Hey there beauty lovers! Today I’m diving deep into one of MAC’s latest lip launches – the Powder Kiss Velvet Blur Slimstick. As a long-time MAC fan, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on these slim, sleek lipsticks and put them to the test. I scoured through pages of customer reviews to get a well-rounded perspective before sharing my own experience. So grab your favorite beverage and settle in, because this is going to be a detailed one!
First Impressions
Let’s start with the packaging, because I’m a total sucker for good design. The Powder Kiss Slimsticks come in a slender black tube with minimal gold accents. It’s very on-brand for MAC – sleek, stylish, and a bit edgy. Several reviewers commented on the luxe feel of the packaging, with one noting “MAC does it again with nice, slick packaging. It gives the feel of a high end product.” I have to agree, it definitely looks and feels expensive.
The slimmer profile is a departure from MAC’s classic bullet lipstick, but I found it makes for a more precise application. One reviewer mentioned “I love the thin lipsticks because it makes application seamless and precise.” If you struggle with perfecting your lip line, the slim shape of these may be your new best friend.
The Formula
Now onto the really important stuff – how does it feel on the lips? The Powder Kiss formula promises a “moisture-infused” lipstick with a “velvet soft” matte finish. And based on the overwhelming majority of reviews, it delivers.
Customers used words like “creamy”, “smooth”, “moisturizing” and “comfortable” over and over to describe the feel on the lips. One wrote, “When applying on my lips it feels so smooth almost like chapstick.” Another said “The texture is velvet matt. This red is chic, and good for daytime or a night out.”
As someone with perpetually dry lips, I was skeptical about any matte formula being comfortable. But I was pleasantly surprised! The Powder Kiss Slimstick glides on with zero tugging or pulling, and feels lightweight and soft on the lips. It has a unique texture that seems to melt into the lips and blur fine lines, giving that “soft focus” effect.
One reviewer summed it up perfectly: “I love the matte look but I have very dry lips and they always chap, making the lipstick look terrible. The new powder kiss formula leaves a velvet matte finish that’s is super duper comfortable to wear. It lasts a long time, fades gracefully and doesn\’t dry out my lips.”
Not everyone was a fan of the formula though. A few reviewers found it to be drying and uncomfortable. “I loved how this felt going on, but this lipstick chapped my lips. My lips were dry and chapped after the first day of wearing then they started to peel,” wrote one disappointed customer.
It’s a good reminder that not every formula will work for every person. Personally, I didn’t experience any drying or flaking, but I always prep my lips with a light scrub and balm before applying any matte lip color. If you have especially dry or sensitive lips, you may want to test these out in store before committing.
Pigmentation and Performance
Two words came up in nearly every review – pigmented and long-wearing. The Powder Kiss Slimsticks pack a serious color punch, delivering rich, vibrant hues in a single swipe. “It’s so seductive-like, just feels sexy on the lips! Love it and will try more colors!” raved one fan. “The color payoff is intense, but the feeling was ‘barely-there’ comfortable!” shared another.
I tried the shade “Devoted to Chili”, a deep, spicy red, and was blown away by how richly pigmented it was. Even with the velvety matte finish, my lips looked plump and smooth, with no settling into lip lines. The slim shape made it easy to line and fill in my lips for a precise, polished look.
As for longevity, experiences varied but the overall consensus was positive. “After an 8 hour work day for both of us she didn\’t need to touch up once. So on that alone I would recommend this product to anyone,” wrote one reviewer. “It’s not transfer proof, although you can dab it with some tissue and powder to enable that,” advised another.
In my experience, I got a solid 4-5 hours of wear, through talking, sipping coffee, and snacking. It did transfer a bit, but faded evenly and was easy to touch up on the go. For a matte lipstick, I was impressed that it didn’t feel drying as it wore on.
Not everyone had the same great experience though. The harshest critique came from this reviewer: “I find this lipstick does not stay on more than maybe an hour. After that it starts to not look good and I am constantly reapplying. Very disappointing when it\’s advertised as 12 hours.”
Again, it seems performance can vary person to person. Factors like your natural lip texture, eating/drinking habits, and skin chemistry can all impact wear time. Setting with a light dusting of translucent powder can help minimize transfer and extend wear.
The Shade Range
One of the most fun things about a new lip launch is seeing all the shade options. MAC’s initial release includes 12 shades, a mix of bold brights, seductive reds, and wearable neutrals. “I love that i cone bled it with other colera and it smoothed on well. The color is nice and bold and doesn\’t leave my lips feeling dry as well” shared one adventurous customer.
