  |  Though I love the Nars Pure Matte line, Moscow held me at bay until recently. So many people have called it so many diametrically-opposed things; definitely red, not red at all, bright, deep, muted, dramatic; it's like everyone was just going off something their sister's best friend's cousin told this guy they knew. Lipstick lovers- we can do better. I'll have a go right now.  |
Okay, so a quick glance at someone wearing Moscow could possibly register a red lip situation. But have a good squint at the squiggle swatch above right there. Moscow's on the left beside MAC Lady Danger, which to me is a good example of where true red ends and orange begins. I'd call Moscow terracotta, copper or russet before anything else; I mean, Nars Rouge Basque is redder, and that shade's still a long way short of true red if you're asking me. Maybe it's the name? Moscow always makes me think of bold scarlet on an icy blonde and confusion is probably what I deserve for cherishing such a basic-arse stereotype.
Moscow is unequivocally warm, as you can probably see, so anyone with neutral to toasty tonings should be perfectly fine. It's a friend with benefits for redheads and auburnies who find true reds too clownish; the skeptical can feast their eyes on the cave-beast pallor of my hand up there and assure themselves that this shade really isn't too much against our particular epidermal fortunes.
Moscow is unequivocally warm, as you can probably see, so anyone with neutral to toasty tonings should be perfectly fine. It's a friend with benefits for redheads and auburnies who find true reds too clownish; the skeptical can feast their eyes on the cave-beast pallor of my hand up there and assure themselves that this shade really isn't too much against our particular epidermal fortunes.
   |  I wouldn't call Moscow too much in any direction, to be honest. It's no deeper or stronger than any of the mid-range neutrals like MAC Retro or all those delightful liquid matte dried dog sick- sorry, greiges- everyone's doing to death right now. It won't blow anyone's socks off or get you frogmarched out of the office. Close inspection of the tube shot directly above will reveal another of the surprises lurking up Moscow's figurative sleeve; a super-fine, old gold glitter or pearl. It's a very long way short of visible nana frost but lends a subtle and flattering dimensionality that sits really well with an eye look featuring the coppery richesse of UD Baked or MAC All That Glitters. It's the thinnest of the Pure Mattes that I've experienced, going on at around 70% opacity and retaining a slight suggestion of translucence even when thickly-applied. Moscow is also near-creamy, comfortable and visually forgiving, making it a great 'gateway' matte for someone a wee bit afraid of this textural genre. |
I don't have any problems with it, personally, and am only slightly disappointed that it wasn't a bit more dramatic. But then again, there isn't exactly a dearth of drama in my lipstick drawer so I should probably just learn to appreciate Moscow for its flattering and reassuringly organic wearability. It really is the nicest and definitely the most sophisticated member of this ocherous orangey group that I know.
L2 R (MAC unless stated) Russian Red, Nars Moscow, UD F Bomb,
Nars Rouge Basque, So Chaud, Dubonnet, Ruffian Red
Nars Rouge Basque, So Chaud, Dubonnet, Ruffian Red
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