Kat Von D Lock-it Tattoo Foundation

I know this foundation isn't a new product or anything, but it was to me a few months ago when I first tried it out. I had heard really great things about the Kat Von D Lock-it Tattoo Foundation, and I am always looking for something to better manage my oil slick t-zone. 

I purchased mine at Sephora for $34. 

I was lucky enough to have guessed the right shade for my skin tone: Light 45, which is the shade seen in the photos. The large range of shades rather impressed me. Oftentimes, beauty companies release foundation lines and the color range is lacking. Kat Von D offers shades with beige, pink, yellow and mixed undertones. 

A cool thing that you'll notice about the uber cool packaging is the pump on top of the bottle. I use about two small pumps on my face. I like that the pump allows for more control of how much product is released. The screw-off lids where you just dump the shade onto the back of your hand can sometimes leak out too much product and the rim around the bottle can get rather messy.

You can see how tiny the pump is, so it's very controllable and neat. The bottle also comes with a little plastic covering to go over the pump, so you can keep the product from drying out and getting crusty. I'm sure many people throw that out, but I've kept it on mine because I tend to have OCD about certain things. 

The product boasts: 

• 24-hour wear 
• transfer resistance
• a matte, soft finish
• perfectly smooth, hydrated skin
• and bold full coverage

The reality is that while this is a very good foundation, there is just no way that any foundation is going to live up to every one of those expectations. 

The foundation itself is very full coverage. It's the type that you don't want to use too much of for fear of the dreaded Cake Face. And since the pigmentation is exceptional, one simply has to use it responsibly. 

I do not believe that any foundation is going to look as if it has just been freshly applied after a 24-hour period. I found that with primer, proper setting powder and finishing spray, I was able to get through the work day before it started to look a little dull and splotched. I'm going to say that I could make it approximately 10-12 hours before I felt that the foundation would need completely redone. Even at 12 hours, though, I know it would definitely be splotchy by then. Someone with less oily, more normal skin might have better results than I did. But 10-12 hours is certainly pushing it for me. 

As for the transfer resistance it claims to have.. I have yet to find a face makeup that didn't rub off on my collar. I've merely gotten used to spraying stain remover on my collars before throwing them into my hamper. I can't speak for everyone, but that is just my personal experience. 

The finish is very mattifying for the first little bit, but if you're like me and struggle from chronic oiliness, then you'll probably still be touching up or whipping out your blotting papers. At this point, if I go out and only take my wallet, I stuff a small packet of blotting papers into my wallet for the ride. 

As most matte formula foundations are a bit more dry, this one does not seem to be overly hydrating, but isn't drying either. It's simply a nice medium. My skin feels velvety and matte at the same time (upon first applying), so I do believe that with the initial application you do get a nice sense of hydration and a matte finish. However, as time goes on, I do have to touch up the makeup as per usual with all other foundations I've used, and my skin does not feel any more hydrated over time. 

Kat Von D did a great job at providing us with a blendable formula. The foundation is very easy to smooth out. I've found that by using a Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge or a Beauty Blender (either one) that has been dampened, you can thin the formula out to a medium coverage. My skin these days is clear 98% of the time, so aside from some facial redness, I don't have much to cover. So with my skin type, medium coverage is great.

If you want the utmost full coverage with this foundation, I suggest using a dense foundation brush to buff and smooth the foundation into skin. You could also stipple the foundation with an appropriate stippling brush. By stippling it, you are able to control how heavy or light of a coverage you prefer. 

Left: MAC Studio Fluid Fix Right: Kat Von D

Left: MAC Studio Fluid Fix Right: Kat Von D

To give you a color comparison from another brand, I have swatched my MAC Studio Fluid Fix in NC15 beside of the Kat Von D Lock-it in Light 45. You can see that the shades are nearly identical. My skins is a bit darker at the moment thanks to the sun's natural rays, but both are perfect matches for my winter skin. 

In comparing these two foundations, you can see that both are similar in formula as well. They're thick and creamy, but both good for oilier complexions. 

I am going to give this foundation an A-. I do love the foundation, but I knocked a bit off my score because the foundation doesn't do everything the company proclaims it does. But there is nothing largely wrong with the product, overall. I will definitely be repurchasing it. Still yet, I will be on the lookout for the one miracle product that is transfer resistant, stays glued to my skin for 24-hours and keeps me completely matte all day long. Until then, this foundation will be a decent substitute. 

If I left out anything, please let me know. Feel free to ask any questions or give me any feedback on your own experiences with this product. 

xx