NARS Mekong Smoky Eyes (NARSissist palette)

Who doesn’t love a good smoky eyes? I sure do! I’m sure my friend, Finency, loves it too! She showed me this picture on Instagram, and it showed a smoky eyes using NARS Mekong eyeshadow. I love how simple, easy, and definitely I’ll wear this for a night out.

I skipped the whole false lashes so this look is more grungy, and more me. I don’t usually wear falsies, so this really stay true to how I’d wear my smoky eyes. I also filled my brows without shaping it using any concealer. Again, just want to stay true to how I usually do my makeup. As I said, it’s very simple and quick. No fuss, sexy, and sultry. I like my makeup to be as simple as possible. This is just how I prefer to do my makeup, but if you like more of a glam look you can take a look at my other tutorials under smoky eyes.

For this tutorial, I used NARS eyeshadows from the NARSississt palette. I’ve done tutorials, and review of this palette. Please feel free to check them out.

NARS Mekong tutorial

How-to:

1. I prepped my eyelids by applying a cream-base eyeshadow. I used Smashbox limitless 15-hour cream shadow in Stone.

2. Using a flat eyeshadow brush, I applied NARS Mekong eyeshadow all over my eyelid. The camera didn’t pick it up, but there’s lots of gorgeous golden flecks on my lids.

3. Using a fluffy blending brush, I applied NARS Madrague I on the crease to diffuse the color out.

4. I applied NARS Mekong on the lower lash line using a small shader brush.

5. I lined my waterline, tightline, and upper lash line using L’oreal Voluminous Smoldering eyeliner.

6. Using an angled eyebrow brush, I applied NARS Pandora II along the upper lash line. I kind of winged mine a little, but you don’t have to.

7. I filled my brows using Anastasia Brow Wiz in Medium Ash.

8. I curled my lashes and applied MUFE Aqua Smoky Lash mascara on both upper and bottom lashes.

NARS Mekong smoky eyes

9. On my face, I applied Smashbox Liquid Halo Foundation using CoverFX cream foundation brush.

10. I highlighted (under my eyes, bridge of my nose, cupid’s bow, chin, & forehead) my face using YSL Touche Eclat.

11. I set my face using Cover FX translucent powder.

12. I lightly contoured my face using Smashbox contour palette.

13. On my cheeks, I applied Chanel Blush de Horizon.

14. I filled my lips using MAC Spice lip liner, and Clinique Heaping Hazelnut Chubby Stick lip balm.

 

Products used

Eyes – Smashbox limitless 15-hour cream shadow in Stone; NARSissist eyeshadow palette (Lid: Mekong, crease: Madrague I, liner: Pandora II); Anastasia Brow Wiz in Medium Ash; MUFE Aqua Smoky Lash mascara

Face – Smashbox Liquid Halo foundation; YSL Touche Eclat; Cover FX Translucent Powder; Smashbox contour powder; Chanel Blush de Horizon

Lips – MAC Spice lip pencil; Clinique Heaping Hazelnut chubby stick

Lavender Grey using NARSissist Palette

For this week’s tutorial, I decided to use my NARSissist Palette again! I fell in love with this palette all over again. I feel like it’s such a great palette with a more mature color option. For today’s tutorial, I picked out my favorite shades which were in the range of grey, lavender, and violet. I know the picture doesn’t show much of the lavender/violet on the lid, but I assure you it’s such a pretty grey with very subtle hint of lavender/violet in it. If you’re one not to wear color, and prefer a much neutral option, this would be a great addition to your makeup wardrobe.

Oh, just to let you guys know, I have been trying to update my Instagram daily. I’m going to try to do a weekly “Monday Makeup Inspiration”, and regram/repost-ing every look that YOU guys do if you FOLLOW me (@kireimakeup) and add #kireimakeup to your Instagram pictures! I’d love to see your makeup and/or your re-creation of any of my looks!

narsissist smoky eyes

How-to:

1. I’ve prepped my eyelid using Urban Decay Primer Potion in original. Using a blending brush (from UD Naked 3 palette), I applied NARS Brousse II on my crease.

2. Using a small shader brush, I applied NARS Pandora II on the outer V of my eyelid.

3. I blended my crease by applying NARS Madrague I using a clean blending brush. I used this shade as a transition color.

4. I applied NARS Ashes to Ashes on my entire eyelid using a flat eyeshadow brush. I also added a little bit of NARS Lhasa on top of it.

5. I created a winged liner along my upper lash line using L’oreal Infallible Gel Lacquer 24hr in Blackest Black and an angled eyeliner brush. Using whatever was left on the brush, I ran it along the lower lash line, and waterline.

