September 30, 2013

Kat Von D Spellbinding Lipstick Set


Dear readers,
I broke down and bought the KvD "spellbinding" holiday 2013 collection.  Here's my take on the lipstick set:

For $39, you get 10 mini (1.2g) lipsticks.  There are 5 permanent colors, and 5 colors unique to this set. 9 shades are matte (some moreso than others), and 1 is the "foiled love" formula (which just means it's super sparkly).  I do already have 2 colors from this set-- Ritual and Lovecraft-- but there were a few I was interested in trying (mostly Thin Lizzy!!). Plus, I feel like I am either wearing red or nude lips these days and I wanted to branch out without buying a full lipstick.

Mau5: Purple tinged magenta. On the sheer side upon first swipe, didn't quite build up to being fully opaque.


Thin Lizzy: Sheer rose with a ton of copper sparkle. Much different than what I was expecting!



Bachelorette: Cool-toned pinkish red cream. This is really similar to Dita Von Teese's Follies Pink




.
L.U.V.: Mauve. When I removed the swatch, it left behind the most noticeable stain (other than Vampira).



Underage Red: True balanced red. One swipe delivered opaque color.


Ritual: Warm nude-tan.  For some reason, this color is different than my tube from the permanent line.


Backstage Bambi: Cool toned semi-bright bubblegum pink


A Go Go: Orange that leans a touch red. Pigmentation-wise, this was the best of the bunch.


Lovecraft: Cool pink nude


Vampira: Burgundy with more than a hint of purple. Pretty similar in color to KvD's Rosary lipstick, but this has a creamier texture. This was the first one I wore in real life, and I was a tad disappointed.  It applied a bit patchy, and it only wore around 4 hours.  It did, however, leave behind a pretty stain.



All in all, I think this set is worth it if, for no other reason, you (or a friend!) are lipstick phobic and/or want to try some new colors.  The textures seem to be a little better than the KvD lipsticks I have, BUT mine are old so either they're a little dried out or it's been reformulated.

You don't have to take my word for it! The Spellbinding Lipstick set is now available at Sephora.



July 22, 2013

Review: Kat Von D Lock-It Powder Foundation in L45

For summer/2013 KvD for Sephora released the follow up to the best-selling liquid foundation: the Lock-It Powder Foundation   For years, I've been using StudioFix powder foundation from MAC for on-the-go touch-ups.  Since MAC changed their policies on animal testing, I have been looking for a new compact powder.  Let's see how it measures up!

PIGMENTATION: This is billed as full coverage, but I would say this is more medium coverage.  I was disappointed it wasn't as high coverage as StudioFix, but it's enough to cover minor redness.  In MAC, my perfect match is NC15, and I felt that L45 is a perfect match in the Lock-It Powder Foundation.

PRODUCT: The powder is silky smooth, and doesn't feel like I'm wearing any makeup.  It kind of floats over my skin and makes it look poreless and not powdery.  My pores on my cheeks and nose are on the larger side, so pretending to be poreless is pretty exciting! It also does a pretty good job at battling shine. 

PACKAGING: It's a heavy-duty plastic compact with a raised KvD logo and roses printed on the lid.  In the compartment for the powder sponge applicator, it's completely closed.  (Not sure if this is a good or bad thing-- I'm just used to my StudioFix compact with the airholes. I would think that it would keep the puff cleaner bc if you have a messy makeup bag like me, any broken eyeshadow or leaking lipgloss won't get to it.)  The applicator compartment may be big enough to house a bigger puff or sponge or whatever suits your fancy.  Also, the sponge that comes with it is the exact same one that MAC sells.  So if you're willing to buy from MAC, you can buy replacements.

PRICE: $34

All in all, if you're looking for a lightweight powder that blurs imperfections that doesn't get cakey and gross, the Lock-It Powder Foundation is a good choice.  As always, you don't have to take my word for it! Kat Von D's Lock-It Powder Foundation is available now at Sephora.

July 4, 2013

Review: Physician's Formula Eye Booster in Ultra Black


It's no secret that I am a huge fan of liquid eyeliner, and that I'm super picky about it.  I need something that is really pigmented, can effortlessly create a sharp line, and is waterproof.  Enter the Eye Booster by Physician's Formula.

PIGMENTATION: The name of this color, Ultra Black, is not a misnomer.  One swipe immediately delivers a rich, dense black.

I rubbed these lines a few times, and, as you can see, nothing happened.

