This season, Nars released a lone lipstick with their holiday collection, a shimmery reddish brown shade named Canaille ($24). Unlike the bold reds, deep plums and sparkle-heavy lip looks we’ve been seeing from MAC, Clinique, Estee Lauder, Givenchy and Dior, Canaille delivers a delicate whisper of color. While most of this year’s holiday lip shades take you to da club, Canaille takes you to the library. Shhh…
A Subtle Holiday Lip Color
In the tube, Canaille bears a strong resemblance to another reddish brown shade I’ve been wearing for years, MAC Paramount. But while MAC Paramount offers intense, full-color coverage and a matte finish, Canaille bestows a sheer layer of barely there, semi-glossy mahogany.
It’s a quiet look for the holidays, and I’m a bit surprised that NARS decided to go so low key. NARS is famous for their amazing colors, so I was hoping for a lipstick with a bit more oomph, ya know?
All the other elements of Canaille excite the lipstick lover in me: minimalist packaging, sheer coverage and a moisturizing formula free from taste or scent. But, ultimately, the color just doesn’t have enough *WOW*.
Nars Canaille Lipstick
Price: $24
Use: To add a sheer, reddish brown tint to lips
Makeup and Beauty Blog Rating: B-
Wear This To Your Office Party
Still, I’ll keep Canaille around to wear to work, church or other conservative functions. For gals who aren’t yet ready for a full-on bold red lip, Canaille might hit the spot. It’s perfect for office holiday parties; it’s red without being too bold, yet sheer enough to be low maintenance (no need to worry about red lipstick on your teeth).
Add a Liner for Additional Staying Power
Canaille’s sheerness makes it easy to apply. I do two layers straight from the tube. If I was wearing this to a party I’d probably wear it with a liner, like MAC Lip Pencil in Mahogany, to give it more staying power.
What do you think of NARS Canaille? Are you loving it, or is it too subtle for you?
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Wow! The color looks almost berry on your lips. Very nice. It just goes to show you that you can’t judge a lipstick by how it looks in the tube.
I liked it when I saw it but it just didn’t have the oomph I like for my pigmented lips. Maybe NARS went low-key since their holiday collection is so glittery for the eyes?
Hi Sandy,
I had to really pack it on. That’s two layers!
Do you think you might pick it up?
Hi Shefali,
Yeah, that could be it. Even though some shades are subtle, they can still take my breath away, and this one really didn’t.
How’s your Monday been?
I actually really love this color! But then again, I like more subtle colors that I can layer to make them pop rather than the ones that show up pigmented with one layer and then I have to try and tone them down. Anyway, NARS is my crack so I love everything they put out as a rule! =)
EXCEPT …. super orgasm! Why, Nars, why… =(
Hi Nosh,
LOL, everybody’s gotta have their addictions.
You know, I realized I’ve never used any NARS mascara. Do you like it?
I think that looks great on you!
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Thanks, Katee.
Ugh. Sick today.
The lippie is pretty, but I like a bit more bang too! It’s nicer to take an intense lippie and pat it on lightly for a sheer look than it is to have to pack on a sheer lippie for a bold look!
Finished “Breaking Dawn” yesterday. *Dang!* Talk about intense! I plowed through it in one day!
Heya Karen,
I got the mascara in the black eye set (LOVE the pandora duo) but I don’t reach for it too often. The mascara gives you more of a natural look and I like dramatic lashes. It didn’t flake or smudge on me and it gave me plenty of length but not too much thickness and in holding a curl, I would say it’s mediocre. I just think that, for the price (it’s $23 by itself!), there are far better mascaras out there!
Hi, Karen
No…don’t think I’ll be getting this. I like convenience when it comes to makeup. I don’t think I have the patience to do a lipliner and 2 coats to even get some color.
PS. Keep up the great work on your blog. I look forward to it everyday in the inbox in my email =]
I ordered this lipstick last week, along with the all night long lipgloss and the nars eyeshadow pallete (the brown eyeshadows). I think it’s a perfect colour for me 🙂 I’ve been trying to find this colour with MAC but their lipsticks doesn’t wow me at all. They don’t last long, at all! 🙁
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Very pretty! Definitely something to wear for a work party.
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