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NARS Holiday 2010 Collection: Have a Berry Francois Christmas and a Happy NARS Year

October 14th, 2010 by Karen 60 Comments

nars holiday 2010

Holy wow, pumpkin! All I have to say is werk!

I’m not talking work like cubicles, time sheets or lame vacation requests, but the neck swerving, hair flipping, three snaps in z-formation kinda work — the kind of work NARS obviously put into their holiday 2010 collection.

For the holidays, it’s nice to see something almost traditional — with lots of golds, silvers, berries and plums — from such an untraditional brand.

But I did say “almost.” 🙂 After all, this is still NARS we’re talking about. The colors are a casual affair, many of them shimmery and saturated but not heavy or foreboding.

Francois usually likes to throw in a few quirky shades, but this time he shows some restraint to tell a tightly woven color story. He still cuts loose, of course, with unexpected pops of taupe, peach and blue, but it all just fits together.

With the exception of sheer Sex Appeal Blush and Little Darling Lipstick, the lip, eye and nail products burst with color. Francois, inspired by Irish heiress and fashion icon Daphne Guinness, aimed for seductive, audacious and bold, and dagnabbit, homeboy nailed it.

The company’s trademark quality is evident throughout the release, from the pigments to their application and smooth textures.

Oh, yeah. The new eyeshadow trio in the pic at the top is a first for NARS. They’ve never done an eyeshadow trio before, and I like it (doesn’t it look like a Rothko painting?).

If you’re afraid the eye colors might be too intense, don’t worry; I think they’re still work friendly. Just use a light touch when you apply them, and dilute, dilute, dilute.

nars holiday 2010 swatches review photos all

nars holiday 2010 swatches review photos okinawa trio eyeshadow product shot
Okinawa Trio Eyeshadow (limited edition), $45

nars holiday 2010 swatches review photos melusine duo eyeshadow product shot
Melusine Duo Eyeshadow, $32

nars holiday 2010 swatches review photos etrusque single eyeshadow product shot
Etrusque Single Eyeshadow (limited edition), $23

nars holiday 2010 swatches review photos sex appeal blush product shot
Sex Appeal Blush, $26

nars holiday 2010 swatches review photos petit monstre little darling lipstick product shot
Petit Monstre Lipstick on left (limited edition) and Little Darling Lipstick on right (limited edition), each $24

nars holiday 2010 swatches review photos downtown bougainville lip gloss product shot
Downtown Lip Gloss on left (limited edition) and Bougainville Lip Gloss on right, each $24

nars holiday 2010 swatches review photos pokerface nail polish product shot
Pokerface Nail Polish (limited edition), $16

nars holiday 2010 swatches review photos bad influence nail polish product shot
Bad Influence Nail Polish (limited edition), $16

Swatches on NC35 skin

nars holiday 2010 swatches review photos okinawa trio eyeshadow on skin
Okinawa Trio Eyeshadow

nars holiday 2010 swatches review photos melusine duo eyeshadow on skin
Melusine Duo Eyeshadow

nars holiday 2010 swatches review photos etrusque single eyeshadow sex appeal blush on skin
Etrusque Single Eyeshadow (left) and Sex Appeal Blush (right)

nars holiday 2010 swatches review photos petit monstre little darling on skin
Little Darling Lipstick (left) and Petit Monstre Lipstick (right)

nars holiday 2010 swatches review photos downtown bougainville lip gloss swatches on skin
Downtown Lip Gloss (left) and Bougainville Lip Gloss (right)

nars holiday 2010 swatches review photos pokerface nail polish nail closeup
Pokerface Nail Polish

nars holiday 2010 swatches review photos bad influence nail polish nail closeup
Bad Influence Nail Polish

nars holiday 2010 swatches review photos bougainville lip gloss lip closeup
Bougainville Lip Gloss

nars holiday 2010 swatches review photos downtown lip gloss lip closeup
Downtown Lip Gloss

nars holiday 2010 swatches review photos petit monstre lipstick lip closeup
Petit Monstre Lipstick

nars holiday 2010 swatches review photos little darling lipstick lip swatch
Little Darling Lipstick

nars holiday 2010 meulsine duo eye closeup
Wearing Okinawa Trio Eyeshadow, Melusine Duo Eyeshadow and Etrusque Single Eyeshadow

karen from makeup and beauty blog wearing nars holiday 2010
Sex Appeal Blush on cheeks; Petit Monstre Lipstick and Downtown Lipgloss on lips

Is it just me, or does it seem like Francois was listening to a lot of Lady Gaga in the workroom this time around?

