NARS A Woman’s Face Lip Set

NARS A Woman's Face Lip Set
NARS A Woman’s Face Lip Set

NARS A Woman’s Face Lip Set ($49.00 for 0.188 oz.) includes a lipstick, lip pencil, and lip liner coordinated in the hue of warm plum. These are all permanent shades, but they are full sized. The set coordinates well, so they can be layered easily; what’s nice is that the lipstick is a sheerer, glossier version of the pencil and lip liner, which means it adds a more hydrating element to the trio.

Dolca Vita (Lipstick) is a muted, medium-dark plummy red with warm undertones and a natural sheen. It is part of the Sheer Lipstick range, so it is, as you might expect, on the sheerer side. It had semi-sheer color coverage with a lightweight, somewhat slippery consistency that is thin and looks and feels more like a light lip balm than traditional lipstick. It applied evenly with smooth color that looked a lot like a lip stain (but this shade may not appear like much on those with naturally redder or darker lips). The color lasted for three hours on me and was lightly hydrating. Estee Lauder Irresistible (P, $30.00) is more pigmented (95% similar). Tarte Praise (LE, $24.00) is darker, more pigmented (90% similar). Chanel Ce Soir (P, $34.00) is brighter, more pigmented (90% similar). Tarte Punch (LE, $16.00) is cooler (90% similar). Buxom Hooligan (P, $21.00) is more pigmented, glossier (90% similar). Urban Decay Strip (P, $22.00) is darker, more pigmented (90% similar). Givenchy Moka Imprime (304) (P, $36.00) is darker (90% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

Dolca Vita (Velvet Matte Lip Pencil) is a medium-dark, reddish plum with warm undertones and a matte finish. It had semi-opaque pigmentation with a soft, velvety feel applied to the lips, so it didn’t tug and glided across easily. This is a pencil you’ll need to sharpen, which is sometimes a deal-breaker. The color lasted for four and a half hours and was neither drying nor hydrating. Givenchy Brun Createur (103) (P, $36.00) is more shimmery (95% similar). Urban Decay Liar (P, $22.00) is more muted, glossier (90% similar). Chanel Etonnante (131) (P, $36.00) is more shimmery, darker, glossier (90% similar). Bobbi Brown Pink Nectar (P, $26.00) is glossier (90% similar). Urban Decay Protest (P, $22.00) is glossier (90% similar). MAC Fashion Force (LE, $20.00) is more shimmery, cooler (90% similar). bareMinerals Feel the Love (LE, $20.00) is more muted, glossier (90% similar). Kat Von D Double Dare (P, $20.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar). MAC Runway Hit (P, $17.00) is lighter, brighter (85% similar). Colour Pop Bumble (P, $6.00) is darker, more muted, cooler (85% similar). MAC Lady at Play (P, $22.00) is brighter, glossier (85% similar). NARS Descanso (LE, $25.00) is lighter, glossier (80% similar). Laura Mercier Cozy (P, $24.00) is darker, glossier (80% similar). Colour Pop Donut (P, $6.00) is lighter, cooler (80% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Sweet Spot (05) (P, $50.00) is lighter, warmer, glossier (80% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

Patong Beach (Velvet Lip Liner) is a muted, medium-dark reddish plum with warm undertones and a mostly matte finish. It had semi-opaque coverage in one stroke, but it is buildable to mostly opaque coverage. The Velvet Lip Liner formula is supposed to be “pigment-rich” while filling and preventing feathering on the lips with “long-wearing, comfortable wear.” I find that they tend to be a little dry so they tug on the lips, and while not the most drying lip pencil, it’s not comfortable on its own for me. It is clingy and lightly to moderately drying, even though it does last for six hours. MAC Half-Red (P) is cooler (90% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.