The new L'Amour, Toujours L'Amour Eyeshadow Palette from Nars contains twelve eyeshadows with matte and shimmer finishes. These are "everyday neutrals meet eight accents in this full-spectrum wardrobe of curated shadows".
The packaging is nice and sleek. It does look more impressive in comparison to their original black packaging with the rubberised texture. Although, I do like the tactile feel and slight grip (and hence, "safety" and security) the original packaging gives (for those with butter fingers like myself). I find myself being extra careful and more precious with the new one with its shiny, mirror and all - you wouldn't want to scratch let alone break that! (If you believe in suspicions then yikes!). :-O
Both the outer box and palette have a mirrored finish. I've still got the clear protective plastic on the palette's mirrored lid just to help keep it pristine. #OCD :P
The palette has a very handy, large mirror underneath the lid, although there's no reason why you couldn't use the mirrored top of the palette as well! ;)
Below is the bottom of the palette that has the product description label and the names of each of the eye shadows in the palette.
Colours
I - Cream Bisque
II - Shimmering Pink Sand
III - Amethyst Ash
IV - Black Truffle
V - Golden Starlight
VI - Sunburst Copper
VII - Café Au Lait
VIII - Pistol Grey
IX - Industrial Steel
X - Regal Blue
XI - Shimmering Taupe Cashmere
XII - Shimmering Liquorice
I appreciate the extra larger sized base shades as they are expected to be used more frequently. Although, I wish that gorgeous VI (Sunburst Copper) shade came in the larger size, too coz, hello? I'm a use this erryday on the lids and lower lash line! ;-) So purdy.
My favourite shades are VI (Sunburst Copper) and X (Regal Blue). VI (Sunburst Copper) will look great on a lot of people. X (Regal Blue) looks amazing on those with dark brown eyes and complements olive skin tone like mine. :) You can see it worn in the Nars video tutorial (for a night time look) on their official website. VII - Café Au Lait also makes a wonderful transition colour. III - Amethyst Ash is a nice, wearable taupe on my olive skin tone as it has a mauve undertone. XII - Shimmering Liquorice reminds me of Chanel's Illusion D'Ombre in Mirifique (#85), but a powder version.
Swatches
Below are the eye shadows swatched using a clean, dry finger with no primer used. For reference, I currently have medium to tanned, olive skin tone (~NC30-35). The first photograph below was shot using a strobe.
Comparison Swatches
Below are comparison swatches to most of the shades in the palette. Check out Temptalia's post for other similar shades.
Pigmentation, Texture, Application & Longevity
It's only when swatched that the three of the matte shades VII - Café Au Lait, IV - Black Truffle and X - Regal Blue appear to be a bit sheer, but all the shades have sufficient pigmentation when applied on the eye lids with a brush.
I am very impressed that the matte eye shadows have an incredibly soft, silky, uber finely milled texture. The more shimmery shades felt just a tad stiff and didn't glide on as smoothly during swatching, but delivered good and even colour pay-off. VII - Café Au Lait had the smoothest feel of the mattes, while VI - Sunburst Copper seemed to swatch the easiest out of the more shimmery shades. I did find IV - Black Truffle to be a little tricky to blend as its quite dark and it didn't blend out as evenly or as smoothly as I'd hoped when I was trying to create a smokey look with it.
I am very impressed that the matte eye shadows have an incredibly soft, silky, uber finely milled texture. The more shimmery shades felt just a tad stiff and didn't glide on as smoothly during swatching, but delivered good and even colour pay-off. VII - Café Au Lait had the smoothest feel of the mattes, while VI - Sunburst Copper seemed to swatch the easiest out of the more shimmery shades. I did find IV - Black Truffle to be a little tricky to blend as its quite dark and it didn't blend out as evenly or as smoothly as I'd hoped when I was trying to create a smokey look with it.
Like other Nars eye shadows that I've come across, these also result in fall-out or drop-down of eye shadow powder upon application, so I highly recommend applying eye shadow first prior to foundation and concealer, to save you from having to clean it up and re-doing your base.
I found the eye shadows seem to last long enough on my eye lids which have normal skin condition (neither oily or dry), with only a little fading by the time I remove my makeup before bed time. This is without use of any primer.
I found the eye shadows seem to last long enough on my eye lids which have normal skin condition (neither oily or dry), with only a little fading by the time I remove my makeup before bed time. This is without use of any primer.
Product Weight & Ingredients
Click on the image below to enlarge.
Overall
Great packaging. I wish this palette didn't have fall-out like previous Nars eye shadows I've tried. I don't know why they can't produce it when so many other brands don't have eyeshadows with this issue! Other than that, I think it's a nice palette with a couple or so wearable accent colours and will suit many skin tones. In particular, those who want cooler toned eye shadows and achieve neutral smokey eye looks should check this out. If you are a makeup lover with a lot of eye shadows in your collection, you will most likely own similar shades that are in this palette already so won't need it. Also, those looking for more warmer toned shades and more unique colours will probably want to give this one a miss. Personally, I prefer the Urban Decay Gwen Stefani Eye Shadow Palette to this one in case you were wondering as I would get a lot more use out of it for every day wear compared to darker, smokey colours, and it's also a bit more fun to use colour wise and packaging wise. ;) However, I'm happy to own the Nars palette just for the VI (Sunburst Copper) and X (Regal Blue) colours though! Makes it worth it for me. LOL. ;)
Availability
I purchased mine from Selfridges.com, but it's now available in Mecca Cosmetica for those in Australia.
Hope this was helpful. :)
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