Ladies and gentlemen, I have legit proof. The Kylie Lip Kits are indeed real. These liquid lipsticks have earned kult status due to many factors. They instantly sold out upon launches and restocks, leading to third party price gouging. Fans were frustrated about being shut out from ordering. I was beginning to wonder if Kylie Lip Kits were merely makeup unicorns that didn't really exist, since they were increasingly hard to get. Then... I got one. Was it worth the trouble it took to get my hands, er, lips on it?
After months of writing about the suede-like neutrals of Season 1 and speculating about the colors that would comprise the Valentine's Day collection, I can proudly say I have worn my KLK in IRL and it lives up to the hype. It's quite a unique product, unlike everything else on the market in the matte liquid lipstick category.
Here's how I scored it. I was at a meeting in NYC on Feb. 5, the day the new Valentine's Day collection dropped and when the original trio was restocked. I quickly checked the site for availability, clicked Candy K, and expected to be shut down when I was prompted to place the order.
To my surprise, it went through. I spewed a stream of "OMGs," drawing attention to myself from those sitting nearby. "It's OK," I said to no one in particular. "I just got a Kylie Lip Kit."
I couldn't believe my dumb luck when I got the confirmation email, saying my order was accepted, my credit card charged, and my KLK would soon be on its magic matte way.
She took a minute to get here, though. Candy K arrived on Feb. 16, a full 11 days after I placed the order. Here's the play-by-play.
The cool, dripping motif of the tubes extends to the shipping materials.
I could not contain my excitement and didn't wait until I got home. I had to open the box in the privacy of my car. Well, there were people parked near and around me but I didn't care who was raising their eyebrows at me over a torrent of selfies as they walked past my vehic.
OMG, you guys! Kylie wrote me a note.
Proof!
Kylie's lip tip lives on the back of the box.
Candy K was a bit less pink than I expected IRL. It's a richer, rosier nude.
I could not wait to paint my pucker with my KLK.
I took off my ever-present shades and lined my lips first. I also filled in the surface of my lips with the liner. The coordinated shade is creamy and doesn't tug or pull. It's also the same shade as its liquid lippie counterpart.
The smell is a floral and a bit synthetic but it's not overwhelming. I read a review somewhere that said the scent was overwhelmingly vanilla. Therefore, I expected it to smell like a MAC Lipglass, which is like birthday cake diffused in a tube. But Eau de Lip Kit was much more flowery.
Now, about that application. As soon as you put it on, the Lip Kit lipstick begins to dry down. You don't have much margin for error, so paint carefully and with a mission. Yes, I made that dumb kissyface on purpose.
My lips felt like they were coated in microfiber or suede. But does that mean my lips felt like couch cushion material? NO FREAKING WAY! The Lip Kit is super lightweight all the while hugging my lips. It wasn't drying or uncomfortable at all.
In fact, it has a cream-to-powder consistency and it sort of felt like eye shadow on my lips. I quite liked the velvet texture.
So was it worth all the effort spent trying to get it and the patience expended while waiting for it? I say this without hesitation — it was totally worth it. It's a unique product and different from other liquid mattes I've tried.
It stays put without drying the crap out of my lips. It feels cushiony and light. And it looks sexy.
Here are a few viable options for alternatives. It's closest relative in terms of color and texture is Kat Von D Everlasting Lipstick in Lolita. Regarding color only, the closest drugstore dupes are Revlon's Ultra HD Matte Lipcolor in Seduction or Maybelline's Vivid Matte Liquid in Nude Thrill. Pick one of these up if you need a Candy K fix, stat!
All told, the KLKs really are special. Kylie Jenner really hit on something here.
Images: Amy Sciarretto (15)
