Beauty NARS Powermatte Pencil Duo Vs The Multiple Stick Compared
The Mini Powermatte Lip Pencil Duo and The Multiple are two verified NARS lip picks. One offers precise longwear matte, the other sheer multitasking color. This comparison helps you choose.
| Factor | NARS Mini Powermatte Lip Pencil Duo Set, | NARS The Multiple, Orgasm, 0.5 Ounce |
|---|---|---|
| Product | Mini Powermatte Lip Pencil Duo | The Multiple, Orgasm |
| Format | Two sharpenable pencils | Twist-up cream stick |
| Finish | True matte, transfer-proof | Sheer dewy shimmer |
| Wear time | Up to 12 hours | 4 to 6 hours |
| Versatility | Lips only | Eyes, cheeks, lips |
| Typical price | Check price | Check price |
Our Verdict
Pick the pencil duo for precise 12-hour matte lips. Pick The Multiple for sheer versatile color across the whole face. Both are NARS classics worth owning.
Precision Matte Versus Sheer Multitasker: The Use-Case Split
The comparison frames these as alternatives, but they serve opposite makeup philosophies. The Powermatte Pencil Duo is precision: sharpened pencils that draw exact lip shapes, deliver transfer-proof matte color, and last up to 12 hours. It suits defined looks, bold color, and long days where the lip must not move. The Multiple is versatility: a twist-up cream stick that sheers out across lips, cheeks, and eyes, giving a dewy monochromatic wash in minutes. It suits fast routines, no-makeup looks, and travel, where one product covers three zones.
The honest answer for most buyers is not either-or but both for different days. The pencil duo earns its place for events, workdays, and any bold lip. The Multiple earns its place for weekends, travel, and minimal-makeup days. The cost logic supports owning both at these price points versus one luxury multitasker: the duo's per-pencil cost is reasonable, and the Multiple's three-zone use spreads its price across the routine. If you must choose one, choose by your most common day: structured and long-wearing favors the pencils, fast and dewy favors the stick.
Lip Pencil Versus Lipstick: The Format Advantages
No guide compares lip pencils against bullet lipsticks as formats with real tradeoffs. Pencils win on precision and longevity: the fine point defines the lip edge exactly, the drier formula lasts hours longer than bullet cream, and the matte finish photographs cleanly. Pencils lose on comfort and speed: they drag more on dry lips, take longer to fill the whole lip, and need sharpening. The Powermatte pencils here exemplify the tradeoff at its most extreme, with 12-hour wear demanding proper lip prep.
The technique that makes pencils comfortable: exfoliate the night before, apply a thin balm ten minutes before and blot it down, then fill with the pencil in short strokes. The Multiple, as a cream stick, needs none of this prep, which is its own argument for the format on rushed mornings. For pencil longevity, the sharpening rule: sharpen before each use for precision, and the shavings waste is real but small, roughly 15 percent of the product over its life. Our best lip pencil guide compares more precision lip options.
The Multiple as Blush: The Multitasker Technique
The Multiple's cheek use deserves its own technique, since cream stick as blush fails when applied like powder. The method: swipe the stick on the back of the hand first, pick up the product with fingertips, then press and bounce it onto the apples of the cheeks. Direct stick-to-cheek application deposits too much and drags foundation. The Orgasm shade's peachy shimmer suits cheeks beautifully, giving the lit-from-within glow the product is known for.
The layering order for multitasker days: foundation or tinted moisturizer first, cream stick on cheeks second, then lips, then a light powder only on the T-zone, keeping the cheeks dewy. The common mistake is powdering over the cream blush, which kills the glow the product was bought for. For oily skin, set just the perimeter of the cream blush with a whisper of powder, leaving the center luminous. And the hygiene note: the twist-up stick touches lips then cheeks, so never share it, and wipe the bullet with a tissue weekly to keep the surface fresh.
Removing 12-Hour Matte Pencils Gently
Transfer-proof matte pencils are among the hardest lip products to remove, and the method matters. Press an oil-based remover over the lips for thirty seconds, then wipe gently in one direction: the dwell dissolves the film so it releases instead of being scrubbed. Never peel the dried color with fingers or scrub with dry tissues, both pull up lip skin and cause the flaking blamed on the formula. After removal, apply plain balm immediately, since even gentle removal strips the barrier. Daily long-wear pencil users should run an overnight lip mask twice a week to keep lips smooth enough for even application.
Wood Pencil Sharpening Without Waste
No page gives a real wood-pencil sharpening guide for lip pencils. Use a sharp, clean sharpener sized for the pencil barrel, chill the pencil ten minutes before sharpening to firm the core and prevent crumbling, and rotate the pencil rather than the sharpener for an even point. Sharpening wastes roughly 15 percent of the product as shavings over the pencil's life, which is the hidden cost of the format versus twist-ups. Clean the sharpener regularly, since pigment buildup transfers bacteria back onto the fresh tip.
Powermatte Duo vs The Multiple Questions
The Powermatte pencils, by hours. The 12-hour transfer-proof matte outlasts the Multiple's 4 to 6 hour dewy wear comfortably. For all-day color without touch-ups, the pencils are the clear pick.
Yes, that is its designed purpose. One stick covers lips, cheeks, and even eyes for a monochromatic look, which is why it is a travel-bag staple. Pair it with mascara and brow gel for a complete minimal routine.
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