NARS Unspeakable Velvet Lip Glide ($26.00 for 0.20 fl. oz.) is a muted, medium-dark red-plum with warm undertones and a creamy finish. It had nearly opaque color payoff that went on evenly and smoothly. The consistency had the plushness of a gloss with the creaminess of a satin lipstick, so it didn’t feel heavy or tacky, but it still had noticeable shine. This shade wore well for five hours on me, and it was moisturizing as well. NARS Plato's (LE, $26.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar). Anastasia Berry (-, $16.00) is warmer (95% similar). MAC At Your Best You Are (LE, $21.00) is lighter (90% similar). MAC Plum Bite (LE, $21.00) is lighter (85% similar). Bite Beauty Black Coffee (LE, $22.00) is more shimmery, warmer (85% similar). MAC 1 in a Million (LE, $21.00) is more shimmery, less pigmented (85% similar). Urban Decay Apocalypse (DC, $26.00) is warmer (85% similar). NARS Provoke (LE, $28.00) is more shimmery, lighter (85% similar). MAC Modern Drama (LE, $20.00) is warmer (85% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

NARS Toy Velvet Lip Glide ($26.00 for 0.20 fl. oz.) is a deep, purpled burgundy with subtle, warm undertones and a smattering of fine pearl. It had semi-opaque pigmentation, which was even for the most part with minor color pulling into lip lines (this was a case where the color was so dark that it was hard to tell from afar). The consistency was lightweight, smooth, a little gel-li,e and comfortable to wear over the five hours it lasted for. The formula felt hydrating to me while worn. Anastasia Potion (-, $16.00) is cooler (95% similar). MAC Purple Mocha (P, $21.00) is lighter, less pigmented (90% similar). MAC With Gusto (LE, $20.00) is lighter (95% similar). MAC Dark as Night (DC, $19.50) is darker, warmer (90% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

NARS Area Velvet Lip Glide ($26.00 for 0.20 fl. oz.) is a deep brown with subtle, warmer undertones and a cream finish. It had semi-opaque pigmentation that covered the lips with smooth, even color, but some of the natural lip color can come through still. The texture was lightweight, non-tacky, and comfortable to wear on the lips, while a bit of color sat in lip lines and made the ones on my bottom lip a bit more noticeable, though I didn’t really detect it from a normal viewing distance. This shade stayed on well for four and a half hours and was hydrating. MAC Thunder Kiss (LE, $20.00) is darker, cooler (95% similar). Maybelline Retro (P, $7.99) is cooler (90% similar). ColourPop Fudge Yeah (LE, $10.00) is cooler (90% similar). MAC King Pin (LE, $20.00) is lighter (85% similar). Anastasia Rum (P, $16.00) is cooler (90% similar). Giorgio Armani Daybreak (201) (P, $38.00) is cooler (85% similar). MAC Chestnut (P, $21.00) is cooler (90% similar). Bite Beauty French Press (LE, $22.00) is lighter, brighter (90% similar). ColourPop La Vida Mocha (LE, $10.00) is lighter, warmer (85% similar). ColourPop San Clemente (P, $8.00) is lighter, less pigmented, cooler (80% similar). Makeup by Mario Mocha Raisin (P, $24.00) is lighter, cooler (80% similar). NARS Mars (P, $26.00) is lighter (80% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

NARS Deviant Velvet Lip Glide ($26.00 for 0.20 fl. oz.) is a rich, medium-dark reddish plum with subtle, warm undertones and a creamy finish. The texture was smooth, light-to-medium in weight, and spread well across the lips. The formula delivered rich, opaque color coverage that was even and didn’t pull into lip lines. I was able to wear this shade for just over five hours, and it felt moisturizing to me. NARS Kiki (LE, $26.00) is warmer (95% similar). Wet 'n' Wild Dark Wine (P, $0.99) is lighter, cooler (90% similar). MAC Sin (LE, $21.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Orchid Fatale (P, $54.00) is more shimmery, glossier (90% similar). ColourPop Tutti Fruity (P, $8.00) is darker (90% similar). Anastasia Berry (-, $16.00) is cooler (90% similar). MAC Desire (P, $21.00) is lighter (90% similar). MAC Baby's a Vamp (P, $21.00) is lighter (90% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Orchid Fatale (P, $54.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar). Revlon Partner in Wine (P, $10.99) is darker (90% similar). Smashbox Brick Trick (P, $24.00) is darker, warmer (90% similar). NARS Baden Baden (LE, $26.00) is darker (90% similar). MAC Modern Drama (LE, $20.00) is lighter, cooler (85% similar). Anastasia Vamp (-, $16.00) is lighter (85% similar). Marc Jacobs Beauty Supa Dupa Fly (350) (P, $29.00) is darker (85% similar). Makeup Geek Acoustic (P, $15.00) is more shimmery, darker, more muted (80% similar). Hourglass At Night (P, $49.00) is lighter, warmer (80% similar). Natasha Denona Chestnut (LE, $26.00) is more shimmery, lighter, more muted (80% similar). Anastasia Bordeaux (-, $16.00) is lighter, warmer (80% similar). ColourPop Café de Paris (P, $10.00) is darker, cooler (80% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

Formula Overview

NARS Velvet Lip Glide ($26.00 for 0.20 fl. oz.) is supposed to be a hybrid between lipstick and lipgloss that is hydrating, richly pigmented, and comfortable to wear. They have stronger color payoff, a non-tacky consistency, and a smoothness to their consistency that is a lot like a good lipstick, while they have a plusher, thicker texture that gives lips a plumper, fuller look along with a glossy sheen that is more like a gloss. Some of the lighter shades settled into lip lines, but it varied from shade to shade. The wear varied between three and five hours for me, which is more like a gloss than a lipstick. They develop a more “velvety” finish, which is code for “less shine” after two to three hours, and at that point, they tend to look more like a natural finish lipstick than a gloss. I would classify the formula more as a pigmented gloss than a glossy lipstick, if I had to put it firmly in one box. The formula has a vanilla scent but had no discernible taste to me.

NARS Unspeakable Velvet Lip Glide

NARS Unspeakable Velvet Lip Glide

NARS Unspeakable Velvet Lip Glide

NARS Unspeakable Velvet Lip Glide

NARS Unspeakable Velvet Lip Glide

NARS Unspeakable Velvet Lip Glide

NARS Toy Velvet Lip Glide

NARS Toy Velvet Lip Glide

NARS Toy Velvet Lip Glide

NARS Toy Velvet Lip Glide

NARS Toy Velvet Lip Glide

NARS Toy Velvet Lip Glide

NARS Area Velvet Lip Glide

NARS Area Velvet Lip Glide

NARS Area Velvet Lip Glide

NARS Area Velvet Lip Glide

NARS Area Velvet Lip Glide

NARS Area Velvet Lip Glide

NARS Deviant Velvet Lip Glide

NARS Deviant Velvet Lip Glide

NARS Deviant Velvet Lip Glide

NARS Deviant Velvet Lip Glide

NARS Deviant Velvet Lip Glide

NARS Deviant Velvet Lip Glide