NARS x Connor Tingley Velvet Matte Lip Pencil Set Review & Swatches
Connor Tingley
NARS Connor Tingley Velvet Matte Lip Pencil Set ($45.00 for 0.32 oz.) is a new, limited edition set of four, full-sized Velvet Matte Lip Pencils. They’re still “coming soon” to NARS’ website (I don’t have a date yet). Two of the shades were nice–pigmented, easy to apply, and long-wearing–while two were less consistent with a less-flattering application where the product emphasized my lip texture or settled into my lip lines over time.
Grotto
Grotto is a medium-dark peach with warm, orange undertones and a matte finish. It had good color coverage in a single layer, which adhered fairly evenly but had a tendency to emphasize my natural lip texture and catch on any dryness/flakes. The consistency was very lightweight and velvety, which made it comfortable to maneuver along the edges of my lips. It wore nicely for three and a half hours before pulling too much into my lip lines that it became noticeable to the casual viewer.
Top Dupes
- Dose of Colors Peachii (LE, $18.00) is darker (90% similar).
- Colour Pop Creme Fresh (P, $7.00) is warmer (90% similar).
- NARS Firecracker (LE, $26.00) is warmer (90% similar).
- MAC Back in Vogue (P, $21.00) is lighter (85% similar).
- Sephora Warm Nude (75) (P, $14.00) is more muted (85% similar).
- Too Faced The New Black (P, $22.00) is darker (80% similar).
- Kat Von D Malice (P, $20.00) is darker, brighter (80% similar).
- NARS Soleil de Pluie (LE, $27.00) is darker, more muted (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)].
Ladrillo
Ladrillo is a deep, coppery red with warm undertones and a semi-matte finish. It had nearly opaque color payoff in a single stroke, which drew on color evenly and smoothly without catching or dragging on my lips. The consistency was incredibly lightweight, thin without being clingy, and comfortable to wear. It stayed on well for five hours and was neither drying nor hydrating.
Top Dupes
- Coloured Raine Queendom (P, $17.00) is brighter (90% similar).
- Colour Pop Mama (P, $6.50) is more muted, cooler (90% similar).
- Colour Pop Mind Trick (P, $7.00) is cooler (90% similar).
- Too Faced Cinnamon Bear (LE, $21.00) is darker (85% similar).
- Colour Pop 21 Questions (P, $7.00) is lighter, cooler (85% similar).
- Colour Pop Love Life (P, $5.00) is lighter, brighter, cooler (85% similar).
- Too Faced Gingerbread Man (LE, $21.00) is darker, more muted (85% similar).
- Dose of Colors Aesthetic (LE, $18.00) is darker, warmer (85% similar).
- Colour Pop Fee Fi Fo (LE, $7.00) is lighter, cooler (85% similar).
- Makeup Geek Saucy (P, $15.00) is darker (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)].
Rosa
Rosa is a bright, reddish-coral with warm undertones and a matte finish. The lip pencil yielded semi-opaque coverage, which was hard to build up beyond that, which did not apply evenly and emphasized my natural lip texture. The pencil felt smooth and velvety as it glided across my lips, but it just didn’t look good applied. It lasted for just over four and a half hours but did pull into my lip lines over time. It felt neither drying nor hydrating while worn.
Top Dupes
- Urban Decay Frequency (P, $22.00) is lighter (95% similar).
- NARS Rouge Immortel (LE, $27.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- Fenty Beauty Unattached (P, $24.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- Urban Decay Tryst (P, $18.00) is lighter, brighter (90% similar).
- Dose of Colors Fresa (LE, $18.00) is darker (90% similar).
- NARS Flame (LE, $26.00) is lighter, brighter (90% similar).
- NARS Famous Red (P, $27.00) is cooler (85% similar).
- MAC Ablaze (P, $18.50) is lighter, cooler, glossier (85% similar).
- Fenty Beauty Dragon Mami (P, $18.00) is lighter, warmer (85% similar).
- Makeup Geek Tango (LE, $12.00) is lighter (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)].
Amontillado
Amontillado is a medium-dark red with subtle, cool undertones and a matte finish. It had rich, opaque pigmentation with a smooth, velvety texture that skated across my lips with ease and delivered thin, nearly feather-weight in feel color that didn’t emphasize my lip lines. It wore well for six hours, left a faint stain behind, and was non-drying over time.
Top Dupes
- Maybelline Red for Me (P, $7.49) is darker, cooler (95% similar).
- Make Up For Ever M401 (P, $22.00) is cooler (95% similar).
- NYX Perfect Red (P, $6.00) is brighter (95% similar).
- Urban Decay Crimson (P, $18.00) is cooler (95% similar).
- Giorgio Armani Lucky Red (403) (P, $38.00) is darker (95% similar).
- MAC Tenor Voice (LE, $18.50) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- NARS Lesbos (LE, $27.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Urban Decay 714 (P, $18.00) is darker, warmer (90% similar).
- Colour Pop Weekender (LE, $5.00) is darker (90% similar).
- Colour Pop La La Land (LE, $6.50) is brighter (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)].
I really like the artsy packaging NARS comes up with these collection… I assume that the cases are reusable (after you remove the lipstick insert) which is kind of nice.
Since the 2 more “springy” shades are of fairly poor quality, and the fact that I’ll be ordering CR Queendom lipstick next month probably, I’m passing this set up. If only Rosa and Grotto had been better, this would have been a really nice set!
Is it bad that I mostly want this set for the box? I’ll probably end up passing, though.
I have to admit I didn’t know who Connor Tingley was so had to look him up. Must say, it is unusual for such a young person to have found the level of success that he has in the art world. I usually love the Nars Lip Pencil formula so would likely pick up a few of these. Having said that, the two most appealing shades to me personally are Amontillado and Rosy which I am sure I have a million dupes for but Amontillado is really lovely. Good thing my no buy is firmly in place or I would be looking for this set and giving the poorer performing ones away. Packaging is super pretty. The eye shadow palette looks pretty tame. I always expect artist collabs to have these beautiful, super saturated colours and for some reason, that is rarely the case. I understand his work is mostly about form and not shade but it is my own prejudice that I think artists should always work in beautiful colour, LOL!
Despite not receiving the best grades for a couple, I do think I’m going to pick these up anyway. It’s a decent price and my hope is that it will ease me into wearing bolder lippie shades.
Additionally, I recently fell in love with the Burt’s Bees Matte Lip Crayons. I think the formula is a slightly creamier dupe for the NARS matte pencil formula. Redwood Forest is my absolute favorite. Allana Davison often talks about that shade and I finally picked it up and I can understand why she loves it so much. They have glossy ones but I haven’t tried them. The matte ones go on comfortably and really last well.
Ladrillo is a lovely shade, but I am just not into lip pencils that much.
NARS made the decision to START testing on animals in order to profit from the Chinese market. I have not respect for this company anymore.
Did a release date ever come out? It’s nearing the end of March and Nars said it would come out this month…
They didn’t give me a specific date just that it was coming soon!