I love this lipstick! This was the first red lipstick I ever purchased and although it was a bit pricey for my liking I would definitely buy this again because it was worth every penny! I am an NC50 and to me this color really works well with my complexion. It's not too bright - nice and semi-matte - creamy and it lasts a long time. Throw some gloss over it and it's over!!! Gotta turn in some recyclables so I can afford another one! :)

I'm about NC50 and I LOVE this red. It's not garish or brick-y. This is a perfect vampy, deep red. I can't say if it's moisturizing or not because I use copious amounts of balm/salve before I put anything else on my lips and I top with a sealant to prevent it from feathering, so I don't know of that is an issue. What I do know is that is dangeroulsy red and everyone tells me they love it.

One of my favorite reds. Long lasting and not drying at all. You can layer it on for a bold look or lightly dot it on for a stain. Both looks would last for hours. I would repurchase

Although a beautifully vampish colour, this product was phenomenonally drying on the lips: ouch!

Well, this is just... wow. I mean, WOW. I can't believe I never tried this shade before. I kept hearing about it, I kept reading that Fire Down Below had a cult status, but I never considered that it would work for my pale complexion. Recently, I noticed that my favorite NARS lipsticks (Rouge D'Enfer and Rouge Basque) had been phased out or had been limited or something. At a local Sephora, I checked the boxes of the Semi-Matte colors to look at the ingredients. The same ingredients I loved were there: Acai Berry Oil, Hyaluronic Acid, Fruit extracts, Irvingia Oil, Kaolin. I looked at the tester for Fire Down Below and my eyes actually went wide. It looked so red! It looked so dark! It looked so intense! It looked so bloody!
I'd heard that Mr. Nars himself had specifically created the shade to resemble blood. So I tried the tester on my lips. I fell in love instantly. It was so perfect. Those other reds I'd mentioned were forgotten. Fire Down Below is, on me, a deep, dark, vampiric crimson red with no real distinctive undertones. I think I can see hints of maybe brown, wine, maybe pink, but I could be mistaken. All I know is that it is just incredible. This is a rich, bitten red, a flushed red to beat out all other bitten reds. This is the kind of red actresses in vampire films might wear. The formula is very creamy, rich, and smooth, and stains nicely. It's not drying at all, especially when applied over balm. I just wish I knew where the name came from!
I have quickly and officially decided that NARS' Fire Down Below has become My Red Lipstick Of Choice (alongside BareMinerals' Red Zin Natural Lipstick, MAC's Dubonnet Amplified Creme Lipstick, Aveda's Cherrybud Nourishment Lipstick, Aveda's Maracuja Uruku Lipstick, and Revlon's Crimson Colorburst Lipstick). Not just because of the color, but because of the acai berry and hyaluronic acid to make my lips healthier!

i LOVE this red. it's perfect for spring. my only complaint is that it is terribly matte and dry. i remedy that by adding a coat of gloss on top and it's good to go. this works really well with my skin tone, which is a brown similar to gabrielle union.

I've had this for awhile because it is part of the Wild at Heart palette, but I haven't really used it until recently. This is the best red I've tried. In the pan (or tube), it looks like it would be too brown, but on my lips it just translates to a gorgeous deep red. Somehow it looks almost natural on me despite its vampy color. I love reds and have a lot of them but I've never found one that works this well with my skintone. I love the finish of NARS semi-mattes, they are matte but still have a bit of creaminess to them. I also like using this as a stain. I'd recommend using a lip brush with this one to apply.
Even though I have this in a palette I like it so much that I think I might have to buy it in tube form, too!
For reference, I am NC30/NC35 with yellow/olive-y undertones and dark brown hair.

