Don’t be fooled. Just because they call deep purple La Paz and coppery pink Peloponnese “Pure Matte Lipsticks” doesn’t mean they aren’t perfectly capable of powering you through a psychedelic Care Bears-themed rave or a princess party.
Both lipsticks, the only two in the new NARS fall 2013 collection, contain a fair amount of glitter — you know, just in case you need to party.
Leave it to François to bedazzle two matte lipsticks with the crushed silver bits of a broken disco ball!
It’s just so unexpected and really, really cool. The medium-sized flecks of silver glitter sparkle in a matte base.
It’s just too bad that neither of these — La Paz nor Peloponnese — feel as good as they look, at least not on my dry lips, which is strange, as I usually think of the NARS Pure Mattes as being on the more comfortable end of the matte lipsticks spectrum.
These, though, seem surprisingly tight and drying…
The only explanation I can come up with is the glitter — not that it’s gritty or anything, but I think it might be throwing a wrench into the texture/finish ratio.
Like a really fantastic pair of high heels that look great as you hobble from the car to your candlelit table in a fancy restaurant but then kick off the second you sit down, they’re a little inconvenient. The only way I can happily wear them is if I layer a moisturizing lip product on top…which sort of undermines the effect of the glitter against the matte background.
Hmm… I think they’re good with a gloss on top, but alone, just ok.
PRICE: $26 each
AVAILABILITY: Coming soon to NARS counters, boutiques and online July 15
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: B
“No way. There will be no ladders, leaping or circus moves tonight.”
Got something new to file under “Things I Never Expected To Say in the Middle of the Night,” and it transpired last night — on my bedroom deck, of all places (the one that’s home to that family of finches).
It was just about 11:30. El Hub and I were already sound asleep when we heard a woman’s voice outside.
“Karen! Hello?”
First thing I thought: nightmare. The aliens finally found me (yeah, someone’s watched too many sci-fi movies), but it turned out to be my neighbor shouting from her second-story deck.
Apparently, she had gotten locked outside when her pooch, who was inside, pawed the lock on the sliding glass door, and she didn’t have a phone with her, or a flashlight or anything. Just her robe. She was stuck out there in the dark, and the only thing she could really do was yell for help.
At first, she and El Hub were discussing something with a ladder and perhaps doing some Spider Man leaps to rescue her, but even in my half-awake state, I shut that down. She’s an older gal, and it was much too dark and dangerous for nonsense like that. “No way. There will be no ladders, leaping or circus moves tonight.” I handed El Hub a phone and asked the neighbor to shout out her daughter’s phone number, whom we called and asked to come by with the keys to the house, so that she could unlock the door to the deck.
Yeah, so that was my excitement for the night…and now I’m kind of paranoid about Tabs locking me outside.
I can see him doing something like that to make me pay for all of the times I denied him the treats/worship/lurvies he so richly deserves. 🙂
In other news, how was Monday? Was it easy or rough?
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
DANG, La Paz is pretty! And I’m really into violet lips at the moment so it’s too bad it’s so drying! My lips are Sahara dry so, I don’t think I could stand it!
Oh my Karen! Peloponnese looks so beautiful on your skin tone 🙂 Great lippies!
Thanks, Lancy!
Peloponnese looks wow!
It’s even more beautiful in person!
Why call them matte if they’re glitter bombs? Tsk, Nars!
Hi Solangel,
I know, right? Details!
OMG Peloponnese looks great on you Karen 🙂
Thanks, Gowthami!
I like Peloponnese and I think it looks gorgeous on you but I’d rather invest in the new Urban Decay lipsticks!
And that’s a funny story with your lady neighbor. She was lucky you were home and heard her 🙂
Hi Agata,
GURL, those UD lipsticks are kind of the bomb dot com. You will LOVE THEM.
How was your day? Mine went by really fast.
Yeah, the UD lipsticks are so tempting.
My day went by fast as well. It was ok, just the usual, work, dinner, work out. Tomorrow is my day off and I can finally sleep in!
Such a shame La Paz is beautiful!
Hi Bree,
So pretty but so, so drying! I’m off to put on some lip balm, LOL!
What do you think of this collection so far? Has anything caught your eye?
Both of these colors look great on you! I really like the red lip pencil that is coming out with this collection.
Hi Danielle,
That red’s really pretty! A classic and timeless shade.
Peloponnese looks amazing on you.
Hi Liz,
Thanks! Are you thinking of picking either of these up?
I have to get my hands on the Ginger Pink Peloponnese. Love it!
Hi Patricia,
You might want to keep a lip balm near by. It’s such a beautiful color… I just wish it was more moisturizing.
Yikes at your neighbour. What a predicament to be in. Glad she was able to be smoothly rescued and you both heard her.
Hi Iris,
Me too! I’m just glad she didn’t try jumping off the deck.
You look gorgeous with these colors. Too bad these are too dry. As for the glitter… it’s shimmer, not shine! A very subtle difference.
I think shimmer and matte lipsticks is not a good combo! Just like very shimmery highlighters emphasize open pores etc. on the face, shimmery matte lipsticks make the lips look terribly parched and lined!
Oh jeez that story made me laugh! I locked myself out on the balcony last year. I was in skimpy pj’s and just ran out real quick to grab something. I shut the door behind me so the dogs wouldn’t run out and I heard the unmistakeable click of the lock falling. No phone, no shoes, blazing sun…I sat out there for two hours until my hubby came home hahaha!!! I kept shouting for my neighbor hoping she would hear me but no such luck. Your poor neighbor, thank god you heard her!! Happy Anniversary you and El Hub! Here’s to seventy more!
Haha! That story is brilliant! Karen and El Hubs to the rescue! 🙂
That Peloponnese lipstick is absolutely stunning on you. I thought it didn’t look like much in the swatch and the bullet but dayum it looks so beautiful on you!
you are right about drying being from formula. i noticed in a few rouge allure (pimpante and excentrique-returned-so sad)and ysl rose libertin. the ysl was suprising because that formula is familiar to me and only that color dries out. i attribute it to the shimmer layer. defines every line. uncool. i am glad you feel the same. i may not be too crazy after all. good day everyone!