Beauty NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil Guide for Smooth, Bold Color
An educational guide from the Beauty AMZ research team. No hard sell, just what you need to know.
Why Matte Lipstick Endures
Matte lipstick gives intense color with zero shine. It photographs beautifully and looks modern. Matte formulas last longer than glossy ones. The velvet matte finish softens the flat look. It remains the go-to for statement lips.
Prepping Lips for Matte
Exfoliate gently the night before matte wear. Apply balm in the morning, then blot it off. Dry, flaky lips ruin any matte finish. Drink water through the day. Smooth lips make matte look expensive.
Choosing Your Matte Shade
Fair skin glows with soft roses and classic reds. Medium skin loves terracotta and berry shades. Deep skin stuns with wine and vivid reds. Test shades in natural daylight. Your undertone matters more than trends.
Layering Matte Like a Pro
Apply one thin layer and let it set. Add a second layer only in the center. Blot between layers for longer wear. Skip gloss unless you want shine. Clean edges with concealer for crisp lines.
Removing Matte Fully
Use an oil-based remover or cleansing balm. Press a soaked pad on lips for ten seconds. Wipe gently instead of scrubbing hard. Follow with lip balm overnight. Clean removal prevents next-day patchiness.
Recommended Products
These five Velvet Matte shades span neutrals to bold reds. Our top pick is the most wearable shade in the line.
Best for: Warm-undertoned shoppers who want an everyday matte neutral.
NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil, Do Me Baby, 0.08 oz
- Warm terracotta-rose shade
- Jumbo crayon format
- Vitamin E and emollients
- Velvet matte, fade-resistant finish
Pros
- Warm neutral suits many tones
- Comfortable matte wear
- Easy one-swipe application
Cons
- Needs a sharpener
- Warm tone may clash with cool undertones
Best for: Anyone who wants a power red with matte staying power.
NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil, Dragon Girl, 0.08 oz
- Vivid pink-red Dragon Girl shade
- Jumbo crayon doubles as liner
- Enriched with vitamin E
- Long-lasting velvet matte color
Pros
- Statement red in one coat
- Tip allows precise edges
- Fades evenly, not patchy
Cons
- Bold shade needs confidence
- Sharpener not included
Best for: Office wearers who want a polished, low-key rose lip.
NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil, Dolce Vita, 0.08 oz
- Dusty rose Dolce Vita shade
- Jumbo pencil format
- Vitamin E for comfort
- Velvet matte finish, long wear
Pros
- Everyday rose suits work looks
- Applies like lipstick
- Comfortable for a matte
Cons
- Dusty tone can look muted on deep skin
- Needs sharpening
Best for: First-timers who want to test the famous Cruella red.
NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil, Cruella, 0.06 oz Travel Size
- Travel-size 0.06 oz format
- Scarlet-red Cruella shade
- Same vitamin E formula
- Velvet matte, high pigment
Pros
- Try Cruella for less
- Fits small purses
- Same rich color payoff
Cons
- Small size runs out fast
- Still needs a sharpener
Best for: Red-lip devotees who want the full-size classic.
NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil, Cruella, 0.08 oz
- Full-size scarlet-red Cruella
- Jumbo crayon format
- Vitamin E-enriched matte
- Long-wearing, fade-resistant color
Pros
- Iconic red with staying power
- One pencil lines and fills
- Rich pigment in one pass
Cons
- Red can stain lips slightly
- Matte needs lip prep
Ready to Choose?
See our top product picks for nars velvet matte lip, or jump straight to the head-to-head comparison of the two most popular options.
Matte pencils on mature lips
Matte lip pencils and mature lips conflict at the border: the pencil's dry formula catches on the fine vertical lines above the lip and feathers into them. The prevention is a clear or nude liner drawn just outside the natural lip line as a dam before the color goes on; the waxy barrier stops migration better than any "long-wear" claim. Pigmented liner as the dam works too but shows if the lipstick fades, so clear is the safer choice for all-day wear. Application pressure matters: heavy pressure deposits excess that migrates, while light, layered strokes stay put. Keep the matte pencil off the skin above the lip entirely; even a millimeter of overdraw on mature skin feathers by afternoon. For the general pencil rankings, the best lip pencil guide covers the top picks and buying advice.
Liner on winter-chapped lips
Winter-chapped lips defeat most liners, which skip and drag across flakes. The formulas that glide are the creamy, emollient pencils; the waxy long-wear pencils skip worst. The balm-then-blot timing is the technique that makes any liner work: apply balm, wait two full minutes, blot firmly with tissue until no shine remains, then line. The wait matters because liner applied over wet balm slides, while liner over fully blotted balm grips. Exfoliate first with a gentle lip scrub if flakes are heavy; lining over flakes guarantees skipping no matter the formula. In deep winter, consider switching to a retractable creamy pencil for the season and saving the wood long-wear pencils for summer. Keep the pencil at room temperature; cold pencils drag even when creamy. For the product lineup, the NARS Velvet Matte top models page compares the pencil shades.