NARS Dolce Vita, Falbala, Tanganyka Lipsticks Reviews & Swatches
Dolce Vita
NARS Dolce Vita Lipstick ($26.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a muted, medium-dark rosy plum with warmer undertones and a glossy, cream finish. While it’s listed as a Sheer finish, it had more semi-opaque pigmentation in a single layer, though a lighter hand on the center of the lips and then blended outward might yield medium coverage. The texture was lightweight, thin without being clingy, and despite feeling like it wasn’t that creamy or slippery, it looked rather glossy. I didn’t notice the product in my lip lines in person, but there was definitely a bit of product that sank into my lip lines when I look at the close-up swatch. It wore well for three and a half hours and was lightly hydrating over time.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Chanel Rose Violine (P, $37.00) is warmer (90% similar).
- Gucci Beauty Love is Better (213) (P, $42.00) is cooler (90% similar).
- Shiseido Red Queen (RD716) (DC, $28.00) is more shimmery, more pigmented (90% similar).
- Bobbi Brown Plum Rose (DC, $37.00) is darker (90% similar).
- Burberry Tea Rose (277) (P, $34.00) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- Burberry Hydrangea (249) (P, $34.00) is more shimmery, darker, cooler (90% similar).
- YSL Bois de Rose (66) (P, $38.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
- Bobbi Brown Soft Berry (P, $40.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- ColourPop Belle (LE, $10.00) is darker, less glossy (90% similar).
- Chanel Bois de Rose Astral (118) (LE, $40.00) is less glossy (90% similar).
Formula Overview
$26.00/0.12 oz. - $216.67 Per Ounce
NARS has reformulated their core lipstick range, which now includes 72 shades across three finishes: matte, sheer, and satin. The formula is supposed to go on "smoothly and evenly with a light feel" that is "long-lasting" and "resistant to bleeding and feathering." The sheer finish has "subtle, sheer color that shines," while the satin finish has "creamy rich color" and the matte finish has "intense color with a velvety finish."
The matte finish has a very thin, featherweight feel to it, but they didn't feel clingy or too prone to dragging during application, though they were definitely a firmer texture in the tube. There was enough glide from the inclusion of dimethicone (first ingredient for the matte finish) that went on evenly, felt velvety but didn't feel as powder-like as some of the other more silicone-heavy matte lipstick formulas that have been released in the last couple of years. Most shades were pigmented and nearly opaque to opaque. The wear ranged from three to six hours with deeper, richer shades staying on a bit longer and leaving slight stains. They were comfortable to wear but felt more non-drying than particularly hydrating.
The satin finish has more slip, feels thicker (though not actually thick or heavy) compared to the matte finish, and of course, there was subtle to light shine/sheen. They applied smoothly, comfortably, and for the most part, went on evenly and didn't sink noticeably into my lip lines but there was some variance between shades. They were typically semi-opaque to opaque in coverage with four to six-hour wear that was lightly hydrating.
The sheer finish had coverage that ranged from semi-sheer to true medium coverage but most had some translucency to them, which gave them a sheerer finish. I found most of the shades I tried were buildable to some degree. The texture was a bit firmer, but they felt more emollient and "melted" a bit more against my lips than I recall the original line of lipsticks doing. Some shades applied well with even application and were flattering on, but there were a few that sank more noticeably into my lip lines. This finish tended to wear between three and five hours.
I don't have many of NARS' original lipsticks in my stash (I have mostly Audacious as they haven't been releasing many in the core range) to compare to. The matte finish was definitely thinner, more matte, and had a velvetier look on lips compared to the original which had a subtle sheen to it. The satin finish seemed a bit more pigmented and not quite as luminous/glossy as the previous formula, while the sheer finish was creamier, more emollient, and was easier to apply. It didn't feel like a vastly different formula, but it felt a bit easier to work with (smoother, more emollient but still lighterweight and thin, far less slip than any of the Audacious range) and was more comfortable to wear across the board for me.
I didn't notice any scent or taste, though there is "fragrance (parfum)" listed in the ingredients--it smelled neutral, not waxy but I just didn't get any scent.
Browse all of our NARS Lipstick swatches.
