Like a bold accent necklace or a fun, floral scarf, bright blue NARS Outremer Single Eyeshadow ($23) does add a certain something special to a makeup maven’s look.
That said, could I see myself wearing it every single day? No, probably not, because I don’t think it’s that kind of shade, which is not to say it isn’t flexible. Oh, no. It most certainly is. 🙂
NARS designed the mostly matte blue Outremer (see the tiny silver sparkles?), the French word for “overseas,” to contrast with the softer green, peach, taupe and rose eyeshadows in the fall collection.
“Fall is the perfect time to play with dramatic shades, bold color and rich textures, like a bright blue eye or a stormy gray nail.
I like the look of a bright blue eye and a pale pink lip, achieved with Outremer Eyeshadow and Pago Pago Lipstick. It’s striking and modern.”
— Francois Nars
Mission accomplished. Striking, it is, and flexible, too, easy to build from sheer to intense in just a few layers.
Swatches of Outremer (applied on top of NARS Smudge-proof Eye Primer) from the left: one layer; four layers; and applied wet
Merci, Monsieur Francois, for making Outremer as flexible as you did. It’s almost as if you had afternoon errands in mind. Here in Novato, where sleeveless fleece and crocs abound, I don’t usually (notice how I didn’t say “ever”) hit the Target dressed like I’m on my way to a Lady Gaga concert. For me, wearable daytime eye makeup is a must, and a light wash of Outremer on my lids gives a little color to my look without leaving me looking totally cra-zay-zay at the store.
And when I do have a party or a fun event to attend (or just feel like wearing a blue cat eye to buy mango bars at Trader Joe’s), Outremer is there, ready to ramp up by applying it wet, or by building the color in layers (four’s my sweet spot).
Additional NARS Fall 2011 makeup in this look: Pago Pago Lipstick ($24) on lips and the rose side of Grand Palais Duo Eyeshadow ($33) on cheeks
The smooth, buttery texture glides like a dream, but the matte finish and high level of pigment can make blending out the edges a little tricky. I think it helps to have a good blending brush nearby; I like my results when I use a flat eyeshadow brush with Outremer. The compact, dense brush head gives me good control during application while minimizing the minor fallout that appears beneath my eyes.
I’m smitten with this shadow; I think it’s a perfect special occasion shade. If your makeup collection is fully stocked with the basics and you’re looking for a flexible way to branch out into blue, consider NARS Outremer.
The eyeshadows in this release seem to lean toward the cooler end of the spectrum, but I find this one to be the easiest one to wear with my warm (NC42) skin.
PRICE: $23
AVAILABILITY: Coming soon to NARS counters and online July 15
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: B+/A-
Is there such a thing as too much watermelon?
No, seriously, is there? When my parents visited last weekend, they brought a HUGE watermelon with them. I finally cut into it yesterday, and, uh, ate half of it in one sitting.
Must have been five pounds of watermelon. So juicy… So sweet…
When I tapped on my distended tummy afterward, it made a hollow knock-knock noise just like I was tapping on…a watermelon, haha!
Do you like watermelon? How about cantaloupe? Which do you prefer?
For more on the NARS Fall 2011 collection…
- NARS Fall 2011: Aphrodite Herself Would Call the Delphes Trio Eyeshadow Cool
- The NARS Fall 2011 Collection Is Calling the Cool Girls to Come Over
- NARS Fall 2011: With the Grand Palais Duo Eyeshadow, NARS Does Neutral Eyes with a Twist
- NARS Fall 2011: There’s Something Sketchy about Galion Nail Polish
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
I love watermelon. I even loved watermelon candy as a kid. I’d spent all my pocket money on 5 cent Jolly Ranchers, much to my mother’s dismay. 😛
I think you sold me on this blue shadow. I was looking at it thinking “Okay, cannot buy more blues. I already own a ton of blue shadow”. I always knew Francois Nars was trying to do me in by drowning me in a sea of blue eye makeup….LOL
One can never have too much melon, all melon, although watermelon is my favorite.
As for that shadow, I can see myself applying that with a wet liner brush and rocking it as a vibrant liner with a neutral shadow all over the lid.
And, seriously, RAIN when it’s almost JULY??????? Missy is not amused…..
Neither is Tabs! He’s been in crazypants mode all day.
Gorgeous!!!
wow!!!!! I think you look amazing with the 4layer wash of the shadow… It looks very, very nice on you. …Blue is the trickiest color to work with, and this looks hot on you Karen. 🙂
Thanks for posting! I might go have a look at this in person…
i really have a hankering for that lipstick, karen…what do you think of it? it seems pretty sheer. does it have any sparklies in it? are you wearing it with a lip liner?
