I'm going to start this post off with a big fat apology, because it seems as though Sephora doesn't have this set anymore. I'll be periodically checking Sephora's website to see if it comes back, and if it does, I'll edit this post to include the link. But I figured since everything included in the set can be purchased separately (ie there are no exclusive shades or anything), it would still be helpful to do a mini review of every product included. When I first saw the Give Me Some Nude Lip set I snapped it up right away. I think even if you've only caught one or two of my posts you'd know nude lips are kind of my thang.
The set was an amazing deal, being only $28. In it comes a full size NARS Lipstick in Dolce Vita ($28), a full size Nudestix Lip + Cheek Pencil in Whisper ($24), and minis of the Tarte Tarteist Lip Paint (full size $20), Laura Mercier Creme Smooth Lip Colour in Milky Way (full size $28), and the Marc Jacobs Poutliner Longwear Lip Liner Pencil in Prim(rose) (full size $24). So really, you're buying the NARS lipstick and getting everything else for free. I told you it was an amazing deal. I even already have the full sizes of the Marc Jacobs lipliner and the Laura Mercier lipstick in those same shades, but I couldn't pass this set up.
I'll start by saying that these nudes are a little bit lighter than I'd typically wear. For comparison, my typical "nude" shade in the Nudestix pencil is Mystic, which is a tad darker than Whisper. Still, none of these make me look dead - their tones are spot on, so I don't feel uncomfortable with any colors in the slightest. It's a bonus that the lip liner is a bit darker, so it adds a bit of dimension and deepens the shades a little when worn underneath them.
I've spoken about my love for the Marc Jacobs Lip Pencil before - Prim(rose) is pretty much the best ever "my lips but better" shade for me. When I went to the Bite Beauty Lip Lab in December, I even brought it with me to make a shade that matched. It's got a really lovely creamy formula, so it doesn't feel as drying on the lips as, say, a MAC one would, but it somehow majorly outlasts any other lip pencil I've tried. I think it's magic or something.
I was pleasantly surprised with the Tarte Lip Paint. I had heard some not so great reviews, but I really like it. It has one of those light, mousse-y formulas, kind of like the Nyx Soft Matte Lip Creams. It also feels nice and minty on the lips. It doesn't fully set so while it won't last you all day long like some other liquid lipsticks, it also doesn't make your lips uncomfortably dry. I found that on me, it only wore off when I was eating, so I don't have a problem reapplying after that. And since it doesn't fully set, you will get some transfer, but because of the lightweight formula, it's nothing too messy. I really want to get my hands on a couple more shades - I've got my eye on Tbt and Hangry.
I've also gone on about my love of the Laura Mercier lipstick in Milky Way - purchasing it sparked my Brown Lip Edit. It's the prettiest brown with a little bit of a cool tone, so it makes for a really unique color. I love layering it over a more pink lipliner, like the Marc Jacobs one.
I'm a huge fan of Nudestix. The pencils are handy, oh-so-creamy, and yet they stay put. Whisper is an absolutely gorgeous nude shade that's not too pink but not too brown. It's actually a very similar color to my lips already. I've been loving layering it with the Mystic shade - putting Mystic all over and then applying Whisper to the center of my lips for a little bit of ombre action.
Last but not least is the b-e-a-utiful NARS Dolce Vita. I've actually had this sitting on the wishlist note I have on my phone for the longest time. It's a lot more sheer than I was expecting, but I love a good sheer lipstick - they're more wearable to me. It leaves the prettiest tinge of dusty rose to the lips that goes with absolutely anything. I'll definitely be breaking this one out for my Valentine's Day makeup.
Did you get the chance to grab this set? What's your favorite nude lip product?