Recently I was enabled to do another Sephora order. What enabled me this time was that it was my birthday month. Every year during your birthday month Sephora do a birthday gift for their members (they're called Beauty Insiders). Last year the gift was a Make Up Forever pack with a mascara and lippy. This year it was an amazing gift of two mini NARS Lip Pencils! They are in the shades Rikugien and Cruella which are both shades that I would purchase myself which is great. Rikugien is a satin finish muted rose pink shade which is great for everyday. Cruella is a matte finish fantastic dark blue based red, one of those shades that automatically makes your teeth look a wee bit whiter.
The packaging of these is simple but great. The end of the pencil is the shade of the pencil, I love this as you can tell at a glance which is great if you have a few. The length of the pencil is black which always looks classy. The lid itself is a great design, fits tightly so there is no worry of it falling off. But the real great part is that it is a wee bit textured to make it easier to take off. The outer packaging is plastic, but you are able to sharpen it with a jumbo pencil sharpener.
Both of these go on really smoothly and easily onto the lips. I really like the finish, they both go on opaque and impart a lot of colour. Rikugien is more of satin finish so looks a wee bit glossy on the lips. It doesn't last a particularly long time on the lips because of that, but does last a couple of hours. Cruella goes on so well. As it is matte it is a bit drying. But it does look awesome. Once again the lasting power isn't amazing. I feel like it wears off in the middle quickly from eating and drinking. It requires at least two top ups during a working day for me.
I do like these lip pencils but they aren't anything special. I would recommend the Revlon lip stains before these as at least they have a lot more lasting power (and are cheaper), unless of course you are getting them free with a Sephora order.
These lip pencils are so fantastic, they're so easy to apply and look beautiful on your lips.
I love how pigmented the colour is and how smooth it feels on the lip. Really hydrating, they kind of feel like a lip balm but have the oomph of a lipstick!
I love the packaging, so simple, classic, and stylish and I have quite a few of these lip pencils in different shades. They also make good gifts, and the friends I've given them to have loved them as well!