Let’s be real for a second. Most lip crayons are basically just glorified, skinny lipsticks that dry out your mouth after two hours of wear. You know the vibe. You apply it, it looks great for the first twenty minutes, and then suddenly your lips feel like a desert and the color is settling into lines you didn't even know you had. So, when Lady Gaga’s brand dropped the Haus Labs lip crayon—officially known as the Le Monster Lip Crayon—people were skeptical.
It’s understandable. Celebrity makeup brands are everywhere now. It feels like every time you blink, a new A-lister is launching a "clean" or "high-performance" line. But Gaga didn't just slap her name on a white-label product. She’s obsessed with the chemistry. If you’ve followed her journey from the early Amazon days of Haus Laboratories to the massive Sephora rebrand, you know she’s chasing something specific: pigment that doesn’t hurt.
What is the Haus Labs Lip Crayon, anyway?
The Le Monster Lip Crayon is a bit of a shapeshifter. It’s a cream-to-matte formula, which sounds like marketing jargon, but in practice, it means it glides on like a lip balm and then "sets" into a finish that doesn't budge. They call it "Le Monster" because it’s supposed to be a beast in terms of staying power.
The secret isn't some magical space dust. It's the inclusion of hyaluronic acid and konjac root. Most matte lip products rely on heavy waxes or clays to stay matte, which is why they feel so heavy and suffocating. By using sodium hyaluronate (a smaller molecule of hyaluronic acid), Haus Labs figured out how to pull moisture into the lips while the pigment sits on top. It’s clever. It’s also vegan and cruelty-free, which has become the baseline for the brand’s "clean at Sephora" identity.
Is it a liner? Is it a lipstick? Honestly, it’s both. The tip is tapered enough that you can define your cupid’s bow without reaching for a separate pencil, but the body of the crayon is thick enough to fill in your entire mouth in about two swipes. Fast. Efficient.
The Evolution of the Formula
When Haus first launched, the packaging was black, jagged, and very "Fame Monster" era. It was cool, but the formulas were sometimes hit or miss. When they rebranded to the clean, silver-and-white aesthetic, they tweaked the Le Monster formula too. They made it creamier.
If you tried the original version and found it a bit draggy, the current iteration is a different beast entirely. It uses a "comfort-matte" technology. This isn't that 2016 liquid lipstick matte that makes your lips look like a shriveled raisin. It's a modern matte—soft, blurred, and surprisingly flexible. You can smile, eat a sandwich, and talk for three hours without the color cracking.
The Shade Range and the Pigment Payoff
There are over 20 shades now. That’s a lot to navigate. You have everything from "Dusty Rose" (which is the universal "your lips but better" shade) to "Midnight Merlot."
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One thing Gaga gets right is the undertone. Most brands lean too heavy into warm or cool, leaving a lot of people out. Haus Labs tends to play with neutral bases. For example, their reds aren't just bright cherry; they have depth. "Rebel" is a classic pink-red that works on almost everyone because it doesn't lean too orange.
The pigment is intense. You don't have to press hard. In fact, if you press too hard, you’re going to waste product because the formula is so soft. A light touch is all you need. This is high-impact color. One swipe and you're done.
Why Konjac Root Matters
You might see "konjac root" on the ingredient list and think of those little sponges you use to wash your face. It's the same plant. In a lip crayon, konjac root acts as a thickening agent that also holds onto water.
When you apply the Haus Labs lip crayon, the konjac spheres help create a barrier. This is why the color doesn't bleed into the fine lines around your mouth. It’s essentially a built-in primer. If you’re someone who deals with feathering—where the lipstick starts traveling up your face—this is a massive deal. It stays where you put it.
Real-World Wear: Does It Actually Last?
We’ve all been lied to by long-wear claims. "Lasts 12 hours!" usually means "Lasts 12 hours if you don't eat, drink, or breathe."
The Le Monster Lip Crayon is a 6-to-8-hour performer. It will survive coffee. It will survive a salad with light dressing. It will not survive a greasy slice of pizza (oil breaks down makeup, that’s just science). But the win here isn't just the longevity; it's the fade.
When this lip crayon starts to wear off, it does so evenly. It leaves a bit of a stain behind. You don't get that awkward ring of color around the edges of your mouth while the middle is bare. It just slowly loses its intensity, which makes touch-ups way easier. You don't have to wipe it all off and start over. You just dab a bit more on the center and blend with your finger.
