NARS has launched yet more highlighters with new shades of their Highlighting Powder ($38 each for 14 g/ 0.49 oz, made in Italy) in the Change of Sheen Highlighting Powder Collection. There are six shades total described as having a “second-skin luster” and I’d say that is pretty much on point of what the finish is like. They’re powders with a soft glowing texture that doesn’t emphasize pores or fine lines. Colors come in a pretty range of classic options from pale opal to bronze. If you’re in the market for a soft highlighter that will last on the face all day and looks natural these are great options. However if you already own a ton of other highlighters you will probably find color-dupes in your stash.
Packaging is similar to that of the NARS Sunwashed Bronzers, it’s bigger than the regular eyeshadow/blush compacts. Colors as shown below:
- Albatross is a pale opal yellow gold shimmer
- Capri is a soft pale pink glow
- Fort de France is a light champagne shimmer
- Ibiza is a soft yellow gold
- Maldives is a medium soft rose shimmer
- St. Barths is a warm soft bronze
On my skintone Capri and Fort de France look very very close. The difference is slight with Capri being more pink and Fort de France being more beige. I’m right at that skintone though where they look pretty much identical. If you are fairer or deeper the contrast will show up more.
Albatross
Close ups and swatches of each one on the face, starting with Albatross. This pulls very yellow on my skin. It seems similar to the original version in color/shimmer. Makeup worn below is the same in all photos except for the lips + cheeks:
- NARS Natural Radiant Foundation in Punjab + Barcelona mixed (swatches of all shades here)
- MAC Next to Nothing Pressed Powder in Medium Plus (review here)
- Hourglass Arch Brow Pencil and Brow Gel in Soft Brunette (swatches here)
- Tom Ford Cream and Powder Eye Duo in Paradiso (review here)
- Pat McGrath Permaglide Liquid Eyeliner in Black (review here)
- NARS Velvet Lip Glide in Bound for the pink rose lips (review here)
- Chanel Rouge Coco Gloss in 716 with NARS Lip Cover in Embrasse Moi layered on top for the nude beige lips (swatches here and here)
- Tee by Joie
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Capri
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Fort de France
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Ibiza
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Maldives
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St Barths
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Comparison swatches to the Easy Glowing Palette in Reve Sale (Nordstrom exclusive) and Highlighter Trio in Banc de Sable (discontinued). The trio palettes have a different formula with more glow and shimmer to them. If you’re looking for a softer effect the individual Highlighting Powders are better. If you don’t mind a more intense glow opt for one of the palettes.
Comparison swatches to the MAC Hyper Real Glow Palettes. The MAC palettes are significantly more glowy with the ability to build more for an intense almost wet look.
NARS Change of Sheen Highlighting Powders
One last look, from top left clockwise is Albatross, Fort de France, Ibiza, St. Barths, Maldives and Capri:
Bottom line: easy to wear, glowing, doesn’t emphasize pores, long lasting, soft but easy to build and natural. While these are distinctly powder formulas I do feel like NARS hit it right on point when they said these are like second-skin. They are very smooth with a semi-firm texture. It’s very easy to blend and build. On my skin they stayed on all day from morning until late afternoon without budging or getting too dewy looking. Initially I thought St. Barths was for sure going to be orange on me, but it’s not! If you are an OG NARS fan though you might remember they had a St. Barths Multiple stick that was the best shimmering beige taupe with silver shimmer. I do wish they would launch the original St. Barths in powder form – I’ve never found any color quite like it.
Thumbs up on quality, color selection, finish and long-lasting power. That being said you may want to shop your stash if you already own a lot of highlighters. I do find Maldives to be unique for a rose-shimmer. I think it’s hard to find a good medium pink rose highlighter that isn’t too dark or too pale. My favorite of the bunch is Fort de France, I suspect it’s the most dupeable but it has the prettiest beige undertone that gives the skin a natural glow.
You can find the NARS Highlighting Powders right now at NARS Boutiques and online at NARScosmetics.com. Also available at Nordstrom, Bloomingdale’s, Sephora and Ulta Beauty.
Have you tried these yet? What did you think?
NARS highlighting powders provided courtesy of NARS for review.