6. I also used a small shader brush and applied NARS Ashes to Ashes along my lower lid.

7. I filled my brows using Anastasia Brow Wiz in Ash Blonde and Brunette. I cleaned up the edges of my brows using Cover FX G20 cream foundation. If you want to know how I fill my brows, please check my brow tutorial.

8. I curled my lashes and applied Cover Girl Lash Blast mascara. I also applied falsies (Korean’s falsies, not sure what it’s called since the brand is not in English).

NARSissist Lavender Grey smoky eyes

9. On my face, I applied Cover FX Cream Foundation in G40 using MAC Masterclass Brush Oval 6.

10. I lightly applied highlight and contour using CoverFX cream foundations in G20 & N110. Check out my BACON post to find out how I used CoverFX to do my highlight and contour.

11. On my cheeks, I applied Revlon cream blush in Pinched.

12. On my lips, I applied Revlon Mauve it Over matte lipstick.

Smokey Eyes using NARSissist Eyeshadow Palette

Alright, as promised, a tutorial using NARSissist Eyeshadow Palette! Also, don’t forget to check out my NARSissist eyeshadow palette review if you haven’t! For today’s tutorial I wanted to create a smoky eyes, because let’s face it, who doesn’t love a good smoky eye makeup, eh?!

My favorite type of smoky eye is one where it’s really dark around the lash line area, and it smokes out to grey and then to nothingness. I also like to keep the brows pretty natural looking since the eyes are so strong, and the rest of the face is simple and easy. For this tutorial, I added a dark purple on the lower lash line, to make it slightly chic and to compliment my eye color (purple looks great on any eye colors!).

About the lighting – since my lights are not with me (I’m in Jamaica at the moment), I do take all my pictures with natural daylight. As you can see on the final picture, this look is very light with emphasize on the eyes. I want to show you that you can still rock that dark smoky eyes with very minimal face makeup.

Personally, I don’t like wearing a lot of makeup – aka heavy contouring, heavy foundation, drawn in eyebrows. Not that there’s anything wrong with heavy makeup (which I do too for tutorials, and for special occasions). So I hope this type of tutorial will work for those who have similar preference like me.

Narssissist makeup tutorial

Scroll all the way down if you want to skip the tutorial, and only interested in getting the list of products used.

How-to:

1. I applied L’oreal Voluminous Smoldering eyeliner on my upper and lower lash lines, as well as waterline. Don’t worry if it is messy!

2. Using a flat eyeshadow brush, I applied NARS Dogon II all over my eyelid. Don’t go all the way to the crease, stop it just below the crease.

3. Using a shader brush, I applied NARS Bad Behavior on the crease.

4. I applied NARS Madrague II as a transition color (just slightly above the crease) using a Smashbox Bullet Crease brush.

5. On the lower lid, I applied NARS Brousse II using the tip of a flat eyeshadow brush.

6. Using a small shader brush, I applied Madrague I on the inner corner of the lid just to brighten up my eyes a little bit.

7. I created a winged liner along the upper lash line using Kanebo Kate Super Sharp eyeliner (optional).

8. I curled my lashes, and applied Make Up For Ever Smoky Extravagant mascara on both upper and lower lashes.

9. I filled my brows very lightly using Anastasia Brow Wiz in Ash Blonde and Brunette.Narsissist makeup tutorial

10. On my face, I applied Smashbox Halo foundation using Sigma Round Kabuki Brush.

11. I lightly contoured my face using MAC Blunt.

12. On the cheeks, I applied MAC Dainty.

13. On my lips, I applied Tarte Lipsurgence in Lively.

Products used:

Eyes – NARSisisst eyeshadow palette (Dogon II – eyelid, Bad Behavior – crease, Madrague II – transition, Brousse – lower lid, Madrague I – inner corner); L’oreal Voluminous Smoldering eyeliner; Kanebo Kate Super Sharp eyeliner; MUFE Smoky Extravagant mascara; Anastasia Brow Wiz.

Face – Smashbox Halo foundation; MAC Blunt; MAC Dainty.

Lips – Tarte Lipsurgence.

Disclaimer: clicking on the Sigma link will take you to my Sigma affiliate page. Any purchase you make on Sigma from my website will help in this blog’s maintenance. Rest assured, I only recommend products that I honestly love and use on myself. Thank you for your support!

Product of the Week:NARSissist Eyeshadow Palette Review

I’ve been asked to do a NARSissist eyeshadow palette review ever since I posted a picture of the palette on Instagram couple weeks a go. I’m so sorry that this review is up a bit late, I’ve been having too much fun here in Jamaica (as you all can see on my Instagram..lol). Not to mention, last week I was celebrating my birthday, so sorry but not that sorry…hehehe..

