The star-studded NARS Holiday 2022 Collection has launched and it’s gorgeous. From the packaging, to the shades — and including all the gift sets, François Nars has once again shown why he’s the absolute master of colour. The only downside is that it’s all limited edition. Sigh
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No detail has been overlooked: how gorgeous is the outer packaging?
Stargaze Eyeshadow Palette (CAN $80.00) | Housed in a black lacquered compact silkscreened with gold stars on the cover, there’s also a full sized mirror on the inner lid. Inside you’ll find 12 pigment-rich shades in a variety of finishes: high-performance mattes, pearlescent satins, silky satins, and glittering toppers. The textures are equally wonderful; the mattes are velvety smooth and never chalky, and many of the shimmery shades feel super creamy to the touch. All display excellent blendability as well as great staying power, especially when applied over primer.
Available: narscosmetics.ca
- Hayworth – antique gold glitter
- Heartbreak – matte taupe brown
- Hollywood Lover – shimmering soft cool pink
- Nouvelle Vague – matte soft mauve
- Go Deep – matte rust amber
- Los Feliz – shimmering copper bronze
- Instant Stardom – satin lilac
- Lights Out – shimmering amethyst
- Double Trouble – matte deep oak brown
- Swoon – satin rich eggplant
- Headliner – shimmering dirty rose
- Walk of Fame – matte orchid fuchsia
Explicit Content Climax Mascara Duo (CAN $40.00/value: $66.00) | (Originally reviewed here) With its ribbed vivid red packaging, this mascara looks like art, but the performance is where it counts, and trust me when I say that it delivers. A rich black shade, a dense brush that easily coats every lash — even the tiny hairs you had no idea were even there, it also provides plenty of length & volume as well. I have very high standards where mascara is concerned, and this is one I’ve gone through multiple tubes of; that fact alone speaks for itself. The best part about this duo? You get 2 full sized tubes for such a great price! For reference, the swatch below is with 2 coats.
Available: narscosmetics.ca, Sephora, Hudson’s Bay, Nordstrom
Translucent Crystal Light Reflecting Setting Powder (CAN $50.00) | (Previously reviewed here) Dressed up for this collection with the same starry print on the lid and including a flat puff for application, this iconic setting powder is a staple in many makeup artists’ kits. Don’t let the stark white hue throw you off, as it applies so sheerly as to be practically invisible and helps to set your makeup while keeping shine at bay far longer than if you go without. Photographing this powder is quite challenging, and swatching it even more so, but you can still get an idea of the finish by clicking the link to my earlier post (provided above).
Available: narscosmetics.ca, Sephora
Rising Star Cheek Palette (CAN $80.00) | Bearing the same starry motif as the rest of the collection, these are 6 generously sized new blush shades housed in one compact. Each hue has a raised star pattern on the surface, and all are incredibly pigment-rich. The textures are silky smooth upon application and blend out beautifully. You can mix and match by swirling your brush across several, or even layer them in application for a unique new effect. The lightest shade (Guilty Pleasure) can even serve as a highlighter — especially against darker skin tones. I also enjoy sweeping a bit of blush along my eye socket as a way of tying my look together. Personally, I feel like NARS blushes go under most people’s radar, and yet they’re seriously some of the best — if not THE best — blushes out there.
Available: narscosmetics.ca, Sephora, Hudson’s Bay, Nordstrom, Shopper’s Drug Mart
- Guilty Pleasure – rose gold
- Famous – bright pink
- Golden Age – cool fuchsia
- Limelight – pink mauve
- Paramount – peachy coral
- Premiere – bordeaux red
Ava Audacious Lipstick (CAN $43.00) | With stars on the outer packaging and in raised form on the bullet, this limited edition shade is in the brand’s ultra creamy and colour-saturated formula. Providing full coverage from the first swipe, this caramel nude colour will suit a wide range of skintones. With its creamy glide, it won’t feather or bleed either and given its emollient nature, reapplication will be needed — especially after eating/drinking — but I welcome the opportunity to whip this beauty out!
Available: narscosmetics.ca, Shopper’s Drug Mart
Dragon Girl Kiss The Stars Matte Lip Duo (CAN $52.00) | One of two holiday lip duos (the other is Dolce Vita, not shown), this may be a matching set, but either works beautifully on its own — or applied together (see swatches below). The Velvet Matte Pencil formula is incredibly long lasting and glides along the lips without pulling or tugging, while the Air Matte formula feels featherlight upon application and throughout wear. I’m super happy that NARS decided to make their iconic Dragon Girl one of the duos with this collection, as this sizzling red shade couldn’t be more party perfect. Interestingly, the pencil leans cool while the Air Matte has warmer undertones making this set suitable for basically every skin tone.
Available: narscosmetics.ca, Hudson’s Bay, Nordstrom, Shopper’s Drug Mart
- Dragon Girl Velvet Matte Lip Pencil – siren red, velvet matte finish
- Dragon Girl Air Matte Lip Color – siren red, satin matte finish
As a longtime fan of NARS makeup, I love how this collection not only works in terms of “holiday” but every piece can easily be worn all year round. Each product not only delivers in performance, but is so perfect to give as a gift as well. I definitely recommend visiting the website to see all the other gift sets — especially if you’re looking for the perfect stocking stuffer for that beauty lover on your list. Of course, everything is limited edition so, get them while you can!
All availabilities listed beneath each product
Kindly provided by NARS for my unbiased consideration