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Nars Audacious lipstick – collection, swatches and review

I just love patchy lipsticks that drag along my lips, dry them out, and smell like homemade play-doh went off in the fridge, said no one ever.

Oh, the sass!

14302356_971640649628957_1456109653_n.jpgThe polar opposite of the sometimes cheap and nasty lipsticks you find on the shelves at the local pharmacy are without doubt the Nars Audacious lipstick formula. These lipsticks are a little swipe of luxury, and are without doubt my favourite formula of lipstick I’m yet to try.

Insanely pigmented – they claim to offer full pigmentation on the lips in one swipe and they bloody well deliver – and ultra creamy, they are hydrating on the lips, and hide any textual issues you may have going on from dry lips.

Since my discovery, I’ve amassed a small but passionately adored collection of shades. If you’re the type of person who likes to snoop at what other people wear on their faces, or you just fancy seeing some lip swatches of a few shades, scroll on, ya filthy animals.

Anna

Imma let myself finish, but this is my favourite lipstick of all time.

I know. Big call. Huge, even. But justifiably so.

Creamy, luscious, and the perfect cool-toned mauve pink. What the hell more could I ask for.

‘Nuff said.

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Dominique

I bought this at a Nars event with Mecca Cosmetica. After trying it on with the Nars El Agua lip liner. Cue compliments! Oh did my vanity flourish, and my already big head blow up larger by the second.

A muted, medium purple with pinky-violet, cool undertones, it’s one of the most unique lipsticks to ever touch my lips.

If it wasn’t already sold thanks to my own extreme love for the colour, as well as a few passing sales assistants, what really sealed the deal was when the (undeniably attractive) male waiter handing out champagne told me how great it looked with my skintone.

I’ll take them all, please.

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Natalie

After falling in love with the formula of the Audacious lipsticks, I went through a period of meticulously browsing Temptalia‘s swatch gallery to thoughtfully choose welcome additions to my collection without breaking the bank.

Natalie is a bright flamingo pinky-coral with warm undertones, a perfect summery colour for warm nights on a beach or spring days filled with picnics in gardens – or more realistically, long summer days lying on the couch re-watching Jane The Virgin and complaining about the heat.

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Greta

The most recent addition to my modest but ludicrously expensive collection is the radiant coral-red that comes up with a pinkish tint on my cool skin that the folks over at Nars describe as a ‘wild azalea’.

Considering azaleas are some of my favourite flowers, it seemed a good match. The colour is also unique to my lipstick collection, with literally no other colour coming close to matching this shade.

Pair with minimal eyes for a totally day time appropriate sunny day face, or add smokey eyes to edge it up.

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Fanny

Actually the very first addition to my Nars audacious collection, this stunning berry is reminiscent of Mac’s Rebel, without the sticky, almost sheer sheen that wears away. This is so effing opaque, it looks like I’ve eaten so many berries that I’ve permanently stained my lips.

It perfectly coordinates with my fair skin and dark hair, making my green eyes pop.

I’ve nearly finished the shade, perfect for a cool autumn or winter evening, and will most definitely repurchase when the time comes.

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Do you have any Nars Audacious lipsticks? If so, what’re your favourites? 

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Best in beauty 2015: CHEEKS.

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My my, here we are at last. The end of the best in beauty 2015 makeup reviewing road.

And what better way to finish than with a look at some of the most fun and pretty products, blush, bronzer, and highlighter.

For lips it was the year of liquid lipsticks, but for the face, highlighting, or strobing, as the kids call it these days,was the new orange.

Here are my picks as the top cheek products of 2015.

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Nars Luster Blush
Nars in general is my favourite blush formula. Long lasting, excellent colour range, and outstandingly pigmented so you only need the tiniest amount, and the plan itself lasts for ages. Luster, however, is my favourite shade by far, and although an old favourite, was far and away my most used blush of 2015. Its peachy-orange tone, and subtle gold shimmer makes it a perfect pair for pretty much any look, but especially a coppery eye, or orange lip.

Nars x Steven Klein One Shocking Moment Palette
First, the packaging. Adorned with the photography of Steven Klein, the outer bespoke case is striking and a gorgeous addition to a makeup display. But the contents are just as special. Containing a Laguna bronzer even bigger than a full sized single product, four blushes (including the aforementioned Luster), and contour and highlight duo in Paloma, the value alone makes this a favourite. I get use out of every shade in the palette, and it has earned itself a forever home in my makeup bag.

Although this specific, limited-edition palette itself has now sold out, take my advice and snap up other similar palettes when they are inevitably released throughout the year. The quality and value is unmatched, as far as I’m concerned.

