Anchors aweigh, NARS fans! This is your captain speaking. Before we cast off, I’d like to thank you for choosing Tabs the Cat Tours (a division of Tabs the Cat Industries, LLC) for your travel needs.
It should be smoooove sailing up the coast this afternoon, and as we cruise into spring, you should see plenty of shimmery finishes, metallic moments and splashes of sheer color off the starboard bow.
I’d like to remind you to please wear your life jacket at all times. It is of the utmost importance, as we may experience sweeping moments of makeup ecstasy.
Our destination: the dreamy plums, turquoises, golds, pinks, greens and peaches in the nine-piece NARS spring 2014 collection. Hold on to your makeup brushes, because we’re heading into High Seize!
The entire NARS Spring 2014 High Seize collection includes…
- CHINA SEAS DUO EYESHADOW ($34): An iridescent turquoise with gold infusion and an iridescent plum
- KAUAI DUO EYESHADOW ($34): A gold lamé and an iridescent smokey orchid
- KHAO SAN ROAD LARGER THAN LIFE LONG-WEAR EYELINER ($24): A metallic aquamarine
- PUERTA DEL SOL LARGER THAN LIFE LONG-WEAR EYELINER ($24): A parrot green with shimmer
- ANNÉES FOLLES LARGER THAN LIFE LIP GLOSS ($26): A sheer violet
- BIMINI LARGER THAN LIFE LIP GLOSS ($26): A sheer pink guava
- TIMANFAYA SATIN LIP PENCIL ($25): A mandarin red
- NĀ PALI COAST MULTIPLE ($39): A shimmering rosy peach
- WIND DANCER NAIL POLISH ($19): A cantaloupe
NARS China Seas Duo Eyeshadow ($34)
Please direct your gaze to the starboard side, as we plunge into the life aquatic with China Seas, the first of two eyeshadow duos in the collection.
Submerge your lids under its shimmery iridescent turquoise. Then, take a dip in its sparkling, iridescent reddish plum…
Both of the shadows in this duo will lap your lids with a soft sheen. I like how they blend seamlessly into each other — but please, do be careful of the fallout. A bit of powder finds its way onto my cheeks whenever I forget to tap off my brush before applying, but it’s not enough to need a life preserver.
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: B+
NARS Kauai Duo Eyeshadow ($34)
Hold on to the railing, friends, because we’re heading into some exciting big waves courtesy of the thrilling Kauai Duo Eyeshadow, which makes a splash with its mirror-like shine and bold pigment.
This duo is the flashier of the two. Every time I see that shimmery metallic yellow gold and iridescent smokey orchid sparkling on my lids, my breath catches, and I feel so alive! — like the time I paddled into a six-foot wave and actually surfed the damned thing (I even dropped in, OMG!).
Grab this one if you want to focus attention on your eyes, but more mature NARS fans might want to go easy on it by wearing these shadows close to their lids or lash lines, since the high-shine finish just loooooves to point out fine lines.
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: A
Khao San Road Larger Than Life Long-Wear Eyeliner ($24)
Now, if you’ll make your way toward the port bow, you’ll notice shimmery Khao San Road Eyeliner sunbathing on the surface of the water. Can’t miss this one, because the pigment is no joke! 🙂
One layer is all you’ll need for a wave of intensely bright metallic aquamarine. The texture totally rocks my boat, because it’s so soft and buttery — probably more than any of the Larger Than Life Long-Wear Eyeliners I’ve tried.
Not sure what to do with a bright teal like this? Well, one of my favorite ways to wear this color, and a trick I recommend all the time to friends who want to start exploring the wonderful world of brights, is to pat a neutral shadow on your lids, coat your lashes with mascara, and then line your lower lash line with the teal.
After our tour, try it with a golden shimmery brown, like NARS Cyprus Eyeshadow, on your lids. Then, just line your lower lash line with Khao San Road. If the color is too intense for you, turn it into a sheer wash by smudging out the edges with a pencil brush.
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: A
Puerta Del Sol Larger Than Life Long-Wear Eyeliner ($24)
Ooh, see that liner swimming next to Khao? That’s Puerta Del Sol, a bright parrot green. It has tiny flecks of silver (so cute!) in it, and it’s another option if you want to try that trick with a bright liner along your lower lash lines. It’s a little less intense than Khao San Road, so you might want to grab it instead if you like your liners colorful, but not overly saturated.
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: B+
Annees Folles Larger Than Life Lip Gloss ($26)
OK, let’s head up to the observation deck now for a better view of the collection’s lip products, shall we?
