NARS Lovin' Lips, Hot Kiss, Erotic Adventure Lipsticks Reviews & Swatches
Lovin' Lips
NARS Lovin’ Lips Lipstick ($26.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a muted, medium, rosy mauve with subtle, warm undertones and a satin finish. It had opaque pigmentation in a single layer, which applied evenly and smoothly across my lips without tugging. The texture was lightweight, thin without being clingy, and was comfortable to wear. There was a smidgen of product that sat in my deeper lip lines, but it wasn’t noticeable in person and didn’t get worse over time. The lipstick wore nicely for four and a half hours and felt just barely hydrating over time.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- NARS Vicious (LE, $27.00) is darker (95% similar).
- NARS Thunder Kiss (P, $34.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Laura Mercier Sophia (LE, $28.00) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- NARS Hot Kiss (P, $26.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
- Lisa Eldridge Velvet Blush Lightly (P, $36.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
- NARS American Woman (P, $26.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- NARS Mayhem (LE, $27.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
- ColourPop Flynn (LE, $9.00) is brighter (90% similar).
- MAC Soar (P, $19.00) is darker, cooler (85% similar).
- Urban Decay Comeback (P, $18.00) is lighter (85% similar).
Formula Overview
$26.00/0.12 oz. - $216.67 Per Ounce
NARS has reformulated their core lipstick range, which now includes 72 shades across three finishes: matte, sheer, and satin. The formula is supposed to go on "smoothly and evenly with a light feel" that is "long-lasting" and "resistant to bleeding and feathering." The sheer finish has "subtle, sheer color that shines," while the satin finish has "creamy rich color" and the matte finish has "intense color with a velvety finish."
The matte finish has a very thin, featherweight feel to it, but they didn't feel clingy or too prone to dragging during application, though they were definitely a firmer texture in the tube. There was enough glide from the inclusion of dimethicone (first ingredient for the matte finish) that went on evenly, felt velvety but didn't feel as powder-like as some of the other more silicone-heavy matte lipstick formulas that have been released in the last couple of years. Most shades were pigmented and nearly opaque to opaque. The wear ranged from three to six hours with deeper, richer shades staying on a bit longer and leaving slight stains. They were comfortable to wear but felt more non-drying than particularly hydrating.
The satin finish has more slip, feels thicker (though not actually thick or heavy) compared to the matte finish, and of course, there was subtle to light shine/sheen. They applied smoothly, comfortably, and for the most part, went on evenly and didn't sink noticeably into my lip lines but there was some variance between shades. They were typically semi-opaque to opaque in coverage with four to six-hour wear that was lightly hydrating.
The sheer finish had coverage that ranged from semi-sheer to true medium coverage but most had some translucency to them, which gave them a sheerer finish. I found most of the shades I tried were buildable to some degree. The texture was a bit firmer, but they felt more emollient and "melted" a bit more against my lips than I recall the original line of lipsticks doing. Some shades applied well with even application and were flattering on, but there were a few that sank more noticeably into my lip lines. This finish tended to wear between three and five hours.
I don't have many of NARS' original lipsticks in my stash (I have mostly Audacious as they haven't been releasing many in the core range) to compare to. The matte finish was definitely thinner, more matte, and had a velvetier look on lips compared to the original which had a subtle sheen to it. The satin finish seemed a bit more pigmented and not quite as luminous/glossy as the previous formula, while the sheer finish was creamier, more emollient, and was easier to apply. It didn't feel like a vastly different formula, but it felt a bit easier to work with (smoother, more emollient but still lighterweight and thin, far less slip than any of the Audacious range) and was more comfortable to wear across the board for me.
I didn't notice any scent or taste, though there is "fragrance (parfum)" listed in the ingredients--it smelled neutral, not waxy but I just didn't get any scent.
Browse all of our NARS Lipstick swatches.
