Couple of weeks ago the dream of every beauty blogger came into a fruition when Kat Von D Beauty range launched in Debenhams. We say so long to the ridiculous shipping charges and customs, as we can now get the whole range in UK. Buy Kat Von D Shade + Light in UK here
Seeing Makeup Revolution launched their own version of Kat's Shade + Light palette, I knew I wanted them both to compare for you. Having tested them for a week each, I come to you with my opinions on both palettes.
Packaging:
KvD - matte black hardened cardboard with a good quality mirror. It feels very sturdy, yet it's light enough to travel with. KvD gothic style logo is clearly displayed on front alongside the name of the palette. It all looks very dark, but still professional. I really like the packaging here. Shade names are printed on the back, keeping in with the front design.
MUR - clear plastic leaves a lot to be desired. It feels quite cheap, however it's in line with the original MUR packaging. I'm quite surprised they didn't go in line with their Iconic Pro matte black plastic which would suit this palette better. I don't adore the packaging, however the price of the palette speaks for itself. Ingredient list is printed on the back.
What's inside?
KvD - Palette hosts 12 eyeshadow pans. 3 large ones at the top are weighted at 2.3g each and the rest at 1.1g each. Three shades at the top are a superb idea with super light beige (setting shade) and two transition shades being probably the most used in any palette. All shades are matte. Kat's products aren't tested on animals and are completely vegan.
MUR - Palette hosts 12 eyeshadow pans with the exact same layout as KvD. Pans are smaller than in the original but not by much, MUR doesn't display the exact weight for each pan. New formula is now talc free and all the shades are of matte and semi-matte finish. I like to call it MUR matte finish. All MUR products aren't tested on animals. It comes with a double ended brush. Whilst I don't rate the blending side at all, I love the flat side for packing up pigments/foil shadows so I always keep them.
Formula:
KvD - all shades are very pigmented and quite soft. Not all are super buttery but it doesn't affect pigmentation. They blend lovely on the eye and last for up to 12 hours on a primer. I found they last better on Urban Decay Original Primer Potion than on MAC Paint Pot in Painterly. Some shades swatch 'chalky' however I didn't experienced much fall out. A little dusty in the pan perhaps. It is not the best formula out there, but I have to give it thumbs up, because it's pretty darn good.
MUR - most shades are nicely pigmented with the lightest shades being a little less than desired. All shades are soft to touch but I wouldn't call them buttery. I don't know if it's the talc free formula but most shades are quite dusty and fallout is to be experienced. Nothing I can't deal with, just putting it to there. I really like the pigmentation on most, they loose out a bit when blending and if I'm honest, KvD shades are easier to blend. I can't quite pinpoint why the formula doesn't appeal to me as much as in Chocolate series palettes, but maybe due to the lack of super buttery shimmers MUR normally surprises us with. I think the biggest difference is the lasting power as I feel like my mascara smudges on a lower lash line when I wear these eyeshadows and in general doesn't last as well
Composition:
Both palettes are really a trio of eyeshadow quads. So if you're not so greta at picking up the shades that work together - this composition should help you out. I like there are a great mixture of cool, neutral and warm shades in KvD palette. MUR's palette is lacking true cool tones in my opinion, as they are all sightly warmer in tone.
Shades:
Laetos (1) - light beige with yellow tones, great to set your primer with
Lazarus (2) - cool taupe, great for transition or even contour for those super pale like me
Ludwin (3) - light camel with orange tones, another transition shade or even to warm up the complexion
MUR 1 - light beige with yellow tones, slightly darker than KvD
MUR 2 - neutral taupe, looks slightly warmer than KvD
MUR 3 - light camel with more orange tones than KvD, definitely warmer
Samael (4) - neutral medium brown, great to deepen the crease
Solas (5) - neutral dark brown, another great eye contour shade
Lucius (6) - neutral light beige, great for highlighting the inner corners
MUR 4 - slightly warmer than KvD medium brown
MUR 5 - again warmer than KvD dark brown with some red tones
MUR 6 - neutral light beige, similar to KvD, maybe a half tone darker
Saleos (7) -medium dark muddy cool brown, great to deepen the crease
Shax (8) - true black
Liberatus (9) - lightest cool tone beige, nearly off white
MUR 7 - neutral dark muddy brown, slightly warmer than KvD
MUR 8 - black, slightly less intense than KvD
MUR 9 - neutral light beige, identical to MUR 6 shade
Succubus (10) - warm reddish medium brown
Sytry (11) - dark neutral brown with some warm tones
Latinus (12) - warm light to medium beige
MUR 10 - warm reddish brown, slightly darker than KvD
MUR 11 - dark neutral brown, slightly warmer than KvD
MUR 12 - medium beige, couple of tones darker than KvD
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| Top swatches - Kat Von D Bottom Swatches - Makeup Revolution |
*all swatches done in natural light, with a help of ring light, without a flash*
Overview:
Kat Von D Shade + Light Eye Contour Palette has become a cult product amongst beauty lovers and professionals alike. I can certainly see why. The shades are pigmented, apply smoothly and blend beautifully. If applied over a good primer, they last forever with the same intensity. Is it the best formula out there? Maybe. Matte eyeshadows are generally harder to get just right and this palette comes pretty close to the ideal. I was quite worried when I first swatched it back in Sephora in Spain, so I walked away. However now I see, I was wrong. Yes, the swatches leave a lot to imagination, but working with this palette is something else altogether. It is not the best palette in the world, but it's a great every day palette. If you're like me and prefer mattes due to your hooded eyes, I would highly recommend picking this palette up when you're in Debenhams next.
Makeup Revolution Ultra Eye Contour - Light and Shade is a great 'dupe' for Kat Von D palette. The new talc free formula means the shadows certainly apply smoother, despite the fact they feel less buttery. The pigmentation is great on most shades and they blend well together. The lasting power isn't as great as KvD and the packaging is less than optimal. These are two of the cons I found with this palette. However, if you're in the market for good quality matte eyeshadow palette and not looking forward to spending £36.00 on one, I would recommend giving it a go. Mattes are mostly semi mattes but honestly they're great to work with and photograph well.
Available HERE for £8.00
Thank You For Reading,
Love
