NARS Full Vinyl Lip Lacquers: Red District, Santo Domingo, Valencia Reviews & Swatches
Red District
NARS Red District Full Vinyl Lip Lacquer ($26.00 for 0.17 oz.) is a rich, deep red with neutral-to-cool undertones and a glossy shine. It had good color coverage that applied evenly and smoothly across my lips without settling in my lip lines. It was one of the best-applying cream finish shades in the range. The texture was smooth, light-medium in thickness with light tackiness, but it was very comfortable to wear. The gloss wore well for six hours and was lightly moisturizing on me.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Tom Ford Beauty True Coral (P, $54.00) is darker (95% similar).
- MAC Opera (LE, $21.00) is lighter (95% similar).
- Tom Ford Beauty No Vacancy (P, $54.00) is lighter (95% similar).
- MAC Tease Don't Touch (LE, $20.00) is lighter, cooler, less glossy (95% similar).
- YSL Rouge Remix (402) (P, $36.00) is lighter, less glossy (95% similar).
- NARS Disruptor (LE, $26.00) is less glossy (95% similar).
- MAC Russian Red (P, $21.00) is darker (95% similar).
- YSL Rouge Vinyle (401) (P, $36.00) is darker (90% similar).
- ColourPop It's Grr Time (LE, $10.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- MAC Carmine Rouge (LE, $30.00) is lighter (90% similar).
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.
Red District
LELimited Edition. $26.00.
Santo Domingo
NARS Santo Domingo Full Vinyl Lip Lacquer ($26.00 for 0.17 oz.) is a medium, rosy mauve with subtle, cool undertones and a cream finish. It had nearly opaque color coverage with a high-shine finish. The texture was lightly tacky, smooth, and spreadable, but it seemed to look “bubbly” on my lips where it was just never smooth and opaque. There was also a bit of product in my lip lines, too. This shade lasted well for four and a half hours on me and was lightly hydrating over time.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Sydney Grace Haley (P, $10.00) is more shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
- Urban Decay Backtalk (P, $20.00) is darker (90% similar).
- Sydney Grace Ann (P, $10.00) is cooler (90% similar).
- Fenty Beauty Mauve Wives (P, $19.00) is cooler (90% similar).
- MAC It's a Strike (LE, $20.00) is more muted (85% similar).
- Bobbi Brown Spring Bliss (LE, $27.00) is darker, less pigmented (85% similar).
- Tarte Double Tap (P, $20.00) is warmer (85% similar).
- NARS Bound (P, $26.00) is darker (90% similar).
- MAC Anything But Demure (LE, $20.00) is warmer (85% similar).
- MAC Heartmelter (LE, $21.00) is darker (85% similar).
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.
Santo Domingo
LELimited Edition. $26.00.
Valencia
NARS Valencia Full Vinyl Lip Lacquer ($26.00 for 0.17 oz.) is a bright, medium pink-coral with a warm undertone and a creamy, shiny finish. It had rich, opaque pigmentation that applied fairly evenly and didn’t have as much of the “bubbling” issue I experienced with some of the other cream finish shades (like Santo Domingo above). The texture was a bit thicker and noticeable on my lips, though it didn’t feel like glue, and it had some tackiness. The color stayed on well for six hours and was moisturizing over time.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- NYX Napoleon (P, $5.99) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- Dior Magique (479) (P, $35.00) is darker, warmer (90% similar).
- Hourglass Horizon (P, $30.00) is darker, more muted (90% similar).
- MAC Star Quality (LE, $20.00) is brighter (90% similar).
- Dior Tropiques (379) (P, $35.00) is darker (90% similar).
- Pat McGrath Twilo (P, $30.00) is more muted (85% similar).
- Dior Wonderland (575) (P, $35.00) is darker (85% similar).
- Urban Decay Snitch (P, $20.00) is more muted (85% similar).
- YSL Rose Happening (403) (P, $36.00) is darker (85% similar).
- NARS Rapture (LE, $26.00) is more muted (85% similar).
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.
Red District is beautiful and everything I want in a red lip. I can’t wait to add it to my vanity!
Santo Domingo looks so strange on the lips, though the color itself is pretty. Red District is gorgeous (just not crazy about the name).
At least they didn’t add the word ‘light.’
Oh man, I really, really wish Santo Domingo didn’t do that weird as all heck bubbling thing! Such a beautiful shade, too. ?
But then there’s the brilliant Valencia! Very tempting shade, and then it dawns on me that I’ve got MAC Saucy Little Darling…and I hardly ever even think to wear it. Well, I guess brights look wonderful in theory (or in my head?) ?
Stunning shades, especially Red District!
Ooo-la-la! I’m liking all 3 colors ?
I totally see what you mean about the bubbly appearance of Santo Domingo. Too bad because it looks like a color I would use frequently.
Valencia is quite a color! I’m not sure if I could pull it off but I kind of want to try!
I love Valencia, it’s bolder than what I normally wear, but wow! Did you find it made your teeth look brighter or did it lend a yellowing effect?