Kat Von D Vampira, Homegirl, Gold Blooded Studded Kiss Crème Lipsticks Reviews, Photos, Swatches
Vampira
Kat Von D Vampira Studded Kiss Crème Lipstick ($19.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a deep burgundy with cool, red undertones and a semi-matte finish. It appeared on a lot lighter than it did in the tube, which may have been in due in part to it being only semi-opaque in pigmentation (“unbelievably pigmented” — not even close). The stiff, denser consistency had a tendency to collect on itself, which resulted in patchy application and crumbles of color that slid into my lip lines over time. The lipstick lasted well for seven hours but was somewhat drying over time, and the color further settled into my lip lines over time.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Burberry Black Cherry (439) (P, $35.00) is cooler (95% similar).
- NARS Siouxsie (LE, $34.00) is less shimmery, cooler, glossier (90% similar).
- MAC Beatrix (LE, $19.00) is darker (95% similar).
- KVD Beauty Motorhead (DC, $21.00) is lighter (85% similar).
- MAC Media (P, $19.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- NARS Rock with You (P, $26.00) is less glossy (90% similar).
- ColourPop Mamacita (DC, $6.50) is less glossy (90% similar).
- Tarte High Dive (P, $21.00) is warmer (90% similar).
- Sephora Garnet (P, $14.00) is less shimmery, cooler, less glossy (90% similar).
- Urban Decay Disturbed (P, $18.00) is less glossy (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
Vampira
PPermanent. $19.00.
Homegirl
Kat Von D Homegirl Studded Kiss Crème Lipstick ($19.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a deep burgundy with cool, berry undertones and a semi-matte finish. It had semi-opaque pigmentation, which did not apply evenly (though it wasn’t the most patchy version of this shade I’ve come across). The texture was stiffer and dense, which made it tug on the lips and was best applied with short strokes or with a lip brush. It was thin, a little clingy, and definitely drying over the seven hours it lasted for. The color wore unevenly from the center of my mouth and had some color gather in my lip lines over time, too.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- YSL Prune Power (89) (P, $38.00) is more shimmery, warmer (95% similar).
- MAC Prince Noir (LE, $19.00) is darker (95% similar).
- Fenty Beauty Griselda (P, $18.00) is less glossy (90% similar).
- MAC Viva Glam Ariana Grande (LE, $19.00) is darker (90% similar).
- Sephora Purple Red (99) (P, $14.00) is lighter, less glossy (90% similar).
- Burberry Black Cherry (57) (P, $34.00) is warmer (90% similar).
- ColourPop Sashay (P, $7.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- NARS Rock with You (P, $26.00) is lighter, less glossy (90% similar).
- ColourPop Ursula (LE, $7.00) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- Lisa Eldridge Velvet Midnight (LE, $36.00) is less shimmery, 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
Homegirl
PPermanent. $19.00.
Gold Blooded
Kat Von D Gold Blooded Studded Kiss Crème Lipstick ($19.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a medium red with neutral-to-warm undertones and flecks of gold glitter. By glitter, I mean grit that scraped my lips and made it one of the most painful lipsticks I have ever applied in over a decade. This might be one of the least comfortable, most drying, and all-around terribly disappointing products that leave me puzzled why any brand would release it and put their name on it. The texture was stiff, dry, and yielded semi-sheer coverage, which did not build up as there was no give at all. It lasted for four hours and left my lips feeling absolutely raw.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Marc Jacobs Beauty How Rouge (340) (P, $26.00) is darker (90% similar).
- Guerlain Red Bowtie (022) (P, $32.00) is less shimmery (90% similar).
- Maybelline Hot Lava (P, $7.49) is darker (85% similar).
- KVD Beauty Adora (DC, $21.00) is more shimmery, warmer (85% similar).
- Guerlain Red Strass (327) (P, $37.00) is darker, glossier (85% similar).
- KVD Beauty Gold Blooded (DC, $21.00) is darker, brighter, warmer (85% similar).
- MAC Cockney (DC, $19.00) is darker, glossier (85% similar).
- Estee Lauder Empowered (P, $30.00) is less shimmery, brighter, warmer (85% similar).
- MAC Coral Optix (LE, $19.00) is more shimmery, darker, warmer (80% similar).
- Tom Ford Beauty Impassioned (P, $36.00) is more shimmery, darker, warmer (80% 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.
