You’ve seen it. That chunky, black, slightly-too-long pencil rolling around the bottom of every makeup artist's kit for the last two decades. It’s the NARS Dolce Vita matte lip pencil.
Honestly, the name sounds more like a vacation in Tuscany than a lipstick, but in the beauty world, it’s basically a religion. Some people call it the "perfect" nude. Others complain it’s just a glorified crayon that dries out your lips.
The truth is somewhere in the middle.
I’ve spent years watching people swipe this on in Sephora aisles. There's a specific "Dolce Vita look"—it’s that dusty, rosy, "I just woke up like this but I also have a mortgage" vibe. It’s not a loud red. It’s not a beige concealer-lip from 2010. It is, quite literally, the color of a natural lip, but if that lip had a better publicist.
Why the NARS Dolce Vita matte lip pencil is still a thing
In an industry that moves faster than a TikTok trend, why does a pencil from 2002 still sell out?
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It’s because of the hue. Francois Nars, the man behind the brand, has this weirdly specific talent for creating "universal" shades. Dolce Vita is a dusty rose. But it's not just any pink; it has these subtle brown and sheer berry undertones that keep it from looking like Barbie doll plastic.
Most "nude" lipsticks fail because they are either too cool (you look like a zombie) or too warm (you look like you ate a taco and didn't wipe your mouth).
The NARS Dolce Vita matte lip pencil sits right in the neutral zone. It mimics the natural flush of blood flow to the lips. That’s why it works on someone with fair skin and someone with a deep complexion, though the effect changes. On pale skin, it’s a soft berry. On darker skin, it’s the ultimate "my lips but better" (MLBB) shade.
The formula vs. the hype
Let’s get real about the texture. This isn’t a liquid lipstick. It won't survive a 12-course meal or a hurricane.
It’s a Velvet Matte.
That means it’s packed with silicones—specifically Dimethicone—to give it that "slip." When you first put it on, it feels like butter. Five minutes later? It sets into a soft, velvety finish that doesn't reflect light.
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But here’s the kicker: it’s a pencil. You have to sharpen it.
I know, I know. In 2026, we want everything to be "twist-up." But NARS sticks to the wooden pencil for a reason. Precision. You can use the tip to line your Cupid’s bow and then use the side to fill in the rest. It’s a 2-in-1.
Is it drying? Sorta. If your lips are already peeling, this pencil will find those flakes and highlight them like a neon sign. You’ve gotta prep. A little scrub, a bit of balm, blot it off, then go in with the pencil.
The Tragedy of the "New" Dolce Vita
If you go to buy this today, you might see two different versions. There’s the classic Velvet Matte Lip Pencil and the newer Powermatte High-Intensity version.
Don't get them confused.
The Powermatte is a different beast entirely. It’s transfer-proof and much more pigmented. But some die-hard fans—myself included—think the original Velvet Matte has a "soft-focus" effect that the newer, more intense formulas just can’t replicate.
There was also a minor scandal a few years back when people thought the shade had shifted to be more "pinky" and less "peachy." Color chemistry is a fickle thing. Depending on the lighting in your bathroom, Dolce Vita can look like a different lipstick every day.
How to actually wear it
Don't just draw it on like a toddler with a crayon.
- The Invisible Line: Use the point of the pencil to slightly overline the center of your bottom lip. Just a hair.
- The Diffused Edge: After filling in your lips, take your ring finger and tap the edges. This removes the "harsh line" and makes it look like the color is just part of your face.
- The Layering Trick: Want it to last longer? Apply one layer, blot with a tissue, then apply a second. This "stains" the lip so even when the top layer wears off after your morning latte, you aren't left with that weird "ring around the mouth" look.
Is it worth the $30?
Let's talk money. Thirty bucks for a pencil you have to sharpen (and lose product in the process) is a lot.
You can find dupes. NYX has some, and so does Maybelline. But honestly? The dupes usually miss the "dustiness." They're either too creamy (they slide off) or too chalky.
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The NARS Dolce Vita matte lip pencil is for the person who wants one item in their bag that works for a wedding, a job interview, and a grocery run. It’s the "jeans and a white t-shirt" of makeup. It’s not exciting. It’s not "bold." It’s just reliable.
The technical stuff (for the nerds)
If you look at the ingredients, you’ll see things like C12-13 Alkyl Ethylhexanoate and Synthetic Candelilla Wax. Basically, these are emollients that keep the "matte" from feeling like a desert.
It also contains Vitamin E. While it’s not a lip treatment, it’s better for your skin than the alcohol-heavy liquid lipsticks of 2016.
Just remember to buy the NARS sharpener. I hate saying that—it feels like a cash grab—but the NARS pencils are a weird size. Standard drugstore sharpeners often chew up the wood and waste that precious $30 pigment.
What to do next
If you're tired of guessing which "nude" won't make you look washed out, go find a tester of the NARS Dolce Vita matte lip pencil.
Don't swatch it on your hand. Your hand is a different color than your lips. Put it on your actual mouth. Walk around for an hour. See how it fades.
If you like that "effortless" look, this is probably the last lip product you'll need to buy for a while. Just make sure you actually own a sharpener before you leave the store, or you'll be very frustrated three days from now.