NARS Studio 54 / Holiday 2019 Audacious Lipsticks Reviews & Swatches
Barbara
NARS Barbara Audacious Lipstick ($34.00 for 0.14 oz.) is a medium-dark, rosy beige with warm undertones and a cream finish. It had nearly opaque pigmentation in a single, fluid stroke. The consistency was creamy, smooth, and thick without being heavy, though I felt like it was more prone to catching on minor imperfections on my lips (though I exfoliated prior to applying it).
It didn’t seem to apply as smoothly as past iterations have, though the variation was slight enough that it could be attributed to the difference in my lip texture over time. It wore well for four hours and was lightly hydrating over time.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Bite Beauty Latte (DC, $24.00) is darker (90% similar).
- MAC Boca (LE, $19.00) is cooler, less glossy (95% similar).
- Charlotte Tilbury Miss Kensington (LE, $37.00) is more shimmery, lighter, less glossy (90% similar).
- Bobbi Brown Pink Nude (DC, $37.00) is darker (90% similar).
- Chanel Adrienne (402) (P, $37.00) is lighter, brighter (90% similar).
- MAC Wear with Flare (LE, $25.00) is warmer (90% similar).
- Givenchy Beige Plume (102) (P, $36.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- MAC Velvet Teddy (P, $19.00) is darker, warmer, less glossy (90% similar).
- Burberry Pink Apricot (301) (P, $35.00) is darker, less glossy (90% similar).
- ColourPop Oh Snap (P, $7.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
Formula Overview
$34.00/0.14 oz. - $242.86 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to have "one-stroke, full-coverage" pigmentation with a "soft matte finish" that is "long-lasting" and "hydrating." The formula is best characterized by its texture: creamy, smooth, and slightly denser/thicker on (but not heavy) compared to the typical lipstick formula. Most of the shades are opaque, while "weak" shades are more semi-opaque. The majority of the colors I've tested have applied evenly and smoothly with good glide and feel comfortable on my lips. They tend to last between four and six hours and was lightly hydrating to non-drying. There was no noticeable scent or taste.
Browse all of our NARS Audacious Lipstick swatches.
Ingredients
RICINUS COMMUNIS (CASTOR) SEED OIL • BIS-DIGLYCERYL POLYACYLADIPATE-2 • ETHYLHEXYL PALMITATE • ISONONYL ISONONANOATE • EUPHORBIA CERIFERA (CANDELILLA) WAX/CANDELILLA CERA/CIRE DE CANDELILLA • OZOKERITE • HYDROGENATED POLYCYCLOPENTADIENE • BUTYROSPERMUM PARKII (SHEA) BUTTER • MICROCRYSTALLINE WAX/CERA MICROCRISTALLINA/CIRE MICROCRISTALLINE • CETEARYL ALCOHOL • ISOPROPYL MYRISTATE • CETEARETH-20 • SILICA • CETEARYL ETHYLHEXANOATE • POLYETHYLENE • COPERNICIA CERIFERA (CARNAUBA) WAX/CERA CARNAUBA/CIRE DE CARNAUBA • ISOPROPYL TITANIUM TRIISOSTEARATE • CAPRYLYL GLYCOL • STEARALKONIUM HECTORITE • PHENOXYETHANOL • COPRINUS COMATUS (MUSHROOM) EXTRACT • POLYHYDROXYSTEARIC ACID • LECITHIN • CALOPHYLLUM INOPHYLLUM SEED OIL • SIMETHICONE • TOCOPHERYL ACETATE • SORBITAN ISOSTEARATE • HEXYLENE GLYCOL • DEXTRIN • WATER/AQUA/EAU • PROPYLENE CARBONATE • HYDROGENATED PHOSPHATIDYLCHOLINE • LYSOLECITHIN • PORTULACA PILOSA EXTRACT • TOCOPHEROL • SUCROSE COCOATE • ASCORBYL PALMITATE • PALMITOYL TRIPEPTIDE-38 • DISODIUM EDTA • [+/- (MAY CONTAIN/PEUT CONTENIR): MICA • TITANIUM DIOXIDE (CI 77891) • IRON OXIDES (CI 77491) • IRON OXIDES (CI 77492) • IRON OXIDES (CI 77499) • BLUE 1 LAKE (CI 42090) • RED 28 (CI 45410) • RED 33 LAKE (CI 17200) • RED 6 LAKE (CI 15850) • RED 7 LAKE (CI 15850) • 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.
Look Using this Product
Barbara
PPermanent. $34.00.
Mona
NARS Mona Audacious Lipstick ($34.00 for 0.14 oz.) is a muted, medium-dark red-brown with warm undertones and a cream finish. The pigmentation was nearly opaque–it seemed very slightly translucent along the inner area of my lips.
