I dropped by the NARS counter yesterday and took a few quick swatches of their holiday collection, which is a collaboration with Andy Warhol. Sarie asked Robbie, the SA, to hold an Edie Set for me, but I wanted to look at some of the other products, too. The sets are rather pretty.

The two collections that are not exclusive to Sephora seem to be available here, except for the polishes. TV Party, an orange shade, is the only individual polish that seems to be available in Manila.

The Larger Than Life Lipglosses (Php 1450) are the first ones I swatched. In order, from the top: Viva, Penny Arcade, International Velvet, Candy Says, and Holly Woodlawn. The formulation is rather nice, though sticky. I was turned off by gloss a few years ago, and this is the first one I’ve tried—and liked—since “going off” of glosses.

The Soft Touch Shadow Pencils are a tricky subject, something I’m willing to try, but perhaps not right now. Top to bottom, Calabria (not part of this collection, but a shade I have eyed), Trash, Heat, Empire, Silver City. Application was smooth, but I don’t know about longevity of wear and creasing.

This is a swatch of the Edie Set (Php 4250), which has a nude matte lipstick (top right), a blush duo (left shades), a small powder shadow (bottom right), and a liquid liner, which is the most impressive performer of the bunch. The lipstick’s described as a “60s nude pink,” but it really looked void of any pink tones. The shadow applied quite translucent on my skin, and the blushes don’t give much for contrast. The eyeliner is really gorgeous, though.

I didn’t end up getting this set, because it’s something that seems would suit paler, cooler skin tones. I have trouble making certain shadows show up on my lid—a problem I’m trying to get to the bottom of—so I didn’t think it would be good for me to get this, sadly. I have to go back for that liquid liner, though, since they sell it individually.

Here’s the 47th Street Liner beside Satellite of Love, which has too-chunky sparkles. As you can see, I tried blending the leftmost swatch of 47th Street (LOL) and it’s not very yielding. It’s very good for a solid, opaque line.

Here are light, light swatches for the Self-Portrait Eyeshadow Palettes, clockwise from top: 1, 2 & 3. I’m most interested in the combination of Palette 3, but I couldn’t bring myself to buy another eyeshadow palette, heh. I think it’s a really pretty combination, though I don’t know if it will go a long way in terms of versatility. The counter’s testers had erased the Warhol overspray, and I’m not sure if I like having my shadows beside each other in the pan, instead of in individual pans.

I ended up getting (a lipstick not from the collection and) the Larger Than Life lipgloss in Viva, and I have to say, it’s a weird, foreign feeling on the lips, but I rather like the change!

NARS products are available at NARS counters in Rustan’s. I usually get mine from the one in Glorietta 4, but I also check the Shangri-la branch from time to time.