NARS True Story Cheek & Lip Palette Review, Photos, Swatches
NARS True Story Cheek & Lip Palette
NARS True Story Cheek & Lip Palette ($59.00 for 0.56 oz.) includes four cheek colors plus lip pencil. There are three permanentshades–Devotee, Outlaw, and Mysterious Red–and two new shades–Myth and Unwritten. This palette is going to work best for someone of a fairer complexion, as two of the cheek colors are rather light and matte, so they harder to distinguish on my skin tone. NARS’ Powder Blush formula is described as “beautifully pigmented, natural, healthy-looking color” with a “blendable application.” The palette had good pigmentation, average to normal wear, and were blendable. I didn’t have any issues applying the blushes or the lip color, so if they are the kind of colors that appeal and would work for your skin tone, it might be a palette to check out this holiday season.
Devotee is a pink-tinged white with warmer undertones and a luminous sheen. It had semi-opaque, buildable coverage with a soft, smooth, and blendable texture that sat well on the skin and was easy to work with. This shade wore well for seven and a half hours. Laura Mercier Devotion (P, $45.00) is more shimmery (95% similar). Makeup Revolution Peach Lights (P, $6.00) is cooler (95% similar). L'Oreal Ice (P, $12.99) is more shimmery (95% similar). LORAC Moonlight (P, $23.00) is more shimmery (95% similar). Wet 'n' Wild Desert Explorations (LE, $2.99) is less shimmery (95% similar). Jouer Rose Quartz (P, $24.00) is more shimmery, darker (95% similar). Make Up For Ever #01 (P, $39.00) is less shimmery (95% similar). Clinique Ballerina Pop (LE, $21.00) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar). Lancome Moonlight Rose (LE, $42.00) is darker (90% similar). Becca Rose Quartz (P, $38.00) is darker (90% similar). Makeup Geek Luster (P, $20.00) is darker (85% similar). Kosas Longitude Zero (High Intensity) (Highlighter) (PiP, ) is darker, warmer (85% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.
Myth is a pale, light pink with neutral-to-warm undertones and a matte finish. If I pack it on, I can just barely see a tint of pink on my cheeks, but this will show up better on someone with a lighter skin tone, and it will be hard to overdo on even very fair skin. The texture was soft, silky, and just a touch dusty in the pan, but it didn’t look dry or chalky on the skin. It lasted for just over seven hours on me. Dior Intemporalle (LE, $65.00) is more shimmery (95% similar). NARS Threesome (LE, $30.00) is cooler (90% similar). MAC Cheeky Devil (LE, $30.00) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar). Chanel Tweed Pink (LE, $45.00) is more shimmery (90% similar). KVD Beauty Poe (Light) (DC, ) is darker (90% similar). Sydney Grace Mauve Delight (P, $9.00) is darker (90% similar). KIKO 109 Candy Rose (P, $12.00) is darker (85% similar). NARS Conquest (LE, $30.00) is lighter (85% similar). MAC Launch Away (LE, $24.00) is more shimmery, darker (85% similar). MAC Fleur Real (LE, $35.50) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (85% similar). Guerlain Morning Rose (P, $52.00) is darker (85% similar). Glossier Puff (P, $18.00) is darker (85% similar). Make Up For Ever B206 (P, $23.00) is darker, brighter, cooler (85% similar). Pat McGrath Fleurtatious (P, $38.00) is darker, warmer (80% similar). Burberry Misty (P, $42.00) is darker (80% similar). Makeup Geek Main Squeeze (P, $10.00) is more shimmery, darker, cooler (80% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.
