I’ve been a NARS devotee for a long time and have always loved their lipsticks, so I’m not entirely sure why it took me so long to discover one of their cult favorite lip products for myself. I’m glad I finally did though, because Dolce Vita is a beauty!
It’s one of those little black dresses of the lipstick world — incredibly versatile — and imminently capable of making you look polished and chic.
Colour and texture
Dolce Vita is a sheer, my-lips-but-better dusty rose that flatters a wide range of skin tones, in my opinion, although on pigmented lips it can appear a tad too sheer to show up well.
As a moisturising, balmy lipstick, it’s one of my favourites when my lips are feeling dry. Wear time is fairly modest at around 2 hours on me, which is about average for a sheer lipstick.
I think it looks great with…
MAC Subculture lip liner (a medium nude), MAC Dervish (a medium rose nude) lip liner, both available at maccosmetics.com, look amazing with Dolce Vita.
Dolce Vita on the left; Chanel Rouge Coco Shine in Boy on the right
Possible dupes…
NYX round lipstick in Tea Rose shares a lot in common with Dolce Vita. Both have a similar muted rose colour, but Tea Rose has more of a creme/satin finish than Dolce Vita’s balmy glaze, and I do find Tea Rose to be much more drying on my lips.
On the other side of the price spectrum, Chanel Rouge Coco ‘Mademoiselle’ (another favourite of mine) could pass as a full-coverage, satin finish sister of Dolce Vita.
You’ve gotta love the names NARS comes up with for products. They’re often cheeky, and they always seem to come with fascinating back stories. In an interview with W magazine, Francois Nars (the creative genius behind the brand) reveals that most of his products are inspired by films and books, e.g. All About Eve, Belle Du Jour, Roman Holiday and of course Fellini’s La Dolce Vita.
Is it wrong that I watched the Hitchcock film Casablanca specifically because I’d just bought NARS Lipstick in Casablanca? Probably best not to tell my film buff friends about that, lest I get disowned.
Price and availability
Dolce Vita retails for $58 AUD in Australia; $24 USD in the US, and you can find it in places that carry NARS, as well as online at narscosmetics.com and sephora.com. Aussies can get NARS online from meccacosmetica.com.au.
Written by Jenny
Jenny is a beauty blogger, lipstick addict, and crazy cat Momma from Australia. She enjoys working as an optometrist, banging out tunes on the piano, concocting DIY skin care products, watching scary movies, and watching funny kitten videos on YouTube.
Lori says
June 18th, 2011 at 2:54 pmI love my-lips-but-better colors…
By the way; whats this blush you are using? =)
Jen W says
June 19th, 2011 at 7:05 amHi Lori! I love MLBB colours too, can’t get enough of them 🙂
I’m wearing Illamasqua powder blush in Hussy
Jen W recently posted … Skin Care Saturday- MooGoo Full Cream
Jackie says
June 18th, 2011 at 3:30 pmIt IS a beautiful lipstick and the quality is amazing, but it didn’t work for me. 🙁 I’m pale and lean towards being cool toned and it just pulled too red-orange on me. The pink seemed to be lost. However I did give it to my sis-in-law who is much warmer than me and she loves it and looks amazing in it. 🙂 Good review though and it looks lovely on you. 🙂
Jen W says
June 19th, 2011 at 7:07 amWhat a shame it didn’t work for you Jackie, I’m surprised it turned out red orange on you! Glad it’s getting some love with your sis in law though 🙂
Jen W recently posted … Skin Care Saturday- MooGoo Full Cream
BeccaTheCyborg says
June 18th, 2011 at 3:43 pmThe colour is amazing on you! I need to pick that up.
(I think your film buff friends would be more aghast that you said Casablanca was a Hitchcock movie, Michael Curtiz directed it.)
Jen W says
June 19th, 2011 at 7:08 amOMG! *dies of shame*
let us never mention this again 🙂
Jen W recently posted … Skin Care Saturday- MooGoo Full Cream
Larie says
June 18th, 2011 at 3:49 pmBeautiful! It is such a gorgeous color, and seems like it would go with everything.