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush Incandescent Electra
I couldn’t decide on which shade of Hourglass blush I wanted for months, and on the day I went into Mecca Maxima, convinced I would walk out with Diffused Heat, Incandescent Electra had been released. I left with it in tow. The prettiest, cool, neon coral, veined with incandescent highlighting powder, which adds a really subtle, lit-from-within glow to the cheeks.

Nars Dual Intensity Blush Fervor
The Dual Intensity blushes were a new addition to the Nars line in 2015. The unique formula can be used wet or dry, and each blush comes with two pans of complimentary colours. I’m keen to try a bronzer and highlight duo, but my standout favourite is Fervor, a deep, rusty rose and a pale pink. Works particularly well with the rust a wet, duo fibre blush, buffed into the back of the cheeks, and the paler shade lightly on the apples.

TheBalm Mary-Lou Manizer
This highlighter is the old faithful workhorse of the intense highlight. A light gold champagne makes it versatile on many skin tones, and for all kinds of highlighting needs. TheBalm are an extremely underrated brand, with their products being of such a high standard, for a reasonably affordable price range (as far as high-end Australian makeup goes). If the gold isn’t quite your thang, check out the other Loumanizer shades, tailored for different skin tones.

Becca x Jaclyn Hill Shimmering Skin Perfector Champagne Pop
I’ve previously ranted about my love for this limited edition highlighter, released in 2015, so I’ll be brief here. It is great. Really great. Buy it.

So that concludes my look back at my favourite makeup products of 2015.  Thank you so much for reading. I sincerely hope you enjoyed the series, and maybe found a few products you may want to try for yourself, or if you’re not that into makeup, use this as a gift guide for the special someone in your life who would love a cosmetic treat.

Did you have any favourite products I didn’t list? Or do you agree with me on some of these? Leave a comment below and we can gossip and enable together!

No context or reason needed for this. 

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Best in beauty 2015: FACE.

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Eyes and lips may be fun, but a spectacular base really holds it all together.

I am a lucky little sucker with naturally very clear and even skin. I guess it makes up for the fact that my bowel is basically useless, almost.

But no matter what your base makeup needs, foundation, concealer and powder form the canvas on which makeup artistry shines.

Keep in mind, my skin is normal to dry, very clear (I’m lucky I rarely have any kind of blemish), and I enjoy a much more minimal coverage to a full coverage.

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FOUNDATION:

Nars Sheer Glow
Shades: Deauville/Mont Blanc.
Although neither sheer nor glowy, this demi matte finish foundation is my long time love and favourite. The smallest amount goes a very long way, and it provides the loveliest, soft finish to my skin. When my skin is on the drier side, it has a tendency to be suck up Sheer Glow, so to rectify that problem, I’ll often apply over the top of a thin layer of Stila Stay All Day.

Mac Pro Longwear Nourishing Waterproof Foundation
Shade: NC20.
My current favourite foundation, Mac PLNWF was new in 2015, and was my solution to makeup just not lasting through very long, and sometimes very hot, days. I’d always thought Mac foundations were too much for my skin, but true to its name, this foundation is nourishing whilst still retaining its long wear. Considering I don’t enjoy full coverage, I use the tiniest amount, patting in a thin layer with my fingers, and it last all damn day, remaining flawless without looking like a mask.

Mac Studio Fix SPF 35 Concealer
Shade: NW20.
After finding nothing but disappointment at the bottom of my concealer tubes, I wanted something long wearing, that I could simply dab on for spot concealing of my very occasionally blemishes, whilst also counteracting my tired, dark circles. This ticks all my boxes, and the little pot lasts and lasts.

Mecca Cosmetica Facial Sunscreen SPF 30 (also available in SPF50, but couldn’t find bottle for photo)
SPF is important, ladies and gents. All day, erryday. As a fair skinned person, I’ve tried a few, but none sit under makeup and sink into skin quite as well as this one. Try the small tube before investing in a large one, if you’d like to see for yourself.

Mecca Cosmetica Lit From Within Primer
I’m yet to find my perfect primer, but this was my most consistently used primer in 2015. Provides a subtle, illuminated healthy glow without looking shiny or oily, and does create a smooth surface for foundation to go on top of.

Stila Stay All Day Foundation
Shade: 1 Bare
Mecca Maxima’s solution to my foundation not lasting long enough for my liking. Although I do love this foundation on its own, I like it best when combined with Nars Sheer Glow, as described above. Also comes with a little concealer on the lid, but I lost that long ago.

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I used to HATE powder with a passion, but these two products have completely changed my mind, and I’ve fallen head over heels in love.

Nars Light Reflecting Pressed Setting Powder
Light and glowy, this powder sets and prolongs the wear of makeup without changing the colour or looking powdery. The light reflecting particles leave a diffused look on the skin, blurring pores and fine lines.

