When the NARS spring 2011 makeup collection sprung earlier this month, it didn’t strike with the force of a thousand Easter bunnies. In other words, it didn’t knock me off my feet.
I liked the repromoted Angelika and Super Orgasm Lip Glosses but felt the Soft Touch Pencil in Celebrate, the Lip Gloss in Nana and the Pure Matte Lipstick in Madère were just okay. Seriously, what’s a 35-year-old suburban gal gonna do with a neon green eyeshadow (Celebrate) that lasts all of 5 minutes on her skin?
And then came today.
I tried four more goodies from the collection this afternoon — the Lipstick in Tzigane, Soft Touch Shadow Pencil in Hollywoodland, Eyeshadow Duo in Bateau Ivre and Eyeshadow Duo in Nouveau Monde — and now NARS is singing my tune.
THESE are the kinds of products I was hoping to find in this collection; until today, I just didn’t know they were here.
They must have been hiding like Easter eggs. 🙂
The look features fresh, exciting eyes with a touch of fun color, and a lovely lipstick I could easily wear to work (or a brunch date!). It’s modern, yet wearable makeup with a springy edge, and I can totally see myself cruising the neighborhood with it on as I walk my plus-sized tabby down the street.
Clockwise from the lower left: Eyeshadow Duo in Nouveau Monde, Lipstick in Tzigane, Soft Touch Shadow Pencil in Hollywoodland and Eyeshadow Duo in Bateau Ivre
Lipstick in Tzigane, $24
Like a favorite pair of black shoes, this sheer pinkish rose goes with almost everything. I think it would look amazing with smokey looks, cat eyes and probably even bright eyeshadows as well. Unscented and unflavored, it feels light on the lips. If you happen to own NARS Blush in Amour or Sex Appeal, Tzigane should look great with either one.
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: A+
Soft Touch Shadow Pencil in Hollywoodland, $24
This is weird, but this creamy pale gold eyeshadow pencil doesn’t migrate as much as Celebrate does, the other Shadow Pencil in the release. For brighter eyes in a flash, I’ll apply Hollywoodland along the lower lash line, brow bone and at the inner corners of my eyes. But I think for $24…NARS could have included a sharpener.
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: A
Eyeshadow Duo in Nouveau Monde, $32
Oy vey! If you only get one thing from this collection, let it be this grayish lavender/olive green duo (the name is French for “New World”). I literally gasped when I opened it the first time and saw it shimmering there before me. Both of the shades are heavy on pigment and should look great on light and dark skin tones alike. LOVE!
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: A+
Eyeshadow Duo in Bateau Ivre, $32
I like wearing the matte sky blue and denim shadows in this duo along the lash and waterlines when I want a softer eye liner look that still demands attention. The colors are gorgeous, but unless you’re always wearing matte blue shadows, you’ll probably get more use out of Bateau Ivre.
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: B+
Eyeshadow Duo in Nouveau Monde
Eyeshadow Duo in Bateau Ivre
Lipstick in Tzigane
Soft Touch Shadow Pencil in Hollywoodland
NARS 2011 swatches from the left with the flash: Lipstick in Tzigane, Soft Touch Shadow Pencil in Hollywoodland, Eyeshadow Duo in Bateau Ivre and Eyeshadow Duo in Nouveau Monde
Swatches without the flash
Eyeshadow Duo in Nouveau Monde, Eyeshadow Duo in Bateau Ivre and Soft Touch Shadow Pencil in Hollywoodland
Lipstick in Tzigane
Additional makeup in this look: NARS Blush in Sex Appeal on cheeks; Ultraflesh Panthera Mascara on lashes
Oh, do you remember how the new NARS Calanque Eyeshadow Trio ($45) was initially withheld from the online launch due to production issues? Well, problem solved. Calanque and the rest of the collection are available now in stores and online at narscosmetics.com.
For more on the NARS spring 2011 collection, check out…
- Warming Up to the NARS Spring 2011 Collection
- NARS Spring 2011: Super Orgasm and Angelika Lip Glosses Usher in the Season Early
- When NARS Springs for 2011, He Won’t Be Blushing
- NARS Spring 2011: Soft Touch Shadow Pencil in Celebrate
- NARS Spring 2011: Super Orgasm lip Gloss
- NARS Spring 2011: Lip Gloss in Nana and Pure Matte Lipstick in Madère
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
P.S. NARS fans in the NYC area: NARS will be opening their first freestanding store next month on 413 Bleecker Street. Doors open on February 10 (that’s just nine days away!).
beautylogicblog says
January 31st, 2011 at 7:04 pmwow, you look great. Def makes me want to check the new Nars collection out.
Karen says
January 31st, 2011 at 7:45 pmYou could easily pull off all these colors in a heartbeat. I say go for it! 😀
LC says
January 31st, 2011 at 7:05 pmOh, Karen, I would you love FOREVER if you could suggest a cheaper dupe for the Tzigane lipstick. $24 for a lipstick is just not in my stars right now, but it looks so pretty!