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Jen W says
June 19th, 2011 at 7:09 amGlad you like it! It really does go with everything. Such a versatile colour IMO
Jen W recently posted … Skin Care Saturday- MooGoo Full Cream
Ada says
June 18th, 2011 at 3:49 pmThat IS really pretty! A lot of My Lips But Better shades tend to be too pale, but this is nicely deep enough for me 🙂
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Jen W says
June 19th, 2011 at 7:13 amMe too! Most ‘nudes’ are too deathly pale on my complexion, Dolce Vita works really well because it is so natural looking, but has a rosiness to it
Jen W recently posted … Skin Care Saturday- MooGoo Full Cream
Jessi says
June 18th, 2011 at 4:17 pmThis looks just like my type of lipstick! I’ll have to check it out, thanks for the post!
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Jen W says
June 19th, 2011 at 7:14 amyou’re welcome! Let me know what you think, if you do end up getting it 🙂
Jen W recently posted … Skin Care Saturday- MooGoo Full Cream
StealMyHeartLove says
June 18th, 2011 at 5:41 pmGreat post Jenny! I want to try out a few NARS Lipsticks.
Jen W says
June 19th, 2011 at 7:15 amThanks lovely. I must warn you- NARS lippies are VERY addictive 🙂
Jen W recently posted … Skin Care Saturday- MooGoo Full Cream
Jessica says
June 18th, 2011 at 6:24 pmYay Jen! She is an absolute favorite of mine! What a lovely lippie!
♥ Jessica
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Jen W says
June 19th, 2011 at 7:16 amOh hello there Jess! *waves* It’s a gorgeous lippy, and would absolutely beautiful on your complexion.
Jen W recently posted … Skin Care Saturday- MooGoo Full Cream
Dovey says
June 18th, 2011 at 9:58 pmDolce Vita is sky-high on my wishlist. I’ve always thought it looked a little scary in the tube, but it looks like a great my-lips-but-better when swatched. What a nice review!
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Jen W says
June 19th, 2011 at 7:17 amI agree, it doesn’t really look that appealing on the tube, but once swatched it really comes to life.
Jen W recently posted … Skin Care Saturday- MooGoo Full Cream
yuri says
June 18th, 2011 at 10:18 pmit looks super natural on you
Jen W says
June 19th, 2011 at 7:18 amThanks Yuri! It does look quite natural- one of the things I love about this lippy.
Jen W recently posted … Skin Care Saturday- MooGoo Full Cream
Red Lips, Black Hair says
June 18th, 2011 at 11:10 pmBeautiful!!! Wow!
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Jen W says
June 19th, 2011 at 7:20 amThanks Red Lips 🙂
Jen W recently posted … Skin Care Saturday- MooGoo Full Cream
Stacey says
June 19th, 2011 at 1:39 amJen! I didn’t know you were guest posting here… CONGRATS 😀 XOXO
Jen W says
June 19th, 2011 at 7:21 amThanks Stace, and THANKS KAREN!!
Jen W recently posted … Skin Care Saturday- MooGoo Full Cream
Suzanne says
June 19th, 2011 at 1:48 amAs a sidenote, all this fuss over Chanel ‘Boy” makes me think I might have to dip my toe into high end waters and buy my first Chanel product. Scared, oh so scared…
Jen W says
June 19th, 2011 at 7:22 amTrust me, once you try Chanel, you will never look back. Fact.
Jen W recently posted … Skin Care Saturday- MooGoo Full Cream
Me my best and I says
June 19th, 2011 at 2:35 amJen W- great to see you guest blog here. your lipstick choices are always divine, this is another that follows suit. looks fabulous, will have to investigate further in person.
Jen W says
June 19th, 2011 at 7:23 amThanks hun! Definitely check Dolce Vita out, it’s so flattering across different skin tones.
Jen W recently posted … Skin Care Saturday- MooGoo Full Cream
Arianne says
June 19th, 2011 at 6:40 amGreat post, Jen! 🙂 I like how you wore the rest of your makeup to complement this lipstick. Beautifully done!
