NARS Fall 2011

At last! NARS fall! Maybe this doesn’t bother you as much as it bothers me, but my impatience to swatch this collection resulted in the omission of two pieces: Train Bleu deep burgundy Velvet Matte Lip Pencil and Galion dark muted navy blue nail polish (they weren’t unpacked at the time of my swatching). I hate presenting incomplete swatches, but I felt this post couldn’t wait, so watch for an addendum next week.

Collection after collection, my reaction to NARS is, “that’s an interesting take on the season” — and this one is no exception.  But I like that Mr. Nars is (like a fashion designer) creating his own story for THIS season. This isn’t just a fall collection, it’s fall 2011.

Delphes is an eyeshadow trio in the split-pan style of Cap Ferrat. It’s $45, and the shades are high-shimmer peony/carnation pink, matte smoke-, purple-grey, and shimmery, mossy, muted army green.

I wouldn’t have given Grand Palais (powder) eyeshadow duo a second look if I hadn’t seen it worn by Messy Wands. DANG. She looks editorial. The duo includes a shimmery purple taupe that reminds me of Chanel’s Rose Platine (though it’s a softer and rosier purple) and a matte “dirty” rose (it’s dark-ish, and sort of mauvey). The duo is $33.

And eeeeverybody’s talking about Outremer ($23). It’s blinding, ultramarine blue… that swatches kind of chalky. This shadow — in every way — reminds me of last fall’s Daphne, a crazy purple that didn’t swatch well. I’d like to quote commenter Shannon, who last fall said:

I have Daphne, and I have to admit, it swatched absolutely horrible, but it wears amazingly beautiful. I ordered it first based on pictures, and then right after ordering, i saw/swatched a tester at my Nordies. Hated it so much that i immediately considered returning. But i’m glad i gave it a try, because it’s surprisingly smooth and true to color despite the chalky horrible swatching.

You need only look at these photos of Karen (Makeup and Beauty Blog) to see Outremer’s amazing potential. Don’t write this one off on swatch alone. (Plus you can use any NARS powder shadow wet or dry.)

Pago Pago (lipstick, $24) is a “nude,” sheer, muted pink with tiny silver sparkles that translate into a slight shimmer. I tried this one on and it was almost exactly the color of my lips. (“My lips but… my lips.”)

Montego Bay (Pure Matte Lipstick, $25) might look candy pink next to Mascate, but it’s more of a rose pink on my lips (and just a touch blue). Mascate (Pure Matte Lipstick, $25) is deep, cool, va-va-voom red.

Oasis (another in the series of “blush” lipglosses) is $24, a mauve-rose with gold sparkles that I think almost everyone will like.

This collection is arriving on counters now; it’s also available online, and NARScosmetics.com is currently offering free shipping at any price (no code required).