I’d like start by directing your attention to one of my favorite pieces from High Seize, purple Annees Folles Lip Gloss.
As you may know, purple is totally having a moment right now (have you seen Pantone’s Color of the Year?). Annees Folles is a great pick if you’ve been wanting to get in on the indigo action.
It’s a sheer violet (could be too sheer for some), but that’s what I like about it. It probably won’t be intense enough for catwalk cadets, but for gals/guys who just want an everyday color, it’s a seaworthy choice. It also layers well on top of purple and pink lipsticks.
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: A-
Bimini Larger Than Life Lip Gloss ($26)
Bimini, the second of two sheer lip glosses in the collection, is an uber-sheer pink guava — a perfect on-the-go purse gloss. Just whip it out, and touch up for a barely there pink glow. No mirror required.
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: B+
Timanfaya Satin Lip Pencil ($25)
Seafarers seeking bolder lips, no need to fret! Francois didn’t forget about you, baby girl. The boldest lip color in the launch, Timanfaya, has your back.
I could seriously spend DAYS talking about how much I love the Satin Lip Pencils, but here’s the abridged version: smooth, rich, silky color that completely covers lips in a single layer. Timanfaya, a reddish coral, will fill your sails if you seek opaque, intense lip color (that doesn’t require a separate lip pencil).
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: A
Na Pali Coast Multiple ($39)
Are you familiar with NARS Taos blush? The Na Pali Coast Multiple is like a cream stick version. Just like the dramatic Kauai cliffs of the same name, it’s easy to stare at this creamy highlighter’s intense, shimmery rose color.
I wear Na Pali Coast as a blush. Just skim it over cheeks, and blend out the edges with a finger for flushed cheeks that look like you’ve been out sailing.
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: A-
Wind Dancer Nail Polish ($19)
We’re approaching the end of our tour, my friends, but before we head back to port, please take a moment to make sure you have all of your belongings, and check out the final piece in the collection, a creamy cantaloupe nail polish called Wind Dancer. It’s a creamy, sheer warm orange, and it looks exactly like a juicy slice of cantaloupe.
I’m wearing three coats for this swatch here because I like to wear it full coverage, but sailors who prefer sheerer looks could wear one or two.
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: B
NARS Spring 2014 wrap-up
High Seize is a full-throttle spring collection characterized by bold colors and shimmery finishes. It’s probably one of those collections where I won’t be wearing all of the pieces at once, just because many of the pigments are intense (it might be a little much). I’ll probably wear one or two of the eye products at a time, max, and balance them out with one of the sheer glosses.
Or, I might wear the Na Pali Coast Multiple on my cheeks, with either a gloss or Satin Lip Pencil on my lips, and keep my eyes bare with just mascara.
Who knows? If bright, bad-@ss looks are what you love to wear (NO FEAR!), then by all means, go all out with the bold eyes, lips and cheeks in this launch. There’s a lot of brights to choose from.
The entire nine-piece collection arrives in port January 15 at NARS counters, boutiques and online at narscosmetics.com. Ahoy! I’ll see you there. 🙂
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Oh, how I wish I were a colored eyeshadow person. They look divine on you.
I might have to go for that Multiple, though. I just bought Taos and I love the way it looks. A dewy version would be fantastic to have.
Wow, this is a stunning collection! I LOVE the Timanfaya pencil!
I think this is a really pretty assortment of colors. I’m really liking both of the eyeshadow duos, and am also excited for the orangey satin lip pencil and nail polish. Makes me look forward to warmer weather, even though it won’t be coming around any time soon.
Timanfaya is gorgeous! I own far too many reds for how rarely I wear them though, LOL. I need to get a mirror for my cube at work to reapply lipstick.
That satin lip pencil looks so gorgeous!
Something tells me this will be my favorite line for all of 2014. I’m waaaaaay anxious for the launch! Na Pali is clearly going to become a quick classic and I’m happy to see that Timanfaya is as pretty as I was expecting. I’m also happy to see Annees Folles wears so well. I wasn’t sure how the lavender would work out, but it’s actually quite pretty.
Hi Karen,
Oh my goodness! I was so excited to see your review of NARS 2014 up! The eyeshadow duo I’m looking forward to most is NARS China Seas – what a gorgeous pairing.
