NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil

Choosing Colors

Like so many other colors in the vast NARS repertoire, the Velvet Matte Lip Pencils have risqué, playful or feminine names (or some combination of the three). That can often be what draws consumers to NARS products in the first place, (Orgasm blush is a great example, although to its credit the color is renowned as one of the most flattering in the industry).

For me, the allure of these versatile lip pencils was not so much in the names but in the rainbow of colors. They range from deep, dramatic jewel tones to simple, sweet shades that look like they'd do anyone justice. Faced with a display of such enigmatic shades, I was momentarily thrown by the selection, but ended up reaching for one – just one – color to start out with.

Since I've always been fond of pinks, nudes and roses in particular, I picked up Sex Machine, which is described as a "pink mauve" by the company. This is accurate to some extent, though to my eye it looks more like a nude rose than anything else.

Commitment to the NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil

Though my interest in everything from fragrance to eye makeup is fleeting at best, I tend to remain committed to lipsticks and glosses for much greater periods of time. I can easily wear the same lip color for weeks on end, never even thinking to switch things around for variety. Eye makeup is a different matter, but that's because I never grow attached to shadows and mascaras the way I do with lip products.

As it happens, Sex Machine is a gorgeous, polished color; it's the antithesis of its racy name, lending my pout a demure, quiet prettiness instead of look-at-me-and-my-lips flashiness.

I discovered that I can wear it with everything and get away with it. It doesn't compete with a dramatic smoky eye, and it balances a lighter eye well, too. By virtue of its name, it feels exceptionally soft and is very easy to apply. Since it's a matte formula, it does apply dryly and doesn't moisturize the lips, despite its almost creamy texture. Thus, it's important to have smooth, supple lips prior to application.

I like to dress it up with some lip gloss, because I prefer a slight sheen and don't like the dry feeling that any matte product leaves, although the consistency of this pencil is vastly different from the excessively drying matte lipsticks found at the drugstore. A slick of clear gloss maintains the color's integrity, but I can deepen it with a darker pink gloss or play it down and add a hint of peach (great for summer) with a fresh, lighter gloss.

I find myself wearing the color often – not just every now and then, but daily. In fact, I reach for it with blind confidence, assuming it will be there for me without fail.

The Downside

That's when I discovered the problem with the otherwise great Velvet Matte Lip Pencil. I rely on it so frequently that it eventually wears down to a stub. Unfortunately, this happens within just a few weeks of regular, daily use. Bear in mind that I really only need to apply the color once a day; it's long-lasting, as mentioned, and holds up well through eating and drinking.

It does, however, need to be sharpened frequently. The creamy pencil melts on contact with the lips, so as you apply it you're wearing it down slightly. It inevitably needs to be sharpened with every use, although this can vary depending on the size of your lips and how much product you use.

Since these pencils run $24 each, it can turn into quite a costly expenditure if purchased regularly. Add to that the fact that there are nearly 20 colors available to easily grow addicted to and some might consider this a problem!

The Verdict

I love the color, formula and feel of this product enough to keep purchasing it regularly. In fact, to date I've bought it at least seven or eight times over the past couple of years. Pencils do differ from lipsticks, of course, as you'll probably note that you don't typically purchase your favorite lipstick more than a couple of times over such a lengthy period of time. Still, I believe it's worth it and I'm thrilled with this fabulous addition to my makeup collection.