NARS Free Bird, Notorious, Dragon Girl Powermatte Lipsticks Reviews & Swatches
Free Bird
NARS Free Bird Powermatte Lipstick ($34.00 for 0.05 oz.) is a medium peach with warm, more orange-leaning undertones and a matte finish. This was one of the sheerer shades in the range and the hardest to apply.
- Semi-sheer color coverage
- Lightweight, velvety texture (silicone-like), thin
- Applied unevenly and emphasized lip texture and lines
- Transfer-resistant until a meal
- Long-wearing until a meal (4 hours), non-drying
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Tom Ford Beauty Dashing (P, $55.00) is darker, warmer (90% similar).
- Make Up For Ever Striking Spice (108) (P, $23.00) is darker, warmer (90% similar).
- MAC Crossfade (P, $26.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
- Makeup by Mario Cam (P, $24.00) is darker, warmer (90% similar).
- Sephora Undisciplined (09) (P, $15.00) is darker (85% similar).
- ColourPop Puddin' (P, $9.00) is darker (80% similar).
- NARS Soleil de Pluie (LE, $27.00) is darker, cooler (80% similar).
- Rare Beauty Brave (P, $20.00) is darker (80% similar).
- NARS Casablanca (P, $26.00) is darker (80% similar).
- MAC Persimmon (LE, $25.00) is darker, warmer (80% similar).
Formula Overview
$34.00/0.05 oz. - $680.00 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to have "10-hour wear" that has "one swipe, instant payoff" that is "transfer-resistant" and "lightweight" with "all-day comfort." Those are some big claims, and while I think the formula is solid--lightweight, longer-wearing, and semi-opaque to opaque in coverage--they don't quite last 10 hours (more like five to six hours, which is good just not ridiculously long as claimed).
They have a lightweight, more of a velvety-cream feel that helped them apply comfortably without dragging and be somewhat forgiving of lip texture, but I would recommend proper exfoliation prior to wearing these. They were somewhat transfer-resistant but lost most of that resistance after a meal, and they tended not to last that well through a meal in general (part of why they don't get to 10 hours). The formula felt more non-drying to barely-hydrating, so comfortable as claimed.
Worth mentioning, they did not swatch so well on my arm but applied significantly better on my lips, which is something I have found to be true with more silicone-heavy lipstick formulas. They had no discernible taste or scent.
Note: The lipsticks are in a slim-style bullet, which is typically much smaller than the average lipstick (often around 0.07 oz. for a slim lipstick vs. 0.10 oz. for a standard tube), but these are 0.05 oz. a pop, so they are quite small.
Browse all of our NARS Powermatte Lipstick swatches.
Ingredients
ISODODECANE · SYNTHETIC WAX · POLYGLYCERYL-2 TRIISOSTEARATE · CAPRYLYL METHICONE · OCTYLDODECANOL · DICALCIUM PHOSPHATE · HYDROGENATED MICROCRYSTALLINE WAX · LAUROYL LYSINE · TRIMETHYLSILOXYSILICATE · POLYETHYLENE · HYDROGENATED STYRENE/ISOPRENE COPOLYMER · POLYSILICONE-11 · PENTAERYTHRITYL TETRA-DI-T-BUTYL HYDROXYHYDROCINNAMATE · POLYHYDROXYSTEARIC ACID · TOCOPHERYL ACETATE · [+/-(MAY CONTAIN/PEUT CONTENIR): BLUE 1 LAKE (CI 42090) · IRON OXIDES (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499) · RED 28 LAKE (CI 45410) · RED 6 (CI 15850) · RED 7 LAKE (CI 15850) · TITANIUM DIOXIDE (CI 77891) · YELLOW 5 LAKE (CI 19140) · YELLOW 6 LAKE (CI 15985)] ·
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.
Free Bird
PPermanent. $34.00.
Notorious
NARS Notorious Powermatte Lipstick ($34.00 for 0.05 oz.) is a rich, deeper red-leaning copper with moderate, warm undertones and a matte finish.
