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NARS Vanessa, Julie, Marisa, Kelly, Carmen Audacious Lipsticks Reviews, Photos, Swatches

NARS Audacious Lipstick -- Vanessa, Julie, Marisa, Kelly, Carmen
NARS Audacious Lipstick — Vanessa, Julie, Marisa, Kelly, Carmen

Here are five of the ten Barneys’ exclusive shades of NARS Audacious Lipstick ($32.00 for 0.14 oz.), which are also available online at narscosmetics.com. These also launched early, so you can purchase them online now. The new formula is supposed to be highly pigmented with a formula that makes lips appear smoother while also hydrating. The consistency has a light creaminess to it that enables it to glide on evenly and smoothly. It seemed particularly forgiving when applied, as it didn’t catch on imperfections, yet it doesn’t slide around easily. The formula wears longer on me than the average lipstick, and they’re really comfortable to wear for most of the time–it’s the last hour or so of wear that seems drier, though often not drying, just dry in feel. I have found a couple of shades to be a little drying with few actually being hydrating. They’re scent- and taste-free.

Vanessa Audacious Lipstick ($32.00 for 0.14 oz.) is described as a “mauve nude.” It’s a neutral-to-warm-toned, muted pink with a satin finish. It had rich, opaque color coverage that went on smoothly and evenly without bunching up at all. It wore well for five hours, and it was neither drying nor hydrating. NARS Anita (P, $32.00) is slightly warmer, but the two are surprisingly similar. Guerlain Rosy Boop (369) (P, $37.00) is lighter. Givenchy Nude Guipure (106) (P, $36.00) is warmer. Givenchy Rose d’Exception (206) (LE, $36.00) is similar. See comparison swatches / view dupes.

Julie Audacious Lipstick ($32.00 for 0.14 oz.) is described as a “nude pink.” It’s a brightened, coral-pink with warm undertones and a soft shine. It had mostly opaque color coverage, but the consistency had more slip compared to other shades in the formula, which made it apply not quite as evenly. You will get faint “lines” if you press your lips together as the product moves around more. On me, this shade wore well for four hours and was neither drying nor hydrating. NARS Brigitte (P, $32.00) is slightly darker but similar. MAC Modern Wow! (LE, $16.00) is brighterr. MAC Reel Sexy (LE, $16.00) is more matte. See comparison swatches / view dupes.

Marisa Audacious Lipstick ($32.00 for 0.14 oz.) is described as a “warm pink.” It’s a medium pink with cool, blue undertones (it doesn’t look warm at all) and a satin finish. It had intense color payoff in one stroke, while it applied evenly and smoothly. The color lasted for five hours, and it was neither drying nor hydrating. MAC Boutique Pink (LE, $22.00) is cooler-toned. Marc Jacobs Beauty Pop-arazzi (606) (P, $28.00) is more matte, brighter. Givenchy Hibiscus Exclusif (302) (P, $36.00) is warmer. Givenchy Rose Perfecto (209) (P, $36.00) is brighter. Guerlain Geraldine (77) (P, $51.00) is more shimmery. Estee Lauder Powerful (P, $30.00) is lighter. L’Oreal Pink Flamingo (180) (P, $8.95) is a touch darker. NARS Goodbye Emmanuelle (LE, $26.00) is brighter. See comparison swatches / view dupes.

Kelly Audacious Lipstick ($32.00 for 0.14 oz.) is described as a “coral hibiscus.” It’s a bright, coral-red with warm undertones and a satiny sheen. It had fully opaque color coverage in a single pass, while the color stayed on well for six hours and left a slight stain behind. It was neither drying nor hydrating over time. NARS Grace (P, $32.00) is brighter. Guerlain Rouge Kiss (325) (P, $37.00) is darker. Chanel La Malicieuse (46) (P, $34.00) is brighter, cooler-toned. Estee Lauder Defiant Coral (P, $30.00) is brighter. Marc Jacobs Beauty Shout (138) (LE, $30.00) is pinker. Chanel Melodieuse (136) (P, $34.00) is pinker. Givenchy Rose Dentelle (203) (P, $36.00) is warmer, more muted. Maybelline Shocking Coral (P, $7.49) is pinker. See comparison swatches / view dupes.

Carmen Audacious Lipstick ($32.00 for 0.14 oz.) is described as a “geranium.” It’s a bright, medium red with subtle, warm undertones and a glossy sheen. It had incredibly rich color payoff, and the consistency of this shade had more slip (and resulting shine) than others in the formula. It applied very evenly, and the color wore well for eight hours overall, but I found it a bit drying over the last two hours of wear. NARS Rita (P, $32.00) is darker, more muted. NARS Annabella (P, $32.00) is a smidgen more muted. Bite Beauty Grandifolia (LE, $28.00) is lighter. Marc Jacobs Beauty Showstopper (134) (P, $30.00) is darker, browner. NARS Future Red (LE, $26.00) is similar. Maybelline Infra-red (LE, $7.49) is similar. Giorgio Armani #402 (P, $32.00) is warmer. See comparison swatches / view dupes.

