I often find myself approaching my makeup collection like a game of Scrabble. I know I have a major point scoring word right in front of me, but somehow I just can’t quite visualize what it is — only to realize later that I passed over a big hit time and time again. The same unfortunate haze sets in when I regard my shadow drawer. I know what’s there and I know the potential that all of the incredible and carefully selected products have; yet I struggle to grasp their individual or collective potential.
Karen and Tabs gave me a straightforward prompt: write about an unsung product that I couldn’t be without chez-Getting Cheeky. I tend to over-think things though (see the Scrabble analogy above), and this prompt ended up becoming an exercise in why I should be more attentive to the capabilities of all the products in my collection rather than a select few. One such much-loved, long term favorite that I shattered and subsequently repurchased is NARS Galapagos eyeshadow ($24). For some incomprehensible reason I allowed this brand new shadow to sit unloved in my drawer until now. I’m left wondering why? It’s a one-shade wonder!
In my book, the mark of a perfect product is something that can be used in many different ways. Galapagos checks all my boxes in that respect. At first swatch it seems quite light on the pigmentation: one might even go so far as to say that it’s a disappointment in comparison to the rich appearance of the shadow in the pan. Like many powder shadows NARS offers Galapagos is a sleeper hit. Don’t write this shade off before you watch it transform before your eyes. Build the color for a complex but diffused soft brown, or apply wet for a rich shimmering fudge. What NARS simply describes as a “coconut bronze with gold flecks” is so much more. In my time with Galapagos I’ve found ways to use this shadow dry, wet, blended, smudged and as a straight line. This shadow shines in every application.
My signature look and personal favorite way to apply Galapagos is as a quick cat eye using a little bit of MAC’s Fix + and a shadow brush. The gold flecks seem to rise to the surface of the deep chocolate brown base, a liner shade that would look magnificent against any eye color. For a night out, I used to adore applying Galapagos dry and sheering out the shade concentrating the darkest part of the color toward my lashes and blending upward for a hazy smoky look. Feeling adventurous? Applying Galapagos wet makes for one seriously pigmented espresso smoky eye.
The long-running Makeup and Beauty Blog Unsung Heroes series features much-loved permanent collection products from a variety of bodacious beauty brands.
Ultimately NARS products are like art supplies: what you see isn’t always what you get. (And I mean that in the best way possible.) What seems like a lightly pigmented shimmering brown is a multi-use wonder shadow that requires the artist (that’s you!) to realize its full potential.
How do you best like to wear NARS Galapagos shadow? Do you have any unloved shadows in your collection?
I love the bronzy tones I pick up with the sparkles! Gorgeous!
Isn’t Galapagos a fun shade?! I love how the shimmer really rises to the surface (so to speak) when the shadow is applied.
♥ Jessica
Fantastic review. I love all the swatches you did. Never would have thought of using this as a liner.
Thank you, Hanna!
♥ Jessica
I love Galapagos, but have never worn it wet. I really need to give it a try as it’s lovely while so intense.
I definitely recommend it, Alison! This is my lazy way to wear all the shadows in my collection. Some are too dark for day-to-day use unless they’re applied as liner. 🙂
♥ Jessica
How do you use it ‘wet’? Can you give me the steps please. Also, does that harden then shadow at all?
Hello, Ana! I’ve never had problems with my shadows hardening. I often choose to use one specific area of the shadow wet, and one dry. The left side of my shadows are for wet application, the right for dry application. The steps I use are as follows:
1. Dampen a thin liner brush (whichever kind you like best) with water or a fixing medium such as MAC Fix +
2. Dip into the shadow until you achieve the consistency of liquid liner
3. Paint on just like liquid liner.
I hope this helps!
♥ Jessica
Stunning, Jessica! You sold me on Galapagos. I have to have this shade!
You must must must buy it! It does everything: smoky, soft, blended, liner. I’m obsessed.
♥ Jessica
Great post, and not just because I now want it because it looks so versatile. You have given us all ways now to apply any of our fave shadows and use them in a new way.
Thank you, Katherine! The mark of a good product is something you can make work for you. Galapagos has definitely achieved that status for me but I use this technique for all of my favorites, too!
♥ Jessica
Oh wow Jessica, this really pops when it’s wet and used as a liner! The gold shimmer is beautiful. I’m sure those who own this palette already will be inspired to create this look. Gorgeous cat-eye!
Isn’t it the best? I love multi-use products, and Galapagos definitely ticks all the boxes in that respect.
♥ Jessica
Wow, Jessica! Galapagos looks beautiful worn as liner! To be honest, I don’t often notice NARS single eyeshadows for some reason, but this one definitely needs to be swatched next time 🙂
Great post, Jessica! Love the way you worked eyeshadow and Scrabble into this! You write beautifully!
Wow, I’ve never seen Galapagos eyeshadow used wet, and it’s BEAUTIFUL! I’ve just bumped it up to first place on my wish list! 😀 BeautyBee~
Oh, that’s just plain pretty (eye shadow as liner!)
Monica.
I’ve never tried my NARS eyeshadows wet, does it work well with other colours too?
(the swatches of Galapagos are stunning but really not my colour.)
I tried this with lhasa and 413 blkr and both are lovely. Thanks for the tip. 🙂
As soon as u said “one shade wonder” I was SOLD! That is exactly me, can’t wait to pick up this beauty tmrw! Been looking for the perfect dark brown shadow for smokey eye so thank u!