I think I just saw a glimpse of my future this fall, and in it I was wearing purple smokey eyes.
The new NARS Eyeshadow Trio in High Society ($45) has been one of the coolest things I’ve come across in a while — cool because of the color temp of its shadows, and cool because it’s a quick-change artist able to go from demure to diva in seconds with a little help from a black pencil liner.
High Society hails from the new NARS fall 2012 collection, a nine-piece release that couples cool jewel-toned eyes with pink or rose cheeks; warm brandy, auburn, burgundy or red lips; and moody gray nails.
Flexibility without fallout — that’s the deal here. I don’t detect a speck of fallout and hardly any creasing, even after wearing these lavender, greenish gray and amethyst powder eyeshadows for a full eight hours. They range from sheer to medium opacity and blend like a good smoothie.
Say I’m in the mood for a soft purple look. I might (and probably would) start with NARS Pro-Prime Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base, followed by the trio’s lavender shade swept on my lids with a domed shadow brush. Then, I’d push one of the darker colors along my lash lines with a small angle brush.
Abracadabra! A soft and smokey purple eye. 🙂
To crank up the smokey effect and give more depth to the look, I used a black eyeliner as a base, which I think also brings out the richness of the colors.
I actually “borrowed” that idea from François Nars, who used the same trick on model Kristen McMenamy for the fall 2012 campaign visuals.
He applied NARS Black Moon Eyeliner Pencil on her lids and along her lash lines, and then blended the pencil out with a fingertip, creating a smooth black base upon which he then applied High Society, which went on Kristen’s lids, and the Vent Glacé Duo (also from fall 2012), which went along her lower lash lines.
Smoking hot! 
And did you notice how deep set her eyes look?
I think the combination of finishes contributes to the effect. NARS characterizes the greenish gray as having a matte finish and the purples as being shimmers…although I’d describe the purples as having more of a soft sheen.
Finishes without a lot of sparkle can be great for creating those deeper set eyes, as mattes and matte-like finishes tend to make things look like they’re receding, or drifting away from you (“So long, farewell, auf wiedersehen, goodnight…”).
By catching the light and highlighting features, shadows with a shimmery finish can have the opposite effect, making things appear as if they’re closer.
Blended smokey looks with multiple shadows take a little longer than looks with single shadows smudged on top of a liner, but the results sure can be pretty. Because High Society’s shadows aren’t oozing with pigment (the gray is sheerer than the purples), they’re not terribly hard to use.
Plus, I like that they don’t blind me with shimmer. Sometimes the combination of purple, smokey and glitter can be a bit much for me.
Additional makeup worn in this look…
- MAC Concrete Eyeshadow: Brows
- Chanel Inimitible Intense in 50 Purple: Lashes
- MAC Kohl Power Eye Pencil in Feline: Water lines, lash lines and lids
- NARS Velvet Gloss Lip Pencil in More: Lips
- NARS Lipgloss in Albatross: Center of my lower lip
- Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer SPF 15: Cheeks
- NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer in Cuba and St. Moritz: Face
- Hourglass Oxygen Foundation Powder in No. 4: Forehead, nose and chin
- NARS Blush in Outlaw: Apples of my cheeks
I dig this trio a lot, but I can see how it might not be for everyone, especially gals who prefer more pigmented eyeshadows or warmer color temps.
PRICE: $45
AVAILABILITY: Coming soon to NARS counters, and coming to narscosmetics.com July 15
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: B+/A-
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
I must say, these are not the easiest colours out there, but they look amazing on you! I think they will look great on brown eyes and girls with a yellow undertone? I’m intrigued by the purple and green combo, I never thought of combining these colours somehow.
Yay! I was waiting for the review for trio. 🙂 I sometimes like the way underpigmented shadows look on the eyes. I think they can create really “molded” looks. I’m probably just being weird. lol. Thank you for the review. 🙂
Sigh, what a beautiful bottle green, lilac, and purple!
I’m kind of digging how the purple and dark green look layered! You look stunning in this trio. I didn’t think I was going to like this since I’m not a purple fan, but I think I’ll check it out in person!
Stunning on you! But please do not speak of fall! I love summer!
I don’t think it screams cool to me on your eyes–it just reads as super sexy and sultry. You did a great job recreating the look–you look beautiful!
LOVE the dark purple shade! I can’t believe the Fall collections are rolling in already. That means Summer is almost over. =( Then again, that means we’re getting closer to the holidays! =D
yeah, love the dark purply plumy shade….and it looks good on you…i wonder how it will look with a white base
Its so pretty!
What a lovely trio. The colours look great on you!
This is so pretty! I’ve never bought a NARS Trio before because I don’t always read good reviews about them. But this one looks really promising 🙂
I love the shades, but if I’m gonna spend $45 in eyeshadows, I’d like a good pigmentation! Overall, I’m really not impressed with the quality of Nars eyeshadows, I think they’re not worth the hefty price tag.
This looks amazing on you! Love it!
Apparently the comment I left using my phone never posted so once again: I am all ready for the fall with all those gorgeous make up collections coming out. Have you seen the new Too Faced eye shadow palette? It’s so pretty. This trio is beautiful too, I love purples, not so sure about the green though. It looks amazing on you Karen and I love the first photo, you look beautiful!
I really like the purple, but theoretically I do prefer pigmented shadows that are warm-toned. I’ll see if I can swatch the trio in person before I make up my mind! You, Karen, look SMOKING hot with purple smokey eyes! You should do it more often!
I can’t be 100% sure, but I think you’ve used this technique in the past so, technically, Francois was borrowing from you. 😉
I feel like im a bit too warm toned for this trio — but who knows? Ive worn things that supposedly warm toned people should avoid like the plague … so it just might work. 🙂
You look great, Karen! I am hoping I’ll get to work on a cosmetics campaign one day. 🙂
Wow. Seriously gorgeous! The new velvet lip pencil also looks incredible on you!
Hey Karen! what do you use to line your waterline?
You look beautiful Karen! i’m always always looking for pretty purple-gray shadows so this definitely looks like a winner! 😀
Karen! OMG! You’ve been dishing out one hot look after another! How is your Friday-hope off to a good start!
Hugs to you and sniffs at Tabs :).
Your eyes look A-MAZ-ING in these colors! You should wear this often!
Your eyes look so seductive, Karen! I love this look on you!
I love this look on you! It’s awesome 🙂
Sephora is great – – really any makeup is great! Great blog by the way!