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NARS Flamenco Lipstick Review, Photos, Swatches

NARS Flamenco Lipstick
NARS Flamenco Lipstick

NARS Flamenco Lipstick

NARS Flamenco Lipstick ($24.00 for 0.12 oz.) is described as a “sheer candy apple red.” It’s a faded watermelon red. Milani Bing Cherry is a bit more vibrant and redder but similar. It is very close to Guerlain Grenade with less of a creamy finish.

It’s not really sheer–you can see my lip freckle peeking through, but it’s still hidden a fair amount. This lipstick’s color coverage is closer to semi-opaque, so it’s not the sheer it’s described as. It’s part of the Sheer Lipstick formula, which is designed to be sheer and long-wearing with a healthy shine in the finish. This is my only issue with the product; it’s great in every other way, and ultimately, whether it’s not sheer enough or just pigmented enough for you, is just part of your rationalization process.

For me, however, I have to look at what the product is supposed to do, because personally, I love more opaque lipstick, but this just shouldn’t be, since it should be sheer as described. While we often have pigmented products that are sheer, this is a sheer product that’s too pigmented! It’s not totally opaque, and there is some translucency to the finish, but if you’re wondering why the pigmentation score is low, now you’ll understand. Thankfully, the extended wear of this shade helps this shade bounce back.

The formula is lightweight, comfortable to wear, and surprisingly long-wearing for as sheer as some of the shades can be. The wear with Flamenco was six hours, which is great wear, though not entirely unexpected with the redness of the shade. While it’s not very moisturizing (and it does claim to be), it’s also not drying, and you can always tell just how bad a lipstick is if you only wear that for six hours! It stains ever-so-slightly after wearing for more than a couple of hours. I did not notice any scent or taste, which is such an improvement from NARS’ lipsticks a couple of years ago that had a very waxy scent. Flamenco should be flattering across skin tones; the pinkness will make it workable on cooler complexions while the red will be workable on warmer complexions.

See more photos & swatches!

NARS Flamenco Lipstick
NARS Flamenco Lipstick

NARS Flamenco Lipstick
NARS Flamenco Lipstick

NARS Flamenco Lipstick
NARS Flamenco Lipstick

NARS Flamenco Lipstick
NARS Flamenco Lipstick

55 Comments

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Christina Avatar

Nars lipsticks have my favorite formulas in general. Great color.

Christine – I’m into your happy and soft pink blush! Can you tell readers what blush you are wearing in this pic?

Yuri Avatar

Honestly you’re so efficent and brutally honest if you have to be. You may get paid but you deserve all your readers due to your reliability. When a new product comes out, I always wait for your reviews before I go for them. Do keep it all up, Christine. Love you!

Laura Avatar

this is my first time commenting. i just wanted to agree with yuri and say how much i value your objectivity and attention to detail. no one includes the kind of information that you do! i most definitely check here before buying anything.

Mango the mango Avatar

I’m slooowly easing into more colorful lipsticks, so I’m glad for a sheer-ish red formula to check out. I bought NARS Damage the other day because of your review! I’d have never thought purpley shades would work for me, but then I saw it on you and had to have it! It turned out so flattering (I have almost the same skintone as you, slightly lighter and less warm). So, thanks! 😀

Cassykins Avatar

I like it, looks good on you! What really makes me smile, though, is how you are able to describe opacity based on how it does or doesn’t cover your lip freckle. It’s totally cute AND useful, lol

Z Avatar

You know, almost every time I’ve asked what foundation you have on, it’s this one. I should stop asking and realize when your skin looks amazing it’s Lingerie de Peau. 😉

I actually went to my Guerlain counter to try this very foundation on and the lightest color wasn’t a match. 🙁

J Avatar

hey Christine, loving this colour on you! one question, is it similar to mac’s viva glam cindy? because i didn’t get to get a back up (it’s my daily red :P) this looks a bit similar on my laptop screen!

Sarah Avatar

This color is absolutely gorgeous, and it looks lovely on you! I love that this is a cherry red that doesn’t lean hot pink or fuchsia. No, another NARS red, this was my answer to the recent “Kryptonite” post… I am powerless!

Melissa Avatar

Wow, Flamenco looks so different on you than it does on me! It’s most definitely a sheer “candy apple” red on me. It’s way more pink on you. Looks lovely 🙂

Jenn Avatar

Hi Christine, would you say this is similar to Mac’s Viva Glam Cyndi lipstick? I’m always looking for something to replace that when I use mine up.

Mairyn Avatar

Your teeth look so white here! (they always do)
I tried to find it in the FAQs but I couldn’t see it anywhere, so what teeth whitening products do you use?

Lucy Avatar

I think I’m gonna buy this like tomorrow. It’ll be my 2nd Nars lipstick. Joyous Red was my first, which I love. A decision that was also influenced by you. Thanks, Christine! Your reviews rule!

Sue Avatar

I LOVE your entire look! What other make-up are you wearing in this post Christine? I’m seriously gawking at how pretty and simple your make-up looks 🙂

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