See more photos & swatches!

NARS Vanessa Audacious Lipstick
NARS Vanessa Audacious Lipstick

NARS Vanessa Audacious Lipstick
NARS Vanessa Audacious Lipstick

NARS Vanessa Audacious Lipstick
NARS Vanessa Audacious Lipstick

NARS Vanessa Audacious Lipstick
NARS Vanessa Audacious Lipstick

NARS Vanessa Audacious Lipstick
NARS Vanessa Audacious Lipstick

NARS Vanessa Audacious Lipstick
NARS Vanessa Audacious Lipstick

NARS Julie Audacious Lipstick
NARS Julie Audacious Lipstick

NARS Julie Audacious Lipstick
NARS Julie Audacious Lipstick

NARS Julie Audacious Lipstick
NARS Julie Audacious Lipstick

NARS Julie Audacious Lipstick
NARS Julie Audacious Lipstick

NARS Julie Audacious Lipstick
NARS Julie Audacious Lipstick

NARS Julie Audacious Lipstick
NARS Julie Audacious Lipstick

NARS Marisa Audacious Lipstick
NARS Marisa Audacious Lipstick

NARS Marisa Audacious Lipstick
NARS Marisa Audacious Lipstick

NARS Marisa Audacious Lipstick
NARS Marisa Audacious Lipstick

NARS Marisa Audacious Lipstick
NARS Marisa Audacious Lipstick

NARS Marisa Audacious Lipstick
NARS Marisa Audacious Lipstick

NARS Marisa Audacious Lipstick
NARS Marisa Audacious Lipstick

NARS Kelly Audacious Lipstick
NARS Kelly Audacious Lipstick

NARS Kelly Audacious Lipstick
NARS Kelly Audacious Lipstick

NARS Kelly Audacious Lipstick
NARS Kelly Audacious Lipstick

NARS Kelly Audacious Lipstick
NARS Kelly Audacious Lipstick

NARS Kelly Audacious Lipstick
NARS Kelly Audacious Lipstick

NARS Kelly Audacious Lipstick
NARS Kelly Audacious Lipstick

NARS Carmen Audacious Lipstick
NARS Carmen Audacious Lipstick

NARS Carmen Audacious Lipstick
NARS Carmen Audacious Lipstick

NARS Carmen Audacious Lipstick
NARS Carmen Audacious Lipstick

NARS Carmen Audacious Lipstick
NARS Carmen Audacious Lipstick

NARS Carmen Audacious Lipstick
NARS Carmen Audacious Lipstick

NARS Carmen Audacious Lipstick
NARS Carmen Audacious Lipstick

Makeup Look
On face:
  • Giorgio Armani Maestro Foundation
  • Urban Decay Naked Loose Finishing Powder
  • MAC Sculpt Sculpting Powder
  • Tom Ford Love Lust Blush
  • Chanel Dentelle Precieuse Illuminating Powder
On eyes:
  • Urban Decay Roach Eyeliner

95 Comments

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meganlisa Avatar

Pretty! I just ordered a few of these…
I almost got Vanessa but deciding on Brigitte instead. Looking at a lot of the Nars site swatches many of the colors seem very similar to each other (and looking at your photos). Do you find that to be the case in real life? Or are the undertones perhaps very different, meaning they end up being more custom to you coloring?
Thanks for getting all of these up! That must have been a daunting box when it arrived!

SnailPolish Avatar

You suit them all! I love Vanessa, but I’m not yet ready for opaque lipsticks. I bought my first this week (YSL Volupte Shine in Rose Infinite) and that’s weird enough after only seeing lip gloss in the mirror for the past couple of decades, lol!

Dani Avatar

None of these lipsticks are my thing. Way too opaque… And most are just so freaking bright! For me they are very unwearable. But the rest of your face looks amazing!!! Love lust is an amazing blush on u!

Wednesday Avatar

You can’t put in a wrong foot it seems because every one of these looks amazing. I had to scroll down to see what blush you are wearing because it looks just perfect on you. Well, it shouldn’t be a surprise.. TF Lovelust 🙂 No wonder you count it as one of your biggest winners.