Ingredients
Dimethicone, Synthetic Wax, Polyethylene, Isohexadecane, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Microcrystalline Wax/Cera Microcristallina/Cire Microcristalline, Kaolin, Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) Wax/Candelilla Cera/Cire De Candelilla, Sorbitan Sesquiisostearate, Cetearyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Tocopheryl Acetate, Passiflora Edulis Seed Oil, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Tocopherol, Polysilicone-11, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Hydroxyapatite, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Isopropyl Titanium Triisostearate, Propylene Carbonate ·Simethicone, Bht, Phenoxyethanol, Fragrance (Parfum), Linalool, Citronellol, Limonene, [+/- ( May Contain): Bismuth Oxychloride (Ci 77163), Blue 1 Lake (Ci 42090), Iron Oxides (Ci 77491), Iron Oxides (Ci 77492), Iron Oxides (Ci 77499), Mica, Red 28 Lake (Ci 45410), Red 33 Lake (Ci 17200), 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.
Lovin' Lips
PPermanent. $26.00.
Hot Kiss
NARS Hot Kiss Lipstick ($26.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a muted, medium rosy mauve with subtle, warm undertones and a matte finish. It had semi-opaque pigmentation that applied fairly evenly, but it didn’t adhere as well to the inner area of my lips. The consistency was very lightweight, thin, and firmer in the tube, so it dragged a bit during application if I tried to apply in one, fluid stroke. Despite that, it actually felt comfortable to wear as the thin texture didn’t feel clingy. It lasted well for four and a half hours and felt non-drying while worn.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- NARS Mayhem (LE, $27.00) is darker (90% similar).
- NARS Vicious (LE, $27.00) is darker, warmer (90% similar).
- MAC Kinda Soar-ta (P, $22.00) is warmer (90% similar).
- KVD Beauty Lovecraft (P, $20.00) is darker (90% similar).
- NARS Lovin' Lips (P, $26.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Lisa Eldridge Velvet Blush Lightly (P, $36.00) is darker, warmer (90% similar).
- ColourPop Cami (P, $6.00) is lighter (85% similar).
- Sephora Day Dreaming (81) (P, $14.00) is darker, cooler (85% similar).
- Pat McGrath Divine Rose (P, $30.00) is lighter, warmer (85% similar).
- ColourPop Flynn (LE, $9.00) is warmer (85% similar).
Formula Overview
$26.00/0.12 oz. - $216.67 Per Ounce
NARS has reformulated their core lipstick range, which now includes 72 shades across three finishes: matte, sheer, and satin. The formula is supposed to go on "smoothly and evenly with a light feel" that is "long-lasting" and "resistant to bleeding and feathering." The sheer finish has "subtle, sheer color that shines," while the satin finish has "creamy rich color" and the matte finish has "intense color with a velvety finish."
The matte finish has a very thin, featherweight feel to it, but they didn't feel clingy or too prone to dragging during application, though they were definitely a firmer texture in the tube. There was enough glide from the inclusion of dimethicone (first ingredient for the matte finish) that went on evenly, felt velvety but didn't feel as powder-like as some of the other more silicone-heavy matte lipstick formulas that have been released in the last couple of years. Most shades were pigmented and nearly opaque to opaque. The wear ranged from three to six hours with deeper, richer shades staying on a bit longer and leaving slight stains. They were comfortable to wear but felt more non-drying than particularly hydrating.
The satin finish has more slip, feels thicker (though not actually thick or heavy) compared to the matte finish, and of course, there was subtle to light shine/sheen. They applied smoothly, comfortably, and for the most part, went on evenly and didn't sink noticeably into my lip lines but there was some variance between shades. They were typically semi-opaque to opaque in coverage with four to six-hour wear that was lightly hydrating.
The sheer finish had coverage that ranged from semi-sheer to true medium coverage but most had some translucency to them, which gave them a sheerer finish. I found most of the shades I tried were buildable to some degree. The texture was a bit firmer, but they felt more emollient and "melted" a bit more against my lips than I recall the original line of lipsticks doing. Some shades applied well with even application and were flattering on, but there were a few that sank more noticeably into my lip lines. This finish tended to wear between three and five hours.
