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Huda Beauty power bullet matte vs cream glow lipstick – is the new launch better than the original?
Exclusive: We put the new creamy formula through its paces, rating it on staying power, pigment and finish
Louise Whitbread
Tuesday 06 April 2021 06:09 EDT
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Dubai based make-up artist and beauty mogul Huda Kattan is well known for her full-coverage looks that have led many of the trends seen on Instagram over the past decade, from blinding highlighter to contouring.
In 2013, Kattan launched her eponymous brand, Huda Beauty, which now has 48 million followers on Instagram and more than 4 million YouTube subscribers.
Through both channels, Kattan herself reviews products, demonstrates glamorous tutorials to her loyal followers and unveils the latest launches from her brand.
Very quickly Kattan became known for her overlining technique to make lips appear fuller and her matte lipstick style, launching a bestselling, long-wearing range called power bullet matte in 2019.
Now synonymous with her brand, the formulas are rich in pigment with a wide shade range. They were followed by liquid and stick foundations, contour creams and eyeshadow palettes in every shade imaginable.
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From nude beiges to pinks, reds and plums, they’re our go-to for a matte lipstick that won’t budge all day.
The brand’s latest launch is another addition to the power bullet family but in a new texture – the power bullet cream glow lipstick comes in 18 shades.
Huda Beauty is also launching 12 new shades of its famous lip contour lip liners to prep your skin for a perfect pout.
Promising medium buildable coverage, instant hydration and plumping results, we put the new power bullet cream glow lipsticks to the test, comparing them to the original matte formulas to see which one would come out on top.
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Huda Beauty power bullet matte lipstick
If you’re looking for a matte lipstick that no amount of tea drinking or dinner eating will shift, this is it.
One of the longest-wearing lipsticks we’ve ever tried, it’s not for the fainthearted, but if matte is your preferred finish, then this won’t let you down.
It’s incredibly pigmented, so one application is enough to coat your entire lips with colour, and there’s plenty of shades to pick from, whether you want a Nineties-style nude or a modern rosy pink.
Two shades we love are “wedding day”, a cool pink which is perfect to finish off a more subtle make-up look, and “third date”, a warm, rosy shade that makes for a great statement lip if you tend towards pink undertones.
The lipstick bullet itself has a flat, diamond-shaped tip that makes applying product into the corners of your mouth speedy and simple. While we also rate the Huda Beauty lip contour lip liners (£16, Cultbeauty.co.uk) for their creamy texture, we wouldn't say they’re essential to perfecting your application, as using a lip brush to paint on the product can be just as effective.
While the formula isn’t drying and stays soft throughout the day, we would strongly recommend using lip balm before you apply it to ensure you have as hydrated a base as possible for the most comfortable wear.
Huda Beauty power bullet cream glow lipstick
On TikTok, a popular challenge video is to do one side of your make-up as you would in 2016 – the height of the matte finishes trend – and the other side as you wear it in 2021.
This 2016 trend was very much led by beauty YouTubers such as Kattan and her peers, with full-coverage foundations, heavy contouring, bold eye looks, big lashes and matte lipsticks making up most of the beauty tutorials.
However, in the past 18 months we’ve seen this style take a backseat and glossy, creamy textures come to the forefront as many are starting to favour lightweight make-up and sheer finishes.
We think the power bullet cream glow lipstick sits in the middle – it’s still rich in pigment, but with a creamy finish that has a subtle glow. While we were happy with one coat, you could easily build up the colour.
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We found “habibi” was an almost exact match for “third date”, while “angel” is closest to “wedding day”, if just a tad pinker.
While we didn’t notice a plumping effect, it has a smooth formula that feels a bit like a rich balm.
It’s definitely heavier than other cream lipsticks we’ve tried, so this would suit someone who wants a creamy formula without scrimping on pigment.
It doesn’t have the same staying power as the matte lipsticks, but that’s to be expected considering the formula. We noticed it particularly after we ate, but it wouldn’t put us off.
The verdict: Huda Beauty power bullet matte lipstick vs power bullet cream glow lipstick
After a year of being barefaced, we’ll be reaching for the power bullet cream glow lipstick for our next post-lockdown outing. It’s ideal if you tend to shy away from matte formulas or are prone to dry lips, while still delivering on pigment.
Longer lasting than a satin or gloss, the extensive shade range and ergonomic bullet shape is perfect for a refresh to your make-up bag.
However, if you’re a fan of lipsticks that won’t transfer, we couldn’t recommend the power bullet matte lipstick more – just be sure to apply lip balm beforehand to avoid dry lips.
If you want to add more dimension, these lipsticks also layer well under a gloss, without affecting the colour pigment or staying power.
For more beauty reviews, read our guide to the best refillable lipsticks that can help reduce your beauty waste