NARS Lunar New Year 2019 Powermatte Lip Pigments Reviews & Swatches
Firecracker
NARS Firecracker Powermatte Lip Pigment ($26.00 for 0.18 oz.) is a deep, peachy-coral with warm, orange undertones and a flat, matte finish. It had opaque pigmentation in a single layer, but the dry down was less-than-flattering on my lips as the color pulled away along my deeper lip lines. The texture felt very fluid and lightweight–almost thin and watery, yet it still packed quite a bit of pigment and dried down evenly. The dry down took about 30 seconds for “mostly dry,” but there a bit of tackiness present when I pressed my lips together but, thankfully, that did not lift color away. It wore well for five and a half hours and was neither drying nor hydrating.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Bite Beauty Tamarind (P, $28.00) is cooler (95% similar).
- MAC Back in Vogue (P, $21.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- ColourPop Room Service (P, $9.00) is darker, more muted, cooler (90% similar).
- NARS Grotto (LE, $27.00) is cooler (90% similar).
- ColourPop Bloom2Bloom (LE, $10.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- ColourPop Creme Fresh (P, $10.00) is more muted, warmer (85% similar).
- Dose of Colors Peachii (LE, $18.00) is cooler (85% similar).
- MAC One Hit (LE, $20.00) is more shimmery, more muted, less pigmented (80% similar).
- Anastasia Peachy (P, $18.00) is lighter, more muted (80% similar).
- NARS Blonde Venus (P, $26.00) is darker, glossier (80% similar).
Formula Overview
$26.00/0.18 oz. - $144.44 Per Ounce
The new formula is described as “liquefied pigments with infinite matte color saturation for lasting, weightless wear.” It’s supposed to have “full coverage in one swipe” that “dries down instantly” for “smudge-resistant, carefree wear.” The formula has a very fluid consistency that is thin, smooth, but not at all watery, and the majority of shades were nearly opaque or opaque in a single layer.
The dry down started quickly but was forgiving as I maneuvered around the edges of the lips but remained a bit tacky when I pressed my lips together for over a half hour later, though as long as I did not press my lips together until five minutes post-application, the color did not lift. I have found the wear to be comfortable so far–non-drying–but not the longest-wearing nor the most budge-proof in liquid lipstick, as just sipping water, tea, or coffee caused color to transfer onto my cups.
There was plenty of coverage, so it still lasted through drinking but did start to break down noticeably during a meal. Even just touching the color after a half hour of wearing it yielded color on my fingertips. The formula had a soft, vanilla scent but no discernible taste.
Browse all of our NARS Powermatte Lip Pigment swatches.
Firecracker
LELimited Edition. $26.00.
Firework
NARS Firework Powermatte Lip Pigment ($26.00 for 0.18 oz.) is a bright, medium pink with subtle, warm undertones and a flat, matte finish. It had rich color coverage that adhered smoothly and spread easily across my lips with an even dry down of color. The downside was that as it dried down, it separated along my deeper lip lines and appeared “cracked.” The texture was very lightweight, and while color didn’t lift up when I pressed my lips together, there was a slight tackiness. The liquid lipstick lasted well for six hours and was non-drying.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- NARS Call Me (P, $26.00) is more muted (95% similar).
- Lisa Eldridge Sunday Matinee (P, $36.00) is lighter, glossier (95% similar).
- ColourPop Paparazzi (P, $7.00) is darker (90% similar).
- KVD Beauty Beloved (P, $20.00) is warmer (90% similar).
- Dose of Colors Excitemint (LE, $18.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- ColourPop Donut (DC, $6.50) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- ColourPop Prince Edward (LE, $9.00) is less pigmented, warmer (90% similar).
- Too Faced Melted Clover II (P, $21.00) is lighter, more muted (90% similar).
- ColourPop Usagi (LE, $6.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
- NARS Rouge Palatin (LE, $27.00) is darker (90% similar).
