NARS Full Vinyl Lip Lacquers: Baden Baden & Cape Town Reviews & Swatches

Christine — Thu, 05 Jul 2018 16:00:00 +0000

Baden Baden

NARS Baden Baden Full Vinyl Lip Lacquer ($26.00 for 0.17 oz.) is a deep burgundy with subtle, cool undertones and a cream finish. It had good pigmentation, though it wasn’t opaque and with the thickness of the texture, I wouldn’t recommend a second layer as it would feel quite heavy and have a lot of movement. The gloss pulled into my lip lines and did not appear as even as other shades (made more apparent by the lack of opacity). It was moderately tacky but comfortable to wear over the five hours it lasted for as it was hydrating.

FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).

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Formula Overview

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ColourPop Café de Paris (P, $10.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
NARS Deviant (P, $26.00) is lighter (90% similar).
NARS Kiki (LE, $26.00) is warmer (90% similar).
Marc Jacobs Beauty Supa Dupa Fly (350) (P, $29.00) is lighter (90% similar).
Smashbox Brick Trick (P, $24.00) is warmer (90% similar).
Bite Beauty Black Coffee (LE, $22.00) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
Christian Louboutin Beaute Casanovella (P, $85.00) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar).
Makeup Geek Acoustic (P, $15.00) is more shimmery (90% similar).
MAC Desire (P, $21.00) is lighter (90% similar).
Urban Decay Apocalypse (DC, $26.00) is lighter, more muted (90% similar).

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Formula Overview

$26.00/0.17 oz. - $152.94 Per Ounce

The formula is supposed to have "patent shine" and "high-octane color," which is further translated into "mirror-like shine" and "intense color" and has a "moisturizing feel." The applicator is made with two distinct sides; one side "features a reservoir to deposit the ideal amount of color" (it's slightly indented) and the other side "evenly distributes the formula." I actually felt that the applicator often over-applied the product, and I'd expect someone with thinner lips may find they need to wipe some off prior to applying to their lips.

The texture was plush, moderate in thickness but lighter weight (not heavy but I knew I was wearing gloss) and had light to moderate tackiness, which became more noticeable over time. I felt that the shimmery shades applied the best--more even, better coverage, and sat well on my lips--while the cream shades were inconsistent though often quite pigmented. The lighter cream shades (like Santo Domingo) almost appeared bubbled on my lips, not streaky or uneven per se, but the finish wasn't as flattering or as smooth as it was for deeper, richer hues (like Red District). Both finishes were very shiny--dare I say, mirror-like!--and glossy.

Most shades were pigmented, and the majority lasted at least four hours with some lasting as long as six hours on me. The formula was comfortable to wear and lightly to moderately hydrating over time. They were scented with something sweet and syrupy, not typical vanilla, but didn't seem to have a discernible taste to me.

Browse all of our NARS Full Vinyl Lip Lacquer swatches.

Baden Baden

LELimited Edition. $26.00.

B-

7.5

Product

8.5

Pigmentation

7.5

Texture

9.5

Longevity

3.5

Application

81%

Total

Cape Town

NARS Cape Town Full Vinyl Lip Lacquer ($26.00 for 0.17 oz.) is a light-medium peach with strong, warm yellow paired with pink-to-peach shifting pearl that gave it a more metallic finish. It had semi-opaque pigmentation that covered my lips fairly evenly with good dispersion of the shimmer/pearl across my lips. The gloss had a lighter weight texture, though it had a light-medium thick consistency with moderate tackiness. This shade lasted well for five hours and was moisturizing while worn.

FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).

Top Dupes

View Swatches View All Dupes

ColourPop Etoile (LE, $10.00) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
MAC Prancin' Dancin' (LE, $20.00) is cooler (90% similar).
ColourPop Night Light (LE, $10.00) is less shimmery, more pigmented (90% similar).
MAC Goldieloxxed (P, $21.00) is warmer (90% similar).
Pat McGrath Coraliason (P, $30.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
Jouer Beach Daze (LE, $17.00) is less shimmery, less pigmented, cooler (90% similar).
Fenty Beauty Spacesuit (LE, $19.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
Anastasia Girly (P, $16.00) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
Anastasia Sunscape (LE, $16.00) is lighter (85% similar).
MAC Indoor Voices (LE, $21.00) is less shimmery, lighter, warmer (85% similar).