NARS • Lipstick in Dolce Vita • Lipstick

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Rumrumrum on 5/18/2013 11:30:00 AM more reviews by Rumrumrum

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brunette, Medium   Eyes: Black    

This barely made three stars.
I bought this after it had been on my Sephora wish list for ages. Finally, during the 15% discount code week I snatched it up and almost wept upon application. All this time! The hopes, the fantasies, the nights on which I dreamt about the lipstick sitting on my vanity, beautiful, and loved beyond means! Only to be disappointed, disenchanted! OK, not really but you know what I mean. I understand it's a sheer formula but what I didn't expect was for it to be colorless, essentially. I have fairly pigmented lips and this lipstick looks literally like my lips but better. Ever so slightly better.That's not good. If I wanted my lips to look the way they are I would leave them alone. I'm going to use this as a lip balm to help even out the tone of my lips but I don't think I'll be repurchasing and I definitely won't be repurchasing at full price. I think the product is decent but there are a few drugstore products that do the same thing at a much more reasonable price. Oh, and this is the first time I realized, with the heaviness of consumerism weighing down my bank account, packaging is almost everything. If the tube was ugly I would return it in a heartbeat. Still debating whether I should or not...

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liss29 on 5/17/2013 9:30:00 AM more reviews by liss29

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Medium Brown   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Brown    

I'm a NC30 skin tone with darker lips. I found the lipstick to actually lighten them a little bit without it looking unnatural (which can happen with my colouring). The result gave me a fresher and brighter face. I think that this is a really great sheer neutral lipstick that will help give a subtle polished look.

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mysilentface on 4/28/2013 3:59:00 PM more reviews by mysilentface

Age: 30-35   Skin: Sensitive, Fair-Medium, Neutral   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

I've kept a tube of this in my purse for the last couple of years. It's my go-to lipstick when I want a clean, no fuss look. Feels very comfortable on the lips and I get about 2 hours of wear time. I haven't found any dupes that match the color and texture of it, so I feel it's still totally the price tag.

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SaffyS on 4/10/2013 2:36:00 AM more reviews by SaffyS

Age: 36-43   Skin: Other, Medium, Warm   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Brown    

I am a huge fan of Nars lipsticks. It is the brand I wear the most. I especially like Nars sheer lipstick line. Dolce Vita, however, was too sheer on me. It matched my own lip color so perfectly that no one could tell I was wearing lipstick at all. In the tube, it's a lovely dusty rose, on my lips it disappeared completely. It was not the MLBB shade I was hoping for. I have a medium warm-toned complexion. I found that Nars Falbala is my MLBB shade. Dolce Vita, meh.

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antolin1 on 1/16/2013 7:33:00 PM more reviews by antolin1

Age: 36-43   Skin: Dry, Fair   Hair: Black, Coarse   Eyes: Brown    

Ok, guess I am the odd [wo]man out on this one here as I am just not impressed with this shade. now I purchase a ton of nudes and I feel like this one is totally overhyped as an HG shade. I def think its completely overpriced for what it is- a basic, just there translucent nude shade. Admittedly I might have liked this more if it were more creamy and less sheer. Color payoff just isn't anything to write home about; its so basic that I am positive if I looked around enough I'd easily find tons of near match doupes for Dolce Vita at a fraction of the cost. Dare I say I found Dolce Vita really boring? I just am not feelin' this shade for its price-point and hype.

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*TOP REVIEWER* Menolikepolos on 12/11/2012 6:54:00 AM more reviews by Menolikepolos

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Fair, Neutral   Hair: Brunette, Coarse   Eyes: Blue    

NW10-15 (neutral-cool toned, very fair), blue eyes, Color season is True Summer, Baumann Skin Type is OSPW.

Eh. I keep trying to "make it work" (Tim Gunn!). For some reason, this just comes off looking strange and I end up looking pale. I think there is just a hint too much warmth in this red for my skin tone.

Also, L'Oreal Colour Riche Balm in Plush Plum seems very similar. Not sure if it's a 100% dupe though. Formula is moisturizing too.

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Aceberg on 11/21/2012 11:01:00 PM more reviews by Aceberg

Age: 25-29   Skin: Oily, Dark, Warm   Hair: Black, Wavy, Fine   Eyes: Brown    

Absolutely love this lippy. I use everyday like a tinted lipbalm - it is moisturising and I love the natural colour. Colour tends to last on me quite well too. I also love the smell :-)

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OlivianaVS on 9/30/2012 4:01:00 PM more reviews by OlivianaVS

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Olive, Warm   Hair: Brunette, Straight, Coarse   Eyes: Brown    

I agree with the majority, this lipstick suits most skin tones. It's very sheer and not really buidable so it reminds me of a tinted lip balm. Color is natural, in my opinion even more so than the clinique's cult product 'black honey' which might appear too dark for lighter skin tones when layered. Lasting power could be better, that's why my search for the perfect natural daytime lipstick continues.

