Kat Von D Lolita, Cathedral, Nahz Fur Atoo Studded Kiss Crème Lipsticks Reviews, Photos, Swatches
Lolita
Kat Von D Lolita Studded Kiss Crème Lipstick ($19.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a muted, medium-dark pink with warmer undertones and a semi-matte finish. The color payoff was fantastic–actually opaque!–with a dense consistency that was smooth, velvety, and lightweight and had just enough slip to apply without dragging on my lips. It wore well for five and a half hours but was a bit drying after four hours of wear.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Sephora Warm Kiss (82) (P, $14.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- Ciate Pin Up (PiP, $19.00) is cooler (90% similar).
- MAC Spicy Pimienta (LE, $21.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
- Makeup by Mario Daniela (P, $24.00) is darker, brighter (90% similar).
- Anastasia #2 (Vol. 1) (PiP, ) is darker (90% similar).
- Pat McGrath Unfaithful (DC, $40.00) is warmer, glossier (90% similar).
- Lisa Eldridge Velvet Blush (P, $36.00) is brighter (85% similar).
- MAC Del Rio (P, $19.00) is glossier (90% similar).
- Anastasia Stevie (P, $18.00) is darker, warmer (90% similar).
- MAC Rajah (LE, $20.00) is brighter (85% 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
Lolita
PPermanent. $19.00.
Cathedral
Kat Von D Cathedral Studded Kiss Crème Lipstick ($19.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a medium-dark plum with warm undertones and a satin finish. It had intense pigmentation in a single layer, which applied evenly and smoothly across my lips with just a touch of tugging. The lipstick had a smooth consistency that was lightweight, thin but not clingy, and was fairly easy to work with. It lasted for five and a half hours but felt a bit drying after four hours of wear.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Anastasia Dazed (P, $20.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
- Anastasia Rosewood (P, $18.00) is cooler, less glossy (90% similar).
- Anastasia Stevie (P, $18.00) is darker, less glossy (90% similar).
- Marc Jacobs Beauty Sugar and Spice (P, $30.00) is lighter, warmer, glossier (85% similar).
- Tarte Vacay (P, $21.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
- MAC Rajah (LE, $20.00) is cooler (85% similar).
- ColourPop Tulle (DC, $6.50) is more muted, less glossy (85% similar).
- Bite Beauty Chai (P, $28.00) is darker, less glossy (90% similar).
- MAC Del Rio (P, $19.00) is cooler (90% similar).
- Tarte Island Life (P, $21.00) is lighter, cooler (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
Cathedral
PPermanent. $19.00.
Nahz Fur Atoo
Kat Von D Nahz Fur Atoo Studded Kiss Crème Lipstick ($19.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a deep red with warmer undertones and a satin finish. The pigmentation was good, though it wasn’t opaque and never built up to it (would need a liner to go the whole way). The consistency was dense and firm, though it wasn’t painful to use as it dragged on the lips somewhat. The color went on fairly evenly and didn’t seem as keen to getting into my lip l ines as other shades. It was still going strong after six hours and left a stain behind, but the formula was somewhat drying on me after four hours of wear.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- NARS Louise (P, $34.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Pat McGrath Guinevere (P, $38.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- Make Up For Ever Cheerful Burgundy (418) (P, $23.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- Chanel Brun Solaire (158) (LE, $40.00) is more shimmery, lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- Marc Jacobs Beauty Miss Scarlet (208) (P, $30.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- Bite Beauty Mistletoe (LE, $26.00) is cooler (90% similar).
- MAC Rocker (P, $19.00) is lighter, cooler (85% similar).
- Giorgio Armani Tempting (404) (P, $38.00) is lighter (85% similar).
- NARS Infatuated Red (P, $27.00) is lighter (85% similar).
- Tarte Vibin' (P, $20.00) is lighter, less glossy (85% 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.
Nice earrings! Where are those from?
Ted Baker!
I really like Lolita. These reviews have been so helpful since I feel like the quality has been kind of all over the place with these.
These three look much more comfortable to wear than most of this range. Is it just me, or is this Lolita a different color from all the other Lolitas?
Thank goodness KVD didn’t screw up these very beautiful, classic shades in her range! I may not like that name “Lolita”, but the shade itself is a mainstay. Not sure how different this iteration of Cathedral is compared to its OG? Thankfully, I still have plenty of mine left just in case.
I really like the Nahz shade the best – very elegant and a gorgeous eye look Christine.
Great colors in this set.