Kat Von D Rock Candy Studded Kiss Lipstick Set

Rock Candy

Kat Von D Rock Candy Studded Kiss Lipstick Set ($45.00 for 0.21 oz.) includes six, miniature-sized lipsticks in the brand’s Studded Kiss formula. Each lipstick is 0.035 oz., and a full-sized Studded Kiss Lipstick is 0.10 oz. The set contains $44.10 worth of lipstick, so it’s not a value-packed set in terms of the amount of product, but for those who do not typically finish a lipstick, it is like getting six shades for a little more than the cost of two full-sized lipsticks. The formula on these felt creamier than usual for the Studded Kiss range, which made them easier to apply and more comfortable, but the slightly thicker texture seemed to make them prone to sinking into my lip lines as well.

The Studded Kiss formula is supposed to have “lasting wear, one-swipe payoff, and velvet-touch comfort.” I have found that newer releases of the formula have been better than the original shades in the line-up, which were often dry, stiff, and prone to dragging and applying unevenly, though they were certainly long-wearing. The more recent releases have felt more velvety with more slip but not a lot of wetness–dimethicone was the second ingredient in the set’s list–so they glide on better and do not drag as much (or at all). Most shades are very pigmented and wear five to eight hours, though the formula is usually on the drying side overall. The lipsticks in the set were heavily scented with a sweet, caramel and vanilla scent–very, very strong and much more noticeable than past releases in this formula.

Kat Von D Studded Kiss Lipstick Set Rock Candy

Rock Candy

Temptalia

B+

Limited Edition

8.5

Product

9.5

Pigmentation

Texture

9.5

Longevity

4.5

Application

89%

Total

Zero

Zero is a muted, medium, purplish gray with cooler undertones and a satin finish. It had nearly opaque pigmentation with a fairly smooth consistency that didn’t skip when I applied it directly to my lips, though some of the color gathered in my lip lines after initial application. It wore well for six hours and was slightly drying after four hours of wear.

Top Dupes

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Colour Pop Marshmallow (P, $6.00) is warmer (90% similar).
MAC Galaxy Grey (LE, $21.00) is darker, glossier (85% similar).
Make Up For Ever C502 (P, $22.00) is darker (85% similar).
MAC Evening Buzz (LE, $17.00) is darker, less glossy (85% similar).
Anastasia Clover (P, $20.00) is darker, less glossy (85% similar).
Smashbox Fairplay (P, $21.00) is lighter (80% similar).
LORAC Brunch Queen (LE, $18.00) is lighter, brighter, warmer (80% similar).
Dior Cloudy Matte (380) (LE, $35.00) is lighter, brighter, cooler (80% similar).
MAC Lightly Charred (P, $17.00) is lighter, cooler (80% similar).
MAC City Slick (LE, $17.00) is lighter (80% similar).

Kat Von D Studded Kiss Lipstick Zero

Zero

Temptalia

B+

Limited Edition

Product

9.5

Pigmentation

Texture

Longevity

4.5

Application

87%

Total

Ozzy

Ozzy is a brighter, medium-dark lavender purple with warmer undertones and a satin finish. The consistency was velvety, smooth, and denser but did not tug on my lips when I applied it. It had almost full color coverage in one layer, as advertised, and the color applied evenly on the lips. There was a bit of color that gathered in my lip lines after two and a half hours of wear, but I was able to smooth it out by pressing my lips together. This shade wore well for five and a half hours and was neither drying nor hydrating.

Top Dupes

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Tarte Yaassss (P, $20.00) is lighter, brighter (95% similar).
MAC Bunnybeams (LE, $17.00) is lighter, brighter, warmer (90% similar).
Melt Cosmetics By Starlight (P, $19.00) is darker (90% similar).
Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Rollergirl (P, $18.00) is lighter, brighter (90% similar).
Smashbox Action (P, $21.00) is lighter (90% similar).
Urban Decay Twitch (P, $18.00) is darker (90% similar).
Makeup Geek Daredevil (P, $12.00) is warmer (90% similar).
MAC Recollection (P, $21.00) is darker, less glossy (85% similar).
NYX Twisted (P, $6.00) is warmer (85% similar).
NYX Violet (P, $6.00) is lighter, brighter (85% similar).

Kat Von D Studded Kiss Lipstick Ozzy

Ozzy

Temptalia

B+

Limited Edition

8.5

Product

9.5

Pigmentation

8.5

Texture

Longevity

4.5

Application

89%

Total

Roxy

Roxy is a bright, medium-dark purple with cooler undertones and a natural sheen. There was more slip to this shade compared to others, and it also felt more emollient, which gave it that wetter, less-matte finish. I think this shade would benefit greatly from a lip primer or liner underneath, as it only had semi-opaque coverage and did not go on as evenly by itself as it should have. I also noticed some color settled into my lip lines as well. On me, the lipstick stayed on well for over six hours, left a stain behind, and was non-drying.

