NARS Lunar New Year 2019 Powermatte Lip Pigments Reviews & Swatches
Firecracker
NARS Firecracker Powermatte Lip Pigment ($26.00 for 0.18 oz.) is a deep, peachy-coral with warm, orange undertones and a flat, matte finish. It had opaque pigmentation in a single layer, but the dry down was less-than-flattering on my lips as the color pulled away along my deeper lip lines. The texture felt very fluid and lightweight–almost thin and watery, yet it still packed quite a bit of pigment and dried down evenly. The dry down took about 30 seconds for “mostly dry,” but there a bit of tackiness present when I pressed my lips together but, thankfully, that did not lift color away. It wore well for five and a half hours and was neither drying nor hydrating.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Bite Beauty Tamarind (P, $28.00) is cooler (95% similar).
- NARS Grotto (LE, $27.00) is cooler (90% similar).
- ColourPop Bloom2Bloom (LE, $10.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- MAC Back in Vogue (P, $21.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- ColourPop Room Service (P, $9.00) is darker, more muted, cooler (90% similar).
- ColourPop Creme Fresh (P, $10.00) is more muted, warmer (85% similar).
- Dose of Colors Peachii (LE, $18.00) is cooler (85% similar).
- MAC Mademoiselle (P, $21.00) is lighter, warmer (80% similar).
- ColourPop Starling (LE, $6.00) (80% similar).
- NARS Fly Robin Fly (LE, $26.00) is lighter, cooler (80% similar).
Formula Overview
$26.00/0.18 oz. - $144.44 Per Ounce
The new formula is described as “liquefied pigments with infinite matte color saturation for lasting, weightless wear.” It’s supposed to have “full coverage in one swipe” that “dries down instantly” for “smudge-resistant, carefree wear.” The formula has a very fluid consistency that is thin, smooth, but not at all watery, and the majority of shades were nearly opaque or opaque in a single layer.
The dry down started quickly but was forgiving as I maneuvered around the edges of the lips but remained a bit tacky when I pressed my lips together for over a half hour later, though as long as I did not press my lips together until five minutes post-application, the color did not lift. I have found the wear to be comfortable so far–non-drying–but not the longest-wearing nor the most budge-proof in liquid lipstick, as just sipping water, tea, or coffee caused color to transfer onto my cups.
There was plenty of coverage, so it still lasted through drinking but did start to break down noticeably during a meal. Even just touching the color after a half hour of wearing it yielded color on my fingertips. The formula had a soft, vanilla scent but no discernible taste.
Browse all of our NARS Powermatte Lip Pigment swatches.
Firecracker
LELimited Edition. $26.00.
Firework
NARS Firework Powermatte Lip Pigment ($26.00 for 0.18 oz.) is a bright, medium pink with subtle, warm undertones and a flat, matte finish. It had rich color coverage that adhered smoothly and spread easily across my lips with an even dry down of color. The downside was that as it dried down, it separated along my deeper lip lines and appeared “cracked.” The texture was very lightweight, and while color didn’t lift up when I pressed my lips together, there was a slight tackiness. The liquid lipstick lasted well for six hours and was non-drying.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- NARS Call Me (P, $26.00) is more muted (95% similar).
- Lisa Eldridge Sunday Matinee (P, $36.00) is lighter, glossier (95% similar).
- ColourPop Donut (DC, $6.50) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- ColourPop Prince Edward (LE, $9.00) is less pigmented, warmer (90% similar).
- Too Faced Melted Clover II (P, $21.00) is lighter, more muted (90% similar).
- ColourPop Usagi (LE, $6.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
- NARS Rouge Palatin (LE, $27.00) is darker (90% similar).
- ColourPop Starship (LE, $5.00) is cooler (90% similar).
- Too Faced Bachelorette (P, $22.00) is darker, brighter (90% similar).
- L'Oreal Le Coral Irreverent (P, $13.99) is warmer (90% similar).