Makeup and Beauty Blog Rating: A

WOW! Aren’t these pigments off the chain? Can you tell I’m excited? NARS took what we usually expect to see for the holidays and NARS-ified it. These won’t be the budget-friendliest products under the Christmas tree at from $16-45 apiece, but one thing’s for sure: the quality’s there. I think it might be the best NARS collection of the year. Available October 15 at NARS counters and online.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

NARS Holiday 2010 Collection: Have a Berry Francois Christmas and a Happy NARS Year / Originally published October 14th, 2010

There are 60 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Makeup, Product Reviews Keywords: nars

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. dani@callitbeauty says

    October 14th, 2010 at 10:37 pm

    oooh, i’m loving both lip glosses and petit monstre!
    dani@callitbeauty recently posted … Annabelle Cosmetics – Hype Collection Review

    Reply
  2. Rach says

    October 14th, 2010 at 10:40 pm

    Hot stuff! I’m especially diggin that melusine duo, to me it’s saying ” new years eve” 🙂

    Reply
  3. Michelle says

    October 14th, 2010 at 10:41 pm

    I’m excited for the Sex Appeal blush! I’m not sure if it will show up all that much on my skin but I’m just excited that Nars came out with a peachy blush without all the shimmer 🙂 This definitely warrants a visit to my Bloomingdales Nars counter tomorrow.

    Oh and happy Friday!!

    Reply
  4. Citrine says

    October 14th, 2010 at 11:08 pm

    The melusine duo is pretty, reminds me of a pumped up version of Tokyo…
    Citrine recently posted … LOreal Nail Polish in Color of Hope

    Reply
  5. ☆Lola A♏ ★ says

    October 14th, 2010 at 11:14 pm

    The shadows look like colors I already have, not really feeling them, but I do like the glosses. I want Poker Face!

    Reply
  6. makeup morsels says

    October 14th, 2010 at 11:17 pm

    I love the lipglosses and nail polishes! All such gorgeous colors, I’m getting really excited about the holiday collections 🙂 and nice title xD
    makeup morsels recently posted … NOTD- Gorgeous Green

    Reply
  7. maria says

    October 14th, 2010 at 11:30 pm

    I love that the eyeshadow trio is named Okinawa, I’m from Okinawa 😀 lol I have a reason to get it now! Plus the colors look great 😀

    Reply
  8. snoopysteph says

    October 14th, 2010 at 11:32 pm

    I’m adding Melusine, Poker Face & Downtown to my Christmas wish list!

    Reply
  9. applepark says

    October 14th, 2010 at 11:41 pm

    Po-po-po-poker face with me ma-ma-ma-mine!!!!!!
    applepark recently posted … ONE DAY GIVEAWAY CONTEST! Urban Decay Book of Shadows III UD Hearts NYC

    Reply
  10. Lorna says

    October 14th, 2010 at 11:42 pm

    how does the purple side of melusine compare to recent NARS release daphne?

