NARS Ransom Velvet Matte Lip Pencil Set Review & Swatches
Ransom
NARS Ransom Velvet Matte Lip Pencil Set ($45.00 for 0.32 oz.) is a new, limited set of four jumbo-sized lip pencils in shades of soft brown, coral, and plum. The set contains four full-sized Velvet Matte Lip Pencils, in all new shades, giving it a total value of $108. This set is exclusive to Nordstrom. The quality of two shades was consistent with what I’d expect from the formula and are worth considering, but the other two were more disappointing, so the set was a wash.
Ingredients
Ransom
LELimited Edition. $45.00.
Rowdy
Rowdy is a soft, rosy brown with warmer undertones and a matte finish. It had semi-opaque, buildable pigmentation with a soft, velvety texture that glided across my lips without tugging. The texture was thin, but it looked drier and somewhat powdery on my lips after I had applied it, and this resulted in some of my lip texture getting emphasized. It lasted for three and a half hours and was somewhat drying over time.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Anastasia Coconut (LE, $18.00) is darker, cooler (95% similar).
- ColourPop Muneca (DC, $6.50) is darker, cooler (95% similar).
- Kaleidos North (P, $12.00) is lighter (95% similar).
- MAC Burnt Spice (P, $21.00) is darker (90% similar).
- Tarte Castle (LE, $20.00) is darker (90% similar).
- Make Up For Ever M101 (DC, $22.00) is darker, warmer (90% similar).
- ColourPop Muneca (P, $5.00) is darker (90% similar).
- L'Oreal Le Wood Nonchalant (P, $13.99) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
- KVD Beauty Bow 'n' Arrow (P, $20.00) is darker, warmer (90% similar).
- Tarte Bestie (LE, $20.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
Formula Overview
$27.00/0.08 oz. - $337.50 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to be “long-lasting” with “rich” and “seamless color.” The texture has a more velvety feel: smooth, thinner but glides on easily, and doesn’t have a lot of wetness/creaminess. The pigmentation varied from shade to shade with most shades having semi-opaque coverage. They were easy to apply along the lips and comfortable to apply, as they did not tug. The formula lasted anywhere from three hours to six hours, and some shades were somewhat drying and others were non-drying.
Browse all of our NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil swatches.
Ingredients
C12-13 Alkyl Ethylhexanoate, Synthetic Candelilla Wax, Polyethylene, Caprylyl Methicone, Cyclopentasiloxane, Silica, Dimethicone, Sucrose Acetate Isobutyrate, Hydrogenated Coco-Glycerides, Tocopherol, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Propylene Carbonate, Lecithin, Flavor (Aroma), Dicalcium Phosphate, Citric Acid, Propylparaben, Methylparaben, Anise Alcohol. [+/- (May Contain/Peut Contenir): Blue 1 Lake (CI 42090), Iron Oxides (CI 77491), Iron Oxides (CI 77492), Iron Oxides (CI 77499), Mica, Red 28 Lake (CI 45410), Red 6 (CI 15850), Red 7 Lake (CI 15850), Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Yellow 5 Lake (CI 19140)].
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.
Rowdy
LELimited Edition. $27.00.
Skin Tight
Skin Tight is a light, pink-coral with warm undertones and a matte finish. The lighter shades in this formula tend to look powdery and gravitate toward my lip lines, and this shade was no exception. It had good pigmentation, though it wasn’t buildable, and the consistency had the glide and velvety feel of the formula as I’d expect, but the end result on my lips was disappointing. The lip color pulled into my lip lines, emphasized my lip texture, and wore away unevenly. It stayed on well for three hours on me with a slightly drying formula.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- NARS Bolero (P, $27.00) is lighter (95% similar).
- NARS Maria Carla (LE, $27.00) is darker (95% similar).
- Makeup by Mario Sam (P, $24.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
- Makeup Geek Foxtrot (LE, $12.00) is brighter, warmer (90% similar).
