NARS Mysterious Red Velvet Matte Lip Pencil ($25.00 for 0.086 oz.) is described as a “crimson red.” It’s a subtly warm-toned, medium-dark red with a matte finish. It’s bold, bright, and very opaque. The consistency is just waxy enough that it glides across the lips without tugging or pulling while still delivering full color in a single stroke.  It wore for six hours and was slightly drying overall. Maybelline Infra-red is glossier. NARS Majella is browner, darker. Hourglass Raven is brighter, warmer. See comparison swatches.

Paimpol Velvet Matte Lip Pencil ($25.00 for 0.086 oz.) is described as a “pink chiffon.” It’s a slightly cool-toned, light pink with an iridescent shimmer, so it looks frosted on the lips. It had semi-opaque color payoff, but between the light color and frosted (but matte) finish, it wasn’t very flattering or forgiving on the lips. It seemed to apply easily enough and did so evenly, despite it not being opaque.  It wore for two hours and was slightly drying after wearing twice in a row! MAC Beauty is lighter, more opaque. MAC Fun Finds is warmer. MAC Mlle is more opaque. Guerlain Rose Innocent is glossier. See comparison swatches.

NARS Mysterious Red Velvet Matte Lip Pencil

NARS Mysterious Red Velvet Matte Lip Pencil

NARS Mysterious Red Velvet Matte Lip Pencil

NARS Mysterious Red Velvet Matte Lip Pencil

NARS Mysterious Red Velvet Matte Lip Pencil

NARS Mysterious Red Velvet Matte Lip Pencil

NARS Paimpol Velvet Matte Lip Pencil

NARS Paimpol Velvet Matte Lip Pencil

NARS Paimpol Velvet Matte Lip Pencil

NARS Paimpol Velvet Matte Lip Pencil

NARS Paimpol Velvet Matte Lip Pencil

NARS Paimpol Velvet Matte Lip Pencil