NARS Killer Heels Mini Lipstick Set Review, Photos, Swatches
NARS Killer Heels Mini Lipstick Set
NARS Killer Heels Mini Lipstick Set ($49.00 for 0.25 oz.) includes five miniature-sized lipsticks from NARS past and present range. It is a Sephora exclusive, so it’ll launch on November 1st. NARS’ Lipsticks retail for $27.00 for 0.12 oz., so the kit has a total value of $56.25.
Fire Down Below is described as a “pure blood red with no blue or orange.” It’s a muted, medium-dark brown-based red with warm undertones and a satin finish. It had semi-opaque pigmentation with a lightly creamy consistency that adhered well without sliding around but wasn’t uncomfortable to wear. The color wore for five hours and was neither drying nor hydrating. I don’t have a full-sized version to compare it to, but some readers noted that it seemed sheerer in the swatches than the version they remembered. This shade is part of the permanent range. NARS VIP Red (DC, $28.00) is darker (95% similar). NARS Golshan (P, $25.00) is cooler (95% similar). NARS Rouge Indiscret (LE, $28.00) is darker (95% similar). Hourglass At Night (P, $34.00) is darker (95% similar). Make Up For Ever C406 (DC, $22.00) is glossier (95% similar). ColourPop Lost (P, $7.00) is cooler (95% similar). NARS Just Push Play (P, $26.00) is darker (90% similar). NARS Shirley (P, $34.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar). MAC Viva Glam I (P, $19.00) is cooler (90% similar). KVD Beauty Nosferatu (P, $20.00) is darker, less glossy (90% similar). NARS Majella (P, $25.00) is lighter (95% similar). YSL Insurgent Red (202) (P, $39.00) is more shimmery, cooler (90% similar). MAC Reddy to Go (P, $20.00) is lighter, brighter (90% similar). MAC Hearts Aflame (LE, $19.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar). NARS Fearless Red (LE, $28.00) is lighter, less glossy (90% similar). ColourPop Avenue (DC, $6.50) is darker, cooler (85% similar). NARS Olivia (P, $34.00) is darker, glossier (80% similar). Marc Jacobs Beauty Rei of Light (212) (P, $30.00) is lighter, warmer (80% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.
Little Darling is a light beige with subtle warm undertones and soft shine. It was previously available, but it doesn’t appear to be part of the brand’s permanent range any longer. The last time I recall seeing it, the color was part of the Sheer Lipstick range, which would account for its sheerness here. The texture has some slip and resulted in a streakier application. It lasted for an hour and a half on me. Guerlain Galiane (15) (DC, $58.00) is more pigmented (95% similar). MAC Zenith (LE, $30.00) is more pigmented (95% similar). MAC Pure Vanity (LE, $19.00) is lighter (95% similar). ColourPop Oh Snap (P, $7.00) is more pigmented, cooler (90% similar). Urban Decay Vanished (DC, $18.00) is cooler (90% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Revolve Around Me (LE, $52.00) is more shimmery, glossier (90% similar). Cle de Peau Silk Scroll (P, $65.00) is lighter, glossier (90% similar). Maybelline Truffle Tease (930) (P, $7.49) is warmer (90% similar). Tarte Rum Punch (P, $21.00) is cooler (90% similar). bareMinerals Nudist (PiP, $20.00) is more pigmented (85% similar). bareMinerals Sexpot (PiP, $20.00) is lighter (85% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.
Joyous Red is a muted, medium-dark copper with warm, red tones and a satin finish. It had semi-opaque pigmentation with a lightly creamy consistency that applied without tugging and lasted for four hours on me. This is another shade that was released previously but isn’t part of the current range. It seemed warmer and sheerer compared to the original one I have. NARS Femme Fleur (LE, $26.00) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar). Maybelline Maple Kiss (925) (P, $7.49) is lighter (95% similar). KVD Beauty Chula (DC, $21.00)(90% similar). Urban Decay Temper (DC, $22.00) is darker (90% similar). Estee Lauder Slowburn (130) (P, $32.00) is more shimmery, darker (85% similar). KVD Beauty Santa Sangre (P, $20.00) is darker (85% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.
