High-End Beauty: Trying Out Kat Von D Makeup - Review & Swatches (Everlasting Liquid Lipsticks in Lolita I, Lolita II & Outlaw, Studded Kiss Lipstick in Magick & Tattoo Ink Liner in Trooper)

The arrival of Kat Von D's makeup range in the UK back in September was perhaps the most anticipated beauty event of the year. Being a massive fan of the lady herself, I picked up a few of her most popular minis to see what all the fuss was about.

Although Kat Von D beauty is now available in Debenhams, my local store was very slow off the mark with getting stock in, so I ended up purchasing this little lot from Love Me Beauty and from Sephora in Barcelona earlier this year. When I first saw the full range, I wanted virtually everything (and I still do - seriously you should see how long my wish list is!), and when this happens, it's often best to see if the brand has any sets/kits with miniature products that you can buy instead of splurging straight away on the full sizes.

Love Me Beauty were doing an exclusive offer with a trio set of minis (lipstick, liquid lipstick and eyeliner) so I snagged that along with the now sold out Limited Edition Lolita Lip Duo that I spotted in Sephora (and which was the last one on the shelf too - score!). 

Kat Von D's Everlasting Liquid lipsticks are by far one of her most popular and raved about products. I love a good liquid lipstick as much as the next person, but what attracted me most to KVD's was the awesome shade range which contains everything from safe, everyday neutrals to more out there and vampy colours, not to mention the ridiculously cool names like Nosferatu, Susperia and Exorcism to name but a few. 

Shades and names aside, do the Everlasting Liquid Lipsticks live up to the hype? Hell yes! These are my all-time favourite formula of liquid lipsticks and have eclipsed the previous winner, Ciate's Liquid Velvet Mattes, due to their increased longevity on the lips. I love KVD's Everlasting Liquid Lipsticks because:-

• they're long-lasting - I can get around 6-7 hours wear before needing a touch-up
• have a great velvety texture and a nice thin, non-sticky cream formula
• dry down to a matte finish quickly
• stay bright and true to their colour for longer
• are crazy pigmented and opaque in one swipe
• don't feel overly drying and compared to other matte liquid lipsticks, they're definitely more 'moisturising'

The only slight negatives about these that I discovered was that the wand applicator can be a little tricky to work with, especially with the darker or more red shades (as you can see in my swatch below), and the formula does have a habit of emphasising lip lines and any cracks. A good lip balm or primer underneath should help to create a smoother surface, and using a lip brush and lip liner definitely works with getting a better shape during application. Overall though, I'm seriously loving these. I currently have three of the minis, Lolita I, Lolita II and Outlaw, and I definitely want to buy more!

 Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick in Lolita I - a gorgeous chestnut rose

 Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick in Lolita II - a warm terracotta nude

Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick in Outlaw - a bright orange-red

I'm a sucker for cute packaging and when I saw the Kat Von D Studded Kiss Lipsticks, I had to have a play around with one. This mini was from the Love Me Beauty set and is in the shade Magick, a light dusty pink with a very fine shimmer running through it. This is a really pretty, wearable shade, though I do prefer wearing it when I haven't got any self-tanner on (like in the photo below) as it pulls a little too light pink when I do. 

Lovely, moisturising formula that reminds me of MAC's Cremesheens - glides on smoothly and has good pigmentation. It's not as long lasting of course as the liquid lipsticks, but for such a moisturising formula, I was surprised by how well it lasted before I needed a touch-up. I'll certainly be looking into the other shades.

Kat Von D Studded Kiss Lipstick in Magick

Lastly, I've seen countless raves for KVD's Tattoo Ink Liner, so I was very pleased to see it included in the Love Me Beauty set as I probably would have rushed out to buy the full size regardless! This liquid eyeliner definitely lives up to its claims as a waterproof, smudge proof, long wearing liner, and the precision of the brush tip is just perfect for doing an easy cat eye flick with. 

Strangely though, it's not as initially pigmented or glossy as my HG liquid liner from Eyeko, but I'd still award the Kat Von D Tattoo Ink Liner second place in my liquid liner love list, as you can easily layer it up for a bolder look without any problems.

Swatches from L-R: Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick in Lolita II, Lolita I and Outlaw, Studded Kiss Lipstick in Magick, and Tattoo Ink Liner in Trooper.

Have you picked up anything from Kat Von D?

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