Hi Nancy,
It’s actually really cute. It’s a sheer pink with tiny silver sparkles. You can easily build it up like I did here (I’m wearing two layers). And nope — no lip liner!
I’ve been eating watermelon EVERY day for like the past week….I’m kind of obsessed with it lately too 😀
This shadow looks crazy amazing. I’ll have to play with it once it hits stores though, I’m real picky about wearing blue eye shadow. I have dark blue eyes, so sometimes a blue shadow doesn’t jive with me. The lipstick looks pretty too!
Ooh! Pretty, Karen! I don’t have many opportunities to wear something this bright, but it is a striking shade.
Oh, and watermelon for sure. I can’t STAND cantaloupe. Bluh.
Wow! I was all set to skip this one, but you just changed my mind! I don’t look great in blues usually, but I might have to work at it for this baby!
WOW! I need to add something else to the list of makeup you look amazing in- cobalt blue eyeshadow. I wasn’t too sure about this when you first swatched it, but now i want it.
I LOVE watermelon. I eat as often as I get the chance. But eating too much of it wreaks havoc on my digestive system, if ya know what I mean. I like cantaloupe but not nearly as much as watermelon. Honeydew melons are amazing too. Much better than cantaloupe.
this shadow is beautiful! I will have to check it out at Nars!!!
Love love love that eyeshadow!!! I am in ban from cosmetics…just buying nail polish, but this I need to have it.
Love watermelon, there is not such thing as too much of it!!!
GORGEOUS! I would never get it ($23? Lol no), but I have a soft spot for deep blues like that.
Also, Karen, I just want you to know that I got my EvRev today, and it’s so beautiful!
Hi Elle!
So glad you are loving EvRev. 🙂 Did you get the chance to see it in the sunlight yet?
Not yet! I bet it’s stunning.
You just reminded me to finish the cantaloupe in my fridge. I like both cantaloupe and watermelon. I go crazy for strawberries!
I LOVE that blue cat eye on you! Must be one of my fave eye looks you have ever done. =)
That is some major gorgeousness! I don’t think I’m brave enough to pull off that cat eye, but you totally rock it!
So. Gorgeous. I think I might have to have this shadow despite already having too many blues! Also did not have a good time with NARS’ Daphne which has kept me from buying any of their other shadows.
blue is great for your complexion babe
I literally GASPED out loud when I saw the top photo of you wearing this! Outremer is GORGEOUS on you, girl!
Wow! The blue looks stunning on you!
I really love how you’re trying on some intense, strking and dramatic looks lately 🙂
you rock that blue girl :O
That blue is the hotness!!! Dang, I wish I didn’t have blue eyes. You brown-eyed girls pull off cobalt eye shadow so gorgeously!
i like the blue verrryyyy much
Andrea love the blue is very well done 🙂
Omg! I usually haaaaaate blue, but this one may have lured me in! I find it hard to find shadows that’ll make my dark brown eyes pop :/ but!! This may work! XD thanks Karen <3 and I love honeydew the best, the whiter part at the top of a slice is the sweetest ^.^ nomnomnom!!!
I’m from the South and HATE watermelon! lol! I ate so much of as a child I can’t stand the mess, the taste, feel, yuck!
The blue is gorgeous but it would be a complete loss for me, I would wear it once and forget about it as I do many bright shades….I’m this neutral thing lately
I am really liking this shadow alOt! I think I may just need to add this to my collection. . . 🙂
I agree with everyone else…on both points!!! LOVE watermelon!!! Plus that blue looks amazing on you!! Well there’s not much that looks bad on you but with your coloring….that blue is gorgeous!!!
ZOMG I’m about to eat the last half of that watermelon right now!
And thanks re: the shade!
How are you liking this collection so far? 🙂
Ummm….that eye shadow is WAY HAWT on you! Wow!
you look fab in it! never thought anyone could make it look wearable 🙂
way way hot. im terrible with applying shadows wet though and getting the outlook you did. do i sense a new episode of MBTV with a tutorial? 😉
<3
I second the idea of a tutorial! 🙂
Karen– that is FIERCE! Lafayette would be proud.
When I went to daycare when I was little we had watermelon twice a day for the entire summer. I became so burnt out on it I couldn’t eat it for years. Last year was the first time I had any in at least 20 years, and I’m only 29!
That second look is beyond gorgeous on you! Too bad this blue is so expensive for my budget, because it’s beautifuuuul <3 Can ya think of any dupes for it?
Gorgeous!!! <3
That cobalt looks amazing on you!
It looks stunning on you!!!!
I wasn’t sure what to expect from this colour, but it’s stunning on you! Especially with your skintone and hair, it’s just gorgeous. Makes me want to splurge on COLOURFUL makeup!
