One Vibrant Fuchsia in Pencil Form

NARS 413BLKR Velvet Matte Lip Pencil ($24.00 for 0.086 oz.) is described as a “fuchsia.” It’s a vibrant fuchsia-red with the barest flecks of iridescent blue sparkle that just peek through the color. Tom Ford Aphrodisiac is less matte and has no sparkle. MAC Moxie is similar, but it is completely matte and less blue-based. Illamasqua Atomic is extremely comparable–it even has the iridescent shimmer; it appears to have more of it.

NARS’ Velvet Matte Lip Pencil is supposed to combine the convenience of a pencil with the application of a lipstick . The formula is meant to be rich in color, long-wearing, non-drying, and have a “velvety matte finish.” It can be used for lining, all-over lip color, or paired with another lip product.  It has opaque color coverage, and the finish is definitely matte–there’s a tiny sheen from the sparkle, but it really looks rather matte on.  I found this particular shade a wee bit drying.  It wore for six hours on and left behind a slight stain, but my lips were parched after wearing it.  The pencil itself did tug and pull at lips during application, so getting even color took more effort than your typical lipstick would have.

NARS 413BLKR Velvet Matte Lip Pencil

NARS 413BLKR Velvet Matte Lip Pencil

NARS 413BLKR Velvet Matte Lip Pencil

NARS 413BLKR Velvet Matte Lip Pencil

NARS 413BLKR Velvet Matte Lip Pencil

NARS 413BLKR Velvet Matte Lip Pencil

NARS 413BLKR Velvet Matte Lip Pencil