Nars Just Dropped 36 Silky Lipsticks Inspired By Its Original 1994 Collection

The lip product you wear daily says a lot about you. For example, if you prefer Fenty Beauty’s Gloss Bomb, you probably love a fun night out. If you opt for the Tarte Maracuja Juicy Lip Vinyl, you’re likely Gen-Z (and a fan of Alix Earle). And, if your go-to lip product is from Nars, you love the classics. The brand’s cheeky names and highly-pigmented formulas are just some of the reasons why it’s an icon in the beauty industry (one of its Orgasm blushes sells every 20 seconds). Amid constant new launches, Nars is going back to the classics with its new Explicit Lipstick, which boasts a timeless creamy formula.

Satin lipstick lovers, this one’s for you. If you aren’t familiar, satin formulas are the mid-point between a matte lipstick and a glossy formula. Satin lipsticks have a comfortable, plush feel on the lips that isn’t quite as slick as a gloss or as drying as traditional lipsticks. The Explicit Lipstick is a quintessential satin formula that’s inspired by the brand’s first-ever collection. Read on for all the details.

The Inspiration

The Explicit Lipsticks come 30 years after the brand’s launch in 1994. François Nars, iconic makeup artist and Founder and Creative Director of Nars, launched the brand with 12 lipsticks exclusively in Barneys New York. “Lipstick has always been about confidence for me,” he said in the press release. “Here’s to thirty years of character-building color, and the Explicit content that’s still to come.” The collection doesn’t attempt to re-make the brand’s signature colors of the ’90s, but instead pays homage to the classic lipstick shades with an updated formula.

For the campaign, the brand collaborated with its new ambassadors, including Ciara, Daisy Jones and The Six actress Camila Morrone, and French actress Pom Klementieff to champion their favorite shades. Morrone’s favorite is Liaison, a beige-rose pink that feels reminiscent of a shade you’d find on ’90s red carpets. “Liaison is a must-have in my bag. Its versatile shade perfectly embodies my approach to style—effortless yet sophisticated, ideal for transitioning seamlessly from day to night,” said Morrone in an Instagram post. Ciara favors Unauthorized, a classic bright red, while Klementieff’s favorite is  Rendez-Vous, which she calls “a perfect rose-brown.” The impressive 36 shades in the collection are made up of staple red, pink, coral, and brown hues.

The Formula

With a sleek bullet tip for precise application and an ultra-hydrating formula, the Explicit Lipstick offers a modern take on traditional satin formula lipsticks. Ingredients like rosehip oil and hyaluronic acid make up a luxe comfort complex that nourishes and hydrates the lips for all-day comfort. It also claims to be smudge-resistant, so you don’t have to worry about constantly re-applying in between sips.

The best part of the lipstick is its medium-to-full coverage color payoff. Made with color sculpt technology, the formula claims to hug the lips for a dimensional wash of color that can be layered for a more opaque finish. Each shade comes in a luxe embossed tube that can be refilled again and again.