Kat Von D Adora & Hexagram Studded Kiss Crème Lipsticks Reviews, Photos, Swatches
Adora
Kat Von D Adora Studded Kiss Crème Lipstick ($19.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a medium, ruby red with a metallic sheen and subtle, neutral-to-cool undertones. It had semi-opaque pigmentation, which was buildable to full coverage with two to three passes. The texture had a touch of slip but was still best applied in shorter strokes to avoid unnecessary tugging during application. The color applied evenly on my lips with some color gathering in my lip lines, though the glossier finish helped distract from that. On me, it wore well for six and a half hours, left a stain behind, and was non-drying.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Estee Lauder Killer Kiss (DC, $32.00) is darker (95% similar).
- Urban Decay Cruel (DC, $18.00) is warmer (90% similar).
- Estee Lauder Christmas Kiss (LE, $32.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- MAC Authentic Red (LE, $19.00) is less shimmery (90% similar).
- Urban Decay Spark (DC, $18.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- KVD Beauty Dazzle (P, $22.00) is less glossy (90% similar).
- UOMA Beauty On Fire (P, $26.00) is lighter, warmer, glossier (90% similar).
- Sephora Metallic Cherry (64) (P, $14.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- Bobbi Brown Firecracker (LE, $38.00) is less shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Urban Decay Wrath (DC, $18.00) is warmer (90% similar).
Formula Overview
$19.00/0.12 oz. - $158.33 Per Ounce
Per the brand, the new formula is supposed to be "the creamiest, most cushiony and unbelievably pigmented lipstick to ever cross your lips" that is "comfortable" to wear. I don't know if the brand has actually tried the plethora of other lipsticks on the market, because I can tell you that after swatching all 40 shades back-to-back, these are nowhere near "the creamiest" or "most cushiony" or even "unbelievably pigmented." They were, on average, much creamier than the original formula, but a fair number of shades were firm and dense enough that short strokes was better for application otherwise there was noticeable tugging. Some shades were pigmented, some shades were uneven or sheer. The mid-tone shades seemed to be the best overall in terms of application, pigmentation, and how they looked on the lips, whereas the shimmery shades were often sheerer, gritty, and drying while the deeper, vampy shades were lacking pigmentation and could apply streakily.
They seemed to have longer wear than most lipsticks (five to eight hours) but have been lightly to intensely drying, depending on the shade, and I found that wearing them back-to-back made the drying aspect more pronounced. They had a strong, sweet, burnt sugar kind of scent that was noticeable when initially applied, but I didn't detect during wear.
I did not review all shades in the original Studded Kiss formula as it wasn't feasible for me to purchase all of those at the time, and after trying what I did purchase, they weren't promising (often very dry, stiff, and painful to use with a drying formula). From what I can tell, some are better (see: LUV (Original) vs. LUV (New); Coven (Original) vs. Coven (New)), some are worse (see: Gold Blooded (Original) vs. Gold Blooded (New); Poe (Original) vs. Poe (New)). The shimmery shades seemed worse for the reformulation, and the glittery shades are like the grittiest sandpaper across one's lips; I felt like I was ripping my lips off when applying both Gold Blooded and Piaf with Poe not being far behind.
Browse all of our KVD Beauty Studded Kiss Crème Lipstick swatches.
Ingredients
Adora
PPermanent. $19.00.
Hexagram
Kat Von D Hexagram Studded Kiss Crème Lipstick ($19.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a deep red with subtle, cool undertones and a satin finish. It had semi-opaque color coverage in a single layer, which gave it a sense of translucency and made it appear more natural/lightweight on. The lipstick was rather dense and somewhat stiff, and it yielded a thin layer of product that was very lightweight to wear but did tug on my lips as I applied it. It was not painful to use, but it wasn’t anywhere near “the creamiest” of lipstick formulas (where the brand got that notion is beyond my comprehension!). The color stayed on well for almost seven hours and was a bit drying after five hours of wear.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- ColourPop On Display (P, $10.00) is lighter (95% similar).
- MAC Rouge en Snow (LE, $19.00) is lighter (95% similar).
- Hourglass My Icon Is (P, $34.00) is lighter (95% similar).
- Stellar Beauty Super Sonic 04 (P, $22.00) is lighter, brighter (95% similar).
- Estee Lauder Boldface (P, $32.00) is glossier (95% similar).
