Low Rider

NARS Low Rider Powermatte Lip Pigment ($26.00 for 0.18 fl. oz.) is a medium-dark pink with subtle, warm undertones and a matte finish. It had excellent pigmentation that covered the lips with smooth, even coverage. The texture was lightweight, thin but fluid (not watery), and spread easily across my lips without streaking or pulling into my lip lines. It dried down a mostly transfer-resistant finish, but if I drank anything, I did get some transfer on my glass, though there was so much pigment that it still lasted for a good five hours on me and was non-drying.

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, which is a detailed review of the range as a whole.

• Brand Description