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder 
Shade: Ethereal light
The powders have hype following them in a huge way. If you’ve not heard of them, they come in a variety of shades and finishes, all imitating different forms of light. I’ve tried a few of the colours, and without doubt Ethereal is my favourite. It slightly warms up my face and makes me just look more alive and bright, without adding any sparkle. Although probably not best for a darker skin tone, it adds an ethereal, airbrushed affect to pale skin.

Loved this? Want more? Well you’re in luck, cause there’ll be part four!

Damn, guys. I’m a poet and I didn’t even realise.

Go back and read previous instalments, the first about eyes here and the second about lips here.

His ankles are surely broken.

 

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Best in beauty 2015: LIPS.

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Lips! If a year ago you’d told me in one year I’d have an excessive (and expensive) collection of lip products, I would have been shocked that you had squandered your ability to time travel on finding out useless facts like what I put on my lips.

I also would’ve been shocked that I’d developed the confidence to wear such vibrant lip colours out of the house.

Rocking a bright lip takes guts, and it’s something I’ve had to work up to. But discovering formulas, undertones and colours that work for me has been outrageously fun, and its something I highly recommend everyone try.

Here’s hoping you can benefit from my excessive study.

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Urban Decay Matte Revolution Lipstick:
Released in 2015, this new formula for Urban Decay comes with a slightly small shade range, but one of the highest standards in quality that I’ve come across. Long wearing and damn near transfer proof, despite the matte finish they are hydrating rather than drying.
Favourite shades:
Tilt, bright orange;
After Dark, deep berry pink with a purpleish blue toned shimmer; 
Stark Naked, peach toned nude;
Blackmail, almost black purple. 

Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipsticks:
2015 was the year of the liquid lipstick, and I finally got the chance to try this formula after Sephora finally opened in Melbourne Central, and they’re honestly the only reason I braved the lines and crowds.
Favourite shades:
Mother, dusty mauve pink;
Bauhau5, deep raspberry;
Aeysha, rich lavender.

Nars Audacious Lipsticks:
Hands down my favourite lipstick formula. Perfectly opaque in one swipe, as they advertise. Only wish they didn’t transfer quite so easily.
Favourite shades:
Anna, mauve toned rose.
Natalie, a flamingo, coral pink. 
Dominique, a pink lilac, and perhaps one of the most unique colours I’ve ever come across.

Nars Velvet Matte Lip Pencils:
A long-wearing, intensely pigmented lip product. These are so good, basically every colour I try knocks my socks off. Only criticism is they can be a tad drying.
Favourite shades: 
Sex Machine, mauve toned pink,
Walkyrie, burnt, brown toned red
Dragon Girl, bright pinkish red,  
Never Say Never, berry toned pink.
Damned, deep magenta red. 

Nars Lip Liner El Agua:
I’m not really one for lip liners, but picked up the purple toned pink El Agua in an attempt to make my excessive collection of mauve-pink toned lipsticks more purple. Long lasting on the lips, elicits compliments.

Stila All Day Liquid Lipsticks:
After acquiring the two holiday sets from Mecca Maxima, I developed an intense love for this formula. Extremely long lasting and easy to apply, in a variety of bright, unique shades.
Favourite shades: 
Patina, mauve pink;
Baci, grey toned mauve;
Cosmo, bright violet;
Aria, deep berry;
Cianti, blackened plum. 

L’Staj Liquid Lipsticks:
A wild card entry! These lipsticks are available online only, via the L’Staj website. A niche brand catering only for lips, their small shade collection is of an outstanding quality for the price, and is available in packs to further save dollars. I often receive compliments for these colours.
Favourite shades:
Lady Cheeky, pastel lavendar. 
Lady Lovely, classic, soft pink. 

Mac Evening Rendevous Lipstick:
This limited edition reddish toned purple landed in 2015, and instantly became a favourite shade. I’d be sad that it’s limited edition if it weren’t slightly less awesome than Men Love Mystery, one of my favourite lipsticks of all time.

Colourpop:
I would own many more Colourpop lip products if the shipping cost weren’t so expensive. I’m saving up for a mega-shop sometime in the future. I have the Lippie Stix in Lumiere, a collaboration with YouTube star KathleenLights, and three Lippie Pencils, in Lumiere, Grind and Leather, all of which I would recommend if you’re looking to experiment with colour without laying out for more expensive liners.

It’s been a long and treacherous wait, I’m aware, but the space between now and the hotly anticipate part three will be here faster than you can say “This mauve toned lipstick is definitely different than all those other mauve toned lipsticks I already own. I need it now.”

If you missed part one, which was all about the best eye products of the year, go back and read it here.

For a science lesson from a regular dude who likes to drink beer, and who won’t change his mind on anything, regardless on the facts set before him, click here. Science is a liar sometimes.