- NARS Get Off (P, $27.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
- MAC Reverence (P, $22.00) is darker (90% similar).
- NARS Anais (LE, $34.00) is brighter (90% similar).
- ColourPop Otter (P, $8.00) is cooler (90% similar).
- Milani I Am Awesome (P, $6.99) is lighter, brighter, warmer (85% similar).
- Lisa Eldridge Velvet Intrigue (P, $36.00) is darker, cooler (85% similar).
Formula Overview
$27.00/0.08 oz. - $337.50 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to be “long-lasting” with “rich” and “seamless color.” The texture has a more velvety feel: smooth, thinner but glides on easily, and doesn’t have a lot of wetness/creaminess. The pigmentation varied from shade to shade with most shades having semi-opaque coverage. They were easy to apply along the lips and comfortable to apply, as they did not tug. The formula lasted anywhere from three hours to six hours, and some shades were somewhat drying and others were non-drying.
Browse all of our NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil swatches.
Ingredients
C12-13 Alkyl Ethylhexanoate, Synthetic Candelilla Wax, Polyethylene, Caprylyl Methicone, Cyclopentasiloxane, Silica, Dimethicone, Sucrose Acetate Isobutyrate, Hydrogenated Coco-Glycerides, Tocopherol, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Propylene Carbonate, Lecithin, Flavor (Aroma), Dicalcium Phosphate, Citric Acid, Propylparaben, Methylparaben, Anise Alcohol. [+/- (May Contain/Peut Contenir): Blue 1 Lake (CI 42090), Iron Oxides (CI 77491), Iron Oxides (CI 77492), Iron Oxides (CI 77499), Mica, Red 28 Lake (CI 45410), Red 6 (CI 15850), Red 7 Lake (CI 15850), Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Yellow 5 Lake (CI 19140)].
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.
Skin Tight
LELimited Edition. $27.00.
Mayhem
Mayhem is a soft, medium plum with subtle, cool undertones and a matte finish. It had rich color coverage that applied evenly and easily over my lips in a single layer. The pencil was smooth, velvety, and thin with good adherence and no slip (but never tugged during application). It wore well for four and a half hours and felt neither drying nor hydrating over time.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- NARS Vicious (LE, $27.00) is lighter, warmer (95% similar).
- Urban Decay Comeback (P, $18.00) is lighter, warmer (95% similar).
- NARS Hot Kiss (P, $26.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- Coloured Raine May She Raine (P, $17.00) is lighter, warmer (95% similar).
- MAC Soar (P, $19.00) is darker (95% similar).
- Make Up For Ever M205 (DC, $22.00) is darker, less glossy (95% similar).
- Sephora Day Dreaming (81) (P, $14.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
- NARS Lovin' Lips (P, $26.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- L'Oreal Le Mauve Indomptable (P, $13.99) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- KVD Beauty Lovecraft (P, $20.00) is darker (95% similar).
Formula Overview
$27.00/0.08 oz. - $337.50 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to be “long-lasting” with “rich” and “seamless color.” The texture has a more velvety feel: smooth, thinner but glides on easily, and doesn’t have a lot of wetness/creaminess. The pigmentation varied from shade to shade with most shades having semi-opaque coverage. They were easy to apply along the lips and comfortable to apply, as they did not tug. The formula lasted anywhere from three hours to six hours, and some shades were somewhat drying and others were non-drying.
Browse all of our NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil swatches.
Ingredients
C12-13 Alkyl Ethylhexanoate, Synthetic Candelilla Wax, Polyethylene, Caprylyl Methicone, Cyclopentasiloxane, Silica, Dimethicone, Sucrose Acetate Isobutyrate, Hydrogenated Coco-Glycerides, Tocopherol, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Propylene Carbonate, Lecithin, Flavor (Aroma), Dicalcium Phosphate, Citric Acid, Propylparaben, Methylparaben, Anise Alcohol. [+/- (May Contain/Peut Contenir): Blue 1 Lake (CI 42090), Iron Oxides (CI 77491), Iron Oxides (CI 77492), Iron Oxides (CI 77499), Mica, Red 28 Lake (CI 45410), Red 6 (CI 15850), Red 7 Lake (CI 15850), Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Yellow 5 Lake (CI 19140)].
