A few weeks ago I spotted the most magnificent eyeshadow duo I have seen in some time at Sephora. I was standing in the NARS section and my eyes honed in on it immediately. Of course, I’m talking about NARS Kauia. They were out of the duo at my Sephora, and referred me online. I thought about springing for it, forgot about it for a while, then when I was home last week, saw that there were two left at the Sephora there. I sprung for it! I’m so glad I did, and today I get to show it to you!
bought it myself, affiliate links
I have always been drawn to purple, which is what stands out to me most about this palette. I adore purple everything- clothes, shoes, makeup, etc. I haven’t bought any purple eyeshadow in a super long time. Maybe over two years, which is unheard of for me! It’s never been hard to find a pretty purple eyeshadow, but with it being Pantone’s color of the year, it’s popping up in nail polish, lipstick, blush, etc, so I suppose I’ve been hoarding those types of products, knowing full well I have plenty of eyeshadow in that shade anyways!
The pairing in this palette is just perfection. I love the silvery hue on the left, and the lilac hue on the right. They complement each other well and neither shade is too bold. Sephora describes the duo as a gold lame and iridescent smokey orchid.
Truthfully, I tried talking myself out of these shades, because I have so many similar shades. I swatched a bunch of different purples and silver/gold shades but nothing compared to the silky, buttery soft texture of these and nothing had the same glisten as these. The Chrysalis palette by Kat Von D had some similar shades, but I much preferred the NARS. I’m sure Urban Decay also has similar shades, but theirs are a bit bolder and brighter. Blingo by Benefit is a much brighter and whiter metallic than the NARS shade.
In the end, I talked myself into this because purple and white were my school colors, and my 10 year reunion is this summer. I obviously need to represent my school colors so I’ll need this duo that day. I have loved wearing this, and love how flattering it looks on the lids. There is no fallout, the shadows last all day with my MAC Painterly Paint Pot, and when I tuck the purple into the crease and the two shades overlap, it gives a gorgeous effect.
Of course, I went to take pictures of my eyeshadow that day and when I uploaded them here, I noticed that they were kind of wonky. Out of focus in a few, and in the others I was squinting. I am trying to do more than just swatches on here, but you know how it goes with young kids- you are limited on when you can take pictures of your makeup to their nap time or when they are preoccupied, and of course when you have time, the lighting is not quite right or it’s raining outside. Oh well- if I get the chance to retake some pictures I will update post.
In the meantime, aren’t you just dying over the swatches? I am just adoring this duo. I know I’ll get so much wear out of it! I had been doing mostly neutral shades on my lids for the past several months, and now I think I’m back to purples!
Is there a purple duo or palette that you love? I’m obsessed!
Check out Kauia by clicking below- it’s limited edition, so if you want it, act fast!
Oooooh that purple shade is stunning. The pigment is major too. I am loving all the combos that NARS has been coming out with. Eeeekkkk another one to search for in my Sephora this weekend. Great post!
This is a pretty duo, and must look great on you with your hair/skin! Also, I love how we rationalize purchases (your 10-year reunion needing these colors, lol!) I do this all the time!
Such a pretty duo! I can never resist purples… 🙂
Very pretty shades! I can´t wait to see some looks created with these 🙂
This is a great duo!
LOVE this duo!
i like that purple side!
Ugh. NARS is killin’ it! So pretty.
Such a beautiful duo
Beautiful! especially love the purple
SO SO pretty!!
The colors are so rich, me likey !
Such a gorgeous duo!
I used this as one of my favorite purples in a Makeup Wars post. It’s such a stunner.
That silver seems like it’s got a tinge of green in it; the duo isn’t a set I thought would work together but it seems to be a great combo!
I really like this duo– an unexpected but SO RIGHT color combo
Wow, these are pretty. I’m not sure I would have thought to put them together, but they look great. Can’t wait to see your look!
I think this is really pretty. 😉
Pretty colors together!
This duo worked beautifully together
It’s such a pretty duo. I want it!
I love these colors! What a pretty duo!
That duo is gorgeous, I want it!
I love how this is a Nars duo that has good pigmentation. Super pretty combo of colors.
I bought this a few months ago! I love it!