Anyways! Here’s my NARSissist eyeshadow palette review! I hope you’ll enjoy reading it.

Narsissist review

What is a NARSissist eyeshadow palette?

A palette of 15 NARS signature eye shadow shades for creating unlimited artistic effects.
Connect with captivating colors that will have all eyes following you. Ready to wear every day, every way—15 signature eye shadow shades every NARSissist adores.

(Sephora, 2014)

At first glance, this NARSissit eyeshadow palette is not as eye catching as the Urban Decay’s. It doesn’t have anything rosy, the packaging is black, it doesn’t stand out much. However, since it is NARS, of course I have to walk on that aisle to admire it. The simple and sleek design of the packaging is what makes this palette look so very elegant! To be honest, I didn’t even stop to take a look closer, I just grabbed it and go.

With all the neutral palettes that are out in the market (i.e. UD Naked, UD Naked 2, UD Naked 3, Smashbox Full Exposure) I felt that perhaps NARS was just jumping in the bandwagon. However, the more you look at this palette, the more you’ll realize there’s quite a difference between the rest of the palette and NARS. I find that this NARSissist palette has more of a “grown-up” feeling to it. There’s some sort of elegance to the range of shades in this palette. I love the mixture of cool and warm neutrals, and I find that the darker shades are slightly more on the sultry side compared to the other 4 palettes that I mentioned earlier.

This palette consists of eyeshadows that are available in singles or duos, with the exception of Bad Behavior. However, the palette in itself is a limited edition. If you do like the shades in the palette, but can’t buy the palette anymore, you can still purchase the eyeshadow in singles/duos. This palette is so worth the price. I’ll talk more about the value of this palette under “Price” below, so please keep reading or scroll down if you are curious!

 

Narsissist palette review

Packaging

Like I’ve mentioned above, the packaging is simple and sleek. Very NARS. This palette comes in a black case. Inside you’ll find a big mirror on one side, and 15 eyeshadows on the other.

Longevity

I have worn this eyeshadow with Urban Decay Primer Potion and it has minimal to no creasing after a 10-hour wear (in a warm climate)

Narsissist review

Shades & Finish

Please note that I and II indicate whether the shade is on the Left or Right side of the duos, since these shades are also available in singles/duos (for more info read under Price).

Top Row (L to R) –

  • All About Eve I – flesh toned neutrals.
  • Madrague II – matte caramel.
  • Fez – velvety cocoa.
  • Bali – neutral.
  • Coconut Grove – deep brown infused with reflections.

Middle Row (L to R) –

  • Madrague I – matte cream (pretty much non-existence on my skin tone. It matches my skin color exactly)
  • Nepal – soft sheer rose.
  • Ashes to Ashes – shimmery violet based brown.
  • Brousse II – black violet.
  • Mekong – espresso infused with gold.

Bottom Row (L to R)

  • Bellissima I – shimmering beige with subtle glitter.
  • Lhasa – lavender grey.
  • Bad Behavior – deep pewter. (Not available in single/duos)
  • Dogon II – charcoal black.
  • Pandora II – matte black.

*shades description taken from Sephora*

 

Narsissist Swatches

Price

CAD$85 for 15 eyeshadows (0.03 oz/each).

Keep in mind that each singles are CA$28 (0.07 oz), while duos are CA$39 (0.07 oz/shade).  If you only like a couple of the shades from this palette, I think buying the singles/duos is far more worth it than buying the whole palette.

However, if you have to have this palette, it’ll come down to CA$5-6/shade compared to $28 each (singles) or s20 each (duos). You pay significantly less for half the amount, so I think it is a good deal.

Pros:

  • Great for makeup artists or beginners who want more neutrals in their palette without breaking the bank.
  • The eyeshadows in the palette are very smooth and easily blendable.
  • Great value for money.
  • The eyeshadows are not limited (except for Bad Behavior), so if you’ve finished a shade on the palette and want more you can buy it in singles/duos.
  • Highly pigmented and easy to work with.
  • Great mix of matte and shimmer.
  • Would be a great alternative to the Naked palettes.

Cons:

  • You have to prime your eyelid with an eyeshadow primer – dry skin will find it’ll help the eyeshadow to stick to the lid better.
  • Without primer, some of the shades end up looking a bit more sheer.
  • The color range is so-so. You can find similar shades from different brands.

I’ll try to do a tutorial using this palette soon! 😉

Disclaimer: I am not affiliated nor sponsored to do this review. This palette was bought out of my own pocket, and I do not gain any monetary profit out of it.