Elena There are beauty products that rotate in and out of my routine — seasonal shades, limited editions, impulse purchases that live in a drawer for six months before getting a second chance.
And then there’s the NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil. The one that doesn’t get rotated out because… well, it never leaves. It’s in my tote, my going-out clutch, my gym pouch (don’t ask — it’s chaotic in there). And it’s not because it’s trendy or because I saw it on TikTok last week. It’s because it works — every time, with everything, without fuss.
Let’s talk about the lipstick that’s quietly outperformed the rest — and why I keep repurchasing it, stashing it, and recommending it to friends who never return it.
The One I Always Reach For
When I say this lipstick is the one I always reach for, I mean I’ve subconsciously stopped experimenting. I still buy other shades (call it curiosity or a professional hazard), but NARS’s Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Dolce Vita is the one I throw in my bag without thinking. And that says something.
A Shade That Just Works
It’s not too bold, not too sheer — just that elusive in-between with a warm undertone that flatters even on no-makeup days. I’ve worn Dolce Vita with a bare face and also with a full smoky eye, and somehow it pulls both together. The kind of shade you don’t need to second-guess.
Not Just Pretty — Practical
What sealed the deal for me? It’s swipe-and-go. No liner, no lip brush, no mirror if I’m feeling confident. The Velvet Matte texture fades evenly and doesn’t leave that weird patchy ring — you know the one. It doesn’t dry my lips out either, which feels like a basic ask but apparently isn’t.
The Repeat Buy Test
I’ve restocked this three times. Not because I finished it — though I did — but because I panicked when I couldn’t find it in my work tote. That’s when I knew it wasn’t just a phase. NARS really got the formula right with this one. It had earned its keep.
👉 Need one for your own bag?
You can find it here — the shade that never leaves mine.
How It Holds Up in Real Life
A lipstick might look great in perfect lighting or swatched on the back of your hand, but real life doesn’t come with filters. I’ve put this NARS pencil through my usual chaos: over-caffeinated mornings, windy walks, awkwardly late dinners. And guess what? It still holds its own — no diva behavior.
Survives Coffee and Conversations
I’ve worn this lipstick to back-to-back meetings and then straight to a catch-up coffee with a friend. It stays put through lattes, almond croissants, and at least three hours of nonstop talking. Sure, there’s some softening by mid-afternoon, but it fades in a way that still feels polished — never messy.
Touch-Up Friendly
Here’s where it really earns points: I can reapply it on the train, mid-text, without a mirror. It’s forgiving. I’ve swiped it on while walking and somehow didn’t end up looking like a toddler with a lip crayon. That alone makes it worth hoarding.
In All Kinds of Weather
Dry winter air? Still comfy. Humid summer evenings? No bleeding or feathering. It doesn’t cling to dry patches or melt off the edges — which makes it one of the few formulas I trust in unpredictable conditions. Basically, if I’ve got room for only one lipstick on a trip, this is it.
Bags, Pockets, and Backup Tubes
At this point, it’s less a lipstick and more a lifestyle decision. I’ve started buying it in multiples not because I’m extravagant, but because I’ve been burned too many times digging through a bag and realizing it’s not there. Lesson learned.
Why I Own Three of the Same One
This wasn’t planned. It started with one tube that lived in my crossbody. Then I added another to my bigger everyday tote, mostly because I forgot to transfer it one morning. The third? A mini emergency kit in my car — and no, I’m not ashamed. When something works this well, you don’t play games.
The Accidental Mini Review by Friends
I’ve handed it to friends “just to try,” and without fail, someone ends up texting me a week later asking for the exact name. That’s Dolce Vita, in case you’re curious. I’ve seen it look stunning on three different skin tones. It’s the kind of shade that doesn’t fight for attention — it just fits.
🌟 It’s the kind of universally flattering shade that rarely happens — grab it here if you’re curious.
If It’s Missing, I Panic
Not in a dramatic way (okay, maybe a little), but I’ve genuinely gone back into restaurants or searched under car seats for it. There’s a weird comfort in knowing it’s always with me. Like sunglasses or that one hair tie you trust — this lipstick has become a tiny anchor in the day.
Compared to the Others I’ve Tried
Let’s be honest — I’ve tried a lot of lipsticks. It comes with the job, and also the curiosity. Creamy bullets, matte liquids, trendy tints — you name it, I’ve probably worn it to a brunch and had Opinions. But this one? It’s the one I keep coming back to, and here’s why it outlasted the lineup.
Where Other Lipsticks Fall Short
Some go patchy. Some cling to the weirdest parts of your lips. Some feel amazing for twenty minutes and then morph into a crusty science experiment. And don’t even get me started on the ones that promise to be “longwear” but somehow flake like pastry. Great on paper, but not on my face.
What This One Nails
This formula gets the balance right. It’s pigmented, but breathable. Creamy, but not slippery. It sits in that Goldilocks zone of “put-together without trying too hard.” The kind of finish that feels intentional — not like you’re auditioning for a full-glam photo shoot at 2 p.m. on a Tuesday.
Would I Wear It to a Wedding and a Grocery Run?
Honestly? I have. It elevated a minimal makeup look at a friend’s garden ceremony, and two days later, I wore it with leggings and a baseball cap while debating hummus flavors at Whole Foods. That kind of versatility is rare — and it’s why this one earned permanent residency in every bag I own.
Would I Still Buy It If It Disappeared Tomorrow?
Short answer? Yes. Longer answer? I already have. More than once. It’s not flashy or dramatic, but the NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil does the job — and does it well — every single time. That quiet reliability? Honestly more impressive to me than any 16-hour wear claim.
🛒 Still thinking about it?
I’d buy it again — and you can check it out right here.
Yes, and Here’s Why That Matters
Because when something genuinely works for you, it takes the guesswork out of getting ready. I don’t reach for this lipstick because it’s trendy — I reach for it because it feels like me. And that’s worth repurchasing.
What I Liked — and Still Like
Comfortable. Flattering. Effortless. Those were my first impressions, and they still hold up. It’s the lipstick I trust when I don’t have time to think — which, let’s be real, is most days.
Style is personal, but good taste speaks loud — and this lipstick? She speaks just the right volume.
