Every year around this time, my regular weakness for red lipsticks turns into a serious condition, but even now, it’s usually treatable (with the careful administration of crimson cosmetics), except when I’ve been exposed to a jewel-toned red from NARS.
Then, the only cure is a tube of something like NARS Lipstick in Afghan Red ($24), a rich pinkish garnet. I tooled around town with this particular tube all weekend long, trying to keep the fever at bay…
To be safe, I should probably just keep it in my purse. 🙂
Never mind that my purse is already loaded down with compacts, other lippies, emergency cans of gravy and the occasional acorn, it never hurts to be prepared. Once you’ve been exposed to a shade like Afghan Red, you never know when another red lipstick episode will occur. Trying to predict them is like trying to forecast when terry cloth tracksuits will be back in style (read: impossible to know).
More Jackie than Marilyn, Afghan Red is a refined garnet. It says, “Bonjour, ladies and gentleman,” giving a slight wave of a cupped hand wearing pristine white gloves.
It’s not a color that needs to shout in order to be heard. Dab it on for a whisper light stain, or embrace opaque color by applying a single layer, as I did for these pics.
NARS Afghan Red rallies behind warm and cool skin tones, treating both with plenty of panache. With its silky texture, six-hour wear time and smooth formula, it feels like a dream on the lips. 🙂
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
P.S. What a day! Where the heck did it go? I feel like I just opened the curtains this morning, and then everyone’s Christmas lights were on.
I hope you had a nice one today. Mine wasn’t bad at all, but I’m still glad it’s over. It means I’m one day closer to seeing my family this weekend and eating some of my mom’s home cooking (YUM!).
Makeup Morsels says
December 19th, 2011 at 9:25 pmI can definitely relate! Every makeup shop/drugstore I go into lately, I go straight for the red lipsticks. Even though I already have plenty o__o
And now I want this one too zurghh! Afghan Red is just so classy. And gorgeous. I’ve never bought any lipsticks from NARS before, but this just knocked Dolce Vita out of the top spot on my wishlist.
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Britany B. says
December 19th, 2011 at 9:47 pmI’m so dumb. I can’t stop giggling because your handwriting made it look like “afghany red”. -_-
gio says
December 19th, 2011 at 10:58 pmWhat a pretty and classy red! It looks great on you!
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Diana says
December 20th, 2011 at 12:04 amOne of my favourite NARS reds, along with Transeurope Express and Heat Wave.
Anne says
December 20th, 2011 at 12:08 amLooks great! What would you say are your top 5 favorite red lipsticks?
Vonvon says
December 20th, 2011 at 2:26 amYou look gorgeous, Karen! Ever consider modeling as a career? 😉
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Jessica says
December 20th, 2011 at 3:13 amThat color is absolutely gorgeous. Of course, NARS is a bit out of my budget. :(You wouldn’t know of a similar shade by a drugstore brand, would you? 🙂
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Kate says
December 20th, 2011 at 4:40 amAnother gorgeous red, Karen! If it helps, I too get red fever the closer we get to the holidays. I think I try to combat the blahness of winter with a pop of rich color. I would also like to see a Karen’s Top 5 Reds post!
kiwikiwidragon says
December 20th, 2011 at 6:34 amThis color reminds me of Benefits Rush Hour, at least, that’s how it looks to me. Awesome color, I might have to check this one out!
Nina says
December 20th, 2011 at 7:13 ammy day was so-so …. i guess im chomping at the bit for the holidays to begin …
im liking this lipstick … it seems pretty and wearable!!!
heidi says
December 20th, 2011 at 7:14 amAm I crazy? This swatch doesn’t look red to me. Maybe because I’m looking from my phone? But its more like a rosy berry to me. That’s not bad. It looks very similiar to clinique Rose Aglow which is actually my all time favorite lipstick on the planet but its not what I’d call “red.” Very pretty though.
Emma RZ says
December 20th, 2011 at 7:36 amI am surprised to really like that colour. As you said, it looks universally flattering – although I think it leans cool.
Swathi says
December 20th, 2011 at 8:28 amI do not wanna seem crazy, but yes, I follow 50 odd blogs. And I still keep searching for new swatches of products I like.
That is how I found this.
Chris25 says
December 20th, 2011 at 8:34 amNARS makes so many pretty reds! I want this one (never mind the fact that I own a jillion reds).
Megan says
December 20th, 2011 at 8:59 amI may have to check this one out. NARS gipsy has become my absolute favorite color of the fall/winter. It’s also more of a berry tone. So beautiful!
DalaLuz says
December 20th, 2011 at 9:14 amVery nice red!
Yelena says
December 20th, 2011 at 9:18 amthat is a GORGEOUS color! i love it! and i feel the same way, one day closer to seeing my family! yey~ hope you have a great time seeing them.
Swathi says
December 20th, 2011 at 9:56 amIs my comment deleted ? I commented twice now. And the third comment got published but not the main two comments.
Sunny says
December 20th, 2011 at 12:02 pmIt looks a lot darker on your lips than in the hand/arm swatch! I really like how it looks, because it seems like a friendly vampy color for the faint-hearted vampy shade rookie! And seriously, you ROCK that hat!!! I wish I could look less silly in hats, but the majority of them makes me feel… well… silly 🙂
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Cindy says
December 20th, 2011 at 12:21 pmI loved the silver/gold ombre effect from the other post but this looks magnificent as well, and a lot more clean-cut. Is that silver with gold tips? Did you do that yourself or is it a nail decal. Must have!!
Marian says
December 20th, 2011 at 1:45 pmEverything looks great on you! I’m jealous!
Vijaya says
December 20th, 2011 at 2:16 pmThis is such a gorgeous berry! <3
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Caitlin says
December 20th, 2011 at 3:38 pmI’ve read both your reviews on NARS and drugstore lipsticks- do you think that NARS is still better? I tried Roman Holiday yesterday at Sephora and loved it, but do you think NARS lipsticks are easily duped? Do they stay on longer?
Kim says
December 21st, 2011 at 4:38 pmWhat a beautiful red! Karen, please alert me immediately when terry track suits are back in fashion because you know I’ll be all over that trend. 🙂
Karen says
December 21st, 2011 at 4:42 pmThey never quite seem to go away! I always see them at the airport. 🙁 My least faves are the ones with the writing on the butt.
Rozae says
December 23rd, 2011 at 7:09 pmI’m sold to almost anything that has is name close to my homeland 🙂 even though it’s outta my price, never have enough red lipstick!