Lisa Eldridge Velvet Blush & Velvet Dragon Velvet Lipsticks
Velvet Blush
Lisa Eldridge Velvet Blush True Velvet Lipstick Colour ($32.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a deep, muted plum with subtle, warm undertones and a semi-matte finish. It was richly pigmented with full color coverage delivered in a single stroke, which adhered evenly and never tugged or pulled on my lips during application.
The texture was smooth, very lightweight, and velvety, where it glided across my lips but did not feel slippery, so it stayed in place well. With the more velvety, more matte finish, I’d recommend exfoliating prior as it can catch on more prominent flakes but was forgiving of very minor imperfections and didn’t gather in my lip lines over time. This shade lasted nicely for over six hours and felt neither drying nor hydrating.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- MAC Rajah (LE, $20.00) is darker, glossier (90% similar).
- MAC Spicy Pimienta (LE, $21.00) is darker (90% similar).
- NARS Trashed (LE, $27.00) is lighter, cooler, less glossy (90% similar).
- Clinique Embrace Me (24) (P, $19.50) is more shimmery, warmer, glossier (90% similar).
- KVD Beauty Lolita (P, $19.00) is more muted (85% similar).
- Revlon Naughty Plum (P, $8.49) is lighter, glossier (90% similar).
- Tarte Soaked (LE, $21.00) is lighter (85% similar).
- Charlotte Tilbury Show Girl (P, $34.00) is lighter (85% similar).
- Lancome Perfect Fig (265) (P, $32.00) is more shimmery, darker, glossier (85% similar).
- Ciate Pin Up (PiP, $19.00) is lighter, cooler (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.
Velvet Blush
PPermanent. $36.00.
Velvet Dragon
Lisa Eldridge Velvet Dragon True Velvet Lipstick Colour ($32.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a muted, deeper orange with moderate, warm undertones and a matte finish. It’s more orange than copper, as it was more vibrant than most coppery hues, but it was deeper and more muted than a lot of oranges.
The texture was ultra lightweight, more velvety with light glide (not traditional creaminess or slip) that was comfortable to apply in a single, fluid stroke. It had nearly opaque pigmentation in a single layer, which yielded even coverage that stayed on for seven hours and felt non-drying.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- NARS Red Square (P, $27.00) is warmer (95% similar).
- ColourPop K Bop (P, $10.00) is cooler (90% similar).
- Chanel First Light (DC, $45.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- Bite Beauty Persimmon (DC, $26.00) is lighter, cooler, glossier (85% similar).
- ColourPop Trapeze (P, $7.00) is cooler (85% similar).
- Tom Ford Beauty Jagger (LE, $36.00) is cooler (85% similar).
- Dose of Colors Hot Fire (LE, $18.00) is cooler (85% similar).
- Lisa Eldridge Velvet Morning (LE, $36.00) is darker, brighter, cooler (85% similar).
- ColourPop Around the World (LE, $7.00) is lighter, brighter, cooler (85% similar).
- MAC Neon Orange (P, $19.00) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (80% 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.
I’m glad Velvet Blush performed so well! That’s the one I picked up. I’m restricting myself to one a launch (my only other LE lipstick is Beauty) so I considered the options carefully lol. I was sold at “inspired by Rococo.” This looks like a gorgeous fall shade for cool-tones and I have nothing else like it. Velvet Dragon looks gorgeous too.
Lisa has such a way with words that on her video showing these off she nearly talked me in to them despite knowing with 100% certainty these colors do not suit my aesthetic.
Velvet Blush is a sumptuous and richly delicious shade of plum! Perfection! I suppose this is why I love my little tube of Ciate Pin-up and tube of KVD Cathedral so much, eh? ?
As for Velvet Dragon, I really wish that it applied the EXACT same shade as the tube. A true red-orange with a hint of coolness. Now that would have been a winner in my book! But nope. Instead it’s so warm that I already know it wouldn’t quite look right on me.
I ordered these lippies and my order includes this shade too 🙂 So excited, it’s one of my favourite lipstick formulas! It looks beautiful on you Christine!
I meant my order includes both these shades!
These shades look beautiful on you Christine. I’m so glad I picked up Blush. Looking forward to your gloss reviews 🙂
Thanks so much, Ash! Hope you enjoy yours!
Love the fact you get to review these early. I ordered dragon. It seemed the most intriguing color in Lisa’s yt video. But now I have the closest dupe (Red Square) hope its still a little different on my lips?. Thanks x
I’m glad they scored so well! I bought both of them along with Velvet Affair and I’m so excited to try them! I’m looking forward to wearing Velvet Dragon, I hope more of the red will show against my olive undertone.
You look gorgeous in both shades, Christine. 🙂
Thank you for the swatches, Christine. I was initially drawn to Velvet Blush upon watching the video posted by Lisa Eldridge on YT. However, I decided to purchase another lip kit when the site opened for pre-orders, as I feared that Velvet Blush would be too dark on my lips. It looks gorgeous on you (as does Velvet Dragon), and yes, your swatches confirm that it does not suite me 🙂 I picked up the gloss in Blush, though.
I thought Velvet Dragon would be my kind of shade, but it is that little bit too orangey for me. Both lipsticks are beautiful though.
I thought of you scrolling down that shade (a total pass for me ?)I think a little too bright, right? It would compete with your gorgeous colouring.
I really would love to try these lipsticks, but I’ve read too many stories about the bullet snapping off of the base due to the delicacy of the formulation, and for what these lipsticks cost, that’s just not a risk I’m willing to take.
It’s a shame, because they look amazing!
Oh! really?
Yeah, a makeup subreddit I like to casually glance at was asking if this was a one-off issue or what with these particular lipsticks, and a lot of folks responded by saying even careful use of the lipstick can result in a break. It was a little disheartening to read, but I’m sure if one keeps the lipstick inside the tube and use a brush for application, it should be fine!
At least everyone was in agreement that the color and wear is fabulous and they all seemed to overlook the breaking issue. I just don’t know if I can! A lot of the joy of lipstick for me is twisting the tube and looking at that bullet, haha!
Thank you for your answer, I had never a problem with these lipstick (i own two) but I must say I don’t use them often, I don’t carry them in my bag and I store them in my fridge at summer. I live in Greece, where the summers are long ..?
Hi Sarah,
I’ve heard the same thing about Lisa Eldridge lipsticks breaking, but I have 6 of them with Velvet Blush on the way which will make 7 and none of my lipsticks have ever broken. I think you would enjoy her formula. It’s very moisturizing.
Velvet blush is soooo lovely. I typically do not wear red lipstick because I find it too jarring against my skin and it makes my mouth look very wide (my mouth IS wide). Other brights do not seem to suffer that fate, but I have a bit of green in my skin and I wonder if that is the issue. Anyhow, this is very interesting to me because of the muted quality of the colour. It has presence but it doesn’t look all mouth. When I am looking at your photo, Christine (you look lovely, btw), I see the whole cohesive picture. I’m not staring just at your mouth.
I own 6 and haven’t had any issues with that at all and I carry them in my purse to wear at work etc. Just letting you know incase you’d like to try them sometime and just to offer my experience xx