NARS Audacious Lipstick in Barbara, Vanessa, and Audrey

on
Saturday, September 27, 2014

NARS released a new lipstick formula this month called Audacious, and once I saw the swatches and reviews roll out in the blogosphere late last month, I knew I had to get in on the action. There are a total of 40 new and permanent shades in this range, though some shades are exclusive to certain retailers. All shades, however, are available through the NARS website. I ordered six shades online to get shipped to my brother in NYC so he could bring them with him when we came to visit during Labour Day weekend (for a few reasons: four of the shades I wanted are exclusive to Barneys and thus not available in-store in Canada, the American retail price is $5 cheaper a pop, and there is free shipping within the US). Audacious is described as a "modern lipstick so shamelessly seductive in touch and texture, the sensation is audacious." It is touted to be "long-lasting," and have "one-stroke, full-coverage creamy wear" and "luxurious texture and enriched with ingredients to smooth and nourish lips." They are scent- and taste-free. Each lipstick comes in a square black metal tubes with magnetized closures, contains a total of 4.2 grams of product, and retails for $32 USD or $37 CAD.

Barbara, Vanessa, and Audrey

Barbara, Vanessa, and Audrey

Barbara is a medium peachy beige with brown undertones in a satin finish. This is a new and permanent shade, and is exclusive to Barneys. It has a soft and creamy texture, and goes on smoothly and evenly. It has high pigmentation and opaque colour pay-off. It is darker than NARS Raquel, more peach than NARS Vanessa, more brown than MAC Kinda Sexy, darker and more peach than MAC Cherish, lighter and more brown than YSL #5 Beige Etrusque Rouge Pur Couture, and darker and more peach than Urban Decay Naked2.
Vanessa is a medium warm muted pink beige in a satin finish. This is a new and permanent shade, and is exclusive to Barneys. It has a soft and creamy texture, and goes on smoothly and evenly. It has high pigmentation and opaque colour pay-off. It is similar though slightly cooler than NARS Anita, more pink than NARS Barbara, warmer than MAC Faux, lighter and more beige than MAC Brave, more pink than YSL #5 Beige Etrusque Rouge Pur Couture, darker than Urban Decay Naked, and similar to Urban Decay Liar.
Audrey is a medium-dark warm reddened currant in a satin finish. This is a new and permanent shade, and is available at all NARS retailers. It has a soft and creamy texture, and goes on smoothly and evenly. It has high pigmentation and opaque colour pay-off. It is warmer and more red than NARS Vivien, warmer and more muted than NARS Vera, more plum and more muted than MAC Viva Glam I, lighter and more red than MAC Viva Glam III, darker and more red than MAC Captive, more muted and less shimmery than Urban Decay Manic, and more brown than Chanel 40 La Sensuelle Rouge Allure Velvet.

I don't want to make any ridiculous claims, but Audacious has definitely entered my Top 5 favourite lipstick formulas list. It performs exactly the way NARS says it does: intense pigmentation and full colour pay-off in one stroke, smooth and even application, emollient texture that dries down to a satin finish. I like that these have a demi-matte finish because they stay smooth and lightly creamy but aren't shiny or slippery. They're not really hydrating nor are they touted to be, but they're never drying and lips stay comfortable during the entire duration of wear (which is about six hours). I would say Audacious is a slightly creamier version of MAC's Mattene, which was limited edition, or a more matte version of Urban Decay's Revolution. They're actually quite similar to YSL's Rouge Pur Couture lipsticks, but with a whole lot more colour selection. And to whoever decided to change the packaging of these to metallic cases instead of those dreaded "soft-touch" tubes: thank you!
8 comments on "NARS Audacious Lipstick in Barbara, Vanessa, and Audrey"
  1. All of these are gorgeous. I had Barbara - or maybe it was another one like Barbara - on my list, but I still can't decide. I think the one in my cart right now on sephora's site is Vera.

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    Replies
    1. Haha, I have like, ten more shades in my Sephora wish list. :P Barbara was one of the first shades that I knew I was going to get for sure -- such an amazing everyday almost-nude shade that's not too light and not too dark. I was tempted to get Vera but decided on Audrey and Vivien instead, though Vera is still on my list. Think I might grab Anna next, too. God, NARS is evil for releasing 40 shades all at once...

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  2. Dammit, these are all pretty.

    I'm wondering if you qualify for NARS pro discounts. I know some people in the US have them - not sure about any Canadians.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am obsessed with these lipsticks. There's another like, six shades that I want. Evil.

      And no, the NARS PRO discount is only for US residents, sadly. :(

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  3. I love these shades you've got here Denise - great picks! I hope you DO buy some more so I get to see more swatches :)

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    Replies
    1. Haha, thanks! Knowing my makeup hoarding tendencies, I will probably buy another six shades. :P I already have a list, lol!

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  4. Barbara may have come home with me yesterday... I couldn't resist! And now I want so many more of these gorgeous lipsticks.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Aren't they BEAUTIFUL?! Barbara was actually my first pick of the lot. It's just the perfect nude-meets-MLBB shade. So glad you're enjoying it!

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