Kat Von D Lock-It Tattoo Foundation

Hi everyone! Today's post will feature Kat Von D Lock-It Tattoo Foundation.

I want to mention right off the batch that this is a mixed review for Kat Von D's much raved about foundation. There are some really good aspects of this foundation, but there are also some downfalls too. I will point out both for you.

I bought this foundation after seeing many YouTube rave reviews. The last thing I needed was a new foundation. However once I saw it came back in stock on Sephora.com (most of the shades were out of stock) I picked it up in the shade M54. I returned the full size bottle of M54 before I wrote this review, so I'm sorry that I don't have it to show.

My thoughts...

• Color – This is my biggest complaint. I have golden undertones and have to use a foundation that runs yellow or else it looks muddy on my skin. I thought M52 might work (Medium/light complexion with warm beige undertones) but it turned out to be too light. I then picked up the full size bottle of M54 (Medium complexion with yellow beige undertones). I thought perfect and happily placed my order. When I got the bottle I was very dark from self tanning. At first pump, I thought that maybe it was too neutral…it definitely did NOT have yellow undertones at all. I put it on my entire face and it actually looked fine. Throughout the day it seemed to dry down darker…almost brown. It didn’t look awful by any means, but I knew it just wasn’t my color. It was frustrating because the difference from M52 to M54 is so drastic. It’s a bummer because there is no shade that works for me. Since it's a thicker base, it can be tell tale when your face and neck don't match. I’m picky with foundations and undertones, so if I can’t find my perfect shade then I move on...I don’t want to spend time trying to make a color work that doesn’t match my undertones correctly. 

• Coverage – Great coverage. It will really give you a flawless look, but I found on myself it was too fake looking. It does hide all of my imperfections and conceals them too. It’s a thick foundation and if you don’t usually wear a full face, this probably will feel too heavy. It wasn’t a deal breaker, but I felt like I was wearing a lot of makeup. If you have a lot to cover up, I do think this could work for you. I want to stress it’s not cakey and it does blend out even with the thickness. I would suggest using a brush for application rather than your fingers though (FYI I really like Real Techniques Expert Face Brush) 

•  Packaging – The packaging is cute and I do like the pump, but the bottle itself is a little too big and bulky for my liking. It doesn’t fit nicely with the rest of my foundations and it seems excessive. I wish there was something to close the pump, because once you take off the little plastic covering there isn’t anything (maybe you are supposed to keep that?) 

• Wear – This foundation wore extremely well throughout the day. It didn’t transfer and I didn’t find I needed a touch up. Big plus! I think it’s safe to say that it’s one of the longest wearing foundations I’ve tried.

• Photographs  - This foundation photographs great. This would be a good choice to wear when going out at night or at an event where you will be photographed a lot.

• Removing it – This is for sure a foundation you will need more than a makeup wipe for. I always use a oil free or foam based cleanser to help break up the makeup. I wouldn’t say it’s difficult, but you do have to put a little time into taking it off.

Overall, this foundation had its high points, but bottom line there wasn't a shade that worked for me. I wish she had a few more lighter or light to medium shades with different undertones in the line. It's such a shame to see that none of the shades had more golden or yellow undertones. I'd say that pretty much all of the colors I looked at they were very netural. For example, Nars is a good example of a brand with foundations with a great color range. As far as for Kat Von D, if you can find a shade that matches you…I’d say check it out. If you like a full coverage foundation and don’t mind a heavier base, you will probably be a happy camper. If you like or don't need full coverage you can probably pass on this. 

Have you tried Kat Von D Lock-It Tattoo Foundation? Did it work for you?

My Mom's Beauty Must Haves

Hi everyone! Happy Mother's Day! In honor of Mother's Day, I wanted to feature some of my Mom's Beauty Must Haves. 

Here are her top picks...

Rusk W8less HairSpray

My Mom: It's not heavy or sticky, but it has good hold.

Me: This is one of my all time favorite hairsprays too. It holds a curl but the mist is so light that it never feels heavy on your hair. 

Big Sexy Hair Color Safe Extra Volumizing Shampoo

My Mom: It makes my hair soft and full!

MaryKay Oil Free Eye Makeup Remover

My Mom: It's quick and not too greasy

Me: This is my favorite liquid makeup remover. I did a detailed review here. My Mom was the one who showed me this.

Kiehl's Photo-Age Corrector Intensive Corrective Moisturizer

My Mom: It's a nice light moisturizer and not greasy. I use it in the morning.

Me: I haven't tried this one, but Kiehl's is my favorite skincare line. I had to show my mom!

L'Oreal FuturE Moisturizer 

My Mom: This is a little bit heavier so I like to use it at night after a shower.

