The NARS Pure Matte Challenge!

Finally, I have some time to post, and boy, do I have a lot to write about. Over the past week, I've bought Shu Uemura's Nourishing Hair Oil, Liz Earle light moisturiser, Rimmel's new lash growth mascara, Lancome's Teint Miracle foundation and a lovely capsule wardrobe for my trip to Rome next week: yey for shopping! So, that's the abridged version, and a little summary of the reviews you can expect over the next few days. Anyway, onto today's review: NARS Pure Matte lipstick! I was lucky enough to be invited to the Pure Matte launch at Selfridges, Oxford Street, and treated to a gorgeous application of my chosen shade from the range.

There are six shades in the collection, which is exclusive to Selfridges nationwide until 2nd October. The lipsticks are priced at £18.


From left to right: Volga, Vesuvio, Bangkok, Terre De Feu, Tonkin, Tashkent.

Above, I'm wearing Vesuvio, which is the most fantastically intense red I've ever seen! I also bought NARS' lipliner in Jungle Red as such a striking, heavily pigmented colour is bound to be prone to a bit of bleeding: never a good look. The liners are £14, but dupes will be readily available on the high street, although Jungle Red is outrageously beautiful and I am very glad I bought it!

Now, I make no secret of the fact that I have never been a lover of matte lips. I generally like my lips to be well moisturised and to always have a little slip. The thought of the heavy powder formulations that are so common in matte lipsticks has always made me reach for the Vaseline! For this reason, I decided to undertake the NARS Pure Matte 8 Hour Challenge! If I can manage to get through an entire day wearing a matte lippy, it's definitely got some decent credentials.

The product contains vitamin E, acai oil and a host of other nourishing elements, and I have to say, it really made a difference. It was 3.5 hours before I had to reapply, and that was only because I'd eaten a sandwich and transfered most of it onto the bread - not very appetising, I have to say!

However, look at my Starbucks straw below: only the tiniest bit had transfered from my lips!

Overall, I'm really impressed with this product, but then, I didn't expect anything less from NARS. I retouched my lipstick 3 times throughout the course of the day and got a comfortable 8 hours wear. The next day, my lips were a little dryer than normal, but nothing that a little more lip balm didn't fix. As for the colour, it's *phenomenal*. It's so pigmented, so intense, and really beautiful. If you're looking for an entry product to matte lipstick, or if you've had a bad matte experience, I'd take yourself to Selfridges and give these lipsticks a whirl. Although the range is currently small, there are more shades to be added, and the colours the six shades are so wearable, I'm sure there's something for everyone.

Will any of you be trying the NARS range?