NARS X Steven Klein Holdiay 2015 Limited Edition Collection
François Nars and photographer Steven Klein collaborated together with design legend Fabien Baron to create a new collection for Holiday 2015 ranging from palettes, kits, nail polishes, single eyeshadow and lipsticks. I am a huge fan of last Fall’s Audacious lipsticks, which are staples in my makeup bag. NARS Killer Shine Lipstick is a new, limited edition with a new formula featuring “daring color and dramatic luster".
NARS Killer Shine Lipsticks are Limited Editions
First off, there are only three different colors. Nothing outlandish happening here, just wonderfully wearable classics with a twist. The texture of the Killer Shine Lipsticks is heavier and the colors are more deeply pigmented than the original range but glossier and with less coverage than the Audacious Lipsticks. Overall, the texture feels a little heavier, thicker, and creamier than their standard range of lipsticks, but glossier and with less coverage than the Audacious Lipstick formula. All Killer Shine Lipsticks are $29 and are packaged in black matte square tubes with the Steven Klein and Nars logos on the caps.
Swatched NARS Besame Mucho, No Shame and Redemption
Finding a nude lipstick that doesn’t make me look washed out is always a challenge. NARS Besame Mucho Killer Shine Lipstick is described as a “deep rose-beige”, and appears that way in the tube. The color is a light medium caramel with warm peach undertones and creamy semi opaque coverage. It did wash me out, so I lined and filled in my lips with NARS Waimea. That did the trick. There is a lovely natural sheen to Besame Mucho that makes my lips look fuller.
I love dark berry and deep plum lipsticks, but they don’t love me back. I wear very few, preferring lighter and brighter shades. I was pleasantly surprised by NARS No Shame Killer Shine Lipstick, which appears deep wine-burgundy in the tube. It’s a bright, medium berry with red and fuchsia undertones that leans neutral to cool. A berry lipstick that is bright with depth, that isn’t too dark, is a real find. The semi –opaque texture is similar to Besame Mucho but creamier, more hydrating and glides on more easily. I didn’t use a lip liner, and there was slight feathering after 2 hours, so if you have fine lines around your lips or are prone to “bleeding”, I suggest you try a primer underneath and line your lips. My favorite of the three.
NARS Redemption Killer Shine Lipstick appears to be light metallic pink champagne in the tube, and when applied has warm golden undertones, an almost mirror like shine and fine frost finish. The coverage was lighter and sheerer than Besame Mucho and No Shame. It applied evenly and when I added a few coats, the result was dramatic and retro 60s. If you just want a bit of shimmer, one coat is all you need, but I really liked that I could control the coverage. After three swipes,th he overall effect was glamorous and edgy.
NARS Killer Shine Lipstick is available on www.narscosmetics.com. (I am eying the NARS Humoresque Lipstick collection of five new limited edition colors ($160) and am this close to clicking BUY. For reference, in the Fall and Winter I wear Nars Stromboli, Make Up Forever HD Stick in Golden Honey and Kat Von D Lock it Foundation 53.
Disclosure: NARS graciously provided me with all three lipsticks for review, opinions my own
Michelyn Camen, Editor in Chief