- Opaque color coverage
- Lightweight, velvety texture (silicone-like), thin but not clingy
- Applied evenly but can emphasize lip texture slightly
- Transfer-resistant until a meal
- Long-wearing until a meal (6 hours), non-drying
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- ColourPop Flor (LE, $6.50) is lighter, warmer (95% similar).
- ColourPop Mind Trick (P, $7.00) is cooler (90% similar).
- YSL Psychedelic Chili (416) (P, $39.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
- ColourPop Ziggie (P, $6.00) is darker, warmer (90% similar).
- Charlotte Tilbury Love Flame (LE, $34.00) is brighter, cooler (90% similar).
- MAC Rhythm 'n' Roses (LE, $26.00) is darker (90% similar).
- NARS Ladrillo (LE, $27.00) is darker (90% similar).
- Coloured Raine Queendom (P, $17.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
- Revlon In the Money (P, $12.39) is brighter (90% similar).
- ColourPop On Cloud Dynasty (LE, $9.00) is darker, cooler (85% similar).
Formula Overview
$34.00/0.05 oz. - $680.00 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to have "10-hour wear" that has "one swipe, instant payoff" that is "transfer-resistant" and "lightweight" with "all-day comfort." Those are some big claims, and while I think the formula is solid--lightweight, longer-wearing, and semi-opaque to opaque in coverage--they don't quite last 10 hours (more like five to six hours, which is good just not ridiculously long as claimed).
They have a lightweight, more of a velvety-cream feel that helped them apply comfortably without dragging and be somewhat forgiving of lip texture, but I would recommend proper exfoliation prior to wearing these. They were somewhat transfer-resistant but lost most of that resistance after a meal, and they tended not to last that well through a meal in general (part of why they don't get to 10 hours). The formula felt more non-drying to barely-hydrating, so comfortable as claimed.
Worth mentioning, they did not swatch so well on my arm but applied significantly better on my lips, which is something I have found to be true with more silicone-heavy lipstick formulas. They had no discernible taste or scent.
Note: The lipsticks are in a slim-style bullet, which is typically much smaller than the average lipstick (often around 0.07 oz. for a slim lipstick vs. 0.10 oz. for a standard tube), but these are 0.05 oz. a pop, so they are quite small.
Browse all of our NARS Powermatte Lipstick swatches.
Ingredients
ISODODECANE · SYNTHETIC WAX · POLYGLYCERYL-2 TRIISOSTEARATE · CAPRYLYL METHICONE · OCTYLDODECANOL · DICALCIUM PHOSPHATE · HYDROGENATED MICROCRYSTALLINE WAX · LAUROYL LYSINE · TRIMETHYLSILOXYSILICATE · POLYETHYLENE · HYDROGENATED STYRENE/ISOPRENE COPOLYMER · POLYSILICONE-11 · PENTAERYTHRITYL TETRA-DI-T-BUTYL HYDROXYHYDROCINNAMATE · POLYHYDROXYSTEARIC ACID · TOCOPHERYL ACETATE · [+/-(MAY CONTAIN/PEUT CONTENIR): BLUE 1 LAKE (CI 42090) · IRON OXIDES (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499) · RED 28 LAKE (CI 45410) · RED 6 (CI 15850) · RED 7 LAKE (CI 15850) · TITANIUM DIOXIDE (CI 77891) · YELLOW 5 LAKE (CI 19140) · YELLOW 6 LAKE (CI 15985)] ·
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.
Notorious
PPermanent. $34.00.
Dragon Girl
NARS Dragon Girl Powermatte Lipstick ($34.00 for 0.05 oz.) is a vivid, medium-dark red with strong, cool blue undertones paired with a matte finish.
- Opaque color coverage
- Lightweight, velvety texture (silicone-like), thin but not clingy
- Applied evenly but can emphasize lip texture slightly
- Transfer-resistant until a meal
- Long-wearing until a meal (6.5 hours), non-drying
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Maybelline Red for Me (P, $7.49) is lighter (95% similar).
