NARS | Dual Intensity Eyeshadow in Lysithea & Dione with #49 Wet/Dry Eyeshadow Brush

With names inspired by constellations, the new Dual Intensity Eyeshadow range by NARS can almost rival those celestial bodies in brilliance. What makes these products unique, is their ability to be worn either dry or wet, without impacting the powder’s integrity, and how utterly weightless they feel when worn, all while still maintaining a high pigment level.

Upon their launch, I went to check these shades out and stood literally transfixed before the display; with their geometrically embossed pattern and complex shimmer, I must have agonized for hours before making my decision. I finally opted for 2 mid-tone shades that I know I’ll get a lot of mileage out of, and as a good starting point to get a feel for how these eyeshadows perform.

What I cannot accurately describe, nor am I able to completely capture in my photos, is the way the shimmer truly appears; applied dry using the accompanying new NARS synthetic fibre #49 Wet/Dry Eyeshadow Brush, you’re supposed to obtain a sheer wash of colour for a luminous finish, although from what I’ve seen, even dry these shades pack one hell of a punch. Applied with a dampened brush, you get a major molten metal effect (gotta love some beauty alliteration), but even that high voltage finish never comes off as over-the-top, possibly because of all the multi-dimensional properties each shade holds. The texture of these eyeshadows is gossamer light and it seems almost a contradiction that they hold so much pigment in spite of that, while the actual application is buttery and just glides along the skin with absolutely zero fallout or any powdery kickback when swirling my brush across the surface. The superior blendability factor of both Lysithea and Dione need to be mentioned as well, regardless of which method they’re applied. Seriously, I don’t have enough superlatives to give these their proper due.

NARS | Dual Intensity Eyeshadow in Lysithea & Dione with #49 Wet/Dry Eyeshadow Brush

NARS | Dual Intensity Eyeshadow in Lysithea & Dione

Lysithea Dual Intensity Eyeshadow (CAN $33.00) | Described as ‘shark grey’ on the NARS website, Lysithea is so much more than that; bearing touches of bronze and pink, this shade is perfectly suited for both cool and warm complexions. Applied dry and with a light hand, you get the barest wash of colour, and while the shimmer is definitely present, it’s so ultra-fine that it seems to almost come from within the colour as opposed to something obvious at the surface level. Worn wet, the impact is magnified, but there’s still enough depth of tone to make Lysithea totally wearable even in that state of brilliance. Longevity is amazing, especially over primer; I was able to easily get 8 hours wear worn dry and more than 10 hours worn wet.

NARS | Lysithea Dual Intensity Eyeshadow

Dione Dual Intensity Eyeshadow (CAN $33.00) | Described as ‘metallic champagne beige’ on the NARS website, Dione appears to belong in the taupe family as well. There are hints of pink somewhere in the base, and even though I’d have to say that this is more of a warm leaning shade, I can still see it working beautifully on cooler complexions as well. The more intensely pigmented of the two, Dione displays serious impact worn dry and does not sheer out as easily – if it’s a wash of colour you’re after, I suggest starting with a scant amount and a light hand in applying. Worn wet yields a stronger shine, making it more molten and gleaming and a perfect counterpart to dark matte hues. Longevity is phenomenal (over primer) and I’m able to easily get 10 hours plus, no matter which way this shade is worn.

NARS | Dione Dual Intensity Eyeshadow

NARS | Dual Intensity Eyeshadow Lysithea and Dione, watched dry

NARS | Dual Intensity Eyeshadow Lysithea and Dione, watched damp/wet

NARS | #49 Wet/Dry Eyeshadow Brush

#49 Wet/Dry Eyeshadow Brush (CAN $32.00) | Released in conjunction with the Dual Intensity Eyeshadows, the #49 Wet/Dry Eyeshadow Brush is a flat rounded brush bearing synthetic bristles that are exceptionally smooth to the touch and with just the right amount of flexibility to enable an effortless application. Used dry, you have the option of using the flat paddle portion of the brush to cover larger areas of the eye; alternately you can use the top edge for more detailed or eye lining work. When dampened, the brush picks up colour without becoming saturated, and so eyeshadow can then be easily applied and even blended, if desired.

NARS | #49 Wet/Dry Eyeshadow Brush

Luckily the 12 shades of the NARS Dual Intensity Eyeshadow range are not limited edition, because I have my eye on picking up a few more; having had such a good experience with both Lysithea and Dione, I’m now very curious to play with a few of the darker shades. If you’re someone who hesitates to wear shimmery eyeshadows, I still feel comfortable in suggesting you give them a look in order to appreciate their complexities. Similar to the multi-dimensional shimmer of the Giorgio Armani Eyes To Kill but in a powder format, NARS has take eye makeup to a whole new level with these shadows.

Available at all NARS counters nationwide, Hudson’s Bay, Sephora, Murale (Canada) and www.narscosmetics.com