Lisa Eldridge Velvet Affair & Velvet Carnival Velvet Lipsticks Reviews & Swatches
Velvet Affair
Lisa Eldridge Velvet Affair True Velvet Lipstick Colour ($32.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a muted, medium rosy brown with moderate, warm undertones and a semi-matte finish. It had opaque color coverage in a single layer, which applied evenly and smoothly across my lips without dragging (though it needed a touch more pressure than a more emollient formula would).
I’d recommend exfoliating prior to applying, as I find it can emphasize larger flakes a bit, though minor imperfections are not. There was a smidgen of product that settled into my deeper lip lines over the five hours the color lasted for and felt non-drying.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- MAC Gabriel Zamora (LE, $19.00) is more shimmery, cooler, glossier (90% similar).
- Hourglass I've Never (P, $34.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Make Up For Ever Chic Brick (112) (P, $23.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- Shiseido Amber Afternoon (BR322) (DC, $28.00) is darker (90% similar).
- ColourPop Screenshot (PiP, $7.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- Make Up For Ever C107 (DC, $22.00) is cooler (90% similar).
- Giorgio Armani Dolce (202) (PiP, $38.00) is cooler, glossier (90% similar).
- Natasha Denona Claudia (15NB) (P, $25.00) is lighter, warmer, glossier (90% similar).
- Fenty Beauty S1ngle (P, $18.00) is warmer (90% similar).
- Charlotte Tilbury Catwalking (P, $37.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
Formula Overview
$36.00/0.12 oz. - $300.00 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to be a "creamy, hydrating matte with a slight sheen" that is "long wearing and non drying." The three shades launched to-date are very pigmented with a lightly creamy, velvety texture that is thicker (but not heavy!) compared to the Insanely Saturated formula but has a similar velvety quality--smooth, glides on but doesn't feel wet or slippery at all.
The colors went on evenly and smoothly and were more flattering on (less prone to emphasizing lip texture or lip lines) than the average matte lipstick. They wear was between five and seven hours well, and they felt neither drying nor hydrating over time. There is no scent or taste to the formula.
Browse all of our Lisa Eldridge True Velvet Lipstick Colour swatches.
Ingredients
DIMETHICONE · OCTYLDODECANOL · POLYETHYLENE, POLYSILICONE-11 · NYLON-12 · CAPRYLIC/CAPRIC TRIGLYCERIDE · BIS-PEG-12 DIMETHICONE BEESWAX · METHYL METHACRYLATE CROSSPOLYMER · DICALCIUM PHOSPHATE · STEARALKONIUM BENTONITE · POLYHYDROXYSTEARIC ACID · PROPYLENE CARBONATE · LAURETH-12 · PENTAERYTHRITYL TETRA-DI-t-BUTYL HYDROXYHYDROCINNAMATE · MICA, MAY CONTAIN/ PEUT CONTENIR [(+/-): TITANIUM DIOXIDE (CI 77891) · IRON OXIDES (CI 77491) · IRON OXIDES (CI 77492) · YELLOW 5 LAKE (CI 19140) · YELLOW 6 LAKE CI (15985) · RED 6 CI (15850) · RED 7 LAKE (CI 15850) · RED 28 LAKE (CI 45410) · BLUE 1 LAKE (CI 42090)].
Disclaimer: Ingredient lists are as available by the brand (or retailer) at the time of publishing. Please always check product packaging, if it exists, for the ingredient list applicable to the product you're purchasing, or the brand or retailer's website for the most up-to-date ingredient list.
Velvet Affair
PPermanent. $36.00.
Velvet Carnival
Lisa Eldridge Velvet Carnival True Velvet Lipstick Colour ($32.00 for 0.12 oz.) is an incredibly vibrant, medium-dark fuchsia pink with strong, cool blue undertones and a mostly matte finish. It had semi-opaque color coverage–it seemed to have a bit more translucency compared to other shades in the range–with a slightly thinner consistency that didn’t seem as flattering applied as I would have expected.
The texture itself still felt very lightweight and more velvety with that light glide rather than traditional creaminess. The color was still going strong after seven hours of wear, left a stain behind, and was non-drying.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Laura Mercier Magenta Delicat (P, $32.00) is lighter, glossier (90% similar).