Jungle Red is described as a “bright red from the 1950’s silver screen.” It’s a medium red with neutral-to-warm undertones and a semi-matte finish. It appeared more as a pinky-red applied on my lips, but it seemed warmer in the tube. The texture was lightly creamy and yielded mostly opaque coverage. It wore well for four and a half hours and was neither drying nor hydrating. This is part of the permanent range. Chanel La Bouleversante (51) (DC, $45.00) is darker (95% similar). ColourPop Fighter (LE, $7.00) is darker, more muted (90% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Antonio (LE, $36.00) is darker (90% similar). Milani Desire (LE, $8.99) is darker, less glossy (90% similar). Chanel Rouge Rebelle (172) (P, $45.00) is cooler (90% similar). MAC Steam Heat (LE, $19.00) is darker (90% similar). Chanel Ultrarose (257) (LE, $45.00) is darker, cooler (95% similar). ColourPop Succulent (LE, $6.50) is less glossy (90% similar). MAC Nutcracker Rouge (LE, $19.00) is less shimmery, darker, more muted (90% similar). ColourPop Chimichanga (P, $7.00) is less shimmery, darker, cooler (85% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Warren (P, $36.00) is darker, brighter (85% similar). MAC My Inner Femme (LE, $19.00) is darker (85% similar). Maybelline Siren in Scarlet (P, $7.99) is darker (90% similar). Bite Beauty Candied Maple (LE, $24.00) is darker, warmer (85% similar). Givenchy Heroic Red (321) (LE, $36.00) is darker, brighter (85% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Scarlett (LE, $36.00) is more muted, glossier (85% similar). NARS Rita (P, $34.00) is darker, more muted (80% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.
Mayflower is a muted, rosy plum with warm undertones and a light shine. It had semi-sheer color payoff that went on fairly evenly, though the more slippery consistency showed slight lines on the lips. It had faint shimmer, which I could feel just slightly. On me, the color wore for two and a half hours. This shade was also previously available but is no longer part of the current line-up. NARS Bansar (P, $25.00) is darker, more pigmented (90% similar). Bite Beauty Hazelnut (DC, $28.00) is lighter, more pigmented, cooler (85% similar). Surratt Beauty Celestine (P, $34.00) is lighter (90% similar). Milani Beloved (LE, $8.99) is more pigmented, less glossy (90% similar). bareMinerals Break Away (LE, $20.00) is lighter, more pigmented (95% similar). MAC Amor Prohibido (LE, $19.00) is cooler (85% similar). Too Faced Honey Bear (DC, $22.00) is cooler (85% similar). Guerlain Ballade (DC, $37.00) is more shimmery (85% similar). Chanel Ce Soir (DC, $34.00) is lighter, brighter (80% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.
Killer Heels
LELimited Edition. $49.00.
Fire Down Below
DCDiscontinued. $28.00.
Little Darling
DCDiscontinued. $28.00.
Joyous Red
DCDiscontinued. $28.00.
Jungle Red
DCDiscontinued. $28.00.
Mayflower
DCDiscontinued. $28.00.
NARS Killer Heels Mini Lipstick Set
NARS Killer Heels Mini Lipstick Set
NARS Killer Heels Mini Lipstick Set
NARS Fire Down Below Lipstick
NARS Fire Down Below Lipstick
NARS Fire Down Below Lipstick
NARS Fire Down Below Lipstick
NARS Fire Down Below Lipstick
NARS Fire Down Below Lipstick
NARS Little Darling Lipstick
NARS Little Darling Lipstick
NARS Little Darling Lipstick
NARS Little Darling Lipstick
NARS Little Darling Lipstick
NARS Little Darling Lipstick
NARS Joyous Red Lipstick
NARS Joyous Red Lipstick
NARS Joyous Red Lipstick
NARS Joyous Red Lipstick
NARS Joyous Red Lipstick
NARS Joyous Red Lipstick
NARS Jungle Red Lipstick
NARS Jungle Red Lipstick
NARS Jungle Red Lipstick
NARS Jungle Red Lipstick
NARS Jungle Red Lipstick
NARS Jungle Red Lipstick
NARS Mayflower Lipstick
NARS Mayflower Lipstick
NARS Mayflower Lipstick
NARS Mayflower Lipstick
NARS Mayflower Lipstick
NARS Mayflower Lipstick
Huh, I actually really like this colour selection save the barely there light shade. Wish it had performed better – there’s way too much tempting holiday stuff to consider something not amazing – but I suppose that makes narrowing down my wishlist easier!