- Giorgio Armani Lucky Red (403) (P, $38.00) is warmer (95% similar).
- L'Oreal Le Rouge Avant-Garde (P, $13.99) is warmer (95% similar).
- Guerlain Fascinating Ruby (880) (LE, $36.00) is lighter (95% similar).
- NARS Inappropriate Red (P, $26.00) is warmer (95% similar).
- NARS Don't Stop (P, $26.00) is warmer (90% similar).
- YSL Rouge Paradoxe (21) (P, $45.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
- Anastasia Primary #3 (Vol. 1) (PiP, ) is warmer (90% similar).
- MAC Viva Glam 26 (LE, $19.00) is warmer (90% similar).
- Lancome Rouge Pigalle (82) (P, $32.00) is lighter (90% similar).
Formula Overview
$34.00/0.05 oz. - $680.00 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to have "10-hour wear" that has "one swipe, instant payoff" that is "transfer-resistant" and "lightweight" with "all-day comfort." Those are some big claims, and while I think the formula is solid--lightweight, longer-wearing, and semi-opaque to opaque in coverage--they don't quite last 10 hours (more like five to six hours, which is good just not ridiculously long as claimed).
They have a lightweight, more of a velvety-cream feel that helped them apply comfortably without dragging and be somewhat forgiving of lip texture, but I would recommend proper exfoliation prior to wearing these. They were somewhat transfer-resistant but lost most of that resistance after a meal, and they tended not to last that well through a meal in general (part of why they don't get to 10 hours). The formula felt more non-drying to barely-hydrating, so comfortable as claimed.
Worth mentioning, they did not swatch so well on my arm but applied significantly better on my lips, which is something I have found to be true with more silicone-heavy lipstick formulas. They had no discernible taste or scent.
Note: The lipsticks are in a slim-style bullet, which is typically much smaller than the average lipstick (often around 0.07 oz. for a slim lipstick vs. 0.10 oz. for a standard tube), but these are 0.05 oz. a pop, so they are quite small.
Browse all of our NARS Powermatte Lipstick swatches.
Ingredients
ISODODECANE · SYNTHETIC WAX · POLYGLYCERYL-2 TRIISOSTEARATE · CAPRYLYL METHICONE · OCTYLDODECANOL · DICALCIUM PHOSPHATE · HYDROGENATED MICROCRYSTALLINE WAX · LAUROYL LYSINE · TRIMETHYLSILOXYSILICATE · POLYETHYLENE · HYDROGENATED STYRENE/ISOPRENE COPOLYMER · POLYSILICONE-11 · PENTAERYTHRITYL TETRA-DI-T-BUTYL HYDROXYHYDROCINNAMATE · POLYHYDROXYSTEARIC ACID · TOCOPHERYL ACETATE · [+/-(MAY CONTAIN/PEUT CONTENIR): BLUE 1 LAKE (CI 42090) · IRON OXIDES (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499) · RED 28 LAKE (CI 45410) · RED 6 (CI 15850) · RED 7 LAKE (CI 15850) · TITANIUM DIOXIDE (CI 77891) · YELLOW 5 LAKE (CI 19140) · YELLOW 6 LAKE (CI 15985)] ·
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.
Even though I love how it looks, I still feel that Notorious ought to have been something wilder, like purple or even a vivid dark cherry red!
Dragon Girl is also lovely enough, but I have MAC Ruby Woo…so, I likely don’t need DG, too.
Gosh – I don’t think I’ve ever seen a NARS lipstick get an F before – it must be really bad to get that rating!
I like the colour of the Notorious shade, but not the matte finish.
This really surprises me since Audacious, the liquid powermattes, the pencil style, and the oldies are generally quite good.
Wow that’s really disappointing. I love most of nars lip formulas. I wish they would change their lip pencils into bullet lipsticks so you wouldn’t have to waste product from sharpening