Kat Von D Hawkwind, Crucifix, Piaf Studded Kiss Crème Lipsticks Reviews, Photos, Swatches
Hawkwind
Kat Von D Hawkwind Studded Kiss Crème Lipstick ($19.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a muted, medium-dark plummy-brown with subtle, warm undertones and a satin finish. It had opaque pigmentation with a smooth, lightweight texture that had just enough slip to glide on with only slight tugging (which is, frankly, a big improvement for this formula!). The color applied evenly on my lips, stayed on for five hours, and was non-drying.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Anastasia #2 (Vol. 1) (PiP, ) is darker (90% similar).
- Lisa Eldridge Velvet Decade (LE, $36.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- ColourPop Wild Nothing (P, $6.50) is less glossy (90% similar).
- ColourPop 27 (P, $7.00) is darker, brighter, warmer (85% similar).
- Anastasia Stevie (P, $18.00) is darker, warmer, less glossy (85% similar).
- Anastasia Rum Punch (P, $18.00) is cooler, less glossy (85% similar).
- ColourPop Softii (LE, $6.50) is darker, warmer (85% similar).
- Burberry Dark Nude (408) (P, $35.00) is darker, warmer, less glossy (85% similar).
- ColourPop Tulle (P, $6.50) is lighter (85% similar).
- Pat McGrath Unfaithful (DC, $40.00) is lighter, warmer, glossier (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
Hawkwind
PPermanent. $19.00.
Crucifix
Kat Von D Crucifix Studded Kiss Crème Lipstick ($19.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a deep brown with subtle, warm undertones and a satin finish. The color payoff was semi-opaque and did not build up to full coverage, which may have been partially due to the firmer, denser consistency that made it hard to apply as the lipstick dragged and tugged on my lips from start to finish. I really had to use a fair amount of pressure just to get an even layer of product overall. The shade lasted for five hours, was drying over time, and had some color that settled into my lip lines.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Maybelline Chocoholic (DC, $7.49) is glossier (95% similar).
- Anastasia Rust (P, $18.00) is warmer (95% similar).
- MAC Film Noir (P, $19.00) (95% similar).
- Fenty Beauty Flaunty Auntie (P, $20.00) is warmer (95% similar).
- Make Up For Ever M104 (DC, $22.00) is lighter (95% similar).
- NARS Dominatrix (P, $26.00) is cooler (95% similar).
- Fenty Beauty PMS (P, $18.00) is darker (90% similar).
- ColourPop Friends (P, $7.00) is warmer, glossier (90% similar).
- Guerlain #99 (P, $33.00) is warmer, glossier (90% similar).
- Clinique Velvet Kisses (29) (P, $19.50) is more shimmery, lighter, 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
Crucifix
PPermanent. $19.00.
Piaf
Kat Von D Piaf Studded Kiss Crème Lipstick ($19.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a muted, dark plum-brown with warmer undertones and flecks of multi-colored pearl and slightly larger, glitter particles. It had semi-sheer pigmentation that applied unevenly and settled into lip lines noticeably. The texture was very firm, stiff, and dense in the tube, which made it painful to apply as the pressure needed was great and it just tugged and dragged the whole time. It never seemed to soften or improve with repeated use. It lasted for four and a half hours and was drying over time.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Urban Decay Accident (DC, $18.00) is warmer, glossier (85% similar).
- Stellar Beauty Disco Moon 05 (P, $22.00) is more shimmery, darker, warmer (85% similar).
- Stellar Beauty Dark Matter 02 (P, $22.00) is warmer (85% similar).
- MAC I Get So OOC (LE, $19.00) is lighter, warmer (85% similar).
- Maybelline Molten Bronze (P, $7.49) is warmer (85% similar).
- Urban Decay Shadowheart (P, $18.00) is warmer (85% similar).
- Tom Ford Beauty Travis (P, $36.00) is warmer (85% similar).
- KVD Beauty Piaf (DC, $21.00) is darker, warmer (80% similar).
- Anastasia Chrome Brown (LE, $18.00).
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
Yikes!! Not sure why some of these were re-formulated, as the scores are D/F
I’m LOVING this Hawkwind far more than my ELL version! That one, while a pretty shade, has nothing on this iteration. I’m in love with this lipstick!
**Looks for receipt**
Call me crazy if you want, but I am going to try on Piaf over a nice coating of MAC Prep & Prime for Lips, and lining my lips with Nyx Never Slim Lip Pencil. I much prefer the actual shade of this over its OG version. That one looked a strange muddy gray on my lips. No joke.
Frankly, I think that Hawkwind is the one-off. Suspect you got a good one, that mfg is erratic, and that many buyers will not have your good experience. The annoying thing is that kvd/?Kendo CAN do it. The fact that Lipstories and CP are both more reliable is pretty sad. The pressures on the trendy lines is pretty heavy, but not a true excuse for generally poor performance. It’s like a nose thumbing or third finger salute to customers.
I’m so surprised that these lipsticks are getting great ratings on the Sephora site because I’ve used some of these in the past and agree with you. I guess people have certain expectation with these lipsticks and are willing to put up with the downsides. I just always find it interesting when there’s a difference between professional reviews and consumer. I’m not saying I don’t trust you, I’m just nosy!
Wow – these shades are all over the place in terms of quality. Beautiful colours though. And I really love your eye look Christine.
I don’t wear or like dark lipsticks (on myself, not on others); I only clicked on the link because your eyes looked absolutely amazing… and then the hunt was on for the how-to!! Sadly, I did not have any luck finding it. Is it going to be posted on Looks soon? If not, any chance you remember how you achieved it or can give it your best guess? I see others love it, too…
Thanks in advance, as always.
Hawkwind is absolutely beautiful. I hate how they ruined Piaf, though. It used to be such a beautiful, unique lip color.
I love Hawkwind, but I’ll have to swatch in store before I decide if I want to purchase it or not.
I can always get one of the dupes anyways.
Well Hawkwind worked out!