After having this for two years I finally got the oomph-lips with this one. I ordered online, and tried this few times to realize that it is a way too dark for me, I look like a goth. I'm very fair skinned with yellow undertones and green eyes. My hair is dark, now more cool toned and purple than two years ago. Today I applied FDB again, with MAC Brick liner, and with A BRUSH, which I didn't do before, and that's the reason it was too dark, drying, and looked like dried blood after somebody punched you. This colour is really unique and beautiful, and goes well with my fair skin. Highly recommended if you have yellow undertones, and don't want to wear only warm-orange toned lipsticks, and cool-blue toned make your face yellow. Just take some time and apply with a good liner and brush.

I absolutely adore this lipstick! I searched for months for a deep red lipstick and found it in Fire Down Below. I wear it by itself for daytime wear and I mix it with a darker lipstick or lip liner when I'm looking for a nighttime look. One thing is that it can be drying as it is matte so I always make sure my lips are well moisturized while wearing it. This lipstick is a bit pricey (I believe I paid about $25 at Sephora) but it's the perfect brownish-red shade.

This is basically my signature red. It's a very vampy, deep, blood red that i absolutely adore. If your shy when it comes to bold dark colors on your peckers, i would not order this without seeing and or trying it on in person first. I personally can go year round with it, though it is a stellar shade for the fall winter months. And as a heads up, this lipstick does have a pretty matte consistency, so if you don't like mattes..i wouldn't recommend. To me, mattes are just so sexy...love love love me some matte lipsticks ;} But yeah....very sophisticado of a color. I Love It.

I'm very picky about my reds, and this one I hated. It's too dark. I found it to be more brown than red. It's a muddy color. I ordered this online and the description was misleading. So when I first opened it I was very disappointed. Even more when I put it on. I returned It the same day.

This is my HG RED. Hands down. I have been hunting for this color for ages! I am so glad that I found it. I love it. I tried it on the other night in Sephora's and let me tell you. I just kept putting it on. It's perfection. It's got a matte finish to it, and it's got a great staying power, and I love how beautifully smooth it glides on.
Too bad it was sold out in the store AND online. But I will get my hands on it. Believe you me. I cannot wait to have this in my possession! Such a stunning color. So beautiful to wear also.

Update: Still love this! Still HG! A little too dark for summer, but will be sporting this baby on Labor Day (as I put away my white slacks)!!
My HG!! I now have 3 HG Lipsticks!! Fire Down Below, Shanghi Red, and Lizard Red--all by Nars!! These sexy, deep neutral reds have changed my life! I get long wear from them, and it's BECAUSE of their consistency!! I always place a drop of jojoba oil on my lips and let it soak in for about 5 mins before applying ANY lipstick. I use a lipbrush to get the perfect coverage. Total strangers have asked me 'what gorgeous color are you wearing', and my male friends perked up and took notice (that's an accomplishment!!)!!
These lipsticks have NO fragrance, and NO seaseme/nut oils (important for those of us with severe allergies)!! It costs LESS to invest in these 3 AMAZING shades (yes, $24 a pop), than to pay $3 - 12 a pop on INFINITE other products that give me allergic reactions and/or just plain suck!! Life is SHORT! Buy the RIGHT lipstick and just ENJOY all those admiring looks!! BTW, for MAC-only girls, Dubonnay (sp) is a very close match; I first bought Dubonnay (sp), but it had seaseme oil, and I ended up having to use my Epi-Pen and have a hospital visit.
EDIT: After a using this product for a week straight, my lips developed a rash. I looked up the ingredients (all used the scientific names--NOT the ACTUAL names), and found out this has Rose Oil in it (listed as a term that does NOT resemble the words 'rose oil'). Since I'm allergic to roses, I guess I'm lucky I got to wear it as long as I did. I'm STILL going to wear it for special occasions...but will put on a layer of primer and cortisone creme before using...and after removal as well. WHY DON'T COMPANIES USE THE 'ENGLISH EQUIVALENTS' FOR FLOWER OILS, NUT OILS, & SEED OILS? It's H*LL for those of us with allergies that are NOT Chemists!!! continued >>

This color is stunning. I have long assumed that I would not be able to pull off red. Then I discovered that the problem was the tones of red that I was trying. This color is a deep, almost velvet red, which is exactly what I am looking for. The lasting power is fantastic. I rarely eat a meal to discover that my lipstick looks exactly how I left it. The price is not pleasant, but understanding considering the brand. Overall, I am highly pleased with my purchase and would buy again.