I don't have many of NARS' original lipsticks in my stash (I have mostly Audacious as they haven't been releasing many in the core range) to compare to. The matte finish was definitely thinner, more matte, and had a velvetier look on lips compared to the original which had a subtle sheen to it. The satin finish seemed a bit more pigmented and not quite as luminous/glossy as the previous formula, while the sheer finish was creamier, more emollient, and was easier to apply. It didn't feel like a vastly different formula, but it felt a bit easier to work with (smoother, more emollient but still lighterweight and thin, far less slip than any of the Audacious range) and was more comfortable to wear across the board for me.
I didn't notice any scent or taste, though there is "fragrance (parfum)" listed in the ingredients--it smelled neutral, not waxy but I just didn't get any scent.
Browse all of our NARS Lipstick swatches.
Ingredients
Dimethicone, Synthetic Wax, Polyethylene, Isohexadecane, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Microcrystalline Wax/Cera Microcristallina/Cire Microcristalline, Kaolin, Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) Wax/Candelilla Cera/Cire De Candelilla, Sorbitan Sesquiisostearate, Cetearyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Tocopheryl Acetate, Passiflora Edulis Seed Oil, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Tocopherol, Polysilicone-11, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Hydroxyapatite, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Isopropyl Titanium Triisostearate, Propylene Carbonate ·Simethicone, Bht, Phenoxyethanol, Fragrance (Parfum), Linalool, Citronellol, Limonene, [+/- ( May Contain): Bismuth Oxychloride (Ci 77163), Blue 1 Lake (Ci 42090), Iron Oxides (Ci 77491), Iron Oxides (Ci 77492), Iron Oxides (Ci 77499), Mica, Red 28 Lake (Ci 45410), Red 33 Lake (Ci 17200), 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.
Hot Kiss
PPermanent. $26.00.
Erotic Adventure
NARS Erotic Adventure Lipstick ($26.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a muted, dark reddened plum with subtle, warm undertones and a matte finish. The texture was firmer in the tube and quite thin, though it didn’t feel clingy (almost weightless, actually), so it didn’t apply fluidly in a single stroke; it was best applied with shorter strokes. The pigmentation was opaque in a single layer, and the color went on evenly and didn’t sink into my lip lines over time. This shade stayed on well for five and a half hours and felt neither drying nor hydrating over time.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Bite Beauty Extra Sugar Buns (P, $28.00) is lighter (95% similar).
- ColourPop Daydream (P, $6.00) is warmer (90% similar).
- Bite Beauty Chai (P, $28.00) is darker (95% similar).
- ColourPop Softii (LE, $6.50) is darker, warmer (85% similar).
- Anastasia Dazed (P, $20.00) is darker (90% similar).
- Sephora Rose Redux (84) (P, $14.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- ColourPop Best Intentions (LE, $7.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Anastasia Rosewood (P, $18.00) is warmer (90% similar).
- NARS Do Me Baby (P, $27.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
- Anastasia Stevie (P, $18.00) is darker (90% similar).
Formula Overview
$26.00/0.12 oz. - $216.67 Per Ounce
NARS has reformulated their core lipstick range, which now includes 72 shades across three finishes: matte, sheer, and satin. The formula is supposed to go on "smoothly and evenly with a light feel" that is "long-lasting" and "resistant to bleeding and feathering." The sheer finish has "subtle, sheer color that shines," while the satin finish has "creamy rich color" and the matte finish has "intense color with a velvety finish."
The matte finish has a very thin, featherweight feel to it, but they didn't feel clingy or too prone to dragging during application, though they were definitely a firmer texture in the tube. There was enough glide from the inclusion of dimethicone (first ingredient for the matte finish) that went on evenly, felt velvety but didn't feel as powder-like as some of the other more silicone-heavy matte lipstick formulas that have been released in the last couple of years. Most shades were pigmented and nearly opaque to opaque. The wear ranged from three to six hours with deeper, richer shades staying on a bit longer and leaving slight stains. They were comfortable to wear but felt more non-drying than particularly hydrating.
