NARS Train Bleu & Unspoken Velvet Matte Lip Pencils Reviews, Photos, Swatches
Train Bleu
NARS Train Bleu Velvet Matte Lip Pencil ($27.00 for 0.08 oz.) is deep, purpled berry with cool undertones and a semi-matte finish. It had semi-opaque color coverage that went on fairly evenly and smoothly. The consistency was velvety, smooth without being emollient, and glided on easily. The lip color could have sat a bit better on lips, but it lasted for six hours and was just a touch drying overall.
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
- Dose of Colors Saváge (LE, $18.00) is warmer (95% similar).
- Urban Decay Blackmail (P, $18.00) is warmer (95% similar).
- ColourPop Nevermind (LE, $7.00) is less pigmented, lower quality, glossier (95% similar).
- MAC Smoked Purple (P, $19.00) is darker (95% similar).
- MAC Instigator (P, $19.00) is lighter, warmer (95% similar).
- Estee Lauder Extrovert (P, $32.00) is lighter (95% similar).
- Sephora Mysterious Plum (100) (P, $14.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- Urban Decay Troublemaker (LE, $18.00) is cooler, glossier (95% similar).
- Lancome Mademoiselle Isabella (508) (P, $32.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- MAC Power My Spirit (LE, $19.00) is warmer, glossier (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.
Train Bleu
PPermanent. $27.00.
Unspoken
NARS Unspoken Velvet Matte Lip Pencil ($27.00 for 0.08 oz.) is a muted, purplish navy blue with cool undertones and a satin finish. It was a more unusual shade for NARS, but unfortunately, it did not apply as evenly as I would have liked. I think this shade would work better with a liner underneath or it perhaps a lip primer. The texture felt smooth going on and felt fairly comfortable to wear (it was a bit drying after a few hours). It wore well for five hours on me.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Bite Beauty #054 (P, $18.00) is lighter (95% similar).
- Urban Decay Time (LE, $18.00) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- Sephora City Beat (45) (P, $8.00) is glossier (90% similar).
- Maybelline Midnight Blue (DC, $7.49) is darker, glossier (90% similar).
- MAC Nico Kiss (LE, $18.50) is lighter, brighter, glossier (85% similar).
- Fenty Beauty Clapback (P, $18.00) is warmer (80% 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.
Train Bleu is such a classic. Unspoken doesn’t look quite as good, but good enough. When I hand swatched it, it had more gray behind it, than it does on you. Very glad that I have the oldies I wanted, bec. many of the new ones are beckoning.
Such dark vampy colors! Great for fall/winter but I’m into lighter colors this spring
Christine do these lip pencils twist up to sharpen or do you need to use a sharpener on them?
They require sharpening.
Too bad that Unspoken doesn’t apply very smoothly, because it’s really quite a nice shade of blurple. I do know that Nyx has a similar shade, so I may see about that, because this one just doesn’t warrant its $’s.
I know! A really unique shade for NARS, too.
Train Bleu looks like another must have.
I’v wanted Train Bleu for YEARS. It’s so pretty and stunning <3.
I'v always held back, because I own SO many deep, vampy, purples you know? And while I love that this is matte, and it's in a pencil. I never think of it when I have disposable makeup money!
Interesting shades!! I don’t think I’d rock these colours personally but it’s always nice to know I have options!
Was Train Bleu reformulated? It looks more smooth and pigmented than the last swatch I’ve seen. Or am I just imagining it?