Ingredients
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Bis-Behenyl/Isostearyl/Phytosteryl Dimer Dilinoleyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Polyethylene, Triisostearin, Diisostearyl Malate, Microcrystalline Wax/Cera Microcristallina/Cire Microcristalline, Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Passiflora Edulis Seed Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate, Aminobutyric Acid, Aluminum Hydroxide ·Fragrance (Parfum), Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Butylene Glycol, Hexylene Glycol, Limonene, Linalool, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, [+/- ( May Contain): Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891), Blue 1 Lake (Ci 42090), Iron Oxides (Ci 77491), Red 6 (Ci 15850), Red 7 Lake (Ci 15850)].
Disclaimer: Ingredient lists are as available by the brand (or retailer) at the time of publishing. Please always check product packaging, if it exists, for the ingredient list applicable to the product you're purchasing, or the brand or retailer's website for the most up-to-date ingredient list.
Dolce Vita
PPermanent. $26.00.
Falbala
NARS Falbala Lipstick ($26.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a medium, reddish plum with warm undertones and a fine dusting of gold pearl throughout. The consistency was lightweight with enough slip to glide on without tugging, but it was thinner (and somehow managed not to cling to imperfections nor feel clingy), which helped it adhere for longer wear. The coverage was semi-sheer and stayed on well for three and a half hours, while the formula felt lightly moisturizing while worn.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- MAC Viva Glam VI (P, $19.00) is more pigmented, cooler (90% similar).
- Burberry Tea Rose (277) (P, $34.00) is less shimmery, darker, cooler (90% similar).
- Guerlain Leather Blazer (013) (P, $32.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- Burberry Coral Pink (265) (P, $34.00) is lighter, brighter (90% similar).
- Clinique Black Honey (PiP, $15.00) is less shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
- YSL Mauve Cuir (86) (P, $38.00) is less shimmery, lighter (85% similar).
- Charlotte Tilbury Glowing Jen (P, $37.00) is less shimmery, lighter, warmer (85% similar).
- Cle de Peau Lotus Flower (P, $65.00) is less shimmery, lighter (85% similar).
- Pat McGrath Flesh Fatale (P, $40.00) is darker (85% similar).
- Chanel Dark Blossom (77) (P, $45.00) is darker, cooler (85% similar).
Formula Overview
$26.00/0.12 oz. - $216.67 Per Ounce
NARS has reformulated their core lipstick range, which now includes 72 shades across three finishes: matte, sheer, and satin. The formula is supposed to go on "smoothly and evenly with a light feel" that is "long-lasting" and "resistant to bleeding and feathering." The sheer finish has "subtle, sheer color that shines," while the satin finish has "creamy rich color" and the matte finish has "intense color with a velvety finish."
The matte finish has a very thin, featherweight feel to it, but they didn't feel clingy or too prone to dragging during application, though they were definitely a firmer texture in the tube. There was enough glide from the inclusion of dimethicone (first ingredient for the matte finish) that went on evenly, felt velvety but didn't feel as powder-like as some of the other more silicone-heavy matte lipstick formulas that have been released in the last couple of years. Most shades were pigmented and nearly opaque to opaque. The wear ranged from three to six hours with deeper, richer shades staying on a bit longer and leaving slight stains. They were comfortable to wear but felt more non-drying than particularly hydrating.
The satin finish has more slip, feels thicker (though not actually thick or heavy) compared to the matte finish, and of course, there was subtle to light shine/sheen. They applied smoothly, comfortably, and for the most part, went on evenly and didn't sink noticeably into my lip lines but there was some variance between shades. They were typically semi-opaque to opaque in coverage with four to six-hour wear that was lightly hydrating.
The sheer finish had coverage that ranged from semi-sheer to true medium coverage but most had some translucency to them, which gave them a sheerer finish. I found most of the shades I tried were buildable to some degree. The texture was a bit firmer, but they felt more emollient and "melted" a bit more against my lips than I recall the original line of lipsticks doing. Some shades applied well with even application and were flattering on, but there were a few that sank more noticeably into my lip lines. This finish tended to wear between three and five hours.
