After a few weeks of testing, I finally have a review of the new Rare Beauty Kind Words Matte Lipsticks ($20) and Lip Liners ($15). I tried 6 of the 10 shades and while I love the colors, I have mixed thoughts on the formulas which I’d give a solid B to B+.
The Rare Beauty Kind Words Matte Lipsticks are creamy mattes. Formula has an almost buttery creamy feel with a matte finish. Pigment is rich and full coverage and hugs the lips. I love the packaging which has a pop-up cap with a flat end so if you lay them on a table they won’t roll off. I think the colors in this launch are beautiful and also love that they are unscented.
I’m not usually a fan of the matte lipsticks on me because they end up looking too dry for my taste. I do love mattes from Charlotte Tilbury, Pat McGrath, and Chanel and I had high hopes for the new formula from Rare Beauty. On my bare lips the Rare Beauty lipsticks look dry. If I prep with a lip primer like the MAC Prep + Prime Lip Primer it makes a world of difference for a better smoother application and look. Straight out of the tube I give these a B. With a bit of primer or smoother underneath they’re better.
The color range is stunning, but I really wish they made these in a cream or even glossy finish. I ordered mine sight unseen (they’re all in Sephora stores by now). The online swatches look darker and bolder than in real life. A lot of these will vary depending on your skin and lip tone since they’re neutrals. Since they’re full coverage my natural lip does not show through in any of these. Colors I hauled:
- Talented is a neutral beige
- Creative is a medium pale peach nude
- Worth is a cool toned muted mauve
- Humble is a rose pink mauve
- Lively is a warm pink peach
- Fun is a warm rose
I have the similar thoughts about the Rare Beauty Kind Words Lip Liners. I love the concept of a matching lipstick and liner and like the thoughtful packaging (these are twist ups). These are matte but still glide on the lips with a nice smooth feel. I give these a higher rating than the lipsticks. They’re a tiny bit tacky feeling to the touch once they’re applied on the lips but it does dry down to a smooth matte. I like that they help the lipstick adhere better and stay put longer. Lasting power is very good.
In terms of lip liners formula comparisons I think the Huda Beauty and Makeup By Mario formulas are better. They glide on better and don’t look as matte. However the Rare Beauty lip pencils are much better than the Kosas Hotliners which I think are hard as a rock and smell like old Crayola crayons.
Swatches of all the Rare Beauty lip colors on me below. I layered both the liner and lipstick together. I’m also wearing the Positive Light Tinted Moisturizer in 32N, Always an Optimist Soft Radiance Setting Powder in Light Medium, Warm Wishes Effortless Bronzer Stick in Happy Sol, Soft Pinch Liquid Blush in Hope + Encourage mixed, Too Faced Born This Way Natural Nudes Eyeshadow Palette.
Bottom line: I love the colors, the packaging, pigment. I don’t love the matte finish because I find them a little dry looking on me, but I shouldn’t dock points off them because they’re designed to be matte. If I could have tried and swatched them all in person I would have skipped Talented and Creative, they pull a little pale on my skin tone, especially since I’m tan right now.
If you like matte lipsticks I think you will like these. If you have dry lips definitely prep with some kind of primer or balm first.
Available now at Sephora.
Did you try these yet? What did you think?
