Kaja Kaja Kuties Must-Haves Set Review & Swatches

Christine — Thu, 05 Nov 2020 20:00:00 +0000

Kaja Kuties

Kaja Kaja Kuties Must-Haves Face & Lip Collection ($39.00 for 0.45 oz.) is a new, limited edition set that includes a new, limited edition eyeshadow trio along with three additional products from the brand’s permanent line-up. If the kind of colors are the ones you’d wear, the set seems like a good way to try the brand’s products while saving a bit.

Ingredients

Kaja Kuties

LELimited Edition. $39.00.

A-

Product

9.5

Pigmentation

9.5

Texture

Longevity

4.5

Application

92%

Total

Buttercup Bubbly

Buttercup Bubbly contains two shimmery shades and one matte. All three performed well: they were pigmented, blendable, and long-wearing. The shimmers were stellar–no complaints at all!–and the matte shade was very good, just a little powdery in the pan and not quite 100% opaque. The eyeshadows in the trio performed consistently with other Kaja trios.

Buttercup Bubbly

LELimited Edition. $26.00.

9.5

Product

9.5

Pigmentation

9.5

Texture

Longevity

Application

94%

Total

Buttered Rum

Buttered Rum is a rich, medium gold with moderate, warm undertones and a sparkling, metallic finish. It had rich color payoff that adhered well to bare skin with a smooth, even laydown of product. The consistency was lightly creamy, moderately dense without being overly firm, and easy to work with. It stayed on nicely for eight and a half hours before fading visibly.

FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).

Top Dupes
Formula Overview

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Charlotte Tilbury The Rebel (2020) #1 (PiP, ) is lighter (95% similar).
Guerlain Golden Stars #2 (LE, ) is more shimmery, lighter (95% similar).
MAC Struck Gold (LE, $17.00) is less shimmery, darker (95% similar).
Pat McGrath Jubilee (PiP, $25.00) is more shimmery, lighter (95% similar).
ColourPop Karat Cake (P, $4.50) is brighter (95% similar).
Dose of Colors Top It Off (PiP, ) is more shimmery, lighter, brighter (95% similar).
Charlotte Tilbury Green Lights #1 (LE, ) is darker, warmer (95% similar).
ColourPop Cursed (LE, $9.00) is more shimmery, darker, warmer (95% similar).
Chanel Lumieres et Vibrations #2 (LE, ) is darker (95% similar).
Dior Celebrate in Gold #1 (LE, ) is lighter (95% similar).

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Formula Overview

The formula is supposed to have "uniform shimmer in every swipe" that is best applied "with your fingers." They have a dimethicone-heavy feel (unsurprising given it was typically the first ingredient in each shade), so there's a velvety slip that is lightly emollient but not truly wet or cream-like to the touch. I found them to be more powder-like than cream-like, but they had the binding and hold of a creamier formula. They applied well to bare skin without the need of primer, adhesive sprays, or glitter glue for pretty stellar wear--they often lasted between eight and 10 hours on me with slight fallout. I more often saw faint creasing after eight hours than much in the way of fallout.

Fingertips will definitely yield the most pigmented the quickest, but I didn't struggle to use brushes (my preferred method for precision) and found that brushes often packed semi-opaque or opaque coverage as well. I also tried them wet and didn't find that to cause issues to the pan, and it did give some shades a smoother, shinier finish but wasn't necessary to use them (more like a bonus). I didn't have issues with fallout whether I used my fingertips or brushes to apply; I pressed and gently pulled the brush across my lid area to distribute the product (same technique I use for high-shimmer/metallic shades). They were impressive; they were magical--if you love sparkly, shiny eyeshadows, they're well worth a look!

Browse all of our Kaja Bouncy Shimmer Eyeshadow swatches.

Buttered Rum

LELimited Edition.

Product

Pigmentation

Texture

Longevity

Application

98%

Total

Churro

Churro is a medium copper with moderate, warm undertones balanced between red-orange-gold paired with a smooth, metallic sheen. The eyeshadow had a lightly creamy consistency that was dense without being too firmly-pressed into the pan. It had opaque pigmentation that applied well to bare skin and lasted well for eight and a half hours on me.

FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).

Top Dupes

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Marc Jacobs Beauty The Siren #3 (LE, ) is less shimmery, warmer (95% similar).
NARS L'Amour, Toujours L'Amour #6 (DC, $25.00) is darker (95% similar).
Juvia's Place Nubian #6 (P, ) is more shimmery, darker (95% similar).
Natasha Denona Cannon (366M) (LE, $29.00) is brighter (95% similar).
Makeup by Mario Master Metallics #7 (PiP, ) is more shimmery, lighter (95% similar).
MAC Jingle Ball Bronze (P, $17.00) is lighter (95% similar).
Chanel Ombres de Lune #1 (LE, ) is cooler (95% similar).
MAC Golden (LE, $21.00) is lighter (95% similar).
Sydney Grace Bronzed to Perfection (P, $6.00) is more shimmery, cooler (95% similar).
ColourPop Do It Better (PiP, $6.00) is darker (90% similar).

View Swatches

Formula Overview

Browse all of our Kaja Bouncy Shimmer Eyeshadow swatches.

Look Using this Product

Makeup by Mario Rosy Glam Eyeshadow Look

Read How-To

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Read How-To

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Churro

LELimited Edition.

Product

Pigmentation

Texture

Longevity

Application

98%

Total

Hot Cocoa

Hot Cocoa is a light-medium, very yellow-toned brown with warm undertones and a matte finish. The texture was soft, lightly powdery in the pan, but had a more velvety and substantial feel that translated beautifully onto the lid. It had nearly opaque pigmentation that blended out with ease and wasn’t prone to sheering out too readily nor to fallout. It wore well for eight and a half hours before fading visibly.

Top Dupes
Look

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Natasha Denona Sand Stone (PiP, ) is darker (95% similar).
Makeup by Mario Master Mattes #5 (PiP, ) is lighter (95% similar).
MAC Mumu (LE, $17.00) is darker (95% similar).
Sephora Khaki (LE, ) is lighter (90% similar).
Sydney Grace Toffee (P, $5.25) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
MAC Outre (PiP, $17.00) is darker (90% similar).
Melt Cosmetics Lorelei (LE, ) is darker, warmer (90% similar).
ColourPop Flutes (LE, $6.00) is darker (90% similar).
LORAC Sand Dune (PiP, ) is lighter (90% similar).
LORAC Burlap (LE, $19.00) is lighter (90% similar).

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Look Using this Product

Makeup by Mario Party Glam Eyeshadow Look

Read How-To

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Read How-To

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Hot Cocoa

LELimited Edition.

A-

Product

9.5

Pigmentation

Texture

Longevity

Application

92%

Total

Luna

Luna is a lighter, peachy gold with strong, warm undertones and a soft sheen. The color seemed a little warmer and punchier, overall, compared to the original, standalone version I have. The texture was lightly emollient and thin, with a more cream-to-powder feel once it was applied to my skin. It had medium, buildable pigmentation that applied well to bare skin but was slightly more prone to lifting up base products. It stayed on well for eight hours before fading.

FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).

Top Dupes

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ColourPop Taffy (LE, $12.00) is more shimmery, darker (95% similar).
Chanel Or Rose (LE, $70.00) is more shimmery, cooler (95% similar).
Cover FX Moonlight (P, $34.00) is more shimmery (95% similar).
Morphe Spark (P, $14.00) is more shimmery (95% similar).
Too Faced Starlight (PiP, ) is more shimmery, darker, cooler (95% similar).
NARS Rêve Salé II (LE, ) is more shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
Tarte Moonlight (PiP, ) is more shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
NYX Narcissistic (P, $9.00) is more shimmery (90% similar).
MAC Petallic Metallic (LE, $42.00) is more shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
bareMinerals The Soiree (LE, $26.00) is more shimmery, warmer (90% similar).