Edit- removed two lipsticks because the wear is really poor for me. This is so thick and matte that it feels really heavy on, like I'm wearing tights instead of pantyhose. It also doesn't last very long and wears off in the middle first-- generally my red mattes are selected for quality to avoid this. Disappointed with NARS. Too bad the colour is so gorgeous and perfect on me, or else I might be tempted to ignore this in favour of red mattes that aren't so high maintenance.

///Original Review: Great red to add to my arsenal. I agree with a reviewer below that this is the colour of *dried* blood. Nosebleed blood. It's not HG but ranks second with Clinique Red Drama (a bluish dark red), both behind YSL Opium Red.
It's very neutral, which is quite difficult to find in a red. As a PPP reds often turn fuscia on me (which is fine, as fuscia is flattering with my dark hair, but not the look I seek in a red!) and with my cool tones I dislike too much orange. Fire Down Below manages to hit the middle range with aplomb-- unlike any others, really.
This is best worn with a balm and liner. (EDIT- as per above remarks, even those preventative steps don't stop this from being overly drying and short-lived)
All in all, I am somewhat satisfied and would recommend this lipstick with some reservations.
Nw15, brown hair, light brown eyes.

I was looking to treat myself with a daring red lipstick and came across this one. I did not buy it the first time around because I freaked out at the Redness of this lipstick and also it felt really dry. The gal at another Sephora had me put a lot of lip balm and then I tried it again and I fell in love. I must say that this lipstick needs a lot of work...prep and maintenance. Not something you can put on while walking out the door and go eat a hamburger in. The color is gorgeous, glamorous, matte, true red. Moisturize for hours before you put this and a mirror to keep checking its status is a must. It tends to dry the lips and the receding line is too obvious (and looks tacky) because it is matte and dark. It is a lot of work but wearing red lips replaces having to wear eye make-up and fancy accessories that we women tend to take so much time to pick. When you are wearing this, all you need is a LBD or even jeans and white t-shirt, diamond studs and you will look like a million bucks.

Another red lipstick lover here! I used to buy them all the time! This has to be one of the best I've found. It's a true deep red that doesn't pull fuchsia against my NC25-30 asian skin. (FYI, I'm yellow toned with a touch of olive.) I'm not going to call it HG but it's close. :)

I love this warm brick red lipstick. It makes me feel like Frida Kahlo on the cover of Vogue. Its so sexy. I love that this lipstick formula does not bleed but I'm not a fan of the dryness. Thats the only flaw but I can put up with that for glamour, LOL! I would recommend this red for any skintone. It's that flattering! The packaging is amazingly chic. I love this color for perking up my complexion.

The best shade of red NARS has!! I love it!
it can be a nice sexy brick red color or you can keep building it on and get a vampy darker seductress look with it. You cant go wrong!
I would choose this anytime over "scarlett empress"
BUT...AND I HATE THIS SOOO BAD
its sooo drying :(
im gonna have to take away a lippie for that. Unless you have a lip primer or a bit of conditioner for ur lips under...its gonna make ur lips look sooo dry!
gorgeous color though.
I like NARS packaging. So small but sturdy.

My favorite shade of red (and I've used many many many shades)!
Like the reviews below, I wouldn't say this is a blood red (like moon fleet/indian red lip stain...which I loved but returned due its horrible staying power). However, it's a very pretty dark red..not too dark, but not blue or orange based either. Staying power is wonderful and it doesn't smudge easily.
My only complaint is that it's extremely drying (like most NARS lipsticks). If you have slightly dried lips, it will accentuate that. Moisturize and exfoliate before using this!