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| Above: Star System, the nude shade from the Lipstick Queen Velvet Rope Collection. |
I recently mentioned my affinity for the Lipstick Queen Velvet Rope lip color in Star System in my Holiday Shopping Guide and felt it was due time for me to give you a close up experience with this rare and luxurious formula and shade!
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| Above: I love the velvet-flocked box that the lip color comes in…just stunning. |
With packaging and names that call to mind the golden age of Hollywood, this stunning semi-matte formula (which retails for $50) is housed in a weighty gold square case with classic embellishments, thereby making the act of applying it feels opulent, grown up and sophisticated!
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| Above: Star System on the lips. |
The formula itself, as the name implies, is pure velvet. One swipe yields rich pigmentation, fully enveloping the lips in a semi-matte velvet cloak of color. Star System is a peachy-pink nude that delivers color to the face, while simultaneously keeping the lips lushly subtle. It is a fantastic shade for someone who finds ultra-pale nudes daunting but still wants an understated lip. Even though it has a matte texture, my perennially dry lips stay hydrated and comfortable over the duration of wear…the intense pigmentation reduces the need for frequent touch ups and, even when it wears off, a beautiful peachy-pink stain remains.
Kindly scroll on for the official Velvet Rope video, comparison swatches and the Bottom Line…
VIDEO (Courtesy of Lipstick Queen)
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| Above: Star System in natural indoor lighting. |
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| Above: Peachy-pink comparison swatches…Star System is pinker than Burberry Lip Velvet in Apricot Pink, peachier and slightly darker than Kat Von D Celebutard, brighter, deeper and more opaque than Too Faced Lip Bomb in Never Enough Nude and warmer and peachier than YSL Rouge Volupte #001. |
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| Above: Wearing Star System alone on the lips. |
Bottom Line: Star System, which can be bought at Barney’s NY and Space NK, is one of the most lovely nudes I have ever encountered (and I’ve experienced, ahem, a few in my life). The velvet matte texture makes the lips look (and feel) incredibly soft and the peachy-pink pigmentation allows it to be a versatile neutral choice for women of all skin tones. Yes, $50 is an investment for a lip product, but the glamorous case, gorgeous shade and endlessly unique formula make it excruciatingly worthwhile for nude lip color lovers everywhere!
**PR sample provided for review, however, as always, all of my opinions are expressly and unequivocally my own. This post contains affiliate links as well unaffiliated links for your convenience; my disclosure policy contains additional details on how these work.
Comments (7)
Hello dear Beauty Professor,
This is the first time I leave a comment on your blog, even If I read each of your posts. So let me tell you it is a pleasure to read you but also thanks to you I have tried good products such as Rouge d'Armani 103, Lip Maestro 500, YSL Youth Liberator Foundation (and your swatches in general are really good) and this week-end I ordered the Kanebo Sensai Foundation (I am also a foundation lover) – I have great expectations of this last one!
This Lipstick Queen seems so gorgeous on you, so I had a look on Spacenk UK but unfortunately for the moment it is out of stock in Star System so I am a bit disappointed…
So have a good day, and thanks for all!
Helene
Hello!
Thank you for your comment! I am so glad you finally decided to leave one ; ) I am thrilled to hear that you ordered the KS foundation…I hope you end up loving it as much as I do.
Thanks for your sweet words about this lip color on me…what a pity it is not available on the Space NK UK website now. Hopefully they replenish their stock soon…have you checked the Lipstick Queen website yet? Perhaps it is in stock there!
Have a beautiful week and please keep in touch…xoxo,
–The Beauty Professor
PS : I am sorry if my turn of Phrase is a bit awkward…
Hello Dear,
Thanks for all of your advice and just immense patient with me 🙂 I've got some new questions. Firstly, you recommended By Tierry for me, but now I'm also curious about YSL or Tom Ford Stick foundation. I also wish to ask regarding lipstick, I use the Lip Maestro daily and as I said I'm very curious about Serge Lutens, but have you tried them, are they matte at all or very shiny? How are Tom Fords lipticks? Are they matte? YSL have a matte one right?
In regards to quality in lipsticks, how does Lipstick Queen compare to others? Which lipsticks do you think are the most luxurious and pigmented?
Thanks!
Hello,
My pleasure! With regards to your foundation question, I guess it all depends on what you are looking for coverage-wise. If you let me know what is important to you in a foundation, I could likely provide you with some direction ; ) I have only swatched the Serge Lutens lipstick, but I don't own any because they are beautiful but the pigmentation is not as strong as I prefer with a light lipstick (they are fairly sheer). The Tom Ford lipsticks have great coverage and a cream finish. Highly recommended!
Lipstick Queen has amazing quality and a variety of finishes…I've loved everything I've tried from the line thus far ; )
I hope that helps…xoxo,
–The Beauty Professor
Hi Lovely,
That's a beautiful colour and the box is stunning as well.
Although you can have a lot of nudey pinky lip colours there's always room for more isn't there, also quite surprising just how different they are.
I hope your having a great week thus far and counting down to Christmas..
Take care and talk soon…
Julie xoxo
Hello Julie!
Thank you…this shade and its packaging truly took me aback when I received it. It is exciting and alarming to realize that there is always room for one more pinky peachy nude shade in my life…I appreciate your understanding in my obsession ; )
I hope your week is going well, too! Just three more days of work and then I'll have a two week break…cannot wait! Merry Christmas to you!
xoxo and talk soon,
–The Beauty Professor