The satin finish has more slip, feels thicker (though not actually thick or heavy) compared to the matte finish, and of course, there was subtle to light shine/sheen. They applied smoothly, comfortably, and for the most part, went on evenly and didn't sink noticeably into my lip lines but there was some variance between shades. They were typically semi-opaque to opaque in coverage with four to six-hour wear that was lightly hydrating.
The sheer finish had coverage that ranged from semi-sheer to true medium coverage but most had some translucency to them, which gave them a sheerer finish. I found most of the shades I tried were buildable to some degree. The texture was a bit firmer, but they felt more emollient and "melted" a bit more against my lips than I recall the original line of lipsticks doing. Some shades applied well with even application and were flattering on, but there were a few that sank more noticeably into my lip lines. This finish tended to wear between three and five hours.
I don't have many of NARS' original lipsticks in my stash (I have mostly Audacious as they haven't been releasing many in the core range) to compare to. The matte finish was definitely thinner, more matte, and had a velvetier look on lips compared to the original which had a subtle sheen to it. The satin finish seemed a bit more pigmented and not quite as luminous/glossy as the previous formula, while the sheer finish was creamier, more emollient, and was easier to apply. It didn't feel like a vastly different formula, but it felt a bit easier to work with (smoother, more emollient but still lighterweight and thin, far less slip than any of the Audacious range) and was more comfortable to wear across the board for me.
I didn't notice any scent or taste, though there is "fragrance (parfum)" listed in the ingredients--it smelled neutral, not waxy but I just didn't get any scent.
Browse all of our NARS Lipstick swatches.
Ingredients
Dimethicone, Synthetic Wax, Polyethylene, Isohexadecane, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Microcrystalline Wax/Cera Microcristallina/Cire Microcristalline, Kaolin, Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) Wax/Candelilla Cera/Cire De Candelilla, Sorbitan Sesquiisostearate, Cetearyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Tocopheryl Acetate, Passiflora Edulis Seed Oil, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Tocopherol, Polysilicone-11, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Hydroxyapatite, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Isopropyl Titanium Triisostearate, Propylene Carbonate ·Simethicone, Bht, Phenoxyethanol, Fragrance (Parfum), Linalool, Citronellol, Limonene, [+/- ( May Contain): Bismuth Oxychloride (Ci 77163), Blue 1 Lake (Ci 42090), Iron Oxides (Ci 77491), Iron Oxides (Ci 77492), Iron Oxides (Ci 77499), Mica, Red 28 Lake (Ci 45410), Red 33 Lake (Ci 17200), 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.
Lovin’ Lips looks perfect for a MLBB (but deeper) lipstick for me! Like it would cancel out any purple tones I have in mine, and just make them look like I’m in the land of the living, y’know?
These are all very *me* colours and I surprisingly don’t have elebenty squillion dupes for each one but I find myself strangely unmoved by these.
Also these just launched on Mecca in NZ and they are $45 a pop here so maybe that’s what’s putting me off, ha ha. The exchange rate is pretty rubbish at the mo, but NOPE.
Ouch!! What are Audacious at?
FIFTY EIGHT.
(I only half a half dozen of those ones…)
I’m waiting for the Naked Paradise set at $84, which beats paying $46 a pop per pencil. It listed but as NEW and OOS on Mecca today so hopefully it’s available soon.
I mean, I have a certain amount of disposable income and very few bills to pay but I’m not made of money, ya feel? (and my house insurance and car registration are both due next month, so…)
Ouch!! I hope the set pops up soon for you, CeeBee! Here’s hoping NARS has some lipstick sets for Holiday!
I just scored the very last Naked Paradise pencil set – and it’s shipped already so I’ll get it tomorrow, woot!
Thanks to you for the swatches so I knew to keep my beady little eyes out for it! <3
YAYYYYY! The NARS pencil sets are such a great deal!