NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Bettina

Never before has the declarative 'my lips but better' been more fitting than it is now. I picked up another of the Nars Velvet Matte Lip Pencils on a whim when roaming the counters in Space.Nk. I have owned a couple of these in the past but considering they've either been completely bright or totally bold, they tend to take a backseat during S/S. This nude completely caught my eye which is strange considering I usually like my nudes to be glossy or have a slight sheen instead of matte. As you can see by the photo above, the colour is almost identical to my natural lip colour and since purchasing it, I haven't really worn anything else. I do find the formula of the Nars Velvet Matte Lip Pencils to be fairly drying so I strongly suggest using a balm prior to application but the wear time is incredible and the colour lasted a good six hours without reapplication. The pencil feels buttery during application and practically glides on the lips, a good attribution for a matte product. If you're after a new everyday lip colour, I strongly suggest checking this one out!

Let me know what you think!

What's your favourite matte lip product? 

Beauty| Nars Velvet Matte Lip Pencil

Lip Pencils and Chubby Sticks seem to be the most up and coming thing in the beauty blogging world with Cosmetic companies such as Revlon, Clinique and Bourjois already producing great quality matte and lacquer pencil's with a shade for everyone. That's why when I heard the hype surrounding the Nars edition of these, the Velvet Matte Lip Pencil (£17.50), I knew one had to be mine. 

I chose mine in the colour Damned, a Rich Magenta shade that's gorgeous and sophisticated but still a far cry from Goth, perfect for vamping up an evening look or going bold during the daytime. When it comes to lip products with a mattifying effect I tend to go for the deeper colours as I feel the velvet quality only enhances the colour making it appear more sultry. The pigmentation, like most Nars products, is incredible giving your lips a bold coat with a velvety, matte finish. 

The great thing about these product is they mimic the application and finish of a lipstick yet appear more convenient being a jumpo-type pencil with a pointed crayon-like peak that's perfect for precision and quality. The formula is fairly long-lasting, a trait that is enhanced by a combination of silicones that promise perfect, bold coloration. The product is slightly drying but feels satin smooth when applied. It doesn't particularly cling to the dry parts of your lips as much as some high street pencils but doesn't completely eliminate them either, a small price to pay when comparing to the positives of this product. The product isn't moisturising but still has a creamy texture which ensures a seamless application, a must for me when it comes to lip products. 

Another great thing about these style of products is that they prove to be incredibly versatile with qualities that enable it to be used as a liner, lipstick or enhanced with a fellow lip product. There's nothing better when you're paying for high end item then when it can perform in a variety of different ways. One of my favourite (if yet shallow) things about this product is the simplistic packaging, a trait that many will come to know with Nars. I love the slight matte, black effect that mimics the finish of the product inside and coloured base that gives the impression of the shade, a touch that I found to appear pleasing. 

Swatches of the product and how it appears smudged

All in all, a great product that has definitely got me wanting more from the collection and with a vast selection of colours to choose ranging from Pinks and Nudes to deep dark Red's, I'm sure it won't be long until there's more in my Cosmetics stash. 

Let me know what you think in the comments.

What's your favourite Lip Pencil? 

Beauty| Soap & Glory Archery Brow Tint and Precision Pencil

Filling in the eyebrows is a necessity for some, me included and as much as I love my Anastasia Dipbrow Pomade (review here) there's nothing better then a cheap high street product that's there to assist for a quick and easy look on the more 'natural' days. This is where the Soap & Glory Archery Brow Tint and Precision Pencil comes in. 

When I think Soap & Glory my mind instantly alludes to there amazing body scrubs and miracle working, moisturisers but the brand also do really good quality make up for a decent price. I have already written one review on a S&G lipstick (here) which wowed me with it's amazing pigmentation and beautiful colour. This eyebrow pencil was no different when it comes to quality. I picked this up on a whim and had read little reviews on it and if I'm honest I wasn't expecting much. It was the Brow Tint that interested me mainly about this product as a felt a more staining formula would be ideal for long-lasting brows. As low as my expectations were, this product exceeded them completely. A double ended stick with the tint on one end and a waxy, crayon-like pencil on the other makes the perfect team for full, precise eyebrows. 

The revolutionary idea of this product is that you brush-on the coloured stain to create the fuller, -no-gapped effect and then perfect the shape with the crayon therefore manipulating your brows to achieve the exact look you want. The overall look appears more natural then most but the felt-tip end can be easily builded to create a more harsh contrast. As both ends are really fine there's no need to worry about filling in the brows too thick or over-doing the shape which is always a relieving thought. 

Having very dark eyebrows I bought mine in the colour Brownie Points, a slightly too light shade which is where the main negative becomes apparent. The pencil only come in two shades including this and Love is Blonde. This makes it very difficult for a vast variety of people who wish to use this product as there's a high chance that the colours will not match. Something I hope S&G will improve on. Nevertheless, priced at £10 it really is a more affordable alternative to some of the high end brow products which makes it hard to argue with. 

Brow Tint (Left) and Precision Pencil (Right) 

All in all, another great product from Soap & Glory, a cosmetics company that is swiftly making itself my almost, go-to brand when it comes to finding good quality products for an affordable price. I can't wait to try out more of their cosmetic items especially there Kick Ass Concealer. 

Let me know what you think in the comments.

What's your favourite Soap & Glory product?

xx