Kaja Gloss Shot Hydrating Lip Glosses Reviews & Swatches
Milk Tea
Kaja Milk Tea Gloss Shot Hydrating Lip Gloss ($16.00 for 0.14 oz.) is a light peach with moderate, warm undertones and barely-there pearl through a milkier, shiny finish. It had sheer coverage, which added a little bit of warmth to my natural lip color, but it was really a plusher, glossier finish that was most noticeable.
The consistency felt smooth, more gel-like than a typical gloss, but it was thicker, despite not being heavy to wear. The brand marketed it as “non-sticky,” but there was light tackiness present after a minute or so of wear. This shade settled the least noticeably in my lip lines, but it was also the sheerest. It wore well for two and a half hours and felt moisturizing over time.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- ColourPop Smirk (LE, $10.00) is less shimmery (90% similar).
- ColourPop Ticklish (P, $8.00) is warmer (90% similar).
- Laura Mercier Catherine (LE, $25.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- ColourPop Bambi (LE, $8.00) is lighter, warmer (85% similar).
- ColourPop Renaissance (LE, $8.00) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (85% similar).
- Pat McGrath Nude Negligee (P, $30.00) is less shimmery, lighter (85% similar).
- MAC Summer Succulence (LE, ) is less shimmery, lighter (85% similar).
- Marc Jacobs Beauty French Tickler (316) (P, $29.00) is more shimmery, darker, warmer (85% similar).
- ColourPop Misfit Elephant (LE, $8.00) is more shimmery, warmer (85% similar).
- ColourPop Menagerie (LE, $10.00) is lighter, warmer (85% similar).
Formula Overview
$16.00/0.14 oz. - $114.29 Per Ounce
It's supposed to be "intensely hydrating," "non-sticky," and have a "high-shine finish." They're very thick, and the applicator had a tendency to hold quite a bit of product that it was hard to apply it evenly and often felt like too-much product in a "single" layer. The gloss had a smooth, almost gel-like feel, as it was plush but had moderate slip. There was a touch of tackiness after a few minutes, though it was fairly "non-sticky" as described.
The milker finish did result in coverage that was less even and more prone to settling into my lip lines. I felt like the big "selling point" of the formula was how shiny it was--very, very high-shine, which gave the illusion of more voluminous lips and made the color that settled into my lip lines less noticeable from a normal viewing distance.
They seemed to have medium to semi-opaque coverage, which didn't look streaky at least. They lasted two to three hours and felt moisturizing over time. There did not seem to be any fragrance or taste.
Browse all of our Kaja Gloss Shot Hydrating Lip Gloss swatches.
Ingredients
Polybutene, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Octyldodecanol, Diisostearyl Malate, Ethylene/Propylene Copolymer, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Squalane, Vanilla Tahitensis Fruit Extract, Ethylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer, Sorbitan Isostearate, VP/Hexadecene Copolymer, Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Butylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer, Dehydroacetic Acid, Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Iron Oxides (CI 77491), Iron Oxides (CI 77492), Red 33 Lake (CI 17200), Iron Oxides (CI 77499), Tin Oxide (CI 77861), Butylene Glycol, Aqua/Water/Eau, Fragrance (Parfum).
Disclaimer: Ingredient lists are as available by the brand (or retailer) at the time of publishing. Please always check product packaging, if it exists, for the ingredient list applicable to the product you're purchasing, or the brand or retailer's website for the most up-to-date ingredient list.
Milk Tea
PPermanent. $16.00.
Honey Drizzle
Kaja Honey Drizzle Gloss Shot Hydrating Lip Gloss ($16.00 for 0.14 oz.) is a medium coral with warmer undertones paired with a high-shine, cream finish. The texture was slightly thicker, smooth, and creamier, which spread easily over my lips but was harder to maneuver as the applicator seemed to hold more product than necessary for a single application.
I’d recommend using a bit less and using more if necessary but going in with a lighter hand initially! It had semi-sheer coverage that applied fairly evenly but settled into my lip lines. The high-shine finish made the settling less apparent in person. This shade lasted well for three hours and felt hydrating over time.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Hourglass Cameo (P, $49.00) is lighter, less pigmented (90% similar).
- MAC Twinsies (LE, $21.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- KKW Beauty Juicy (LE, $18.00) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- MAC Painted Lady (LE, $21.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- Urban Decay Fuel (P, $20.00) is darker, warmer (90% similar).
- Giorgio Armani Night Time (102) (P, $38.00) is more shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
- Lisa Eldridge Songbird (P, $25.00) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- Pat McGrath Wicked Whisper (P, $30.00) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- Kaja Pink Drink (P, $16.00) is brighter (85% similar).
- NARS Big Trouble (LE, $26.00) is less shimmery, darker, warmer (85% similar).
Formula Overview
$16.00/0.14 oz. - $114.29 Per Ounce
It's supposed to be "intensely hydrating," "non-sticky," and have a "high-shine finish." They're very thick, and the applicator had a tendency to hold quite a bit of product that it was hard to apply it evenly and often felt like too-much product in a "single" layer. The gloss had a smooth, almost gel-like feel, as it was plush but had moderate slip. There was a touch of tackiness after a few minutes, though it was fairly "non-sticky" as described.
The milker finish did result in coverage that was less even and more prone to settling into my lip lines. I felt like the big "selling point" of the formula was how shiny it was--very, very high-shine, which gave the illusion of more voluminous lips and made the color that settled into my lip lines less noticeable from a normal viewing distance.
