Nars' holiday collections are stunningly gorgeous, featuring the works of amazing artists - and this year is no exception. The Holiday 2017 features the work of visual artist Man Ray, making each piece a work of art.
Here are a few of the items from the collection, along with my first impressions & swatches. Just a quick warning, it's going to get picture heavy!
The little Love Triangles (C$32 - USD$24) feature a travel size blush & lipstick in cult shades like Orgasm, Audrey or Dolce Vita. They would make the perfect stocking stuffers!
The Veil Cheek Palette (C$62 - USD$49) isn't your typical boring matte contouring palette. It features 3 gorgeous shades, 2 of which are limited edition, that contour, highlight and pop. The shades are described as buildable, however aside from the bronzer I found them to be quite intensely pigmented with one swipe! It is compact but the pans are big enough that you can use your regular makeup brushes. Just make sure you use a very light hand if you want to create a more natural, diffused, healthy looking skin.
highlight: Surreal (light bronze with rose undertones)
blush: Lovesick (bright satin watermelon pink)
bronzer: cult favorite Laguna (diffused brown with golden micro shimmer)
L-R: Laguna, Lovesick, Surreal
The Kiss Velvet Matte Lip Pencil Set (C$62 - USD$49) is a gorgeous golden cosmetic case filled with 4 of the brand's famous Velvet Matte Lip Pencils. Featuring two new shades and two existing, this is one set you should get your hands on while you can!
I've been a fan of the Velvet Matte Lip Pencils for many, many years. The formula is ultra-pigmented, it is comfortable on the lips, and the staying power is incredible.
L-R: Toundra, Wild Ways (LE), Spell Bound (LE), Endangered Red
Next are a few limited edition items from the Color Collection.
First up is a new blush called Fetishized (C$38).
Described as a "pink grapefruit" color, you might find it very similar to the Lovesick blush in the Veil cheek palette I mentioned above. And you'd be absolutely right!! The two are 100% dupes in my opinion.
Fetishized blush
L-R: Fetishized and Lovesick, side by side.
Similar, right? Fetishized is very slightly lighter, and a bit more pearly. Lovesick is a tad brighter with less of a shimmery finish. Whether it's grapefruit or watermelon, both feel more like summer blushes to me, but I do love the unexpected, healthy flush they bring to my pale winter cheeks.
The Duo Eyeshadow (C$43) I received is called Montparnasse and with this name, I couldn't not love it! Montparnasse was my old neighborhood in Paris!
The shades are described as a shimmering gold and an iridescent orchid. They are buttery and blendable enough to create a smokey but polished, unexpected look.
Duo Eyeshadow in Montparnasse
The Santiago Velvet Eyeliner (C$31 - USD$24) is a rich and creamy chocolate brown.
I was surprised by the intensity of the Photogloss Lip Lacquer (C$33) in the shade Muse: I was expecting a clear gloss speckled with golden shimmer, but it's ultra pigmented and very opaque. The limited edition formula is saturated in color and shine and comes in 4 new shades.
L-R: Santiago Velvet Eyeliner, Muse Photogloss Lip Lacquer
Last but not least is the Love Game Eyeshadow Palette (C$70). Now this one is tricky because it is only supposed to be sold internationally, so US folks will have to find some Canadian friends to get their hands on it. I sure wish I knew why!
Here's what's in this gorgeous 12 pan palette.
Overall the shades are beautiful and you can create many, many looks, both neutral and colorful with it. I will say, however, that the darker shades were not as buttery and easy to blend. Two in particular were downright disappointing. See the swatches below for more details.
L-R: Lady Killer; RendezVous; Dominant
L-R: Submissive; Your Move; Hard to Get
(You can tell from the swatch that Submissive is a bit uneven. The formula was somehow more difficult to build up and blend)
L-R: Tryst; Dirty Talk; Long Game
(I had such high expectations for that gorgeous blue shade, unfortunately it applied patchy, was hard to blend and the pigmentation was so disappointing)
L-R: Blind Date; Play Me; Momentum
(Blind Date was not as patchy as Long Game, but a bit more powdery than the other shadows in the palette)
And that's a wrap! Phew! Which item(s) would you put on your Christmas wishlist?
* I received these items complimentary for review purposes. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Love Nars here. I'm going to look for those little Love Triangles for some stocking stuffers. Thanks for your in depth review, truly loved it.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you did! Thanks for stopping by & for your kind words. xx
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