PRODUCT: Not too thin, not too thick, the eyeliner's formula glides easily over my eyelids.  It dries down super fast, and STAYS PUT. I experienced no flaking or running-- even when my left eye would go rogue and water like crazy.  Also, it dries down to a satin finish.  The only downside to the how fast this dries, is that I have to scrape the dried eyeliner off of the brush tip a few times each time I use it.

The claim for this formula is that it has lash-boosting properties.  When I began using this, I was using the Urban Decay Lush Lash mascara, which did help my lashes grow.  If anything, the Eye Booster just maintained what the Lush Lash mascara did.

Obviously this is super well-loved!

PACKAGING: At first I was wary of the pen-style eyeliner since I was used to an inkwell, but it's really awesome.  The brush tip isn't too thin or too thick, and the fibers are really smooth.

PRICE: I bought this for around $11 at CVS, but it might be more or less depending on where you buy it.

All in all, the Eye Booster is easily my new favorite eyeliner, and is a great drugstore buy (or any store, really).  Of course, you don't have to take my word for it.  Physician's Formula Eye Booster is available  now at a drugstore near you. (or drugstore.com if not)


April 7, 2013

Review: Dita Von Teese Art Couture lipstick-Manslayer (631)

After lusting over her makeup line since it came out, I finally ordered a few things from burlesque goddess Dita Von Teese's cosmetic collaboration with European brand Art Deco.  First up is Dita von Teese's lipstick in Manslayer (631).

On me, Manslayer appears to be a deep berry red. It dries down to a matte finish in a few minutes, and it didn't feel drying compared to other red lipsticks I have.
Don't worry matte lip fiends-- it is much more matte in person.

 When I saw swatches online prior to my purchase, I was expecting it to be closer to MAC's Russian Red.  Besides the formulas being different, Manslayer is much deeper.  

Here's how it compares to my other red (and one burgundy) lipsticks:

Top row (L-R): DvT Muse Red (615), Kat Von D Rosary
Middle Row: MAC Russian Red, DvT Manslayer, MAC Viva Glam I
Bottom row: MAC Prolong (Pro Longwear Lipcreme)


If you've always wanted to try to wear red lipstick, I think Manslayer would be a good gateway color.  It's not bright, and looks great sheered down if you're scared to wear it full-strength.  

I suppose the only downside to the DvT lipsticks is that they have a vanilla-y smell.  Personally, I like it because it actually smells like food (unlike the plastic-y vanilla scent MAC uses for their lipsticks); but, if you're super sensitive to scented cosmetics, this may be a dealbreaker.

Also, if you are nervous about ordering something from another country, that will put a damper on things as well.  Dita Von Teese's line is not sold in the USA, but I was able to buy it from a UK site called Tender Loving Skincare.  The shipping was very reasonable (about $10), and their customer service is impeccable.

As always, you don't have to take my word for it! Dita Von Teese's Manslayer is available now at Tender Loving Skincare.

April 4, 2013

Review: Kat Von D Ladybird True Romance Eyeshadow Palette



Quick story: When Urban Decay's Naked Basics palette came out, I was pretty excited because it was a palette comprised entirely of matte shadows, but the colors were so blah.  I never ended up buying it, and boy howdy am I glad I didn't.  Dare I say it, this is my HG matte palette.

L-R: Für Elise, Vespertine, Renholdër, Siouxie Sioux



Für Elise- Matte plum
Vespertine- Matte pale peaches & cream
Renholdër- matte taupe (leans more grey)
Siouxie-Soux - Blackened blue-grey with faint blue sparkle

L-R: Unrequited, Harlow, Wolf, Cleopatra


Unrequited - Matte nude with peachy undertone
Harlow- Matte sandy brown with a hint of olive
Wölf- Matte medium brown with red undertone
Cleopatra - Matte rust (best performing shade)

Immortal Love Autograph Pencil Eyeliner

Immortal Love

Immortal Love (Autograph Eyeliner Pencil) - Slightly blackened dark brown. This had excellent color payoff in one stroke, and a creamy texture.  Once it dried, it stayed put!

Pigmentation/Product: All 8 shadows and the eyeliner are decently pigmented.  I feel like, in past KvD palettes, there's always (at least) one dud.  Für Elise was the "worst" performing shade of the bunch, but it really wasn't bad.  It was a tad dry and I had to work with it a smidge more than the other 7 to build up the swatch (2 passes instead of one!).  I've used about half the palette thus far, and of the shades I used (Unrequited, Harlow, Cleopatra, Vespertine), next to no powder was kicked up with my brush.  Pretty awesome for how buttery soft these shadows felt when I swatched them!