The next time I’m going to the US, I’m hitting Trader Joe’s for a mango bar. I’m becoming obsessed by proxy.
As for watermelons, I’m with you! I like them much better than cantaloupes that I find too sweet. I also grew up in an area surrounded by fields and fields of cantaloupes, so might have over-eaten those. We had them at every single meal! (although, not bad with some ice cubes and marsala/porto..)
You look fab Karen!
Simply WOW!!! What a gorgeous colour!!!! And you look fabulous with it!!! kisses
I like blue eyeshadows as I find them complements my complexion, just like it does to yours.
This one is really pretty! But I don’t feel like paying full price for it. Perhaps should wait for it to go on sale at Asos. I got Carthage lipstick from Summer collection at 20% off and it was still new then….. *fingers crossed
There is NEVER such a thing as too much watermelon! Ever! It’s soooo delish. I think I could eat half of one in one sitting, too. Ooh – you should do a special on ALL watermelon colored makeup products! That would be neat!
That might be fun! I bet I could find a lot of lip products.
You look gorgeous in the blue cat eye! I want to pull off this look, but I have no idea how. Off to YouTube!
Thanks!
I like how you showed that this bold blue can be built up…Hehe, and I laughed at your comment about how after eating so much watermelon, your stomach sounded like one!
If I had to pick between watermelon or cantaloupe, I would definitely go with watermelon. Sweet, juicy, and refreshing.
Have you ever tried watermelon with olive oil and pepper? I haven’t, but I heard about this combination on the Food Network. Don’t think I’d like it, but I’m going to try it this summer only because I’m curious if it’s as tasty as the guy on TV made it sound.
I haven’t, but it sounds interesting. I’ve heard it’s also good with lime juice and salt! I like salty/sweet contrasts, so I’ll have to try it.
omg. that is a gorgeous blue! im really digging this collection, a lot! 🙂 my list has expanded from 2 items to 4!
and no — there is no such thing as too much watermelon. too little, yes. too much – never! 😀
Ooh, what’s on your list?
I’ll have to try your trick w/freezing them!
i hope you like em frozen!
i want the 2 matte lipsticks, this eyeshadow and the duo. omg. im in trouble!
Wow Karen, you totally rock this blue! Don’t think I am that daring….yet. But LOVE that lipstick. I think I am really liking the lippies from this collection.
Love, love, love any and all types of melon. Have you ever had frozen cantaloupe or honeydew? My old neighborhood Thai restaurant used to put small pieces of melon in their coconut ice cream and it was to die for good on a hot summer evening.
Hi Alka,
At first I thought the lippies were just a’ight, but after playing with them for a bit I really, really like them.
That dessert sounds delish!
You look amazing with blue eyeshadow! Lucky you! When I put it on I always look like I’ve been punched in the eye =p
That’s how I am with reddish purples. I know so many girls who look great in it but I look like I’ve been in cage fight when I wear it!
O.M.G. This color really makes your brown eye POP! Gorgeous, laday!
Thanks, Nicky. Are you liking this collection?
hawt dayam! this is a must have for me! =) i’m a sucka for blue and nars, i heart you for this shadow! and i think it goes w/o saying that you’re rockin’ it outremer hard, girl!
i don’t think you can ever have too much watermelon! i definitely prefer it over cantalope. my hubby makes a killer agua fresca w/watermelon in the summer time and margaritas…mmm, is it too early for a drink? ;p
Mmm… agua fresca!
nice color for parties! 🙂
You look awesome, Karen!
I think it looks stunning! I would have never thought a shade of blue could be so pretty, I think this would great with a black cocktail dress and a bright yellow statement necklace or something!
OK, you look incredible in that shadow! Get ready to stare in envy “crocks and sleeveless fleece” crowd. There’s a new sheriff in Trader Joe’s. 🙂 Seriously, though, that is a stunning color on you. And the daytime wash is really, really pretty too.
I like watermelon, especially on hot summer days. I do dislike the seeds, though. We accidentally got a regular one a month ago and I don’t think I could ever go back. The amount of seeds was overwhelming. I’m devoted to the seedless. Melon is good too, but I prefer Honeydew to Cantaloupe. Plus, it’s easier to spell. 🙂
Be careful with all the watermelon, my DH gets the runs from too much! He cuts it in half, puts it in a bowl, and eats it with a melon baller right out of the shell. then uses a straw to drink the juice. Heartburn is another fallout from all that sugar, fruit sugar but sugar none the less.
I was looking through a preview of Nars’ fall stuff last week when I saw Outremer and decided I needed it in my life. You’ve confirmed that decision. There is no way that one can eat (or drink) too much watermelon 🙂
Omg Karen, that blue eye look you have is gorgeous! So gorgeous! I love how it’s simple – just blue – but still so lovely.