- ColourPop Are You Surreal (P, $7.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
- Revlon Tunnel Vision (P, $12.39) is cooler (90% similar).
- Dior Ultra Daring (755) (P, $37.00) is cooler (90% similar).
- Chanel Fuchsia (P, $37.00) is more shimmery, lighter, glossier (90% similar).
- YSL Rose Ink (3) (P, $36.00) is lighter, brighter (90% similar).
- KVD Beauty Backstage Bambi (P, $20.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- Maybelline Rebel Pink (DC, $7.49) is more shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
- Guerlain #72 (P, $36.00) is more shimmery, lighter, glossier (85% similar).
- Sephora Twolips (14) (P, $8.00) is lighter, glossier (85% similar).
Formula Overview
$36.00/0.12 oz. - $300.00 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to be a "creamy, hydrating matte with a slight sheen" that is "long wearing and non drying." The three shades launched to-date are very pigmented with a lightly creamy, velvety texture that is thicker (but not heavy!) compared to the Insanely Saturated formula but has a similar velvety quality--smooth, glides on but doesn't feel wet or slippery at all.
The colors went on evenly and smoothly and were more flattering on (less prone to emphasizing lip texture or lip lines) than the average matte lipstick. They wear was between five and seven hours well, and they felt neither drying nor hydrating over time. There is no scent or taste to the formula.
Browse all of our Lisa Eldridge True Velvet Lipstick Colour swatches.
Ingredients
DIMETHICONE · OCTYLDODECANOL · POLYETHYLENE, POLYSILICONE-11 · NYLON-12 · CAPRYLIC/CAPRIC TRIGLYCERIDE · BIS-PEG-12 DIMETHICONE BEESWAX · METHYL METHACRYLATE CROSSPOLYMER · DICALCIUM PHOSPHATE · STEARALKONIUM BENTONITE · POLYHYDROXYSTEARIC ACID · PROPYLENE CARBONATE · LAURETH-12 · PENTAERYTHRITYL TETRA-DI-t-BUTYL HYDROXYHYDROCINNAMATE · MICA, MAY CONTAIN/ PEUT CONTENIR [(+/-): TITANIUM DIOXIDE (CI 77891) · IRON OXIDES (CI 77491) · IRON OXIDES (CI 77492) · YELLOW 5 LAKE (CI 19140) · YELLOW 6 LAKE CI (15985) · RED 6 CI (15850) · RED 7 LAKE (CI 15850) · RED 28 LAKE (CI 45410) · BLUE 1 LAKE (CI 42090)].
Disclaimer: Ingredient lists are as available by the brand (or retailer) at the time of publishing. Please always check product packaging, if it exists, for the ingredient list applicable to the product you're purchasing, or the brand or retailer's website for the most up-to-date ingredient list.
They are stunning, I took Velvet Affair & Dragon.
Hi Christine, the post is missing the Velvet Dragon review (one of the shades I pre-ordered). Velvet Affair is a beautiful reddy brown. I’d love to see this shade in a satin finish.
Sorry, I forgot to change the title! It only has these two. I was not able to test three fast enough and split the posts across the four new shades (originally I thought there was only three, which obviously is my fault!).
I couldn’t keep this launch straight with the new and returning Velvet lipstick shades.
Sadly, I actually was comparing the shade names to what I had reviewed previously, so I have no idea how I missed it!
So pretty! I don’t have the guts or the occasion to pull off Carnival but it sure is fun to look!
Oooh! Thanks for the review and swatches, Christine 🙂
I bought Velvet Affair and the Velvet Muse kit this time around. Looks like I made a good choice with the new shade! I already own Velvet Muse/Fawn/Decade from last year and love the formula. There is something about it that makes my lips look extra full pouty- I haven’t found a similar finish with other brands.
I agree about the formula! Exactly like you said ‘extra full pouty’, I wouldn’t know how else to describe it. I got Affair, Dragon, Muse Gloss ( I already have Muse lipstick and love it!) and the Blush kit. I am considering getting Decade, could you tell me if it closer to the pictures on Lisa’s site or Christine’s? I am worried it’s too dark, but it seems such a unique colour..
Oh, what an excellent lineup! Extra props for the self restraint and editing your selection- I hope you love all of them.
