NARS Gifting for Fall 2014 includes the beautiful Smokey Eye Kit, the NARSissist’s most-coveted everyday essentials for eyes. Ready to wear—anytime, every place. I am a neutral junkie and even though I have 2 of these shades already I think this is a very necessary kit. It has a travel brush, a mini liner and this gorgeous compact with 3 shades inside. Essentially it is the basics of what you need for travel and quite compact.
The compact contains Madrague I, Bali and Mekong. Madrague I is a matte cream, Bali is neutral matte medium taupe, Mekong is an expresso infused with gold micro glitters.
This kit includes a mini version of the Larger Than Life Long-Wear Eyeliner in Via Veneto. It is a rich and creamy black pencil that glides on smooth with all the pigmentation in the world and stays there. This is actually the first chance I have had to play with a NARS eyeliner and I think that it is just everything. I also love the shape of the tip. I wish it would stay like that forever because it is truly perfection.
The last item in this set is a travel size of their #43 Wide Contour Eyeshadow brush. It is the go-to artist essential that does it all: tap, blend, or sweep shadow with ease. Angled doe foot shape allows for all-over or precise application.
These shades are so beautiful together. I don’t think I would have ever paired Bali with Mekong on my own. Maybe I would, but I never have in the past.
Now it is time for some compare and contrast. I do not have Madrague I from any other palette or single so I can’t compare that one for you. I can only explain that this one is fabulous. The texture is soft and smooth and for it to be a cream it is extremely pigmented.
Bali is one of those shades that is perfect to sweep all over your lids and just wear on its own for a subtle smokey eye. Swatched on my finger tips they look very similar. The texture in the Smokey Eye Kit is actually slightly softer and smoother, but that could be because the 9944 Best palette is quite old now and the texture could have changed.
NARS Mekong also looks identical while swatched on the fingers. The single is actually softer an the Smokey Eye Palette but only by a little bit.
So all swatched out on my arm side by side you can see real differences. The Bali in the 9944 palette is less dark and a touch cooler in tone. It also appears that the Mekong in the Smokey Eye Palette is less warm than the single. So perhaps these shades were altered slightly to make them more agreeable? More neutral…
Overall, the NARS Smokey Eye Kit is beautiful and you will get use out of it whether you are brand new with makeup or are a pro. These shades are staples in my routine and have been for yours. This kit will retail for $59 at narscosmetics.com (July 15th) and all other boutiques and department stores (like Sephora) starting August 1st.
Tell me in the comments below: What is your favorite eye look? Do you prefer smokey eyes? Washes of color? I want to know!
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