Ok, Cupid — Lovestruck With Lipstick Queen Cupid’s Bow Lip Pencil Collection

Poppy King has more than earned her self-anointment as the “Lipstick Queen” but, as her pout-tastic kingdom has expanded, she deserves some new accolades, regal titles, and perhaps even some bejeweled crowns that leave no question about her authoritative status. While King’s beloved brand, Lipstick Queen, continues to release some of the most demure, vibrant, and richly pigmented lipsticks (try the Sinner, Silver Screen, and Velvet Rope collections), the brand also offers a vast array of tinted balms, liquid lipsticks, ultra-shiny glosses, sheer and hydrating gloss pencils, and now, a range of pigment-packed lip pencils that deliver on their promises of full coverage, long wear, and cushiony comfort. The Lipstick Queen Cupid’s Bow collection is comprised of eight chubby lip pencils, retailing for $22 each at LipstickQueen.com, that deliver wall-to-wall color that simply doesn’t quit.

We all know lip pencils are remarkably convenient — especially when on-the-go — but, for those of us who crave a bold pout, these handy crayon-like devices tend to fall short of expectations, rarely delivering full coverage, gravitating towards glossy rather than demure matte or semi-matte finishes,  distributing pigment atop lips in an uneven manner, fading away after a small sip of water or a tiny bagel bite, and drying lips out or creeping into fine lines and crevices. The most common offenses tend to be wimpy, barely-there color and a short lifespan. For instance, while the mango butter- and shea butter-infused Clinique Chubby Sticks hydrate lips, their color payoff is minimal.  The same can be said of Tarte’s LipSurgence  Natural Matte Lip Tints, which are packed with nourishing antioxidants but merely coat lips in a thin veil of pigment. Sure, some lip crayons perform satisfactorily — particularly the NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencils and the Revlon ColorBurst Matte Balms — but the choices are generally slim. That’s all changed now, however, with the Cupid’s Bow lip crayons, which come in bold yet wearable shades that will make any woman feel like a mighty Aphrodite.

Not only do these colors chubby lip pencils deliver high-wattage color, but they last for hours on end without feathering, creasing, smearing or drying and flaking. And, in terms of the texture, the tip of each lip pencil is so creamy that the pigment glides right onto your pout, without requiring any unsavory tugging or dragging.  Moreover, the lip pencil tip is wide enough to cover a large surface area with a single pass but pointy enough to yield the desired precision when defining the contours of the pout — particularly the cupid’s bow and the corners of the mouth.

I had the opportunity to try out five Cupid’s Bow lip pencils, and I’m lovestruck with every single one. I don’t even think I could choose my lip pencil soulmate from this bunch but, luckily, in the realm of makeup, you’re allowed to have a nice little harem! The five shades I tested out are: Daphne, a medium-toned magenta rose color that borders on hot pink; Metamorphoses, a blood orange that almost borders on vermilion thanks to its robust coral red tones; Golden Arrow, a golden nude hue with blush pink tones; Ovid, a theatrical, sanguine, deep red that’s vampy but sophisticated; and Desire, a classic cherry red that feels playful and coquettish.

Let’s start with swatches of Daphne and Metamorphoses:

Aren’t they lovely? Both shades are intrepid and modern, but they’re also rich and decadent, plus the satin matte finish is beyond enticing.

Next, we have swatches of Golden Arrow and Ovid:

Both of these shades are incredibly versatile. Ovid should prove ideal for the fall and winter since it has that oxblood quality that plays so well in these cooler seasons, and I personally love the drama and bravery it exudes, which really does nod to its name — after all, Ovid was the poet who wrote, “Happy are those who dare courageously to defend what they love.”

Last, but not least, there’s Desire, a red so incandescent, it will make remind you of why this is the color most associated with passion:

Now let’s see how they look on lips!

First, here are a few photos in which I’m wearing Metamorphoses:

Next, below, you’ll find a pic in which I’m rocking the Desire shade:

For a weekend look, I chose Golden Arrow, which you can see below:

And here’s a shot of me rocking the Ovid shade while en route to film a TV segment:

The Cupid’s Bow collection, then, took aim at my heart and hit the bullseye. And, since I’m all about spreading love, I’m now encouraging you to let Cupid into your life — and your makeup bag!