Huda Kattan's New Lipstick Formula Will Make You a Liquid Matte Convert

As a self-professed lipstick addict, I've long been a fan of matte liquid formulas. That said, I'm the first to admit that not all formulas are created equally. Some are so impossibly drying that you feel like your pout was attacked with a sandblaster. Others remain ultra creamy for hours after application, so they wear off your mouth and into your meal. I had resigned myself to all these (admittedly undesirable) side effects in the name of a dramatic pucker until I tested out Huda Kattan's new Liquid Matte lipstick ($20).

Huda herself is undoubtedly a beauty genius. Aside from being a vlogger, makeup artist, and one of the top influencers on Instagram, she has a powerhouse makeup line. Until now, it's consisted of fluttery false lash strips and Lip Contour pencils. Considering that her creamy, durable lip liners quickly became essentials in my beauty bag, I had high standards for the Liquid Mattes, and I was not disappointed.

Her formula is almost surprisingly wet and runnier than others you may have played with, but this is actually a blessing. Because the formula takes longer to dry, you have more time to work with the color and shape your lips. After about 60 seconds, the liquid sets but is slightly tacky to the touch. This is also a bonus. Your pucker will never feel dehydrated or crusty (yuck), and you can layer on coat after coat without the pigment showing any chunky buildup. I experimented with slicking on a few shades — with total ease! — to create a more dimensional, ombré lip look.

The longwear quality of the formula is also impressive — I ate, drank, and even slept in these lipsticks successfully with no flaking or dissolution. However, in the areas where the color faded, it did so evenly, not in large patches. I also loved the scent! It was redolent of true vanilla extract in the tube, instead of the more plastic-like aromas found in other makeup products. On the lips, it dried down to a more subtle cake batter fragrance.

But by far, the best part of the Liquid Matte launch is the color options. The selection leans heavily towards '90s pinks, browns, and vampy hues, with the exception of a few vibrant reds and pinks. While Huda lists the milky chocolate shade "Flirt" and cool red "Heartbreaker" as her favorites, I am living for "Venus," a warm, light mauve. I apply it well outside my natural lip line to get that coveted Kylie-esque grunge pucker.

You can shop all 16 shades when they launch on July 29, which happens to be National Lipstick Day — a holiday that the Huda Beauty brand owns the rights to. In the meantime, read on to scope out which colors you need in your collection, see swatches on different skin tones, and even witness how they hold up to running water (spoiler: they don't budge).

Huda Beauty Liquid Matte in Bombshell

Huda Beauty Liquid Matte in Bombshell

Huda Beauty Liquid Matte in Cheerleader

Huda Beauty Liquid Matte in Cheerleader

Huda Beauty Liquid Matte in Famous

Huda Beauty Liquid Matte in Famous

Huda Beauty Liquid Matte in Flirt

Huda Beauty Liquid Matte in Flirt

Huda Beauty Liquid Matte in Gossip Girl

Huda Beauty Liquid Matte in Gossip Girl

Huda Beauty Liquid Matte in Heartbreaker

Huda Beauty Liquid Matte in Heartbreaker

Huda Beauty Liquid Matte in Medusa

Huda Beauty Liquid Matte in Medusa

Huda Beauty Liquid Matte in Trendsetter

Huda Beauty Liquid Matte in Trendsetter

Huda Beauty Liquid Matte in Trophy Wife

Huda Beauty Liquid Matte in Trophy Wife

Huda Beauty Liquid Matte in Venus

Huda Beauty Liquid Matte in Venus

Huda Beauty Liquid Matte in Video Star

Huda Beauty Liquid Matte in Video Star

Huda Beauty Liquid Matte in Vixen

Huda Beauty Liquid Matte in Vixen

Huda Beauty Liquid Matte in Spice Girl

Huda Beauty Liquid Matte in Spice Girl

Huda Beauty Liquid Matte in Muse

Huda Beauty Liquid Matte in Muse