I don't have many of NARS' original lipsticks in my stash (I have mostly Audacious as they haven't been releasing many in the core range) to compare to. The matte finish was definitely thinner, more matte, and had a velvetier look on lips compared to the original which had a subtle sheen to it. The satin finish seemed a bit more pigmented and not quite as luminous/glossy as the previous formula, while the sheer finish was creamier, more emollient, and was easier to apply. It didn't feel like a vastly different formula, but it felt a bit easier to work with (smoother, more emollient but still lighterweight and thin, far less slip than any of the Audacious range) and was more comfortable to wear across the board for me.
I didn't notice any scent or taste, though there is "fragrance (parfum)" listed in the ingredients--it smelled neutral, not waxy but I just didn't get any scent.
Browse all of our NARS Lipstick swatches.
Ingredients
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Bis-Behenyl/Isostearyl/Phytosteryl Dimer Dilinoleyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Polyethylene, Triisostearin, Diisostearyl Malate, Microcrystalline Wax/Cera Microcristallina/Cire Microcristalline, Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Passiflora Edulis Seed Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate, Aminobutyric Acid, Aluminum Hydroxide ·Fragrance (Parfum), Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Butylene Glycol, Hexylene Glycol, Limonene, Linalool, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, [+/- ( May Contain): Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891), Blue 1 Lake (Ci 42090), Iron Oxides (Ci 77491), Red 6 (Ci 15850), Red 7 Lake (Ci 15850)].
Disclaimer: Ingredient lists are as available by the brand (or retailer) at the time of publishing. Please always check product packaging, if it exists, for the ingredient list applicable to the product you're purchasing, or the brand or retailer's website for the most up-to-date ingredient list.
Falbala
PPermanent. $26.00.
Tanganyka
NARS Tanganyka Lipstick ($26.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a muted, medium-dark reddish brown with warmer undertones and barely-there pearl. The pearl gave it more of a luminous sheen without having really visible shimmer (to my eye in person). The pigmentation was semi-sheer to medium and went on fairly evenly, but I felt like the texture made it more prone to gathering in my lip lines and clumping up a bit in places–it was barely noticeable in person but definitely room for improvement. The lipstick was lightly creamy without being heavy, felt thin and comfortable to wear on my lips as it wasn’t clingy. It lasted for three and a half hours and felt lightly hydrating over time.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Hourglass Let Me (P, $34.00) is less shimmery, warmer (95% similar).
- Chanel Sepia (207) (LE, $37.00) is less shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
- Charlotte Tilbury Passion Kiss (P, $34.00) is less shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Intense (P, $37.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
- Estee Lauder Dark Desire (P, $32.00) is more shimmery, darker, warmer (90% similar).
- MAC Good Form (P, $19.00) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- Estee Lauder Tempt Me (P, $32.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Revlon Blushing Nude (P, $8.49) is less shimmery, lighter, more pigmented (85% similar).
- bareMinerals Panko (P, $20.00) is less shimmery, lighter (85% similar).
- Giorgio Armani Silenzio (213) (P, $38.00) is less shimmery, lighter (85% similar).
Formula Overview
$26.00/0.12 oz. - $216.67 Per Ounce
NARS has reformulated their core lipstick range, which now includes 72 shades across three finishes: matte, sheer, and satin. The formula is supposed to go on "smoothly and evenly with a light feel" that is "long-lasting" and "resistant to bleeding and feathering." The sheer finish has "subtle, sheer color that shines," while the satin finish has "creamy rich color" and the matte finish has "intense color with a velvety finish."
The matte finish has a very thin, featherweight feel to it, but they didn't feel clingy or too prone to dragging during application, though they were definitely a firmer texture in the tube. There was enough glide from the inclusion of dimethicone (first ingredient for the matte finish) that went on evenly, felt velvety but didn't feel as powder-like as some of the other more silicone-heavy matte lipstick formulas that have been released in the last couple of years. Most shades were pigmented and nearly opaque to opaque. The wear ranged from three to six hours with deeper, richer shades staying on a bit longer and leaving slight stains. They were comfortable to wear but felt more non-drying than particularly hydrating.