Always good when the list can get smaller, haha!
That is a beautiful lip set, the only colour I wouldn’t wear is Little Darling (and it’s the worst performing one anyway!)
Do you think you’ll get the set, Claire?
Pass. 3 reds and 2 nudes? . Interesting choices here.
NARS doesn’t seem all that creative with their holiday sets – they are pretty repetitive/typical holiday-esque shades, IMO!
Joyous Red reminds me a lot of Autumn Leaves, which is both my favorite NARS lipcolor and my favorite red lipcolor.
Autumn Leaves was a pretty one!
I love how versatile this set is! It has a little bit of everything.
Glad you’re digging it!
2 of my all time favorite reds & 1 from an artist palette. These sheers never attracted me, but for anyone who isn’t covered, this is a marvelous set of shades. God, do I love old Nars l/s range. At Xs, I think they get neglected, due to the overwhelming & warranted attention to Audacious formula. This is a great way to refocus on the originals. If mine are getting grody, I could be convinced. And I actually like the surreal packaging.
That is a very good point, KJH! It is nice to see a spotlight on old favorites.
Not withstanding that questionable case these come in, the actual lipsticks themselves just don’t jump throw hoops to wow me anyway. They seem to be way too dupable within ColourPop, Maybelline, Milani and MAC for me to even bother with as it is. Also, the two lightest shades are very weak performers at 1 1/2-2 1/2 hours wear, which is just awful! PASS!
It is an easy skip!
I like Fire Down Below, so beautiful!
At least there’s one you like, haha! 😉
I like Fire Down Below and Jungle Red, but the other three are sheer and disappointing. Pass.
Bummer 🙁
This is a pretty good set of lipsticks to own – I love the Fire Down Below one the best. They all look lovely on you Christine.
Thank you, Genevieve!
Another holiday set I can safely skip!
Yay!
I have the first Joyous Red, too. I believe it was from 2010 and it was definitely darker and more opaque than this current one. But this 2015 version is pretty also. Tempted…
It’s strange that they are noticeably different!
Joyous Red looks like an orange-y color that I’d like to try, but I’m not particularly impressed by any of the other colors. Time to hunt for some dupes!
Good luck on the hunt for dupes!
One thing I have come to love about your reviews is that you can usually tell when you genuinely enjoy a product. If it’s a dud your face will tell, regardless of your rating or the ratings of others. It’s one of the reasons I’ve come to not only enjoy but trust your opinions and reviews. This set seemed like it genuinely underwhelmed you so I’m going to pass; even though most of the colors are out of my comfort zone I entertained the thought, but now that I’ve seen your reaction I have my verdict.
Thank you for your work! Keeping a beauty blog up and running is harder than people realize. Hope you’re having a good week!
Thank you so much, Andrew! 🙂 It’s been one of the craziest weeks of my life, LOL, actually, so thank you for wishes 🙂
Mayflower looks so good on you, especially with that blush! What is it? (I don’t see a list for the other makeup in this post otherwise I wouldn’t ask!)
NARS Vengeful!
I must confess to likeing this little lipstick collection. This goes as a maybe on my wishlist. I thought I wouldn’t like the nude, but as it seems so sheer, it might just work.
I hope it can work for you, Helene!
Damn, a Sephora exclusive :(. These would have been great everyday shades – and practical mini versions to carry around in a purse.
Aww! 🙁
Wow, that Little Darling shade is terribly unflattering! I can’t imagine a skin tone it would flatter. What an odd choice for this little set.
great review Christine. I will give this a skip…I liked only two shades from this collection…You review came just the right time… 🙂
No problem, Renji!
Thanks for this wonderful review. Quick question — did you use any lip liners with these lipsticks? Could you recommend one or two that would be a good complement? Thanks!
Nope, no lip liners! I’m not super familiar with lip liners off hand that would work for these.