Kat Von D Powder Foundation

My perfect powder- both in coverage and color match. Light 45...beautiful if you have a warm/yellow undertone.

My perfect powder- both in coverage and color match. Light 45...beautiful if you have a warm/yellow undertone.

Overview

If I could only have one makeup product, this would be it. This offers coverage to the max. When I can't be bothered to take the time to put on a liquid foundation, I can cover imperfections and get a full-coverage look in about 30 seconds. Few powders can stand up to the coverage of the Lock-It powder. To get the same coverage using another powder, I would first need foundation and concealer..which are essential steps to some-but this powder can almost take you to that level of coverage, all by itself. 

Application & Formula

Because this offers intense coverage and could get cakey if you really pack it on with a dense brush, I recommend a big fluffy powder brush. I will use this as a setting powder atop foundation for flawless skin, and to me, it's still not too heavy. The key is the brush you use and not over-applying it. That's the thing: if you do invest in a full coverage powder you really love, it will last you a good while, and you can always amp up the coverage of your lighter, more natural foundations. It also gives you the option of simply wearing it on its own when you want to keep it simple. There are those days when you don't have time for a liquid foundation, or maybe you just want to give your skin a break from liquid foundations. In those instances, I use this alone and still get great coverage. 

From left to right, Light 45, Light 46 and Light 49. The fair, yellow undertone in shades Light 45 and Light 49 work best for me; Light 46 is a bit too peachy. In person, Light 49 almost looks lighter than Light 46, so it's the undertone that becomeā€¦

From left to right, Light 45, Light 46 and Light 49. The fair, yellow undertone in shades Light 45 and Light 49 work best for me; Light 46 is a bit too peachy. In person, Light 49 almost looks lighter than Light 46, so it's the undertone that becomes the key factor. Swatch these in person before purchasing.

Shade Range

This powder is always in my purse, and as shown above, I have a few shades for different times of the year. The shade variations also come in handy when I want to use a lighter shade on the center of my face and a few shades darker on the outer perimeter, for natural dimension. There are 18 available shades. I'm currently using shade Light 45, the third lightest in the range. For reference, I have a yellow undertone and am about a Mac NC20. I would recommend color matching at Sephora before buying, because there is a wide range of shades with different undertones, and one shade up or down can look very different on the skin. 

For reference, from left to right, are shades Light 45 and Light 46.

For reference, from left to right, are shades Light 45 and Light 46.

Purchase This If...

You want complete coverage in a powder or need to amp up the coverage of your foundations. I have tried a handful of different powder foundations before, and after using them up, I honestly just want to repurchase this powder. It's just so good. And if you don't want it to look heavy and be too full coverage, you can apply the lightest layer and this powder will last you forever. When I do wear this on top of foundation, with just one touch-up midday, the coverage is still decent at the end of the day. If I apply my holy grail setting powder after this powder, no touch-up is needed.

Cover FX Oil Free Foundation

cover fx foundation glow.jpg

Overview

If you've heard about this foundation, it's probably because Jaclyn Hill sung its praises in a recent video. This has become my everyday foundation, ideal for work, when I need a low maintenance, yet decent coverage, base.  There is a natural, dewy finish to the foundation, but nothing over-the-top. This foundation makes people comment on how good your skin looks, not how good your makeup or foundation looks. 

Wearing only the Cover FX Natural Finish Foundation. You can see the healthy, dewy, skin-like finish the foundation gives.

Wearing only the Cover FX Natural Finish Foundation. You can see the healthy, dewy, skin-like finish the foundation gives.

Formula & Application

I regard it as low maintenance because the light-weight formula blends easily into the skin, allowing me to apply it with my fingers. The formula feels like putting on a light BB cream or tinted moisturizer. I have somewhat sensitive skin, but this has not made me break-out at all, which I wasn't concerned about, as this foundation claims to be "oil free." Honestly, I think fingers blend the foundation best. I also own the Cover FX drops and actually love to mix them with this foundation when I want complete coverage. This natural finish, glowy foundation paired with the crazy coverage of the Cover FX drops is stunning. When using this foundation with Cover FX drops, I put a few dabs of the Natural Finish foundation on the outer perimeter of my face and a few drops of the Cover FX drops (in a lighter shade) on my T-zone areas and use a beauty blender to blend it all together. 

G40- swatched & blended out. Note the skin-like finish achieved by simply blending it in with the fingers. You can see how dark G40 looks on my skin- great shade if you have a more tan complexion with strong yellow undertones.

G40- swatched & blended out. Note the skin-like finish achieved by simply blending it in with the fingers. You can see how dark G40 looks on my skin- great shade if you have a more tan complexion with strong yellow undertones.

Shade Range

I'm currently using the shade G40, which is my super tan summer shade, but the color actually works, thanks to the light and blendable formula. I also have the Cover FX drops in the same shade, G40, but usually grab for the natural finish foundation, because application is effortless. My Sephora doesn't carry the full line of Cover FX's Natural Finish Foundation or the Cover FX drops; however, my local Sephora Inside JcPenney did. G20 is a perfect match for me; for reference, I'm a NC20 in MAC and wear shade Vanilla in the Hourglass stick foundation. 

Purchase this if...

 you want a everyday foundation to grab for when you're getting ready in a hurry and want your skin to look flawless, without trying or having to cake product on.  It works with barely-there, minimal makeup and can also be built up for a full face look. I would suggest going with a lighter shade, one that will be more universal for you throughout the year. This foundation will be a favorite for people who want medium, buildable coverage in a glowy, natural finish and can appreciate a lightweight foundation that can be applied with the fingers.