Packaging:  This is the same metal case of the last few palettes, and just like her other metal palettes, the lid doesn't stay up on its own.

Price:  $36.  

All in all, Ladybird is my new favorite KvD palette.  If you're into pigmented (mostly) warm neutrals, then you might love this Ladybird too.

As always, you don't have to take my word for it! Kat von D's Ladybird palette is available now at Sephora.

January 21, 2013

Kat Von D True Romance Eye Shadow Trio- Fever Ray


Fever Ray is one of the new Kat Von D True Romance Eye Shadow Trios to come out for Spring 2013.

Left side: Sheer frosted pink.
Middle: Matte burgundy.  This swatched a bit sheer, but when I applied it to my lid with a brush, the pigmentation was opaque.  The color is very similar to MAC's Sorcery.
Right side: Dark metallic brown with fine copper shimmer.  This was the most pigmented of the three, and reminds me of the KvD pigment Rooftop.


The package has a clear window with molded roses on the lid.  There is a button to release the lid, but I felt like it didn't do a great job.  Not quite sure if this is made of a really cheap, thin metal or of a really hard plastic.  It doesn't feel like it's of the same material as the more recent 8 shade palettes.


All in all I am pretty happy with Fever Ray.  The colors compliment my green eyes very well, and I can see these shades working across a variety of skintones/eye colors.

You don't have to take my word for it! The True Romance Eye Shadow Trio in Fever Ray is available now at Sephora.com

Kat Von D Everlasting Face Shaper Blush- Bellisima


Bellisima is one of the new Everlasting Face Shaper Blushes from Kat Von D.  Sephora describes it as "peachy pink."  I'd describe this as a pink tinged peach with a soft shimmer.  It was a bit on the sheer side, but it is easily built up.  Texture was like velvet & really blendable.


On my fair skin, this creates a nice natural flush.  However, due to the sheerer color payoff, I can't see Bellisima showing up on darker skin tones.



The package has the signature rose pattern embossed on the lid.  It opens by what I guess is a button, but it doesn't fully depress, and the lid doesn't immediately release when you press it.  With that said, it's not particularly difficult to open.  It has a nice mirror inside the lid,



All in all, I'd say Bellisima is a worthy purchase if you've got a lighter skin tone. (for you dark skinned ladies, there are darker shades available-- check em out!)

You don't have to take my word for it! Bellisima Everlasting Face Shaper Blush is available now at Sephora.com.

January 4, 2013

Kat Von D Spring 2013 Collection

Happy New Year everyone!! Sephora has just posted new Kat Von D products for 2013.  Behold:

True Romance Eye Shadow Trio / $24

I guess KVD is sick of doing the palettes her brand became known for, because we haven't seen one since Summer 2012. In these trios, there is one pearl shade, one matte shade, and one glitter shade.

Beyond Redemption lilacs
Fever Ray rust brown
Dreamer browns
Helmüt greens

 Can't believe the price on these, since the palettes (with an eyeliner) are $35!  I will say I'm interested in Fever Ray, because A. i love rusty brown colors with my green eyes, and B. they are a great band.


High Voltage Eye Primer / $15


Not sure if this is the same formula as before (which did not work on my oily lids), but it has been re-packaged in a squeeze tube.  


Everlasting Face Shaper Bronzer / $25
I didn't own the previous KvD bronzer, so I am not sure how this compares color- or formula-wise.  This one comes in two colors:

Shady Business I (pearlized brown with gold shimmer)
Shady Business II (pearlized dark brown with gold shimmer)

Can someone explain to me the point of shimmery bronzers?  Aren't they supposed to be used for contouring your face? It seems that shimmer would be counter-active for something you're trying to recede.  /endcomplaint

Everlasting Face Shaper Blush / $25
FINALLY! This seemed like the next logical step after making the foundation line.  I'll admit I'm chomping at the bit for this one.

Heartagram deep rose
Essex cool rose
Truth natural flush pink
Por Vida warm pink
Belissima peachy pink
Wish nude peach with subtle shimmer
Lovesong bright pink with subtle shimmer


Anything strike your fancy?  What Spring 2013 collections are you excited for?

*All images and color descriptions are from Sephora.com.  Please don't sue me!