NARS Apoline, Kate, Mona Audacious Lipsticks Reviews, Photos, Swatches
NARS Apoline Audacious Lipstick
NARS Apoline Audacious Lipstick ($32.00 for 0.14 oz.) is a muted, medium pink with warm, rosy undertones and a satin sheen. It had good pigmentation that covered the lips evenly, while the texture was creamy, easy to apply, and comfortable to wear. I noticed some of the color pulled into lip lines just slightly after three hours of wear, while the shade lasted closer to five hours in total. The formula was a smidgen hydrating while worn. Pat McGrath Femmebot (P, $38.00)(95% similar). Shiseido Streaming Mauve (208) (P, $26.00) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Indian Rose (P, $57.00) is more shimmery (90% similar). Sephora Oui (03) (P, $8.00) is warmer (95% similar). Bite Beauty Nonino (P, $24.00) is less shimmery, darker, cooler (90% similar). Estee Lauder Inescapable (P, $32.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar). YSL Rose Nu (88) (P, $38.00) is less shimmery, lighter, cooler (90% similar). Makeup Geek Shy (P, $15.00) is cooler (90% similar). Smashbox Primrose (PiP, $21.00) is lighter, warmer (85% similar). LORAC Belle-ieve (LE, ) is lighter, warmer (90% similar). Make Up For Ever C106 (DC, $22.00) is warmer (90% similar). NYX Whipped Caviar (P, $6.00) is cooler, less glossy (90% similar). Tarte Flashy (LE, $24.00) is warmer, less glossy (90% similar). MAC Faux (P, $19.00) is lighter, cooler (85% similar). Urban Decay Hideaway (DC, $18.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar). Givenchy Rose d'Exception (206) (LE, $36.00) is lighter (90% similar). Urban Decay Naked (DC, $18.00) is lighter (90% similar). Cle de Peau Dusk (238) (P, $35.00) is more shimmery, lighter, less glossy (85% similar). Too Faced Pout About It (P, $22.00) is lighter, warmer (85% similar). Smashbox Audition (P, $21.00) is lighter, cooler (85% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.
NARS Kate Audacious Lipstick ($32.00 for 0.14 oz.) is a slightly muted, medium purple with warm, pink undertones and a creamy, lightly glossy finish. The color payoff was intense–totally opaque in one pass–and went on evenly. The consistency was smooth, creamy, and never tugged on the lips as I applied it. This shade lasted for over six hours, left a fuchsia-tinted stain behind, and was neither drying nor hydrating. MAC Strong Woman (LE, $19.00) is less glossy (95% similar). Smashbox Bride of Chucky (LE, $21.00) is less shimmery (95% similar). ColourPop Zipper (DC, $6.50) is less glossy (95% similar). Anastasia Vintage (P, $20.00) is lighter, less glossy (90% similar). Sephora What's My Secret (05) (P, $13.00) is less shimmery, glossier (90% similar). Shiseido Future Shock (215) (P, $26.00) is less shimmery, warmer (90% similar). Dose of Colors Dark Secret (P, $16.00) is lighter (90% similar). KVD Beauty LUV (P, $19.00) is lighter (90% similar). Urban Decay Speedball (DC, $18.00) is darker, glossier (95% similar). ColourPop Leather (DC, $7.00) is darker, less glossy (90% similar). MAC Heroine (P, $19.00) is lighter, less glossy (90% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Kaia (LE, $36.00) is more shimmery, lighter (85% similar). ColourPop Bijou (LE, $7.00) is lighter, less glossy (85% similar). MAC Stylist's Tip (LE, $19.00) is lighter (90% similar). Bite Beauty Aquarius (LE, $26.00) is darker (85% similar). Maybelline Vibrant Violet (P, $7.99) is lighter, less glossy (90% similar). Urban Decay Cloud9 (LE, $18.00) is cooler (85% similar). Urban Decay Notorious (DC, $18.00) is lighter (85% similar). NARS Kirat (P, $34.00) is darker, more muted, cooler (80% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.
NARS Mona Audacious Lipstick ($32.00 for 0.14 oz.) is a medium-dark brick red with warm undertones and a creamy finish. The texture was smooth, lightly creamy, and sat well on the lips without emphasizing the texture of my lips. The pigmentation was completely opaque, as described, and the color applied evenly. On me, the color wore well for over six hours, left a slight stain behind, and was moderately hydrating while worn. Marc Jacobs Beauty Miss Scarlet (208) (P, $30.00) is cooler (95% similar). Urban Decay Hex (DC, $18.00) is less glossy (95% similar). Maybelline Smoking Red (DC, $7.49) is darker, less glossy (90% similar). Maybelline Burgundy Blush (P, $7.99) is less glossy (90% similar). YSL Black Red (71) (LE, $38.00) is lighter, brighter (90% similar). Estee Lauder Desirous (P, $32.00) is darker, less glossy (90% similar). NARS Bette (P, $34.00) is darker, cooler (85% similar). NARS Charlotte (P, $34.00) is brighter, cooler (90% similar). Bite Beauty Liquorice (DC, $24.00) is darker, cooler (85% similar). Guerlain #23 (P, $36.00) is cooler (85% similar). Smashbox Brick Trick (P, $24.00) is darker, glossier (90% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Nikita (Right) (LE, ) is cooler (85% similar). Shiseido Curious Cassis (RD620) (DC, $28.00) is cooler, less glossy (90% similar). Maybelline Divine Wine (P, $7.99) is lighter, less glossy (90% similar). MAC Diva (P, $19.00) is cooler (90% similar). ColourPop Cashing Out (PiP, $7.00) is darker, cooler, less glossy (85% similar). Revlon Partner in Wine (P, $10.99) is darker, cooler, glossier (85% similar). NARS Josephine (LE, $34.00) is darker, cooler (85% similar). NARS Shirley (P, $34.00) is lighter, cooler (85% similar). Too Faced Melted Velvet (P, $21.00) is lighter, brighter (85% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.
FORMULA OVERVIEW | NARS Audacious Lipstick ($32.00 for 0.14 oz.) is supposed to be a richly pigmented, creamy, hydrating, and long-wearing formula. In my experience, the formula is typically opaque in a single stroke, lightweight, moderately to very creamy with four to six hour wear. It feels lightly hydrating to mostly non-drying overall. There is no noticeable scent or taste, and they are very comfortable to wear.
Apoline
PPermanent. $34.00.
Kate
PPermanent. $34.00.
Mona
PPermanent. $34.00.
See more photos & swatches!
NARS Apoline Audacious Lipstick
NARS Apoline Audacious Lipstick
NARS Apoline Audacious Lipstick
NARS Apoline Audacious Lipstick
NARS Apoline Audacious Lipstick
NARS Apoline Audacious Lipstick
NARS Kate Audacious Lipstick
NARS Kate Audacious Lipstick
NARS Kate Audacious Lipstick
NARS Kate Audacious Lipstick
NARS Kate Audacious Lipstick
NARS Kate Audacious Lipstick
NARS Mona Audacious Lipstick
NARS Mona Audacious Lipstick
NARS Mona Audacious Lipstick
NARS Mona Audacious Lipstick
NARS Mona Audacious Lipstick
NARS Mona Audacious Lipstick
These lipsticks look great on you, but what I really want to comment on is how pretty you look with your hair down! 🙂 Your hair is so luscious and thick; you should show it off more often!
Thanks, Christina! It’s actually a real pain to have it down for photos – took me three times longer to take photos as a result. I only had it down for other reasons (wasn’t expecting NARS to arrive), so it’s not something I would opt for myself – too much wasted time.
I’m glad these are permanent as NARS Apoline is calling me.
Apoline is a good everyday shade!
Looking lovely, Christine! I like all of these, although my favourite is Kate.
Thanks, Claire!
OMG, these are all SO gorgeous!! I love Kate, will need to check my stash tonight. I have CP Leather and MAC Heroine, but I think they pull differently on me. If no dupes, I will buy for sure! Also love Mona (of course), but I have 3 dupes already. Also eyeing Apolline, I have BITE Fig but I think it pulls cooler on me.
Awesome! 😀
Wow. These all look beautiful. I feel like my wallet is under siege…
Your poor wallet!
lol same here…as soon as I saw these posts I thought ..well, there goes $150+
Oh, I rrrreally like Apoline! Looks great on you!
Thank you!
Got a fair amount of close ones for Mona, but only one listed dupe. Such a perfect lightly browned red. Too nice for words. Great with Ravish. Doubt I can resist this one. BTW, your hair looks awesome down.
The finish on Mona is nice!
The formula of this looks absolutely spectacular and the colour payoff – looks stunning! I think Apoline will look fantastic on warmer skintone!
The formula is very consistent with other Audacious shades!
These are all beautiful!!! They look fantastic on you!
Thanks, Bonnie!
Yessss. I was hoping that Apoline would be a dupe for TF Indian Rose. Instant wish list item!
Definitely close!
Kate is soooo lovely.
It is!
