NARS Blackheart & Combat Powermatte Lip Luster Pigments Reviews & Swatches

Blackheart

NARS Blackheart Powermatte Lip Luster Pigment ($26.00 for 0.18 oz.) is a deep, blackened purple with a matte-metallic finish–flat and matte but with a metallic sheen (no glossiness). The color appeared more black than purple until put against true black hues, then it looked decidedly plummy! The texture was lightweight, thin without being watery, and spread easily across my lips. It had nearly opaque pigmentation that applied evenly and dried down without emphasizing my lip texture too much (in the close-up photos, I can see it emphasizing my very deep lip lines on the center of my lower lip but couldn’t detect this in person). The dry down left it mostly transfer-resistant, but there was a bit of tackiness present if I pressed my lips together though no color lifted away. It wore well for five hours and was non-drying.

Top Dupes

View Swatches View All Dupes

Kat Von D Nayeon (DC, $21.00) is cooler (90% similar).
MAC Street Thing (LE, $18.50) is less shimmery (90% similar).
Urban Decay Voodoo (P, $18.00) is less shimmery, brighter, warmer (85% similar).
More dupes -- click to see the full list!

Formula Overview

$26.00/0.18 oz. - $144.44 Per Ounce

The formula is supposed to have "full-coverage color in one swipe" with an "ultra-flexible, lightweight feel" with "brushed-metal" finishes and "lasting, smudge-resistant wear." The pigmentation ranged from semi-opaque to opaque, depending on the shade, with fairly even, smooth application with a very smooth, fluid texture that was rather thin but not watery. After a few applications using this formula (or the original Powermattes), I don't have any issues navigating along the edges of my lips, but the first few I ever did gave me the sensation that it was too fluid--too easy to spread. They dry down to a transfer-resistant but not transfer-proof, finish, where if I blot, I get a touch of color coming away, but the lip color doesn't move or slide around on my lips. They lasted between four and six hours on me and were, generally, non-drying. There was a sweet, vanilla scent but no discernible taste.

Browse all of our NARS Powermatte Lip Luster Pigment swatches.

Ingredients

Blackheart

Product

9.5

Pigmentation

8.5

Texture

9.5

Longevity

Application

92%

Total

Combat

NARS Combat Powermatte Lip Luster Pigment ($26.00 for 0.18 oz.) is a rich, medium-dark plum with cooler pink and violet pearl. It had nearly opaque pigmentation in a single, fluid layer, which applied evenly and smoothly over my lips. The texture was slightly creamier than other shades, and it took longer to dry down; even after it seemed to do the bulk of its drying down, it had a touch of shine, in additional to the metallic finish. The liquid lipstick remained tacky when I pressed my lips together but did not lift any color away, and it did not slide or move around. It stayed on well for six hours, left a faint stain behind, and was neither drying nor hydrating.

Top Dupes

View Swatches View All Dupes

NYX Pure Society (P, $7.50) is more shimmery, warmer (95% similar).
NYX Modern Maven (P, $7.50) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
MAC Death by Chocolate (LE, $17.50) is less shimmery, glossier (90% similar).
Milani Automattic Touch (07) (LE, $8.99) is more shimmery, cooler (85% similar).
Urban Decay After Dark (DC, $22.00) is less shimmery, lighter, brighter (85% similar).
Urban Decay Venom (P, $18.00) is less shimmery, lighter, cooler (85% similar).
Urban Decay Backstab (LE, $18.00) is warmer (85% similar).
MAC Disobedient (LE, $18.50) is less shimmery, lighter, cooler (85% similar).
Tom Ford Beauty Velvet Orchid (LE, $54.00) is more shimmery, lighter (85% similar).
Maybelline Copper Rose (P, $7.49) is less shimmery, warmer (85% similar).
More dupes -- click to see the full list!