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Sneak Peek: Kat Von D Shade + Light Blush Duos Photos & Swatches

Kat Von D Shade + Light Blush Duos
Kat Von D Shade + Light Blush Duos

Kat Von D Shade + Light Blush Duo ($25.00 for 0.317 oz.) is a new, permanent formula that features a light and dark blush in the same compact. Full reviews will be coming very shortly, but I highly recommend trying in-store prior to purchasing, as these were a complete and utter disappointment from wear time to texture to blendability. I have nothing positive to say about these. Even the packaging quality is a disappointment, as the pans are loose (two of mine came out entirely with smears of glue on the back, but all seven pans wobble) and all of the compacts were covered in blush powder upon arrival, though none were broken.

See more photos & swatches!

Kat Von D Bonnie + Clyde Shade + Light Blush Duo
Kat Von D Bonnie + Clyde Shade + Light Blush Duo

Kat Von D Bonnie Shade + Light Blush
Kat Von D Bonnie Shade + Light Blush

Kat Von D Bonnie Shade + Light Blush
Kat Von D Bonnie Shade + Light Blush

Kat Von D Clyde Shade + Light Blush
Kat Von D Clyde Shade + Light Blush

Kat Von D Clyde Shade + Light Blush
Kat Von D Clyde Shade + Light Blush

Kat Von D Bonnie + Clyde Shade + Light Blush Duo (Mixed)
Kat Von D Bonnie + Clyde Shade + Light Blush Duo (Mixed)

Kat Von D Hansel + Gretel Shade + Light Blush Duo
Kat Von D Hansel + Gretel Shade + Light Blush Duo

Kat Von D Hansel Shade + Light Blush
Kat Von D Hansel Shade + Light Blush

Kat Von D Hansel Shade + Light Blush
Kat Von D Hansel Shade + Light Blush

Kat Von D Gretel Shade + Light Blush
Kat Von D Gretel Shade + Light Blush

Kat Von D Gretel Shade + Light Blush
Kat Von D Gretel Shade + Light Blush

Kat Von D Hansel + Gretel Shade + Light Blush Duo (Mixed)
Kat Von D Hansel + Gretel Shade + Light Blush Duo (Mixed)

Kat Von D Mickey + Mallory Shade + Light Blush Duo
Kat Von D Mickey + Mallory Shade + Light Blush Duo

Kat Von D Mickey Shade + Light Blush
Kat Von D Mickey Shade + Light Blush

Kat Von D Mickey Shade + Light Blush
Kat Von D Mickey Shade + Light Blush

Kat Von D Mallory Shade + Light Blush
Kat Von D Mallory Shade + Light Blush

Kat Von D Mallory Shade + Light Blush
Kat Von D Mallory Shade + Light Blush

Kat Von D Mickey + Mallory Shade + Light Blush Duo (Mixed)
Kat Von D Mickey + Mallory Shade + Light Blush Duo (Mixed)

Kat Von D Morticia + Gomez Shade + Light Blush Duo
Kat Von D Morticia + Gomez Shade + Light Blush Duo

Kat Von D Morticia Shade + Light Blush
Kat Von D Morticia Shade + Light Blush

Kat Von D Morticia Shade + Light Blush
Kat Von D Morticia Shade + Light Blush

Kat Von D Gomez Shade + Light Blush
Kat Von D Gomez Shade + Light Blush

Kat Von D Gomez Shade + Light Blush
Kat Von D Gomez Shade + Light Blush

Kat Von D Morticia + Gomez Shade + Light Blush Duo (Mixed)
Kat Von D Morticia + Gomez Shade + Light Blush Duo (Mixed)

Kat Von D Piaf + Poe Shade + Light Blush Duo
Kat Von D Piaf + Poe Shade + Light Blush Duo

Kat Von D Piaf Shade + Light Blush
Kat Von D Piaf Shade + Light Blush

Kat Von D Piaf Shade + Light Blush
Kat Von D Piaf Shade + Light Blush

Kat Von D Poe Shade + Light Blush
Kat Von D Poe Shade + Light Blush

Kat Von D Poe Shade + Light Blush
Kat Von D Poe Shade + Light Blush

Kat Von D Piaf + Poe Shade + Light Blush Duo (Mixed)
Kat Von D Piaf + Poe Shade + Light Blush Duo (Mixed)

Kat Von D Samson + Delilah Shade + Light Blush Duo
Kat Von D Samson + Delilah Shade + Light Blush Duo