Just reading that Gold Blooded review made my lips hurt! It seems like particularly bad timing for KVD to be releasing poor quality product, while Colour Pop is killing it with their new $7 Lux Lippies…
I agree completely! No way I’d buy any of these when the ColourPop ones are almost a third of the price and look so much better. I mean, Sephora’s $8 Lip Stories seem better than this (I only have two and they’re pretty OK, about what I’d expect for $8).
Has it become mandatory for brands to reformulate after a few years, even while keeping the same shades? Just to capture the NEW!!! mystique? We can count at least a handful that have not fared as well as the predecessors, across all products. These are exceptional…ally bad.
A lot of brands do updates, but it has seemed to be slightly more often, maybe? over the last few years.
I don’t know about other brands, but I believe Kat von D reformulated in order to be fully vegan. Having said that, I wouldn’t doubt it was also to lower production costs, especially since the retail price of the brands products hasn’t increased in 10 years.
This whole reformulation is such a disappointment. Homegirl has been my favorite lipstick shade since the very first release almost a decade ago (pre-“Studded Kiss”).. wish I had backups. Thankfully Sephora’s new “Wanderlust” shade is close enough colorwise, better formulated, and far cheaper.
I can’t believe you left Gold Blooded on your lips for four hours. If you purchased these, I hope you returned them.
I don’t return products I’ve reviewed – I only bought them to review, so it doesn’t matter to me if it was good or bad at the end of the day. I only return products that I don’t use (e.g. I bought two on accident!), or if it was a foundation and a really wrong color (sometimes), or if they were broken!
Maybe vegan glitter lipsticks that are acceptably textured are just not possible, at least within this production budget. But if this is her hill to die on… at least maybe take down the marketing hyperbole a notch?
A prime example of what can go wrong (in this case; VERY wrong) when brands reformulate. These are lousey. Horrible. Blelch. Gold Blooded needs to be pulled off the counters, it’s so BAD. I feel so bad for you having to deal with wearing that one!
Why Kat WHY
“(“unbelievably pigmented” — not even close).”
You won’t believe how little pigment we used in these $19 lipsticks!
You know, Manic Panic is cheaper and has been doing these shades very well for years. Daughter of Darkness is one of my favorite lipsticks period. And it’s a legit alternative brand, not something owned by Kendo It=nternational.
I had no idea they did makeup too (I know them from their hair dye). I’ve been impressed with their reformulations over the years: they don’t stain skin nearly as badly as they used to, and they’ve certainly never sacrificed the color.
So sad about this whole release and KVD original liquid lip formula was one that I could get away with wearing as when I added a balm either over or under, they didn’t gum up or pill off. These are beautiful colors. Needless to say, won’t be purchasing any of these.
Wow Christine ! It’s so rare your give an “F” I had to read the review , it sounds painful ,thanks for trying this one so We don’t have to 🙂
OMG – Colour Pop is doing a better job than this at half the price!
I liiiiive for you tearing apart KVD when they deserve it lol I feel like everyone else overhypes the brand
It’s quite strange that Gold Blooded was such an awful shade. I think they release a “Gold Bloodeed” lipstick in an LE set some time ago and it was quite good! I know the shades don’t match but… why name it the same, then? Maybe you got a dud??
Gold blooded sounds like a lip scrub gone awry.
I just get such a King Lear vibe from this whole line. So tragic.
Thank you for ensuring the tortures of Gold Blooded for our edification. We appreciate you.
Such a waste to reformulate just to have them be worse. I just decluttered all my KVD lipsticks this weekend. I finally realized that no matter how cool I thought they were or liked some colors, I just do not enjoy wearing them because they are so drying and uncomfortable. The moment I put them on I want to take them off and put on lip balm. I was hoping the new formula would be better. I hate to be negative but I agree with others who have expressed lately that they are over the brand. I have an idea in my head that it is so cool and I should love it, but I just don’t when it comes to application. I have to remind myself makeup is for wearing, not looking at without enjoying in practice. 🙁 It’s a shame.
What? This is supposed to be the new “improved” formula? The old formula was so much better!
I really, really like the look of Gold Blooded. The colour screams spring to me. Such a pity the lipstick is so awful.
I like the two other ones as well, but I don’t want to put anything that drying on my lips.
Gold Blooded in the white case was so good. This new one sounds like sandpaper and looks like crap. I have vegan lipsticks in these kinds of shades from other brands that look so much better. It can be done.
Well that’s not good 🙁
Doesn’t sound like the new formula is all that. The old formula had some hits and misses, and the vampy shades were a fail on me. Seems like the problem isn’t remedied.