They seemed to have medium to semi-opaque coverage, which didn't look streaky at least. They lasted two to three hours and felt moisturizing over time. There did not seem to be any fragrance or taste.
Browse all of our Kaja Gloss Shot Hydrating Lip Gloss swatches.
Ingredients
Polybutene, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Diisostearyl Malate, Octyldodecanol, Ethylene/Propylene Copolymer, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Squalane, Vanilla Tahitensis Fruit Extract, Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Ethylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer, Sorbitan Isostearate, VP/Hexadecene Copolymer, Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Butylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer, Iron Oxides (CI 77491), Iron Oxides (CI 77492), Dehydroacetic Acid, Iron Oxides (CI 77499), Red 7 (CI 15850), Polyglyceryl-2 Diisostearate, Tin Oxide (Ci 77861), Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Butylene Glycol, Aqua/Water/Eau, Fragrance (Parfum).
Disclaimer: Ingredient lists are as available by the brand (or retailer) at the time of publishing. Please always check product packaging, if it exists, for the ingredient list applicable to the product you're purchasing, or the brand or retailer's website for the most up-to-date ingredient list.
Honey Drizzle
PPermanent. $16.00.
Pink Drink
Kaja Pink Drink Gloss Shot Hydrating Lip Gloss ($16.00 for 0.14 oz.) is a medium, pinky-coral with barely-there gold sparkle through a cream finish with a high-shine glossiness to it. The color was slightly darker and pinker compared to Honey Drizzle, but the two were more similar than not on me.
The gloss had a smooth, gel-cream consistency that was thicker and more substantial, and slid readily over my lips before developing light tackiness after a couple of minutes. It had medium coverage in a single layer, which I wouldn’t build up as the gloss was thick enough in that single layer that more felt uncomfortable and very slippery. There was some product that settled into my deeper lip lines, which was less noticeable in person as the finish was very shiny. It stayed on well for three hours and felt moisturizing while worn.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- ColourPop Bobbidi (LE, $10.00) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- Hourglass Cameo (P, $49.00) is lighter, less pigmented, warmer (90% similar).
- MAC Twinsies (LE, $21.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- Pat McGrath Wicked Whisper (P, $30.00) is less shimmery, darker, warmer (90% similar).
- ColourPop PS (DC, $10.00) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Lisa Eldridge Songbird (P, $25.00) is less shimmery, darker (85% similar).
- NARS Playpen (P, $26.00) is less shimmery, darker, cooler (85% similar).
- Kaja Honey Drizzle (P, $16.00) is more muted (85% similar).
- NARS Suck (LE, $26.00) is less shimmery, lighter (85% similar).
- KKW Beauty Juicy (LE, $18.00) is less shimmery, lighter (85% similar).
Formula Overview
$16.00/0.14 oz. - $114.29 Per Ounce
It's supposed to be "intensely hydrating," "non-sticky," and have a "high-shine finish." They're very thick, and the applicator had a tendency to hold quite a bit of product that it was hard to apply it evenly and often felt like too-much product in a "single" layer. The gloss had a smooth, almost gel-like feel, as it was plush but had moderate slip. There was a touch of tackiness after a few minutes, though it was fairly "non-sticky" as described.
The milker finish did result in coverage that was less even and more prone to settling into my lip lines. I felt like the big "selling point" of the formula was how shiny it was--very, very high-shine, which gave the illusion of more voluminous lips and made the color that settled into my lip lines less noticeable from a normal viewing distance.
They seemed to have medium to semi-opaque coverage, which didn't look streaky at least. They lasted two to three hours and felt moisturizing over time. There did not seem to be any fragrance or taste.
Browse all of our Kaja Gloss Shot Hydrating Lip Gloss swatches.
Ingredients
Polybutene, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Diisostearyl Malate, Octyldodecanol, Ethylene/Propylene Copolymer, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Squalane, Vanilla Tahitensis Fruit Extract, Ethylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer, Sorbitan Isostearate, VP/Hexadecene Copolymer, Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Butylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer, Iron Oxides (CI 77491), Yellow 6 Lake (CI 15985), Dehydroacetic Acid, Mica (CI 77019), Red 7 (CI 15850), Polyglyceryl-2 Diisostearate, Blue 1 Lake (CI 42090), Iron Oxides (CI 77499), Tin Oxide (CI 77861), Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Butylene Glycol, Aqua/Water/Eau, Fragrance (Parfum).
Disclaimer: Ingredient lists are as available by the brand (or retailer) at the time of publishing. Please always check product packaging, if it exists, for the ingredient list applicable to the product you're purchasing, or the brand or retailer's website for the most up-to-date ingredient list.
I’ve heard of people stashing lip balm everywhere in their house and car 🚘 but you can actually get a syndrome where it makes your lips even drier the more you apply and you can get addicted to it. Just a thought.
Idk, but I really kind of like Pink Drink! It feels very springtime (and summer) ready. I’d wear it!
But the other two? No way!
This formula sounds a little like the Tower28 ShineOn Milky Lip Jelly. Do you find that the textures are similar or is this thicker?
They’re OK, not great, but probably good on a warm day to wear for a bit of colour on the lips.
I’m surprised we’re seeing gloss released; you’d think in current times, companies would try tinted oils/balms that stains your lips and doesn’t transfer on a mask instead of a gloss.