It’s good to see your reviews and witness that some of the lipsticks are extremely similar. I’ve been checking out your swatches quite a bit over the past few days trying to narrow down choices. The rusty red/brown reds are wickedly similar too. I’m trying to decide between Bette/Deborah/Jeanne/Leslie and Olivia which are all in the same general neighbourhood. I’m down to now 7 or 8 lipsticks.. pretty good, but not pared down enough. I’m paying close attention to your dupes..they are really helpful. I want Vanessa..but I have Rose D’exception already..but Vanessa is brighter and a bit lighter..dammit~ 😛

Natalie Avatar

You’re killing me with Love Lust, Christine! I have decided I need it! As for the lipsticks, you pull off all the colors so well, but Julie is especially flattering with this look!

Baby A Avatar

You can really pull off any shade, Christine. I love Kelly! Do you think they’re worth the price of a high end brand? I’ve never considered NARS to be high end.

Rhonda Avatar

What lipsticks are good performers that are much less? I’ve never found any low priced that are hydrating or don’t dry lips and feel good and give great color??????
I’d love to find some though.
I tried the Estee Lauder new Envy but I’m afraid they just don’t hang on and have the hydrating feel I’m looking for. I don’t want much slip and I want to feel it on my lips.
Any thoughts?

xamyx Avatar

I like Vanessa & Julie, but they’re close enough to Anita & Brigitte, respectively, so I think I’ll go for the latter, as they aren’t “exclusives”, and I think I actually like them just a touch more.

xamyx Avatar

I think Dominique will be my first, though! Of course, I have a feeling it will be the first to sell out, and I’ll have to wait out a couple of “cycles”… At least they’re permanent, and I’ll have a chance to save up for a few!

GabiRM Avatar

They’re all really beautiful! I just don’t know if it’s worth its price, what do you think? Does Kelly looks like Toying around by mac? Wish they had done one with my name too, haha. Awesome review as always!

Christine Avatar

Toying Around is a good deal lighter! http://www.temptalia.com/submit-dupe?sbs=1&pid=172261&dupe=162877

I guess it depends on what your threshold is for lipstick price pain, you know? If you have something that’s $15 that’s similar that you already love, I don’t think you’re going to go, “OMG! Of course! This is the missing link!” It’s a nice formula, but there are nice lipstick formulas at all price points, too. I would say that it could be worth it – they are of good quality, so you’re not paying a lot for a bad product at least.

Alana Avatar

The formula of these new Nars lipsticks makes Mac look weak. I’m not saying that I’m never going to buy Mac again, but in these pictures you can just tell how much more luxurious and high-quality they are. It drives me crazy when lipsticks, especially Mac lipsticks, sell out so quickly when there’s nothing special about the shades since they are so easily dupable.

Christine Avatar

The majority of the shades in NARS’ range are fairly dupable from my experience so far! MAC’s lipsticks are half the price, which makes them a lot more accessible to consumers since not everyone can or wants to spend $30+ on a lipstick. It’s good to have variety — different strokes for different folks! 🙂

Christina Avatar

Your skin looks so darn flawless and glowy, Christine! Gorgeous! I think it’s about time I tried out Tom Ford’s blushes.

The lipsticks are very pretty on you. You look good in pretty much every lip color, though! 🙂

Faiza Avatar

I have fell in love with these new additions in nars makeup… I am loving that how beautiful and unique are these looking in their finish and texture.. I really liked the coral shades…especially the kelly… Although these are very heavy for my pocket but still very tempting and will try to pick atleast one..
Christine can you do a special makeup look/looks using these beauties??

Johanna Avatar

All of the lipsticks from this line are so beautiful! I pretty much love them all… been on a bit of a lipstick purchasing tear lately, these are so tempting! Very dupable shades so far… looking for a really unique one!
It must have been like CHRISTMAS and HANUKKAH and KWANZAA all rolled into one when that press sample showed up! 😉

Janine Avatar

Now here’s a dupe question: Which is the closest to Benefit Lady’s Choice? Barbara, Julie, or Raquel? I know for sure I’m getting Grace. I’m just not sure of the nude/pink shades. Thank you! –J

Kelly Avatar

I guess I have no excuse not to buy Kelly! I love corals anyway, and despite loving the Vivids line I’ve never bought Shocking Coral because it leans way too pink on me, doesn’t look coral at all.
This looks like how I want Shocking Coral to look! And it literally has my name on it, can’t say no to that

Ginie Avatar

Il love Nars lipsticks! I can’t wear Mac lipsticks because they dehydrate my lips s bad lol
I think I’m falling in love with this Kelly cute one^^ (which looks great on you by the way!). I like the Grace one as well but since I am quite pale, I think I would wear the Kelly one more… I usually go for sheerer lipsticks but I guess I can always pad it on^^

nara Avatar

what do u think about kelly and mac toxic tale? I loved the color of toxic tale. And I’m thinking of buying kelly. Are they similar color or shade?

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