Too Faced & Kat Von D Better Together Ultimate Eye Collection Review

When two of your favorite makeup brands unite to create one lust-worthy collection, the results are a match made in makeup heaven! Both TooFaced and Kat Von D Beauty are well known for their phenomenal pigments and this stunning collaboration is like two popular styles colliding to create one magical blend – fresh and trendy VS rich and dramatic.

Both brands are also known for their enticing packaging and they definitely amped-up the cuteness for The Ultimate Eye Collection. The kit includes a heart shaped magnetized palette that can be split apart into halves and each side contains 6 beautiful eye shadows. It also comes with a full-size Better Than Sex Mascara and Kat’s cult favorite Tattoo Liner with 24 hour waterproof wear – all for $79.99.

When it comes to high quality, intense pigment few do it better than Kat and this palette is no exception! The shadows are soft, velvety and creamy for full-coverage vibrancy and bold finishes. The shade selection is a bit unconventional (which I love) and they work together harmoniously to create show-stopping looks. The unique shimmery red with radiant metallic undertone is like nothing I have in my collection and although some may find it difficult to pull off, when applied right it looks amazing!

The gold shade called Lovestruck applies sheer to medium but the colors are long-lasting, non-creasing and highly blendable with little fallout. Even without primer these pigments are incredibly intense but I still recommended a good base for adhesion. The matte grey, matte black and shimmery grey are perfect for a seductive smoky effect.

The Too Faced Palette is a bit softer with matte cream, soft pink, sparkling gold, silvery green, deep plum and glittery brown. These shadows are also highly pigmented, vivid, silky and impactful with more versatility for day wear. You can also mix and match both color collections for a variety of stunning creations and the shadows are well formulated for professional results.

The Better Together Cheek & Lip Makeup Bag Set is adorable! The Too Faced side is sparkly pink with a little puppy and Kat’s side is black featuring a doe-eyes kitty. Inside the heart shaped pouch you get the Candlelight Glow Highlighter, the Love Flush Blush in the shade Happy Together, Kat’s Everlasting Lipstick in XO and the Studded Kiss Lipstick in Muse.

The highlighter is one I use frequently and although the blush is soft and shimmery it needs a bit more pigmentation. 

I am totally in love with the liquid lipstick, in fact I think I found my new signature red and the golden-nude tone of the mini lipstick is very flattering. This set retails for $47.00.

Too Faced Cosmetics is available at Sephora, Ulta Beauty and online at toofaced.com

Kat Von D Shade + Light Contour Palette Review

Embracing the power of makeup means expressing creativity, exuding confidence and enhancing your best features. Contouring allows you to sculpt, chisel and slenderize the face and body to achieve any look you desire. One of the most popular palettes on the market is Kat Von D’s Shade + Light and today I'm going to discuss what all the hype is about.

This simple yet highly usable color collection is packaged in a Gothic case and features 3 contour hues from light, medium and dark and 3 highlighters with beige, cream and peach undertones.

When it comes to exceptional quality, and impressive pigmentation no one does it better than Kat. What makes these powders so popular among makeup artists and beauty junkies is the smooth, creamy texture that blends in buttery soft for a seamless, velvety finish. Each shade is highly saturated so it doesn’t take much effort to go from light contouring to deep definition without any harsh streaks or lines. At first glance I assumed the shades would be a bit too soft but the rich formula and matte finish makes the colors appear bold, deep and pure with the versatility to be dramatically enhanced and layered.

The darkest shade is the only true brown in the palette so I use it to sharpen and slim. It also makes a great eye shadow for sculpting the crease with little fall-out and no chalkiness. 

The other two pigments appear very similar to each other on my skin tone so I’d prefer more color variation by deepening the middle shade. They also have a beige-nude tint which can work for light facial contouring or highlighting deeper skin but I mainly use them as eye shadow for transitioning and creating shape.

Using lighter shades under the eyes and down past the cheekbones in a V formation brightens the face, amplifies dimension and creates radiance. The highlight powders are all quite basic in terms of color but they get the job done and I love the smooth, silky texture. I also use them as eye shadow base or brow bone highlight. The matte effect is great but in this case one shimmer would have been a nice addition for that frosty illuminated glow many of us crave.

Overall this is a good contour palette since there are options for most complexions and although you may not use every contour shade for sculpting (depending on your skin tone) you can use them in other ways. The palette retails for $43.00 at Sephora and katvondbeauty.com.

Kat Von D Lock-It Foundation Review

When it comes to foundation I've been on the hunt for my “holy grail” formulation and color for a long time but as I watched Kat Von D’s Global Makeup Artist - Eric Sotto completely conceal his tattoos with the Lock-It Foundation, I knew the brand had created something special.

I’m not one to shy away from color or seek light coverage. Even in scorching heat and makeup melting humidity, I aim for flawless skin and my motto is ~ if your complexion looks dull, rough and blemished, chances are no amount of lipstick, shadow or liner can save you!

Kat’s Lock-It Foundation is available in 19 shades (as far as I can tell from the website) but there will be a total of 30 when the new colors launch in October. With the selection currently available, I found it a bit difficult to find a match. Although number 71 (featured below) has a strong golden tint and is a few shades darker than my skin, it was the closest I could get. Many of the colors I tested (under unreliable store lighting) did have very pronounced undertones which can make matching a tad confusing. To balance the darkness I’ve resorted to applying the foundation as a base and subtly layering another pigment and setting powder on top to balance and lighten the color. This extra step is a bit tedious but totally worth it for this level of superior coverage.

