I can’t even remember the last time I finished everything on my daily to-do list. Let’s see — when was that again? Maybe six months ago?
But no matter how poop-tacular it is to be as busy as we are, I try not to let it get my inner optimist down. Being busy, after all, is a good excuse to streamline your makeup routine, which can be a lot of fun, especially when it leads to products like the new NARS Podorosa Cream Eyeshadow ($23; from the Holiday 2011 collection).
After moseying through last weekend wearing this glossy, glittery golden brown shadow, I can safely say that it’s almost everything I’d want from a creamy brown.
Ponderosa gets its name from the tall timber pines indigenous to North America. For a sheer eye look, apply it to lids with a fingertip, and blend well. Or, for more saturated color, build it up in layers.
Pigmented, yet lightweight and thin, Ponderosa’s non-greasy texture blends easily into my skin. With it, I barely have to exert any effort (or whip out brushes, for that matter) to apply.
For a fast, fresh and sexy look, I’ll prime my lids first with the unstoppable NARS Pro-Prime Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base, pat Ponderosa on top with my fingers, and then smooth out the edges.
Yeah, baby! 🙂
Now, brown shadows aren’t necessarily the first shadows that come to mind when I think “sexy,” but this one definitely revs my engine. Not in a tight red dress and sky-high heels way, though, but more of a button-down plaid shirt, worn jeans, Chucks and cherry Chapstick kinda way.
The glossy finish gives the color an informal ease that keeps it from appearing too formal, and when I wear it with some of the quieter shades from NARS Holiday, like Albatross Lip Gloss and Miss Liberty Highlighting Blush, I feel so California cool…
But (there’s always a but, yargh!), for me, something does prevent Ponderosa from achieving total cream eyeshadow domination… Within a couple of hours, even with the help of the mighty NARS Pro-Primer layered underneath, Ponderosa pools into the creases around my eyes.
It’s bizarre… The actual color itself doesn’t fade on my lids, so it’s not like it disappears. The pigment just accumulates in my eye creases and folds, such that when I close my eyes or glance down, BOOM! — dark brown line.
Patting at the line with a finger throughout the day mellows it out, but that’s kind of annoying. I’d prefer not to have to cajole a color into submission, but I like this one so much that I’m willing to go there. That said, Ponderosa is probably better for gals who are willing to futz.
I love the color, but not the creases. Ponderosa would rule the school if it just stayed put.
PRICE: $23
AVAILABILITY: Coming soon to NARS counters, and available now online
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: B+
Operation: Pumpkin Chai Latte
Oh, it’s on! Thanks to your comments yesterday, I now know what must be done, and where I can do it. Pumpkin chai latte exists! Apparently, it’s not listed on the menu at Starbucks…but they’ll make it if you ask.
Yeah, this is gonna be dangerous. 🙂
In other news, how’s your Tuesday coming along? Kitten for your thoughts?
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
P.S. For more on the NARS Holiday 2011 collection, check out…
Davids tea makes pumpkin chai tea, its a Canadian company but maybe they ship to the states? I hate creasing, and its crazy for that to happen with a $23 eye shadow 🙁
Yeah… I know. The color, though! It’s so beautiful.
I’ll have to look into that tea. I hope they ship!
If it creases with primer? DEFINITELY PASSING.
I think you might change your mind if you saw the color… it’s gorgeous.
Pumpkin Chai Latte, OMGizzle!!!!
LOL! Have you had it yet? Go to Starbucks tomorrow!
I haven’t yet but I will be making a special trip to Starbucks soon. I love Chai so I know adding pumpkin spice will just take that love to new heights lol
It really does. 🙂 They will ask you how many pumps you want — I ended up going with two of each! You can also get it with whipped cream (oh my).
Oh, and I almost forgot: if you haven’t already, you must try Big Train Chai. It’s a powdered mix and it’s THE BEST!
LOL, is it wrong that I now want to try Pondorosa, for the single reason of “your lids hated them”? 😛 Seriously, Karen, everything that lasts on my lids seems to crease on yours, and vice-versa!
I remember you mentioning that in a previous post. It’s like we’re inverse eyeshadow twins, er something!
i did have a pumpkin chai for lunch today … must be why im so pumped up this late at night!
that’s a gorgeous cream eyeshadow — its like mekong’s cream sister!
Ahh! Me too. Wait — was this your first pumpkin chai? I think I may be super late to this party!
it was my first too …. your post asking if such a thing exists prompted me to find out! it is pretty yummy, no? 🙂
It was delicious! Where did you go? Starbucks?
yep. i have a starbucks thats a hop and a skip away from my desk! it is my perfect fall drink!
Nice! Me too. Ours is like a two minute drive away. It’s nice and comfy inside too, and the baristas are friendly.
Did you get yours with whip cream?
i did have a pumpkin chai for lunch today … must be why im so pumped up this late at night!
that’s a gorgeous cream eyeshadow — its like mekong’s cream sister!
