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NARS Rouge Tribal Larger Than Life Lipgloss Review, Photos, Swatches

NARS Rouge Tribal Larger Than Life Lipgloss
NARS Rouge Tribal Larger Than Life Lipgloss

NARS Fall 2012: Rouge Tribal Larger Than Life Lipgloss

NARS Rouge Tribal Larger Than Life Lipgloss ($26.00 for 0.19 fl. oz.) is described as a “metallic burgundy.” It’s a burgundy-red with strong brown undertones and subdued ruby red shimmer. MAC Lasting Achievement is a dark berry with no real brown. MAC Gertruyd is similar but much sheerer, so it appears lighter. Illamasqua Hermetic is a much more intense and opaque version. NYX Vixen is a little less brown. Bobbi Brown Midnight Violet is a little more plum, less red.

It has semi-opaque color coverage; it yields very noticeable color, but there’s a translucency that shows a fair amount of the natural lip color. The redder your natural lip color is, the more ruby-red-slippers-like this is going to look on you–but it will still have some depth because of the burgundy coloring. For a dark shade like this, it doesn’t settle into lip lines very noticeably, though it can bunch of and show “lines” where the gloss has layered over itself (this happens especially if you press your lips together).

The Larger Than Life formula is supposed to have “outrageously lustrous color” with “high-impact shine” that stays in place and is long-lasting.  Rouge Tribal actually bleeds a bit on me, and I rarely have trouble with lip color bleeding or feathering, but I did see some migration of color after two hours along the upper lip line.  It wore for five hours, which is better than the average lipgloss but still stops short of long-wear.  While it is non-sticky initially, it gets tackier as you wear it; after a half hour or so, it is noticeably tacky (I don’t have a problem with sticky glosses, but I know it’s a deal-breaker for some).  It’s hydrating, scent- and taste-free, and feels comfortable on with its gel-like consistency.

I continue to be less-than-impressed with NARS’ applicator on this gloss range; it’s so, so small. I just don’t find it to be as precise as it should be for its size, and it’s difficult to blend out any lines of the gloss with the brush-type applicator.

NARS Rouge Tribal Larger Than Life Lipgloss
NARS Rouge Tribal Larger Than Life Lipgloss

NARS Rouge Tribal Larger Than Life Lipgloss
NARS Rouge Tribal Larger Than Life Lipgloss

NARS Rouge Tribal Larger Than Life Lipgloss
NARS Rouge Tribal Larger Than Life Lipgloss

NARS Rouge Tribal Larger Than Life Lipgloss
NARS Rouge Tribal Larger Than Life Lipgloss

NARS Rouge Tribal Larger Than Life Lipgloss
NARS Rouge Tribal Larger Than Life Lipgloss

NARS Rouge Tribal Larger Than Life Lipgloss
NARS Rouge Tribal Larger Than Life Lipgloss

NARS Rouge Tribal Larger Than Life Lipgloss
NARS Rouge Tribal Larger Than Life Lipgloss

49 Comments

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xamyx Avatar

@Miss J ME TOO!

OT-Have you heard about GZ’s cousin, and the statements she made to the Sanford PD *before* the story hit the media?

Miss J Avatar

@xamyx Yup. GZ supporters are already working hard to discredit her, of course. Apparently, there will be an interview with GZ and O’Mara aired on Fox/Hannity tonight.

xamyx Avatar

@Miss J I saw a sneak peek on The Five earlier. I’m going to try to sit through the entire Hannity interview without throwing up, but no promises. Just the 2 minute clip I saw made me sick.

Miss J Avatar

@xamyx I saw a clip earlier, and like you, it made me sick! I just tried to watch a few moments then started shouting at the TV, lol. I can’t do it. He is such a liar, it makes me mental just to listen.

yellowlantern Avatar

I’m kind of surprised that a product that bleeds and folds over itself is getting a B rating. Those issues are unacceptable to me in a high end gloss. 

P_riya Avatar

Ooh! So glad I ordered this! For the sake of the color, I can deal with using a liner to prevent bleeding. I really don’t care for the applicator as well.. but some colors warrant jumping through hoops for. This is one of those, for me atleast. 

P_riya Avatar

Thanks for the sneak peek on rose initiale! This is my first chanel blush and I’ve been struggling with not knowing if I want to keep it or return it. Not sure why I am undecided on it unlike the vast majority who seem to fall in love with it at first glance. So glad you’ll be reviewing it! Hopefully that should help me decide.

FaerieEvenstar Avatar

That’s quite an autumnal colour. I’ve never tried a NARS lipgloss, and it sounds like I’m not missing a lot. It’s a beautiful colour, but that applicator would irritate me, and I don’t suppose it would be possible to poke one of your own brushes in the tube to apply it with… I don’t like the sound of the drag lines from the brush either and lines of product building up, thought I can’t say I can see any evidence of that in your photos (you must have worked hard for the pictures!!)

wwendalynne Avatar

 @Emi at Project Swatch I have two of these NARS glosses in nude shades and the applicator is small, but I kinda like it.  You get a very precise application of gloss instead of the usual smear.  I tend to just wear gloss in a small area on my lips rather than all over, so it works for me.  But, the first time I opened up one of these tubes, I was thinking wtf??   :0)

Andrea Avatar

NARS has got to be the worst high-end brand (IMO). I’m always so underwhelmed by their new releases, the quality just isn’t there for me.

xamyx Avatar

This is *exactly* why I look forward to Fall makeup collections. I hardly buy anything in Spring or Summer, because I’m not a fan of pastels or warm & bright shades, but this is my type of color.