Karen says
January 31st, 2011 at 7:54 pmHi LC,
Try MAC Lipstick in Mocha: MAC Mocha. 🙂
Izzy says
January 31st, 2011 at 7:08 pmWoaah. I love the shadow stick. It’s such a pretty muted gold…NARS is just so expensive…do you know if it ever goes on sale? Where?
Izzy recently posted … Okay- okay- Ill stop with the giveaways
Karen says
January 31st, 2011 at 7:55 pmHi Izzy,
I’ve gotten NARS on sale at the Sephora Friends & Family sale.
dani@callitbeauty says
January 31st, 2011 at 7:10 pmahh, i’ve been wanting to try nars eyeshadows for a while. any recommendations for must-have shades/duos?
dani@callitbeauty recently posted … 2011 Screen Actors Guild Awards – Hits & Misses
Karen says
January 31st, 2011 at 7:56 pmThe Kalahari Duo is a must, Dani!
Tracy says
January 31st, 2011 at 7:26 pmThe Nouveau Monde Duo is beautiful! Will have to check it out!
Tracy recently posted … MAC Sexpectations Exceeds Expectations!
Karen says
January 31st, 2011 at 7:57 pmI hope you do, Tracy. It’s a gorgeous piece!
Makeup Morsels says
January 31st, 2011 at 7:43 pmwhoa, looks like a strong collection for NARS! The lipstick looks gorgeous, but I really want to try out that eyeshadow duo in Nouveau Monde. So pretty 😀
Makeup Morsels recently posted … January Highlights
Karen says
January 31st, 2011 at 7:58 pmYou’ll definitely want to check out Angelika and Super Orgasm Gloss, too. 🙂
Rae says
January 31st, 2011 at 7:44 pmWell helloooo Hollywoodland! Aren’t you just a (super-expensive) darling? 😛
Karen says
January 31st, 2011 at 7:58 pmIsn’t she gorgeous? So pretty on the inner corners!
Liz! says
January 31st, 2011 at 8:31 pmSuper nice! Is it me, or does Hollywoodland remind you of Mac’s I get no kick pencil from the Champale collection? Or is it a bit more gold? Really pretty regardless!
Karen says
January 31st, 2011 at 8:37 pmHi Liz,
It’s a bit more gold. I Get No Kick has a touch more peachy/pink.
Lucie says
January 31st, 2011 at 8:32 pmWow, tzagine is beautiful on you! I so do not need any more lipsticks though. xD The Noveau Monde duo looks lovely but I already have the Melusine duo and Etrusque from the holiday collection-these colours look too similiar. :/
Karen says
January 31st, 2011 at 8:40 pmLucie! Try on Tzagine next time you’re at the counter. You won’t regret it. 🙂
Heidi says
January 31st, 2011 at 8:42 pmNouveau Monde and the lipstick look like great items! Will definitely have to keep them in mind once I’ve got some disposable income coming in again.
Karen says
January 31st, 2011 at 9:02 pmI’m keeping my fingers crossed for you Heidi. Hang in there… a great job will come your way soon.
Give Missy a big kitty hug for me!
Heidi says
January 31st, 2011 at 9:13 pmShe’s currently on my lap, giving me the look that says “go to bed already so I can have the living room all to myself!”
Karen says
January 31st, 2011 at 9:21 pmLOL! Tabs says hi. He’s circling around my desk, counting down the minutes to his nightly gravy. 😉
Erin says
January 31st, 2011 at 9:09 pmAhhh I ordered Noveau Monde and can’t wait for it to come! I also got the nail polish, Desperado. I was hoping you would have Calanque, I’m still thinking about that!
Erin recently posted … Sinful Colors Pretty-in-Pink
Karen says
January 31st, 2011 at 9:22 pmI think I’m gonna have to hunt that down in-store. I was gonna order it online but I seriously can’t wait, haha! 🙂
Polarbelle says
January 31st, 2011 at 9:25 pmAbsolutely love that lipstick on you.
Karen says
January 31st, 2011 at 9:29 pmThanks, Polarbelle! 🙂
Karen B says
January 31st, 2011 at 9:32 pmAnd you now made a post with my lemmings list of this collection. Nouveau Monde looks irrisistible!
Karen B recently posted … Music Monday- Forget About the Boy
Karen says
January 31st, 2011 at 9:41 pmI think you should give in. 🙂 That olive green will look gorgeous on your lids!
AnieJ says
January 31st, 2011 at 9:46 pmThat lipstick looks like my kind o’ color! Any other NARS products I should try along with it since I don’t own any of the brands stuff so far?