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saskiayu on 9/22/2012 3:05:00 AM more reviews by saskiayu

Age: 19-24   Skin: Sensitive, Fair-Medium, Cool   Hair: Brunette, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

I love the no makeup-makeup look and this is the best everyday lipstick formulation/shade I've tried. Probably not dramatic enough for evening but it is very naturally flattering during the day.

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iamjoelle on 8/31/2012 12:02:00 PM more reviews by iamjoelle

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Medium   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

A neutral-pink shade that's like your natural lip color but better. The formula is creamy and non-drying. It is a bit pricey, but worth the money spent.

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teacoffeecocoa86 on 8/26/2012 5:02:00 PM more reviews by teacoffeecocoa86

Age: 25-29   Skin: Very Oily, Fair-Medium, Neutral   Hair: Brunette, Wavy, Coarse   Eyes: Blue    

I like this lippie a lot, and that's basically because of the neutral shade. It's a "safe" shade, so you can wear it to an interview/appointment/school and it looks nice, your lips but better. I would repurchase this just because the shade is great for anywhere, anytime.

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*TOP REVIEWER* mecepeda on 8/22/2012 7:47:00 PM more reviews by mecepeda

Age: 36-43   Skin: Combination, Olive, Warm   Hair: Brunette, Wavy, Coarse   Eyes: Green    

There's a lot of hype around this lipstick, and I can see why. The formula is great - very smooth and moisturizing. The packing is typically sleek and practical NARS. As for the color, it's also of high quality. I would describe it as a straightforward, pinked-up brown minus any shimmer or frost...in other words, the perfect shade for those occasions when you need to play it safe (i.e., the office, job interviews) or when you simply have no idea what other lipstick to wear. Dolce Vita strikes me as a fantastic default lipstick, in other words. Unfortunately for me, however, my lips are so pigmented that it reads as a clear, very slight bit of gloss on my mouth. It's not unflattering, just simply non-existent. Some dark nude pencil and darker mauve gloss on top helps bring out some color, but I am of the opinion that any time I have to mess around with a lipstick so much, it's probably not meant for me in the first place. That said, I can picture Dolce Vita looking wonderful on a wide range of people. I won't repurchase, but I can understand why this would be an HG product for some.

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CiaraAinsley on 8/22/2012 5:14:00 PM more reviews by CiaraAinsley

Age: 18 & Under   Skin: Combination, Fair   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Blue    

Pros
-gorgeous, gorgeous, GORGEOUS shade
-works with all skin tones
-not scented/flavored (has a kind of fruit-loop-y scent and taste, but that's just the ingredients of the lipstick)
-subdued enough for work/school but works with more dramatic looks too
-moisturizing

Cons
-expensive
-wear time could be better (wears a couple hours on me- it's pretty good for a sheer shade but still)
-not enough product to last a super long time if you wear it every day. I've had mine a year, but I only wear it once a week or less.

Bottom line- if you're looking for an MLBB shade and don't mind paying for quality, this is the best of the best.


Bottom line- try it out!

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alextuthreefour on 8/18/2012 10:07:00 PM more reviews by alextuthreefour

Age: 18 & Under   Skin: Dry, Medium   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Brown    

Great MLBB color for me! It is sheer, which is great because it looks really natural and juicy (can that word even be used to describe lip products...?) As always, I am a huuuuuge fan of NARS packaging. It is so sleek and simple! I'm not a fan of the price, however, and I will hunt down the more affordable dupe. Until then, I will be repurchasing this lipstick because I just can't seem to put it down! Lovely!!

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katiebaby87 on 7/24/2012 4:38:00 AM more reviews by katiebaby87

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Fair, Cool   Hair: Brunette, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Blue    

This is a great lipstick for every day. I have very fair skin and prefer a soft, natural look for my 9-5 makeup, but I'm not really a fan of nude/super neutral lipsticks, and this warms up my complexion beautifully without looking too bright on my pale skin. It's also the only lipstick I keep permanently in my handbag that I can whip out for a mirror-free application straight from the tube (I normally only ever apply with a brush or my finger).

