Thursday, August 5, 2010

NARS Lip Lacquer & Lip Glosses in Vagabond, Harlow, & Belize

Repurchase: Yes (Lip Lacquer), Yes (Lip Gloss)
Price: $24.00 (0.14 oz) (Lip Lacquer), $24.00 (0.28 oz) (Lip Gloss)
Product: 8.5/10 (Lip Lacquer), 8.9/10 (Lip Gloss)
Packaging: 8/10 (Lip Lacquer), 8.5/10 (Lip Gloss)
Value: 7.5/10 (Lip Lacquer), 9/10 (Lip Gloss)
Overall Grade: B (Lip Lacquer), A- (Lip Gloss)
Here's the first of the many upcoming NARS reviews. This review will include Vagabond Lip Lacquer and Lip Glosses in Harlow and Belize. I've since given Belize away so I apologize in advance that I don't have better pictures of Belize (I took the pictures months ago before I knew how to work with my camera somewhat correctly!)
The Packaging:
Lip Lacquer- The NARS Lip Lacquer comes in a clearish (I think) acrylic type jar with a matte black lid. The jar is charming but too heavy. Also, it would be a hassle to travel with because you'll need to use a separate brush -or clean finger.
Lip Gloss- The NARS Lip Glosses come in a clear tube with a matte black cap and a doe foot applicator. I like NARS gloss tubes because with my other glosses, the font and designs tend to rub off after awhile. With these, everything stays just like new even after months of use.
Above from top: NARS Lip Gloss in Harlow, Belize
NARS Lip Lacquer in Vagabond Ingredients
NARS Lip Gloss in Harlow Ingredients
The Product:
Lip Lacquer- The texture is smooth, very thick, and tacky -but not necessarily sticky (like glosses can be.) This has a very strong, waxy, crayon scent to it –moreso than the glosses do. I can still smell it when I’m wearing it for the first few minutes but there’s no taste. This is semi-moisturizing but when I wear it on super dry, chapped lips, it will cling to the dry patches and look bad since it’s a frosty shade. For me, the Lip Lacquer lasts for about 3 hours at most.
Lip Gloss- At first, I thought these were really expensive given that they cost $24 a pop. However, they also contain more product (0.28 oz) than most my other glosses. If I'm going by ounce, these actually come out cheaper than many of my other cheaper glosses (from other high-end brands.)
NARS Lip Glosses are one of my favorites. The texture is thin but tacky and slightly sticky. I read a lot of reviews that say these glosses are sticky but to me, they're really more tacky than sticky. They're also smooth, lightweight, and moisturizing. They smell like crayons but once applied, the smell goes away and there's no taste. These last up to 4 hours on me.
NARS Lip Lacquer in Vagabond
The Color:
Lip Lacquer
Vagabond- Light bronzey beige with a touch of taupe and fine silver shimmer.
On my lips, it's a a sheer, light taupe-y nude with a touch of silver frost (but no frost overload.) I expected better color payoff.
Lip Gloss
1. Harlow- Light frosty mauve with silver shimmer. Very frosty and looks great with neutral or bold eye.
2. Belize- Creamy, milky natural pink nude with a hint of mauve and a tiny amount of fine gold shimmer. (I wasn't too crazy about the color so I ended up giving it away -it just wasn't right for me.)

Swatches..
Above (no flash) from left: NARS Lip Gloss in Harlow, NARS Lip Lacquer in Vagabond
The following swatches show Belize (in the middle.) The quality isn't the best but it's all I've got..
Above (no flash) from left: NARS Lip Gloss in Harlow, Belize, NARS Lip Lacquer in Vagabond
Above (with flash) from left: NARS Lip Gloss in Harlow, Belize, NARS Lip Lacquer in Vagabond
Lip Swatches..
Above (no flash): NARS Lip Gloss in Harlow
Above (no flash): NARS Lip Gloss in Harlow
Above (no flash): NARS Lip Lacquer in Vagabond

Overall: The Lip Lacquers are good but I feel they're a little pricey for what they do. They could be more pigmented and long lasting and NARS could definitely lose the awful crayon smell. However, I do like the fact that they're decently moisturizing and not high maintenance (I don't have to touch up the color.) I would buy more Lip Lacquers but there aren't a ton of color choices -I wish they'd make more.
I think NARS glosses are one of those products that people either love or hate. I myself like the tackiness of the gloss as it helps it to stick to my lips and stay on longer. These are something I'd purchase over and over again as I love the product and there are a ton of colors to choose from.
Where To Buy: NARS Cosmetics (here & here)

9 comments:

  1. Pretty! These glosses tend to go rancid fast though. My clinique ones go faster though! Oh the stench on your lips!

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  2. LOL yea I know.. people tend to hate the NARS lip products' smell but I really can't smell it after it's been applied for a few minutes!

    I agree, they do seem to expire quicker than my other glosses.

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  3. They all look so pretty on you! I've been wanting to try a nars lipgloss, kind of have my eye on turkish delight! xx

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  4. Ohh sorry I was just re-reading my comments and realized I forgot to respond to yours in my above comment, haha the milani blushes do have a scent.. I didn't actually notice but after I read that I grabbed it and gave it a sniff, I definitely can see what you're talking about. It doesn't bother me, but if the bronzer was too much for you you might want to steer clear of the blushes! Hope that helped! xxx

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  5. The lip lacquer looks wonderful on you! Wish I could try them someday :)

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  6. @ Ariel.. Thanks. =) I don't own Turkish Delight anymore but Smashbox Pout is very similar. And I might be trying the blushes -they look so pretty on you! Just wish there were more shades available.

    @ Nat.. It's really nice! I just don't like it on myself personally.

    @ Pinch.. I hope you can too. =)

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  7. These look real pretty on you...I want to try their lip glosses soon, just don't know which one, there are so many !

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  8. They have so many great colors. I'd definitely recommend Harlow if you're into pale, frosty shades. I thought it would look weird but I love it!!

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