In celebration of Fashion’s Night Out 2011 in New York this past fall, NARS had created ‘Space Odyssey’ – a highly gleaming, silver foil-like nail lacquer..the epitome of futuristic chic! After it sold out online (at the time, the only way to get one’s hands on this beauty), I was thrilled to see it make a re-appearance as part of the brand’s Holiday 2011 Collection, although it still remains a limited edition shade. All swatches are with Deborah Lippmann’s 2-Second Nail Primer as well as Addicted to Speed Top Coat, and Seche Clear Base Coat.
When I hear the words ‘Space Odyssey’, the first thing that comes to mind is Stanley Kubrick’s 1968 cult classic, “2001: A Space Odyssey”, one of the earliest sci-fi films to actually still resonate today.
However, when I first swatched NARS ‘Space Odyssey’, I confess that this shade reminded me less of anything space related, but rather more the silver lamé outfit that Elizabeth Hurley (as Vanessa Kensington) sported in “Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery”… go figure!
But now, after having worn the shade and admired its brilliance, the image that has supplanted the others, is that of shiny, festive Christmas ornaments! Tis the season, after all, so I guess it’s only natural!
‘Space Odyssey’ is like pouring liquid metal across your nails; a simply awesome formula, being a touch on the thin side that makes it actually quite easy to spread evenly, it applies somewhat semi-sheer, and even though two coats gives excellent coverage, the following swatches all bear three coats for a denser opacity. The colour itself is an super-gleaming tinsel silver hue, filled with an ultra-fine metallic shimmer that levels to a smooth, brush stroke-free finish and leaves behind a mirror bright shine. While removal is fairly easy, it should be noted that some silvery shimmer dust may remain behind, although a second swipe of your polish remover will quickly eliminate all traces.
Sunlight adds an truly blinding reflective shine to this shade, giving it an almost mirror-ball appearance.
Indirect light casts a slightly steely wintry tone to ‘Space Odyssey’ and draws forth a significantly cooler tone.
Shaded light may add a warmer touch to this shade, however nothing can dim its foil-like gleam.
A final view taken with flash throws an almost diamond-bright aura about this shade…pure brilliance!
Naurally, I needed to see how ‘Space Odyssey’ would compare to a few other similarly hued shades I own, with the three closest being Gosh’s ‘Silver’ (previously reviewed here), China Glaze’s ‘Icicle’ (previously reviewed here), and finally a-england’s ‘Excalibur’ (previously reviewed here). The following is a point form breakdown of the comparisons:
- Index finger – Gosh ‘Silver’: very close in formula, slightly thicker and less flow, colour a degree darker with the final shine a touch more brilliant, slightly prone to brush strokes and a more tinsel look (3 coats).
- Middle finger – NARS ‘Space Odyssey’ (3 coats).
- Ring finger – China Glaze ‘Icicle’: formula almost identical, although a touch runnier and slightly more prone to brush strokes (3 coats).
- Pinkie finger – a-england ‘Excalibur’: thickest formula, the smoothest appearance, a burnished sheet-metal finish, with the least shine but easiest removal (2 coats).
Seen in sunlight, the similarities between three of the four shades is uncanny, with ‘Silver’ gleaming slightly brighter and ‘Excalibur’ looking the smoothest.
Indirect light binds the first three shades in a 3-way tie, with ‘Excalibur’ now firmly out of the running.
Shaded light makes it almost impossible to tell ‘Silver’, ‘Space Odyssey’, and ‘Icicle’ apart, with ‘Excalibur’s’ similar base but different finish, standing out.
A final view taken with flash spotlights the utter gleam of all four shades – a starry brilliance on full display!
Final thoughts: My first view of this cosmically-inclined beauty was when my dear friend Pam of Polish Police showed us her amazing swatches (here); I knew then that I couldn’t miss out on this stunner! I’ve said many times before that I’m somewhat of a “colour purist” and that while I enjoy the look of glitters, they’re not my preferred choice of finishes, however ‘Space Odyssey’ combines the purity of a single hue (silver) with a modern, urban and sophisticated finish, making it transcend the boundaries of simple varnish, and turning it more into nail jewelry. It doesn’t hurt that the formula is so spectacular, either! As this is a limited edition shade and with the holiday season upon us, ‘Space Odyssey’ would make the perfect stocking stuffer (if you can part with it, that is!).
22 Responses to NARS ‘Space Odyssey’ (swatches, comparisons & review)