    Reply
  11. amy says

    October 14th, 2010 at 11:48 pm

    Wow I really like Poker Face nailpolish, it looks very fresh for the holidays. I am also liking Melusine eyeshadow duo, Sex Appeal blush.
    amy recently posted … Beauty of the Day MAC Venomous Villains Briar Rose Beauty Powder

    Reply
  12. Marina says

    October 14th, 2010 at 11:57 pm

    All the eye shadows look beautiful and like something I would get, especially the Melusine Duo Eyeshadow; it looks fab! I
    Marina recently posted … Benefit Cosmetics Gilded Review and Swatches

    Reply
  13. Nika says

    October 15th, 2010 at 12:53 am

    The swatches are gorgeous!!! I’m loving the shadows and the lippies, but if I had to pick only one, I’d go for the Bougainville Lip Gloss. Definitely adding that to my wish list. ♥

    Reply
  14. Lauren says

    October 15th, 2010 at 12:56 am

    Oh my goodness, Etrusque <3

    Reply
  15. Jen says

    October 15th, 2010 at 1:06 am

    Holy crap, this entire collection is beautiful. I literally gasped when I saw the Melusine duo. And the Pokerface nail polish is so so pretty. Aaah… adding them to my wishlist now. 😛

    Reply
  16. Lucia says

    October 15th, 2010 at 1:30 am

    I am absolutely in love with almost everything in this collection, which is rare for me. I will have to watch tutorials or something to learn how to make all the colors in the Okinawa trio or the Melusine duo work well together…

    Reply
  17. Fieran says

    October 15th, 2010 at 1:30 am

    You look really nice Karen. We’ll see how long I can resist items in this collection. NARS eyeshadows are just so vibrant and smooth.
    Fieran recently posted … Marrying Your Cousinand other interesting things

    Reply
  18. Advah says

    October 15th, 2010 at 1:34 am

    That Bougainville lipgloss is gorgeous!

    Reply
  19. beauty editor says

    October 15th, 2010 at 2:03 am

    i love them ALL!!!!!!!!!!

    Reply
  20. gio says

    October 15th, 2010 at 3:38 am

    I love the Pokerface nail polish and the eyeshadow trio is very pretty too!

    Reply
  21. Amee says

    October 15th, 2010 at 4:27 am

    Very nice collection… i will buy blush, single eye shadow in golden and Petit Monstre Lipstick…
    Amee recently posted … My Body Shop and Lakme Haul

    Reply
  22. Antithesis says

    October 15th, 2010 at 5:04 am

    i like pokerface and petit monstre. sex appeal would be invisible on me. i wish they’d included more than one pale blush in this collection.

    Reply
  23. saku says

    October 15th, 2010 at 5:19 am

    I like pokerface and the lip glosses. The bento lip box? looks nice also I can’t wait for it. The lipsticks are pretty.

    Reply
  24. Tiffany says

    October 15th, 2010 at 5:25 am

    pretty! I love the eyeshadow duo and single! and the lipgloss you’re wearing!

    Reply
  25. Joey Chong says

    October 15th, 2010 at 5:49 am

    There are very pigmented..
    And Petit Monstre looks great on you =)
    Thank you for the swatches!!
    Joey Chong recently posted … Black Velvet Collection By Bobbi Brown

    Reply
  26. Michelle says

    October 15th, 2010 at 6:10 am

    Love that Okinawa trio! Although the blue looks just like the blue in my MAC Tone Grey quad, so I may have to use restraint. The Melusine duo is amazing and I need the Pokerface polish to go with!! You look beautiful 🙂

    Reply
  27. Amber says

    October 15th, 2010 at 6:21 am

    Dilute! Dilute! OK! (Y/N?)

    I don’t know if I can resist Downtown, and I’m not sure that I want to!

    Is it me, or does Petit Monstre look quite a bit like Drive Me Wild?
    Amber recently posted … School spirit

    Reply
  28. Nina says

    October 15th, 2010 at 6:22 am

    I am liking both the single and the trio eyeshadows! 🙂 NARS holiday is always lovely!

    Reply
  29. Vonvon says

    October 15th, 2010 at 6:52 am

    I am all for the eyeshadows – singles, duos and trios! Especially love Etrusque!
    Vonvon recently posted … Maybelline Volum Express Cat Eyes Mascara Waterproof – By The Intrepid Beauty

    Reply
  30. steph says

    October 15th, 2010 at 7:54 am

    How does Bouganvilla stack up to Strawberry Fields?

