Budget Vs Highend, Battle of the Reds Feat-Maybelline Color Drama and Nars velvet matte pencil

Wearing Maybelline Color Drama Lip Pencil in the shade Light me up

In the U.K recently, Boots (a drugstore) had some really great offers on their beauty products, so I thought I would take advantage and try out Maybelline color Drama lip pencil. I am always dubious of crayon lipsticks as they can be normally very drying and you cannot beat the feel of turning a lipstick up from the bullet, that being said, I am always open to new make up experiences. I decided to go with the colour light me up, its a vibrant blue toned red, perfect for pale skin tones. The formulation of this pencil is lovely. It has a buttery, creamy formulation which glides on the lip effortlessly. I really love how moisturising this is and it did last a good couple of hours before I needed to reapply. The pigmentation is also very good which just add's to it's staying power. I think it is well worth the money.

Maybelline Color Drama Lip Pencil in the shade Light me up

 I am always keen to see how the budget (drugstore) brands match up to the high end brands. I tried the Maybelline color drama lip pencil against the Nars Velvet Matt Lip Pencil a cult classic in the make up world, in the shade Cruella. I had read many reviews on this particular product and colour, and I was keen to give it a whirl. I always thought the high end had the upper hand with the extra ingredients, but on this occasion I could not be more wrong.

 The packaging on the Nars lip pencil is beautiful. The moment I removed it from its box I knew it had a place in my make up bag. The smooth black outer layer is simply a joy to behold. The Maybelline is not. Its your usual black plastic looking packaging nothing really to write home about, but this is where Nars only has the upper hand. The formulation of Nars velvet matt Lip pencil I found drying. You would think with the extra vitamin E and emollients added that it wouldn't be. Upon application it seems to drag across the lip, and it feathered so much around the the outer lip line that I had to blend the edges with a lip brush. I first wore it at a dinner party with friends and it did not last the first course!. I was very disappointed with this product, as I had done the necessary preparation to make my lipstick last. Saying that the colour is very beautiful and would suit many skin tones. For me though, this is not enough to make it a firm favourite in my handbag, but it is not a complete right off. I will still wear this, but will have to do plenty of prep before I apply it. As you can probably tell by my tone I am thoroughly disappointed, as you would think for what you pay for this product you may be getting something better, well for me, not on this occasion. So save your pennies on this one and go for a budget brand such as Maybelline Color Drama lip pencil, as this one will be staying in my handbag.

Wearing Nars Velvet Matt Lip Pencil in the shade Cruella

Nars Velvet Matt Lip Pencil in the shade Cruella

Light me up (left) Cruella (right)

So, there you go, my thoughts on Lip crayons. Have you tried any of these? Have you found another brand of lip crayon/ Pencil I should try?. Please let me know, I would love to hear from you.

Love Nay x


Disclaimer- I have not been paid by any products mentioned above, I just like to share.