Nars Audacious Lipsticks L-R: Barabara, Anita, Anna, Apoline, & Audrey
The Nars Audacious lipstick is the best lipstick formulation I have ever tried. Yes it’s a big claim and I urge all those who have not tried it to do so with haste. Launched two years ago, Nars introduced the Audacious collection into the market with a 40-strong shade line up: 30 permanent and 10 exclusives. They have just launched a further five new shades to their permanent range and of course I couldn’t resist but to add another to my very own collection.
The Audacious lipsticks are housed in a rectangular, matte black casing with a very satisfying magnetic closure ( I can listen to that click all day, everyday). The bullet itself is almost a work of art in it’s own right, embossed down the side with the distinct, entwined Nars branding. The formula is nothing short of pure lipstick luxury, where colour payoff, coverage, finish and longevity are all on point. This isn’t the sort of lipstick designed for those who are intimidated by colour nor can it be considered your entry level for those who are new to makeup. This is the sort of lipstick for those that want rich colour payoff with a single effortless swipe; a creamy, even, opaque coverage with a full bodied, satin finish and a formulation that is very long wearing. I most definitely fall in the latter category.
I’ve streamlined my collection somewhat, passing on the darker, less worn shades to new homes (with the exception of one). I now have just five of the Nars Audacious Lipsticks: Barbara, described as a ‘tan rose’, is more of a neutral toned nude with a pink undertone and is a great everyday colour. Anita, described as a ‘rose’, is more of a peachy pink with lots of warmth to it and is one of my go-to shades come spring/summer. Anna, described as a ‘dusty mauve’ which I think is perfectly apt. It’s beautiful lavender undertone adds a strong element of coolness to this shade yet just stops short of being too cool that I couldn’t pull it off. Audrey, described as a ‘red current’ and for me, is an easy to wear red for those who want to wear red but can feel a little intimidated by the fiery hue. This red is softened by it’s pink undertone. Apoline, described as a ‘pink rose’, is the newest to my streamlined collection and part of the five shade range that Nars have recently released. This, for me, is the definition of a perfect pink and would be incredibly flattering on many skin tones.
As you can probably tell, I have a definite thing for ‘rose’ tone shades. Not only do these lipsticks look great on, they actually feel incredible on the lips. Again, I cannot think of a better word other than ‘luxury’ when it comes to describing the Nars Audacious Lipsticks. It’s a heavier formula than some yet very creamy making it feel comfortable on the lips. It’s not the type of lipstick that is super moisturising where it can often feel more like a balm. With those sorts of formulas, I find that they tend to slip and slide (therefore lacking in staying power) and need to be topped up every couple of hours. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing as I believe there’s a time and a place for such lipsticks. Having said that, I think the Nars Audacious Lipsticks are built for every time, place and occasion (if you’re after a light wash of colour, the Audacious lippies can easily be patted in for a softer effect).
Have you tried the Nars Audacious Lipsticks?