Unwritten is a light-medium pink with warm undertones and a matte finish. The consistency was soft, a touch dusty, but it was smooth and blendable on the skin and did not appear dry or dusty once I started to blend it out. It had good pigmentation initially, but it did sheer out a bit more readily than most blushes. Like Myth, I can pack this on and get just a hint of color on my skin tone, so it’s going to be more ideal for someone of a lighter skin tone or someone who wants almost no visible blush color that is similar to my skin tone. It started to fade after seven and a half hours of wear. NYX Mauve (DC, $5.00) is brighter (95% similar). MAC Kindergarten Red (LE, $32.00) is darker (95% similar). NARS Illusive (LE, $30.00) is lighter (95% similar). Laura Mercier Rose (P, $30.00) is darker, cooler (95% similar). Tarte Amazed (LE, $29.00) is darker (95% similar). MAC Cheeky Bugger (LE, $24.00) is warmer (95% similar). bareMinerals Glamour (LE, $19.00) is more shimmery (95% similar). Anastasia Kash (PiP, ) is cooler (95% similar). Guerlain Angelic Radiance (LE, $53.00) is more shimmery (95% similar). NARS Blasphemy (LE, $30.00) is more shimmery, darker (95% similar). Urban Decay Naked Cherry #2 (LE, ) is darker (95% similar). NYX Dusty Rose (DC, $5.00) is darker (95% similar). ColourPop Why, Hello (P, $12.00) is lighter (95% similar). Urban Decay Overexposed (-, ) is warmer (95% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Violet Argente (Blush) (LE, $60.00) is lighter (95% similar). Smith and Cult Warm Pink (P, $24.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar). Physicians Formula Natural (P, $12.99) is lighter, brighter (90% similar). Stila Dusty Rose (LE, ) is darker (90% similar). Tarte Live (LE, $29.00) is darker, brighter (90% similar). Zoeva CR020 (P, ) is brighter, warmer (90% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.
Outlaw is a deep berry with subtle, cool undertones and warmer, golden shimmer. The version in the palette was actually better than the last standalone I tested! The version included in the palette was very pigmented, softer and smoother to the touch, and more blendable. I didn’t have any issues blending and diffusing the edges. The color wore well for nine hours on me before fading. MAC Sweet Samba (LE, $29.00) is warmer (95% similar). Laura Geller Plumberry (P, $26.00) is brighter, cooler (90% similar). KIKO 104 Pastel Pink (P, $12.00) is warmer (90% similar). Viseart Plum #2 (PiP, ) is less shimmery (90% similar). Tarte Does This Thing Really Work? (LE, $29.00) is cooler (90% similar). NARS New Fling (LE, $30.00) is lighter (90% similar). ColourPop Sounds Grape (LE, $8.00) is warmer (90% similar). Buxom Goa (P, $22.00) is less shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar). NARS Goulue (LE, $30.00) is darker, brighter (85% similar). MAC Gentle (P, $29.00) is lighter (90% similar). Milani Cherry on Top (P, $7.99) is darker, warmer (85% similar). Fenty Beauty Bordeaux Brat (P, $25.00) is more shimmery, warmer (90% similar). NARS Soulshine #3 (LE, $30.00) is less shimmery, darker, more pigmented (85% similar). MAC Under My Plum (LE, $31.00) is more shimmery, more muted, warmer (85% similar). MAC Wrapped Candy (P, $31.00) is more shimmery, darker, more muted (85% similar). Melt Cosmetics Fire Fury (P, $22.00) is more shimmery, warmer (85% similar). Urban Decay Easy (DC, $26.00) is lighter, cooler (85% similar). Kaja Spoils of Mars (P, $19.00) is less shimmery, lighter (85% similar). Laura Mercier Parasol (P, $28.00) is less shimmery, lighter, warmer (85% similar). Urban Decay TMI (DC, $26.00) is less shimmery, lighter, cooler (85% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.
Mysterious Red is a bright, medium-dark red with neutral-to-warm undertones and a semi-matte finish. It was richly pigmented with a lightly creamy, velvety texture that glided on easily and didn’t sink into lip lines. It wore well for six and a half hours on me, left behind a stain, and was a touch drying overall. Makeup Geek Beauty Queen (P, $12.00) is lighter, brighter (90% similar). MAC Reddy to Go (P, $20.00) is lighter (95% similar). Urban Decay Rock Steady (P, $18.00) is cooler (95% similar). Maybelline Dynamite Red (DC, $7.49) is lighter (95% similar). MAC Wild Memories (LE, $19.00) is cooler (95% similar). NARS Codie (LE, $34.00) is more muted, glossier (95% similar). ColourPop TGIF (LE, $7.00) is warmer, glossier (85% similar). Makeup Geek Flamenco (LE, $12.00) is cooler (95% similar). NARS Golshan (P, $25.00) is glossier (95% similar). MAC Feels So Grand (P, $21.00) is cooler (95% similar). MAC Russian Red (P, $19.00) is cooler (95% similar). MAC Steam Heat (LE, $19.00) is glossier (95% similar). NARS Majella (P, $25.00) is darker, warmer (90% similar). KVD Beauty Thumbelina (LE, $20.00) is lighter (90% similar). Urban Decay Bad Blood (DC, $22.00) is warmer (95% similar). Chanel Experimente (154) (P, $42.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar). NARS Immortal Red (P, $26.00) is darker, warmer (90% similar). KVD Beauty Tijuana (DC, $21.00) is warmer (90% similar). ColourPop Lost (P, $7.00) is darker, more muted (90% similar). Anastasia Ruby (P, $18.00) is lighter (90% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.