View Swatches

Formula Overview

$19.00/0.15 oz. - $126.67 Per Ounce

The formula is a "cream-to-powder highlighter" that "feels like a cream and finishes like a powder." It has "natural-looking radiance" designed to be applied with "fingertips." The highlighters had a smooth, denser consistency in the pot with a light sponginess if pressed firmly. They had subtle slip but felt more powder-like than cream-like, especially as soon as my finger swirled the product once or twice. The product applied well to bare skin and decently over base products, but I found the thinner, quick-dry texture didn't always play well with base products and could lift them up.

They were blendable and had "natural-looking radiance" as described. The pigmentation was more semi-sheer to medium, slightly buildable, while they were described as buildable, so it was mostly accurate. They lasted between seven and eight hours on me.

Browse all of our Kaja Mochi Glow Bouncy Blendable Highlighter swatches.

Ingredients

Mica (Ci 77019), Diisostearyl Malate, Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin), Talc, Dimethicone, Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891), Silica, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Hexyl Laurate, Iron Oxides (Ci 77491), Pentylene Glycol, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Lauroyl Lysine, Aluminum Hydroxide, Tin Oxide (Ci 77861), Carmine (Ci 75470).

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.

Luna

PPermanent. $19.00.

B+

8.5

Product

Pigmentation

8.5

Texture

8.5

Longevity

4.5

Application

89%

Total

Bossy (03)

Bossy (03) is a medium coral that was balanced between pink and orange, so it was moderately warm-toned, and it had a subtle sheen. It had semi-sheer, buildable pigmentation (up to semi-opaque coverage) that applied evenly to bare skin and diffused easily along the edges.

It worked well over bare skin as well as on top of foundation as it wasn’t prone to lifting up my base. The texture was very lightweight, thin, and wet, though it dried down somewhat, so it didn’t feel tacky or move around while worn. It lasted well for eight hours before fading visibly.

Top Dupes
Ingredients

Top Dupes

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ColourPop Rum Runner (LE, $8.00) is darker (95% similar).
Salt New York Coral (P, $16.00) is warmer (95% similar).
Patrick Ta Do We Know Her (Crème) (PiP, ) is more shimmery (95% similar).
ILIA All of Me (P, $34.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
ColourPop Totes (P, $8.00) is more shimmery, darker, warmer (90% similar).
Tom Ford Beauty Soleil Neige (Blush) (LE, ) is darker, warmer (90% similar).
Patrick Ta She's Blushing (Crème) (PiP, ) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
Salt New York Spice (P, $16.00) is warmer (90% similar).
Milani Nude Kiss (P, $8.99) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
Rare Beauty Virtue (LE, $23.00) is warmer (90% similar).

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Ingredients

Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Butylene Glycol, Caprylyl Methicone, Polybutene, Silica, Mica (Ci 77019), Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Polypropylsilsesquioxane, Pentylene Glycol, Cera Microcristallina/Microcrystalline Wax/Cire Microcristalline, Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891), Dextrin Palmitate, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Caprylyl Glycol, Iron Oxides (Ci 77492), Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Red 30 (Ci 73360), Fragrance (Parfum), Iron Oxides (Ci 77491), Iron Oxides (Ci 77499), Aluminum Hydroxide, Tin Oxide (Ci 77861).

Bossy (03)

PPermanent.

A-

Product

Pigmentation

Texture

8.5

Longevity

Application

92%

Total

Crazy 4U

Crazy 4U is a medium, pinky-mauve with subtle, cool undertones and a cream finish. It had nearly opaque pigmentation in a single layer, which applied evenly across my lips and didn’t emphasize my lip lines.

The texture was creamy with a bit of “melting” as the product softened against the warmth of my lips noticeably. I found the heart-shaped applicator to take some getting used to, and it was more in line with not better but not worse to use overall. This shade wore nicely for four and a half h ours and felt hydrating over time.

