NARS Audacious Lipsticks and case; Natalie (Left) and Julie (Right)

NARS Audacious lipsticks will be launching for Fall 2014 and are getting alot of buzz about the new formulas, range of colors (40!!!) and for the sleek new black matte packaging. They are pricier than the current NARS lipsticks which sell for $26 a tube and the Audacious lipsticks are at $32.00 each. Are they worth it? I was able to get a sneek peak of two colors, Natalie and Julie. And I won't keep you in suspense, the answer is a resounding yes.

NARS Audacious Natalie swatch

Natalie is one of the 30 Audacious lipsticks in the general permanent collection.  NARS called this color "flamingo" an accurate description as it is a warm bright mid pink with the barest hint of coral. Since I have blue undertones to my lips, it leaned towards the pink spectrum. I like my lips to pop and was pleased that Natalie is so highly pigmented. The swatch above was just one swipe-impressive! The consistency was neither matte nor glossy, drying nor hydrating and lasted 4 hours before I had to retouch. (Note: I used Guerlain's Kiss Kiss Liplift underneath). The color might not seem terribly original but I did not have any dupes in a collection of 25 high end  pink lipsticks.  The closest is my own blend of CHANEL Rouge Allure Melodieuse mixed with Fougueuse. I prefer the creamy texture of CHANEL but give kudos to the coverage and pigmentation of NARS Audacious lipsticks.

Nars Audacious Lipstick Swatch Julie

Next up is Julie which is one of the 10 Barneys New York Exclusives; NARS considers Julie a nude pink shade, which isn’t accurate (and that is a good thing). I have a lot of trouble wearing nude lipsticks, but Julie is on the border of nude and "Here I am". It is a warm medium-light pink peach. If you are like me and cannot wear brown or taupe toned nudes, Julie will work well for you.  I have nothing like it and for all it being a lighter color Julie is even more pigmented than Natalie.  I noticed that it was a tad less hydrating than Natalie. Julie has been in my makeup bag for a week which is high praise indeed. I am tempted to buy Brigitte, which looks like a twin to Julie but is rosier and deeper as well as NARS Audacious Jane another “nude” with a red undertone that might be nice with a tan or if you are a GGG. Another shade I would love to test is Audrey, just because of the name.

For reference, I am Nars Barcelona/Mac NC42. Both of these lipsticks are great on tan, olive or yellow skin tones.  Results might be different on your lips based on your undertones, but each are best suited for warm complexions from light to dark. Both colors are perfect for late summer, with Julie a year round shade for me.  These lipsticks have no discernible scent if that matters to you. I would not wear glosses with either, they don’t need it.

Photo: NARS Audacious Lipstick Collection

The packaging is more elegant which it should be for the price; a black matte cubic case with a magnetic closure that has a nice 'snick sound when opening the lipstick and replacing the cap. The caps are actually magnetic and stick to the lipstick which is great for ladies like me who are losing the caps. NARS Audacious Lipsticks  are ONLINE NOW Nars Cosmetics and the Barneys New York exclusives will be available September 1, 2014.

Photos of  Swatches and  NARS Audacious Natalie and Julie lipsticks are my own. NARS sent me both for promotional consideration.

–Michelyn Camen, Editor in Chief

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