this brush and its velvety pony hair bristles more for precise highlighting on my upper cheekbones and down the bridge of my nose.

NARS Blending Eyeshadow Brush 42, $32

Shaped kind of like the MAC 224, except with slightly denser, slightly shorter bristles, the NARS Blending Eyeshadow Brush 42 has longish bristles and a tapered shape.

NARS recommends it for blending and for applying high shimmer shadows. I mostly use it to apply color to the outer corners (I make little circles), and for sweeping shadow in the crease.

Um…I really, really like this one. It lays down smooth, thin, even layers, and I feel like I’m in complete control. It also regulates (“Mount up!”), preventing me from going overboard with my color. If you’re an eye makeup beginner or an enthusiastic makeup veteran with a heavy hand when it comes to shadow, or pretty much anyone in between, you just might love this brush and its super soft natural fibers,.

NARS Wide Contour Eyeshadow Brush 43, $32

Did you watch Monday’s episode of Cosmos? I love that show… It reminds me of the Goldilocks Zone, because the angled brush head fits nicely in my crease. It’s just right. And the natural fiber bristles glide across my skin when I sweep the brush head back and forth to blend.

I think of this brush as a fun little extra. Not an essential one to have, but it’s handy for detailed crease work.

NARS Precision Contour Brush 44, $43

Another fun, functional brush to have for fancy crease work. The firm, flexible brush head is fabulous for fine detailing.

I like to use it as a pencil brush to smudge liner and shadow along my lash lines because the soft, natural fibers don’t irritate the sensitive areas around my eyes.

NARS Smudge Brush 45, $28

As its name implies, the 45’s primary function is to smudge and diffuse shadow along lash lines, and to soften liner, but I find the pony hair bristles to be kind of scratchy for those tasks… I actually like it more for applying shadow to my brows! It creates a soft, diffused, very natural look.

NARS Push Eyeliner Brush 46, $28

The mightily soft synthetic fiber (nylon) bristles of the NARS Push Eyeliner Brush 46 make it ideal for tasks requiring razor sharp lines (like applying thin lines to the base of your lashes). It works well with cream and powder products, and it’s great for tightlining, too!

NARS Angled Eyeliner Brush 47, $28

Very much like the NARS 38 brush, which I already use and love, the NARS Angled Eyeliner Brush 47, with its mix of soft natural fiber bristles, is able to draw even sharper lines. Drawing crisp winged liner is a cinch with this brush!

NARS Brow Defining Brush 48, $26

The NARS Brow Defining Brush 48 has badger hair bristles and a special way with powder. Brows look soft and natural, and it’s absolutely fantastic if you like the look of bold, yet natural-looking, brows.

NARS Precision Lip Brush 30, $26

The NARS Precision Lip Brush 30’s small, stiff nylon bristles excel at fine detail work on lips. It’s another handy one to have around.

Well, that does it! Keep a lookout for the 16-piece Artistry Brush collection when it arrives at NARS Boutiques and online next month (April 1).

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen