NARS Bella & Delphine Audacious Lipsticks Reviews & Swatches
Bella
NARS Bella Audacious Lipstick ($34.00 for 0.14 oz.) is a medium-dark peach with warm, orange undertones and a satin finish. It had nearly opaque pigmentation in a single layer, which adhered evenly and smoothly across my lips. The texture was lightly creamy, denser but not thick or heavy to wear, and comfortable to apply as it did not tug or drag. This particular shade seemed to be a bit less forgiving of my lip lines compared to some of the shades in the Audacious range, though it didn’t actually pull into them. It wore well for five hours and was lightly hydrating over time.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- NARS Sarah (LE, $34.00) is darker (90% similar).
- Urban Decay Fuel (LE, $18.00) is glossier (90% similar).
- Makeup Geek Beach Bunny (P, $12.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
- ColourPop She Cute (LE, $7.00) is lighter, cooler (95% similar).
- MAC Oxblood (LE, $19.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- Make Up For Ever Bold Cinnamon (104) (P, $23.00) is warmer (90% similar).
- ColourPop Exaggerated (LE, $7.00) is cooler (90% similar).
- Smashbox Recognized (P, $24.00) is darker (90% similar).
- ColourPop Likely (P, $7.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- ColourPop Hades (LE, $8.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
Formula Overview
$34.00/0.14 oz. - $242.86 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to have "one-stroke, full-coverage" pigmentation with a "soft matte finish" that is "long-lasting" and "hydrating." The formula is best characterized by its texture: creamy, smooth, and slightly denser/thicker on (but not heavy) compared to the typical lipstick formula. Most of the shades are opaque, while "weak" shades are more semi-opaque. The majority of the colors I've tested have applied evenly and smoothly with good glide and feel comfortable on my lips. They tend to last between four and six hours and was lightly hydrating to non-drying. There was no noticeable scent or taste.
Browse all of our NARS Audacious Lipstick swatches.
Ingredients
Look Using this Product
Bella
LELimited Edition. $34.00.
Delphine
NARS Delphine Audacious Lipstick ($34.00 for 0.14 oz.) is a medium-dark, muted red with subtle, warm undertones and a satin finish. It had rich color coverage that applied evenly in one fluid stroke. The consistency was creamy, lightweight but a bit thicker than the typical lipstick but never felt overly slippery when work. The highlight of the formula was that it didn’t emphasize my lip lines and smoothed out several of them instead. It stayed on nicely for six hours and was lightly moisturizing over time.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- NARS Codie (LE, $34.00) is darker, more muted, warmer (95% similar).
- Make Up For Ever C406 (DC, $22.00) is more shimmery, darker, warmer (95% similar).
- Maybelline Ruby for Me (P, $7.49) is lighter, cooler (95% similar).
- MAC Betty Boop Red (LE, $19.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- Givenchy Rouge Stiletto (P, $37.00) is cooler (90% similar).
- Tom Ford Beauty Fucking Fabulous (LE, $60.00) is darker, more muted, cooler (90% similar).
- Hourglass Innovator (P, $32.00) is more shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
- Chanel No. 5 (LE, $45.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- Chanel No. 01 (LE, $45.00) is more shimmery, lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- Bite Beauty Gemini (Right) (LE, $26.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
Formula Overview
$34.00/0.14 oz. - $242.86 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to have "one-stroke, full-coverage" pigmentation with a "soft matte finish" that is "long-lasting" and "hydrating." The formula is best characterized by its texture: creamy, smooth, and slightly denser/thicker on (but not heavy) compared to the typical lipstick formula. Most of the shades are opaque, while "weak" shades are more semi-opaque. The majority of the colors I've tested have applied evenly and smoothly with good glide and feel comfortable on my lips. They tend to last between four and six hours and was lightly hydrating to non-drying. There was no noticeable scent or taste.
Browse all of our NARS Audacious Lipstick swatches.
Ingredients
Am I the only person alive who doesn’t like this formula? On me it always looks like I’m wearing the old Lime Crime, zinc oxide-y lipsticks, just in Grandma colors. But then in these photos they look perfectly lovely.
Nope. They’re horrible on me, too. Consequently, though I love many, many of the colors, I only own one.
Delphine is the knockout RED! Wow, but I love this one! I’m not sure what it is, exactly, but it has that special something to it. ❤️
Oh yeah !
Delphine is that rich red , I’ll be going for in the falll!
Delphine is a stunning red shade – and it’s great that Ruby for Me from Maybelline is a great, inexpensive dupe too.