Nars cream eye shadows are so pretty but ALWAYS crease! I always thought its cause I have greasy lids 🙁
Nah, I think it’s pretty common. Have you been using a primer?
Yes ma’am! Ha I think I’ve tried every primer out there including mac paint pot and Nars’ own primer. Perhaps its just their formula?
Yeah, I think so. I think it’s just one of those products purposefully designed to look kinda messy.
The creasing sucks, but the color is fab! I love browns, even though they’re very basic.
Ya know, me too. You can always use them, and they do great things for sculpting the eye!
Very calm and subtle color! I haven’t tried any of the NARS cream eyeshadows, but this looks beautiful!
This one is even more gorgeous in person, Sonya!
Yay kitten for my thoughts :3 Gosh that’s a pretty eyeshadow color! Sometimes I get so wrapped up in the crazy bright blues and purples that I forget the subtle statement that can be made with colors like this 🙂
Pumpkin chai latte sounds AMAZING, btw. I went through a period of chai latte love a few months back and I think it’s starting to resurface. Maybe I’ll treat myself to one after my mamm phys midterm tomorrow night.
You have to check out Big Train Chai. It’s a powdered mix you can buy on amazon. It’s THE BEST pre-made chai I’ve ever had.
I had to give up this eye shadow b/c of the creases :/
Well, at least there’s always powders!
If I buy this it will be solely because it creases like that! It’s why MUFE’s brown flash color is my favorite cream shadow. A little MAC Deep Damson in the crease and under the eye to round it out and it looks so Marla Singer – that whole I-slept-in-my-makeup-and-almost-ODed-on-valium-last-night-and-I-still-look-hotter-than-every-other-girl-here look.
Gotta love the variety of tastes people have in makeup, yeah?
Totally. This would be great for that glossy, messy, slept in look. 🙂
What a shame, with my extremely oily lids I’ll have to pass. I wish they made this a powder instead! Well, that’s okay though, I can now save up for the BE Holiday sets. Have you seen ALL of them yet? They look so fantstic! I know you’ve reviewed a few, so I’m so anxious to get my claws on them!
I’ve seen several of them (and have reviews lined up), and they’re gorgeous!
They’ve been advertising it here in the south for a while! It is seriously the best thing ever invented coffee wise. I remember the first time I had it in college…I know a lot of people are against “big” coffee shops but I do not care, I LOVE starbucks. Best stuff in the world. Plus the one in Isle of Palms, SC has some really hot guys working their (the entire staff was hot guys one day, no joke).
I’ve always loved their lattes. I swear they put some sort of addictive substance in them!
After I saw you tweet about a pumpkin spice latte, I made some Big Train Chai & added 4 tablespoons of the pumpkin spice creamer. OH EM GEE! So good! I am gonna get backups of that creamer as if it were a LE item from MAC.
Holy crap, that sounds EPIC. Where do you get the pumpkin spice creamer?
Safeway 🙂
Have you tried Nars’ Cordura duo? It’s my favorite set of dark browns ever, so far. This reminds of of the lighter side of the duo…do you know how they might compare? The gloss also reminds of me Mac’s Luminary, but I think Luminary is a little pinker. I love this look on you!
Hi A,
Ya know… I don’t think I have that duo. I will have to do some investigating today when I hit up Starbucks for my pumpkin chai (the Sephora is five minutes away).
Have you been a NARS fan for a while?
Hi Karen! First, not to be the spelling police (although it’s in my nature, unfortunately..), but I think it’s “Ponderosa” (that’s how it’s spelled on the NARS site). Anyways, I love that color, but I just can’t get behind something with the same namesake as a crappy chain restaurant! haha
Thanks, Jessica!
Thanks for the review Karen. I was wondering about this eye shadow, it’s a shame it creases, I will skip it then…
You’re welcome, Marina. It’s such a gorgeous color, and even though it creases you might want to play with it anyway.
I’m actually kind of glad that Ponderosa seems like it’s for someone who doesn’t mind futzing. It helps me to resist it more! 🙂 I love the color, even though NARS isn’t owning up to their true Bonanza inspiration on the name. HAHA! Love the kitty pic, btw.
The name makes me think of a development of track homes in the town I grew up in, haha!
Very pretty, but I’ll pass. I figure if it’s going to smudge anyway I can use a cheaper product in a similar color like those Revlon cream shadow quads. Beautiful but high maintenance!
I love ponderosa (the cream shadow :P) despite it’s creasing issues, which is not surprising coming from NARS. The color really pops green eyes, and it gives a very sultry mysterious look. (at least on my NC25 skintone)
I’d really love to get this but my lids are the same color. Can this be worn over another base to bring out the rich brown color?
Whats on your lips?? Looks amazingggggg!!!
It’s a gorgeous colour, and I really love the toned down chic look you’ve created with it.. I have issues with cream shadows creasing on my oily lids so I’ll probably pass on this. Plenty of other amazing products in the collection though!