Everyone has their obsessions, and my obsession of the moment happens to be matte. At the NARS counter today I couldn’t pull myself away from these Velvet Matte Lip Pencils ($24). It all started with these awesome reds…
And these…
Dragon Roll and Dolce Vita — so tempting! I didn’t bring any home with me because I’m saving up for MAC Cult of Cherry next week. I figure if I’m still thinking about ’em in a week, the mall is just a couple miles away. 🙂
What do you think of matte colors? Are you pro- or anti-matte?
It’s a little before quittin’ time here at Casa de Karen. I’m wrapping up some pics for a Sally Hansen post, waiting for my laundry to stop and looking forward to watching a Tivo’d episode of The Golden Girls (I have four to watch!). I’m a little burnt out right now, so I’m probably staying in this evening. I may rent a movie or hit the bookstore to read trashy magazines. TGIF!
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
okyanus says
August 15th, 2008 at 7:25 pmI like Dolce Vita, it looks like a beautiful color.
Pro-/Anti-Matte? Like many other people have said, I feel my lips are way to dry for matte. They look dry, crinkly and flaky when I put on a matte lipstick. I need some sort of a lip regimen to get my lips nice and smooth before I can actually wear anything matte. I’m going to make a sugar scrub for my lips so I can buff away all the dryness and make ’em baby smooth for the lipsticks.
On that note, Karen, I must say your lips are looking gorgeous! Have you been doing something different in your prep before using lipsticks or do you have a new lip regimen? It may just be me, but in the last couple of weeks anything you’ve put on your lips has looked like it’s your natural skin–not like you have a layer of lipstick/gloss on. Have you been exfoliating your lips or something? How are you getting everything to go on so smoothly? Oftentimes I feel/look like I have a layer of gunk on!
christine says
August 15th, 2008 at 7:36 pmi think there’s always a time and place for matte. it’s fu to be shiny, shimmery, and glittery; at times i dont feel that it’s professional or appropriate of it’s too over the top. for lips, i generally like it matte w/ maybe some clear gloss over it. 🙂
i think it depends on the person though! also, to wear matte lip colors, your lips have to be in tip top shape…otherwise you see the dry patches and flakes lol.
Laurie says
August 15th, 2008 at 7:37 pmI love the Velvet Mattes. I actually bought the set Nordstrom had for the Anniversary sale and it’s awesome. It had Bettina, Cafe Con Leche and Cruella (plus a sharpener). I find they work great on their own – but I use Bettina and Cafe Con Leche under glosses mostly.
I really want to get Dolce Vita sometime – but I’m saving for CoC at the moment myself:)
Lauries last blog post..Identity Crisis
jane says
August 15th, 2008 at 7:42 pmMy favorite lippy of all time is MAC’s Ruby Woo…with cherry lip liner.
That is so matte its like freaking chalk!
Its the only color in the Retro Matte line that they didn’t discontinue!
Dao says
August 15th, 2008 at 8:20 pmDragon Roll looks lovely. And man do I dig Sally Hansen lip glosses these days. I’m waiting for that review you’re doing 🙂 And I’ll be back tomorrow with a surprise for you, stay tuned!
Elena says
August 15th, 2008 at 8:42 pmHey Karen,
I actually love the matte look for my lips. I have a fuller pout, so sometimes I feel like gloss is too over the top for me. Plus, matte lipsticks always seem to last so much longer. The downside is that you really have to exfoliate beforehand to make the look work. I also like how they can be layered with balm or gloss.
What’s your favorite matte lipstick or lip look (paired with balm or otherwise)?
Mariah says
August 15th, 2008 at 8:55 pmOOh! I like them! I actually own Damned, and it’s so silky and rich! But I love the way Dolce Vita looks too. Sometimes you need a matte.
