NARS Velvet Rope Mini Velvet Matte Lip Pencil Set Review & Swatches

Velvet Rope

NARS Velvet Rope Mini Velvet Matte Lip Pencil Set ($40.00 for 0.24 oz.) contains four shades–one new and three from the permanent range–in the brand’s natural matte pencil formula. I felt like the pencils actually had more of a velvety glide to them, which resulted in sheerer coverage than anticipated for three shades. They had medium, buildable coverage to mostly opaque coverage with a smooth, velvety texture that was thin and lightweight.

A full-sized Velvet Matte Lip Pencil contains 0.08 oz. of product and retails for $27.00 or costs $337.50 per ounce, which gives the set a total value of $81.00.

Velvet Rope

B-

Limited Edition

Product

7.5

Pigmentation

8.5

Texture

8.5

Longevity

4.5

Application

82%

Total

Bad Girl

Bad Girl is a medium beige with warmer undertones and a matte finish. It had semi-opaque, buildable pigmentation with a smooth, velvety texture that glided easily across my lips. It had a powdery look to it after actual application, though it didn’t feel particularly dry during wear. For as matte in finish as it was, I was impressed by flattering it was to my lips and lip texture. It stayed on well for four hours and was neither drying nor hydrating over time.

Top Dupes

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Colour Pop Third Eye (P, $7.00) is darker (90% similar).
Dose of Colors Mintea (LE, $18.00) is lighter (85% similar).
Dose of Colors Nude Chica (LE, $18.00) is darker (85% similar).
Urban Decay Kinky (P, $18.00) is darker, warmer (85% similar).
Colour Pop With the Band (P, $6.00) is darker (80% similar).
Charlotte Tilbury Platinum Blonde (P, $34.00) is brighter, warmer (80% similar).
Tom Ford Beauty Gerard (LE, $36.00) is more shimmery, darker, glossier (80% similar).
Sephora Alter-ego (72) (P, $14.00) is darker (80% similar).
Tom Ford Beauty Universal Appeal (P, $54.00) is darker (80% similar).
Anastasia Stripped (P, $20.00) is lighter (80% similar).

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Formula Overview

$27.00/0.08 oz. - $337.50 Per Ounce

The formula is supposed to be “long-lasting” with “rich” and “seamless color.” The texture has a more velvety feel: smooth, thinner but glides on easily, and doesn’t have a lot of wetness/creaminess. The pigmentation varied from shade to shade with most shades having semi-opaque coverage. They were easy to apply along the lips and comfortable to apply, as they did not tug. The formula lasted anywhere from three hours to six hours, and some shades were somewhat drying and others were non-drying.

Browse all of our NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil swatches.

Ingredients

C12-13 Alkyl Ethylhexanoate, Synthetic Candelilla Wax, Polyethylene, Caprylyl Methicone, Cyclopentasiloxane, Silica, Dimethicone, Sucrose Acetate Isobutyrate, Hydrogenated Coco-Glycerides, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Propylene Carbonate, Lecithin, Propylparaben, Methylparaben, Aroma (Flavor), Tocopherol, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Citric Acid, Dicalcium Phosphate. May Contain: Mica, CI 77891 (Titanium Dioxide), CI 77491 (Iron Oxides), CI 77492 (Iron Oxides), CI 77499 (Iron Oxides), CI 15850 (Red 6), CI 15850 (Red 7 Lake)

Bad Girl

B+

Limited Edition

8.5

Product

Pigmentation

Texture

8.5

Longevity

Application

89%

Total

Sex Machine

Sex Machine is a muted, rosy mauve with subtle, warm undertones and slight shimmer running throughout that gave it a more frosted finish, despite being rather matte (as in no shine). The pencil had a smooth, velvety consistency that was comfortable to work with as it skated across my lips without tugging, but there was a bit of emphasis of lip texture and a tendency to cling to imperfections. It had medium pigmentation in one stroke, which was buildable to semi-opaque coverage. This shade wore well for four hours and was slightly drying while worn.

Top Dupes

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MAC Mehr (P, $19.50) is darker, glossier (90% similar).
Urban Decay Naked (P, $18.00) is less shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
MAC Brave (P, $19.50) is less shimmery, brighter (90% similar).
Tom Ford Beauty Anderson (P, $36.00) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
Bite Beauty Fig (P, $26.00) is less shimmery, lighter, warmer (85% similar).
Givenchy Nude Guipure (106) (P, $36.00) is glossier (95% similar).
Bite Beauty Pastille (P, $24.00) is more shimmery, warmer (95% similar).
Flower Beauty Petal Kiss (P, $6.98) is lighter (95% similar).
Burberry Nude Rose (No. 405) (P, $35.00) is darker, warmer (85% similar).
Givenchy Nude Guipure (106) (P, $36.00) is glossier (95% similar).

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Formula Overview

$27.00/0.08 oz. - $337.50 Per Ounce

Browse all of our NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil swatches.

Ingredients

Sex Machine

Permanent

Product

Pigmentation

Texture

8.5

Longevity

Application

83%

Total

Dolce Vita

Dolce Vita is a medium, reddish-plum with warmer undertones and a matte finish. It had sheer coverage, which was hard to build up, and it applied a bit unevenly with significantly more emphasis of lip texture than I expected. This shade is part of the permanent range, so I’m not sure why it ended up being so sheer. It almost seemed too heavy with whatever gives it the velvety feeling–almost like an overly waxy pencil that glides but has little payoff. The color lasted for three hours from what I could tell, and the formula felt a touch drying over time.

Top Dupes

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Colour Pop Sucker (P, $5.00) is lighter, warmer (95% similar).
Colour Pop Hey Mr DJ (P, $7.00) is lighter, cooler (80% similar).
Colour Pop Mrs. (LE, $7.00) is lighter, brighter (90% similar).
Colour Pop Mesmerize (P, $7.00) is lighter (85% similar).
Kat Von D OG Lolita (P, $18.00) is darker (95% similar).
Pat McGrath Beautiful Stranger (P, $40.00) is glossier (90% similar).
Kat Von D Double Dare (DC, $21.00) is darker, warmer (85% similar).
Ciate Sydney (LE, $19.00) is lighter (90% similar).
Givenchy Nude Androgyne (P, $37.00) is warmer (90% similar).
Charlotte Tilbury Amazing Grace (P, $37.00) is brighter (85% similar).

View Swatches

Formula Overview

$27.00/0.08 oz. - $337.50 Per Ounce

Browse all of our NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil swatches.

Ingredients

Dolce Vita

Permanent

Product

Pigmentation

Texture

7.5

Longevity

Application

66%

Total

Dragon Girl

Dragon Girl is a bright, raspberry red with cool, blue undertones and a matte finish. It had medium pigmentation in a single stroke, which was buildable to semi-opaque coverage. It was such a bright, rich hue that it didn’t seem like it was lacking pigment at a glance, but you can definitely see my lip freckle peeking through. The pencil had a smooth, velvety feel that glided and maneuvered easily across my lips and applied color evenly. It stayed on well for six hours, left a stain behind, and felt neither drying nor hydrating over time.