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.
Mayhem
LELimited Edition. $27.00.
Trashed
Trashed is a deep, reddened plum with subtle, warm undertones and a matte finish. The lip pencil delivered rich, opaque pigmentation in a single layer, which went on evenly and sat well on my lips. It had a lightweight, velvety consistency that glided across my lips without tugging and was comfortable to wear. This shade lasted for five and a half hours and was neither drying nor hydrating.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Lisa Eldridge Velvet Myth (LE, $36.00) is darker (90% similar).
- Make Up For Ever M102 (DC, $22.00) is brighter (95% similar).
- Bobbi Brown Razzberry (P, $37.00) is lighter (95% similar).
- ColourPop Happy Thoughts (LE, $7.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- NARS Spike (LE, $27.00) is darker (90% similar).
- ColourPop So Emo-tional (LE, $9.00) is cooler, glossier (90% similar).
- YSL Rosewood Gang (5) (P, $36.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- NARS Transeurope Express (P, $26.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- Lisa Eldridge Velvet Blush (P, $36.00) is darker, warmer, glossier (90% similar).
- MAC Rajah (LE, $20.00) is darker, warmer (90% similar).
Formula Overview
$27.00/0.08 oz. - $337.50 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to be “long-lasting” with “rich” and “seamless color.” The texture has a more velvety feel: smooth, thinner but glides on easily, and doesn’t have a lot of wetness/creaminess. The pigmentation varied from shade to shade with most shades having semi-opaque coverage. They were easy to apply along the lips and comfortable to apply, as they did not tug. The formula lasted anywhere from three hours to six hours, and some shades were somewhat drying and others were non-drying.
Browse all of our NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil swatches.
Ingredients
C12-13 Alkyl Ethylhexanoate, Synthetic Candelilla Wax, Polyethylene, Caprylyl Methicone, Cyclopentasiloxane, Silica, Dimethicone, Sucrose Acetate Isobutyrate, Hydrogenated Coco-Glycerides, Tocopherol, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Propylene Carbonate, Lecithin, Flavor (Aroma), Dicalcium Phosphate, Citric Acid, Propylparaben, Methylparaben, Anise Alcohol. [+/- (May Contain/Peut Contenir): Blue 1 Lake (CI 42090), Iron Oxides (CI 77491), Iron Oxides (CI 77492), Iron Oxides (CI 77499), Mica, Red 28 Lake (CI 45410), Red 6 (CI 15850), Red 7 Lake (CI 15850), Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Yellow 5 Lake (CI 19140)].
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.
Two have close dupes in the Sephora set. Leaning towards that one.
The bad thing is that two of these pencils rated so poorly. The good thing is that I will save $45 by not buying this set. (But that case is so adorable!)
I really like Trashed and Mayhem. Since they’re full size you’re still getting a deal even if the other two go into the trash.
Trashed and Mayhem are simply gorgeous! Too bad this is not a duo set of just those 2 shades, because the other 2 look as dry as Phoenix in June!
Now that I am seeing these swatched I am not loving them as much. Only one will really work for me or my daughter so I am disappointed. Really thought I would like these.
It’s always hard to decide whether to purchase a good deal when half of the products are average, but these shades look so dupable. A shame really.
These are lovely but I always hesitate before buying a NARS lip pencil. I find them extremely difficult to sharpen and lots of product winds up being wasted due to breakage. Anyone else have this issue? Maybe it’s just me and I need to upgrade my sharpener.
Mayhem and Trashed are so pretty!