Kayaking and Dry Lips: A Haiku
Dear Self, Please take note
Next time you go kayaking
Don’t forget lip balm
Um, yeah. My lips are pretty tow up and wind burned right now as a result of last weekend’s epic four-hour Tahoe kayaking adventure/unanticipated gut check-testing marathon (seriously, what was I thinking!? My forearms still feel like jiggly orange Jell-O.).
But you probably can’t tell from these pics. 🙂 And credit for that goes to these brand new NARS Audacious Lipsticks ($32 each, available in 40 shades).
I don’t know what kind of makeup witchcraft is at work here, but whatever it is, it’s some powerful sh*t…like Fairuza Balk from The Craft caliber.
With completely opaque coverage from a single swipe (coverage, mind you, that does not catch on my little lip flakes and cracks) they apply ever-so-nicely on my wind burned, chapped lips, leaving them looking incredibly smooth, creamy and — dare I say it? — a little plumper and fuller.
Based on how they look and feel now, I can’t wait to try them on my non-chapped lips once they’ve healed. Heck, my lips might look good enough to fool Brad into thinking that I’m Angie!
OK, doubt it. But still…
The coral, hot pink and orange shades
There are 40 (!) shades in the collection, but of course I had to check out the corals and hot pinks first (don’t worry, the others will follow).
Among these, I really dig flamingo coral Natalie and bright pinkish coral Grace, and I love how all of the colors have such cute girly names (although, hello, where’s Karen?).
MONUMENTAL color selection
The extensive 40-piece line lands in the NARS permanent collection September 1, both in stores and online.
And did I mention that it’s extensive?
Because it is.
Extensive.
40 shades! — in almost every wearable lip color imaginable.
The subtle variations among the shades in the different color families are also super cool. Like, say you’re hunting for a particular shade of coral. OK, well, you could go with a pink coral, a bright pinkish coral or a flamingo coral.
And those are just corals!
Chances are, if you’re looking for a very specific shade of red, coral, orange, pink or nude, you’ll be able to find something close to it in this collection.
Comfy, like your favorite bra
My lips love the medium-weight formula, too. It just feels great, even though it isn’t the most moisturizing lipstick potion I’ve ever tried, but it certainly isn’t drying at all. Plus, there are no funky flavors or scents to deal with and, depending on the brightness of any particular shade, the wear time isn’t bad. It varies from 2-3 hours for the nudes, and 4-5 hours for the bolder colors.
The entire NARS Audacious Lipstick Collection includes…
Starting September 1, the following 30 shades will be available at NARS counters, stores and online
- Claudia, a cool pink
- Michiyo, a shocking pink
- Greta, a wild azalea
- Angela, a pink orchid
- Janet, a deep magenta
- Fanny, a rich berry
- Vera, a bright raspberry
- Charlotte, an oxblood burgundy
- Audrey, a red currant
- Anna, a smokey rose
- Catherine, a sunny guava
- Juliette, a pink coral
- Natalie, a flamingo
- Grace, a bright pink coral
- Geraldine, a tangerine
- Lana, a vivid orange red
- Annabella, a poppy red
- Rita, a scarlet
- Marlene, a red brick
- Olivia, a garnet
- Anita, an antique rose
- Jane, a terracotta rose
- Brigitte, a nude rose
- Barbara, a tan rose
- Raquel, a pink beige
- Leslie, a cherrywood
- Jeanne, a cherry red
- Deborah, a chestnut
- Bette, a bordeaux
- Liv, a deep aubergine
And these 10 shades will be available exclusively at Barneys New York…
- Vanessa, a mauve nude
- Julie, a nude pink
- Marisa, a warm pink
- Kelly, a coral hibiscus
- Carmen, a geranium
- Dominique, a pink lilac
- Silvia, a radiant orchid
- Vivien, a reddish plum
- Sandra, a rosewood
- Ingrid, a merlot
I expect (err, hope) a Karen shade to be announced soon (taps foot), but until then, I guess these 40 shades will have to do. 🙂
PRICE: $32 each
AVAILABILITY: Coming Sept. 1 to the NARS permanent line, with 30 shades heading to NARS counters Boutiques and online, and 10 exclusive shades heading to Barneys New York
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: A- (I think they’re great, but what’s up with the price hike from the O.G. lipsticks at $26 to these at $32?)
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
These are stunning and you look stunning. I’d be really hard for me to pick just one favorite or two…or three. Any recommendations?
Hi Agata,
Well, what type of lip looks are you loving right now? This line has a lot of EVERYTHING. Nudes, reds, corals…gimme a hint and I will point you in a direction. 🙂
I’m obsessed with pinks at the moment but I think I need something more fall appropriate.
OOO I’m seeing so many great shades here! Would definitely love to give one of these a go when they’re available!
