NARS Cruella Powermatte High-Intensity Lip Pencil Review & Swatches
Cruella
NARS Cruella Powermatte High-Intensity Lip Pencil ($30.00 for 0.08 oz.) is a deep, slightly muted, red with subtle, cool undertones and a matte finish.
- Opaque pigmentation in one stroke
- Lightly emollient, creamy, lightweight
- Set to a flexible, lightly tacky but transfer-resistant finish
- Applied evenly and smoothly across lips, fairly forgiving of lip texture/lip lines
- Long-wearing (7 hours), non-drying
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Guerlain Ruby Red (880) (P, $36.00).
- MAC PhillipeBlond (LE, $21.00).
- Anastasia Ruby (P, $18.00).
- ColourPop Take a Bao (LE, $9.00).
- ColourPop Evil Queen (LE, $8.00).
- MAC Rouge en Snow (LE, $19.00).
- ColourPop Hi Striker (P, $7.00).
- Bite Beauty Hot Tomato (P, $28.00).
- Lisa Eldridge Velvet Duchess (P, $36.00).
- Rare Beauty Transform (P, $20.00).
Formula Overview
$30.00/0.08 oz. - $375.00 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to have a matte finish with "12-hour" wear with "one swipe, instant color" that is comfortable to wear and "transfer-proof." I think they've improved upon the longevity compared to the brand's Velvet Matte Lip Pencils of many years ago, as even the lighter shades are long-wearing, but 12-hour wear is a stretch (that's not a surprise, though).
The formula featured a soft setting process where the initial texture was more emollient, creamier, and easy to maneuver with along the curves of the lips, but it set to a lightly tacky finish that was transfer-resistant and remained flexible, so it was comfortable to wear. Most shades wore between five and six hours with a couple of the deeper hues lasting over six hours. It was a non-drying formula to wear over time.
The shades were pigmented in a single layer, and I felt like they were quite easy to use to get a nice, even line of color along the edges of my lips. It was also a more forgiving and flattering finish as it didn't emphasize lip lines or lip texture for the most part.
Browse all of our NARS Powermatte High-Intensity Lip Pencil swatches.
Ingredients
Dimethicone, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Caprylyl Methicone, Octyldodecanol, Synthetic Wax, Lauroyl Lysine, Dicalcium Phosphate, Phenylpropyldimethylsiloxysilicate, Diisostearyl Malate, Polyethylene, Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax/Cera Carnauba/Cire De Carnauba, Stearyl Heptanoate, Stearyl Caprylate, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Isostearic Acid, Lecithin, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Propylene Carbonate, [+/-(May Contain/Peut Contenir): Iron Oxides (Ci 77491, Ci 77492, Ci 77499), Red 6 (Ci 15850), Red 7 Lake (Ci 15850), Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891), Yellow 6 Lake (Ci 15985), Red 28 Lake (Ci 45410)].
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.
HATE the name origin (François, please rename it to something more pleasant for those of us who love dogs and cats?) But I love the beauty of this shade a whole lot!
By far my favorite shade in the original formula. I really enjoy wearing this shade and the formula was quite comfortable to wear. It wore nicely on me also.
Is it just me or is this significantly lighter than the original Cruella pencil, which looks more burgundy? I’m glad I bought a back-up despite my “only buy backups for complexion products and skincare” rule.
Yes! Nothing like the original Cruella, which I love!
I didn’t really notice it when I first looked and responded but you are right, this is a lot lighter. I probably would have just attributed it to my having more pigmented lips but in the swatch you can tell it isn’t the same shade, at least to my eye. Thank you for pointing it out. I also have a backup of Cruella. I didn’t buy it as a backup but ended up with two of the same color when it was shipped to me and I didn’t want to hassle sending it back so kept it. Glad now that I did.
Gorgeous colour and a decent rating.. Unlike most matte finishes, this one looks quite comfortable to wear.