The color pay-off is amazing because the formula is made with 21% pigment for intense saturation! This product covers everything from hyperpigmentation, scars, redness and blemishes plus just a couple small dabs is enough to completely even the complexion for smooth, enviable skin.

I absolutely love how rich and powerful this stuff is and after testing it through heat waves and Toronto’s congested streets, this fade-proof foundation gets an A+ for durability and performance. The formula is the best I’ve tried when it comes to completely camouflaging problem areas and drastically improving the skin’s appearance, plus it is oil and fragrance free.

Lock-It has an amazing lacquer-like, matte finish that kind of acts like a second skin and sets quickly! The formula is only heavy if you apply too much, otherwise the consistency is in the medium range and I didn’t experience any discomfort. Because this heavy-duty formula clings so well, it isn’t one you want to sleep in! I highly recommend cleansing thoroughly to decongest pores and although it is made to last 24 hours I wouldn’t push that limit if I didn’t have to.

As you can see below, this shade is deeper than my skin tone but when mixed with a lighter foundation I make it work!

When I recently found myself on the crowded subway, hot, sticky and sweating amidst the rush hour mob, dabbing at my face didn't result in any transfer...hence the name “Lock-It.” I don’t know if this no transfer phenomenon is a guarantee since I can’t account for all makeup meltdowns but so far I haven’t noticed any fading, running or seeping and my face looks fresh all day no matter what the weather throws at me. The oil control technology also helps prevent that sweaty, slick look which is great for the season.

Although you can apply the foundation with a Beauty Blender I did find that the formula’s clinginess can cause patches and inconsistency as you dab. I prefer using the Kat Von D Edge Foundation Brush which is ideal for distributing color and achieving a streak-free, smooth finish. (The brush retails for $43.00).

If you are looking for a foundation with amazing coverage and serious lasting power this one retails for $47.00 and really gets the job done!

The Lock-It Concealer Crème with hydra-boost complex retails for $34.00 and is also loaded with pigment for excellent coverage and long wear. There are 21 shades available with gloss-like applicators that can be used to swipe, dab or layer color where you need it most. This formula is great for concealing dark under eye circles, brightening, correcting, neutralizing redness, diminishing scars and even contouring although I wouldn't overdo it under the eyes as it can crease a bit. With concealer I usually go a couple shades lighter than my skin tone to highlight and the brand also offers the Lock-It Edge Concealer Brush with a unique sculpted shape for precise product placement.

You can find Kat Von D Beauty at Sephora and if you ask for a few samples you can test different shades before purchase to find your match.

Kat Von D Shade + Light Eye Contour Quads Review & Lock It Concealer Crème

Since getting my first Kat Von D eye shadow palette I’ve been experimenting with sensational color and creating trendy looks inspired by Kat’s edgy style. Recently the brand has embraced the contouring trend by releasing the Shade + Light Palettes - designed to define and enhance the eyes with a fun range of knock-out pigments.

If you think contouring is just for the face, think again! You can use the technique to transform many areas of the body and I’ve seen artists elongate the neck, reshape the décolletage, create chiseled abs, ample cleavage, slim limbs and the other day I even stumbled upon a video for ear contouring! 

I love the sparkle of a shimmery shadow but sometimes a girl just craves the true richness of a pure matte and that’s exactly what you get with these! All of the shades are silky and sumptuously smooth with a hint of creaminess for easy application and excellent coverage. Like many of Kat's shadows, the pigmentation is top notch with high-intensity, stunning color pay-off that blends like a dream and lasts all day without creasing, fading or smudging.

When it comes to amazing quality, impressive texture and seamless application, Kat’s shadows rank among the best I’ve tried...and I’ve tried a lot! I always apply my shadows over a good primer but these babies are so bold they can stand alone.

The Smoke Palette contains a beige base, deep blue definer, slate grey contour and a stark white highlight. I love a smokey eye and the grey - navy combo is my absolute fave for creating smoldering contrast, depth and dimension.

The Sage Palette with its dark green, velvety cream and wheat beige wasn’t one I expected to like as much as the others but as it turns out vivid greens are kind of my thing and these hues are mysterious and dramatic.

Rust is warm and inviting with eye catching orange and toasty brown mingled with peachy cream and a frosty highlight. These hues remind me of autumn leaves.

The plum in this palette is actually more of a deep burgundy-purple which I love and the lilac-grey contour shade creates the perfect balance of contrast.

Since I’m reviewing Kat Von D Beauty I should also mention that I love the new Lock-It Concealer ($26.00) created to encompass everything you’d ever want in a formula including loads of rich pigment for one coat coverage, 24 hour wear and a moisturizing Hydra-Boost Complex. It brightens, covers blemishes, corrects discoloration, neutralizes redness, diminishes dark circles and can even be used to contour.

There are 21 shades available from fair to deep (the color above is D33 Warm). I like that the consistency is creamy and full coverage plus you can use it to highlighting (if you go a bit lighter than your skin tone). You do have to blend and set with powder to avoid under eye creasing but if you’re aiming for flawless skin, this concealer is a definite keeper! The Lock-It Edge Concealer Brush ($24.00) is great for precisely patting on or layering product and the unique sculpted shape is perfect for under the eyes.

While perusing this collection at Sephora, don’t forget to check out Kat’s other brushes! They are ultra soft, well shaped and made with chic, stiletto handles and dense, high quality bristles for professional results and superior blending.

Setting Powder Brush & Edge Foundation Brush

Kat Von D Beauty can be found online by clicking HERE and at Sephora