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Tuesday 30 April 2013

Currently Obsessed: NARS Satin Lip Pencil in Majella

Hi, all! Those of you who know me personally will know that the past few days have been extremely difficult for me. I pondered taking a break from blogging, but decided against it. This blog has been excellent therapy for me in the past, so I'm deciding to stick with it!

And I'm sticking with it in fun fashion, as I'm here to introduce my latest Current Obsession! If you saw my recent Wishlist Post, you'll know that I've had my eye on the brand-new, ultra lovely NARS Satin Lip Pencils. I own a couple of NARS' Velvet Matte Pencils (uber-matte, rich colours) and Velvet Gloss Pencils (sheer, juicy shades) and love them both. The Satin Lip Pencil formula is a bit different. Neither glossy nor matte, they offer bold shades and an easy to wear formula that leaves a slightly shiny, satin-like (duh!) finish.


The Satin Lip Pencil range offers 13 stunning shades that are unique, yet instantly flattering. Because my budget wouldn't permit me to leave Sephora with the entire collection, I had to pick just one. I ended up swooning the most over the incredible Majella. Described by NARS as "Garnet", Majella is a slightly warm, rich red with both berry and subtle brown undertones. It is deep, but not vampy, red, but not quite classic.

Here's a peek at the pencil itself:

NARS Satin Lip Pencil in Majella

And swatches! Here is Majella on its own, against my NC15-20 skin tone:

NARS Satin Lip Pencil in Majella (in natural light)

And here is Majella swatched beside NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Cruella (left) and NARS Velvet Gloss Lip Pencil in Baroque (right). While the colour comparison is interesting, I found that the photos best display the difference in texture.

As you can see, the Velvet Matte pencil is a true matte, with zero sheen, while the Velvet Gloss pencil is much sheerer and has a pronounced glossy finish. Majella's Satin finish lies somewhere in between. More of a glow than the matte formula, but more pigmented and decidedly less shiny than the gloss formula:


Comparison between NARS' Velvet Matte, Satin, and Velvet Gloss Pencil Formulas
Shades (L-R): Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Cruella, Satin Lip Pencil in Majella, Velvet Gloss Lip Pencil in Baroque
(L-R): Cruella (Matte), Majella (Satin), Baroque (Gloss)

This is what Majella looks like on my lips. As with the swatches, you can see that the formula is pigmented and smooth with a slight sheen:

NARS Satin Lip Pencil in Majella

And in the context of an entire makeup look:


Obviously I'm totally smitten with this (wouldn't be featured in my "Currently Obsessed" series if I wasn't!), but here's a full breakdown of the benefits and drawbacks of this product:

Pros:

  • Rich, pigmented colour- a little goes a long way!
  • Super easy application
  • Perfect compromise for those who don't want to commit to a full-on matte formula but still want something with impact
  • Incredibly long-wearing. Very few touch-ups required!
  • The satin formula makes lips look fuller without having to go full-on glossy
  • Amazing selection of unique, yet wearable shades!

Cons:
  • At $30 this definitely isn't cheap, so it may not fit everyone's budget (though as I said, a little really does go a long way!)
  • After a couple hours, some of the satin finish is lost, making this look more like a matte formula
  • Even though this is long-wearing, it isn't smudge-proof (so watch out if you're kissing anyone! ;))
  • It can be ever-so-slightly drying on the lips by the end of the day, but nothing a touch of balm can't help!

And a few more shots for good measure!






So overall, I am totally pleased with this! The shade is like no other red lipstick in my collection (and that's saying a lot!) and the finish is so flattering on the lips and goof-proof to apply. The formula is not quite perfection (can be slightly drying and lean a bit too mate, given it's not a "matte" product), but the pros far outweigh the cons for sure! I've been wearing this constantly since I bought it a couple weeks ago.

Is this a shade you would wear? Have you tried any of the other NARS Satin Lip Pencils yet?

Thanks for reading! xo

54 comments:

  1. This red colour is amazing! Beautiful!

    Kisses from Hong Kong,
    Nicole

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    Replies
    1. Thanks, Nicole! It's my new favourite :)

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  2. love the color and it look absolutely gorgeous on you. I must get some of these have really heard great things about them. xx. gigi. food and beauty blogger @ www.gigikkitchen.blogspot.com

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    1. Thanks so much! The formula really is fantastic :)

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  3. oooh I wanna try :)

    My Blog here www.islandchic77.com

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    1. Definitely worth a try! The formula is top-notch! xo

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  4. Ooh I love Nars, and this looks gorgeous!
    Sorry to hear you're going through a difficult time, I agree that blogging can be a great help when times get tough.

    Emily x - prettypleaseprettyplease.blogspot.com

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    Replies
    1. If you're a NARS lover, the Satin Lip Pencils are definitely worth checking out. And thanks for the supportive words! xo

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  5. That is amazing pigmentation wow!! Lovely colour choice. Is it subject to smudging all day or is it just the few minutes after you've applied it?

    http://talisbury.blogspot.com/

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    1. Thanks! The colour transfer happens mainly within the first few minutes, but since it's so pigmented and not necessarily a "long wear" product, it will transfer to coffee cups, etc. hours after applying, but not too badly!