- Bobbi Brown Imperial Red (DC, $37.00) is lighter (95% similar).
- Pat McGrath Major Red (DC, $40.00) is darker (95% similar).
- Chanel No. 03 (LE, $45.00) is cooler (95% similar).
- MAC Chateau M (LE, $21.00) is lighter (95% similar).
- Charlotte Tilbury Screen Siren (P, $34.00) is lighter (95% similar).
Formula Overview
$19.00/0.12 oz. - $158.33 Per Ounce
Per the brand, the new formula is supposed to be "the creamiest, most cushiony and unbelievably pigmented lipstick to ever cross your lips" that is "comfortable" to wear. I don't know if the brand has actually tried the plethora of other lipsticks on the market, because I can tell you that after swatching all 40 shades back-to-back, these are nowhere near "the creamiest" or "most cushiony" or even "unbelievably pigmented." They were, on average, much creamier than the original formula, but a fair number of shades were firm and dense enough that short strokes was better for application otherwise there was noticeable tugging. Some shades were pigmented, some shades were uneven or sheer. The mid-tone shades seemed to be the best overall in terms of application, pigmentation, and how they looked on the lips, whereas the shimmery shades were often sheerer, gritty, and drying while the deeper, vampy shades were lacking pigmentation and could apply streakily.
They seemed to have longer wear than most lipsticks (five to eight hours) but have been lightly to intensely drying, depending on the shade, and I found that wearing them back-to-back made the drying aspect more pronounced. They had a strong, sweet, burnt sugar kind of scent that was noticeable when initially applied, but I didn't detect during wear.
I did not review all shades in the original Studded Kiss formula as it wasn't feasible for me to purchase all of those at the time, and after trying what I did purchase, they weren't promising (often very dry, stiff, and painful to use with a drying formula). From what I can tell, some are better (see: LUV (Original) vs. LUV (New); Coven (Original) vs. Coven (New)), some are worse (see: Gold Blooded (Original) vs. Gold Blooded (New); Poe (Original) vs. Poe (New)). The shimmery shades seemed worse for the reformulation, and the glittery shades are like the grittiest sandpaper across one's lips; I felt like I was ripping my lips off when applying both Gold Blooded and Piaf with Poe not being far behind.
Browse all of our KVD Beauty Studded Kiss Crème Lipstick swatches.
Oh my, Adora is gorgeous! Adding this to my list. Reminds me of that new sephora lipstories lipstick Hong Kong by Night, except better! Hoping it doesn’t make my lips look more chapped!
I still have the original Adora in the silver packaging. Anyone remember that?! Lol. It was one of my favorite Temptalia purchases! I loved the way a metallic red lip looked on you and decided to try it too. It was my go-to holiday red for years 😉
I do!! I still have it too! And, yep, it was my “go-to” holiday shade for years. I haven’t worn it in ages though, not really sure why? It’s still fine, no bad smell or mold so that’s a plus. I swear those silver tubes were creamier than the version they just phased out..
This shade reminds me of MAC’s Queen’s Sin
Thank goodness I have UD Cruel in lieu of putting Adora on the “list”!
As for Hexagram, after reading your description of its none too creamy application I would rather splurge on PMG Major Red.
Would Adora be similar to Mac Head in the Clouds? It was an LE lipstick from about two years ago I think.
I know there is a way to officially submit a dupe but I think you have to be logged in as a member or something because I can’t find it.
It’s right under “Dupe List,” there is “submit a dupe” 🙂
Also, Urban Decay – Zealot is sort of similar to both of these but closer to Adora because of the shimmer.
Gorgeous. I especially love Adora.
Stunning shade and that shimmer on Adora is beautiful.
I wish these weren’t drying!
These are beautiful, but OMG where did you get those gorgeous earrings!! So pretty!
Going to have to check my old Kats for deterioration. Possibly replace with something better…like a Pat. As far as the reformulation goes, not sure these seem to be an improvement, though the oldies weren’t stellar either. Kat certainly does have a good sense of color, though.
Adora looks INCREDIBLE on you <3
How does this Adora compare to the past versions of Adora? (Especially the old Foiled Love version, there’s no picture in the database for that one.)
Sorry, unfortunately, I don’t have that any more and it’s too long ago in my memory (again, sorry, my memory is pretty terrible these days!) for me to speak with any knowledge on it!
Thanks anyways!