The lipstick had a creamy, smooth texture that was comfortable to apply and to wear as it glided easily across my lips. It delivered even coverage that didn’t emphasize my lip texture or sink into my lip lines noticeably. This shade lasted well for five and a half hours and felt a touch moisturizing over time.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Marc Jacobs Beauty Miss Scarlet (208) (P, $30.00) is cooler (95% similar).
- Urban Decay Hex (DC, $18.00) is less glossy (95% similar).
- Maybelline Smoking Red (DC, $7.49) is darker, less glossy (90% similar).
- YSL Black Red (71) (LE, $38.00) is lighter, brighter (90% similar).
- Estee Lauder Desirous (P, $32.00) is darker, less glossy (90% similar).
- Maybelline Burgundy Blush (P, $7.99) is less glossy (90% similar).
- NARS Bette (P, $34.00) is darker, cooler (85% similar).
- Bite Beauty Liquorice (DC, $24.00) is darker, cooler (85% similar).
- Guerlain #23 (P, $33.00) is cooler (85% similar).
- Smashbox Brick Trick (P, $24.00) is darker, glossier (90% similar).
Formula Overview
$34.00/0.14 oz. - $242.86 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to have "one-stroke, full-coverage" pigmentation with a "soft matte finish" that is "long-lasting" and "hydrating." The formula is best characterized by its texture: creamy, smooth, and slightly denser/thicker on (but not heavy) compared to the typical lipstick formula. Most of the shades are opaque, while "weak" shades are more semi-opaque. The majority of the colors I've tested have applied evenly and smoothly with good glide and feel comfortable on my lips. They tend to last between four and six hours and was lightly hydrating to non-drying. There was no noticeable scent or taste.
Browse all of our NARS Audacious Lipstick swatches.
Ingredients
RICINUS COMMUNIS (CASTOR) SEED OIL • BIS-DIGLYCERYL POLYACYLADIPATE-2 • ETHYLHEXYL PALMITATE • ISONONYL ISONONANOATE • EUPHORBIA CERIFERA (CANDELILLA) WAX/CANDELILLA CERA/CIRE DE CANDELILLA • OZOKERITE • HYDROGENATED POLYCYCLOPENTADIENE • BUTYROSPERMUM PARKII (SHEA) BUTTER • MICROCRYSTALLINE WAX/CERA MICROCRISTALLINA/CIRE MICROCRISTALLINE • CETEARYL ALCOHOL • ISOPROPYL MYRISTATE • CETEARETH-20 • SILICA • CETEARYL ETHYLHEXANOATE • POLYETHYLENE • COPERNICIA CERIFERA (CARNAUBA) WAX/CERA CARNAUBA/CIRE DE CARNAUBA • ISOPROPYL TITANIUM TRIISOSTEARATE • CAPRYLYL GLYCOL • STEARALKONIUM HECTORITE • PHENOXYETHANOL • COPRINUS COMATUS (MUSHROOM) EXTRACT • POLYHYDROXYSTEARIC ACID • LECITHIN • CALOPHYLLUM INOPHYLLUM SEED OIL • SIMETHICONE • TOCOPHERYL ACETATE • SORBITAN ISOSTEARATE • HEXYLENE GLYCOL • DEXTRIN • WATER/AQUA/EAU • PROPYLENE CARBONATE • HYDROGENATED PHOSPHATIDYLCHOLINE • LYSOLECITHIN • PORTULACA PILOSA EXTRACT • TOCOPHEROL • SUCROSE COCOATE • ASCORBYL PALMITATE • PALMITOYL TRIPEPTIDE-38 • DISODIUM EDTA • [+/- (MAY CONTAIN/PEUT CONTENIR): MICA • TITANIUM DIOXIDE (CI 77891) • IRON OXIDES (CI 77491) • IRON OXIDES (CI 77492) • IRON OXIDES (CI 77499) • BLUE 1 LAKE (CI 42090) • RED 28 (CI 45410) • RED 33 LAKE (CI 17200) • RED 6 LAKE (CI 15850) • RED 7 LAKE (CI 15850) • 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.
Mona
PPermanent. $34.00.
Carmen
NARS Carmen Audacious Lipstick ($34.00 for 0.14 oz.) is a bright, medium red with warmer undertones and a cream finish. It had nearly opaque color coverage that adhered fairly evenly and smoothly across my lips. The texture felt incredibly creamy–a bit too emollient, as it easily skated along my lips so I’d recommend being more precise/careful during application.
