NARS A Woman's Face Lip Set Review, Photos, Swatches
NARS A Woman’s Face Lip Set
NARS A Woman’s Face Lip Set ($49.00 for 0.188 oz.) includes a lipstick, lip pencil, and lip liner coordinated in the hue of warm plum. These are all permanent shades, so if you like one, you could grab it individually. The set coordinates well, so they can be layered easily; what’s nice is that the lipstick is a sheerer, glossier version of the pencil and lip liner, which means it adds a more hydrating element to the trio.
Dolca Vita (Lipstick) is a muted, medium-dark plummy red with warm undertones and a natural sheen. It is part of the Sheer Lipstick range, so it is, as you might expect, on the sheerer side. It had semi-sheer color coverage with a lightweight, somewhat slippery consistency that is thin and looks and feels more like a light lip balm than traditional lipstick. It applied evenly with smooth color that looked a lot like a lip stain (but this shade may not appear like much on those with naturally redder or darker lips). The color lasted for three hours on me and was lightly hydrating. YSL Mauve Cuir (86) (P, $38.00) is more shimmery, darker, warmer (90% similar). Tarte Punch (LE, $16.00) is cooler (90% similar). Urban Decay Strip (DC, $22.00) is darker, more pigmented (90% similar). Tarte Praise (LE, $24.00) is darker, more pigmented (90% similar). Estee Lauder Irresistible (P, $32.00) is more pigmented (95% similar). Buxom Hooligan (DC, $21.00) is more pigmented, glossier (90% similar). Chanel Ce Soir (DC, $34.00) is brighter, more pigmented (90% similar). Chanel Noir Moderne (128) (P, $37.00) is cooler (85% similar). Givenchy Moka Imprime (304) (P, $36.00) is darker (90% similar). MAC Amor Prohibido (LE, $19.00) is warmer (85% similar). Clinique Black Honey (PiP, $15.00) is cooler (85% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.
Dolca Vita (Velvet Matte Lip Pencil) is a medium-dark, reddish plum with warm undertones and a matte finish. It had semi-opaque pigmentation with a soft, velvety feel applied to the lips, so it didn’t tug and glided across easily. This is a pencil you’ll need to sharpen, which is sometimes a deal-breaker. The color lasted for four and a half hours and was neither drying nor hydrating. ColourPop Sucker (DC, $5.00) is lighter, warmer (95% similar). ColourPop Missin' U (P, $8.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar). ColourPop Mrs. (LE, $7.00) is lighter, brighter (90% similar). ColourPop Mesmerize (P, $10.00) is lighter (85% similar). ColourPop Hey Mr DJ (P, $10.00) is lighter, cooler (80% similar). Ciate Sydney (LE, $19.00) is lighter (90% similar). Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Medium (P, $37.00) is more shimmery, warmer, glossier (90% similar). Pat McGrath Beautiful Stranger (P, $38.00) is glossier (90% similar). Givenchy Nude Androgyne (P, $37.00) is warmer (90% similar). KVD Beauty OG Lolita (P, $18.00) is darker (95% similar). ColourPop Holly Lolly (LE, $6.00) is darker, brighter, cooler (90% similar). Tarte Delish (P, $20.00) is cooler (80% similar). Charlotte Tilbury Gracefully Pink (was Amazing Grace) (P, $37.00) is brighter (85% similar). KVD Beauty Double Dare (DC, $21.00) is darker, warmer (85% similar). Urban Decay Liar (DC, $22.00) is more muted, glossier (90% similar). ColourPop Schnookums (LE, $7.00) is lighter, brighter (90% similar). ColourPop Prince Edward (LE, $9.00) is brighter, cooler (85% similar). Givenchy Brun Createur (103) (P, $36.00) is more shimmery (95% similar). ColourPop Goal Digger (P, $6.00) is darker, warmer (85% similar). ColourPop Talker (P, $8.00) is less pigmented, cooler (85% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.
Patong Beach (Velvet Lip Liner) is a muted, medium-dark reddish plum with warm undertones and a mostly matte finish. It had semi-opaque coverage in one stroke, but it is buildable to mostly opaque coverage. The Velvet Lip Liner formula is supposed to be “pigment-rich” while filling and preventing feathering on the lips with “long-wearing, comfortable wear.” I find that they tend to be a little dry so they tug on the lips, and while not the most drying lip pencil, it’s not comfortable on its own for me. It is clingy and lightly to moderately drying, even though it does last for six hours. MAC Half-Red (P, $17.50) is cooler (90% similar). Bite Beauty #032 (P, $18.00) is cooler (85% similar). KVD Beauty OG Lolita (P, $18.00) is cooler (85% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.
A Woman's Face
LELimited Edition. $49.00.
Dolce Vita
PiPPermanent in Palette. $28.00.
Dolce Vita
PPermanent. $27.00.
Patong Beach
PiPPermanent in Palette. $24.00.
See more photos & swatches!
