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.