The satin finish has more slip, feels thicker (though not actually thick or heavy) compared to the matte finish, and of course, there was subtle to light shine/sheen. They applied smoothly, comfortably, and for the most part, went on evenly and didn't sink noticeably into my lip lines but there was some variance between shades. They were typically semi-opaque to opaque in coverage with four to six-hour wear that was lightly hydrating.
The sheer finish had coverage that ranged from semi-sheer to true medium coverage but most had some translucency to them, which gave them a sheerer finish. I found most of the shades I tried were buildable to some degree. The texture was a bit firmer, but they felt more emollient and "melted" a bit more against my lips than I recall the original line of lipsticks doing. Some shades applied well with even application and were flattering on, but there were a few that sank more noticeably into my lip lines. This finish tended to wear between three and five hours.
I don't have many of NARS' original lipsticks in my stash (I have mostly Audacious as they haven't been releasing many in the core range) to compare to. The matte finish was definitely thinner, more matte, and had a velvetier look on lips compared to the original which had a subtle sheen to it. The satin finish seemed a bit more pigmented and not quite as luminous/glossy as the previous formula, while the sheer finish was creamier, more emollient, and was easier to apply. It didn't feel like a vastly different formula, but it felt a bit easier to work with (smoother, more emollient but still lighterweight and thin, far less slip than any of the Audacious range) and was more comfortable to wear across the board for me.
I didn't notice any scent or taste, though there is "fragrance (parfum)" listed in the ingredients--it smelled neutral, not waxy but I just didn't get any scent.
Browse all of our NARS Lipstick swatches.
Ingredients
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Bis-Behenyl/Isostearyl/Phytosteryl Dimer Dilinoleyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Polyethylene, Triisostearin, Diisostearyl Malate, Microcrystalline Wax/Cera Microcristallina/Cire Microcristalline, Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Passiflora Edulis Seed Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate, Aminobutyric Acid, Aluminum Hydroxide ·Fragrance (Parfum), Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Butylene Glycol, Hexylene Glycol, Limonene, Linalool, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, [+/- ( May Contain): Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891), Blue 1 Lake (Ci 42090), Iron Oxides (Ci 77491), Red 6 (Ci 15850), Red 7 Lake (Ci 15850)].
Disclaimer: Ingredient lists are as available by the brand (or retailer) at the time of publishing. Please always check product packaging, if it exists, for the ingredient list applicable to the product you're purchasing, or the brand or retailer's website for the most up-to-date ingredient list.
These are lovely for everyday types of shades. I’m especially interested in checking out Falbala and Tanganyka, but would only buy one of them. That Falbala is a super close dupe of MAC VG VI, which is DC’d and is the one that “got away”, makes it especially tempting.
I’m disappointed this Dolce Vita is much pinker than the old one, which was like a warm rose. I have a tiny bit left of my old one and this new one isn’t a suitable replacement. Boo.
I got Tanganyka yesterday which is also different than the old one (this one is much redder/browner) and I actually love the color but the texture is SO emollient. I don’t know how to describe this but the texture of the product is so soft and while I was applying to my lips it felt like so much product was coming off like it was just melting away. Like the bullet is not firmly pressed like most lipsticks. I need to give it the all day wear test but I have a feeling it will slip and feather. Also It seems like the product would run out quickly if so much comes off in one swipe.
I thought Dolce Vita looked different than the one I currently have. I’ll probably like the new one as well, but that’s too bad that the colour changed because the old one is a shade I repurchase often.
These are pretty shades but since I am trying to cut back on lipstick purchases and have seen a couple in the past week, on the blog, that I am more interested in, I will fight temptation and not pick these up. Probably my favorite is Tanganyka but I do have a couple of the dupes so that makes the decision even easier.
It always puzzled me that Dolce Vita was significantly different, depending on which formula you got. The other puzzle is why FN did not reissue Tangier, when his use of that shade for lips, cheeks, eyes (on Carolyn Murphy?) was what started the entire multistick trend. Tangier WAS all that.
I was wondering the same exact thing! that was the one I was looking forward to, for historical reasons.
I think Falbala is really beautiful.
They are all everyday shades and look quite lovely.