Formula Overview
$26.00/0.18 oz. - $144.44 Per Ounce
The new formula is described as “liquefied pigments with infinite matte color saturation for lasting, weightless wear.” It’s supposed to have “full coverage in one swipe” that “dries down instantly” for “smudge-resistant, carefree wear.” The formula has a very fluid consistency that is thin, smooth, but not at all watery, and the majority of shades were nearly opaque or opaque in a single layer.
The dry down started quickly but was forgiving as I maneuvered around the edges of the lips but remained a bit tacky when I pressed my lips together for over a half hour later, though as long as I did not press my lips together until five minutes post-application, the color did not lift. I have found the wear to be comfortable so far–non-drying–but not the longest-wearing nor the most budge-proof in liquid lipstick, as just sipping water, tea, or coffee caused color to transfer onto my cups.
There was plenty of coverage, so it still lasted through drinking but did start to break down noticeably during a meal. Even just touching the color after a half hour of wearing it yielded color on my fingertips. The formula had a soft, vanilla scent but no discernible taste.
Browse all of our NARS Powermatte Lip Pigment swatches.
Firework
LELimited Edition. $26.00.
Flame
NARS Flame Powermatte Lip Pigment ($26.00 for 0.18 oz.) is a bright, neon pink-coral with warm undertones and a matte finish. There was more of a soft sheen to this one that was present for over a half hour, though it eventually wore down to a matte finish. It had a very thin, fluid consistency that was almost watery based on how easily it spread, but it managed to apply with nearly opaque color coverage and did not appear streaky or uneven overall. There was slight product in my deeper lip lines, though it didn’t seem to be as noticeable due to the brightness in the color itself. It stayed on well for seven hours and was neither drying nor hydrating.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Fenty Beauty Unattached (P, $24.00) is lighter (95% similar).
- Makeup Geek Tango (LE, $12.00) is darker (95% similar).
- Guerlain #40 (P, $33.00) is glossier (95% similar).
- ColourPop Ouiji (LE, $6.50) is warmer (95% similar).
- Chanel Fleur de Lotus (830) (P, $45.00) is more muted (90% similar).
- NARS Rouge Immortel (LE, $27.00) is darker, more muted (90% similar).
- MAC Ablaze (P, $19.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- ColourPop Daytrip (P, $7.00) is brighter, warmer (90% similar).
- NARS Anouk (LE, $34.00) is darker (90% similar).
- Fenty Beauty Dragon Mami (P, $18.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
Formula Overview
$26.00/0.18 oz. - $144.44 Per Ounce
The new formula is described as “liquefied pigments with infinite matte color saturation for lasting, weightless wear.” It’s supposed to have “full coverage in one swipe” that “dries down instantly” for “smudge-resistant, carefree wear.” The formula has a very fluid consistency that is thin, smooth, but not at all watery, and the majority of shades were nearly opaque or opaque in a single layer.
The dry down started quickly but was forgiving as I maneuvered around the edges of the lips but remained a bit tacky when I pressed my lips together for over a half hour later, though as long as I did not press my lips together until five minutes post-application, the color did not lift. I have found the wear to be comfortable so far–non-drying–but not the longest-wearing nor the most budge-proof in liquid lipstick, as just sipping water, tea, or coffee caused color to transfer onto my cups.
There was plenty of coverage, so it still lasted through drinking but did start to break down noticeably during a meal. Even just touching the color after a half hour of wearing it yielded color on my fingertips. The formula had a soft, vanilla scent but no discernible taste.
Browse all of our NARS Powermatte Lip Pigment swatches.
Ingredients
While the colours are beautiful, they look painfully dry. I definitely do not want a lipstick that gives me more lip lines or exaggerates the ones I already have so this is a no go for me. I do love the shade Flame, though.
but none of the actual lip colors are associated with lunar new year!
All 3 of these look very dry and almost “desiccating” – they sort of sum up exactly why I stay away from matte liquid lipsticks.
These look so dry! My lips would look shriveled if I was wearing one of these. The packaging in the Firecracker pictures is really beautiful, though.