Gosh love the first two shades, Apoline and Kate. I have multiple dupes for both, but these are that smidgen different. Thankfully these are permanent and can mull over it for awhile first.
They are pretty ones!
I’m really liking Kate and Mona. Thankfully I have a dupe for Kate in my collection that looks similar enough to Kate when paired with a lip liner. At least I hope it’s similar enough.
Mona though… I have no dupes, and it performed really well as well as it being the type of brick red I’ve been looking for… my poor wallet is crying lol.
I hope you can try it for yourself, Aj!
Already ordered Apoline – can’t wait. Looks perfect for a polished everyday look.
Woohoo!
Pretty, pretty and pretty. Fall is on the way!
Right around the corner!
All three are very pretty. Th kate audacious reminds me of the Cle de Peau’s radiant liquid rouge in 15 that I just ordered.
Oh, sounds like you are good on this shade then 😀
Christine, I don’t know if it’s your hair, or the make-up or both, but this look is absolutely stunning on you!
Thanks, Mikki!
I’m really, really tempted to get Apoline, but I need to swatch it in person first. I’m used to darker shades, but it looks like it’d brighten up my face.
I wonder how does Kate compare to MAC Rebel, which I already own.
Let me know what you think of Apoline when you’ve had a chance to check it out in person!
Oh my, I want all 3! Which is very bad news for my poor bank account, me thinks. ?
So, I will get one at a time. Apoline is first up. I love that it is just a little deeper, but richer in tone than UD Naked. I believe it would make for a lovely nudey-pink on me because of that smidgen of extra depth.
Indeed, bad news for the wallet, lol!
Long hair Christine? Oh I LOVE the way you look with your hair down- perfection! And Kate and Adoline are beautiful! I always enjoy whatever I buy from Nars- they usually deliver a quality product and these lippies are pretty. Now the hard part- with so many new lippies out for fall, what should I buy? Hmmm…
It’s not very long – I just cut it, actually!
You look great with your hair down, Christine!
Thanks!
I like all the shades but none of them are screaming “buy me”
Money saved!
Mona is a beautiful colour and I love it!
It is!
OMG, these lip sticks look gorgeous !!! don’t know if they’re easy to drop off or not.
Intrigued by Kate, it looks really good on you and I haven’t yet found a purple that doesn’t make me look like a weirdo, so here’s hoping!
I’m really commenting, though, because I’m so happy to see you’re wearing the chantecaille mermaid shadow on your eyes! I’m going to search reviews now because the last time I tried to google them hardly anyone had any info! I’ve been dying to order them but was hesitant without swatches. do you like them? I think I really want starfish!
All three shades are beautiful, but I keep scrolling back up to look at Mona.
I’m sure you already know how I feel about these lol ❤️? But I had to comment anyway because DAMN! You are so freaking stunning! All 3 shades suit you beautifully. Mona though….wow! Srsly. I mean this. Put that in your regular rotation.
Wow, these are all really beautiful. Apoline looks amazing on you, Christine! Love, love, love the Audacious lipsticks <3
What to do!? They are all just gorgeous! I want all three, good thing they are permanent. I must have Kate, of course, but I’d love Apoline for easy everyday looks. Mona is a bit out of my comfort zone, being brownish warm red and that actually makes me really want it. Odd, isn’t it!
Sidebar:
Recently, a lot of your eye looks have been colours/brands I don’t see reviews for. Today’s Chantecaille, Shiseido, Clarins. Are you just shopping your stash or should I be getting excited for reviews yet to come?
Hi Ami,
I upload them as I shoot photos so that I can write out what was used without forgetting, but I very often take a photo of them on the eye only to show them on – it is not the same day I actually test. There’s a good chance I will review, but I really can’t promise you that what you see on will be reviewed as I don’t have time to review everything that I hope to – if I did make promises, I am only sure to 100% disappoint you over and over again!
I wish NARS would change their creamy lipstick formulas to something a little drier. I live in a hot city and I have a lot of trouble with these lipsticks as they are too creamy and melt easily. Not to menton how difficult it is to apply. Do you have any tips, Christine? xoxo
Mona looks a lot like Bite Beauty #001 from their LLLR series last year, even though that one isn’t listed in the dupes section!
I wish Apoline and Kate switched names. Apoline would be great on me, but Kate would not. But I’m Kate!! There’s Catherine that would look pretty bad on me, and is spelled wrong (sorry Catherines of the world, but Katherine is obviously the correct spelling haha). And it seems terribly unlikely that there would be a Catherine, a Kate and a Katie. Alas, my dreams are dashed. I’ll have to somehow learn to soldier on.