NARS Blackheart & Combat Powermatte Lip Luster Pigments Reviews & Swatches
Blackheart
NARS Blackheart Powermatte Lip Luster Pigment ($26.00 for 0.18 oz.) is a deep, blackened purple with a matte-metallic finish–flat and matte but with a metallic sheen (no glossiness). The color appeared more black than purple until put against true black hues, then it looked decidedly plummy! The texture was lightweight, thin without being watery, and spread easily across my lips. It had nearly opaque pigmentation that applied evenly and dried down without emphasizing my lip texture too much (in the close-up photos, I can see it emphasizing my very deep lip lines on the center of my lower lip but couldn’t detect this in person). The dry down left it mostly transfer-resistant, but there was a bit of tackiness present if I pressed my lips together though no color lifted away. It wore well for five hours and was non-drying.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- KVD Beauty Nayeon (DC, $21.00) is cooler (90% similar).
- MAC Street Thing (LE, $19.00) is less shimmery (90% similar).
- MAC The Shadows (LE, $24.00) is darker, glossier (85% similar).
- Urban Decay Voodoo (DC, $18.00) is less shimmery, brighter, warmer (85% similar).
Formula Overview
$26.00/0.18 oz. - $144.44 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to have "full-coverage color in one swipe" with an "ultra-flexible, lightweight feel" with "brushed-metal" finishes and "lasting, smudge-resistant wear." The pigmentation ranged from semi-opaque to opaque, depending on the shade, with fairly even, smooth application with a very smooth, fluid texture that was rather thin but not watery. After a few applications using this formula (or the original Powermattes), I don't have any issues navigating along the edges of my lips, but the first few I ever did gave me the sensation that it was too fluid--too easy to spread. They dry down to a transfer-resistant but not transfer-proof, finish, where if I blot, I get a touch of color coming away, but the lip color doesn't move or slide around on my lips. They lasted between four and six hours on me and were, generally, non-drying. There was a sweet, vanilla scent but no discernible taste.
Browse all of our NARS Powermatte Lip Luster Pigment swatches.
Ingredients
Blackheart
LELimited Edition. $26.00.
Combat
NARS Combat Powermatte Lip Luster Pigment ($26.00 for 0.18 oz.) is a rich, medium-dark plum with cooler pink and violet pearl. It had nearly opaque pigmentation in a single, fluid layer, which applied evenly and smoothly over my lips. The texture was slightly creamier than other shades, and it took longer to dry down; even after it seemed to do the bulk of its drying down, it had a touch of shine, in additional to the metallic finish. The liquid lipstick remained tacky when I pressed my lips together but did not lift any color away, and it did not slide or move around. It stayed on well for six hours, left a faint stain behind, and was neither drying nor hydrating.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- ColourPop Nimbus (LE, $6.00) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- NYX Pure Society (P, $7.50) is more shimmery, warmer (95% similar).
- MAC Death by Chocolate (LE, $17.50) is less shimmery, glossier (90% similar).
- NYX Modern Maven (P, $7.50) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- Tom Ford Beauty Hyper (LE, $56.00) is more shimmery, glossier (90% similar).
- Tom Ford Beauty Liev (LE, $36.00) is less shimmery, warmer, glossier (85% similar).
- MAC Disobedient (LE, $19.00) is less shimmery, lighter, cooler (85% similar).
- Urban Decay Backstab (LE, $18.00) is warmer (85% similar).
- Urban Decay Venom (DC, $18.00) is less shimmery, lighter, cooler (85% similar).
- Maybelline Copper Rose (P, $7.49) is less shimmery, warmer (85% similar).
Formula Overview
$26.00/0.18 oz. - $144.44 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to have "full-coverage color in one swipe" with an "ultra-flexible, lightweight feel" with "brushed-metal" finishes and "lasting, smudge-resistant wear." The pigmentation ranged from semi-opaque to opaque, depending on the shade, with fairly even, smooth application with a very smooth, fluid texture that was rather thin but not watery. After a few applications using this formula (or the original Powermattes), I don't have any issues navigating along the edges of my lips, but the first few I ever did gave me the sensation that it was too fluid--too easy to spread. They dry down to a transfer-resistant but not transfer-proof, finish, where if I blot, I get a touch of color coming away, but the lip color doesn't move or slide around on my lips. They lasted between four and six hours on me and were, generally, non-drying. There was a sweet, vanilla scent but no discernible taste.
Browse all of our NARS Powermatte Lip Luster Pigment swatches.
Ingredients
Love both of these! Especially as an old Joan Jett and the Blackhearts fan, I feel like I may need Blackheart. ♥️
Where on earth I could wear it is another question entirely!
Love Combat, but Blackheart is too dark for me. Looks great on you though.
Blackheart is gorgeous. I may have to get this!!
Combat is a stunning autumnal shade. Really lovely.
It has a great effect on the lips!
Blackheart stole my heart. I have Nayeon, but it just doesn’t look like that on me.
Love the smokey eye look it goes so well with these lip sticks!
Thank you, Denise!
Both of these are absolutely stunning. I’m really in love with Blackheart.
If Blackheart leaned more bricky-red instead of purple it would be basically the color I’m constantly searching for in a good formula. A-?? Hell yeah I’ll pick it up!
When will Sephora (and Sephora Canada) get these in? These are Holiday collection right?
“Available 10/4 at NARS. 10/18 at specialty department stores” is all the information I have.
Thanks!!
(ps, been reading your blog since 2010, its amazing!)