Hi Sunny,
Yes, definitely give one of the corals a try!
Oh my gosh. They look amazing. If only I could afford them all. Wish they would have came out with “Valerie” 😉
Hi Valerie,
Right?! Maybe our names will be in the next batch. Keeping my fingers crossed.
I CANNOT WAIT!! to get my hands on these!! I am a Nars fanatic and these sound so dreamy!! Love Greta on you Karen!!
Hi Divya,
Yes, they’re lovely. I hope you like!
I’m pretty surprised that the one labeled Grace is so bright, almost neon… I’ve found in the past that things labeled Grace were always on the softer side of the colour spectrum. Regardless will be getting it anyway, things dedicated in my name are must have of course! Such a devious marketing strategy… I’ve been trying to hunt down the coke with my name on it too.. what gives…
Hi Grace,
Ha! I’ve been trying to find a Coke with my name, too! Still have yet to run into it…GRRR!
So…I’m guessing you wear Philosophy’s Grace fragrance? 🙂
I think Catherine and Juliette look the prettiest on you!
Thank you kindly, friend!
Grace looks INSANELY good on you, Karen! It reminds me of Hourglass Muse.
I’m more excited for the dark reds and plums in this range, but I’m thrilled to hear that these lipsticks have a great formula. I agree with you about the price hike, though–what’s the deal? It means that I probably won’t be able to get more than one. 🙁 Do you know if the Audacious lipsticks are meant to replace the $26 OGs?
Hi Auxiliary Beauty,
Thanks lady! Hourglass Muse is one of my fave lippies, btw. 🙂
I’m not sure of these are meant to replace the original lipsticks, so let me find out for you!
I like Dominique, Jane, Geraldine and maybe Sandra, etc. (lol).. Great swatches Karen!
Not to be biased, but Natalie looks great on you! Lol. I hope they make a Karen shade. What color would you want it to be?
Karen, is the New NARS Audacious Lipstick Collection going to be sold in Canada through Sephora? I really like “Marisa” looks a little bit like Mac “silly” which I have been trying to buy a similar shade (since “silly” was a LE)
Super excited about this collection! It doesn’t look like there are any mattes in this line, but would you consider showing us how you would do an ombre lip? I’d love to get some recommendations for colors to use with Ruby Woo or some other colors in MAC’s retro matte collection.
Wohoo! Nars made a shade for me! And it’s a warn red too so I’m getting it. Unfortunately I would also like to get at least half of the collection. :O
Thank you for posting!
PS I found a Coke with my name just last week!
No Karen? For shame, Francois. But, wow. What a huge selection of colors. And I really like the finish. I’m sure I’ll be all hopped up on the darker shades when you swatch them. 🙂 I hate that it’s starting to feel like fall already but, it is what it is!
For 32 big ones, I hope these are really that good. Not that I haven’t dropped that kind of money on a lippy before… I just wish that great lipstick could stay firmly in the $20-$25 range. I’m getting squeezed here. I still haven’t tried the velvet lip pencil, so that might be my next NARS splurge.
I could have sworn I commented on this yesterday! How do you feel the formula stacks up to other big brands like Guerlain, Chanel, Bite or Urban Decay? I’m looking to invest in some HE lipsticks so I’m curious.
Hey Karen! I can’t wait to try these lipsticks. I have my eye on so many of them! These all look so pretty on you, but my fave would have to be Catherine here. I so wish they made a Carolyn too! haha
I’m not a big fan of wearing something just because of the season – I just put on whatever feels right for the day regardless of the weather,and the hot pinks are making my heart pound right now ! I’m off to NYC in October and I can already feel Marisa, Claudia and Michiyo going on my Amex ! I love-love-love the slight blue undertones, and since I got my teeth whitened professionally (worth every penny !) anything with a blue note makes them look even whiter ! I’m going to take a big leap here, though, and try, for the first time, one of the new orangey-reds, perhaps Geraldine, which looks GORGEOUS on you, Karen ! You’ve inspired me, once again, to try something new ! My thanks, as always, to your swatches and the on-your-actual-lips pictures. I’m gonna be poor after my splurges, but aren’t we worth it ?!?!
I like Greta the best of these, but you’re really rocking Natalie too! 🙂 I really want to try some of these when they come out (although who knows when that will be down here in Middle Earth, LOL! I shall live vicariously through you in the meantime, Karen, OK? 😉
Sadly I want so many of these lol. Thank goodness these are permanent because I’m going to need some time to collect them all. I think I’m going to start with the pinks and corals then work my way through the rest of the colors lol
Oh my, all shades look so impressive! 🙂
Hi Karen. Is it possible that the full face photos of Marisa and Michiyo are switched? You look great in all of these shades. Especially Grace!
I am also wondering this.