This summer has been… Pretty grey. The rain has kept us indoors rather a lot, and when we do go out, it feels icky and drab. Not to mention the seemingly constant onslaught of bad news. So I’ve been doing my bit to brighten things up. With lipstick!

I first heard about the NARS Powermatte in Essence a couple months ago. They swore it was a long-lasting matte formula. I was intrigued. When I checked them out online, I was further intrigued, both by the range of color options and the pictures they used to demonstrate them (woo for more skin tones represented!).

I immediately grabbed a bright pink shade. Gotta say that I love the formula. Not only is it SUPER long lasting (seriously…you can eat and drink anything that isn’t a mega grease bomb), it’s comfortable. My lips don’t get super dry. There’s a little bit of color hangover the next day, but no painful cracking or peeling. Just pop on some good lip balm and you’re fine. Of course, I had to go ahead and grab more colors.

For the time being, I’m very happy with Give It Up:

Warm Leatherette:

and Starwoman (which I am OBSESSED with):

I’m being really good and not just buying all the colors willy nilly, but it’s really hard, and I expect to crack at some point (already have my eye on Rock With You). Honestly, I could not love this formula more. It’s the perfect pick me up for all the grey, rainy, politically apocalyptic days we’ve been having. That, and this: