NARS Poison Rose Lip Powder Palette Review, Photos, Swatches

Poison Rose

NARS Poison Rose Erdem Strange Flowers Lip Powder Palette ($49.00 for 0.32 oz.) is a new, limited edition lip palette that features one lip balm and four powder lipsticks. Per the brand, the Lip Powder formula is supposed to be “buildable, blendable” and can be used “with our without balm” and “worn alone or layered on lips” (per the press release). I recommend using the Lip Powders with the balm or some sort of creamy base, because they are, as one might expect, rather powdery and dry, so alone they tended to emphasize every single imperfection on my lips along with my lip lines and gave me a painfully tight (I could feel my lips protesting when I tried to smile in photos) lips as the formula clung and clung and clung. With the balm layered underneath or on top (I preferred on top for easier and more precise results), it was a lot more comfortable to wear and more forgiving on my lips.

Poison Rose

Product

9.5

Pigmentation

7.5

Texture

8.5

Longevity

4.5

Application

82%

Total

Lip Priming Balm

Lip Priming Balm is a soft, peachy-coral with a natural sheen. It had semi-opaque, buildable pigmentation with moderate slip and a thin texture that wasn’t clingy. On its own, it pulled into my lip lines quite noticeably, but when layered with the powder lipsticks, it did not seem to be an issue. It wore well for three hours on its own and was neither drying nor hydrating.

Top Dupes

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Marc Jacobs Beauty Shakedown (P, $30.00) is lighter, warmer (95% similar).
Smashbox Nude Beach (P, $21.00) is warmer (90% similar).
Charlotte Tilbury Kidman's Kiss (P, $34.00) is less glossy (90% similar).
Dior Grege 1947 (169) (P, $35.00) is lighter, more muted (90% similar).
Urban Decay Liar (DC, $22.00) is warmer (90% similar).
Tom Ford Beauty Zoe (LE, $36.00) is warmer (90% similar).
Tom Ford Beauty Marisa (LE, $36.00) is cooler, glossier (90% similar).
MAC Nicki's Nude (LE, $17.50) is lighter, warmer (85% similar).
MAC Sweet MamaStarrr (LE, $17.50) is lighter (85% similar).
More dupes -- click to see the full list!

Lip Priming Balm

Product

Pigmentation

Texture

Longevity

4.5

Application

83%

Total

Zira

Zira is a medium, rosy copper with warm undertones and a metallic sheen. The consistency was dense and more powder-like in the pan, but upon patting it onto my lips, it felt thin and dry with a clingy consistency that made my lips look rough–textured and lined. I had trouble getting this shade to adhere evenly, though it wasn’t terribly noticeable that it was uneven from afar. It had medium coverage that was buildable to semi-opaque coverage in two to three layers. It lasted for four and a half hours on its own and four hours with the balm, but it was somewhat drying without the balm.

Top Dupes

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Jouer Pamplemousse (LE, $18.00) is darker (90% similar).
Tom Ford Beauty Nudiste (LE, $50.00) is less shimmery, lighter, cooler (85% similar).
Tom Ford Beauty Spanish Flame (02) (LE, $53.00) is cooler (85% similar).
Jouer Rose Gold (P, $18.00) is darker, cooler (85% similar).
Tom Ford Beauty Orchid Soleil (LE, $54.00) is lighter, cooler (85% similar).
More dupes -- click to see the full list!

Zira

Product

Pigmentation

Texture

8.5

Longevity

Application

79%

Total

Calypso

Calypso is a soft, medium mauve with warm undertones and a matte finish. It had semi-opaque pigmentation that was buildable to full coverage with a second layer. The texture was lightweight, thin, and felt like a denser powder by touch, but it felt more like a true, thin powder when pressed and patted onto the lips. It spread well, though, and adhered intensely to my lips to the point where they felt shrink-wrapped (in a painful way). This was uncomfortable to wear on its own (four hours) and quite drying, and it was only tolerable with the balm (which had a similar wear time of four hours).

Top Dupes

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Too Faced Freshly Baked (LE, $21.00) is lighter (90% similar).
Colour Pop Cami (P, $5.00) is warmer (90% similar).
Urban Decay Naked (P, $18.00) is lighter (90% similar).
Kat Von D Magick (DC, $21.00) is lighter (90% similar).
MAC Please Me (P, $17.50) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
Urban Decay Comeback (P, $18.00) is darker (85% similar).
Kat Von D Lovecraft (DC, $21.00) is lighter (85% similar).
Tarte Bounce (P, $20.00) is darker (85% similar).
NARS Le Freak (LE, $26.00) is lighter (85% similar).
Laura Mercier Sophia (LE, $28.00) is more shimmery, darker (85% similar).
More dupes -- click to see the full list!

Calypso

Product

Pigmentation

Texture

8.5

Longevity

4.5

Application

82%

Total

Damask

Damask is a rich berry with subtle, cool undertones and a matte finish. It had semi-opaque color payoff that was buildable to opaque coverage with a second application. The product had a dense, powder-like texture in the pan and then felt like a thinner layer of powder on my lips, which “absorbed” a bit and then felt like I had something clinging desperately to my lips. Without some slip, the product on its own emphasized my lip texture and made them appeared wrinkled. Layered with the balm, it was more comfortable to wear and forgiving on my lips. It lasted for over six hours on its own, left a stain behind, but was drying with the wear being only somewhat drying over time when used with the balm and still lasting for a good five hours on me.

Top Dupes

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Milani Embrace (LE, $8.99) is lighter (90% similar).
Tarte Fly (P, $20.00) is darker (90% similar).
NARS Warm Leatherette (P, $26.00) is darker (90% similar).
Makeup Geek Cougar (P, $12.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
NARS Give It Up (P, $26.00) is lighter (90% similar).
NARS Damned (P, $27.00) is darker, warmer (85% similar).
Kat Von D Miss Argentina (P, $20.00) is darker, warmer (85% similar).
Kat Von D Bauhau5 (P, $20.00) is lighter, brighter (85% similar).
More dupes -- click to see the full list!

Damask

Product

Pigmentation

Texture

9.5

Longevity

4.5

Application

87%

Total

Ottoman

Ottoman is an intense, medium red with neutral-to-warm undertones and a matte finish. The shade seemed to matte and so intense that it managed to reflect an almost orange-like sheen at times, which I’ve seen happen occasionally with very intense, bright, and more neutral reds (and I can’t figure out how to prevent it on my end…). It had medium, buildable pigmentation that applied fairly evenly but was prone to emphasizing lip texture as the product clung and made my lips feel (and look) shriveled. Smiling was uncomfortable with this product on. On its own, it wore well for over six hours but was drying and uncomfortable to wear; with balm, it lasted for five hours but the balm completely transformed the color… and somehow made it appear as a cooler-toned red.