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NARS Unsung Heroes: Afghan Red Lipstick

December 19th, 2011 by Karen 26 Comments

nars afghan red (2)

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 (4)

nars afghan red (3)

nars afghan red (1)

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!).

The NARS Unsung Heroes series features some of my favorite products from the NARS permanent collection
  • NARS Unsung Heroes: Afghan Red Lipstick
  • NARS Unsung Heroes: Mata Hari Blush
  • NARS Unsung Heroes: Luster Blush
  • NARS Unsung Heroes: Lovejoy Blush
  • NARS Unsung Heroes: Pro-Prime Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base
  • NARS Unsung Heroes: Amour Blush
  • NARS Unsung Heroes: Gothika Lipgloss
  • NARS Unsung Heroes: Taos Blush
  • NARS Unsung Heroes: Night Star Eyeshadow
  • NARS Unsung Heroes: Madly Blush
  • NARS Unsung Heroes: Dolce Vita Lipstick
  • NARS Unsung Heroes: Greek Holiday Lipgloss
  • NARS Unsung Heroes: The Kalahari Eyeshadow Duo

NARS Unsung Heroes: Afghan Red Lipstick / Originally published December 19th, 2011

There are 26 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Makeup, NARS, Unsung Heroes Keywords: nars, unsungheroes

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Makeup Morsels says

    December 19th, 2011 at 9:25 pm

    I 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.
    Makeup Morsels recently posted … A Very Merry DIY + Affordable Holiday Gifts

    Reply
  2. Britany B. says

    December 19th, 2011 at 9:47 pm

    I’m so dumb. I can’t stop giggling because your handwriting made it look like “afghany red”. -_-

    Reply
  3. gio says

    December 19th, 2011 at 10:58 pm

    What a pretty and classy red! It looks great on you!
    gio recently posted … Product Review: Hermes Voyage D’Hermes Fragrance

    Reply
  4. Diana says

    December 20th, 2011 at 12:04 am

    One of my favourite NARS reds, along with Transeurope Express and Heat Wave.

    Reply
  5. Anne says

    December 20th, 2011 at 12:08 am

    Looks great! What would you say are your top 5 favorite red lipsticks?

    Reply
  6. Vonvon says

    December 20th, 2011 at 2:26 am

    You look gorgeous, Karen! Ever consider modeling as a career? 😉
    Vonvon recently posted … Random Post: Friday Crunchie

    Reply
  7. Jessica says

    December 20th, 2011 at 3:13 am

    That 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? 🙂
    Jessica recently posted … Buzzing Around the ‘Net

    Reply
  8. Kate says

    December 20th, 2011 at 4:40 am

    Another 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!

    Reply
  9. kiwikiwidragon says

    December 20th, 2011 at 6:34 am

    This 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!

    Reply
  10. Nina says

    December 20th, 2011 at 7:13 am

    my 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!!!

    Reply
  11. heidi says

    December 20th, 2011 at 7:14 am

    Am 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.

    Reply
  12. Emma RZ says

    December 20th, 2011 at 7:36 am

    I am surprised to really like that colour. As you said, it looks universally flattering – although I think it leans cool.

    Reply
  13. Swathi says

    December 20th, 2011 at 8:28 am

    I 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.

    Reply
  14. Chris25 says

    December 20th, 2011 at 8:34 am

    NARS makes so many pretty reds! I want this one (never mind the fact that I own a jillion reds).

    Reply
  15. Megan says

    December 20th, 2011 at 8:59 am

    I 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!

    Reply
  16. DalaLuz says

    December 20th, 2011 at 9:14 am

    Very nice red!

    Reply
  17. Yelena says

    December 20th, 2011 at 9:18 am

    that 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.

    Reply
  18. Swathi says

    December 20th, 2011 at 9:56 am

    Is my comment deleted ? I commented twice now. And the third comment got published but not the main two comments.

    Reply
  19. Sunny says

    December 20th, 2011 at 12:02 pm

    It 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 🙂
    Sunny recently posted … FOTD: Purposefully Pink with Urban Decay Naked Palette

    Reply
  20. Cindy says

    December 20th, 2011 at 12:21 pm

    I 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!!

    Reply
  21. Marian says

    December 20th, 2011 at 1:45 pm

    Everything looks great on you! I’m jealous!

    Reply
  22. Vijaya says

    December 20th, 2011 at 2:16 pm

    This is such a gorgeous berry! <3
    Vijaya recently posted … Influenster’s VoxBox Holiday 2011

    Reply
  23. Caitlin says

    December 20th, 2011 at 3:38 pm

    I’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?

    Reply
  24. Kim says

    December 21st, 2011 at 4:38 pm

    What 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. 🙂

    Reply
    • Karen says

      December 21st, 2011 at 4:42 pm

      They 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.

      Reply
  25. Rozae says

    December 23rd, 2011 at 7:09 pm

    I’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!

    Reply

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Welcome to Makeup and Beauty Blog
Hi there! I’m Karen, your friendly neighborhood beauty addict, and I’m a Bay Area girl who hoards brown eyeshadow and covets coral lipstick. Every morning, I wake up and say, “I’m going to do something other than a smoky eye today.” Then…I end up doing a smoky eye anyway (most days). When I’m not putting on makeup, taking pictures of makeup or writing about makeup, which I’ve been doing daily since 2007 (!), you’ll find me hanging out with my hubby (“El Hub”), my four-year-old daughter (Connor Claire) and my torbie girl cat (Pretty Girl Rosie, a.k.a. PGR).

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