NARS Orgasm Dupe? Try NYX Pinched!

There is no doubt about it that NARS Orgasm is one of the best and probably the most famous blush in all of makeup land. But the price isn't really as popular at $28 bucks a pop. I can remember a time when they were $25 a few years ago. So if you would love to try the infamous Orgasm but can't justify the cost, try NYX Pinched which is a super duper close dupe and about 1/5 of the cost. Currently at ULTA, NYX is buy 1 get 1 50% off which is a great deal. I am a big fan of NYX blush and eyeshadow and think they are by far the best quality "drugstore" items around. NYX Pinched shares the same peachy glowy goodness as Orgasm which makes it a perfect summer blush and really gives a nice sheen to the skin. If you're interested, have a look! 

Photo credit http://xxxbeautyredefinedxxx.blogspot.com

NYX Pinched, NARS Orgasm, and Makeup Mekka Sparkling Rose. Photo credit http://heidilarsenmakeup.com/?p=4681

Review for NYX Matte Lipstick in Nude

Photo from www.Luux.com

I really like matte finish lipsticks and so I was interested in trying the NYX Matte lipstick after seeing a a couple of swatches and hearing really good things about them. I was in ULTA today and luckily the NYX was Buy 1 Get 1 50% off which seems like the case every time I go in that store. I picked up "Nude" because it looked like a really peachy creamsicle type of color which is right up my alley. I also picked up the NYX matte shadow in Leather & Lace upon recommendation from a friend which looks like a really nice neutral pinky beige but I haven't swatched it yet. I tried the NYX lipstick on its own and over a lip balm because matte formulas do tend to be a bit drying. Overall, it has amazing pigmentation and applies really smoothly and opaque with a fairly thin consistency. However, it sinks into the cracks in the lips and magnifies any dry or peely patches you have going on. Even over a very nice hydrating lip balm. I tried to smooth out the cracks by smoothing out the lipstick with my finger but they return after you purse your lips together a few times. And I noticed when I smooth it out to a point that I can't see it in the cracks, its very sheer and thus becomes drying. The color is gorgeous and is similar to MAC Reel Sexy but less orange but I just think the overall formula and wear of the lipstick is what will prevent me from trying other shades. This formula really reminds me of the Revlon Matte lipsticks that are kind of tricky to work with and require a good lip exfoliation upon applying. As far as drugstore matte lipstick goes, I really like the Wet N' Wild MegaLast Matte and find that the formula is thicker which means they wear much better than NYX. I may try the NYX over a lip primer like MAC Prep and Prime which really gives a good base for applying lip color before I dismiss this product entirely but as a lipstick that you just throw on without multiple-step preparation, it fails.

Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Lip Color VS Tarte LipSurgence Stain

As I was watching EmilyNoel83 on YouTube last night talking about some of the latest products at the drugstore, my ears perked up when she described the Revlon Just Bitten Kissable lip color as similar to the Tarte LipSurgence lip stain. I have had a few of the Tarte LipSurgence lippies but most of them I procured through purchasing a larger set of products. But I've used them enough to know they really aren't amazing. I picked up the new Revlon Kissable lip stain today to see how they measure up to its Tarte counterpart. CVS only had a few colors left and they were all out of the nude shades I really wanted so I opted for Honey, which appeared to be a pale mauvey-pink, good enough I thought. I have to say, I really really like this Revlon product. Revlon, in my opinion, has been killing it lately on the lip product front. First the lip butters and now these lip stains. Go Revlon. So let's break it down bit by bit.

Revlon VS. Tarte

Shade Selection?

The winner goes to Revlon, they do a great job giving us a great shade range of nudes, pinks, berries, reds, something for every skin tone. Tarte shade selection is decent too but I think Revlon edges them out. The pictures above only represent a few of the shades, there are many more to the collection. It looks like the Revlon collection could have some possible dupes for the Tarte shades. I see that the fourth shade in the Tarte picture above (Moody) looks similar to the first one pictured in the Revlon picture above. As does the fifth Tarte shade compared to the third Revlon shade above. We'll see!

Photo taken from Musingsofamuse.com The shade Honey is the far right, which is the one I purchased.

The Texture, Consistency, and Feel?

Very similar to one another as far as the cool-minty scent but Tarte's is a bit mintier. They both apply so smoothly but where they differ is that the consistency of the Revlon has a bit more grab where Tarte is a bit slippery and tends to slide off quicker. The finish on the Tarte stain is glossier but both have a glossy finish that kind of dulls down as they wear and become more of a stain. 

Both products are smooth and moisturizing and then kind of sink into your lips to become a stain as time goes on. I didn't feel that either brand was drying at any point. 

Application?

Very easy for both. They each are shaped the same with the crayon type applicator that you twist up from the bottom to get more product. I really like these types of applicators and they really help get precise coverage so that you may not need a lip liner. I did not use a lip liner at any time I've used these kind of lip products. Like I said, Revlon edges out Tarte because it has more grab to it which helps the staying power. 

The Coverage/Formula?

Buildable for both. You can apply a sheer layer or keep going to get a deeper color. I will say that the shade Honey appeared to be a mauvey-pink going by the packaging but turned out to be a deeper pink tone on the lips and became darker as I applied more. The shade Honey was a matte, no shimmer in sight, and while it starts out glossy, it dries down to a matte-finish. I can't speak for the other shades but I also have Tarte Moody (I have a separate post on this, if you're interested click right Here) Cherish, and Enchanted and there is no shimmer in any of these shades.

Longevity?

The million dollar question. Are either brand really a lip stain? When I think of stain, I think of something that looks like you painted your lips with a marker that will crease and crack, dry your lips out, and look like a big mess. Neither brand ended up like this on my lips but I hesitate to call either product a stain. And I definitely give the lasting power award to REVLON. I always had trouble with the Tarte LipSurgence in that they looked nice in the beginning and then wore off unevenly and rather quickly. Given that Tarte applies glossy and slippery, it makes you wonder how they last throughout the day. Well... they don't. Revlon lasted me a good few hours at the pool until I opted to put on Maybelline Baby Lips for the SPF20 factor (love the peach one!) but I did not go under water so I can't attest to the water resistance, not that Revlon claims that it has these capabilities. 

It's a no-brainer, Revlon is cheaper and better in my opinion. Slightly less glossy than Tarte but better staying power and consistency. Can't wait to try more shades!