NARS Save the Queen, London Calling, Wild Night Powermatte Lip Pigments Reviews, Photos, Swatches
Save the Queen
NARS Save the Queen Powermatte Lip Pigment ($26.00 for 0.18 fl. oz.) is a medium-dark, rosy plum with subtle, cool undertones and a matte finish. It had rich color coverage that applied evenly on the lips in a single coat. The texture was lightweight, thin but not watery, and so fluid that I had to be careful about over-applying product in the corners of my lips. This shade wore really well for a solid five hours, but it started to transfer and fade as soon as I took a sip of water, so it only lasted two more hours after that. The formula felt non-drying to me.
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.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- NARS Haze (LE, $26.00) is darker, warmer (95% similar).
- Makeup Geek Marriage Material (P, $12.00) is darker (95% similar).
- Givenchy Neo Nude (P, $37.00) is lighter, brighter, glossier (90% similar).
- Makeup Geek Lively (P, $15.00) is brighter, cooler (95% similar).
- Maybelline Mauve It (DC, $7.49) is darker, warmer (90% similar).
- Marc Jacobs Beauty Kate (P, $30.00) is darker, warmer, glossier (90% similar).
- Make Up For Ever M206 (DC, $22.00) is more muted (90% similar).
- ColourPop Ice Cube (DC, $5.00) is lighter (95% similar).
- MAC Private Party (LE, $19.00) is warmer, glossier (90% similar).
- Urban Decay WSM (P, $18.00) is darker, cooler (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.
Look Using this Product
Save the Queen
PPermanent. $26.00.
London Calling
NARS London Calling Powermatte Lip Pigment ($26.00 for 0.18 fl. oz.) is a muted, medium-dark purple with warm undertones and a matte finish. It had semi-opaque pigmentation in a single layer, but it could be built up to opaque coverage with a second layer. It applied fairly evenly with the applicator, as the consistency was thin, very fluid, and easy to spread across the lips. While the color dried down quite a bit initially, there was light tackiness for about twenty minutes after application. The color wore well for five and a half hours before starting to break down but faded evenly and was non-drying over time.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- NARS Dirty Mind (P, $27.00) is darker (90% similar).
- ColourPop Are & Be (DC, $6.50) is lighter (95% similar).
- MAC Winifred (LE, $19.00) is glossier (90% similar).
- Marc Jacobs Beauty Vinyl Dream (P, $30.00) is lighter, brighter, glossier (85% similar).
- Anastasia Dusty Mauve (P, $18.00) is lighter, brighter (80% similar).
- Kaleidos Mercury Wave (P, $12.00) is lighter, warmer (85% similar).
- Smashbox Spoiler Alert (P, $24.00) is lighter, glossier (85% similar).
- ColourPop Bijou (LE, $7.00) is brighter (85% similar).
- Makeup Geek Savvy (P, $15.00) is darker, cooler (85% similar).
- ColourPop Viper (DC, $6.50) is lighter, warmer (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.
London Calling
PPermanent. $26.00.
Wild Night
NARS Wild Night Powermatte Lip Pigment ($26.00 for 0.18 fl. oz.) is a deep purple with warm undertones and a semi-matte finish. I waited 20 minutes for this to fully dry down before taking a photo, and there was still a slight sheen to it. It had good pigmentation, though it was shy of full coverage, that covered the lips with even color overall. There was room for improvement with respect to the application, but for this type of color, it was impressive nonetheless. The texture was lightweight, thin but not watery, and spread easily over my lips. It wore well for six and a half hours and was non-drying but absolutely transferred while eating/drinking.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- ColourPop Hutch (P, $7.00) is darker, glossier (90% similar).
- Sephora Mysterious Plum (100) (P, $14.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- MAC Midnight Breeze (LE, $19.00) is lighter, brighter, warmer (90% similar).
- MAC Smoked Purple (P, $19.00) is warmer (85% similar).
- Urban Decay Spellbound (LE, $18.00) is glossier (90% similar).
- Urban Decay Double Crossed (P, $18.00) is lighter, warmer (85% similar).
- ColourPop Pack Pack (LE, $6.00) is lighter, warmer (85% similar).
- MAC Potent Fig (LE, $19.00) is lighter, glossier (85% similar).
- Bite Beauty Berry Rouge (LE, $26.00) is darker, warmer, glossier (85% similar).
- Fenty Beauty Undefeated (P, $24.00) is lighter, cooler (85% 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.
Have to admit your description has me far less enthused. I cannot go out without having a starbucks in hand. Do you have any insight into wear and repair? Meaning: does the product wear off evenly and , is it easy to touch up/fix the bald spots on the go or does that process throw a wrench into the overall finish requiring a start from scratch?
They’ve been wearing down evenly for me – I’d actually say the edges seem slightly more prone to transferring than the entire lip (with just drinking), but I can literally take my fingertip and press o my lips and get some product off. They’re pretty pigmented so it takes a lot to get through and see the natural lip, though decently oily meals can demolish enough that reapplication would be ideal. You can easily reapply, though – the liquid lipstick is very thin over the lips that it is easy to build or apply more on top.
Wow, I like London Calling! It’s harder to find, a more muted purple
It is!
I love love love London Calling!
I figured that would be a popular pick!
London Calling and Save the Queen are definitely my top picks.
Nice picks, Lea! 🙂
There do seem to be drawbacks, but overall, look great. London is great; tg already scored dirty mind.
I definitely think it’s going to come down to whether one wanted transfer-proof wear for 8-12 hours or doesn’t mind light transfer.
Unfortunatelly, NARS is not cruelty free anymore, so I won’t be buying any of their products no longer.
I hope you can find great replacements for your NARS faves!
Wild Night and London Calling are my JAM! Therefore, I’m in some seriously deep doo-doo! Or my dough is, shall I say. Big added plus; songs I know from my heydays.
Save The Queen is lovely, but I think it’s a shade that’s far easier to get a less pricey dupe for. I vote for MAC Amorous instead. But that’s just me.
The first two you mentioned are less dupable, so worth checking out if you like the look of them!
London Calling is very pretty but may be too dark for me.
Possibly – those mauve-y shades can be hard to tell as I find it’s a color that can change based on skin tone/undertone!
Not as good as I’d hoped in terms of length of wear, there at better alternatives out there, so I will be passing on these. Thank you for your great reviews!
Wild Night is beautiful!!