NARS Cosmetics Audrey & Barbara Audacious Lipsticks (swatches & review)
This winter, NARS decided to forgo their usual holiday collection format and instead dressed up a few fan-favorite products in limited edition packaging. A lot of people were disappointed by that decision, but I honestly don’t blame NARS for making the collection easier to pass up. In my opinion, it was the most responsible choice the brand could have made in the middle of a global pandemic. #FOMO is a very real thing and it would have been a terrible time to encourage frivolous spending, even during the holidays. So, those who were planning to get a refill of their long-time favorites – like the Orgasm blush, Laguna bronzer, tinted lip balms, or select Audacious lipstick shades from the permanent collection – were able to do so and also enjoy the new festive packaging. And everyone else didn’t have to feel like they missed out. I think it’s a win-win situation!
NARS Cosmetics Audrey & Barbara all dressed up for the holidays in festive gold packaging!
Speaking of NARS Audacious Lipsticks ($34), these now-iconic lippies have been flying off the shelves since the day they first launched, and rightfully so. Many of us in the beauty community agree that this is one of the best lipstick formulas currently on the market! Audacious lipsticks come in 29 permanent shades plus the occasional limited-edition releases so there are a lot of options to choose from. I have collected a few of them over the years and recently added two more to my collection.
Audrey was my first choice when NARS Audacious Lipsticks first launched. I knew the shade would likely be a touch too dark for my complexion, but I wanted it anyway because it bears the name of one of my favorite actresses. Audrey is a warm-toned rosy plum with a satin finish that can easily pass as a true matte with a quick dab of a napkin. This stunning shade reminds me of juicy berries and aromatic mulled wine, which I associate with fall and winter. Audrey is opaque yet lightweight, supremely long-lasting for a classic cream formula, it doesn’t emphasize lip lines or dryness and actually keeps my lips lightly hydrated so they don’t feel parched at the end of the day. For me, this is a “going out” shade that I like to wear for special occasions and in dim light situations. As for my new daytime shade, here she is just below!
Barbara sits perfectly in the center of my comfort zone. I already own over a dozen similar neutral lipsticks in my collection and constantly add more because I actually use them a lot. Barbara is a warm-toned rosy beige, a beautiful YLBB – although, in all fairness, any color is better than my non-existent lip color, haha! – that has been my daytime go-to when I want to look put together but not overdone. It’s like that pair of your favorite white sneakers that looks good with everything. Just like Audrey, Barbara is pigmented, moisturizing, flattering, long-lasting, and can be easily transformed from satin to matte without losing color intensity.
Swatches (L to R): Audrey & Barbara. One swipe!
After trying nearly every shade and owning 12 of them myself, I’m convinced that NARS Audacious Lipsticks can do no wrong. This formula is an absolute dream for any lipstick lover and has all of the pros of a classic lipstick experience. At $34 a pop, they really are a splurge though, but at the very least I know you won’t be disappointed!
NARS Audacious Lipstick is available at narscosmetics.com, Sephora, and Nordstrom. Holiday shades are currently on sale here.
Have you tried this iconic lipstick formula? Which one would you pick for yourself: Audrey or Barbara?