Top Dupes

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Colour Pop Be-dazzled (LE, $6.00) is darker (85% similar).
Kat Von D Roxy (P, $20.00) is darker, less glossy (85% similar).
MAC Gunner (LE, $17.00) is darker, more muted (80% similar).
Estee Lauder Shameless Violet (P, $30.00) is more muted (80% similar).
MAC Matte Royal (LE, $17.00) is darker, cooler (80% similar).

Kat Von D Studded Kiss Lipstick Roxy

Roxy

Temptalia

B-

Limited Edition

7.5

Product

8.5

Pigmentation

7.5

Texture

9.5

Longevity

Application

82%

Total

Crush

Crush is a bright, medium-dark fuchsia pink with cool undertones and a semi-matte finish. It had nearly opaque pigmentation–there was a hint of my lip freckle coming through–that went on evenly and smoothly on the lips. The texture was barely creamy so it stayed in place well but didn’t drag during application. Again, I had a bit of color that sat in my lip lines with this shade, despite it being one of the more matte shades in the set. The color was still going strong after six hours of wear, though it had started to feel drying after five hours of wear.

Top Dupes

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MAC Flamboyish (LE, $17.00) is darker (95% similar).
Make Up For Ever C207 (P, $22.00) is darker (95% similar).
MAC Breathing Fire (LE, $17.00) is darker, more muted (95% similar).
NYX Sweet Pink (P, $6.00) is darker, warmer (95% similar).
NYX Shocking Pink (P, $6.00) is cooler (95% similar).
Urban Decay Anarchy (P, $17.00) is glossier (90% similar).
Smashbox Talk to Me (P, $21.00) is lighter (90% similar).
Estee Lauder Neon Azalea (P, $30.00) is lighter, brighter (90% similar).
Tom Ford Beauty Electric Pink (15) (P, $50.00) is lighter, brighter (90% similar).
MAC Be Silly (LE, $17.00) is lighter (90% similar).

Kat Von D Studded Kiss Lipstick Crush

Crush

Temptalia

A-

Limited Edition

8.5

Product

9.5

Pigmentation

8.5

Texture

9.5

Longevity

4.5

Application

90%

Total

Babe

Babe is a bright, medium cotton candy pink with cool, blue undertones and a satin finish. The texture was velvety, not too thick or too thin, and had enough slip that it didn’t drag on my lips when I applied it. The pigmentation was good, though a little shy of full coverage in one layer, and the color spread evenly on my lips. There was a touch of color that settled into my lip lines, though, and there was slight visible streaking along the edges. It wore well for six hours, left a slight stain behind, and was non-drying.

Top Dupes

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Smashbox Talk to Me (P, $21.00) is darker (95% similar).
MAC Embrace Me (LE, $17.00) is lighter (95% similar).
Sephora Whipped Blush (LE, $14.00) is darker, less glossy (95% similar).
Make Up For Ever M201 (P, $22.00) is darker, more muted, less glossy (90% similar).
MAC Happy-Go-Lucky (LE, $17.00) is lighter, glossier (90% similar).
MAC Kelly Yum-Yum (LE, $17.00) is lighter, brighter, warmer (90% similar).
MAC Fashion Tide (LE, $17.00) is lighter, cooler, glossier (90% similar).
Makeup Geek Bachelorette (P, $12.00) is darker, less glossy (90% similar).
Maybelline Electric Pink (P, $7.99) is lighter (90% similar).
MAC Pink Pigeon (P, $17.00) is darker, warmer (90% similar).

Kat Von D Studded Kiss Lipstick Babe

Babe

Temptalia

B+

Limited Edition

8.5

Product

9.5

Pigmentation

Texture

Longevity

4.5

Application

88%

Total

Ziggy

Ziggy is a bright, medium pink-coral with warm undertones and a natural sheen. There was more shine to the finish than a lot of past shades in the formula, but it still was quite pigmented and had good wear time (over six hours). The consistency was lightly creamy with some slip, so it glided on without tugging my lips.

Top Dupes

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Make Up For Ever C305 (P, $22.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
Bite Beauty Sweety (LE, $24.00) is lighter (90% similar).
Makeup Geek Goodie-Two-Shoes (P, $12.00) is lighter, warmer (85% similar).
Giorgio Armani Dress Code (515) (LE, $38.00) is darker, warmer (85% similar).
Colour Pop Barely There (P, $5.00) is darker, less glossy (85% similar).
MAC Bing Bang Boom (LE, $21.00) is darker, more muted, warmer (85% similar).
Surratt Beauty A La Mode (P, $34.00) is darker, warmer, less glossy (85% similar).
Colour Pop Fetch (P, $5.00) is lighter, warmer (80% similar).