NARS Shrinagar & Roman Holiday Lipsticks Reviews & Swatches
Shrinagar
NARS Shrinagar Lipstick ($26.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a muted, medium plum with warm undertones and faint, multi-colored pearl throughout. It had semi-sheer coverage that was buildable to just a little beyond medium coverage (two to three layers). It had a lightweight, lightly emollient texture that melted slightly as it warmed up against my lips, though it wasn’t stiff or overly firm during application either. The product applied evenly and didn’t seem to emphasize my lip lines. It stayed on well for three and a half hours and felt lightly moisturizing.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Tom Ford Beauty Scott (LE, $36.00) is darker, more pigmented (90% similar).
- Revlon Plum Baby (P, $8.49) is lighter (90% similar).
- Pat McGrath Flesh 7 (LE, $36.00) is less shimmery, darker, warmer (90% similar).
- Chanel Dark Blossom (77) (P, $45.00) is darker, warmer (90% similar).
- Revlon Black Cherry (012) (P, $9.99) is less shimmery, darker, cooler (85% similar).
- Tom Ford Beauty Elliot (P, $36.00) is more shimmery, darker, more pigmented (85% similar).
- Revlon Plumalicious (P, $8.49) is more shimmery, darker, warmer (85% similar).
- Tom Ford Beauty Ines (LE, $36.00) is less shimmery, darker, warmer (85% similar).
- Pat McGrath Rose Quartz Astral (P, $36.00) is more shimmery, less pigmented, cooler (85% similar).
- Tom Ford Beauty Otranto (LE, $55.00) is cooler (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
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Bis-Behenyl/Isostearyl/Phytosteryl Dimer Dilinoleyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Polyethylene, Triisostearin, Diisostearyl Malate, Microcrystalline Wax/Cera Microcristallina/Cire Microcristalline, Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Passiflora Edulis Seed Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate, Aminobutyric Acid, Aluminum Hydroxide ยทFragrance (Parfum), Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Butylene Glycol, Hexylene Glycol, Limonene, Linalool, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, [+/- ( May Contain): Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891), Blue 1 Lake (Ci 42090), Iron Oxides (Ci 77491), Red 6 (Ci 15850), Red 7 Lake (Ci 15850)].
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.
Shrinagar
PPermanent. $26.00.
Roman Holiday
NARS Roman Holiday Lipstick ($26.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a light-medium, cotton candy pink with cool, bluish undertones and a moderately glossy finish. It had semi-sheer coverage, which was as anticipated, with a lightweight, lightly emollient texture that had some shine but didn’t feel so slippery that it was hard to keep in place. The lipstick felt thin without clinging to my lips, and it didn’t seem prone to catching or highlighting imperfections in my lip texture. The color went on evenly, though I felt like this type of hue over my natural lip color can make it appear uneven (as my natural lip color is uneven). It wore well for three hours and was lightly hydrating over time.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- ColourPop Chubby Bunny (P, $7.00) is lighter, more muted (95% similar).
- Gucci Beauty Wife vs. Secretary (602) (P, $42.00) is more shimmery, less pigmented (90% similar).
- ColourPop Peeps Pink (P, $8.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- MAC Speed Dial (P, $19.00) is more shimmery, brighter, cooler (90% similar).
- Bobbi Brown Posh Pink (DC, $37.00) is more shimmery, lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- Urban Decay Disobedient (DC, $18.00) is more shimmery, lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- Fenty Beauty Suga Kiss (P, $22.00) is more shimmery, lighter (85% similar).
- Estee Lauder Powerful (P, $32.00) is more shimmery, lighter (85% similar).
- YSL Showstopping Rose (163) (P, $38.00) is lighter, warmer (85% similar).
- MAC Lovelorn (P, $19.00) is more shimmery, 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
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Bis-Behenyl/Isostearyl/Phytosteryl Dimer Dilinoleyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Polyethylene, Triisostearin, Diisostearyl Malate, Microcrystalline Wax/Cera Microcristallina/Cire Microcristalline, Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Passiflora Edulis Seed Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate, Aminobutyric Acid, Aluminum Hydroxide ยทFragrance (Parfum), Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Butylene Glycol, Hexylene Glycol, Limonene, Linalool, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, [+/- ( May Contain): Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891), Blue 1 Lake (Ci 42090), Iron Oxides (Ci 77491), Red 6 (Ci 15850), Red 7 Lake (Ci 15850)].
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.
Shrinager is a lovely little gem of lipstick! Something about these almost gel-like finishes can grab at me (and my wallet) when they are done this well. Case in point: UD Broken, TMI and Slowburn. Adding Shrinager to that lineup!
Shrinager is so pretty! I’ll have to try sheering out one of my darker plums.
Shrinagar is really lovely and a nice transition to fall shade. I like the sheer formula and have really been enjoying that formula across other brands, this summer. They are so easy to wear, feel good on the lips and can be applied without a mirror, most of the time. As long as the formula doesn’t collect in lip lines, as you indicated it doesn’t, and doesn’t travel up my well worn lip lines outside my lip margins then this is right up my alley.
If Shrinagar (Srinagar?) were a bit more long lasting, I’d be sorely tempted to get it but if it lasts around 3 hours on you, Christine, it might last half an hour on me so I’ll pass. Gorgeous shade, though!
The name is spelled correctly as NARS has it listed!
If Nars named it for the city in Northern India, then I think they’ve misspelled it (not you, but Nars).
I don’t know how you do it, Christine, but both lipsticks look gorgeous on you ๐
Tempted by Shrinagar, however I have a love-hate relationship with the plum lipsticks, meaning I love them and they “hate” me, aka they don’t flatter my skin tone. I’m tempted though, so perhaps I will go in a Sephora store to swatch it before the sale.
I love Roman Holiday; it is so luminous and I have nothing like it!
Possible the sheerness of Shrinagar will give you the feel of a plum but allow more of your natural lip color to still come through? so maybe? Let us know how it goes if you end up trying it at Sephora! Double check to see if they carry the shade, though, as it seems like Sephora & Ulta only carry a selection of shades!
You are right, Christine! The sheerness might help. I checked the CA site and both lipsticks are in stock at two Sephora stores near me. One store has the entrance from the street and lots of natural light. I usually go there when I want to try lipticks. I will report back, for sure!
Phew! ๐
Some pinks work really well on me, so I might go check out Roman Holiday in person. I like that itโs semi-sheer.
Shrinagar is gorgeous!
Shrinager is now on my wishlist.
My UD Obsessed is about to run out and since it is discontinued I think Roman Holiday will be a perfect replacement! I don’t have a lot of cool toned pink lippies and have some newer cool toned pink super shocks so I definitely need to get something to fill that void. Shrinager is gorgeous too. I’m such a sucker for a sheer formula!