Nars Heat Wave Review

Once upon a time I was organised. I had many lists on my phone, one of which was an extensive wishlist full of things I could only dream of (at this point in time I was a poor college student). That wishlist is still as extensive as ever but Nars Heat Wave has finally been ticked off of it.

Heat Wave is the definition of a perfect lipstick to a matte, bold lover like me. It’s a gorgeous shade of orangey-red and it has a semi matte finish. The packaging is right up my street too. Show me a sleek, black lipstick tube and I’ll show you the money for it.

I was a little worried when it came to the formula as this is the first ever Nars lipstick I’ve tried and I didn’t know what to expect. My fears were all for nothing as the formula is incredible. The lipstick glides on smoothly without being overly creamy, it’s not moisturising (something I oddly prefer in a lipstick) but it’s not drying either and once it’s on your lips, it stays put. It actually took me 3 cotton wool balls soaked in Bioderma to actually remove all traces of Heat Wave from my lips.

Heat Wave fades nicely over time and can easily be played up for a really bold look or toned down to be more of a stain. I do prefer to apply this with a brush as my hands are far too shaky and would just create a giant mess should I apply it straight from the bullet. Applying it with a brush does mean that I have to build up the colour but it also gives me the opportunity to make it as bold or as pale as possible.

Annoyingly I didn’t pay much attention to my other lipsticks before purchasing Heat Wave as I already have this shade in the form of 3 other lipsticks. The stupid thing is (yes it gets even sillier) I made the exact same mistake when I bought MAC Dangerous. I’m doing well.

Left to right: Nars Heat Wave, MAC Lady Danger, MAC Dangerous and Avon Jungle Fever.
MAC Lady Danger, MAC Dangerous and Avon Jungle Fever are all great dupes for Heat Wave. I personally do favour Heat Wave over the other 3 but I am a right idiot for spending £19 on something I technically already have. I get a lot out of use out of them all so surely there’s some form of justification in my idiocy.

I regret taking so long to purchase Heat Wave. It is honestly one of the best lipsticks I have ever used and I think I may become a Nars fiend as soon as I get over my MAC addiction. If you’re looking for an orangey-red lipstick then Heat Wave is your girl…or boy, do lipsticks have genders? Wait, what?