NARS has revamped its lipsticks with a new formula and refillable packaging style called the Clear lipstick ($40, $24 for parts). This is a satin finish with a lightweight formula that offers medium full coverage and rich color payoff. The NARS team sent a selection of the bold shades to try and as a lover of neutral lips I ordered nude. Available now at Nordstrom, Ulta Beauty, Sephora, NARS and all NARS retailers.
These new lipsticks are a solid win. Classic in formula. No fragrance. Moisturizing and lightweight. Even after 10+ shades, my lips are still completely intact with no dryness or peeling. I think the formula being on the lighter side almost makes them feel a bit thin, but they have amazing smooth coverage. They are moisturizing and comfortable on the lips. I wish it was the slightest bit creamier or thicker, but I really like that the texture isn’t too soft or runny. They seem very sturdy.
Many of the lighter neutrals and mid-brown tones are remarkably similar, but there are noticeable undertone variations. I was thrilled to find that I could wear every shade. Even the lightest ones (yes!!!).
I divide the samples into two categories: neutral and intense. For skin tone reference I wear it NARS Light Reflecting Foundation in Vanuatu (review here). In this post, I’m also wearing the Total Seduction Eyeshadow Sticks to Strip Down and Mambo along with Patrick Ta Major Dimension III in the eyes and Deep blush on neck on the cheeks.
Here are the neutral shades I tried:
- Adulterous it’s a nude pink blush
- Responsibility it’s a peach nude
- Envy it is beige
- Improper it’s a neutral-warm beige tan
- Link it’s a peach nude
- Exposed it is a cool beige
- Dirty Talk it’s a warm coral pink
Intense shades:
- Unashamed it is a cool purple
- Devious it is a cool rose pink
- At the top it is reddish brown
- Excess it is a reddish brown
- Body heat it’s brown brown
- Appointment it is brown pink red
- Desires it’s a classic red
Overall a solid A. I don’t know that I would call them the best lipstick formula ever, but they are extremely good and I think every color I tried was wearable. I would say my top 5 are: Blame, Liason, Adulterous, On Top, Devious.
I also added samples of it Total Seduction Eyeshadow Sticks ($32) in this post. These came out in the summer and I love the colors, but they still don’t sell in matte creams. I generally don’t like cream matte shadows because they tend to look dry on my lids, especially when they dry. These are creamy matte eyeshadow sticks with impressive pigment and once set they don’t budge. Because they set quickly, you have to work very quickly to blend them and on my lids they are not forgiving. These are easy to wear and blend for a matte, but I still prefer the powder shadow form for a matte. I think you can get a similar effect with Patrick Ta Major Dimension III palette (observed here).
Overall I love the new lip launch for an effortless classic lipstick. The matte cream shadows sticks are very good, but for cream I prefer a bit of shimmer or for matte I still prefer powders.
Available now at Nordstrom, Ulta Beauty, Sephora, NARS and all NARS retailers.
Have you tried them yet? What did you think?
Type samples are provided for review.
