This spring NARS has released two gorgeous dove-grey shimmer shadows with a tinge of lavender in 413 Blkr and Lhasa ($24 each for 0,07 oz/2.2 g). Both shades are similar with just slight differences between them, but equally gorgeous. 413 Blkr is the latest addition to the NARS 413 Blkr Collection which is exclusive to the NARS boutique on Bleeker Street in New York and Narscosmetics.com. Lhasa is available at all NARS locations as part of the Spring 2012 Collection.
I think most of you are familiar with NARS shadows so I won’t go into a detailed review on the texture/pigment/finish. Both are typical of NARS single shadows: soft, blendable, layerable and gorgeous on the eyes. The pigment of these is medium but easily layerable. For the colors, both shades look almost identical in the compact unless you move them at different angles in direct sunlight. The differences are subtle but more noticeable when swatched. 413 Blkr is a soft lavendar-blue grey shimmer that is lighter. Lhasa is a lavender-grey shimmer that’s slightly darker and more purple.
Both side by side in direct light:
413 Blkr close up:
Lhasa close up:
I use Lhasa last week and found that it worked best when layered over warmer colors. I particularly liked the effect when layered over Burberry’s Pale Barley or Midnight Brown. I found that both Burberry shades helped warm up Lhasa on the eyes.
413 Blkr while cooler is easier for me to pull of alone on the eyes. Perhaps it’s because it’s a smidge lighter in tone. I love it layered with Ashes to Ashes, which until now I considered a cool taupe. When Ashes to Ashes is placed next to either of these shades, it now looks like a warm bronzey color. Some might wonder if 413 Blkr is a reincarnation of Notorious that was discontinued a few years ago. At first I thought yes, but after swatching I do see a slight variation. Here are some other NARS greys and purples along with one comparison from Chanel:
Ashes to Ashes, 413 Blkr, Lhasa, Notorious (d/c), Barbuda
One swatch added of Gris Exquis (previously featured here, odd that when swatched side by side, the Chanel looks almost khaki/greenish)
So there you have it. I hope this helps girls who aren’t in NY! I ordered 413 Blkr sight unseen because the promo photos looked stunning even though it looked strikingly similar to Lhasa. I think it’s a must-have. If I could only pick 1 out of the 2 it would be impossible. I do prefer these over Chanel’s Gris Exquis. I think the shimmer and texture of the NARS shades are easier to work with. They blend beautifully on the lids.
Have you bought any of the NARS 413 Blkr collection? Or have you bought/seen 413 Blkr shadow in person? What about Lhasa? Yays/nays?
P.S. You can see the rest of the NARS 413 Blkr Collection online at NARS (click the photo above to go to NARS website). See reviews of the gloss on Gaia at The Non-Blonde and the pure matte lipstick on Karen at Makeup and Beauty Blog.
Such beautiful swatches!! It's so interesting how Ashes To Ashes looks in comparison. I've got to check out Lhasa. My Nordstrom is under reconstruction. It's so crazy to walk in and not know where any counters are. Most of them don't have spring displays out because the counters are moved around every week. Anyway, I'm in love with the looks of your swatches.
No I have not bought this collection, but I do own other NARS eye makeup. It is one of the best makeup brands for eyes. These colors are really nice.
Barbuda is a wonderful color!
Oh, those are super pretty!!! I love the beautiful sheen of Lhasa!!! I already have a few NARS singles on my wishlist, but now you made me consider Lhasa as well!!!
Great post (and very helpful swatches)!!
x
For some reason, I have been holding off on committing to Lhasa – and now I'm glad I did! 413Blkr looks amazing! I prefer a cooler grey tone – thank you so much for the swatches Sabrina!
You're making me want Lhasa… I just love taupey shades, and I think this is the one missing in my stash. Thanks a lot for showing it 🙂
Thanks for the awesome comparisons. Barbuda has been discontinued, if I remember correctly.
I love the Barbuda…I have never heard of it before. discontinued? if so, that is tragic. Its stunning. Thanks for this post! I was wondering!
I love Lhasa now Blkr is tempting me haha… I'll have to try Lhasa layered over Burberry Pale Barley like you said, though I love Lhasa on it's own it'd be fun to try something new, I usually don't layer eyeshadows.
I didn't even know Blkr existed! Thanks so much for this post!
Of course, I prefer the 413Blkr – I'd have to like the one that's harder to get hold of! I like the slightly greyer colour.
I don't know why, but I haven't even heard of the NARS 413 Blkr Collection until now! I'm loving Lhasa though. If I could say one thing to NARS, it would be to please come out with some decent eye shadow palettes! These singles are killing my pocket book! haha
As always, beautiful swatches that now have been stalking the NARS site =)
xx
Bethany
Arrgh!! Lhasa swatches so beautifully in everyone's blogs but looked dull and flat when I swatched it in store. I don't get it!!
Fantastic review, beautiful swatches! You make it so easy to shop online!
The shades are so pretty! And what a good review the photos are so neat, love it xx
I'm going to have to pick up the rest of the collection. I have the pure matte lipstick, which I love. The shade is a fabulous brick red, reminiscent of Chanel Rouge Coco Baroque, but with more red. I wore it almost every day to work last fall.
413 BLKR is beautiful! I was wondering how it looked against Lhasa 🙂 now i know it definitely needs to be a part of my collection. i remember seeing a swatch of nars notorious on your blog a while back and being so bummed that it was no longer available; it's encouraging to see how similar it is to 413
Thanks – you really do help my shopping (and hurt my wallet!). I have Lhasa – love it – I'm going to try it layered over Pale Barley like you suggest (which I also have thanks to you)!
Gorgeous swatches as always – you must be so organized to be able to pull out comparisons like you do!
thanks for the comparison! i am like a few of the other commenters that could never commit to lhasa.. i love it in theory but it's just not the same in person for me! I don't know why. I thought that 413 blkr would be the same, so it's great to see the comparison! i think it could be worth trying…!
Lhasa is such a stunning cool colour. I kind of feel like it's a shame trying to warm it up.
Dammit, woman. I was closing my eyes to 413 BLKR, having already bought Lhasa… but now that I see your beautiful swatches, I want it. And oh, NOTORIOUS. Now I'll be pining for you, too.
I just placed an order for NARS 413 BLKR, and I'm definitely getting Lhasa as well. Such beautiful colors, and I adore your swatces! Gorgeous! Thank you. 🙂
I have Barbuda and I LOVE it. When I saw Lhasa today, it reminded me of Barbuda. So I googled a comparison and found myself here, of course! Still thinking about Lhasa though…
Where did you get your Notorious shadow. I can't seem to find that color anywhere anymore.