February 17, 2015

Kat Von D Shade + Light Contour Palette Review & Swatches

This was provided to me by a brand for review and I receive a small commission if you shop using the links in this post but all opinions are my own.

Kat Von D Shade Light Contour Palette20

The new Kat Von D Shade & Light Contour Palette ($46) was one of the first contouring palettes that launched earlier this Spring. In keeping with easy to do yourself Spring Contouring Trend this palette not only contains six shades contouring and highlighting shades but also a step by step guide to ease your way into contouring if you aren’t yet an expert.

Take a look!

Kat Von D Shade + Light Contour Palette15

The Kat Von D Shade + Light Contour Palette comes housed in a sturdy cardboard case with a generously sized mirror and a decorated graffiti cover. Possibly the nicest thing about Kat’s makeup line is the attention they put into the packaging as much of the art work is done by Kat herself.

Kat Von D Shade + Light Contour Palette

Kat Von D Shade + Light Contour Palette1

Kat Von D Shade + Light Contour Palette13

Inside the palette you’ll find generously sized powders and highlighters that weight in at 0.16 oz in size.

Shades include:

  • 3 x 0.16 oz Shade powder in Sombre (true taupe), Shadowplay (soft brown), Subconscious (deep brown)
  • 3 x 0.08 oz Light powder in Lucid (pinkish nude), Lyric (yellow beige), Levitation (soft peach)
  • Step-by Step Guide

Kat Von D Shade + Light Contour Palette3

Kat Von D Shade + Light Contour Palette4

Kat Von D Shade + Light Contour Palette swatches

Kat Von D Shade Light Contour Palette swatches

The palette is interesting and at a glance you never feel overwhelmed by it. I’m no contouring genius but the shades are very easy to identify with and instantly you’ll relate to them and understand where they should be placed on your face for best play on light and shadow. I wasn’t so sure about the semi-matte finish for the highlighting shades in all honesty as I’m one of those people that feels like you need some shimmer to downplay the duller matte of the contouring shades but with a little practice these shades actually play off the darker contouring shades very well.

The palette does run quite warm, I wish some of the shades were a hint cooler overall as they would best fit my skin tone but all in all this is an excellent selection of shades to sculpt, contour, and highlight with. The texture of the powders run very silky, they are a bit powdery but it’s nothing that doesn’t blend well! Possibly the nicest thing about the shades is how easy they are to either build up or sheer out with a little pressure applied to your brush. They just seem to have a knack for applying very smoothly on skin and looking seamless.

Inside the box along with your new contouring compact you’ll find an instruction guide. The guide gives you tips on which shades to use to slim your nose, define your cheeks, slim your face, and more…! They tell you exactly the spots you want apply shades and where to blend them using a facial diagram. So even folks like me, who aren’t really great at contouring, can figure out the best placement and application techniques.

Kat Von D Shade + Light Contour Palette9

Kat Von D Shade + Light Contour Palette8

The thing I liked most about the palette, which I mentioned above, was how well the highlighter shades played off the darker colors. As I said I typically thing a shimmer highlighter bounces off a darker matte contouring shade best but these semi-matte shades seem to have a real knack for adding very pretty light on your face and contrast well with the tans and darker bronzes of the palette!

When I originally posted about this palette a few people had mentioned how the shades would work great as shadow. And you’d be right! Not only can you contour with this but nothing is stopping you from creating some very pretty nude, natural looks on eyes. Colors apply well on lids and add depth and light to eyes! I do recommend a good primer worn under them as the thinner, silkier textured powder tends to adhere best to lids when a solid primer is worn under them.

All in all the Kat Von D Shade + Light Contour Palette is the perfect way to embrace contouring with very little no how. You can easily learn to shape your face with these shades and there’s very little room for mistakes. Heck if I can do it anyone can! 🙂

The Kat Von D Shade + Light Contour Palette is available now at Sephora and Sephora.com.

musings_approved

This was provided to me by a brand for review and I receive a small commission if you shop using the links in this post but all opinions are my own.

About the Muse

Isabella MuseIsabella is just an average everyday geeky girl who doesn’t blend her eyeshadow correctly, wears too much blush, and hopes she never finds her holy grail products because she likes the thrill of the chase so much. Her mission is to bring you super honest reviews on makeup, skincare, fragrance and all things beauty. She’s in no way an expert on the topic and she sure as hell isn’t a super model. But she’s passionate about makeup and is seeking like-minded individuals that like pina coladas, getting caught in the rain, and ones that enjoy spending hundreds of dollars at Sephora without feeling buyer’s remorse. If you’re that person feel free to reach out and leave a comment or follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Bloglovin‘.

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Comments

  • Icequeen81

    Love it for me is more and neutral blush and eyeshadow kit I am not into counturing

  • Sydni

    I love that the highlighters are smaller. With so many of the contouring kits you get a ton of highlighting colors and they are huge. I don’t know about most people, but I use way more contouring product than I do highlighting. A little highlight goes a long way, especially if it’s very shimmery.

  • Cosmetics Aficionado

    I really want to get my hands on this. I don’t have a full on contour kit, and kind of want something all in one.

  • Coral

    Out of curiosity muse, what brushes do you use to contour?
    I am trying to get new brushes for makeup as I have been kinda of a finger and sponge girl so far
    Thanks

  • Lejla

    Hi Muse!
    I love this palette just got it recently and your review is spot on! I’m very fair and I can’t use the darkest shade but I can use it as a shadow! Its beautiful <3 I also swatched both the Anastasia Beverly hills contour palette and this one and the ABH one wasn't as pigmented and the amount seemed smaller in the pans! Anyway I decided to get the Kat Von D and i definitely wasn't disappointed!!

    Love your blog tons! I follow your reviews every single day!

    xoxo Lejla

    • Isabella Muse

      hiya leija first off thanks for following me <3! I'm sog glad you like this palette. I def loved it. Was very easy to use and the colors are just right enough to multitask as shadows. I'm so glad you liked it!!!!!

  • Genevieve

    I am really pleased to hear that it works for fair complexions as I am considering purchasing this palette. I really like the colours and I am new to contouring as well. Thanks for the review Isabella – it makes it easier for all of us to decide what to purchase.

  • Jeanine McAuliffe

    So for a pale skinned girl like me you think this would work?!!? I know your a bit pale but you have that beautiful, porcelain skin were I do NOT!! Have alot of redness on my face!! I would really LOVE you to do a review on the KEVYN AUCOIN The Contour Book The Art of Sculpting + Defining…It seems much darker than this !!!! Look great as usual!!!

  • Kimberly

    Catching up on months of past blog posts have led me to numerous great Muse approved products I’m ordering asap like this- I’ve seen a couple of reviews but this one pushed me over to buying. Having the CoverFX contour kit and smashbox contour pencils already waiting for me to try, I still can’t help but order this wanting to try a powder one. This def soundsovy and wouldn’t have thought to use as eyehsadow so Thx for that tip! Have enjoyed all the fab reviews as I play catch up as I further prove why i am a VIB Rouge many times over 🙂 Thx again for all the great swatches pics and blog posts!

    • Isabella Muse

      haha kimberly 🙂 hope you found some staples to enjoy 😀 my pleasure my dear! my pleasure thank you for the lovely comment!

  • Jopie

    Hi! This palette looks awesome. I really want to buy it! Been looking for a good and versatile contour palette for ages now.
    However, I only want to buy vegan makeup. Can you check the ingredients for me on the case? They aren’t on the Sephora site! 🙁