NARS Roman Holiday, Never Say Never, Sex Machine Velvet Matte Lip Pencils Reviews, Photos, Swatches
Roman Holiday
NARS Roman Holiday Velvet Matte Lip Pencil ($27.00 for 0.08 oz.) is a light-medium pin kwith subtle, cool undertones and a soft, pearl sheen. It had semi-sheer to semi-opaque, buildable coverage. The color could have applied a bit more evenly, both in terms of overall texture as well as actual coverage. The texture felt smooth and velvety going on, so it was not uncomfortable to apply, but it felt thin and clingy while worn. It stayed on for three and a half hours and was somewhat drying.
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.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- MAC Personal Pick (LE, $19.00) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- Tom Ford Beauty Virgin Rose (P, $57.00) is less shimmery, less glossy (90% similar).
- ColourPop Contempo (DC, $7.00) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- MAC Crème de la Femme (P, $19.00) is darker (90% similar).
- Make Up For Ever M200 (DC, $22.00) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- Maybelline Lust for Blush (P, $7.99) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- Makeup Geek Proper (P, $15.00) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- ColourPop Spritz (LE, $7.00) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- MAC Pink Plaid (P, $19.00) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- NARS Anna (P, $34.00) is less shimmery, darker, warmer (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.
Roman Holiday
PPermanent. $27.00.
Never Say Never
NARS Never Say Never Velvet Matte Lip Pencil ($27.00 for 0.08 oz.) is a medium-dark plum with cool undertones and a fine pearl over a more matte finish. It had semi-opaque, buildable coverage paired with a velvety texture that felt thin on the lips but never tugged or dragged when I applied directly from the tube. It wore well for five hours and was lightly drying after three hours of wear.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- KVD Beauty Mother (DC, $21.00) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- NARS La Paz (LE, $28.00) is darker, brighter (90% similar).
- Make Up For Ever #12 (DC, $19.00) is more shimmery, lighter (95% similar).
- Makeup Geek Lively (P, $15.00) is less shimmery, darker (85% similar).
- MAC Private Party (LE, $19.00) is brighter, warmer (95% similar).
- Huda Beauty Trophy Wife (P, $20.00) is darker, warmer (90% similar).
- ColourPop Bad Habit (DC, $6.50) is less shimmery, darker, warmer (85% similar).
- Bite Beauty #002 (LE, $36.00) is less shimmery, brighter, glossier (85% similar).
- MAC Captive (P, $19.00) is less shimmery, darker, warmer (90% similar).
- Chanel L'Amoureuse (47) (DC, $45.00) is lighter, brighter (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.
Never Say Never
PPermanent. $27.00.
Sex Machine
NARS Sex Machine Velvet Matte Lip Pencil ($27.00 for 0.08 oz.) is a medium-dark pink with subtle, warm undertones and a barely-there shimmer over a matte finish. I felt like the shimmer gave it a subtle sheen but did not read “shimmery” to my eye. The texture was velvety, thin but not clingy, and comfortable to apply and to wear. It had semi-opaque, buildable coverage that lasted for five hours on me. The formula was a bit drying toward the end.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- MAC Mehr (P, $19.00) is darker, glossier (90% similar).
- Tom Ford Beauty Anderson (P, $36.00) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- Urban Decay Naked (P, $18.00) is less shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
- Bite Beauty Fig (DC, $26.00) is less shimmery, lighter, warmer (85% similar).
- MAC Brave (P, $19.00) is less shimmery, brighter (90% similar).
- Bite Beauty Pastille (DC, $24.00) is more shimmery, warmer (95% similar).
- Tom Ford Beauty Indian Rose (P, $57.00) is darker, warmer, glossier (90% similar).
- Flower Beauty Petal Kiss (P, $6.98) is lighter (95% similar).
- Givenchy Nude Guipure (106) (P, $36.00) is glossier (95% similar).
- KVD Beauty Lovecraft (DC, $21.00) is 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, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Propylene Carbonate, Lecithin, Propylparaben, Methylparaben, Aroma (Flavor), Tocopherol, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Citric Acid, Dicalcium Phosphate. May Contain: Mica, CI 77891 (Titanium Dioxide), CI 77491 (Iron Oxides), CI 77492 (Iron Oxides), CI 77499 (Iron Oxides), CI 15850 (Red 6), CI 15850 (Red 7 Lake)
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.
I keep wanting more and more of these. This time I want Never say Never.
Do you think you’ll try any of them, Isa?
I’m sure I will, I’ve never been good at resisting temptation, especially when it comes to lipsticks. I’ll definitely get Walkyrie and Bahama the next time Sephora or the other department store that carries Nars has a promo/sale. Still deciding on the rest. These pencils are such a weakness of mine since I like mattes but I don’t like the liquid lipstick format!
Never Say Never and Sex Machine both look like shades I’d wear….and I actually do! Covered with MAC Mehr and KVD Mother, so I just saved a few $’s it seems.
On the other hand, Roman Holiday looks like a really scarily 80’s lip shade, but lacking any moisture or sheen. Eeks.
Mehr is such a great shade!
IDK, but none of these are wowing me
They aren’t the best in the range, I’d say!
Bleh, why do those two have to be drying?!?!
I know! 🙁
Never Say Never is my favourite of these three.
I’ll probably not get it as I have a hard time with products that feels drying on the lips. It can be the weird winter we’ve had that’s made me more sensetive, I guess I’ll know once spring is here.
Totally makes sense to me, Helene! I don’t think I would really opt for too many drying formulas myself if I wasn’t testing them for the blog!
Never say never is my pick! These look stunning on you Christine!
Thank you, Shanon! 😀
You know, sometimes I get annoyed that brands like Makeup Forever give all their products number so rather than names, then I remember that there are brands that call a lip product “sex machine” and I’m suddenly way more grateful to MUFE.
It’s a double-edged sword, lol!
They are all pretty colors. Luckily I am covered with dupes on all three. Thanks for the reviews, and for saving me money.
I can’t stand glossy, but I’m really liking the “mattes with shimmer” that we seem to be seeing more of lately.