Jen W says
June 19th, 2011 at 7:25 amThanks Arianne. I actually wore this makeup to work that day, so I’m glad you like it 🙂
Jen W recently posted … Skin Care Saturday- MooGoo Full Cream
Sasha says
June 19th, 2011 at 8:11 amThis is spot on for my-lips-but-better shades. I am making a list right now of what to buy when I go back to the NARS counter next week, as I am still very new to this line.
Thank you for sharing, Jen! I use MAC Cosmo as a my-lips-but-better lipstick, then I finish it off with MAC Viva Glam VI lipglass for some sheen. What do you think of MAC Cosmo?
Jen W says
June 19th, 2011 at 11:55 pmI haven’t actually tried Cosmo on my lips, but the swatches I’ve seen look gorgeous! Thanks for sharing Coco, I’m going to have a better look in person next time I’m at the MAC counter.
Jen W recently posted … Skin Care Saturday- MooGoo Full Cream
Marie says
June 19th, 2011 at 2:09 pmThanks for the review, it’s very helfpul.
I love my Dolce Vita lipgloss, but this is tempting.
Jen W says
June 19th, 2011 at 11:56 pmYou’re welcome Marie! Thanks for reminding me to try the Dolce Vita lipgloss next time I’m at NARS
Jen W recently posted … Skin Care Saturday- MooGoo Full Cream
Marie says
June 20th, 2011 at 5:05 amYou’re welcome. 🙂
I find the Dolce Vita lipgloss pretty pigmented compared to the lipstick. I’d love to hear what you think about it. 🙂
Jenna says
June 19th, 2011 at 6:59 pmI love the way you did your eye makeup too! What products/colors did you use?
Jen W says
June 20th, 2011 at 12:01 amThanks! I used:
– Urban Decay Primer Potion
– MAC Mystery + Print eye shadows to fill in brows
– MAC Satin Taupe eye shadow on lid to crease, and under bottom lashline
– MAC Omega eye shadow to blend at crease
– MAC Mystery eye shadow to darken outer V
– Bobbi Brown black gel eyeliner
Jen W recently posted … Skin Care Saturday- MooGoo Full Cream
Ana says
June 19th, 2011 at 7:39 pmI ran out and got this after seeing this post and I love it! It’s a great MLBB color on me 😀 I am not even a lipstick girl at all… I think I own 3… I don’t like the look of lipstick, but these NARS sheer lipsticks don’t look like lipstick to me – they are very balmy & sheer. Pretty pricey, but I may indulge in a few more shades 🙂 Oh, and you are so pretty, Jenny!
Jen W says
June 20th, 2011 at 12:06 amI’m so glad you love it! It’s so flattering, isn’t it? I agree about the price, especially here in Australia- $58! *gulp* but I think that when it comes to lipstick it’s worthwhile ‘investing’ in something that is good quality.
And thank you for the lovely compliment! Ego is loving it 🙂
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Linda says
June 19th, 2011 at 9:44 pmI just tried this on “AGAIN” @ Sephora, but still it didn’t make it into my shoppong bag! I don’t know why. I have ‘needed” this lipstick for quite some time now. But it is sitting in my shopping bag @ Nars.com right now as I type along with 10 other items mind you. Nars is offering free shipping also for a limited time with any purchase. Anyway this is a beautiful color, my lips but darker for sure. Still its very versatile, thats why I can’t figure I why I din’t have it yet. 🙂
Jen W says
June 20th, 2011 at 12:08 amI’ve been the same about this lipstick, it took me a LONG time to actually purchase it even though I tried it on a million times before that. I think that Dolce Vita doesn’t really show up very well in harsh indoor lighting, but in natural lighting it’s just gorgeous.
Jen W recently posted … Skin Care Saturday- MooGoo Full Cream
Gauri says
June 20th, 2011 at 8:42 amOMG! So Excited!! I ♥ Anything Rose!
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Jen W says
June 20th, 2011 at 5:52 pmMe too! Rose coloured products rock my world 🙂
AnneMarie says
June 21st, 2011 at 12:06 pmI love the color on you! I think my next trip to Sephora I will definitely look for it… I’m a lipstick junkie – always in search of the perfect color – and I love this one. Love your blush, too!
Jen W says
June 23rd, 2011 at 8:38 pmThanks lovely, I hope you like it if you end up going to Sephora
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