NARS Satin Lip Pencil in Het Loo
Product Purchased by IMBB
Hey Guys,
Ever use a product or watch a movie that’s been hyped so much that in the end you’re only let down? Well, that’s how I felt when I watched Queen recently. I love the music, love the cast, and haven’t come across one person who doesn’t love the film. However, it just didn’t blow me away the way I thought it would. Did I like the movie? Yes. But in the end it just felt like an enhanced version of English Vinglish to me (whose ending and romantic angle I didn’t like). On the other hand, I loved Bewakoofian – a film that’s been panned by critics and audiences alike. I thought it was glitzy, light-hearted and fun. My expectations for the film were so low, and it totally took me by surprise. Now I can’t wait to watch it again!
Unmatched expectations are always an issue for me when I try out hyped products. I’ve tried a couple of extremely popular products and been thoroughly let down. So, obviously, when I received NARS’ Satin Lip pencil in Het Loo as a gift from IMBB, I was filled with cautious excitement. I’ve heard so many great things about these pencils and I really didn’t want to be let down once I tried them myself. You can be assured that I put it to a rigorous test, and I’ve shared my thoughts on it below:
Product Description
According to the good people over at Sephora, NARS’ Satin Lip Pencil line is a “selection of high-impact, fashion-forward shades in a rich, creamy satin finish that stays on all day.” The pencil “dresses up lips in statement shades that seduce with rich, color-bright pigments, while drenching them in decadent moisture.” The “modern, long-wearing, vitamin-enriched formula for lips looks sumptuously saturated and dramatically defined.” Also a fun fact from them: “the Satin Lip Pencil Category shade designations are all named for parks and gardens around the world.”
The shade Het Loo is described as a “cognac” and is named after the Het Loo Palace Gardens in the Netherlands.
Price
$25 for 0.07 oz (for comparison the average lipstick at MAC is $16 for 0.10 oz).
My Experience with NARS Satin Lip Pencil in Het Loo
So, one of my makeup pet peeves for the longest time was the Indian woman’s fascination with matte chocolate-brown lipstick. Think of all the chocolate-brown lipsticks that our eyes were constantly assaulted with in the 90s and early 2000s. Eeks! I actually remember a 13-year-old me getting into a heated conversation with my friend about how Indian women should wear more pinks and mauves on their lips. “But brown is more flattering on us!” my friend disputed. She had the authority to back it up too, as her grandma was a makeup artist (believe me, she was one of the coolest friends I’ve had). Anyway, I feel vindicated now (and proud of my precocious 13 year old self) as Indian women have finally ditched their matte chocolate-brown lipsticks (and dark lip liners) and rock the brightest, boldest lip colors. And among the browns, there are so many more options that don’t make your lips look like you applied melted Dairy Milk on them. Het Loo is one such shade. It’s a gorgeous cognac – basically an orangish-brown – that is rich and extremely flattering on Indian skin tones. If you have brown toned (mine lean toward purple) lips, this will be the perfect MLBB shade for you. It’s sophisticated color that’s absolutely perfect for work. In fact, if you were looking for one shade to wear at work, I would without a doubt recommend Het Loo.
Het Loo, aptly named a “Satin Lip Pencil,” is a dream to apply. It glides on smoothly and evenly across my lips. I didn’t expect it to be so smooth because the product actually looks pretty matte. The finish has a little bit of sheen to it, and it feels absolutely creamy on the lips. After I’ve applied this, it actually “sets” within 30-40 seconds, but it doesn’t feel dry at all after that. It still feels pretty creamy, or even satiny on my lips. The product does feel heavy on my lips at all; it’s an extremely light formula and once you put it on you won’t even remember you’re wearing lipstick.
Even though the formula is incredibly light, this pencil is packed with a lot of pigment. It gives great color payoff and goes on opaque. I’m amazed that such a light formula can pack so much color. It’s great! Along with great pigmentation, this formula is definitely long wearing. It lasts 6+ hours on me and doesn’t transfer onto food and drink. This is a great, natural looking daytime shade and you can definitely layer a gloss on top of this for a glamorous night time look. It’s a very versatile color and will flatter a range of skin tones and is bound to go with most outfits. Applying it is way easier than using a lipstick out of a tube. How easy? It’s like using crayons on your face – even a kid can do it :P! Just line your lips with it, fill them in and you’re ready to go!
You don’t need to use a lip primer, for increasing staying power or moisturizing the lips, before this. However, because my lips are naturally dry, I do feel the need to put chapstick on after a few hours of wearing this. The one thing I don’t like about the product is its smell! I don’t know if it’s just Het Loo or all the pencils from this line, but it has a strong, wood-varnish type smell that lasts for about 10 minutes after I put this on. The product, too smells like this. Because it disappears after a while, it really hasn’t stopped me from using this pencil. Overall, I’m super satisfied with this pencil. Whether you are someone who prefers natural-looking lip color or just want to take a break from bold lip colors once in a while, this shade is for you. I think it’s absolutely perfect for desi skin tones, and I’m sure you will love it as much as I do!
Pros of NARS Satin Lip Pencil in Het Loo
– Beautiful, rich brown shade
– Great MLBB color for desi skin tones
– Feels light on lips
– Long lasting
– Extremely smooth and creamy
– Very easy to apply
– Doesn’t need primer or liner
– Doesn’t feather or bleed outside of lip line
– Very sophisticated shade that’s perfect for work
Cons of NARS Satin Lip Pencil in Het Loo
– Smells kinda funky (not taking any points off for this, though).
IMBB Rating
This is through and through a 5/5 product. I had high expectations from it which haven’t only been met, but also exceeded :))
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Wow, rich brown it is, looks very flattering you!
believe it or not my mom still likes brick browns on me rather than pinks 😛
Thanks, Neha 🙂
Hehehee mom likes brick brown better for real? *hihi* You’re one person who CAN actually pull those off, btw. For the rest on us strict *nababana*
Devie 🙂 I love the way you write *jai ho* I really enjoy reading your reviews *happydance* Love the color, but I am more of a corals and pinks kinda person 😛 and what’s with month of May on IMBB? *shock* It’s raining Nars on IMBB *hihi* Lovely lip swatch *preen*
Thanks, Princess! That is really, really sweet of you to say *puchhi*
I’m definitely NOT a brown person either (I tend to like berries and mauves), but this one definitely blew me away!
Haha it IS raining NARS… *happydance*
Thats a very lovely brown! Goes on my wish list!! Hmmmm… At this rate, I will have to stop reading IMBB soon! The wish list doesn’t decrease in size, no matter how much i shop!!
OMG, I totally feel you! My wish list is getting bigger and bigger each day… *scared*
This shade should be on your list, waise. It’ll look REALLY good on ya : ))
my preference is always pinks and corals but still at times you need a brown and this is the right one. great review devie *clap* *clap* *clap* *clap*
Totally agree, Sumera! This is definitely my go-to brown 😀
I definitely need to a try out a shade or two from this range. It looks amazing on u. Gorgeous clicks 🙂
Thank you, Lisha! Yup, do check them out, they’re really goo-ood!
That’s such a pretty shade Devie. Looks absolutely beautiful on you. I definitely need to try NARS soon
another masterpiece devie.. *jalwa* *jalwa* winner in every aspect.. *woot* *woot*
Always love ur writing.. *jai ho*
*thankyou* Neets!
It’s a great shade and formula! *jalwa*
I’m not a big fan of brown although some shades do look good. This is such a beautiful, natural shade. *haan ji*
Totally agree Rene! 🙂
nice brown color 🙂
Yup and so wearable too 😀
OMG…. This shade looks so beautiful on ur lips….. Lovely shade….