NARS Velvet Gloss Lip Pencils were released last week in six colors. I chose two, Club Mix and Baroque, and could probably also wear and enjoy New Lover, but I was careful this time and only went with the first two. Baroque is a warm(ish) -to-neutral red while Club Mix is a mauve plum. Surprisingly, I actually prefer Baroque, but that might be because the texture isn't quite the same. Yes, that's odd.
Both NARS Velvet Gloss Lip Pencils are soft and hydrating to the point of actually plumping the lips with moisture (I love it!). Baroque is glossier when applied to my lips (impossible to see in the swatches, though) and also softer. So soft, actually, I need to be careful with it as it breaks very easily. On the other hand it also has a very strong burnt plastic smell when first applied but it goes away within seconds.
Club Mix goes on a bit more dry and requires for me to fill the scar on my bottom lip with a base/primer so the color doesn't pool in there. It shouldn't be an issue for anyone else, though, and the feel of this crayon is as velvety and glossy as in Baroque. I could not detect any odor from Club Mix. The color is a little more brown than I expected when on the lips, which is why I'm now considering the more pink New Lover. I'm not in a rush as the Velvet Gloss Lip Pencils are not a limited edition, so we'll be able to find them in NARS permanent collection.
Other stuff: the pencils are rather small and I seem to be using quite a bit of material every time (plus touch ups after 3-4 hours or a snack. These crayons are more tenacious than regular glosses but nowhere as near as a good lipstick). I already bought a NARS sharpener for my chubby eye pencils, but since the Velvet Gloss Lip Pencils are, well, glossy, one needs to wipe the blade carefully after every use. It's annoying and I would have appreciated if a sharpener was included in the price.
Bottom Line: Other than the kvetching above, these are my favorite NARS lip products.
To see photos and swatches of the other color in this range, I highly recommend visiting The Beauty Look Book. Sabrina did a very thorough work showing and reviewing these pencils.
NARS Velvet Gloss Lip Pencils ($24 each) are available from narscosmetics.com and are arriving quickly to NARS counters everywhere.
Photos and snowy back yard are mine.
I bought Baroque and I love it. The color and that it's not a lipgloss to apply with a brush or your fingers! lol I was giddy after I tried it. A hit for Nars! (except for the sharpening issue of course)
ReplyDeleteI have New Lover and love it! Very moisturizing, applies smoothly and lasts a few hours.
ReplyDeleteI went back to try Club Mix and I had the same experience as you: It applied quite drily. At Sephora, the MA first took a sample off the pencil on an applicator. That was messy. I had to use a clean applicator to sheer it out. Applying directly did not help it to feel smooth or have moisturizing effect. Oh well, next I'll try Baroque!