TrueBlue Super Rich Foot Cream

My Mom: It's a great hydrating foot cream that makes my feet soft

Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Body Wash

My Mom: It's very moisturizing and smells great

Me: It has a great lather and doesn't dry out your skin. I like the smell too!

Avon Extra Lasting Lipstick (Fushia)

My Mom: This lipstick lasts hours and I keep it in my purse for quick touchups. This lipstick is my go to color

Avon Super Magnify Mascara (Discontinued)

My Mom: Thin brush for thin lashes...it's discontinued so I am looking for a new one. I will probably go back to Maybelline Lash Discovery (also has a small brush)

Maybelline Expert Wear Eye Pencil (Velvet Black)

My Mom: I've been using this forever. I start with this one for a base liner that stays put. I also use this to fill in my eyebrow.

CoverGirl Eye Pencil

My Mom: I use this over the Maybelline liner for a little heavier color. I then use the smudger to blend out the line.

What are your Mom's favorites? Do you and her share any of the same?

Beauty clutter, negative reviews and what I do with products I don't like...

Hi all! Today’s post will be about what I do with products I don’t like.

I’ll be the first to admit it…I have too much makeup. There I said it. The good news is that I gave away 2 huge boxes of makeup and other beauty products a few weeks ago (here’s that post all about spring cleaning). Since then, I have found myself going through my beauty stash frequently and taking out products that I didn’t love or don’t love enough.

I usually give each product another chance to wow me. Most of the time it’s not that it’s an awful product, it's just that the particular shade, undertone or color doesn’t do anything for me. Awhile ago I bought so much makeup just because I liked the color or it was raved about…not thinking about how it would look on me. It was definitely quantity over quality. I know some of you can relate. So what do I do now? Well,  I don’t own any red lipsticks, pink blushes or bright lipsticks because I don’t like the way they look on me and I don’t reach for them. What’s my point? I don’t want to hang onto products that don’t make me look my best.

So now…what do I do with these products? Well, if I have had them for awhile and used them a bit I will give them away to friends and family. If you are a beauty lover like myself, you know what I mean by having an excessive amount of cosmetics. It feels really good to give them to others who are excited to try out something new. The other benefit is that I have less clutter. I’ve been really trying to limit the clutter in my new apartment. I’ve come to learn that clutter stresses me out so much.

If I get a brand new items and I really don’t like it, I will return it or exchange it. I’m not afraid to return cosmetics and I’m thankful pretty much all makeup companies in the US allow this. I hate wasting money, even more so if it’s pricey. Like I’ve said many times, I don’t mind spending a pretty penny but I expect a lot. I see so many makeup collection videos on YouTube where it’s just overflow of every single shade and I know there is no way they are going to wear every item. I’m by no means judging what anyone has, but I made the decision for myself to constantly clean out. I still have a ton of bronzers but I really do wear them all…so I’m keeping those. Maybe you have a specific blush or lipstick that makes you feel your most beautiful?  Do you see my point? Keep what you love and you know looks and makes you feel great.

Yes, I still do buy makeup and love trying out new things. I've been really good about spending money and this week treated myself to some items I've been wanting to try out for awhile. I haven't been to Ulta in months (shocking!) and I've only bought makeup when I have had a giftcard or there was a great sale (Jouer had a 20% off Mother's Day sale, Sephora have a deluxe perfume sample and 100 point reward I wanted to cash in my points for). I always suggest using the app retailmenot or checking beauty sites for deals...there is always something going on! The whole thing for me now is waiting on makeup I really want and seeing if I still want it down the line. I research and looking for swatches too. It's a whole process haha.

I do write honest reviews and some have been about products I don’t like. I usually prefer to only write about them if I really thought they were awful. Why? Because I want to save you money! I don’t do negative reviews a lot because honestly they aren’t that fun to write. I much prefer to share my love for an item that wow’ed me. Lately, I’ve been doing a lot of product reviews from companies who gift me items. I always write an honest review and always share the goods and bads of each item. Yes, I have been sent products I didn’t like before….what did I do? Contact the company and let them know. Usually they offer to send me a different item in place and sometimes they just don’t reply. It’s really a gamble, but luckily it hasn’t happened often.

Here are some reviews I did of products (most of them popular) I wasn't a fan of...

Buxom Stay There Eyeshadow

Revlon ColorStay Foundation

Wonder Brush-ers

Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser

Maybelline Dream Fresh BB Cream

So what are you thoughts? If you are beauty blogger, how do you feel about writing negative reviews? What do you do with the products you don't love? Readers, do you like seeing a mix of positive and negative reviews?