NARS Audacious Lipstick ($32.00 for 0.14 oz.) is a new (and permanent) formula debuting September 1st, they’re now online at narscosmetics.com, with a total line-up of 40 shades. It’s supposed to be a highly pigmented formula (“full-coverage finish in a single stroke) while give lips a smoother appearance and be moisturizing. They’re also packaged in matte black metal cases with magnetic closures. I’m working my way through the shades, and I’ve found the range to be fairly consistent so far. These have excellent color payoff with most shades being opaque in a single stroke. They’re also very forgiving when applied; they don’t seem to catch on flakes or imperfections on the lips, and lips look smoother and slightly fuller due to the satiny finish that gives it just a little reflection/shine. The consistency is creamy, lightweight, and comfortable to wear for the most part. It’s not too thick or too thin–it doesn’t bunch up with most shades, even lighter ones, as there isn’t a lot of slip, but it doesn’t feel clingy. However, something I noticed was while this formula is really lovely to wear for the first three to five hours, but as the finish mattifies and wears down, which can sometimes look drier. I don’t find the formula moisturizing, unfortunately, but for the most part, the shades are more neither drying nor hydrating, but a couple were a little drying on me. They wear well and fade fairly evenly, while the formula appears to be scent- and taste-free. The formula also re-applied well, so you don’t have to worry about fully removing to get smooth color.

I checked in with NARS, and their regular Lipstick formula isn’t being replaced by the Audacious Lipstick formula, which is good news, because at $32 compared to their regular lipstick at $26, it’s a significant up tick in price. The regular Lipstick range contains 0.12 oz. in comparison, so you get slightly more in the new formula. To put it in perspective, the Audacious Lipstick formula costs $228.57/oz. and the regular Lipstick formula costs $216.67/oz. (Though, if you never finish a lipstick, the lower price, regardless of quantity, may be more important.)

Claudia Audacious Lipstick ($32.00 for 0.14 oz.) is described as a “cool pink.” It’s a brightened, light-medium cotton candy pink with blue undertones and a satin finish. It had rich, opaque color coverage that applied smoothly and evenly. This shade wore well for five hours and was neither drying nor hydrating. Sephora Collection Cougar (P, $12.50) is brighter, darker. Bite Beauty Kumquat (LE, $24.00) is lighter. NARS Goodbye Emmanuelle (LE, $26.00) is darker. Maybelline Pink Pop (P, $7.49) is more shimmery, sheerer. Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Narcissus (P, $18.00) is cooler-toned. See comparison swatches / view dupes.

Michiyo Audacious Lipstick ($32.00 for 0.14 oz.) is described as a “shocking pink.” It’s a brightened, medium-dark fuchsia pink with cool undertones and a semi-matte finish. It had full color coverage in a single stroke that went on well. The color wore well for six and a half hours, but it was a little drying towards the end (felt totally fine for five hours). Melt Cosmetics Shady Lady (P, $19.00) is more matte, brighter. Too Faced Melted Fuchsia (P, $21.00) is brighter. YSL Fuchsia Tourbillon (31) (P, $34.00) is warmer. NARS Full Frontal (LE, $26.00) is more magenta. MAC Flat Out Fabulous (P, $16.00) is more matte. Maybelline Hot Plum (P, $7.49) is similar. MAC Quick Sizzle (LE, $16.00) is more matte. MAC Pink Pigeon (P, $16.00) is cooler-toned. MAC Daddy’s Little Girl (LE, $16.00) is more magenta. See comparison swatches / view dupes.

Greta Audacious Lipstick ($32.00 for 0.14 oz.) is described as a “wild azalea.” It’s a brightened, coral-red with a slight pinkish tint and warm undertones. It had excellent color coverage that went on evenly and smoothly, and it made lips look plumper from the get-go. The color wore well for six and a half hours and was neither drying nor hydrating. Guerlain Insolence (144) (LE, $35.00) is more matte. Revlon Vivacious (120) (P, $8.99) is similar. Givenchy Magnolia Organza (301) (P, $36.00) is more muted, warmer, lighter. MAC All Fired Up (P, $16.00) is more matte. Maybelline Vivid Rose (P, $7.49) is glossier, redder. Guerlain Gourmandise (P, $49.50) is warmer. See comparison swatches / view dupes.

Angela Audacious Lipstick ($32.00 for 0.14 oz.) is described as a “pink orchid.” It’s a cool-toned, magenta pink with a slightly muted quality and a satin finish. It had rich, opaque pigmentation that went on fairly evenly–this one had a bit more slip and thickness to the consistency, so there’s a fine line between perfectly and over-applied (the latter may show “lines” if you press lips together, but it is pretty faint even when over-applied–it really is hard to detect except in a close-up photo!). It lasted well for five hours on me and was neither drying nor hydrating. MAC Lust Extract (LE, $17.00) is pinker. MAC Kelly Yum-Yum (LE, $16.00) is brighter. Bite Beauty Grape (LE, $24.00) is slightly brighter. NARS Full Frontal (LE, $26.00) is similar. Maybelline Brazen Berry (P, $7.49) is darker, sheerer. MAC Love Forever (P, $18.00) is more muted. MAC Night Blooming (LE, $16.00) is brighter. See comparison swatches / view dupes.

Janet Audacious Lipstick ($32.00 for 0.14 oz.) is described as a “deep magenta.” It’s a brightened, fuchsia-red with subtle, cool undertones and fuchsia micro-shimmer. It had mostly opaque color coverage, though it was less pigmented than the other four shades in this review. The color lasted for six hours and was neither drying nor hydrating. Too Faced Melted Berry (P, $21.00) is less shimmery, darker. Estee Lauder Tumultuous Pink (P, $30.00) is less shimmery, brighter. MAC So Good (P, $22.00) is glossier. Urban Decay Jilted (P, $22.00) is redder. Milani Raspberry Rush (P, $5.49) is more matte, more shimmery. Illamasqua Atomic (P, $24.00) is more matte. See comparison swatches / view dupes.

See more photos & swatches!

NARS Claudia Audacious Lipstick

NARS Claudia Audacious Lipstick

NARS Claudia Audacious Lipstick

NARS Claudia Audacious Lipstick

NARS Claudia Audacious Lipstick

NARS Claudia Audacious Lipstick

NARS Michiyo Audacious Lipstick

NARS Michiyo Audacious Lipstick

NARS Michiyo Audacious Lipstick

NARS Michiyo Audacious Lipstick

NARS Michiyo Audacious Lipstick

NARS Michiyo Audacious Lipstick

NARS Greta Audacious Lipstick

NARS Greta Audacious Lipstick

NARS Greta Audacious Lipstick

NARS Greta Audacious Lipstick

NARS Greta Audacious Lipstick

NARS Greta Audacious Lipstick

NARS Angela Audacious Lipstick

NARS Angela Audacious Lipstick

NARS Angela Audacious Lipstick

NARS Angela Audacious Lipstick

NARS Angela Audacious Lipstick

NARS Angela Audacious Lipstick

NARS Janet Audacious Lipstick

NARS Janet Audacious Lipstick

NARS Janet Audacious Lipstick

NARS Janet Audacious Lipstick

NARS Janet Audacious Lipstick

NARS Janet Audacious Lipstick