Review -- NARS NARSissist Dual-Intensity Eyeshadow Palette

I've been interested in NARS' Dual-Intensity Eyeshadows -- which are designed for both wet and dry application -- since they came out last year, but I never got around to trying them.

So when I saw the NARSissist Dual-Intensity Eyeshadow Palette, which contains seven shadows from the permanent line and one new shade, it seemed like the perfect opportunity to sample them.

But its $79 price tag was a little steep for my tastes, so it wasn't until I had a Sephora gift card burning a hole in pocket that I decided to bite the bullet.

And boy, am I glad I did -- I seriously love this palette.

Though not really for the reasons why NARS probably intends.


The palette comes in a sturdy plastic palette with a mirrored lid. There is a fairly good-sized mirror on the inside and a well to hold the small synthetic shader brush that's included.

NARS NARSissist Dual-Intensity Eyeshadow Palette

The Dual-Intensity Eyeshadows have a smooth formula that's meant to apply somewhat sheer dry and more intense when wet. They all appear to have a shimmery or metallic finish, though some are more noticeable than others.

The eight shades in the palette include: Europa, a pale pink-y peach; Himalia, a golden tan; Ursa Major, a mid-tone taupe; Subra, a deep burgundy; Andromeda, an ivory; Lysithea, a gray green; Giove, a dark navy; and Sycorax, a black.

Top row (l. to r.): Europa, Himalia, Ursa Major, Subra; Bottom row (l. to r.): Andromeda, Lysithea, Giove, Sycorax

Now, right off the bat, I have to confess that I'm not really a fan of using eye shadows wet. I'll occasionally use a pigment or loose shadow wet as a liner, but I don't ever really foil my shadows. If I have a shadow that's a little sheer, I'll just layer it over a cream shadow to intensify it -- I just find that to be easier.

Still, I like the idea of shadows that you can use either way. Dipping a wet brush into regular shadows usually creates a weird film on the surface that ruins the product.  The Dual-Intensity Eyeshadows don't do that -- you can wet them to your heart's content and they stay exactly the same as when you open the compact.

That said, I don't find that most of the shadows look that much different when you wet them -- at least not enough to be worth the effort of wetting them.

Because I think the majority of the shadows in this palette look lovely all on their own.

From l. to r.:  Europa, Himalia, Ursa Major, Subra

From l. to r.: Andromeda, Lysithea, Giove, Sycorax

Europa dry(l.) & wet (r.) and Ursa Major dry (l.) & wet (r.)

The lightest shade, Andromeda, is pretty sheer, but I usually use it as a brow or inner corner highlight so that actually works in its favor.

When I want to make the other shadows pop a little more, I layer them over a sticky or creamy base, which almost as the same foiled effect as wetting them. I've tried this palette with Maybelline Color Tatoos, MAC Paint Pots, NYX Jumbo Eyeshadow Pencils, and several other cream shadows -- and they all work really well.

The palette is $79, though, and at that price, I don't really feel like it's a must have for everyone. The shadows are beautiful, but you probably have some that work just as well already in your collection.

However, if you've been wanting to try the Dual-Intensity Eyeshadows because you like using your shadows wet, this palette is really great way to try a bunch of the shades at once -- and when you consider that a single shadow costs $29 and each shadow in this palette comes out to about $10 each, it really is a great bargain.

It's still available on Sephora.

Have you tried the NARS NARSissist Dual-Intensity Eyeshadow Palette? Are you a fan of the Dual-Intensity Eyeshadow formula in general?