Saturday, July 27, 2013

Someone Like Yu

My last HQhair order contained not just NARS Satin Lip Pencil in Biscayne Park, but also Yu. It was an immense struggle to pick just two colours, but any more would've been too much damage to my wallet. I was set on the nude Biscayne Park, but allowed myself to pick just one more pencil. I was so close to choosing the coral Lodhi or pinkish-red Luxembourg (and even contemplated the deep garnet Majella), but in the end, my eternal devotion to pink prevailed, and Yu was placed into my cart.










l-r: Maybelline Vivid Rose, Revlon Fuchsia, NARS Yu, Revlon Smitten, MAC Chatterbox

Yu is a bold dark pink with raspberry and fuchsia tones. On my lips, it's darker and more muted than expected. It's not the bright, vivid, shocking pink that I thought — it's closer to a dark, reddish magenta that almost drains my face rather than brightens it. Like Biscayne Park, I honestly don't think the colour is anything special, despite how incredibly good the texture of the NARS Satin Lip Pencils are. I find it too dark for the daytime (unless lightly applied over a lip balm and blotted with a tissue), but not bright and eye-catching enough for going out at night. For the evening, I prefer something either distinctly darker and moodier (like Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Crush) or happier and more neon (like the Maybelline ColorSensational Vivids or MAC Viva Glam Nicki).

Unlike Biscayne Park, Yu does leave a stain when it's taken off. I actually prefer the colour of the stain mixed with a bit of clear balm for a sheerer, lighter version of the full opacity of the pencil. It just looks fresher, more easygoing and youthful. The NARS Satin Lip Pencils are on the softer, creamier side compared with the drier, harder texture of the Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stains. The Revlon Balm Stains have much longer staying power (especially the ultra-staining Sweetheart and Smitten) and less transfer. The pigmentation of the NARS is unreal and they're comfortable and lightweight on the lips.

Despite the superior quality of the pencils, the colours are very dupeable. Pulling out a few shades that I suspected would be similar to Yu, it looks like Revlon ColorBurst lipstick in Fuchsia is the closest, though it's a touch darker and less pink. Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Smitten is a bit more purple and applies more patchily, it's also less opaque and not as bright as Yu. MAC Chatterbox is the most dissimilar, it's lighter, dustier and more pastel in quality, not as fuchsia, more of a coral yellow-pink. Maybelline Vivid Rose clearly lives up to its name — it's far brighter, more red, not as purple. Given Revlon Fuchsia and Revlon Smitten are close enough to Yu once on the lips, I don't feel Yu was a particularly good selection. Maybe I should have opted for Lodhi instead...

40 comments:

  1. It looks so luscious! Wish I could pull off a hot pink on my lips, looks great on you ♥

    http://itsjessicachoy.blogspot.com/

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  2. I want Lodhi too! I'll just wait for your review on it... *nudge wink nudge*

    xo runbarbierun.com

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  3. I've been lusting after Lodhi too... It's a shame you already had such similar shades in particular that Revlon one.. At least the quality of the NARS isn't questionable!

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  4. It looks beautiful on you! And the formula sounds really nice too :) xx
    xtouchofbeautyx.blogspot.co.uk

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  5. I have one of the Matte Lip Pencils from NARS, but that one caught my eye!
    Kissu*

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  6. You do have a strong devotion to pinks! I much prefer the tint + balm lip combo rather than a full coat of a lipstick/pencil straight on as well, but then again it is Nars, and you gotta get your money's worth (and stress from waiting's) wear out of it!

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  7. It looks so close to the MaxFactor Colour Elixir Giant Pen Stick in Vibrant Pink- a gorgeous bright that surprisingly flatters most. I feel I give the Revlon JBKBS too much credit than they're due- I bought Sweetheart in the latest Priceline sale and the texture isn't as good as I remember. I can imagine Yu being a great colour for a night out, but you seem to already have plenty of options. ;)

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    1. I think the JBKBS work better with some kind of balm underneath and mixed in with it. On their own applied straight to unprepped lips, they're really quite drying and they wear so unevenly. The texture of the JBKBS can be a bit patchy and it's not as smooth and creamy like these NARS ones - which are so pigmented but so soft and emollient but not mushy, if that makes sense. Have you ever swatched them at Mecca? I think I was just so impressed with the texture when I first swatched them that I just wanted a couple in my collection purely based on that :p Sadly the colours were a bit disappointing, but the quality at least makes up for it :)

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  8. LOVE this color! I know it looks really bold and fab on YU ;) !

