NARS | Telesto & Pasiphae Dual-Intensity Eyeshadows

With Winter finally raging away here in Montréal (we actually had a green Christmas this year. I even wore open-toed booties!), how perfect are both Telesto and Pasiphae from the NARS Dual-Intensity Eyeshadow range (CAN $36.00 each, launched this past Fall) for creating a festively shimmering look to usher in the New Year?

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A few notes for those unfamiliar with the Dual-Intensity range of eyeshadows: these come in a densely-packed yet still soft & ultra finely-milled powdered form, loaded with pigment as well as very finely ground shimmer – in many cases several shades are even iridescent and multi-chromatic. They all offer the bonus versatility of being worn either dry (much easier to blend this way) or with a dampened brush (excellent liner shades this way as well); applied dry, you get a sheer wash of colour but which can definitely be layered for more depth of tone. Applied damp, the impact is a more dramatic pigment payoff, along with a stronger focus of any colour shift. Meant to give 8 hours of wear, which I can vouch for – and more – especially when worn over primer, lasting true without any creasing, fading or flaking until removed.

NARS | Telesto & Pasiphae Dual-Intensity Eyeshadows

Telesto | Described as ‘brown with golden shimmer‘ is certainly accurate, but there are nuances in between the ‘brown’ and the ‘golden’ part of the description that are hard to capture in words. Slightly more warmer leaning than cool, the actual ‘temperature’ of this shade can also be dialled up or down depending on whether it’s applied dry or damp. Beautifully worn on its own for an easy daytime look to brighten the eyes, Telesto also makes an excellent transition shade, especially when applied at the crease.

NOTE: In Greek mythology, Telesto whose name means the “personification of the divine blessing or success”, was one of the daughters of Titans Oceanus and Tethys

NARS | Telesto Dual-Intensity Eyeshadow

NARS | Telesto Dual-Intensity Eyeshadow (detail)

NARS | Telesto Dual-Intensity Eyeshadow swatches (applied dry & damp)

Pasiphae | Described as a ‘shimmering peacock burgundy‘, might sound somewhat confusing, but it’s actually pretty spot-on. In fact, trying to pin down the myriad colours of this shade is quite difficult, as depending on the angle and light it’s viewed in, the colour will morph from burgundy to silvery to green to bronze, and includes several more tones in between. Dampening Pasiphae really brings out its teal ‘peacock’ side, while deeper lighting will emphasize its burgundy nature, with the bronze undertone adding a unique veil over it all. Stunning, I tell you and a total must-see.

NOTE: In Greek mythology, Pasiphae whose name means “wide-shining”, was the daughter of Helios the sun God and Perse

NARS |Pasiphae Dual-Intensity Eyeshadow

NARS |Pasiphae Dual-Intensity Eyeshadow (detail)

NARS |Pasiphae Dual-Intensity Eyeshadow swatches (applied dry & damp)

NARS |Telesto & Pasiphae Dual-Intensity Eyeshadows

If you’ve yet to dip a brush into any of the NARS Dual-Intensity Eyeshadows, you’re seriously missing out on one of the most original and complex formulas that has been released in recent memory, and I can’t recommend them enough. Visually, they are exquisite to behold, but ultimately it’s their performance that counts; and yes, they deliver. Thankfully both Telesto and Pasiphae are part of the permanent range and thus available year round (kudos for that, NARS). Bottom line: so worth picking up.

NARS Cosmetics are available through The Bay & thebay.com, Sephora and sephora.com, Holt Renfrew, and Nordstrom stores across Canada. Find more information via www.narscosmetics.com