Can I get a “hells, yeah” for bomb-@ss smokey shadows you can wear along your lash lines?
I realize that’s a very specific shout-out, but duuuude, you know how many times I’ve tried to smoke out a shadow along my lash lines only to end up looking like a reject from the Thunderdome? — with my lids all dark, contrasty and totally and completely unblended, even though I practically broke my wrist trying to smooth out the edges?
Picture the most questionable makeup look you’ve ever seen on Toddlers and Tiaras, but applied in the dark, upside down, without any brushes.
Now, push that disturbing image out of your mind, because there’s none of that nonsense with new navy blue NARS Kamchatka ($24). This bad boy totally gets it right! 🙂
(Well, at least along lash lines.)
Yes, NARS had some fun with this color. It’s one of those secretly shimmery shadows — a Clark Kent Kamchatka, perhaps? — that looks like a run-of-the-mill matte navy in the pan, but it turns into a Kryptonian superhero when it touches skin, as flecks of silver glitter within the formula flex their tiny makeup muscles.
I think it’s a gorgeous, grownup take on the sparkly stuff.
Because it’s only moderately pigmented, it’s easy to mellow out the edges when I wear it along my lash lines for those soft and smokey powderpuff gradients I like, but it stumbles in dramatic smokey looks with intense color.
For heavier smokey looks with Kamchatka all over my lids, I have to load up the layers on my lids — like four, five or maybe six — and with that much product, it can start to look patchy.
An all-around, multipurpose shadow, it’s not, but for one specific task, smoking out lash lines, I think Kamchatka rules.
PRICE: $24
AVAILABILITY: Coming July 15 to NARS counters, boutiques and online
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: B+
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
It looks so grey on! I’ve always hesitated to wear navy blues as I don’t think they do much for blue eyes, no?
You can do it! I think because this one has a bit o’ gray it can contrast nicely with your eyes.
LOL a reject from the Thunderdome. This has possibilities, but I don’t like how limited it sounds.
I know, it would be so much more useful if it was buildable.
Initially this color didn’t really appeal to me, but I actually love it on you!
Thanks, Danielle!
I agree with you calling it grown-up sparkle…it’s very subtle, so wearable
I love navy along my lash line, brings out the blue in my eyes. Karen, where did you get your bracelets? I’m looking for some inexpensive ones that to layer.
Blues always look great on you and this one is particularly nice! 🙂
I am really into Navy shadows (and polishes) right now and this post makes me want to try it! I can relate to your “Thunderdome reject” look when trying to do a subtle smokey eye. LOL. love it. I think that this and the gold eye liner are what I need from NARS fall 2013. PS what lipstick are you wearing in this photo?