NARS Save the Queen, London Calling, Wild Night Powermatte Lip Pigments

Save the Queen

NARS Save the Queen Powermatte Lip Pigment ($26.00 for 0.18 fl. oz.) is a medium-dark, rosy plum with subtle, cool undertones and a matte finish. It had rich color coverage that applied evenly on the lips in a single coat. The texture was lightweight, thin but not watery, and so fluid that I had to be careful about over-applying product in the corners of my lips. This shade wore really well for a solid five hours, but it started to transfer and fade as soon as I took a sip of water, so it only lasted two more hours after that. The formula felt non-drying to me.

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.

Top Dupes

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Colour Pop Ice Cube (P, $5.00) is lighter (95% similar).
Makeup Geek Marriage Material (P, $12.00) is darker (95% similar).
Makeup Geek Lively (P, $15.00) is brighter, cooler (95% similar).
Maybelline Mauve It (P, $7.49) is darker, warmer (90% similar).
MAC Amorous (P, $17.00) is warmer (90% similar).
Marc Jacobs Beauty Kate (P, $30.00) is darker, warmer, glossier (90% similar).
Colour Pop Bad Habit (LE, $6.00) is darker (90% similar).
Urban Decay WSM (P, $18.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
MAC Private Party (LE, $17.00) is warmer, glossier (90% similar).
Charlotte Tilbury Secret Salma (P, $34.00) is lighter, warmer (85% similar).
More dupes -- click to see the full list!

NARS Powermatte Lip Pigment Save the Queen

Save the Queen

Temptalia

A-

Permanent

8.5

Product

Pigmentation

8.5

Texture

Longevity

Application

91%

Total

London Calling

NARS London Calling Powermatte Lip Pigment ($26.00 for 0.18 fl. oz.) is a muted, medium-dark purple with warm undertones and a matte finish. It had semi-opaque pigmentation in a single layer, but it could be built up to opaque coverage with a second layer. It applied fairly evenly with the applicator, as the consistency was thin, very fluid, and easy to spread across the lips. While the color dried down quite a bit initially, there was light tackiness for about twenty minutes after application. The color wore well for five and a half hours before starting to break down but faded evenly and was non-drying over time.

Top Dupes

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Colour Pop Are & Be (P, $6.00) is lighter (95% similar).
NARS Dirty Mind (P, $27.00) is darker (90% similar).
Colour Pop Viper (P, $6.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
Makeup Geek Savvy (P, $15.00) is darker, cooler (85% similar).
Colour Pop Bijou (LE, $6.00) is brighter (85% similar).
Colour Pop Pack Pack (LE, $5.00) is darker (80% similar).
Colour Pop Back Up (P, $5.00) is lighter, brighter (80% similar).
Kat Von D Ayesha (P, $20.00) is lighter, cooler (80% similar).
Colour Pop Cheap Thrills (P, $6.00) is lighter (80% similar).
Urban Decay Double Crossed (P, $18.00) is darker (80% similar).
More dupes -- click to see the full list!

NARS Powermatte Lip Pigment London Calling

London Calling

Temptalia

B+

Permanent

8.5

Product

Pigmentation

8.5

Texture

8.5

Longevity

4.5

Application

87%

Total

Wild Night

NARS Wild Night Powermatte Lip Pigment ($26.00 for 0.18 fl. oz.) is a deep purple with warm undertones and a semi-matte finish. I waited 20 minutes for this to fully dry down before taking a photo, and there was still a slight sheen to it. It had good pigmentation, though it was shy of full coverage, that covered the lips with even color overall. There was room for improvement with respect to the application, but for this type of color, it was impressive nonetheless. The texture was lightweight, thin but not watery, and spread easily over my lips. It wore well for six and a half hours and was non-drying but absolutely transferred while eating/drinking.