Top Dupes
Ingredients

Top Dupes

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Chanel Ultimate (63) (P, $45.00) is warmer (95% similar).
Bite Beauty Éclair (DC, $24.00) is less shimmery, brighter (90% similar).
Becca Orchid (DC, $24.00) is darker (90% similar).
Bobbi Brown Uber Pink (DC, $37.00) is less shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
Make Up For Ever Sassy Rhubarb (164) (P, $23.00) is cooler (90% similar).
Rare Beauty Nearly Mauve (P, $18.00) is less pigmented, glossier (90% similar).
Marc Jacobs Beauty Truth or Bare (P, $28.00) is less shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
Sephora Oui (03) (P, $8.00) is less shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar).
bareMinerals XOX (PiP, $20.00) is lighter, warmer (85% similar).
Bobbi Brown Bahama Brown (P, $40.00) is lighter, cooler (85% similar).

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Ingredients

Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Diphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Dipentaerythrityl Hexahydroxystearate/Hexastearate/Hexarosinate, Phytosteryl/Isostearyl/Cetyl/Stearyl/Behenyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Trimethylsiloxyphenyl Dimethicone, Polyethylene, Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891), Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Macadamia Seed Oil Polyglyceryl-6 Esters Behenate, Iron Oxides (Ci 77491), Cera Microcristallina/Microcrystalline Wax/Cire Microcristalline, Iron Oxides (Ci 77499), Iron Oxides (Ci 77492), Red 6 Lake (Ci 15850), Fragrance (Parfum), Red 7 Lake (Ci 15850), Red 27 (Ci 45410), Butylene Glycol, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Prunus Domestica (Plum) Seed Oil, Aqua/Water/Eau, Bht, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract.

Crazy 4U

PPermanent. $17.00.

A-

Product

9.5

Pigmentation

Texture

Longevity

Application

92%

Total

Kaja Kaja Kuties Must-Haves Face & Lip Collection

Kaja Buttercup Bubbly Beauty Bento Bouncy Shimmer Eyeshadow Trio

Kaja Buttered Rum Bouncy Shimmer Eyeshadow

Kaja Churro Bouncy Shimmer Eyeshadow

Kaja Hot Cocoa Matte Eyeshadow

Kaja Luna Mochi Glow Bouncy Blendable Highlighter

Kaja Bossy (03) Cheeky Stamp Blendable Blush

Kaja Crazy 4U Heart Melter Lip Gloss Stick

Kaja Kaja Kuties Must-Haves Face & Lip Collection

Kaja Buttercup Bubbly Beauty Bento Bouncy Shimmer Eyeshadow Trio

Kaja Buttered Rum Bouncy Shimmer Eyeshadow

Kaja Churro Bouncy Shimmer Eyeshadow

Kaja Hot Cocoa Matte Eyeshadow

Kaja Luna Mochi Glow Bouncy Blendable Highlighter

Kaja Bossy (03) Cheeky Stamp Blendable Blush

Kaja Crazy 4U Heart Melter Lip Gloss Stick

Temptalia

Kaja Kaja Kuties Must-Haves Set Review & Swatches

Kaja Kuties

Ingredients

LELimited Edition. $39.00.

Quick Shop: Sephora, Sephora (CA)Sephora (CA)

Buttercup Bubbly

LELimited Edition. $26.00.

Quick Shop: Sephora, Sephora (CA)Sephora (CA)

Buttered Rum

Top Dupes

Formula Overview

LELimited Edition.

Quick Shop: Sephora, Sephora (CA)Sephora (CA)

Churro

Top Dupes

Formula Overview

Look Using this Product

LELimited Edition.

Quick Shop: Sephora, Sephora (CA)Sephora (CA)

Hot Cocoa

Top Dupes

Look Using this Product

LELimited Edition.

Quick Shop: Sephora, Sephora (CA)Sephora (CA)

Luna

Top Dupes

Formula Overview

Ingredients

PPermanent. $19.00.

Quick Shop: Sephora, Sephora (CA)Sephora (CA)

Bossy (03)

Top Dupes

Ingredients

PPermanent.

Quick Shop: Sephora, Sephora (CA)Sephora (CA)

Crazy 4U

Top Dupes

Ingredients

PPermanent. $17.00.

Quick Shop: Sephora, Sephora (CA)Sephora (CA)