NARS Afterglow Lip Balm

This NARS Sur La Plage Lip Balm Set was a cart filler for a Nordstrom order a couple of years back. I guess I'd been curious about these for a while so that was a good opportunity to try out something new. The set came with three colors: the signature Orgasm, and Baja and Marbella.

All pictures taken in natural light without flash. 

 

NARS has been a cult favorite and folks have been raving about the brand for a long time. However, I'd always been annoyed with them, most of all for the vulgar and overtly sexual names. Yes, I know sex sells, but at some point, it just comes across childish and immature to me. So other than the rare item I received as GWP or as part of mini sampler sets, I haven't purchase any NARS products until recently. 

Anyhoo, both the shiny metallic packaging and the cut of the lipstick bullet very much reminded me of Lunasol. The formula was lovely as well, balmy, moisturizing, and with a glossy finish. I didn't love the sweet candy scent but I did like the minty and tingly sensation. There were lip balms and the colors were sheer and the finish is translucent, with some colors more so than others. I wouldn't pick up more colors though. Trying three was enough for me.

 

- Orgasm: NARS's signature color, a peachy pink with fine pearlized gold shimmers. Very pretty, although a touch pale on my lips. 

- Baja: bright fiery orange-red, the most pigmented one of the bunch, and more opaque as well.

- Marbella: pretty coral. 

 

From left to right: Orgasm, Baja, and Marbella.

Bonus: these lippies came in a reusable velvet-lined box that is perfect for jewelries! I use it for my brooches ^.^