I totally agree, however, that the formula is kinda drying and not very long lasting. At AUD $37 (my god we get ripped off in this country) it's ridiculously overpriced. I picked mine up for half price online and will definitely look for a more reasonably priced dupe rather than repurchase.

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LuHu82 on 6/23/2012 8:42:00 AM more reviews by LuHu82

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium, Neutral   Hair: Blond, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Brown    

So, Nars Dolce Vita, I bought this on the strength of MUA reviews, online swatches and NARS reputation. I hadn't tried it in person as my nearest counter is a 2hr round trip away and so a pain to visit.


I am fair skinned, N15-20 (I am undecided on my undertone! I am fairly neutral leaning toward cool, I think.), assisted blonde (highlights) with dark brown eyes. My lips are naturally the same colour as the tube shade of Dolce Vita, however, once on my lips DV turns much pinker. It goes much more raspberry and somehow there are sheeny, tiny glittery particles visible in it that are not visible in the tube (it appears a totally matte, rosy nude in the tube). So I can't count this as a MLBB, unfortunately. The colour is just a shade too raspberry for me, though it is a nice, muted colour for days when bright shades feel a bit much.


It is pretty moisturising and the formulation is very smooth and comfortable to wear. I prefer MAC's cremesheen or Amplified formulas for staying power.


The price in the UK is £17.50 GBP (approx $27.50 USD at time of writing), which is reasonably expensive and £4 GBP ($6.20 USD) more than a MAC lipstick retails for here.


Given that 1) this colour isn't my MLBB, 2) MAC has a wider choice of shades, 3) I prefer their formulation and rather fortuitously their prices are considerably cheaper,
I won't rebuy from NARS and will look for my MLBB from the MAC range. If we could exchange MU in the UK (we can't for hygiene reasons), this would be going back.


Even though this review isn't exactly glowing, I've given this 4/5, though really it'd be a 3.5 / 5 if we could give halves, because the quality of the product overall is good, the colour just isn't perfect for me. The places I marked it down were price, moisturisation and wear time.

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Bebe1963 on 6/17/2012 3:55:00 PM more reviews by Bebe1963

Age: 44-55   Skin: Normal, Fair-Medium   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

Like Nars Orgasm rouge, this is still the best shade of natural-looking shade around for light-skinned girls. After years in the market, it hasn't been bested yet. Still the must-have shade for me.

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*TOP REVIEWER* Alexine on 4/30/2012 1:09:00 PM more reviews by Alexine

Age: 36-43   Skin: Dry, Fair, Cool   Hair: Brunette, Wavy, Fine   Eyes: Hazel    

Wow! This color is gorgeous! I have stayed away because of the price point, but I was at Sephora last week and the M/A gave me a sample and I couldn't resist buying it after wearing it for a couple of days. Just like everyone else says: MLBB color. The website describes it as a "sheer dusty rose," but I was afraid this would pull orange or brown and it doesn't. Others have described it as, "rosy-nude," which I think is completely accurate. It is a sheer finish lipstick and I think that's why this color/finish flatters both cool and warm tones.

I was concerned that there was less product because of the compact packaging, but Dolce Vita contains .12 oz/ 3.4 grams, which is the same amount Bobbi Brown lipsticks contain. I actually like the smaller packaging better.

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DaniRN16 on 4/20/2012 11:22:00 PM more reviews by DaniRN16

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium, Neutral   Hair: Brunette, Curly, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

Semi-sheer beautiful rosy-nude color. I don't know what took me so long to try this but I am in LOVE! My favorite MLBB is Clarins Rose Shimmer and it runs a little pink. This is like a rosier-nude MLBB. It's moisturizing on my lips and I have really bad chapped lips but I can see myself using this without any problems. The only downside is that it will require frequent touch ups.

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EnglishRoseAmongThorns on 4/16/2012 2:33:00 AM more reviews by EnglishRoseAmongThorns

Age: 25-29   Skin: Normal, Fair, Cool   Hair: Brunette, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Green    

This lipstick has pulled me away from Chanel lipsticks which I find at first are lovely but then become quite drying. I wanted so much for the new Rouge Coco in Mademoiselle to be my perfect MLBB shade but it turns orangey on me.

I bought Dolce Vita because I had heard so much about it and I am so glad I did! It gives the neutral, polished, rosey MLBB look that I wanted from Mademoiselle. Not only is it a better colour on my super pale, cool toned complexion (I have naturally rosey lips) it is so moisturising I find it better than most lip balms I have tried.

A winner all round for me.

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