NARS Hardcore & Shatter Powermatte Lip Luster Pigments Reviews & Swatches

Hardcore

NARS Hardcore Powermatte Lip Luster Pigment ($26.00 for 0.18 oz.) is a light-medium, golden copper with warm, rosy undertones and a frosted, metallic sheen. The lighter color seemed to make the shimmer/metallic finish really pop in this particular shade, as a lot of the shades in the formula have been deeper. It had semi-opaque pigmentation, and it applied better with more even, more pigmented coverage on my lips than when I tried swatching it on my arm. A second layer can be applied for full coverage if preferred. The consistency was lightweight, thin, and a little more watery than other shades in the formula. It dried down to a transfer-resistant finish, and it didn’t slide around, but I could tell it wasn’t 100% flat/dry after the initial dry down. This particular shade did emphasize my lip lines/texture a bit more after it finished drying. It lasted for four and a half hours on me and was neither drying nor hydrating.

Top Dupes

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Smashbox XO, Vlada (LE, $24.00) is warmer (90% similar).
Jouer Rose Gold (P, $18.00) is less shimmery, darker, cooler (90% similar).
Tom Ford Beauty Spanish Flame (02) (LE, $53.00) is less shimmery, darker, cooler (90% similar).
MAC Digging for Gold (LE, $18.50) is less shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
Smashbox Desert Rose (LE, $24.00) is darker, cooler (85% similar).
Jouer Pamplemousse (LE, $18.00) is lighter, warmer (85% similar).
Estee Lauder Tiger Eye (P, $32.00) is less shimmery, darker, warmer (85% similar).
NARS Zira (LE, ) is lighter, warmer (85% similar).
Bite Beauty Bronze (LE, $26.00) is darker (85% similar).
Tom Ford Beauty Nudiste (LE, $50.00) is less shimmery, lighter, cooler (80% 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

Hardcore

8.5

Product

Pigmentation

8.5

Texture

8.5

Longevity

4.5

Application

87%

Total

Shatter

NARS Shatter Powermatte Lip Luster Pigment ($26.00 for 0.18 oz.) is a medium brown with warm undertones and a pale, bronze sheen. It had semi-opaque pigmentation, which could be made opaque with a second layer (just make sure to let the first layer dry completely before adding more product). It had a lightweight consistency that was quite fluid but shy of being watery, so it was manageable along the edges of my lips without too much worry. The color stayed on well for five hours and was non-drying.

Top Dupes

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Milk Makeup Angel (P, $24.00) is more shimmery, cooler, glossier (90% similar).
MAC Metrochrome (LE, $21.00) is more shimmery, lighter, cooler (90% similar).
Tom Ford Beauty Aaron (P, $36.00) is glossier (90% similar).
Colour Pop Maneater (LE, $6.00) is more shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
Colour Pop Glam (LE, $6.00) is more shimmery, cooler, glossier (90% similar).
Urban Decay Backdoor (P, $18.00) is more shimmery, cooler, glossier (85% similar).
MAC Fetish (P, $18.50) is more shimmery, darker, cooler (85% similar).
Tom Ford Beauty Bambou (LE, $50.00) is lighter, cooler (85% similar).
MAC Foiled (LE, $21.00) is darker, cooler (85% similar).
Urban Decay Roach (P, $18.00) is more shimmery, darker, cooler (85% similar).
More dupes -- click to see the full list!