NARS Timanfaya Satin Lip Pencil ($25.00 for 0.07 oz.) is described as a “mandarin red.” It’s a brightened, medium-dark orange with warm, red undertones and a satin finish–just a soft sheen that will gradually turn matte as it wears on. MAC Tart & Trendy (LE, $16.00) is more muted, lighter. Milani Sweet Nectar (P, $5.49) is very similar. Maybelline Electric Orange (P, $7.49) is also very similar–perhaps a tiny bit darker. MAC Fashion Nomad (LE, $16.00) is darker. MAC Sounds Like Noise (LE, $16.00) is lighter, less red-toned. MAC Neon Orange (LE, $16.00) is darker, more red-toned. See comparison swatches.

The pencil had a soft, creamy consistency when applied to the lips, where it actually felt almost slippery when I was applying it, but the lip color dried down slightly so it didn’t slip or slide on the lips. It was really pigmented and yielded full, opaque color coverage. The color wore well for almost six hours, and it was neither drying nor hydrating during that time. I only wish NARS would upgrade their packaging by putting the formula into a twist-up pencil, rather than one you have to sharpen, as sharpening always leads to some waste. You can minimize the waste by putting the pencil into the freezer prior to sharpening, though, but I would appreciate the convenience of a twist-up pencil.

NARS Timanfaya Satin Lip Pencil

NARS Timanfaya Satin Lip Pencil

NARS Timanfaya Satin Lip Pencil

NARS Timanfaya Satin Lip Pencil

NARS Timanfaya Satin Lip Pencil

NARS Timanfaya Satin Lip Pencil

NARS Timanfaya Satin Lip Pencil