Okay, let’s get right into it! You know how everyone’s been buzzing about Taylor Swift’s signature red lip? I mean, seriously, how many of you have seen her music videos, interviews, or even just caught glimpses of her at award shows and thought, “I NEED that red lip in my life”?🙋♀️ Yeah, SAME!!!
So, today, I’m spilling the tea on what’s behind that Glamorous Red Lip™—yep, we now know exactly which shade of red Taylor Swift swears by. Lucky for us, it’s not this mystical, unattainable secret anymore; it’s actually something YOU can pop into your Sephora basket after reading this. Ready for it? Let’s goooo!
Drum roll, please… 🥁🥁🥁
It’s NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in ‘Dragon Girl’ !!!
Yup, that’s the hot tea; NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in the shade ‘Dragon Girl’ is where all that red lip magic comes from! Ahh, I can already hear some of you freaking out because, like, WHY didn’t we know about this earlier?! Don’t worry, I had the same reaction. 😅
Let me tell you, ‘Dragon Girl’ is one of those reds that’s SO iconic—it’s bold, it’s fierce, and best of all: It’s super flattering on ALL skin tones. Like, for real, this shade basically says, “I’m ready to slay the entire day, boss up, and make people wish they had my confidence.” 💁♀️💋✨
But before you rush to order it (yes, it’s THAT tempting), hear me out—there’s a reason Miss Swift herself rocked that shade enough to go down in lipstick history. Let’s break it down and I’ll give you the 411 on why you need ‘Dragon Girl’ in your glam stash ASAP…
Why ‘Dragon Girl’ Slays on Everyone (YES, EVERYONE)
So, let’s talk about why ‘Dragon Girl’ deserves all the hype—and why Taylor probably never leaves home without it. First off, it’s a matte—but not THAT kind of matte, you know? Not the cracked, flaky situation that sometimes happens by hour two. Nope, this is a creamy, moisturized kinda matte that doesn’t dry your lips out and still holds through your chai lattes, messy tacos, and random mid-morning donuts. 😂🍩
“‘Dragon Girl’ is like that perfect middle ground between bold, confident glam and I-woke-up-like-this vibes.”
Plus, the shade? Well, it’s officially described as a “siren red,” and yup—it’s giving full-on Hollywood siren vibes–but like, approachable glam that fits our TikTok-addicted, caffeine-driven lives. You can wear it if you’re dressed in head-to-toe black, feeling like a fierce rock star, or throw it on last-minute when you’re rocking sweats and sneakers and STILL look fire 🔥.
Unlike some reds that lean way too blue (which can make teeth look less white, tbh), or reds that are SO warm they kinda clash with certain outfits, this one hits that happy place of being neutral with a slight undertone—think a red that flatters without stealing all the attention from your skin tone. Super versatile.
Application? One Word: Effortless ✨
Here’s why Dragon Girl hits different: it’s not your traditional lipstick bullet, it’s a velvety lip pencil. Yes, you heard me—a pencil! That means it’s got all the precision of a liner without needing to go in with an actual liner first. It’s like…your lazy girl hack when you’re rushing out the door or when you’re snapping selfies in 3 minutes before your Zoom.
The tip of the pencil is precise, sharp, yet creamy enough to glide over your lips like butter on a pancake 🧈😂. Okay, is anybody else hungry now? But seriously, the application makes you feel like a makeup pro even when you’re not trying that hard. That’s the beauty of the NARS Velvet Matte formula; it’s no-mess but all reward.
Plus, tell me this isn’t the dream: You can line and fill in your lips in one swoop. 🙌 It’s weirdly satisfying watching it glide on and—holy cow—the pigment just stays! I wore mine from breakfast, through workouts, then literally forgot I had it on… and that’s saying something.
