Laura Mercier recently came out with a new line of Velour Extreme Matte Lipstick. As your trusted beauty investigator (+ hopeless lipstick addict) I had to see what this launch was all about, so if you are curious to know more about these cute bad boys, then please keep on scrolling!
About the Product
Velour Extreme Matte Lipstick line includes 24 brand new shades with an ultra-matte finish - everything from a light beige nude all the way to deep blue purple. I have ten shades to show you in this post today.
Price: 28 USD (for 1.4g / 0.035 oz); Made in Germany.
Claims: ultra-matte lipstick/ intense, single-stroke, full coverage/ long-lasting/ creamy comfort/ non-drying, non-cracking/ great precision.
Packaging: you might get that Caviar Stick Eye Shadow vibe from these new lipsticks. Personally, I haven't tried the iconic Caviar Stick (yet) but must say that an overall look is very similar: classic Laura Mercier-esque dark brown packaging, which feels very modern and sleek. I don't own a lip product that looks quite like this. I like the fact that every lipstick has a colour-matching built-in shaper at the bottom, which you can use to reshape/sharpen the tip of your lipstick. So even if you own an entire collection, it will be very easy to navigate and find a needed colour on any given day.
Formula: these feel creamy to the touch, but have a very sophisticated velvety-matte finish. The brand describes Velour Extreme Matte Lipstick texture as a blend of "mattifying powders and silky conditioners", which is pretty spot on. None of the colours I own feel chalky or dry. However, certain shades can appear a touch more matte; I did notice a similar "trend" with my regular lipsticks too, so I guess it has something to do with actual pigments used. This formula is free of parabens, sulfates and other nasties. Also - no scent/flavour.
Application: great news if you hate lip liners - you will not need one! Just imagine lipstick and lip liner having a baby - this is exactly what Velour Extreme Matte Lipstick feels like. Although I have relatively big lips, corners of my mouth are quite thin, so I still use a lip brush for that extra bit of precision. If you are a friend to this blog (welcome back!), then you might recognize my good old Lip Colour Brush (aka my HG tool), which I bought back when I lived in San Francisco. This brush comes with a protective cap, which makes it incredibly handbag-friendly; as a matter of fact if you ever see me wear a bold lipstick out and about, chances are you will find this Laura Mercier brush in my clutch. I have had it for yearrrs and it still feels as if it is brand new. Alternatively, you can easily use a little shaper to achieve perfect lining and call it a day. My application tip: always exfoliate your lips before application, because the product might stick to dry patches.
Wear & Feel: I honestly feel as if there is literally nothing (nada) on my lips whenever I use this lipstick, which is a rare thing if you ask me. It is featherlight to the point where I even forget I am wearing it. I would say it is neither drying nor hydrating; a very nice in-between. I also have quite a few lines on my lips and thankfully this formula never settles into them; great thing in my book, as I am not a fan of a"dehydrated mouth" look. These are not entirely transfer-proof lipsticks, so they will fade gracefully after a few hours. You do need to touch up/reapply after meals too. On me they last up to 5-6 hours.
Colours: this is my favourite part, because I adore every single colour that I have in my possession. Looking at all 24 shades, I must say that the brand did an impressive job: every colour is wearable, trendy and most importantly - universally flattering. You also get a few fun "millennial" shades here like neon pink/orange, dark eggplant/blue purple. Despite vivid difference in undertones, none of them turned out to be patchy, blotchy, sticky or anything like that. They have a great opaque finish and you can always"dab and blur" during the day or go "full on glam" during the night - i.e. you are the boss!
Personal Favourites: Vibe (medium beige nude); Fresh (deep pinky nude); Dominate (blue red); Power (burgundy); Fatale (deep berry).
Verdict
I will always be a classic-lipstick girl at heart, but these new Velour Extreme Matte Lipsticks really impressed me. I have found my new special occasion, go-to bold lipstick formula - it feels extremely comfortable and looks like velvet on the lips. The product lives up to its claims 100% and I really love the uber-matte (yet non-drying) finish here. I would never trade these bad boys for a liquid lipstick or chubby pencil (that is a nightmare to sharpen), not in a million years. Another added bonus - inclusive and modern colour selection that will look amazing on beauties of all ages and complexions. The only thing, that I wish was different, is the amount of product that you get. This formula is too good to be given to us in moderate doses. We need more, pretty please Laura Mercier! Other than that, straight A from me.
What colour here speaks your name? Velour Extreme Matte Lipsticks are available in stores and online:
PR samples; review is not sponsored - full disclaimer here