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  6. I love the color! but yes a "cons" is the price, but it looks lovely xx

    www.lam-style.blogspot.com

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    1. Thanks, Maricruz! Yes, definitely not cheap, but super lovely! xo

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  7. I've been debating the satin lip pencil for a little while now. I may have to take the plunge now. It looks beautiful on you!

    xo Kate
    Fashaholics Anonymous
    www.fashaholicsanonymous.com

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    Replies
    1. Thanks, Kate! Definitely worth the plunge, in my opinion :)

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  8. I saw these in Sephora the other day and they look so nice! Majella is a great color on you :) I hope you're doing okay... I definitely think that blogging is therapeutic!

    Ellie | Ellalogy 

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    Replies
    1. Thanks, Ellie! Definitely loving the formula and shade selection. And thanks so much for the supportive words <3

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  9. Oh wow how lovely!! and although the finish ends up matte I think I could deal with it!! xx

    curlsandmindy.blogspot.com

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    1. Yes, definitely not a big complaint! Thanks for the kind words, Mindy! xo

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  10. These look really lovely on! :)
    Kelouise xo

    http://thebellelavieproject.blogspot.co.uk/

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  11. love the color!! you looks good with it :)

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    1. Thanks very much, Yoong! It's my new favourite shade :)

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  12. this is super! such a sophisticated color! really suits you!!!!!
    i stay here, love your space

    www.malesclutch.blogspot.com
    Sergio,

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    Replies
    1. Aww, thanks so much, Sergio! I'm loving the shade and so happy that you're liking my blog! :)

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  13. woww.. love the shade!

    Thank you so much for your lovely comment on my last post :)

    Maybe you have time to see my new blog post: To your Heart's Desire

    Participate in my International Giveaway Two winners would get $20 GC each from StyleGodis :)

    Love
    Akanksha

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    Replies
    1. Thanks, Akanksha! Will visit your blog again soon :)

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  14. This looks so beautiful on you Jen! I really want this now haha.

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    1. Aww, thanks, Christine! Happy to have enabled you ;)

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  15. That IS lovely, and really unique! I see a trip to Sephora in my future :). Thanks for all the awesome comparison pictures!

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    1. No problem, Jasmine- glad you found all the pictures helpful! This is definitely worth checking out! Thanks for stopping by :)

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  16. Oh it looks so perfect on you! The texture looks sooo creamy and pleasant.

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    1. Thanks so much! The texture really is lovely :)

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  17. The colour really suits you!
    Fashion Ganache.
    http://fashionganache.blogspot.com

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  18. Wow! Now THAT'S a red! It's stunning x

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    1. Aww, thanks, Coco! It might be my favourite red shade ever :)

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  19. Brilliant bright colour i do love a red lipstick!! Nice swatches

    Carrieanne x

    http://imjustalittlepixie.blogspot.co.uk/

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    Replies
    1. Aww, thanks Carrieanne! Glad you found the post helpful! xo

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  20. gorgeous colour, looks so nice on the lips!

    Chloe Witty

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    1. Thanks so much, Chloe! I really am loving the shade and the formula is super lip-friendly! xo

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  21. Aww, always so happy to inspire and enlighten! The colour range is super impressive- everything from pale nudes to deep, vampy shades. If you're liking bright shades lately, the line has a perfect hot pink shade called Yu. Definitely worth checking out!

    And thanks for the support- the bf and I broke up of the weekend, so things have been tough. But luckily I have amazing friends, who have been incredible! xo

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  22. Such a gorgeous, striking colour and it looks really nice on you!

    Kathryn x

    http://enclosedbeauty.blogspot.co.uk

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    1. Aww, thanks so much, Kathryn! It's one of my new favourite shades :)

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  23. I really like your red lips! Nice color!

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  24. This looks really great on you! I've heard a lot about these NARS lipstick pencils.. I'm giving a friend who is going on holiday near a NARS counter a list soon, might not be able to resist one of these ;-)

    Don't quit blogging! I really like your thorough reviews and I hope your blog can pull you through the difficult times your having. Hang in there! Better days ahead.. x

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    1. You should definitely check these out! Totally worth it :) And thanks for the supportive words; means so much that you're enjoying my blog! Blogging really has been great therapy through tough times :)

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  25. Majella looks beautiful on you. I feel the same about taking a break from blogging, I think I'm going through a bit of a personal crisis but I hope you don't quit blogging.
    xx

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    1. Thanks so much, Wanischa! I hope things are better for you soon! I really find that blogging has helped me during rough times :)

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  26. What happened??? Why did you want to quit? Hope that everything is at least better if on great by now...

    As for the rest of the post: I wear lip pencils instead of lipsticks too! They last longer and I have one by Manhattan (x-treme last) that's almost exactly the same shade. You put it on and it stays there, period. Except it's very drying. I don't know if it's just this brand or are all pencils like this... You tell me, you're the expert.:)

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    1. Ooh, I'm tempted by the Manhattan pencils you mentioned; but yes, long-wearing products often dry out the lips. The Satin Pencils from NARS are a great antidote for this, still quite long-wearing but not fully matte so they feel pretty comfy on the lips!

      And I was considering a break from blogging because my boyfriend and I broke up last week. A sad, tough time for sure, but decided to keep up with the blog because it's been good therapy :)

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All of your lovely comments make my day! Thanks for taking the time to share your musings, ideas, and opinions. Feel free to leave a link to your blog- I'd be happy to check it out :)