NARSissist L’Amour, Toujours L’Amour Eyeshadow Palette review & NARSissist Cheek Studio Palette review

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Today’s word is PIGMENT

Pigment: get ready to hear that a lot in this post. Because these two new limited edition palettes for spring 2016 from NARS have it to spare (they also happen to be absolutely beautiful.)

The palettes play on the “NARSissist” moniker very well, as they both feature mirrored packaging. Go ahead, take a moment to stare at your pretty self on the outside of the case. It’s like it was made just for YOU. And, that’s kind of true. I can’t imagine anyone who wouldn’t be thrilled with these. Both feature a mix of light and dark, warm and cool shades which would flatter any skin-tone and move you from day to night seamlessly.

Paloma I and II, Laguna

First up, the NARSissist L’Amour, Toujours L’Amour Eyeshadow Palette ($59) is exclusive to NARS online and, if you’re lucky enough to be close to one, in-store.

Love, Always Love gave me pangs of l’amour from the moment I saw it! It’s a stunning mix of twelve matte and shimmer eye shadows (4 and 8, respectively) that combine for countless looks. Truly, I don’t think there’s a shade in here that doesn’t work with one another.

I don’t think there’s a shade in here that doesn’t work with one another.

I also love that four of the shades, presumably the ones you’ll use the most, are in extra large pans. Clever.

As for the formula, it’s pigment galore! All my swatches show the shades with just one or two swipes, without primer. And it’s a creamy formula as well. The shadows are buttery, and there’s nothing I like more than a buttery consistency. Except maybe actual butter…

The Eye Shadows are: (left to right, row by row)

I – Cream Bisque: medium-light warm beige matte

II – Shimmering Pink Sand: pinked-gold shimmer (very “Kitten-esque”)

III – Amethyst Ash: warm brown-based taupe shimmer, one of my favorites

IV – Black Truffle: inky-black matte

V – Golden Starlight: metallic yellow gold shimmer

VI – Sunburst Copper: copper penny shimmer, another favorite

VII – Café Au Lait : medium taupey-brown matte

VIII – Pistol Grey: warm grey shimmer

IX – Industrial Steel: cool grey shimmer

X – Regal Blue : dark nautical blue matte

XI – Shimmering Taupe Cashmere: a true taupe; the perfect warm mix of brown and grey shimmer, can you tell it’s another fav?

XII – Shimmering Liquorice: dark charcoal grey with silver shimmer

Rather than left to right, I swatch these in columns…

I – Cream Bisque, V – Golden Starlight, IX – Industrial Steel

II – Shimmering Pink Sand, VI – Sunburst Copper, X – Regal Blue

III – Amethyst Ash, VII – Café Au Lait, XI – Shimmering Taupe Cashmere

IV – Black Truffle, VIII – Pistol Grey, XII – Shimmering Liquorice

Trust me, you will reach for this palette again and again and again…

Next up is the NARSissist Cheek Studio Palette ($65), a Sephora exclusive.

This reminds me very much of the NARS Steven Klein One Shocking Moment Cheek Studio Palette that came out late last year. A palette I told myself I didn’t really need, then mourned my loss when it sold out. Don’t repeat my dumb mistake and let this one slip by.

It has a contour blush duo, a bronzer (the iconic Laguna) and 4 blushes, all with varying degrees of shimmer. Not a clunker in the lot.

Contour Blush in Paloma I: pink beige and Paloma II: deep rose – Paloma I is so light I can nearly wear it as powder rather than a highlighter. But it does make a subtle highlighter too as the shimmer is nearly undetectable, even in the pan. Paloma II is a deep brown-pink, again with an ever-so slight shimmer.

Seriously guys, why didn’t you tell me how amazing (Laguna) is?

Laguna Bronzing Powder: diffused brown powder with golden shimmer – Oh Laguna, where have you been all my life? Seriously guys, why didn’t you tell me how amazing it is? It may be the most perfect bronzer I’ve ever tried. It’s light and subtle, so you never look dirty. And easily buildable, so you can really go dark if you’d like. The gold shimmer adds a kiss of light. Perfect!

Paloma I and II, Laguna Bronzing Powder

I have to say, all four blush shades mesmerize me…

I Blush: Icy Lilac – a light and cool lilac pink with gold micro glitter, totally want a matching gloss.

II Blush in Sausalito Sunset – a warm shimmering pink with silver micro glitter.

III Blush: Shimmering Rose Peach – this reads as a burnt coppery pink to me, truly a stunning color.

Goulue Blush: Fleshy Pink – a deep plum-kissed berry.

Blush I, II, III and Goulue

Blush II and III being mesmerizing…

There was a brief second that I thought I’d gift this palette to one of my writers. I didn’t need all these blushes, did I? All that went out the window when I swatches them. Like the shadows, they’re beautifully pigmented, silky smooth and totally beautiful. Just like that girl staring back at me on the outside of the palette when she has them on!

we heartsters – are these a want or neeeeeeeeed for you?