Formula Overview
$26.00/0.18 oz. - $144.44 Per Ounce
The new formula is described as “liquefied pigments with infinite matte color saturation for lasting, weightless wear.” It’s supposed to have “full coverage in one swipe” that “dries down instantly” for “smudge-resistant, carefree wear.” The formula has a very fluid consistency that is thin, smooth, but not at all watery, and the majority of shades were nearly opaque or opaque in a single layer.
The dry down started quickly but was forgiving as I maneuvered around the edges of the lips but remained a bit tacky when I pressed my lips together for over a half hour later, though as long as I did not press my lips together until five minutes post-application, the color did not lift. I have found the wear to be comfortable so far–non-drying–but not the longest-wearing nor the most budge-proof in liquid lipstick, as just sipping water, tea, or coffee caused color to transfer onto my cups.
There was plenty of coverage, so it still lasted through drinking but did start to break down noticeably during a meal. Even just touching the color after a half hour of wearing it yielded color on my fingertips. The formula had a soft, vanilla scent but no discernible taste.
Browse all of our NARS Powermatte Lip Pigment swatches.
Firework
LELimited Edition. $26.00.
Flame
NARS Flame Powermatte Lip Pigment ($26.00 for 0.18 oz.) is a bright, neon pink-coral with warm undertones and a matte finish. There was more of a soft sheen to this one that was present for over a half hour, though it eventually wore down to a matte finish. It had a very thin, fluid consistency that was almost watery based on how easily it spread, but it managed to apply with nearly opaque color coverage and did not appear streaky or uneven overall. There was slight product in my deeper lip lines, though it didn’t seem to be as noticeable due to the brightness in the color itself. It stayed on well for seven hours and was neither drying nor hydrating.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- ColourPop Ouiji (LE, $6.50) is warmer (95% similar).
- Fenty Beauty Unattached (P, $24.00) is lighter (95% similar).
- Makeup Geek Tango (LE, $12.00) is darker (95% similar).
- Guerlain #40 (P, $33.00) is glossier (95% similar).
- NARS Famous Red (P, $27.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
- Make Up For Ever #37 (DC, $19.00) is glossier (90% similar).
- NARS Rosa (LE, $27.00) is darker, more muted (90% similar).
- Melt Cosmetics Besos (LE, $19.00) is darker (90% similar).
- NARS Ravishing Red (P, $26.00) is darker (90% similar).
- Chanel Fleur de Lotus (830) (P, $45.00) is more muted (90% similar).
Formula Overview
$26.00/0.18 oz. - $144.44 Per Ounce
The new formula is described as “liquefied pigments with infinite matte color saturation for lasting, weightless wear.” It’s supposed to have “full coverage in one swipe” that “dries down instantly” for “smudge-resistant, carefree wear.” The formula has a very fluid consistency that is thin, smooth, but not at all watery, and the majority of shades were nearly opaque or opaque in a single layer.
The dry down started quickly but was forgiving as I maneuvered around the edges of the lips but remained a bit tacky when I pressed my lips together for over a half hour later, though as long as I did not press my lips together until five minutes post-application, the color did not lift. I have found the wear to be comfortable so far–non-drying–but not the longest-wearing nor the most budge-proof in liquid lipstick, as just sipping water, tea, or coffee caused color to transfer onto my cups.
There was plenty of coverage, so it still lasted through drinking but did start to break down noticeably during a meal. Even just touching the color after a half hour of wearing it yielded color on my fingertips. The formula had a soft, vanilla scent but no discernible taste.
Browse all of our NARS Powermatte Lip Pigment swatches.
Ingredients
While the colours are beautiful, they look painfully dry. I definitely do not want a lipstick that gives me more lip lines or exaggerates the ones I already have so this is a no go for me. I do love the shade Flame, though.
but none of the actual lip colors are associated with lunar new year!
All 3 of these look very dry and almost “desiccating” – they sort of sum up exactly why I stay away from matte liquid lipsticks.
These look so dry! My lips would look shriveled if I was wearing one of these. The packaging in the Firecracker pictures is really beautiful, though.