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The Comparison: Haus Labs vs. NARS vs. Rare Beauty
People always ask how this compares to the NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil. NARS is the OG. It's iconic. But the NARS pencil requires a sharpener, which is a pain. You lose so much product every time you sharpen it.
The Haus Labs lip crayon is a twist-up. No sharpener needed. It’s also significantly more hydrating than the NARS version. Rare Beauty’s Lip Soufflé is another competitor, but that’s a liquid-to-matte. It feels airier but doesn't have the precision of a crayon. If you want control, the crayon wins.
How to Apply It Like a Pro (Without Looking Overdone)
Most people just scribble it on. That works. But if you want it to look like a professional did it, there’s a better way.
- Start at the center. Hit your cupid’s bow first. Make an 'X'.
- Trace the edges. Use the tip to outline. Don't go outside your natural line unless you're really confident with overlining.
- Fill in the rest. 4. The "Blot and Tap." Take a tissue, blot once, and then use your ring finger to tap the edges. This gives it that "lived-in" French girl look that’s very trendy right now.
If you want a more sheer look, just dab the crayon on the center of your lips and blend it out with a lip balm. It turns into a tinted balm instantly.
Addressing the "Clean Beauty" Elephant in the Room
"Clean" is a controversial term in the beauty industry because it isn't strictly regulated by the FDA. However, Haus Labs defines it by excluding over 2,700 ingredients they deem potentially harmful or irritating.
For the lip crayon, this means no parabens, no phthalates, and no synthetic fragrances that often cause lip dermatitis. If you have sensitive skin or find that many lipsticks make your lips itch or peel, the "clean" formulation here actually serves a functional purpose. It’s less about the marketing buzzword and more about the skin-calming ingredients like mango seed oil.
Common Misconceptions
One big myth is that because it's a crayon, it’s going to be waxy. It's not. It’s a gel-based formula. If you leave it in a hot car, it will melt. Treat it like a luxury lipstick, not a box of Crayolas.
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Another misconception is that the shades look the same on everyone. Because these have a bit of a sheerable quality, your natural lip pigment will influence the final color. A "nude" on someone with pale lips will look like a "pink" on someone with deeper natural pigmentation. Always check the swatches on different skin tones before buying.
Actionable Tips for Choosing Your Shade
Don't just guess. Look at your veins. Are they blue? You're cool-toned. Go for the berries and true reds. Are they green? You're warm-toned. Go for the corals and terracottas.
If you're overwhelmed by the 20+ options, start with "Dusty Rose." It's the safest bet and the most popular shade for a reason. It bridges the gap between a casual daytime look and a polished evening vibe.
Maintenance and Storage
Keep the cap on tight. Gel formulas evaporate. If you leave the cap off, the hyaluronic acid "spheres" will dry out, and you'll lose that smooth glide.
Also, don't twist it up too far. Because the formula is so creamy, it doesn't have the structural integrity of a hard wax pencil. Twist up just what you need (about 2-3 millimeters) to avoid snapping the tip.
The Verdict on Value
At around $22, it’s mid-range. It’s cheaper than Chanel or Tom Ford, but pricier than Maybelline. Given the ingredient list—specifically the high-grade hyaluronic acid and the sustainably sourced konjac—the price point is fair. You’re paying for the R&D that went into making a matte lipstick that doesn't feel like a matte lipstick.
The Haus Labs lip crayon isn't just celebrity merch. It’s a legitimate tool for people who want high-performance color without the discomfort. It’s for the person who wants to apply their makeup in the car (at a red light, please) and know it’s going to look good for the rest of the day.
Next Steps for Your Makeup Routine
If you’re ready to try it, head to a Sephora and swatch a few shades on your inner wrist first. Look at the colors in natural light—store lighting is notoriously deceptive. If you already own one and find it too bold, try layering it under a clear gloss. It transforms the matte finish into a high-shine vinyl look that’s perfect for summer.
Check your current stash. If you have five lipsticks that all make your lips peel by noon, it’s probably time to swap them out for a formula that actually prioritizes lip health. The Le Monster isn't just about the pigment; it's about the prep and the finish combined into one single stick. Take the plunge on one neutral shade and see how your lips feel after eight hours. That’s the real test.