Nars Spring 2013

Already out at the Nars Tangs Orchard boutique here in Singapore, the Nars Spring 2013 collection is a burst of intense colour.

Inspired by the strong graphic visuals of the 1990s and fronted by Stella Tennant, it is ‘an ode to bold color and a modern woman’.

The Spring 2013 Collection shines with rich, hyper-saturated shades, welcoming the season with a dramatically modern palette. Jewel-toned cheeks pop. Lips sparkle in soft metallic rose or pout in sultry shimmering fuchsia. Nails shimmer in iridescent silver green. Eyes flash in pink or flirt in blue and green.

– Nars

Below are my thoughts on this collection.

Duo Eyeshadow in Bouthan (Bhutan in French) features a pair of pinks. The gold shimmer in the deeper half adds interest to this otherwise-genteel duo. I didn’t like the slightly-dry texture much, to be honest; though the pleasing colour will appeal to people fond of sweet shades.

Named after that famous 1963 comedy film, Duo Eyeshadow in Mad Mad World is indubitably the most eye-catching item in the collection. A ‘vivid cyan and parakeet green’, this bold matte duo is kapow-wow on its own but really comes into its element when used over a base; popping…well, madly. Not for the faint-hearted but euphoric for lovers of blue-green tones and strong hues.

Named after olden-day Iran, Matte Eyeshadow in Persia is a matte dusty orange; a striking ‘paprika’, as the brand describes it. I love its unique rusty tone that makes an unusual lid/crease shade.

Named after the mountain in central Rio de Janeiro where the ‘Christ the Redeemer’ statue stands, Soft Touch Shadow Pencil in Corcovado is a 24-karat gold. The formula doesn’t work well for me, though, as it isn’t crease-proof – I’m fonder of the Larger than Life pencils for their tenacity. However, this fatty pencil will make a good intense base for powder shadows. The orange will be amazing over it.

Inspired by the Aegean island thought to be the birthplace of Aphrodite in Greek myth, Velvet Gloss Lip Pencil in Cytère is a soft metallic rose. It didn’t wow me but I can see how it’d make a nice complement to smokes.

Named after Brian de Palma’s erotic crime thriller, Satin Lipstick in Dressed to Kill is a flattering rose-red with gold shimmer. It seems to work well on many skin tones and brightens up the visage without being too loud. It’s sheerer than some of the Nars lipsticks I’m used to, which might be a good or bad thing for you, depending on your lippy inclinations.

Described as a ‘sangria-hued’ cheek colour, Powder Blush in Seduction is a rich red berry that would be lovely as a subtle contour shade. It reminds me of razor sharp cheekbones with just a dusting of colour in the cheek hollow, so popular in the late ’80s and early ’90s. Such a hue will work well with smokey eyes too, and a nude lip.

Inspired by the 1976 song by The Trammps, Shimmer Nail Polish in Disco Inferno is an iridescent silver polish infused with green reflects. It’s gorgeous in the bottle but what a pity that it’s sheerer than I’d expected.

It does make an interesting overcoat. Here it is, over Chanel Rouge Noir.

The collection might well be almost sold out, although I believe not everything is limited edition. I’ll be featuring the new Nars Light Reflecting Powders and Radiant Creamy Concealers, also pictured in the photo above, soon.

My apologies for my tardiness in updating – my life is not my own these days and it takes me immense effort just to craft a blog post, especially one that encompasses a full collection. I do hope that you have found/will find what you want! :)