I wasn't necessarily on the hunt for a new lipstick but when my sister introduced me to the Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick, I had to get my own.
I'll admit I've never used any Kat Von D products before, so I wasn't sure what to expect nor did I have any bias. Looking into the line, I noticed it was vegan-friendly, oil-free, and free of parabens. I was intrigued and when I tested a few of their colors, I definitely became a fan.
Before I get into my wear test, I wanted to tell you my thoughts on the overall lipstick collection:
The Colors
My struggle when it comes lipsticks is inclusivity with colors and finding a shade that looks good on me and makes me feel comfortable wearing. The Everlasting Liquid Lipstick line features 42 different creamy colors for all skin tones and I find it very unlikely that you won't be able to find a few favorites in the collection. In addition to the variety of colors, each lipstick is highly pigmented and oxidizes into a beautiful color against your skin tone.
The Application
Another pro to the Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick is the easy application. When you untwist it, it pushes up, ready for use. The applicator has an angled part that makes outlining and filling in your lips very easy. I was able to fill in my lips on the first try, however, I would recommend at two to three coats for longer, lasting wear.
The Finish
The finish is very matte, but not drying. I would apply a moderate amount of Chapstick just to make sure your lips are moisturized, but not too much that it may interfere with the color or application process. I also recommend letting your lip balm set into your lips before applying.
The Wear Test
I purchased two colors: Lolita and Nahz Fur Atoo. I did a wear test for both lipsticks to make sure there weren't any inconsistencies throughout the line. Let's start with Lolita.
Lolita
Lolita is a pinkish nude, although it is highly pigmented it gives a subtle and natural look.
I started my day at 1:30 p.m. and I loved the coverage. (first image)
It pretty much stayed in tact, until I ate at 4:00 p.m.
The color was still on, but I realized it was starting to get more wear.
I had to reapply my lipstick after I ate, by this time it was about 5:00 p.m..
After I reapplied, I didn't need to do it again, even after I ate. It lasted me until about midnight.
Nahz Fur Atoo
Nahz Fur Atoo is a very bold red, it starts out very bright but oxidizes once it dries onto your lips.
I started my day at 12 p.m. and I applied two layers on my lips.
Even after I ate Chinese food (around 2:00 p.m.), I was pleasantly surprised at how much lipstick I still had on my lips. It did have a little wear after wiping my face, but it didn't come off nearly as much as the Lolita.
I only reapplied a little on my top lip, because the bottom lip still had good coverage. Once I did that reapplication, I was good to go for the rest of the night.
Overall, I love this lipstick and I think it does have consistency across the board.
Although the colors may be bolder than others, the formula still works the same. Each lipstick in the collection retails for $20 and at first, I thought it was a bit pricey, but it's definitely worth the coins.
Featured image by Getty Images; all additional photos provided by writer Krissy Lewis.
RELATED
Now, when you go to the hair store you are inundated with all kinds of hair textures, colors, and more. That’s why it was so upsetting to read the latest report about synthetic braiding hair.
Delmaine Donson/ Getty Images
A Feb 27 Consumer Reports article revealed that most popular synthetic hair brands that are used for braiding have dangerous chemicals such as carcinogens, lead and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The report stated that 10 of the brands were tested and all 10 had these chemicals. These brands included Shake-N-Go, Sassy Collection, and Sensationnel.
These chemicals include benzene, which is a carcinogen that has been linked to acute myeloid leukemia and unsafe levels of lead, which can cause kidney damage, brain damage, and cardiovascular problems in adults.
In children, it can cause brain and nervous system damage, learning disabilities, behavioral problems and even developmental delays.
James E. Rogers, PhD, director and head of product safety testing led the testing for synthetic braiding hair. “Our exposure and risk analysis found all nine products could expose a regular user of any of these products to a level of lead that could be concerning over time,” he said.
As shocking as this is, it also brought some clarity around why I’ve had issues with wearing braiding hair as of late.
Not only have I dealt with scalp irritation, I’ve even had breakouts on my back from the hair touching. Since then, I’ve started rinsing the hair with apple cider vinegar, and haven’t had that many issues. However, the report stated that ACV isn’t a “cure-all” and can potentially release harmful chemicals when rinsing the hair.
@javonford16 Replying to @Julianna Rebundle vid: @Javon Ford Beauty #blackhairstyles #braidinghair #blackgirlhairstyles @Consumer Reports
While the report sparked some outrage, chemist Javon Ford has a different view. In a TikTok video, he shared that the report was tested for oral exposure and not dermal exposure.
He showed a screenshot of an email he allegedly sent Consumer Reports questioning their decision to test this way. The email said, “the best model to use, in our view, is the ingestion model for the reasons given in the article.”
“While I understand they went with that model, I don’t agree with it because you’re not intentionally ingesting braids,” Javon said. The chemist also said that the amount of chemicals found in the brands is “conservative” compared to other types of products.
So what does this mean for us braid-wearers? If you still want to wear braids, but have some concerns, you can limit how often you wear them. Another option is wearing non-toxic braiding hair or plant-based hair. The only downside is that it's pricier than synthetic hair.
The Consumer Report also suggested checking for recalls, reading labels carefully, and reporting adverse effects. Hair isn’t regulated by the Food and Drug Administration, so it’s best to do your research when making purchases.
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Feature image by AzmanL/ Getty Images