    Reply
  31. Amanda says

    October 15th, 2010 at 8:05 am

    I LOVE the trio in the pan! But I don’t need any blue eyeshadow as I have a bunch and don’t wear it *that* often. Hopefully he will put out more trios in the future-I would love some nudes. I also love the purple e/s duo! and BOTH lipglosses. I can seem myself getting one of the lipglosses-they are a great twist on a festive holiday lip.

    Reply
  32. Lisa S. says

    October 15th, 2010 at 10:46 am

    Love the glosses and the polish!

    Reply
  33. lexi says

    October 15th, 2010 at 11:33 am

    ooooh…loving the petit monstre and the duo and both nail polishes. I’m on the fence with the trio..

    Reply
  34. Melissa W. says

    October 15th, 2010 at 12:06 pm

    Ooh, there is so much to love in this collection. I love the purple glosses, the nail colors, the blue eyeshadow trio. Very nice! 🙂
    Melissa W. recently posted … New- Stila Natural Beauty Palette

    Reply
  35. Katrina says

    October 15th, 2010 at 12:07 pm

    Ooooh! I rarely see a collection I want *everything* from, but seriously? I would rock all of these!

    Reply
  36. Lucie says

    October 15th, 2010 at 1:02 pm

    Oooh! The Melusine duo, Petit Monstre lipstick and Etrusque shadow have def. caught my eye! I only have two blushes and a shadow duo from NARS, but I adore their colour schemes and would like to try out more! What do you suggest?

    Reply
  37. Karen B says

    October 15th, 2010 at 1:03 pm

    How does the purple in the Melusine duo compare to Daphne from the fall collection?
    Karen B recently posted … Wednesday wonderful- dancing

    Reply
  38. Glosslizard says

    October 15th, 2010 at 1:04 pm

    Beautiful, I love Bougainville! The Pokerface lacquer really reminds me of Chanel’s Rodeo Drive from the Robertson Boulevard collection!

    Reply
  39. Sarah says

    October 15th, 2010 at 1:45 pm

    I’ve never wanted any thing Nars before but oh my god Sex appeal blush is beautiful. Does anyone know of any possible dupes?

    Reply
  40. Kate says

    October 15th, 2010 at 6:59 pm

    Gorgeous – those colors look beautiful on you!

    Reply
  41. Yuki says

    October 15th, 2010 at 7:13 pm

    Pokerface looks amazing.
    Yuki recently posted … Swatches- LOreal Fairest Nude and Maybelline Park Ave Peach Lipsticks

    Reply
  42. knownever says

    October 15th, 2010 at 7:35 pm

    Poker face nail polish is really really awesome. I’ve been wanting a lilac/lavender shade and this might be the one. much more flattering than the pastel purple shades that like essie has

    Reply
  43. Tekoa says

    October 15th, 2010 at 7:41 pm

    Bad Influence will be mine! Maybe as a reward if I pass my Chem midterm. But I want Mash too. And Midnight Express. And….oh heck. I want them all.

    Reply
  44. Ariel says

    October 15th, 2010 at 9:08 pm

    loving the sex appeal blush. definitely will be good for my pale skin and not as orangey as mac’s new highland honey blush

    Reply
  45. emilia.beelia says

    October 15th, 2010 at 9:57 pm

    I loooove NARS so SOOO much. I attended their in-store event at Bloomingdale’s SF today and got a new face with some amazing new colors. LOVE!

    Reply
  46. Nicolle says

    October 15th, 2010 at 11:34 pm

    yay! I am also excited for this collection. I am thinking of picking up Sex Appeal – finally they come out w/a blush that doesn’t have tons of glitter/shimmer!! I was at Nordstrom tonight but wasn’t sure if the collection came out yet…I guess that means another trip tomorrow! 🙂

    Reply
  47. Megan says

    October 16th, 2010 at 7:45 am

    Somehow NARS never seems to lose its appeal, and NARS + the holiday season is even better! Etrusque shadow is beautiful, even though I’m more of a palette gal, that’s definitely a single shadow I’d like to get.