NARS A Woman’s Face Lip Set
NARS A Woman’s Face Lip Set
NARS A Woman’s Face Lip Set
NARS Dolce Vita Lipstick
NARS Dolce Vita Lipstick
NARS Dolce Vita Lipstick
NARS Dolce Vita Lipstick
NARS Dolce Vita Lipstick
NARS Dolce Vita Lipstick
NARS Dolce Vita Velvet Matte Lip Pencil
NARS Dolce Vita Velvet Matte Lip Pencil
NARS Dolce Vita Velvet Matte Lip Pencil
NARS Dolce Vita Velvet Matte Lip Pencil
NARS Dolce Vita Velvet Matte Lip Pencil
NARS Dolce Vita Velvet Matte Lip Pencil
NARS Patong Beach Velvet Lip Liner
NARS Patong Beach Velvet Lip Liner
NARS Patong Beach Velvet Lip Liner
Thank you SO much for reviewing this. I love all things Dolce Vita and need to replace my velvet matte pencil; I contemplated getting this set because I was curious about the liner and figured it would be a decent buy. I think I’ll save some cash, though, and just buy the Dolce Vita pencil from the regular line. That liner isn’t impressing me in the least and I’ve barely made a dent in my Dolce Vita lipstick.
On another note, I love the sheer lipstick range as I’ve found most of them to be nicely hydrating and pretty much fool-proof. They’re perfect for quick, natural looks, especially in winter when lips tend to dry out.
Thanks again for all your hard work!
Sounds like a good call to me, Andrew! The set is only worth it, I think, if you’ll get good use out of the liner, too!
This is a pass for me. I have the lipstick already and I don’t care for the lip liners that much.
I like the lip pencil and lip liner, but the lipstick is too sheer for me. I would have to layer all 3 products to get the look I want. So at $49, I might as well just buy 1 lipstick that gives me the look for less. It’s too bad as the colors are understated and pretty.
This is probably my favorite set/kit from the collection! The fact that I’d wear every single shade from the kit would also justify the purchase.
Awesome! Enjoy it!
Based on your blog photos, this shade is made for you. I always expect it to be more like the Dolce Vita blush and am surprised by the shade. Think i have it in an old artist palette. Good deal, though. Definitely spring for it!
Wow, I haven’t gotten my order yet, but I ordered this set because NARS described it as “iconic nudes for every mood” in “Sheer Dusty Rose, Dusty Rose, Pink Rose”. Honestly, in your swatches, I don’t think it looks like shades of rose; maybe a super light warm plum as you describe. I agree with you they do look warm-toned which is kind of a bummer for me since I was hoping they were either neutral/nude as described by NARS or even cool (which is how they looked on my monitor). Either way, they appear as if they are totally not the Fall transitions shades I was hoping for. Serves me right – I knew I should have waited for your review! (I do think I’ll get some better use from these in the spring.)
Oh no! 🙁 I hope you can find a way to make them work, or else return!
“A Woman’s Face”? Hm, interested name for a set
One of NARS’ biggest weaknesses is that they are still marketing almost exclusively to women (and in a more overt way compared to other brands, as it is still a major issue across the majority of the beauty industry – just see the fact that beauty is still categorized under women for most retailers).
Is it just me or are there no plum tones in these colors? I see more peachy tones…
I see plum myself, not really peach – I’d need more orange/lightness I think to say peach myself.
Because I already own UD Liar, this is a kit where I would have to try on it’s permanent versions of these to see whether there is enough difference to warrant my buying this kit. Although I have always loved the look of Dolce Vita!
One question though: what the heck is up with this woman’s pose? I have been trying to figure it out! But I love her “Alien” face makeup!
No idea!
Me either, although I keep going back and forth between: “hmmm, pregnant woman holding her belly?” and “She’s doing a Michael Jackson!”
Okay- much nicer than I first thought. Looks pretty Christine! Kinda job interview pretty- I’m gonna swatch it & see if it might work for me. Nice price for all three!
Yay! Let me know if you end up getting it, Trish!
Very pretty but I think I already have UD Liar a and several Clinique Chubbies, one of which would work. Also have similar lip pencils.
I guess I do like the color!
Seems like you’re covered, Susan! 🙂
Too muted and sheer for me. Pass.
Totally understand, Rachel!
Are you sure those are full size? They don’t look full size except for the lipstick.
Please see the back of the packaging, shown in the post! The sizes as listed are 0.12 oz., 0.06 oz., and 0.008 oz.!
I find all of these nice, but with so much to chose from now when we are getting into all the holiday LE’s, I don’t think I’ll get the set.
It is quite a good value, though, if one use all of the products.
This set is fueling my Nars obsession! However I already have Clinique chubby stick in Mega Melon, and Nars pencil in Happy Days, both are peachy tones, so not sure I can justify a purchase.
Not sure if I’m ready to spend $49 right now but if I could, I’d get this set.. I’ve been looking at both Dolce Vitas for a ling time, trying to imitate the colors with other lip products, as these seem to ube one of those universal everyday my-lips-but-better lipsticks. And I really like sheer lipsticks that many will choose to pass, I often want just a little pigment yet lipstick/balm consistency (not a lipgloss). Uh..
I’ll be passing on this one.