I’m quite tempted by NARS Larger Than Life Annees Folles as well – I love the lavender tint it adds to your lips here
I always love your pics and swatches Karen! They’re so helpful! The look you created with the purple duo is absolutely gorgeous!! I thought I wanted the purple gloss and green eyeliner but I think I’ll pass. I have a shimmering green eyeliner and the gloss looks really sheer. I do want the multiple and blue liner though! This collection is so pretty
Yes!!! I have been waiting for your review of this collection. I need the Kauai duo in my life!
Oh Karen!! Those eyeshadow duos look sooo beautiful… and even more so when you wear them!!! Ack!
Your posts and photo editing are always so so creative!! I personally don’t really wear bold colors or much lip product but the orange lip pencil really really suits you!
Love the Kauwai Duo! That orchid shade is gorgeous!
you look reeeeaallly young and bright with your hair so long, bouncy, and shiny! looking good!
Oh my…the Kauwai duo looks BEAUTIFUL! Time to go search for dupes in my collection…..but I’ll probably end up buying it anyway!
I love the green color.
So lovely to see a collection that isn’t pastel pink, though bright eyes are not really my style either. I love seeing swatches and looks on you Karen!
Wow, Kauai is seriously tempting! They could seriously pass as cream/hybrid shadows with the pigmentation and finish!
Kauai duo is stunning, too bad I am absolutely not allowed to buy any make up any time soon! All your pictures look gorgeous!
Oh, and more importantly I love this post, such a creative way to review this collection!
I just have to have that lilac lip gloss!
Oeh, before the swatches i was drooling over the eyeshadow duo Kauai. But after i’m really liking the Timanfaya pencil.
The kauai eyeshadow looks lovely on your eyes! 🙂
This collection is insanely nice! I may have to wear some spring makeup today because of this post! I think the product I will most likely be buying is the multiple.
NARS is wayyyyy to evil. The only thing I like is the Kaua’i Eyeshadow Duo and since I was just there on our last family vacation (before college graduation an real world calling). Sadly this means the name is also making me go all squishy! But I cant’s spend that much money!!! *sighs*
Bimini is gorgeous but I might be turning into a doe foot snob for gloss. 🙂
I love the look you created with these products! I’m definitely going to need 75% of them lol
Hi Karen! Your writing and the quality of your photographs are amazing. I’m so tempted by Timanfaya Satin Lip Pencil as those pencils are so easy to use and I love that they fade so evenly.
Hooooly smokes! This might just be my favorite collection of 2014! I know, I know, we still have ELEVEN months to go, but still, all these products look ah-mazing! I really like the look of the Kauai Duo Eyeshadow. And Puerta del Sol is deeefinitely a must-have! And the nail polish, oooh the nail polish!
LOVE Bimini! Nars’ really does color well… you look really great in it!
This collection is gorgeous! I love the satin lip pencil, it’s so bright.
What a gorgeous collection! Love the eyeshadows and the eyeliners!
I’ve been looking for a new, good colored liner. Heading to Sephora asap to get the Khao San Road Larger Than Life Long-Wear Eyeliner. It looks awesome! Thanks 🙂
http://www.christinasstyle.com
WOW – what a beautiful collection! I particularly love the Timanfaya pencil contrasted with the purple eyeshadow – so pretty!
Love Nars 🙂 I just bought Galapagos for the first time yesterday. I will have to check this collection out – it looks amazing! Usually I just buy Orgasm from Nars because it’s a cult favorite of mine. Galapagos looks pretty in the pan, can’t wait to try it. I bet it would play well with MAC Club, Mulch, and Woodwinked.
Those eyeshadow duos are *gorgeous* (hyperventilates). I’ll also (in this imaginary wallet of mine) make room for those two eyeliners and the glosses while I’m at it… 😉
The orange lip pencil looks stunning on you, Karen!
The kauaui eyeshadow and lip pencil will be mine!!! I can see this palette transitioning in to summer because of the gold shimmer shadow.
Kauai looks amazing and reminds me somewhat of Melusine which I love. Out of everything in the collection if I get anything that would probably be it. What shadow did you use in the crease, Karen? Also do you have any shade suggestions for a transition with that duo for a N/NW 10-15?
Love all of these, that Kauai duo is calling my name!
Both of the purples in the eyeshadow duos are GORGEOUS!
OMG I love them ALL!!!!! But I think I especially love Kauai + Bimini combo on you somehow. Might also have to get Timanfaya too. Have yet to try the satin lip pencil. I love NARS but they are complicated to get because they don’t have a store in Germany :/.
Astrid,
If you live in Western Germany I’m like 99% certain that they are carried at the Sephora in Strasbourg. Maybe take a day trip to check them out?