I Hate Matte Lipsticks, But This New One Has Officially Changed My Mind
Amy Clark is Adore Beauty's former Senior Editor and co-host of Skincare School the podcast (and self-appointed beauty road-tester!). Amy's worked as a journalist, beauty editor and podcaster for several years, previously writing and talking about all things beauty at Mamamia and You Beauty. When she's not writing honest, no BS product reviews and taking selfies 'for work', you'll find Amy eating halloumi in a hair towel turban and... taking more selfies.
My name's Amy and I hate matte lipsticks.
I might be smiling, but wearing a crusty, cakey, bits-y matte liquid lip is the stuff of my nightmares.
It's right up there with other petty things I can't stand.
Like loud chewing. And lip balms that say they're tinted when they certainly are not.
For years, I shunned anything even remotely matte...
Then I tried the new M.A.C Powder Kiss Velvet Blur Slim Sticks.
All it took was one swipe, and my mind was forever changed.
Read on for my full review, including photos of what our favourite shades look like in real life.
What is the M.A.C Powder Kiss Velvet Blur Slim Stick?
Think of the worst matte lipstick you've worn...
M.A.C Cosmetics Powder Kiss Velvet Blur Slim Stick is absolutely nothing like it.
Trust me, it's everything you could ever want in a lip product.
Here are the details:
- A hydrating, long-wearing lipstick with a velvet-matte finish.
- Hydrates lips instantly and over time, and contains hyaluronic acid.
- Blurs and smooths the appearance of lips.
- Colour-true formula promises not to bleed, feather, settle, crease, flake or fade for 12 hours.
- Slim lipstick bullet has a tapered edge and is super easy to apply.
- Available in 12 pigmented shades at Adore Beauty.
- The list includes new shades, as well as tweaks on classic MAC lip colours (Ruby New, anyone?), and your cult classics like Brick Through and Mull It Over.
My M.A.C Cosmetics Powder Kiss Lipstick Review.
Every time MAC brings out a new lip product, it becomes my new favourite.
The Velvet Teddy 2.0 lipstick? Add to cart.
Powder Kiss Liquid Lipcolour in the shade A Little Tamed? Bury me in it.
But I honestly don't know how any other MAC lipstick could top this new one.
When the samples arrived at the office, I swiped the copper brick orange Gingerella shade immediately.
For obvious reasons.
I've been wearing it non-stop ever since.
There's so much to love about this lipstick, but I'll control myself and give you the quick version.
Firstly, the sleek, slim bullets are a vibe. Pulling it out of my handbag makes me feel like a classy lady.
Next, the formula is unlike any matte lipstick I've tried.
If you've tried the MAC Powder Kiss Liquid products, the Velvet Blur sticks are just as nourishing and pigmented, but in a solid stick that's way easier to apply.
You can watch me pop this lippie on in the car in my TikTok video below.
@theamyclark Controversial opinion: Car makeup is the ~superior~ way to get ready in the morning. #fyp #foryoupage #grwm #carmakeup ♬ original sound - Amy Clark
All lippies in the Powder Kiss range have a buttery, suede, cushion-like texture that never fully dries down.
No crusty flaking, cracking or hectic lip liner look throughout the day.
Just lips that feel like you're wearing a cloud.
But I'm not the only one obsessed with these lipsticks.
My colleagues are, too.
Liz (left) and Nikkita (right) are both wearing the M.A.C Powder Kiss Velvet Blur Slim Stick in this selfie above.
Nikkita went for the shade Devoted To Danger (yeah she is), a new bright orange/red take on the classic Lady Danger MAC lipstick.
Liz has been enjoying Sheer Outrage as her everyday office lipstick.
The traditional blue-based pink neutral would look incredible worn as a cream blush, too.
And sorry, but would you LOOK at Maisha wearing Ruby New?!
The vivid blue red shade is divine on her skin tone.
My only teeny tiny critique of this lipstick would be that I don't get the promised 12 hours of wear.
Maybe I eat and drink more than the average person...
It's more like six hours for me, but I love the way the lip colour fades to a wash or stain throughout the day.
After all of that, this short-and-snappy lipstick review has turned into a M.A.C Powder Kiss Velvet Blur Slim Stick manifesto.
So, please. Just get the lipstick.
Want more expert lipstick tips? Watch how a makeup artist applies bold lipsticks in this YouTube video below.
You can read more lip product recommendations and reviews in these Beauty IQ articles here:
