NARS Mineshaft Velvet Lip Glide ($26.00 for 0.20 fl. oz.) is a bright, medium red with warm, orange undertones and a cream finish. The texture was smooth, non-sticky, and light-to-medium in weight; it sat well on lips for the most part with just the faintest settling that was visible in the close-up but not in person (without a magnifying mirror). The color was richly pigmented and lasted for five hours while it felt hydrating over time. NARS No. 54 (P, $26.00) is cooler (95% similar). Maybelline Signature Scarlet (020) (P, $8.99) is lighter, brighter (95% similar). Giorgio Armani #402 Red to Go (P, $38.00) is darker (95% similar). Revlon Fire (DC, $7.49) is lighter, brighter (95% similar). Maybelline So Hot (P, $7.99) is warmer (95% similar). MAC Forever Darling (P, $24.00) is darker (95% similar). Laura Mercier Poppy (P, $25.00) is lighter, brighter (95% similar). MAC Anthurium (DC, $19.50) is lighter, brighter (90% similar). MAC Russian Red (P, $21.00) is darker, cooler (95% similar). Revlon HD Fire Opal (560) (DC, $8.99) is lighter, brighter (90% similar). Anastasia Runway Red (-, $16.00) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar). MAC Velvet Me (LE, $21.00) is cooler (90% similar). Anastasia Neon Apple (-, $16.00) is brighter (90% similar). Milani Red My Lips (12) (P, $5.49) is warmer (90% similar). MAC Fortune Red (LE, $21.00) is more muted, less pigmented, cooler (90% similar). Tom Ford Beauty No Vacancy (P, $54.00) is cooler (90% similar). NARS Disruptor (LE, $26.00) is cooler (90% similar). Tom Ford Beauty True Coral (P, $54.00) is brighter, cooler (90% similar). NARS Le Palace (P, $26.00) is darker (85% similar). YSL Rouge Vinyle (401) (P, $36.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

NARS No. 54 Velvet Lip Glide ($26.00 for 0.20 fl. oz.) is a bright, medium red with neutral-to-warm undertones and a cream finish. It had opaque color payoff that applied with smooth, even coverage. The texture was smooth with a little weight (but it wasn’t heavy) and just slightly emphasized a few of my lip lines, which I could only see close-up. This shade wore well for five hours and was moisturizing while worn. NARS Mineshaft (P, $26.00) is warmer (95% similar). Smashbox Bad Apple (P, $24.00) is brighter (95% similar). NARS Disruptor (LE, $26.00) is lighter (95% similar). Cle de Peau Bugatti Red (17) (P, $48.00) is darker, glossier (95% similar). Tom Ford Beauty No Vacancy (P, $54.00) is brighter (95% similar). L'Oreal Be Powerful (P, $11.99) is warmer (95% similar). Anastasia Neon Apple (-, $16.00) is brighter, warmer (95% similar). MAC Russian Red (P, $21.00) is lighter, glossier (95% similar). Christian Louboutin Beaute Altressa (P, $85.00) is darker, more muted (95% similar). Anastasia Socialite (-, $16.00) is lighter (90% similar). Giorgio Armani Red Chrome (401) (P, $38.00) is darker, warmer (90% similar). MAC Opera (LE, $21.00) is warmer (90% similar). MAC Patrick Woo (LE, $21.00) is cooler (90% similar). Chanel Rouge Carmin (824) (LE, $30.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Dressed to Kill (P, $54.00) is brighter (90% similar). MAC Ruby Woo (P, $21.00) is glossier (90% similar). YSL Rouge Vinyle (401) (P, $36.00) is darker (90% similar). ColourPop Show Your Stripes (LE, $8.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar). NARS Red District (LE, $26.00) is brighter, glossier (90% similar). YSL Private Carmine (204) (P, $38.00) is darker, more muted (90% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

NARS Le Palace Velvet Lip Glide ($26.00 for 0.20 fl. oz.) is a deep red with subtle, cool undertones and very fine pearl. It had intense color payoff that applied smoothly and evenly. The texture was smooth, almost gel-like, and easy to spread across the lips and did not well up into my lip lines. This shade wore well for almost five hours and was hydrating over time. MAC Russian Red (P, $21.00) is cooler (95% similar). YSL Private Carmine (204) (P, $38.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar). Anastasia Runway Red (-, $16.00) is lighter, brighter (90% similar). YSL Rouge Vinyle (401) (P, $36.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar). Christian Louboutin Beaute Altressa (P, $85.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar). Giorgio Armani #400 Four Hundred (P, $38.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Ravageur (P, $54.00) is more shimmery, cooler (90% similar). MAC Opera (LE, $21.00) is lighter (90% similar). Maybelline Classic (P, $7.99) is darker, brighter (95% similar). MAC Ready to Roam (LE, $21.00) is more shimmery (90% similar). Urban Decay Brickhouse (DC, $26.00) is cooler (90% similar). Anastasia Neon Apple (-, $16.00) is lighter, brighter (85% similar). MAC RiRi Woo (LE, $21.00) is lighter, brighter, cooler (85% similar). Anastasia Socialite (-, $16.00) is lighter, brighter, cooler (85% similar). MAC Driven by Love (DC, $19.50) is more shimmery, lighter (85% similar). NARS Mineshaft (P, $26.00) is lighter (85% similar). Tom Ford Beauty No Vacancy (P, $54.00) is lighter, brighter (85% 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 Mineshaft Velvet Lip Glide

NARS Mineshaft Velvet Lip Glide

NARS Mineshaft Velvet Lip Glide

NARS Mineshaft Velvet Lip Glide

NARS Mineshaft Velvet Lip Glide

NARS Mineshaft Velvet Lip Glide

NARS No. 54 Velvet Lip Glide

NARS No. 54 Velvet Lip Glide

NARS No. 54 Velvet Lip Glide

NARS No. 54 Velvet Lip Glide

NARS No. 54 Velvet Lip Glide

NARS No. 54 Velvet Lip Glide

NARS Le Palace Velvet Lip Glide

NARS Le Palace Velvet Lip Glide

NARS Le Palace Velvet Lip Glide

NARS Le Palace Velvet Lip Glide

NARS Le Palace Velvet Lip Glide

NARS Le Palace Velvet Lip Glide