Kafka Avatar

The colour is lovely. I’m not a gloss girl, so I can’t speak about the rest. Just an FYI, you have $59 in “Where can I purchase it? How much is it?”  box.  Sorry, I normally hate being the type to point out errors but I thought you might like to know. 

Kafka Avatar

The colour is lovely. I’m not a gloss girl, so I can’t speak about the rest. Just an FYI, you have $59 in “Where can I purchase it? How much is it?”  box.  Sorry.  I hate being the type to point out typos but I thought you might like to know, particularly as $59 is very high for lip gloss. 🙂 

xamyx Avatar

@Kafka I’m not big on gloss, either, but this *color* is too gorgeous to pass up. Now I’m dying to see the review of Amsterdam, as something tells me the two will play well together. I actually have a couple of glosses very similar, but none measure up to this one.

Kafka Avatar

 @xamyx  @Kafka  I truly love the colour but, if I were to wear lipglosses, I think I much prefer the look of the Illamasqua Hermetic that Christine listed and linked. I prefer it’s opaqueness and greater intensity. That one almost tempts me.  Check it out and see what you think.  As for Amsterdam, I’m looking forward to the review, too. I’m crossing my fingers that it’s not too, too close to Mascate. I’m starting to have too reds which have only an *imperceptible* difference (if even that) to the naked eye.  It’s fine if they cost $10, but at $25 or so, I’m a lot more hesitant. It’s why I haven’t gone after Cruella, Dragon Lady and, even the Red Lizard that has caught my eye repeatedly. Too many extremely similar colours already.  

Lulle Avatar

When I first saw the promo pictures I thought I was gonna love this shade… but I’m a little disappointed. Not as red and warm as I expected, plus the bleeding is a deal breaker. Darker lip colors have a tendancy to feather on my lips so I’m sure this one would be a mess.

blueraccoon Avatar

I”m more interested in the blush than the gloss! (I did actually just buy Rose Initiale and Troublant from Chanel’s site; can’t wait for them to arrive *g*) But in all seriousness, I think I like Hermetic better than this gloss.

Kafka Avatar

 @blueraccoon  In all seriousness, I prefer the Hermetic too!!!  I don’t wear lipglosses but that one actually tempts me! And now, I feel as though I cheated on my boyfriend…. <grin>

blueraccoon Avatar

 @Kafka *pets* it’s okay, i promise. NARS is a big boy, he can handle you flirting with another brand. And after the way he treated you with Outlaw, I think he needs to be taught a lesson anyway!

Kafka Avatar

 @blueraccoon  LOLOLOLOL!! I adore you, BlueRacoon. And, the funny thing is, you sound/write *just* like a close friend of mine in DC. I know if we ever lived in the same city and could hang out, we’d be good friends. (And I would totally just hang out in front of your bookcases, esp. your husband’s. LOL) If you ever want to find me on FB or exchange emails, don’t hesitate to ask Christine for my information or to give her your own to pass along.  I fear I may sound weird and stalkerish, so I’ll completely understand if it alarms you or if you think it’s awkwardly strange. I promise I won’t be offended. 🙂  xoxo 

blueraccoon Avatar

 @Kafka *g* Not stalkerish at all, I promise! I would be happy to chat with you outside the bounds of blog comments – you’re pretty awesome and I always like reading your comments. (Christine, if you read this, can you pass my email addy on?) 

Christine-Temptalia Avatar

 @blueraccoon  @Kafka Email me at christine[at]temptalia.com and I’d be happy to connect you two!  (I don’t have access to your e-mail address through Livefyre – great for your privacy, but less so to facilitate sometimes!)

nacacijin Avatar

I’m in almost-love with this color. It’s a little too brown, I’d prefer a bit more red or purple in it, but it definitely has the intensity that I like with my red lippies. But  I do agree that the applicator is not impressive. I had a Nars LTL in Como and ended up returning it after a couple uses because I hated the applicator so much (and if I’m getting a $26 lipgloss, I better absolutely love it). I love the colors and the formula that Nars has with these, but that teeny tiny brush is not working for my lips.

SophiaK Avatar

I Love your reviews and always check out what you have to say about a product! the only thing I don’t trust is the picture where you’re wearing the product (lipstick, blush…)…..totally misleading for me XD

Kiss and Makeup Avatar

When I saw the product pic, I knew this burgundy color wouldn’t be for me. Too deep, too dark. It just looks wrong on me. But I wanted to see how it looked on you, and you can pull it off. I don’t think I’ll ever become a fan of this kind of color, though, but I don’t hate it on you 😉

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