Nars Soft Touch Shadow Pencil

I haven't been enamoured with a new Nars product in ages, so it was great to discover the company hasn't lost the magic. The Soft Touch Shadow Pencils are three eye shadow colors (I hope more colors would be released at some point) in crayon form. The shadows are very soft and glide easily with no pressure, and they stay in place until blended (I use a domed blending brush with shortish hair from Sephora's Professional line), so they are great for a quick, no-mess application on the go. The color intensity is moderate, but it's buildable as well as blendable, and the shimmer is soft and flattering.

I always (always!) use an eye primer, and at least in cool weather there's no melting or migrating. However, I have a non-scientific feeling a base product is essential for a good staying power- the pencils' texture is quite soft and color distribution isn't very dense (which is a good thing- it makes the product what it is).

As far as the colors go, I enjoy wearing them together, separately and combined with some other favorite eye shadows. Goddess is a highlighter with a somewhat pink based, but not obscenely so. It can be used in the inner corner of the eye or just under the brow bone. Skorpios is a true bronze. I wear it in the crease with Chanel Bronze single eye shadow. It's such an easy, wearable color that works well for many looks. But the star of the Soft Touch Shadow Pencils is Aigle Noir. It's a muted black with gold shimmer and a somewhat greenish effect. It's perfect for a sultry evening look and can be smudged and smoked, if you're so inclined. I wear Aigle Noir with a black liquid liner and blend it into the crease.

Nars Soft Touch Shadow Pencil ($24 each) is available from Nars counters and Sephora. I bought mine at Barneys.

Photos by me.