And I love watermelon, but don’t like canteloupe at all. I haven’t had any watermelon this summer yet – that needs to change, fast! 😀
Woah, you look so sexy with the blue eye shadow! 🙂
I think I like watermelon best…great now I’m craving it!
Yay, something I can pick up from this Fall collection. My one hesitation is that sometimes the NARS mattes (or mattes in general) look patchy on my lids. Did you experience any of this? I love this kind of bold blue as an accent – espcially in the outer v on a relatively neutral, peach lid.
I can’t wait for this to come out.
Holy ***, that is the coolest eyeshadow ever. Is it only available at NARS counters? What other colors does it come in? The blue looks amazing on you and I have a similar complexion. So excited to get it. Thanks for the great post!!!
LOVE watermelon and strawberries in the summer….can’t get enough. And have definitely eaten enough to get a tummy ache, but totally worth it 🙂
That’s an eye popping shade of blue.. I think I might NEED this shade in my collection. I love how it looks in the photos where you have it on your lower lids as well. So stunning!
U really rock this shade gal :> looking hot….:D
that shade of blue looks really good on you
I looooooooooooove that eyeshadow on you. GORGEOUS.
OMG THIS IS BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!!!! Such a great look, Karen!
Love this look better than the aubergine lip look you sported in the next post on you.
The eye look you made with this eyeshadow is SICK!
Makes me want to buy it 😀
You should swatch it once it comes out. Maybe you’ll fall in love. 🙂
OH MY! Karen that’s one seriously rocking color on you. I want it too!!
You gotta try it! It can be a little tricky because it’s so bold, but it’s still a ton of fun.
Have a great weekend!
Oh my GOSH Karen, that is the most gorgeous look you have ever posted!!!!
Thanks, Lana! It’s a little out there for me, but I like it. 🙂
Do you plan on picking up any bits from this collection?
WOW. That eyeshadow looks really good on you… seriously. You should definitely rock this for more than just special occasions, especially in a city as eclectic as SF. I also really like the matte finish. I think I might have to go and get my first NARS eyeshadow once this comes out!
I have similar skin colour and never thought blue could look soooo pretty on!
can’t wait to get it!
You look amazing in this picture, ha cha cha!
FOXY!
I literally stopped breathing & my heart skipped a beat when I saw the color, blue is my fav color and I’m so getting this, as expensive as Nars is, Its worth going broke for.
Outremer looks AWESOME on you! I LOVE cobalt blue! I’ve been meaning to buy a nice pair of pants the same color as Outremer so off I go…lol.
This blue is looking really nice on your eyes 🙂
Karen,
The smoky deep blue looks great with your eyes and coloring. I love blues like this, but I can’t justify spending $23 for a shadow tat I will never use up or even use often!
WOW!! I know I wouldn’t be able to get away with wearing this eye shadow wet every day either, but god I wish I could! It looks spectacular against your brown eyes.
Wow, this looks stunning on you! And you should wear more often something like this, I really love it! You look like a different person haha 😀
And I think I want this shade so badly, and of course that NARS isn’t available in Croatia. Blah. 🙁
You look stunning!!! I sure wish I could wear this. I have bright, big blue eyes and I am much paler than you (right now with my tan I am a Chanel Aqua BR20). I think I would look silly. 🙁 Do you happen to have any recommendations of Nars shadows that I can do like this that would work with my eyes?
Karen- I bought my first ever Nars eyeshadow this weekend, thanks to you. Outremer was calling my name and when I saw this post I knew it had to be mine.
I have been loving the Pro-Prime for a while now but I am hooked on Outremer!!
Thanks so much and have a lovely Monday 🙂
–Bri
Love.. Love.. Love how you wear it.. Blues can look 80’s but your take makes it totally modern and wearable.
I am thinking of buying this shade and looking at reviews coz I’m gonna have a friend get it for me ( no NARS where I am-sad). You totally sold me on it.
Can I ask what brushes you use to apply, pretty please… For both the lighter and more dramatic look.
Thanks for the post!
Whoops, just saw your other post with the step by step application. Cannot wait to play around with it.
I love the cat eye look that you did with this. It’s gorgeous! I have this eyeshadow but didn’t think of wearing it this way. Thanks for the idea, I’d like to wear it like this tomorrow! I noticed that the blue before the crease looks much darker than the blue outside of the crease. Do you remember if you wet the eyeshadow when you applied it on the lid before the crease or did you do that dry with 4 layers of shadow? Blending this baby is difficult. I hope I can get it to look as good as you did!
Love the blue! Not sure if I could go that dark – any recommendations for fair skin tones?
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Thanks!