Recreate Taylor’s Full Lip Look: RED Era Vibes
Okay, so if you really want to get that whole polished Taylor Swift RED album aesthetic (because yes, she’s giving us nostalgia vibes with that whole era), here’s how you can reach full Taylor-level glam:
1. Prep your lips like a boss 💅:
Before you go anywhere near ‘Dragon Girl,’ exfoliate your lips! You can use a sugar scrub or even one of those fun lip exfoliating tools they sell for about 5 bucks on Amazon. Swipe on a tiny bit of balm after that—just make sure it’s a lightweight balm (not too greasy, or the matte won’t stay).
2. Line with the pencil (or not? Guess what…) 😲:
If you’re using Dragon Girl, you can skip the separate liner and go straight to filling in those lips. The precision tip lets you line the outer curves of your lips while filling the middle with one product—that’s a rare win. BUT if you’re going for mega lip definition like Taylor sometimes does, use a matching red pencil first.
3. Layer 💄:
The magic of layering is real! Dab a little translucent powder over a tissue on your lips if you want extra staying power, but honestly, Dragon Girl lasts a LONG time already. If you do this trick once though, you’ll look so polished all day and night.
4. Gloss it up if you dare 💋:
Here’s where you can throw in a bit of personal flair. Sometimes Taylor’s lips have this satin sheen—if you prefer that look, add a tiny bit of lip gloss (just a dab in the center will do!). Just make sure it’s a non-goopy gloss for that soft-glow vibe instead of full-blown glossiness.
Is It Worth the $$? Spoiler: YES. And Here’s Why.
Let’s be real for a sec: $27 can feel like a splurge for a lipstick. But when you’re buying something that’s Taylor-approved AND a shade as legendary as ‘Dragon Girl,’ it’s more of an investment in your future stunning selfies 😂. Yes, Taylor made me do it, ok?? 🥲 Also, the amount of product you get is actually insane for a pencil form—like, I’m still going through mine and I bought it MONTHS ago.
Side Note: If you’re all about going cruelty-free, yes girl, NARS says that Dragon Girl is cruelty-free…but fun fact, NARS isn’t entirely a cruelty-free brand since they sell in China 🥲 so that’s something to be aware of if that’s important to you.
But if you’re in it for performance? The shade payoff, long wear, and how sleek it makes you feel is totally worth the splurge once in a while.
Looking for Dupes? Don’t Worry, I Got You. 💁♀️
Okay, totally get it: if the NARS price tag feels a little steep but you still want those Taylor-perfect red lips, there are some solid dupes out there that can give you super similar vibes. Here are a few well-known options peeps SWEAR by:
| Lipstick | Price | What’s the Deal? |
|---|---|---|
| Maybelline SuperStay Matte Ink ‘Pioneer’ | $9 | Fierce red but in a liquid matte; lasts like a beast. 💪 |
| NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream ‘Monte Carlo’ | $7 | Dreamy, soft, buildable red with a hint of berry. 🍇 |
| ColourPop Lippie Stix ‘Bossy’ | $6 | Bright red with a matte finish—super creamy. 💄 |
| MAC Ruby Woo | $20 | Their OG matte red; it’s a legend! 💋 |
“There is a shade of red for every woman.” — Audrey Hepburn 💄
So, if you love the idea of repping Taylor’s lipstick, ‘Dragon Girl,’ but you’re balling on a budget (hey, no shame), consider trying one of these babies. They may not be the exact iconic shade, but they’re still gonna make you feel like you’re walking into your own concert.
Yasss, Time to Channel Your Inner Taylor Swift!
Now you know all about Taylor Swift’s go-to red lip color; whether you rock it at home for your Spotify singalong sessions or out and about, there’s no doubt you’ll turn heads. Just whip out that NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in ‘Dragon Girl,’ and step into your main-character energy all year long.
And don’t forget, it’s not just about the lipstick—it’s the confidence behind that red lip that keeps the energy flowing. Go bold, go red, and channel your inner sparkle (even if your red lip lasts longer than your eyeliner wings—been there, done that!).
So, go out there, buy ‘Dragon Girl’ or one of those dupes, and—swiftly (see what I did there? 😜)—be your own glam queen!
Til next time, stay fabulous, and may your airpods never fall out when you’re on vibe check duty. 😉
