Kat Von D LUV, Mother, Backstage Bambi Studded Kiss Crème Lipsticks Reviews, Photos, Swatches
LUV
Kat Von D LUV Studded Kiss Crème Lipstick ($19.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a medium-dakr purple with warm, pink undertones and a cream finish. It had good color coverage, though it wasn’t opaque, and it took two to three layers to get full coverage. The lipstick yielded a light sheen on the lips, but the texture was rather dense and firmer in the tube, so it applied best with short strokes to avoid pulling on my lips unnecessarily. It applied evenly and lasted for seven hours on me with a neither drying nor hydrating feel.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Dose of Colors Dark Secret (P, $16.00) is cooler (95% similar).
- Dior Superstitious Matte (789) (P, $35.00) is darker (90% similar).
- Tom Ford Beauty Kaia (LE, $36.00) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- Anastasia Vintage (P, $20.00) is less glossy (90% similar).
- Shiseido Future Shock (215) (P, $26.00) is darker (90% similar).
- Maybelline Vibrant Violet (P, $7.99) is less glossy (90% similar).
- Urban Decay Crank (P, $18.00) is less glossy (90% similar).
- NARS Kate (P, $34.00) is darker (90% similar).
- Sephora What's My Secret (05) (P, $13.00) is darker, glossier (90% similar).
- MAC Stylist's Tip (LE, $19.00) is lighter (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
LUV
PPermanent. $19.00.
Mother
Kat Von D Mother Studded Kiss Crème Lipstick ($19.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a brighter, medium-dark pink with subtle, warm undertones and a semi-matte finish. The consistency had more give than most shades in the range, so while it was denser and firmer than most lipsticks on the market presently, it tugged just a bit when I attempted to apply it in a single stroke. It had excellent pigmentation that applied evenly and stayed on nicely for seven hours, though it felt a bit drying after five hours of wear.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- ColourPop Afterglow (LE, $10.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- Maybelline Nocturnal Rose (P, $7.49) is lighter (90% similar).
- ColourPop Thirsty (LE, $7.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- KVD Beauty Mother (DC, $21.00) is darker (90% similar).
- MAC Velvet Punch (P, $22.00) is darker, brighter (90% similar).
- Sephora Rosé (P, $14.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- KVD Beauty Mother (P, $20.00) is cooler, less glossy (90% similar).
- Anastasia Soft Pink (P, $18.00) is lighter, more muted, warmer (85% similar).
- MAC Petalhead (LE, $19.00) is lighter, warmer (85% similar).
- Tarte Fomo (P, $20.00) is lighter (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
Mother
PPermanent. $19.00.
Backstage Bambi
Kat Von D Backstage Bambi Studded Kiss Crème Lipstick ($19.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a bright, medium fuchsia pink with cool, blue undertones and a semi-matte finish. It had good pigmentation that covered the lips with fairly even, smooth color coverage in a single layer. The texture was dense with a touch of slip, but it was best applied in short strokes to minimize the slight tugging that occurred when trying to glide it across the lips in a fluid stroke. It wore well for seven hours but was a bit drying after five hours of wear.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- MAC Be Silly (LE, $19.00) is darker (95% similar).
- Tom Ford Beauty Electric Pink (15) (P, $55.00) is darker (95% similar).
- Bite Beauty Kimchi (DC, $26.00) is lighter, brighter (95% similar).
- MAC Both Cheeks (LE, $19.00) is darker, cooler (95% similar).
- Anastasia Orchid (P, $18.00) is darker, more muted (90% similar).
- ColourPop Fast as You (LE, $7.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
- NARS Michiyo (P, $34.00) is warmer, glossier (90% similar).
- MAC Pink Pigeon (P, $19.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- Make Up For Ever C207 (DC, $22.00) is darker (90% similar).
- Maybelline Faint for Fuchsia (P, $7.99) is brighter (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
I’m in love with L.U.V.! Not that I need another purple lipstick, but 7 hours is seriously impressive. Also, it has very even looking application and pigmentation. Love it!
Not a fan of the lipstick shades, although they are of really good quality, but your eye look is stunning!
I wasn’t considering getting any of these but luv and mother are seriously gorgeous!! I also don’t need another purple lipstick but yeah I kinda do lol,
I have Mother in the old formula. Is it similar?
You can compare any two swatches on the fly – right under “Compare Any Two,” which appears twice on this page! 🙂
https://www.temptalia.com/side-by-side/?sbs_1_sidebar_search=Kat+Von+D+Mother&sbs_1=259723&sbs_2_sidebar_search=Kat+Von+D+Mother&sbs_2=323443
At least bullet L.U.V. seems to be better than its liquid counterpart!!
I’m disappointed that a lot of these tug on the lips while applying. I don’t need lipsticks to be super creamy, but I wish the other KVD lipsticks had the same formula as Mother since it seems to be the best so far.
I love the color “Mother” but if its a little drying on you it would be a lot drying on me so I wouldn’t take the risk on it.
Luckily, I have Kimchi so I don’t need Backstage Bambi! These are all lovely!