Lipstick Week: NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream vs the Lime Crime Velvetine
The minute I swiped on the Lime Crime Velvetine, I was strongly reminded of the NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream, which I first tried a few years ago. They are both in liquid form and have the same cushy, slightly powdery texture that dries into a matte finish. They even smell alike! Good thing I recently got a new NYX Lip Cream around the same time as the Velvetine. Great timing, huh?
I even managed to get two shades that are similar - Lime Crime's Red Velvet and NYX's Morocco. These liquid lipsticks are both richly pigmented but they do differ in many ways. Here are swatches and comparisons of the two!
The NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream in Morocco (P280 from MakeupHolics) is a bright tomato red with a hint of coral in it. In some lighting, it looks a wee bit orange. If you're digging the red-orange summer lip but don't want to go too orange, this is a great color to try.
The texture is super creamy, even semi-solid. It's not completely opaque in one swipe so I need to layer to get a solid color. The finish is supposed to be matte, but as you can see in my pics, it has a hint of satiny shine! Very pretty but if you're looking for something seriously matte then this isn't it.
Lip swatch
Face swatch
I've recently reviewed the Lime Crime Velvetine Liquid to Matte Lip Stain (P950 from Stuff In Style) recently so please refer to that for more deets. Quickly though, the Velvetines are opaque in one layer and are long-lasting. They are also completely matte, unlike the NYX Lip Cream!
They're like the more pigmented, leveled-up version of that NYX classic. Well, I believe the Lip Creams were first in the market. It's only to be expected that other brands would build on that.
Red Velvet is a bluish, deep red. It reminds me a little bit of MAC Russian Red, my fave red in the world. I love the color, but it's just so difficult to control. You have to get the shape right in one try - corrections aren't possible even if the liquid hasn't dried yet. :/ It's too staining!
That's why I don't recommend using the wand when you apply a Velvetine. Get a proper lip brush to minimize the chances of making a mistake. Prepare a cotton bud dipped in makeup remover just in case.
The red to rule all reds
Here's a side-by-side comparison of Red Velvet and Morocoo. Morocco is lighter-toned and brighter whereas Red Velvet is quite deep.
Overall, both similar products are pretty good, but I would recommend the NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream if you're just starting out and/or don't like bold, and I mean BOLD, lips all that much. This formula is waaay easier to work with, cheaper too! Get the Lime Crime Velvetine if you're pretty confident in your makeup skills and revel in seriously loud colors. I've never tried anything quite like it.
Do note that both formulas aren't suited for dry, chapping lips. It wouldn't be wise to wear a lip balm underneath, and in any case the matte-ness of these creams tend to reveal any peeling skin. So, please exfoliate before swiping 'em on.
Hope you found this helpful! Which shade of red and formula would you go for?
