NARS Bound Velvet Lip Glide ($26.00 for 0.20 fl. oz.) is a muted, medium-dark rosy mauve with neutral-to-cool undertones and a cream finish. It had good color payoff, though it was not fully opaque, with a smooth, lightweight texture that was comfortable to wear and non-tacky. The only issue I had with this one was how the color gathered in lip lines noticeably. This shade wore well for four hours and was hydrating over time. Urban Decay Backtalk (P, $20.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar). MAC Heartmelter (LE, $21.00) is cooler (90% similar). Sydney Grace Sarah (P, $10.00) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar). Sydney Grace Haley (P, $10.00) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar). Fenty Beauty Mauve Wives (P, $19.00) is lighter (85% similar). NARS Santo Domingo (LE, $26.00) is lighter (90% similar). Sydney Grace Ann (P, $10.00) is lighter (85% similar). MAC Viva Glam Ariana Grande 2 (LE, $21.00) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar). ColourPop Flying Horses (DC, $10.00) is lighter, less pigmented (85% similar). MAC Love Child (P, $21.00) is more shimmery, darker (80% similar). Chanel Bourgeoisie (P, $30.00) is more shimmery, warmer (85% similar). Anastasia Raisin (-, $16.00) is darker (80% similar). MAC Lots of Laughs (P, $10.00) is lighter (80% similar). MAC Sweet Tooth (LE, $20.00) is lighter (80% similar). Anastasia Vintage (-, $16.00) is lighter, warmer (80% similar). Marc Jacobs Beauty Make Me (340) (P, $29.00) is cooler (80% similar). Bobbi Brown Spring Bliss (LE, $27.00) is lighter, warmer (80% similar). Sydney Grace Tracy (LE, $10.00) is more shimmery, darker, warmer (80% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

NARS Danceteria Velvet Lip Glide ($26.00 for 0.20 fl. oz.) is a bright, medium-dark raspberry pink with cool, blue undertones and a creamy finish. The gloss had a smooth, gel-like texture that wasn’t heavy, so it was comfortable to wear over the five hours it lasted. It had rich color payoff that applied evenly, and the color didn’t pull into lip lines either. The formula felt moisturizing while I wore it. Maybelline Sassy (P, $7.99) is cooler (90% similar). ColourPop Trinkets (LE, $10.00) is warmer (90% similar). NARS Cartagena (LE, $26.00) is darker (90% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Spiked Cherry (LE, $54.00) is more muted (90% similar). Anastasia Barbie Pink (-, $16.00) is lighter (90% similar). MAC Soft Dream (LE, $21.00) is warmer (90% similar). MAC Cherry Mochi (LE, $21.00) is darker, warmer (90% similar). Anastasia Weekend Barbie (-, $16.00) is darker, brighter, warmer (85% similar). MAC Charm (LE, $20.00) is cooler (85% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Erotic (P, $54.00) is darker, brighter, warmer (85% similar). ColourPop Imaginarium (DC, $10.00) is less pigmented (85% similar). Marc Jacobs Beauty Hot Hot Hot (332) (P, $29.00) is lighter, cooler (85% similar). Marc Jacobs Beauty Not Sorry (378) (P, $29.00) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (85% similar). Sephora Ultra Violet (18) (P, $12.00) is more shimmery, lighter (85% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Infamy (P, $54.00) is darker, brighter, warmer (85% similar). MAC Raring to Go (P, $10.00) is lighter, more muted (85% similar). ColourPop Sing Along (LE, $8.00) is lighter (80% similar). ColourPop Saloon (LE, $10.00) is lighter, cooler (80% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

NARS La Maine Bleue Velvet Lip Glide ($26.00 for 0.20 fl. oz.) is a slightly muted, medium-dark berry with cool undertones and a cream finish. It had nearly opaque pigmentation–just slight translucency that allowed my lip freckle to peek through–that covered evenly and smoothly. I found that this shade applied particularly well and did not emphasize lip lines like some of the other shades have in this range. The color wore well for just over five hours and was moisturizing while worn. MAC Twirling (LE, $20.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar). Urban Decay After Dark (DC, $26.00) is lighter, brighter (90% similar). Anastasia Electro (-, $16.00) is more shimmery (90% similar). MAC Saucy Little Thing (P, $21.00) is warmer (85% similar). Marc Jacobs Beauty Boom (306) (P, $29.00) is more shimmery, less pigmented, warmer (85% similar). NARS Spike (LE, $26.00) is lighter (85% similar). MAC Rebel (P, $21.00) is darker, warmer (90% similar). Jouer Madison (P, $17.00) is lighter (85% similar). Anastasia Tango (-, $16.00) is lighter, warmer (85% similar). Maybelline Obsessed (P, $7.99) is darker, warmer (90% similar). NYX Spice Cake (P, $5.99) is lighter (85% similar). Urban Decay Vice (DC, $26.00) is lighter, brighter, warmer (80% similar). ColourPop Pony Up (DC, $10.00) is lighter, less pigmented (80% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

Formula Overview

NARS Velvet Lip Glide ($26.00 for 0.20 fl. oz.) is supposed to be a hybrid between lipstick and lipgloss that is hydrating, richly pigmented, and comfortable to wear. They have stronger color payoff, a non-tacky consistency, and a smoothness to their consistency that is a lot like a good lipstick, while they have a plusher, thicker texture that gives lips a plumper, fuller look along with a glossy sheen that is more like a gloss. Some of the lighter shades settled into lip lines, but it varied from shade to shade. The wear varied between three and five hours for me, which is more like a gloss than a lipstick. They develop a more “velvety” finish, which is code for “less shine” after two to three hours, and at that point, they tend to look more like a natural finish lipstick than a gloss. I would classify the formula more as a pigmented gloss than a glossy lipstick, if I had to put it firmly in one box. The formula has a vanilla scent but had no discernible taste to me.

NARS Bound Velvet Lip Glide

NARS Bound Velvet Lip Glide

NARS Bound Velvet Lip Glide

NARS Bound Velvet Lip Glide

NARS Bound Velvet Lip Glide

NARS Bound Velvet Lip Glide

NARS Danceteria Velvet Lip Glide

NARS Danceteria Velvet Lip Glide

NARS Danceteria Velvet Lip Glide

NARS Danceteria Velvet Lip Glide

NARS Danceteria Velvet Lip Glide

NARS Danceteria Velvet Lip Glide

NARS Le Maine Bleue Velvet Lip Glide

NARS Le Maine Bleue Velvet Lip Glide

NARS Le Maine Bleue Velvet Lip Glide

NARS Le Maine Bleue Velvet Lip Glide

NARS Le Maine Bleue Velvet Lip Glide

NARS Le Maine Bleue Velvet Lip Glide