The beauty world continues to evolve with each season, and the holiday months bring about a flurry of new releases from various brands. NARS, a name synonymous with high-quality cosmetics, released a unique and artistic collection for the 2017 holiday season: the NARS Man Ray Collection. This collaboration draws inspiration from the iconic artwork of Man Ray, blending art and makeup seamlessly. The collection features two limited edition eye shadow palettes—Glass Tears and Love Game—as well as intriguing eye duos and velvety eyeliners. In this article, we will explore the details of these products, share swatches and reviews, and discuss the artistry behind this stunning collection.
NARS Man Ray Collection Overview
The NARS Man Ray Collection for Holiday 2017 pays homage to the renowned artist's work, capturing the spirit of his creations through makeup. While the Love Game palette remains exclusive to the UK and select European markets, Glass Tears stands out with its limited edition shades that enhance the artistic appeal of the collection. Both palettes offer an array of colors that encourage creativity and experimentation, allowing makeup enthusiasts to craft various eye looks suitable for the festive season and beyond.Glass Tears Palette
The Glass Tears palette encapsulates the essence of NARS with its bold color combinations. This versatile palette includes both matte and satin finishes and showcases six carefully curated shades designed for creating everything from soft daytime looks to dramatic evening styles.Shade Breakdown
The Glass Tears palette contains the following shades: - Cry Baby: A soft ivory creamy matte that provides a perfect base for any eye look. While it may appear sheer on its own, it adds a flawless finish when applied over a primer, assisting in blending other shades. - Heartbreaker: A stunning blackened teal green that becomes the star of the palette. This shade's depth allows it to shine on its own or be combined with complementary colors like gold for a mesmerizing effect. - Loverboy: A classic matte black. While one might question the need for yet another black shadow in their collection, its presence is essential for achieving a wide range of looks, including smoky effects. - Tryst: A shimmer gold that carries a hint of green, perfect for adding brightness to the lid or as an inner corner highlight. It pairs seamlessly with numerous colors in the palette for a cohesive look. - One & Only: Shimmery olive, this shade works beautifully with both Tryst and Heartbreaker, offering creative opportunities for unique pairings. - Vengeance: A warm medium brown with subtle shimmer, this shade acts as a versatile foundation for numerous eye combinations, allowing users to lean into their artistic side rather than stick solely with neutrals.The Artistic Inspiration
The palette cover features Man Ray's artwork titled *Les Larmes*, originally created in the early 1930s, providing a glimpse into the artist's emotional experiences. The themes of love, heartbreak, and revenge resonate with the color choices, encouraging users to express their emotions through makeup. The design evokes an era rich in artistry and evokes the sentiments tied to Man Ray's tumultuous relationship with fellow artist Lee Miller.Application Tips
For optimal application, NARS recommends using softer brushes, such as those made from goat or pony hair, to gently pat the shadows onto the lid before engaging in blending. The textures of the shadows in this palette are famously smooth but slightly powdery, allowing for a seamless blend without fallout, transforming any look with remarkable ease.Eye Shadow Duos: Montparnasse and Debauched
The NARS Man Ray Collection includes two contrasting eye shadow duos: Montparnasse and Debauched. Each duo represents a different take on color and texture, catering to varying styles and makeup preferences.Montparnasse
Montparnasse features a pairing of a shimmering pale gold and a pearlescent plummy brown shade. This duo evokes a classic aesthetic, making it easy to create look without requiring extensive blending or layering.Application Suggestions
For an effortless appearance, users can blend the plum shade generously over the lid and apply a touch of the gold at the center. For those seeking to enhance their look, applying the gold under the lower lashes achieves a fresh and vibrant effect. This duo presents the perfect opportunity for those hesitant to push boundaries while still offering captivating results.Debauched
In stark contrast to Montparnasse, Debauched boasts a darker profile. The duo consists of a muted purple and an enigmatic shade full of scattered red micro-glitters in a charcoal base, delivering a moody yet striking dimension to eye looks.Creating Bold Looks
Debauched invites users to experiment with rich, dramatic tones, providing a challenge for established makeup users to step out of their comfort zone. While it can easily complement neutrals, it also inspires adventurous evenings where dramatic eyes reign supreme, echoing the vintage glamour associated with icons like Theda Bara.NARS Velvet Eyeliners: Nagoya and Santiago
Further enhancing the Man Ray Collection, NARS introduced two new shades of velvet eyeliners: Nagoya and Santiago. These products are designed to complement the eyeshadows effectively while allowing for additional creative expression.Product Characteristics
Unlike the well-known Larger Than Life eyeliners, the Velvet eyeliners provide a softer, smoother application. They glide on with ease and can be smudged for a more smoky, lived-in look without the risk of excessive migration common with traditional kohl liners. This quality makes them suitable companions for the eye palettes while encouraging blended techniques and layered applications.Shade Details
- Nagoya: A straightforward purple violet that adds a pop of color to any eye look. This versatile liner pairs beautifully with both the Glass Tears and Montparnasse palettes. - Santiago: A coppery brown shade that introduces warmth, enabling users to create soft, dreamy looks or enhance the intensity of bolder colors from the palettes.Final Thoughts on the NARS Man Ray Collection
The NARS Man Ray Collection is not just about makeup; it embodies the fusion of artistry and self-expression, encouraging creativity and exploration. The combination of unique shades, striking packaging, and rich historical ties to art makes this collection stand out. While it is essential to celebrate its limited edition status, many products like the eye duos are expected to enrich the NARS permanent line. As the holiday season approaches, this collection reminds us of the power of makeup to transform, enhance, and inspire. Whether it's a festive gathering with friends or a quiet evening in, the NARS Man Ray Collection has something for everyone seeking to channel their inner artist.What inspired the NARS Man Ray Collection?
The NARS Man Ray Collection draws inspiration from the iconic artwork of Man Ray, incorporating themes of love, heartbreak, and self-expression through makeup.
Are the eyeshadow duos part of the limited edition collection?
While the NARS Man Ray collection is limited edition, the eye shadow duos Montparnasse and Debauched are expected to join the permanent line following the collection’s launch.