    Joyce @ carouselstreet.com

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  9. It looks so bold and creamy on you!
    I love it!
    What do you use for your background to take photo's?
    it looks so nice!

    Velia | Cocoamourr

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  10. Ughhhhhh such a shame that this one wasn't a hit either!! Seriously my heart is bleeding for you with makeup regrets. As much as I love (like you) the texture and formula of these pencils, it does seem like the colors are quite dupe-able based on your ability to pull out such similar colors from your stash :/

    ♥Cassie
    thriftthick.blogspot.com

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  11. Awww! This happens with all of us often to wish we would've bought another one! :(
    It still looks nice and I love how you do the comparison swatches! :) x

    Jasmine Catches Butterflies ʚϊɞ

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  12. I have Yu, I love it and can't rave about it enough! I have sharpened mine a couple of times and it mades me said to see it getting smaller! I do wish it was a turn up instead! I love the colour though :)

    Katie xx
    www.katiesworld.blogspot.co.uk

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  13. Like you said, quite common color but still sooo stunning!

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  14. I've been hearing loads about these satin lip pencils from NARS lately! This colour looks so beautiful! :)

    http://jemaroons.blogspot.com

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  15. I've always wanted to try a NARS Satin Lip pencil, but I feel like I would waste a lot of product by sharpening it. I'm one of those people who likes pointy tips at all times. I know *issues* haha.

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  16. while the color is not so unique, the texture looks like it feels amazing!

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  17. Gorgeous colour!!!

    Kimberley x

    www.kimberleysbeautyblog.com (currently running an international MAC giveaway)

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  18. oh it looks beautiful! it might be a bit too 'blue toned' for my complexion but on your lips it looks more muted..
    I'm going to Paris next month and they have NARS there so I'll def take a look at this lip pencil and NARS blushes ^^

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    Replies
    1. Oooh, how exciting! I'm planning on going later on in the year :) Would love to hear more about your Paris adventures when you get back!

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  19. Its a beautiful colour and all but really easily dupeable, especially with the drug store selection you found. Though that colour really suits you so I don't blame you for having as many as you do. c:

    xo.Janiecy.xo|A Beauty, Fashion & Lifestyle Blog

    xo, Janiecy

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  20. Haha creative title! Stunning shade!

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  21. I really love the NARS lip pencils but I have never tried a satin one, only mattes so far. Anyway, this shade is really pretty :)

    Isabela x

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  22. I love the colour comparisons you always do, so handy ! And what a gorgeous colour, these lip pencils look absolutely amazing ! Great post

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  23. Pretty colour, but not good to hear that both colour choices aren't a good fit for you =(

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    Replies
    1. Lol I know right, these were seriously not thrilling. And I waited 2 months for them :\ Should've tried at Mecca before ordering blind (well, from Internet swatches). Le sigh.

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  24. I have yet to try NARS lip products, the only one I have is the Velvet Gloss Lip Pencil which was a sample. Too bad the colour wasn't what you expected, but I think it still looks good on you! :)

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  25. This is such a beautiful color, but I can see why you might not love it. I recently purchased some lip colors that looked gorgeous swatched and in the tube, but the color just didn't quite translate... I feel you.

    <3 Carolyn

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  26. Although the shade is very dupable if the quality is a lot better I'd buy nars! I love how it looks so moist on your lips! I've not been loving my revlon kissable lipbalm at all recently!

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  27. wow, the shade is so pretty! ^_~

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  28. I am desperate for a Nars pencil!
    I am the same with having so many variations of the same colour!

    xoxo

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  29. Such a fun, bright shade! And it looks amazing on you! :)

    ~ Yun

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  30. This is the sort of pink I run away from, but I've recently been convinced to give bright fuchsia another try. Will have to scope this out! I don't think it's that close to the other lipsticks in your stash, so I'd rest easy. ;)

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    Replies
    1. The new Bourjois lip crayon in Fuchsia Libre is really similar I think! At a more economical price point too :)

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  31. texture wise, nars satin lip pencil is the bomb!! im loving every bit of Yu.

    it's unfortunate that the colour isn't a good choice for you, i guess it's too cool tone.
    pretty sure you'll look amazing in luxembourg / lodhi . :)

    x

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  32. the color and texture of that looks so pretty on your lips! i totally agree about the color though! I want to try some of the NARS satin lip pencils now!
    love the name of this post btw ^^

    à la foliee

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