With the NARS Mandchourie Duo Eyeshadow, NARS Blue It in the Best Possible Way

Don’t you hate it when someone else shows up to the party wearing the same outfit? That’s probably how the neighbor’s Russian Blue felt today when she saw that I was wearing the new NARS Mandchourie Duo Eyeshadow.

I’m all up in your catnip!

You know how cats are… Divas. They think they’re the sh*t, especially when it comes to the color of their coat, and until today, my Russian comrade held the undisputed title of Smokiest Blue on the Block.

But things have changed. Now, with the shadows in this powder duo on my lids, old blue has some serious competition.

MEOW! 🙂

The duo, my new go-to girl for sultry, smokey eyes, hails from the new NARS Holiday 2011 collection, a bizarrely cohesive mix of browns, blues, plums, peaches and golds, with a smattering of red, silver and black.

“Its French name conjures the geographical region in northeast Asia, as this golden-infused denim paired with a rich navy delivers a yin and yang effect to the lid. Each hue can be worn on its own, but when applied together — the darker shade in the crease or as a liner; the lighter color on the lid or as a highlight — the result is one of perfect balance.”

— NARS Cosmetics

For me, blue isn’t the first color that comes to mind when I think of quick smokey eyes, because with it there’s usually some extra patting and blending involved (and sometimes extra time for cleanup). But Mandchourie makes blue surprisingly easy.

To my eye the lighter shade resembles a shimmery greenish denim blue with flashes of shimmery gold. I like to apply it with a firm eyeshadow brush, and then buff that out with a fluffy domed brush, which transforms the color into a soft, smokey gray.

Pretty!

The darker shadow, a matte navy, is the more reserved of the two, and I think it compliments its lighter sibling well.

Both shades live up to the high standard set by NARS, applying with loads of pigment while resisting creasing and fading for hours. I was, though, a little surprised to find some fallout from this duo. Not a lot, but still.

For a swift, sultry look, I load the lighter shade onto my lids with a firm eyeshadow brush, smoke out the edges with a domed brush, and then, for added definition, line my upper and lower lash lines with the darker denim shade. About 10 minutes from start to finish, which for me is practically light speed for a blue smokey eye.

PRICE: $33
AVAILABILITY: Coming soon to NARS counters and available now online
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: B+

Strike averted! My roots had been planning to go on strike this weekend, so I stopped by the salon this afternoon for a quick dye touchup and bang trim.

That reminds me — ya know what would be really cool? A salon that combined hair cutting/coloring with socially sanctioned napping. Don’t get me wrong — I love chatting and catching up with my stylist, but if I were able to sneak in a nap too? Oh, that would take the salon experience to the next level.

In other news, I’m off to the airport! See you soon from Santa Monica. Have a great night. 🙂

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. For more on the NARS Holiday 2011 collection, check out…

• NARS Holiday 2011: Product Pics!
• NARS Holiday 2011 Swatches
• Celebrating the End of the Week with NARS Joyous Red Lipstick
• Lips Look Fly in Creamy Golden NARS Albatross Lip Gloss
• You Have the Right to Glow Quietly with NARS Miss Liberty Highlighting Blush