A super hydrating tinted lip balm that leaves a stain. Love it. Shocker. (Not.)
I’ve a long history of loving sheer, moisturising, glossy lipsticks (my never-ending love affair with MAC’s Huggables bears history to that). Whyever did it take me so long to pick up NARS’ Afterglow Lip Balm?! It took the lockdown, and the need for a quick pick-me-up (they don’t call it the lipstick index for nothing). So, spoiler: it’s the best lip product I’ve encountered for a long time. Here’s my NARS Afterglow Lip Balm in Turbo review!
What is it?
Nars:
Indulge lips in inviting shine and a hint of tint with Afterglow Lip Balm, featuring Monoï Hydrating Complex for smooth, supple comfort and a blend of antioxidants to help protect and condition lips. Swipe on a hint of high-shine color. Saturate with a surge of long-lasting hydration.
Nars
Ingredients
HYDROGENATED POLYISOBUTENE • TRIISOSTEARIN • POLYETHYLENE • SQUALANE • BIS-DIGLYCERYL POLYACYLADIPATE-2 • DIPHENYLSILOXY PHENYL TRIMETHICONE • ETHYLHEXYL METHOXYCINNAMATE • MICROCRYSTALLINE WAX/CERA MICROCRISTALLINA/CIRE MICROCRISTALLINE • SYNTHETIC WAX • COCOS NUCIFERA (COCONUT) OIL • GARDENIA TAITENSIS FLOWER EXTRACT • SIMMONDSIA CHINENSIS (JOJOBA) SEED OIL • PUNICA GRANATUM FLOWER EXTRACT • ISOPROPYL TITANIUM TRIISOSTEARATE • TOCOPHERYL ACETATE • SIMETHICONE • LAURYL PCA • BHT • TOCOPHEROL • SILICA • TIN OXIDE • PHENOXYETHANOL • [+/- (MAY CONTAIN/PEUT CONTENIR): MICA • RED 7 LAKE (CI 15850) • TITANIUM DIOXIDE (CI 77891) • YELLOW 5 LAKE (CI 19140)]
Texture/Formula
I was quite surprised that instead of a thin, slippery formula that I expected I got a rather firm, waxy-feeling one. There’re some oils in the formula, but also some wax, so it’s not particular surprising. I also like the inclusion of Squalane! I guess that’s one of the reasons that the Afterglow lip balm feels very nourishing. Also, apart from a minuscule amount of Tocopherol (Vitamin E), I find that both pomegranate and gardenia extracts don’t exactly scream ‘ANTIOXIDANTS!!!!’ to me.
What I’m saying is: for me, that claim is pure marketing speak. Forget about it, the balm is nice enough without that. Very unique, though: it’s scentless! Less unique: it IS a bit sticky at first. It’s not a weightless, slippery balm as I mentioned above – you will feel it on your lips. The plus of that is the serious moisturising power it has.
Application
While the balm feels firm and waxy at first, it warms up when you apply it to your lips (don’t carry it around in the heat or leave it in the sun!). It then glides easily across the skin. Depending on what shade you got, you might need a few passes to get the most colour payoff out of it. My shade, Turbo, is described as a cherry red. It’s a bright neutral red and is far from opaque – well, it’s a balm. If you’re afraid of wearing red lipstick, or if you’re a red lipstick addict and want a light option: then this will work for you, no matter your complexion. I find it truly versatile. It’s also firm enough not to feather on me, and I’ve played around with wearing it on top of liners where it works excellently.
Wear
The Afterglow Lip Balm wears longer than most lip balms because of its waxier texture. It’s by no means weightless, but that’s what makes it so incredibly moisturising.
Turbo also isn’t super glossy, but has a very nice shine. It holds up for about one hour when you’re talking and drinking, and, not surprisingly, it’s wiped out whenever you eat something.
Frequent re-application will also add up to a faint reddish shine, which I love, but if that’s not your thing, reapplying shouldn’t be on your schedule.
Worth it?! (Comparison)
This is hands down the best tinted balm I’ve EVER used. The only one that comes close in moisturising power might be Korres Shea Butter lip balm that’s colourless (and discontinued). Maaaybe also Nuxe’s Lip Moisturizing Stick (clear as well). Clarins Natural Lip Perfector is faaaaaaaar inferior, and Lumene’s Invisible Illumination Lip Balm is at the bottom of the pack (review), both in colour payoff and moisturising properties. Mac’s Huggables (discontinued) are more pigmented, but less moisturising.
I carry Nars’ Afterglow Lip Balm around with me in my handbag, because it’s so easy to reapply while on the go. It also lives on my desk, because it’s just so nice on my lips when I’m at home in my joggers. If there’s a colour that might strike my fancy, I WILL snatch it up in the future. Because of my personal taste, though, I wouldn’t bother with the very light colours: those are nearly clear, and I do want a pop of colour with my balm.
Where?
NARS online, counters and stores plus the plethora of e-retailers stocking NARS. It’s $28/€28 for 0.1 oz./3g.
Please note that this post is not sponsored in any way. We buy products ourselves, with our own money, and don’t accept exchanging goods or money for reviews. We are completely independent, and our reviews reflect that.
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