Fans of MAC’s classic reds will find a lot to love. Shades like “Wild Rebel”, “Burning Love”, and “Devoted to Danger” deliver that iconic MAC red lip, with a twist. “One of my favorites if you arena matte lover. It feels light on your lips and lasts all day,” said one red lipstick devotee.
Those who prefer a softer neutral had plenty of options too, from light peachy nudes to richer mauves and browns. “My perfect warm reddish nude. I love that it is versatile to wear alone or with a gloss and looks amazing both ways!” wrote a happy customer about the shade “Brickthrough”.
While there are some beautiful bold and neutral shades, a few reviewers felt there was room for improvement in the color selection: “I love the formula but all colors are too warm. Came back to see if you had any cool pinks, nudes or berries and nothing. Not sure why you all don\’t have cool colors in your collection.” “I love the formula but the lightest color was a hint to dark for me! Wish they had lighter colors.”
Swatching is so important with lip colors, since they can look quite different on different skin tones. What looks like a soft neutral in the tube may be a shocking bright on some complexions. Somehow Mac knew that this was the perfect color lipstick for me,” wrote one lucky reviewer who found her perfect match.
Personally, I’d love to see MAC extend the shade range into some lighter rosy tones and cooler nudes. But the existing assortment still offers something for most preferences.
The Results
After testing it myself and pouring over pages of reviews, I feel confident in recommending the MAC Powder Kiss Velvet Blur Slimstick. The creamy matte formula, richly pigmented shades, and sleek packaging add up to a standout lip product that’s worth the hype.
It’s especially ideal if you love the look of a matte lip but hate the dry, tight feeling of traditional matte formulas. The Powder Kiss formula really does seem to blur and smooth the lips for a soft-focus effect. “It literally glided onto my lips like butter on a warm tortilla!! The color was so rich and smooth and the finishing \”velvet\” effect was super pretty!!” one thrilled fan reported.
The long-wearing claims seem to be hit or miss – for some it lasted all day, for others it faded within an hour. Exfoliating the lips, using a thin layer of balm, and setting with powder seem to be the best tricks for maximizing wear time. But even without those extra steps, most were happy with the staying power.
At $25, these are priced on par with other high-end lipsticks. But the slim packaging means you get less product than a traditional tube (0.05 oz vs 0.1 oz on average). Frequent MAC shoppers didn’t seem to mind the smaller size, viewing it as a convenient purse lipstick. But it’s something to consider if you’re on a budget.
A few other things to note – several reviewers mentioned a light vanilla scent/flavor that dissipates quickly. So if you’re sensitive to scents, give these a sniff before buying. And if you’re a germaphobe who doesn’t like lipstick exposed in the tube, you may dislike the slim style barrel that leaves the bullet peeking out.
Final Thoughts
Overall, I’m seriously impressed with the MAC Powder Kiss Velvet Blur Slimstick. It’s a thoughtfully designed product that delivers on its promises of rich pigment, a soft matte finish, and a blurring effect on the lips. The shade range, while not extensive, offers a good mix of wearable and bold colors for different skin tones and preferences. And the slim packaging feels modern and luxe.
If you’re intrigued by any of the shades, I highly recommend visiting a MAC counter to swatch in person. As with any lip product, it seems experiences can vary based on individual lip texture, skin chemistry, and preferences. But based on the considerable positive feedback and my own experience, I feel confident that most will enjoy this formula.
“I absolutely loved the shade, love how it went on, it was very much so matte & it didn\’t smudge as much as I thought it would. I\’d definitely buy to try other shades & highly recommend,” one reviewer shared.
One thing Mac is good at is addressing the lips! I love! Thus lipstick and color! Partner ot with your fave lip liner and it is a hit! It is long lasting and pigmented enough to standout on your lip! I definitely recommend this shade by Mac!” raved another.
If you’re a fan of MAC lipsticks or are just in the market for a comfortable matte lip color, definitely give the Powder Kiss Velvet Blur Slimstick a try. It’s earned a permanent spot in my purse for those days when I want an effortless, soft matte lip that will take me from coffee to cocktails.
I hope you found this review helpful! Let me know in the comments if you’ve tried these and what your thoughts are. Until next time, keep experimenting and have fun with your makeup!
xoxo Your Devoted Beauty Blogger
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