Plus, it does look HOT under a lipgloss, if you did want to go glossy! And they stain your lips a lot, so it wears for quite a while! 😀
Mariahs last blog post..Stolen from ericapfa
bella says
August 15th, 2008 at 9:46 pmi’m not a super huge fan of the matte lip, mainly because i don’t think it looks good on me. still, i bought the NARS matte pencil in sex machine and i LOVE it.
i want to get damned, dolce vita, dragon roll, and cruella. i feel like wearing brights of these might be easier than glossy brights, because they allow you to do more of a stained, sublte colored look. they are a little pricey though, and you go through them quickly…i used sex machine for a few weeks straight, and almost finished it. you need to sharpen it often, and it tends to waste a lot of product.
xtina says
August 15th, 2008 at 10:22 pmI’m so pro matte. Matte is a great thing because it will work for the more mature ladies out there 🙂 And they won’t look trashy for keeping up with the trends. Great finds, btw. 😀
eileen says
August 15th, 2008 at 11:14 pmohmigod! dolce vita, calliope, cafe con leche, and dragon roll= heaven!! I’m pro matte when my lips are on point…
eileens last blog post..I Love Starbucks’ Marketing Team…
Tiera says
August 16th, 2008 at 12:33 amDolce Vita looks like the color I’d use most often, but Damned and Cruella look delish. I’ve never tried Nars lip liners before, but I might try now!
Tieras last blog post..Gratitude Journal 08.15.08
Laura says
August 16th, 2008 at 7:08 amI am thrilled that matte is back!!! I have always loved the look and find it suits me well. I have a darker skin toner and find that Dolce Vita looks very natural on me. Cuella & Damned are dramatic & beautiful and I just picked up Marina yesterday, it’s just as lovely. The big bonus is the formula, it doesn’t bleed and has a silky texture to it. Now if only someone would bring back matte nail polish, I’d be soooo happy!
Lauras last blog post..Taffy Likes…Piles of Sleeping Lovebirds!
Dao says
August 16th, 2008 at 7:58 amHi Karen,
I’m nominating you for the Kreative Blogging Award. Please come here to collect your award and read more about it.
Have a nice day!
Daos last blog post..I Was Nominated for the "Kreativ Blogger" Award!
Alyssa says
August 16th, 2008 at 8:00 amI’m not sure if this was in the same collection, but I picked up the Roman Holiday pencil (looks just like the ones above) at Sephora about a month ago…it’s a really pretty shade of baby pink; perfect with a smoky eye and some gloss at night! I’d like to try the others now…
Glosslizard says
August 16th, 2008 at 8:45 amGreat pics! 🙂
I like matte because it can always be shined up with a little gloss, making it very versatile! I especially like it with deep reds and berry tones (kinda liking Damned)!
Have a good, low-key Saturday!
lexi says
August 16th, 2008 at 12:29 pmhave to say i’m anti-matte! i get scary russian red matte dry lip flashbacks but maybe i’ll give nars a shot since i do love me some nars!
Hannah Searsy says
August 16th, 2008 at 1:47 pmI love matte colors. Very classy. While I have my days where I love shimmery lipgloss, my favorite is matte. Though my lips have been dry lately, so I am working on getting them in good shape again, so they won’t flake.
Marisol says
August 16th, 2008 at 4:37 pmDolce Vita is calling my name. I don’t think I have really used any matte colors. hhhmmm I gotta think about that one.
Marisols last blog post..I WANT THIS PURSE!
Elyse says
August 16th, 2008 at 6:59 pmAccording to the Nars website, it says “Dragon Girl” not “Dragon Roll” (which I’m totally feeling btw). Anyways, I’m kinda pro-matte when it comes to darker colours on the lips, but anti when its lighter than my naturally pigmented lipcolor (I feel like it settles into the lines of my lips and looks unnatural).
Karen B says
August 17th, 2008 at 4:50 amHmmm. I’m not too fond of matte coours. It all depends on the formula I think. Dolce Vita does look amazing!
Karen Bs last blog post..Picspam: Valerenga – Liverpool FC August 5th 08
Shefali says
August 18th, 2008 at 7:03 amHey Karen –
I have 2 of these and I love them! I have Dolce Vita and Walkyrie. They are so smooth and easy to put on. I highly recommend you buy one! You’ll use it more than you realize…I do!
I’m with you on the matte trend…I’m really into that right now and getting ready to wear it for fall.
Christy says
January 22nd, 2013 at 3:22 pmI have a few of Nars velvet matte pencils and my favorite is dragon girl.. I enjoy this lipstick in a pencil so much repurchased another one today my first one is a little stub.. But I looked at the swatches on your skin and we have share a similar complexion and next on my list is cruella.. Thank you for all the amazing swatches;))