    Reply
  48. Anina says

    October 16th, 2010 at 10:29 am

    Yes I did notice that Lady Gaga creeping into the naming! But they all look beautiful. Also, have you seen the NARS bento box? talk about drool-worthy.

    Also that look you made using the products? Beautiful! I love the eyes. Though do you think sex appeal would show up on skin tones darker than yours? it’s a pretty peach color, love that it’s matte!
    Anina recently posted … My Saturday at Shinegawa Lasik &amp Aesthetic Center

    Reply
  49. Farah Dean says

    October 17th, 2010 at 8:10 am

    Love the teal in Okinawa. Do you have Tropic single e/s? I wonder how close they are IRL. Love the pale Sex Appeal on you.

    Reply
  50. Anh says

    October 17th, 2010 at 9:32 pm

    I am loving this collection. *drool*
    Anh recently posted … stealing from Macys

    Reply
  51. Ashley Nicole says

    October 17th, 2010 at 9:49 pm

    wow this is such a beautiful collection!! i love the trio and the Bougainville Lip Gloss!!

    Reply
  52. Kat says

    October 18th, 2010 at 1:18 am

    Hi Karen! I love the look of the Sex Appeal blush, you didn’t by any chance keep the box? I’m really allergic to Bismuth Oxychloride which some Nars blushes have in it, if you still have the box would you be able to check if it’s in there?

    Reply
  53. Christy says

    October 19th, 2010 at 11:29 am

    LOVE IT! Can’t wait to get the nail polishes 🙂
    Christy recently posted … My First Blog Sale!

    Reply
  54. M. says

    October 20th, 2010 at 7:18 pm

    It’s great that you show swatches plus a photo of you wearing the make up. Could you compare swatches of the fall 2010 collection lipstick basque rouge and the metallic raspberry shade (I can’t remember the name but it is from the permanent collection and begins with shy***? with petit montre from this holiday collection?

    Reply
  55. M. says

    October 21st, 2010 at 7:11 pm

    I love your look for this collection, how did you use each item of the collection, what did you use as your base eyeshadow; it looks pink in the picture, you look great.

    Reply
  56. TwoHeartsTogether says

    October 30th, 2010 at 8:00 pm

    Love this collection! Beautiful bold colors.
    Check out my video review and swatches!

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S84Aqi-NTcM

    Reply
  57. Peach says

    November 1st, 2010 at 4:39 am

    You look absolutely gorgeous!!!
    and I’m rally in love with the gold eyeshadow and the poker face nail polish!!

    Reply
  58. steph says

    November 6th, 2010 at 7:05 pm

    Hey there! So first time reader here, loving your blog…anyways I’m a total nail polish fanatic and usually collect chanel and OPI and I have Chanel Rodeo Drive from the Robertson Blvd LE, and its a TOTAL dupe for pokerface! I will attempt to swatch them for you tomorrow in the sunlight but side by side you can’t immediately tell the difference. Rodeo is a smidgeeeeeeee darker/more grapey but they are both pretty much twins—purple w a hint of silvery shimmer, at least in the bottle.

    Reply
  59. Blovetbeauty says

    November 7th, 2010 at 6:13 am

    Wow these eye colors r so pigmented and pretty

    Reply

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About Makeup and Beauty Blog

Welcome to Makeup and Beauty Blog
Hi there! I’m Karen, your friendly neighborhood beauty addict, and I’m a Bay Area girl who hoards brown eyeshadow and covets coral lipstick. Every morning, I wake up and say, “I’m going to do something other than a smoky eye today.” Then…I end up doing a smoky eye anyway (most days). When I’m not putting on makeup, taking pictures of makeup or writing about makeup, which I’ve been doing daily since 2007 (!), you’ll find me hanging out with my hubby (“El Hub”), my four-year-old daughter (Connor Claire) and my torbie girl cat (Pretty Girl Rosie, a.k.a. PGR).

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