True Story
LELimited Edition. $59.00.
Devotee
PiPPermanent in Palette.
Myth
LELimited Edition. $30.00.
Unwritten
LELimited Edition. $30.00.
Outlaw
PPermanent. $30.00.
Mysterious Red
PPermanent. $27.00.
See more photos & swatches!
NARS True Story Cheek & Lip Palette
NARS True Story Cheek & Lip Palette
NARS True Story Cheek & Lip Palette
NARS True Story Cheek & Lip Palette
NARS True Story Cheek & Lip Palette
NARS True Story Cheek & Lip Palette
NARS Devotee Highlighting Blush
NARS Devotee Highlighting Blush
NARS Devotee Highlighting Blush
NARS Myth Powder Blush
NARS Myth Powder Blush
NARS Myth Powder Blush
NARS Unwritten Powder Blush
NARS Unwritten Powder Blush
NARS Unwritten Powder Blush
NARS Outlaw Powder Blush
NARS Outlaw Powder Blush
Nice. Very pretty.
It is!
The packaging and colors are so beautiful!
The packaging is very ethereal!
Light is right, yikes. Only Outlaw and Devotee could work on me nicely for a nice rosy cheek. Plus, I don’t need Mysterious Red as I have Bad Blood. Easy skip.
I’m in the same boat, Nancy! 🙁
I’m seriously tempted by this set. I’ve been thinking about getting a blush set and this would fill in most of the blanks in my collection quite nicely. Outlaw looks lovely.
Having said that, I already have Mysterious Red and I love it, though I wish it was more long lasting on my lips.
I’m surprised that Mysterious Red is mysteriously short wearing on you, Hildegard! What a bummer 🙁
I like the idea of a blush palette with a “built-in” lippie 🙂 But the shades aren’t really for me.
Aw, darn!
Wish they had released a palette for medium skin tones, I would have been all over it!
Me too, Tammy! 🙁
I love the packaging for this palette. I wish I wanted the blush shades. I think I’m light enough they’d work for me. I do love the lip pencil though. I guess this is going on the maybe list. Thanks for the swatches!
No problem, Michele! Maybe worth checking out if you don’t have any dupes.
Love every colors in this palette! Love the blush and the lipstick…But iam really afraid by the packaging! Surely it will stay not on my desk! Really freacky like a special edition for Haloween lol
Awww!
Really pretty blushes and the lip shade is a lovely red too.
They go together well!
Oh, I love this palette; great shades for fair skin. I hope I can snag one. Lovely packaging, as well.
Fingers crossed for ya, Rachel 😀
I really like this, I tend to go for very pale, pastel blushes. You did warn us about Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush in Ethereal, being very pale and barely showing up on the skin…I still got it, and u were right! (I still use it to diffuse other blushes). So I wonder if I will repeat my mistake and get this palette as well, hmm. But there are other lovely blushes, and the lippie is added bonus!
Well, it might still work for you 😉 I do think these will show up a bit more than the Ethereal!
Oooh, this one’s real pretty. You could almost wear the Devotee on the eye with some black liner, lots of mascara, and call it a whole look.
I could totally see that!
I feel really disappointed that this palette, the cooler of NARS’ two cheek-and-lip palettes this season, has so many warm-toned colors in it :-(. I feel like I’d be better off just getting Outlaw, although you said this version performed better than the last stand-alone version you tested. So maybe I’d be better off just getting Plumberry — in fact, I think that’s what I’ll do!
Perfect 😀 Plumberry is a nice shade!
DEVOTEE is not permanent :((((
I’m extremely fair with cool undertones and this is my dream palette. I love every single shade. And, yes, this version of Outlaw is significantly better than the single blush, which is very surprising. The only minor complaint is that the Mysterious Red Velvet Pencil is not nearly as long-lasting as my other NARS Velvet Lip Pencils. But, the shade is gorgeous and it is not drying, so it’s all good. Thank you for the excellent review, Christine.
I wish unwritten was available separately! Perfect color for my fair skin. But I wouldn’t use any of the others. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