NARS Hardcore & Shatter Powermatte Lip Luster Pigments Reviews & Swatches
Hardcore
NARS Hardcore Powermatte Lip Luster Pigment ($26.00 for 0.18 oz.) is a light-medium, golden copper with warm, rosy undertones and a frosted, metallic sheen. The lighter color seemed to make the shimmer/metallic finish really pop in this particular shade, as a lot of the shades in the formula have been deeper. It had semi-opaque pigmentation, and it applied better with more even, more pigmented coverage on my lips than when I tried swatching it on my arm. A second layer can be applied for full coverage if preferred. The consistency was lightweight, thin, and a little more watery than other shades in the formula. It dried down to a transfer-resistant finish, and it didn’t slide around, but I could tell it wasn’t 100% flat/dry after the initial dry down. This particular shade did emphasize my lip lines/texture a bit more after it finished drying. It lasted for four and a half hours on me and was neither drying nor hydrating.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- MAC At Leisure (LE, $19.00) is less shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Bobbi Brown Lantern Light (LE, $38.00) is cooler (95% similar).
- Smashbox XO, Vlada (LE, $24.00) is warmer (90% similar).
- Bite Beauty Candied Guava (P, $24.00) is less shimmery, darker, cooler (90% similar).
- Jouer Rose Gold (P, $18.00) is less shimmery, darker, cooler (90% similar).
- Tom Ford Beauty Spanish Flame (02) (LE, $53.00) is less shimmery, darker, cooler (90% similar).
- MAC Digging for Gold (LE, $19.00) is less shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
- Revlon Champagne on Ice (P, $8.49) is less shimmery, lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- Fenty Beauty Frost $auce (LE, ) is cooler (90% similar).
- NARS Orgasm Fever (LE, ) is less shimmery, lighter, cooler (90% similar).
Formula Overview
$26.00/0.18 oz. - $144.44 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to have "full-coverage color in one swipe" with an "ultra-flexible, lightweight feel" with "brushed-metal" finishes and "lasting, smudge-resistant wear." The pigmentation ranged from semi-opaque to opaque, depending on the shade, with fairly even, smooth application with a very smooth, fluid texture that was rather thin but not watery. After a few applications using this formula (or the original Powermattes), I don't have any issues navigating along the edges of my lips, but the first few I ever did gave me the sensation that it was too fluid--too easy to spread. They dry down to a transfer-resistant but not transfer-proof, finish, where if I blot, I get a touch of color coming away, but the lip color doesn't move or slide around on my lips. They lasted between four and six hours on me and were, generally, non-drying. There was a sweet, vanilla scent but no discernible taste.
Browse all of our NARS Powermatte Lip Luster Pigment swatches.
Ingredients
Hardcore
LELimited Edition. $26.00.
Shatter
NARS Shatter Powermatte Lip Luster Pigment ($26.00 for 0.18 oz.) is a medium brown with warm undertones and a pale, bronze sheen. It had semi-opaque pigmentation, which could be made opaque with a second layer (just make sure to let the first layer dry completely before adding more product). It had a lightweight consistency that was quite fluid but shy of being watery, so it was manageable along the edges of my lips without too much worry. The color stayed on well for five hours and was non-drying.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- MAC Metrochrome (LE, $21.00) is more shimmery, lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- Tom Ford Beauty Aaron (P, $36.00) is glossier (90% similar).
- Marc Jacobs Beauty Cher-ished (LE, $30.00) is more shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
- ColourPop Maneater (LE, $6.00) is more shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
- ColourPop Glam (LE, $6.00) is more shimmery, cooler, glossier (90% similar).
- Milk Makeup Angel (P, $24.00) is more shimmery, cooler, glossier (90% similar).
- Too Faced Metallic Frozen Hot Chocolate (P, $21.00) is more shimmery, lighter, glossier (85% similar).
- Tom Ford Beauty Romy (LE, $36.00) is more shimmery, cooler, glossier (85% similar).
- Estee Lauder Chocolate Whip (P, $32.00) is more shimmery, lighter, cooler (85% similar).
- Urban Decay Roach (DC, $18.00) is more shimmery, darker, cooler (85% similar).
Formula Overview
$26.00/0.18 oz. - $144.44 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to have "full-coverage color in one swipe" with an "ultra-flexible, lightweight feel" with "brushed-metal" finishes and "lasting, smudge-resistant wear." The pigmentation ranged from semi-opaque to opaque, depending on the shade, with fairly even, smooth application with a very smooth, fluid texture that was rather thin but not watery. After a few applications using this formula (or the original Powermattes), I don't have any issues navigating along the edges of my lips, but the first few I ever did gave me the sensation that it was too fluid--too easy to spread. They dry down to a transfer-resistant but not transfer-proof, finish, where if I blot, I get a touch of color coming away, but the lip color doesn't move or slide around on my lips. They lasted between four and six hours on me and were, generally, non-drying. There was a sweet, vanilla scent but no discernible taste.
Browse all of our NARS Powermatte Lip Luster Pigment swatches.
Ingredients
Wow, looks great on you! It doesn’t look heavy yet it’s very metallic and subtil. I really like the texture on your lips. Might have to try if I can find a unique color. Thanks!
Both are simply gorgeous with their shimmery finish, and not too ridiculously dry and crunchy looking like the vast majority of this particular type of metallic liquid lipsticks tend to! Lovely surprise!
These are really gorgeous shades, right up my alley. I love the autumnal shades.