AnieJ recently posted … Bobbi Brown Sheer Cheek Tint in Sheer Lilac- My Valentine Blush
Karen says
February 1st, 2011 at 8:20 amHi Anie,
Check out the following:
NARS Unsung Hero: Dolce Vita Lipstick
NARS Unsung Hero: Gothika Lipgloss
Live Nude Gloss! Nars Supervixen Lipgloss
NARS Unsung Hero: The Kalahari Eyeshadow Duo
NARS Sin Blush: BFF to Purple Glosses Everywhere
NARS Orgasm/Laguna Duo
NARS Cactus Flower: A Bloomingly Blendable Blush
Sareena says
January 31st, 2011 at 11:54 pmI love love love the lipstick shade on you!! amazing 🙂
Karen says
February 1st, 2011 at 8:15 amDo you think you might try it out, Sareena?
Fieran says
February 1st, 2011 at 1:22 amI love NARS 🙂 The quality of the eyeshadow and the texture is amazing. My favourite duo is Cordoura that I can apply in the dark and know that it won’t look bad 🙂
I’m so glad Nouveau Monde is not limited edition – hope to pick it up one of these days!
P/s – You look gorgeous in that lipstick shade – I shall have to peek at MAC’s Mocha one of these days.
Fieran recently posted … The Downside of Being an Expatriate
Karen says
February 1st, 2011 at 8:15 amHmm… I don’t have Cordoura. I’ll have to look that one up, because I’m all about shadows you can apply either in the dark or when you’re barely awake, LOL!
Fieran says
February 2nd, 2011 at 12:41 amIt’s a beautiful smokey brown. I wear it with MAC’s Buried Treasure eyeliner.
Kim says
February 1st, 2011 at 4:54 amThat’s a great look. Hollywoodland is beautiful, but Bateau Ivre definitely has the best name. 🙂
Karen says
February 1st, 2011 at 8:14 amTrue, true. Makeup with a literary reference automatically scores points. 🙂
Tiffany says
February 1st, 2011 at 5:21 amthese shades are all great! I especially love the lippie!
Karen says
February 1st, 2011 at 8:13 amAren’t they gorgeous? They’re super wearable!
Nina says
February 1st, 2011 at 6:32 ami am on a beige/gold/champagne eyeliner kick … im liking that soft shadow pencil a lot!
Karen says
February 1st, 2011 at 8:12 amIt’s gorgeous. I think I’ll smudge a little along my lower lash line right now, LOL!
Nina says
February 1st, 2011 at 9:38 amim using baked from the ud anniversary set today! 😀
Lucia says
February 1st, 2011 at 7:34 amLove the look! How do you like Nars Sex Appeal? I was worried about it not showing up on me once I get tan in the summer, but it looks really nice and subtle on you.
Karen says
February 1st, 2011 at 8:11 amHi Lucia,
I actually really love it. It takes a few layers but it never, ever looks overdone and the powder is just so finely milled.
Ishi says
February 1st, 2011 at 7:47 amAww, me lou this lipstick
lara / the glossarie says
February 1st, 2011 at 8:29 ami am most certainly going to *need* that lipstick in my life! the color is too perfect
Tori says
February 1st, 2011 at 9:46 amBateau Ivre looks EXACTLY like “Demon Lover” from Nars!
lexi says
February 1st, 2011 at 10:52 amWow I really want that Nouveau Monde duo more than the Bateau Ivre. I wasn’t paying much attention to the new lipstick but that color is right up my alley! NARS pink lipsticks are definitely my favorite – I own so many!
lexi recently posted … Early Spring
Andreea says
February 1st, 2011 at 11:55 amYou really rock these colours, how do you do that! I am astonished. The lipsticks from ANRS are drying, and I mean all of them, but they have really great colours. I would love the colours with the quality of Rouge d’Armani or Shiseido. Sigh.
Maddy says
February 1st, 2011 at 11:59 amThat lipcolor looks soooo pretty on you!
Aida says
February 1st, 2011 at 12:12 pmI have Tzigane and it is amazing, I love it with sex Appeal and also with douceur blushes
Meghan says
February 1st, 2011 at 2:33 pmYou look awesome! I love the lipstick!
Meghan recently posted … New products from NYX- 2011 Spring collection Part 1
Jess says
February 1st, 2011 at 8:11 pmYou looks gorgeous Karen 🙂
Hollywoodland and the Nouveau Monde duo are at the top of my lust list!
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Alice says
February 2nd, 2011 at 3:49 amI’d kill for that lipstick! Nars doesn’t sell in Italy 🙁
Do you know any similar colours in a brand that is sold in this make-up forgotten angle of the world?
@PTTScarlet says
February 2nd, 2011 at 4:19 amHollywoodland shadow pencil looks amazing! I just need to get the tan to accentuate the golden tones of the colour!
@PTTScarlet recently posted … MAC new collections 2011
l.reza says
February 7th, 2011 at 7:14 pmI got the Front Row set at Sephora, which comes with the Nouveau monde eyeshadow, a full Orgasm Lipgloss, full black eyeliner & a mini multiple in Palm beach. I looooove the eyeshadow duo and the lipgloss; they go great together. Do you know of any Nars lipstick similar to the Orgasm lipgloss? I am also new to the brand and so far I am very very happy.