Monday, February 6, 2012

NARS Lhasa eyeshadow review


         In its own quiet way, NARS Lhasa eyeshadow single has become a standout color in spring 2012. Cloudy, rocky, and overcast colors are my modus operandi, so you can imagine how excited I was to finally get my hands on NARS Lhasa. To add to the ambiance, I've taken my photos on an appropriately cloudy day!


           The real life Lhasa is the capitol of Tibet. I've heard that in Tibet the air is so clear and clean that you can see color like never before. I can't help but wonder if the color of NARS Lhasa was inspired by a greyed purple cast of the Himalayas, 'where earth meets sky.' I've never been to Tibet, however I dug up a photo from my trip to Yellowstone last summer. I think this picture of shaggy bison grazing among smoky purple hills evokes a similar, though lower in altitude, imagery.


           Lhasa is officially described as a lavender grey. I'd say it's more of a taupe with grey-purple leanings. It seems to be the cooler sister of NARS' Ashes to ashes (as confirmed by J of Lil lady's life). In fact, Lhasa is what I hoped that Ashes to ashes would be. The application seems a bit sheer at first swipe, however it layers on quickly for depth. I do find myself swirling my brush in the pan, as opposed to taking a simple swipe. I don't mind the initial sheerness. It makes it easy to blend for a natural looking slightly smoked eye and I can layer where necessary.


           Below you can click on the packaging if you would like to read the ingredients in NARS Lhasa single eyeshadow. Ingredient information is often difficult to find online, which can be frustrating for people with sensitivities like myself. I will try to include this kind of information in future product posts as well.



           I have comparison swatches of NARS Lhasa with other colors to demonstrate the nature of its color. Compared to the blue-purple of Bobbi Brown Plum Steel you can see that NARS Lhasa is more of a taupe as opposed to a purple. Compared to the silver taupe side of NARS Grand Palais, you can see that Lhasa has cooler purple tones. Compared to MAC Scene, which is a heather grey, you can see that Lhasa is definitely more of a taupe than a grey. I suspect that Lhasa is a color that will swatch differently on every skintone because it is a taupe. I think it pulls a little more brown and less purple on me. You can see NARS Lhasa worn on Getting Cheeky and Makeup Magpie and more comparison swatches on Bloomin' Beauty and Beauty Reflections.


          Overall, it's love. I'll likely end up using Lhasa as a solo color on my lids every day for the near future. It melds so well with skin that using other colors to blend out is not necessary. Dimension can be added by simple layering. I am hard pressed to think of a color that could be more perfect. NARS Lhasa adds a hint of old world mystery like its namesake, as if you were seeing shadows belonging to a distant yet still present past.

         Thanks for reading! Are you boarding the Lhasa train? Or do you prefer warmer counterparts like NARS Ashes to ashes or MAC satin taupe? What are your favorite taupes?

Love, Dovey.

35 comments:

  1. This is gorgeous. I absolutely love your blog, it's one of my favourites x

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    1. Thank you Summer--- I really appreciate hearing that :)

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  2. Very pretty eye shadow ! I think I need to try NARS eye shadows... I don't own any.

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    1. Thanks Tasha --- it is a bit like opening pandora's box though :P

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  3. WOW you sounds like you really love this color! Thanks so much for linking me and might I say the intro, description, and corresponding photo is DEAD ON. You certainly have a way with words!!!

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    1. Hi J! Thanks! I got even more excited about it after seeing swatches on your blog. It hadn't made it to me in the mail at that point :)

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  4. I'm so amazed by that Yellowstone picture. Can't believe you went to such a gorgeous place like that! Lhasa is perfect for you and goes so nicely with the soft dove greys you like also. :)

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    1. Hi Liz--- It was so beautiful! I miss it (despite camping in freezing weather), and hope I'll get to see it again one day. As for colors, you know me too well :P

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  5. i love the bison photo, fits VERY well with this shadow. everyone is going crazy over this shade! i still havent picked it up. i am really uneasy about the lavender leanings. plus greys are hard for me to work with, i cant make it look flattering!

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    1. Thanks Kelly! I'm so glad you like the photo. I like the point about undertones; no matter how pretty a shadow is, it really depends on personal taste. There are definitely much loved colors out there that make me go hmmmmmm.... for myself too!

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  6. Love this! I'm dying to see how it looks with MAC Cloudy Afternoon, which is currently my favorite gray. I'm sure Lhasa will be dethroning it soon. =D

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    1. Hi Kayla- I've been lemming Cloudy Afternoon forever! I convinced myself out of it, but I'm always on the edge; it seems like such an easy to wear grey. Now I may take a peek at it on Google again :)

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  7. Gorgeous! I love how i see a little blue in it :)

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  8. It DOES remind me of Buffaloes!

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  9. Thanks for the mention Dovey! :) That photo is gorgeous!! This has been my go to taupe ever since i got it! I love how it looks so different on everyone and still looks so pretty!

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    1. Hi Tracy! Thank you --- I really love how it looks on everyone too. Maybe that's the magic of taupe?

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  10. I swatched Lhasa and didn't think anything of it BUT then I see it on almost every blog I read regularly. Maybe I need to have a look again :/

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    1. Hi Sylvie--- I'm glad you wrote! I think Lhasa is exciting to me in the sense that it is such an unassuming color. Of course on the flip side of the coin, it can also be an un-exciting color if it's not the undertones that you're drawn to :)

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    2. same here! I just can't decide if i need it! i'll have to try it again...

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    3. Hi Bronzerbunny - try before buy is always a good way to go!

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  11. Beautiful colours! Also, I love how you connected the Lhasa eyeshadow to Tibet!

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    1. Thank you Maria, I really appreciate your comment :)

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  12. I've totally got my eye on this colour but it isn't released in Australia yet. Will be getting it for sure as soon as it's out! Great swatches and comparison! xo

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    1. Hi Lilit, Thanks! I hope it makes it there soon! I wonder what the rationale behind different international release dates are? Why make makeup lovers wait?

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  13. want it so much but still waiting for the collection to be released in the czech republic...

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    1. Hi Karolin, Thanks for your comment; It's amazing to get a comment from so far away :) I hope the spring collection is released near you soon!!

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    2. aaah, so sweet you answered. i did actually get the shadow and LOVE it! thanks to your blog i actually tried nars in the first place (oh the dogon duo that started it all...) :)
      congrats on the allure thing, i'll vote for you!

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    3. Thank you so much Karolin! I'm really glad you checked back for the response.... oh, dogon was a REALLY good duo :)

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  14. Yup, you just confirmed that i need this shadow in my collection - then again, I really don't need much arm twisting!!

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    1. Hi Lexi! Hehe, I would love to see what you do with it if you do get it!

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  15. Excellent review! I agree 100%! Thanks for the shout out/link dear! I love the picture you included, it's a perfect visual!

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  16. I bought this recently and I'm also in love!

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