In my opinion Velvet decade looks like it pulls plum on Christine…on the lips and in her swatches. Whereas it looks richer/deeper and more neutral on Lisa’s website. In real life I would say the colour is more true on Lisa’s website. I will caveat that by saying on my lips it looks like neither. It’s a medium-deep, cool toned brown with a hint of mauve (I’m tan/have warm undertones) and not at all like what they show on the model or website. Sorry if that’s not super helpful in helping you make a decision! Depth wise I think it’s a bold nude- along the lines of Charlotte Tilburys Birkin brown. I’m not brave enough to wear either at full opacity, but it does make for a pretty lip when blotted down.
I did check their returns policy and their website says “We are able to accept the return of unused or gently used lipsticks for a full refund within 30 days of your order being dispatched. Lipsticks can be returned using this link. For my full returns and refunds policy, click here.” So worst case scenario you could always send it back if it isn’t for you?
Excited to hear what you end up choosing and fingers crossed the haul is everything we were hoping for and more ?
Thank you so much for the in depth answer!
Yes, I was thinking I can buy it then send it back if it isn’t for me. Every picture and video I see the colour is different because of the lightning and Lisa said that it also depends on the skin tone. I am fair- light with pink, neutral undertones (I think ?) so it kind of intimidates me, but also intrigues me….
?? for our new purchases, can’t wait for them to arrive! Lisa’s products are so carefully packaged, it’s such a treat all the experience.
I have a similar colouring to you and it’s definitely like the Lisa pics on me, very cool/ neutral toned brown. I love it so much and it’s so unique to my collection. Hope that helps xx
It does, thank you so much!
Oh that’s great to hear ? it’s so lovely
Velvet Affair is sooo very much my kind of color. Which is probably why I own quite a few of the “possible dupes” listed. The almost shades. Makes me think that I don’t actually need this one, except for the fact that I believe it would do way better under my mask than MAC Royally Riotous, Nars Sheena or something like those!
Hi Nancy!
I have 4 of the Velvets from last year (Muse, Fawn, Beauty and Ribbon) and they have all lasted beautifully…..through pandemic/mask/gardening/Zoom calls/life.
I have dry skin, but these don’t dry my lips out at all.
Hope that helps ?
I didn’t get these, but I did get Dragon, Blush and a couple glosses. No surprise, Go Lightly gloss sold out within hours. So lucky I snagged one! The Velvet lippie is the only formula I use and love.
Also good for cheeks!
I got Velvet Blush too! When she described it as a shade inspired by Rococo portraiture I knew I was doomed. I romanticize everything so that will always be in my mind every time I apply it.
Same here!! I am so excited to try it!!!
Wow! Carnival looks like such an intimidating shade, but you wear it so well!
Thank you, Dia!
Velvet Affair looks to be such a versatile shade and comfortable to wear.
I ordered three of the lipsticks yesterday, Jazz (as mine broke), Ribbon and Muse ( think). I was thinking of getting Carnival but decided not to and got Ribbon instead. I do have at least one dupe for Carnival, so I’m glad I ordered the ones I did, though I probably have a gazillion dupes for Ribbon as well. 🙂
I found it really hard to chose, there were quite a few I really wanted. I like the velvet formula, the other formula she makes, the one Go Lightly (the lipstick) is is doesn’t work at all for me, it just slides away, something that happens with CT K.I.S.S.I.N.G formula as well.
It’ll be nice to have Jazz again, I really love it and I’m sure I’ll love the other two as well. And I get a blue little bag, though I wanted the flowery one, but didn’t really love any of the kits.
Sorry if this post is confusing, ill-written with grammar completely off, I’m so tired and am just going to walk the dogs and then sleep. I just felt I wanted to post something regarding these lipsticks.
Glad you were able to get some new lipsticks, Helene! 🙂
So am I. Not that I need any, but I’m thinking about purging my stash to have what I actually do use, tossing all GWP ones I have never actually worn. I’ll do this by actually wearing every lipstick for at least a couple of hours, to feel and see if I love, like, dislike or even hate every little one.
This would end with me still having loads of lipsticks, but hopefully a more curated stash.
Velvet Affair is the one that caught my eye from this release and I’m so happy you have a review and swatches of everything. Finding “close enough” dupes among my collection will get me along until I can bring myself to place an order for several of her lipsticks in one go.