This was the last shade I swatched in a batch of 14 (my lips are usually at maximum exfoliation by then!), so I was surprised that it did go on more evenly and seemed to separate slightly along my deeper lip lines, though the richer, brighter color camouflaged the flaws in person. The color stayed on nicely for six hours, left a faint stain behind, and was lightly hydrating while worn.
This shade is exclusive to NARS’ website.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Hourglass I Still (P, $34.00) is more muted (95% similar).
- Bite Beauty Grandifolia (LE, $28.00) is less glossy (95% similar).
- Givenchy Rouge Fetiche (325) (P, $36.00) is lighter (95% similar).
- Lancome Sunrise Ruby (133) (P, $32.00) is darker (95% similar).
- NARS Annabella (P, $34.00) is warmer (95% similar).
- NARS Too Hot to Hold (P, $34.00) is darker (95% similar).
- KVD Beauty Underage Red (P, $19.00) is more muted, cooler (90% similar).
- Bite Beauty Candied Maple (LE, $24.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
- Estee Lauder Carnal (P, $32.00) is darker, brighter (95% similar).
- Giorgio Armani Chinese Lacquer (402) (P, $38.00) is darker, warmer (95% similar).
Formula Overview
$34.00/0.14 oz. - $242.86 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to have "one-stroke, full-coverage" pigmentation with a "soft matte finish" that is "long-lasting" and "hydrating." The formula is best characterized by its texture: creamy, smooth, and slightly denser/thicker on (but not heavy) compared to the typical lipstick formula. Most of the shades are opaque, while "weak" shades are more semi-opaque. The majority of the colors I've tested have applied evenly and smoothly with good glide and feel comfortable on my lips. They tend to last between four and six hours and was lightly hydrating to non-drying. There was no noticeable scent or taste.
Browse all of our NARS Audacious Lipstick swatches.
Ingredients
RICINUS COMMUNIS (CASTOR) SEED OIL • BIS-DIGLYCERYL POLYACYLADIPATE-2 • ETHYLHEXYL PALMITATE • ISONONYL ISONONANOATE • EUPHORBIA CERIFERA (CANDELILLA) WAX/CANDELILLA CERA/CIRE DE CANDELILLA • OZOKERITE • HYDROGENATED POLYCYCLOPENTADIENE • BUTYROSPERMUM PARKII (SHEA) BUTTER • MICROCRYSTALLINE WAX/CERA MICROCRISTALLINA/CIRE MICROCRISTALLINE • CETEARYL ALCOHOL • ISOPROPYL MYRISTATE • CETEARETH-20 • SILICA • CETEARYL ETHYLHEXANOATE • POLYETHYLENE • COPERNICIA CERIFERA (CARNAUBA) WAX/CERA CARNAUBA/CIRE DE CARNAUBA • ISOPROPYL TITANIUM TRIISOSTEARATE • CAPRYLYL GLYCOL • STEARALKONIUM HECTORITE • PHENOXYETHANOL • COPRINUS COMATUS (MUSHROOM) EXTRACT • POLYHYDROXYSTEARIC ACID • LECITHIN • CALOPHYLLUM INOPHYLLUM SEED OIL • SIMETHICONE • TOCOPHERYL ACETATE • SORBITAN ISOSTEARATE • HEXYLENE GLYCOL • DEXTRIN • WATER/AQUA/EAU • PROPYLENE CARBONATE • HYDROGENATED PHOSPHATIDYLCHOLINE • LYSOLECITHIN • PORTULACA PILOSA EXTRACT • TOCOPHEROL • SUCROSE COCOATE • ASCORBYL PALMITATE • PALMITOYL TRIPEPTIDE-38 • DISODIUM EDTA • [+/- (MAY CONTAIN/PEUT CONTENIR): MICA • TITANIUM DIOXIDE (CI 77891) • IRON OXIDES (CI 77491) • IRON OXIDES (CI 77492) • IRON OXIDES (CI 77499) • BLUE 1 LAKE (CI 42090) • RED 28 (CI 45410) • RED 33 LAKE (CI 17200) • RED 6 LAKE (CI 15850) • RED 7 LAKE (CI 15850) • 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.
Carmen looks amazing on you!
Carmen looks like something I would have worn in the late 70’s, so this may be a good one for memory sake. Then again, I need another red lipstick like I need a root canal!
Carmen and Mona are out of this world! Barbara can take a seat.
NARS does make fabulous lipsticks and I love Mona. On a side note, one of the dupes is Maybelline’s Smoking Red, which we should be able to get out here in Aus, but no – the brand only sends a fraction of their products to here. Same with all beauty products.
Maybe this is a sign to finally pick up NARS BARBARA, it’s been on my wish list for years and i shockingly don’t own any dupes either. It’s a shame that this version was knocked down from A- because I’m digging the holiday packaging and them this year.