NARS Matte Multiples are here, and they're as pretty and practical as we were promised. The Multiple has been around for many years (and it just might be my favorite NARS product. I've gone through several of them long before starting The Non-Blonde). The matte version is exactly what this product needed: a modern interpretation of a classic. The new Multiples have no sheen, shimmer, or glitter (thank you, François), just a lot of pigment, a smooth texture that glides on the skin despite its matteness, and a formula that can also be used damp.
I played with these three colors and several synthetic face brushes , applying and blending dry and wet, and my conclusion is that using these Multiples wet doesn't affect or changes the color or its intensity in any way. I took photos but eventually erased them because it was impossible to tell which was which (in both artificial light and outdoor mega-cloudy conditions, which is all we can get here. It's going to remain snowy and freezing cold till the end of the days). The difference, which is subtle but important, is in the way the Matte Multiple melds with the skin. It's not that a dry application looks like paint once you blend and sheer it to the desired level, but it does have a makeupy look. Applied with a damp brush (Paula Dorf creme cheek brush or Julie Hewett Cheekie brush), the Multiple gains a skin quality. As I said: subtle, but worth noting and experimenting.
As I told you when the colors were announced, I was interested in three of them. NARS sent me Laos and Siam, and I bought Exumas the second it was available on Sephora.com. Laos is the one I will probably use to the last drop. It's a warm rose, perfect for a quick swipe on the go that brings a healthy color to one' sallow cheeks. Siam is the brightest red coral. If you're very yellow it might pull orange, but on my green/olive undertones it's more red. This is a color I almost have to use with a damp brush with a very light hand, because of its brightness. It's a fun just-out-of-the-cold color, very pretty, but absolutely requires having a flawless base for a polished and non-blotchy look. Exumas looked like the most challenging at first, before I remembered that had I let it, my skin would have tanned quickly and easily into a similar color. I get a good tan from opening the window, so I live under a thick coat of sunblock even now that the sun is a mythical creature. But in theory, the apricoty Exumas is my tan color, so I can fake it nicely by blending this Multiple where it counts.
From what I can tell, the Matte Multiples have a similar (excellent) longevity as the rest of NARS Multiples, but we all know that this is not a very challenging weather. In any case, the colors wear well, play nicely with other makeup products, and are a delight to use and wear.
Bottom Line: I would not object to having the other four colors.
NARS Matte Multiple ($39 each) are available from Sephora and narscosmetics.com. Some of the products featured here were sent by PR.
Again, what's the point of you swatching three colors out of seven when other bloggers already got the entire line?
ReplyDeleteAgain, my answer is that I pick and choose the colors that I know I'll be wearing and using regularly. I do that when shopping and when putting in color requests from PR.
DeleteReally? I can't believe such rudeness. I for one, am grateful for the swatches she has shown us.
DeleteWhy do you feel so entitled? This is Gaia's blog, it's up to her what she wants to put on it. She isn't required to buy the entire line to show us. You do realize she buys a lot of this stuff don't you? Sure two were sent by PR, but she bought the the third because she was interested in it. Why should she spend more money on things that don't interest her when this is clearly a personal blog? (It also says that in her blog policy, might want to take a look at that before you get overly critical, don't like it, leave simple.)
Seems you've completely missed the point on blogging, it doesn't matter what others are doing unless you're looking to make a career of it. The wonderful thing is that there are as many types of blogs as there are people and you can choose which to follow.
Besides, like you said, other bloggers have the entire line, if I want to go see other colours, I just go to them (and I have done). However I don't mind seeing repeats because everyone's skin tone is different and it's remarkable how different some products look from one person to the next, while others are very consistent across different people.
It appears you've asked your question before and had an answer. The real question is, why do you feel the need to belittle others?
Eli
Anonymous, you are the one who completely misses the point about a personal beauty blog, which is created and curated by the blog owner, not you. If Gaia's post displeases you, as it may when tastes vary, simply go to another blog to find your information. Also, please remember to practice your web etiquette and be thankful to those who provide information without the obligation to do so in the first place.
Delete- Josie
What's the point of this question?
DeleteIn some of the comments on Sephora, it is said that these new matte Multiples are only half the size of all the other ones...for the same price. Do you know or have you heard anything about this? I'd love to try one or three, but only if they're worth it, which they may be in spite of the smaller size. Thanks, Judy
ReplyDeleteYes, it is true. I pulled out the old Multiples I have and they're all 0.5 oz while the these ones are 0.26 oz, nearly half the size. The packaging is the same, but you can feel that the new products are much lighter. While I always wished for a mini Multiple, the price should have gone down considerably.
DeleteMy personal opinion is because the product is ten times more pigmented... the original multiples are all sheer, thus if you wanted to same effect you would need to pack it on and waste it.
DeleteI love Laos - I just bought it this weekend, and the color is so gorgeous. I want more of them!
ReplyDeleteFor the record, I tried 'em all and bought only the three reviewed here. Gorgeous on the skin. And, I agree, wet makes little difference in my case, but then I don't have the extensive brush collection Gaia has nor do I have the space/patience/budget for awesome brushes since I'm too on-the-go for anything too fancy (perhaps a future post on this issue for those of us thus challenged?). In any case, the 1/2 size is no problem. These are SO pigmented and the texture is less, well, waxy, that I use almost nothing per application. These WILL last as long as my other Nars multiples, I can already tell after a week of unabashed multiple use (cheeks, eyelids, lips, everywhere!). I especially love Laos for its everyday-ness and Siam for its Exhibit A-ness. I am a fan!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for these - I, for one, appreciate multiple bloggers posting their swatches and reviews of the same products. It helps tremendously in choosing what to buy! I bought Laos this weekend - unlike many other photographs on other blogs, yours is the most "true" to life in my opinion. Many of the others show a very cool pink - and to my eye (and yours) it's more of a warm pink than cool. I still like it - and bought it in person, so I was able to see the "real" product prior to buying.
ReplyDeleteI love it too...and yes, it's much smaller than the original, but considering the number of products I use in rotation at the same time, I can't see myself using it up too soon. If I do, that means I REALLY like it, and I won't hesitate to buy it again!
Thanks for comments regarding product size. Sounds like it's just the weight that varies, and probably not the longevity of use. I'm going to try one !!!
ReplyDeleteI've been debating investing in one of these for traveling with, but I'm disappointed to hear about the size/value issue. Still, they're soooo pretty...
ReplyDeleteShani x