NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil – Cruella

You know I love Chubby Sticks…so bringing to you the matte cousin of the chubby stick, from the house of NARS – Velvet Matte Lip Pencil. This review would have come to you ages ago, the reason it didn’t cause even though I bought this amongst all the hype, at heart, I am wary of matte products. Reason being, I have dry lips. With lip balms and adequate moisturizing, they do behave themselves, but they aren’t fond of moisture sucking mattes. So, with my love for corals (over reds) and the facts that this was a matte lip colour – my hand invariably reached away from this in my vanity.

However, with Xmas bells chiming and Santa on the prowl, while decking up for the X’mas eve party, I finally saw my hands reaching towards this – the Red to beat the pants off all Reds – Cruella. And the moisture sucking texture? Boy, was I wrong! Read on, to find out more….

The Product Details (from the website):
The application of a lipstick combined with the convenience of a pencil in a jumbo crayon design. Lips are instantly saturated with rich pigments and a velvety matte finish. The long lasting, non-drying formula is enriched with emollients for a creamy texture, while a combination of unique silicones ensures long-lasting, seamless color for hours. Use for lining, all-over lip color, or pairing with another lip product.
• Rich, vivid shades
• Enriched with Vitamin E
• Convenient, easy application

François’ Insight – I wanted to create a modern way to wear a very classic matte lip. The creaminess of the texture makes them very easy to wear.
What it is:
A combination lipstick and lip pencil.
What else you need to know:
NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil is an Allure Best of Beauty Award Winner.

Price:$25 in US / INR 1800 post conversion from Thai Baht
BUY IT FROM: ULTA | SEPHORA | NET-A-PORTER | NORDSTROM

Packaging:
As mentioned in the product description, it a chubby fat lip crayon – colour of lipstick, convenience of a pencil. It comes in a black cardboard box – as all NARS products do.
The lip pencil’s bottom end bears the colour of the product – making it easy to identify the colour in a jiffy – if you have more than one of these. The name too is written on the side. The pencil has a black cap to protect the product.

My experience with NARS – Velvet Matte Lip Pencil – Cruella:

Color: The shade is described on the website as “scarlet red.” The description is perfect. It’s a deep, intense, blue based scarlet red. No shimmer, no gloss – yet, its not dull or flat. Its near perfect red! All the girls who love Ruby Woo and Russian Red – sit up and take notice. This one wins hands down. Quickly bring out the lust lists and update! LOL! That’s what I did when I first saw it online!

The colour is definitely not for the faint hearted. This one takes all the limelight. Generally, I would wear this bold a colour with just a bronzer on the cheeks and a catliner. However, since it was Christmas Eve, I was okay putting on a little colour on my cheeks as well. So I used NARS Dolce vita on my cheeks and a shimmery copper and bronze combination on my eyelids.

Texture: This is one of the most remarkable things about the product – the texture is light, velvet smooth, matte, NON-DRYING, very COMFORTABLE!!! Matte and comfortable?? Yes, you got that right! I wont say that it is hydrating but yes, it does make me want to reach for the lip-gloss or balm.

Pigmentation: It is EXTREMELYpigmented – about 90% colour deposit in a single swipe.The colour is opaque in the first swipe itself and hides lip pigmentation fully and effectively.

Lasting power:The product lasted about 6.5-7hours on mepost which it started fading. At the end, there was a little clinging to the dry patch on the lips. Freshly exfoliated smooth lips would do even better with the product.It left a deep stain – which stayed for 2-3hours and had to be taken off completely with a makeup remover.

To sum this up for you:

Pros of NARS – Velvet Matte Lip Pencil – Cruella:

1. A beautiful bold red
2. Lightweight velvety matte texture.
3. Excellent pigmentation – Opaque in a single swipe.
4. Extremely comfortable – NOT hydrating but comfortable.
5. Considering it’s a bold red – its easy to apply from the pencil
6. The lipstick applies smoothly – no tug or pull!
7. Does not settle into the fine lines of the lips
8. No feathering or bleeding – a big YAY for a red lipstick.
9. Convenient Packaging – easy to apply and easy to carry – doesn’t take much space in the bag.

Cons of NARS – Velvet Matte Lip Pencil – Cruella:

1. Unavailability in India
2. Product wastage during sharpening.

IMBB Rating:A definite5/5 product.
BUY IT FROM: ULTA | SEPHORA | NET-A-PORTER | NORDSTROM
Very rarely do you come across a matte formula this good – intense, non-drying, comfortable and which does not seep into the fine lines of the lips. This could easily be the most perfect Red lipstick…till I find a better one! LOL!

You could easily apply a plain or shimmery gloss on this and add to the oomph. I chose not to coz I find nothing more unsightly than red lipstick on my glass/cup and I knew Xmas eve party was all about wining and dining.

So how did you celebrate Christmas? And what plans of welcoming the new Year?

NARS Orgasm Blush
Nars Blush Highlighter Duo in Orgasm and Albatross
NARS Dolce Vita Blush Review, Swatch, FOTD
NARS Taj Mahal Blush
NARS The Multiple- Orgasm for Cheeks, Lips,Eyes and Body
Nars Portofino The Multiple
GAP Mini Wand Lip Gloss Set