Nars Belle De Jour Lipstick Review, Photos and Swatches!

Nars Belle De Jour Lipstick

Nars Belle De Jour Lipstick ($24) was one of my older favorites that has been sadly neglected in exchange for new and flashier colors. If you're a lover of nude lipstick, you may have been acquainted with this shade before, but for those who haven't, let me introduce you two.

Belle De Jour is a sheer, nude beige with warm undertones. It's the particular nude that had many running to stores to purchase a tube after Kim Kardashian mentioned it was her favorite nude lipstick in an interview a few years back.

I have many nude lipsticks, but not all of them are flattering on me. I think one of the main keys to wearing nude lipstick (aside from finding the right nude for your skintone) is finding a shade and formula that isn't going to erase your lips, but slightly lighten them a couple of shades. I know we all love pigment in the makeup world, but when it comes to wearing a lipstick shade that's lighter than your lips, lots of pigmentation can lead to a very unflattering result. (Hey, Is that milkshake on your lips?)

A Subtle Nude

I love that Belle De Jour isn't your average chalky nude. It doesn't make me look ill or washed out. It's funny how your coloring really plays a factor in the way certain colors appear. Without a tan (NC15-20), this color looks too orange on my lips - pinker nudes work better on my lighter skin. When I'm NC30-40, the pinky beige tones come out more, and I like it so much more.

Here it is applied on my lips. I applied a few coats to show the color better, but normally I'd wear one sheer coat.

Comparisons

I expected to find a perfect dupe for this lipstick in my collection, but I didn't find any (that I swatched, at least - there are others I didn't swatch such as MAC Creme De Nude, Revlon Nude Attitude, NYX Pumpkin Pie, etc.) that matched. It's almost a cross between MAC Freckletone and Myth. 

It's not such a unique shade or a real must-have for me, but I love the consistency of Nars Lipsticks and for the Nars fanatics out there, this might be a shade that would interest you.

The Round-up

Pros:

• The texture is very creamy and smooth
• The color is sheer, but buildable
• The finish is shiny
• Flattering on tan skin, and those with yellow/golden/olive undertones

Cons:

• Might not be flattering on some complexions - specifically those who can't typically wear warm shades with yellow/orange undertones 
• The lasting power isn't the best, and due to it's creaminess, it's possible to go through a tube quickly if you re-apply several times a day
• Accentuates dryness, as most nude colors do

Price: $24, Sephora.