NARS x Christopher Kane | Neoneutral Lip Glosses

As my first post back from my holiday (where I decided to basically unplug, hence the unnatural quiet on the blog), I bring you the 4 luscious shade from the NARS x Christopher Kane Neoneutral Collection (CAN $31.00 each, limited edition). This collaboration draws inspiration from Christopher Kane’s aesthetic of combining neons with neutral hues in unexpected and refreshing ways – but what makes the bold colours of these glosses totally work on everyone, is the fact that they’re sheer in application.

The glosses come in a rectangular tube with a transparent body to clearly display the colour of each shade, while the applicator is of the angled sponge/doe-foot variety for ease of application. I detect no discernible scent, but I recommend you ask for a full ingredient listing at the counter (as these are press samples, I don’t have that information on hand).

NARS x Christopher Kane | Neoneutral Collection Lip Glosses

Nucleus is a milky pink/nude shade that bears enough pigment as to not appear totally transparent when applied. Since Nucleus has a tendency to settle in lip lines, it’s best when worn over a matching lipstick; barring that, any settling issues will eventually work themselves out during wear, but the trade-off will be less colour upon the lips. Wear time is approx. 2 – 2 1/2 hours, which is average for a pale gloss such as this.

NARS x Christopher Kane | Nucleus Lip Gloss swatch

Nebulous is a warm-leaning Creamsicle shade of orange and definitely nowhere near as über-neon when applied. Orange can be a tricky colour when worn on the lips, but the silky texture and softened hue of Nebulous eliminates any issues. Almost as if by magic, there manages to be enough colour deposited upon application to give a gorgeous tint and lush look to lips (I count that as a bonus). Wear time is about 2 – 2 1/2 hours, longer when applied over a matching lipstick.

NARS x Christopher Kane | Nebulous Lip Gloss swatch

Glow Pink appears more lavender-like in the tube (although my photo above gives off more of a pink vibe), but comes across as a sheer fuchsia when applied, with the colour deepening as it develops – leaving a rosy stain behind when most of the glossy part has worn off. What looks like the most vivid shade of the four, Glow Pink is a beauty contradiction: almost transparent in finish but with long-lasting colour. Sorcery, I tell you. Wear time is two-sided, with the glossy part fading after about 2 1/2 hours, although the stain left behind can go on for at least 6 hours +.

NARS x Christopher Kane | Glow Pink Lip Gloss swatch

Mezmer is described as a watermelon hue and while the tube colour meshes with that, upon the lips it definitely appears more rosy (at least, it does on my lips – which are rather pigmented to begin with, so bear that in mind). With excellent pigmentation for a sheer gloss, Mezmer can also be layered over a similar lipstick for more impact, although be warned: this shade develops with wear and intensifies, leaving the strongest stain behind of the four — which is absolutely gorgeous! Wear time is the longest of the bunch, going easily 4 hours (the glossy part) to 7+ (the stain portion).

NARS x Christopher Kane | Mezmer Lip Gloss swatch

NARS x Christopher Kane | Mezmer Lip Gloss swatch with gloss worn off, showing stain shade

Unless the shade is super colour-saturated and requires care in application, I tend to reach for glosses over lipsticks, mainly because they’re a swipe-and-go type of product, and can be applied without needing a mirror (I can be lazy that way). The beauty of these Neoneutral shades, is how they seem to morph upon application; all but Nucleus deepen as they go and leave a stain behind on the lips, basically keeping the colour alive long after the shine has gone. The NARS formula is also one that I really like, as it’s not too sticky or slick-feeling, leaving a well hydrated feel upon the lips as well. The only minor disappointment here was Nucleus primarily when worn solo; that being said, it totally redeems itself when applied over a matching shade. If you usually steer clear of neons, I suggest you give this collection a try – it will not only surprise you, but in all likelihood convert you over to the [sheer]bright side.

The limited edition NARS x Christopher Kane Neoneutral Collection is available now through Sephora and sephora.com, thebay.com (links provided for convenience), Holt Renfrew stores across Canada, as well as narscosmetics.com