Kat Von D Samson Shade + Light Blush
Kat Von D Samson Shade + Light Blush

Kat Von D Samson Shade + Light Blush
Kat Von D Samson Shade + Light Blush

Kat Von D Delilah Shade + Light Blush
Kat Von D Delilah Shade + Light Blush

Kat Von D Delilah Shade + Light Blush
Kat Von D Delilah Shade + Light Blush

Kat Von D Samson + Delilah Shade + Light Blush Duo (Mixed)
Kat Von D Samson + Delilah Shade + Light Blush Duo (Mixed)

Kat Von D Sid + Nancy Shade + Light Blush Duo
Kat Von D Sid + Nancy Shade + Light Blush Duo

Kat Von D Sid Shade + Light Blush
Kat Von D Sid Shade + Light Blush

Kat Von D Sid Shade + Light Blush
Kat Von D Sid Shade + Light Blush

Kat Von D Nancy Shade + Light Blush
Kat Von D Nancy Shade + Light Blush

Kat Von D Nancy Shade + Light Blush
Kat Von D Nancy Shade + Light Blush

Kat Von D Sid + Nancy Shade + Light Blush Duo (Mixed)
Kat Von D Sid + Nancy Shade + Light Blush Duo (Mixed)

132 Comments

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stevee Avatar

And this is why I wait for your reviews on almost everything… I was looking forward to this release sense Kat has been killing it Lately. These are a total miss for me. It looks like she got way to excited and released these way too soon like Marlena and her glitter pigments.

Christine Avatar

I’m really confused by the texture of these – the brand has been going in such a different direction re: texture of their powder products, and these are NOTHING like the texture of the contour palette (which are cheek/face products, so you’d think, oh same marketing Shade + Light = same texture, but nope!).

Mia Avatar

I imagine the formula had to be changed to accommodate the crisp shade split down the middle. This is disappointing as her now discontinued blushes were lovely 🙁

liz Avatar

I can see your point. I ordered Mickey & Mallory. I’m fair, and I couldn’t understand how these would work. I found them very soft and smooth, but it is a powdery type of finish. Most of all, I don’t understand how they work as a concept. The light is too light, doesn’t blend nor would I ever wear it, and then the contour color is just ok. It’s an incongruous mix to be sure. I’m very surprised, but if you think about it, her shadows are kind of similar. Thickly pigmented, smooth, but that heavier powder. But I am a fan of the Shade and Light eye shadows and almost all of her eye palettes, despite the fact that they are very powdery with fallout. This is no bueno.

Christine Avatar

They are a weird type of powder – reminds me of some of MAC’s bad powders, where they have a firmness to them and the powder will swirl on top of the surface but not really apply right. I am not sure what’s going on with these, but the Shade + Light formula in the contour and eye palettes is WAY WAY softer and silkier – powdery but not in a dry/chalky way 🙁

Anneloes Avatar

I need to get some of those! I’ve got another small question for you: Last year I’ve read somewhere that Kat von D was going to launch a refillable Shade & Light contour palette this year. Have you got any idea whether that’s true? I really want to get it but I’ve been waiting on that refillable one for so long (and if it’s not going to be released, it would be stupid to wait for nothing :P).

Christine Avatar

I don’t normally put first impressions (I’m usually wary of being like, “They seem good!” when there are wear tests to go), but I did test two of the duos in full prior to releasing the sneak peek, because swatches/application for photos was pretty bad. 🙁

Brandi Avatar

This has been the only time since I’ve started following you like a creepy cult member that I’ve bought something without your review first and have disagreed with you. I do agree that the swatches are awful. When I got mine in the mail and swatched them I was so upset and they looked so pathetic. I got Bonnie + Clyde and Sid + Nancy. But, when you apply them they are amazing, I think! They go on like butter and look so beautiful! Scouts honor! Honest engine!

Christine Avatar

I’m glad yours are working out for you, Brandi! I couldn’t get any of them to blend well on my skin. What’s your skin type or what did you apply them over/or with? I tried 10 different brushes to-date, bare skin (this is how I test) but also over powdered skin and over foundation (just to see).

Brandi Avatar

My skin tone is normal with warmish/ honey tones. Or as I’d like to call it, blah. I applied it over my foundation and powder. I used a Real Techniques expert face brush for a really dramatic cheek with Bonnie + Clyde. Then I used just an EcoTools blush brush for a normal look. I’ve been looking all over the place. And, it seems everyone is having issues with these!

Lorrin M Avatar

Holy patchiness Batman! I think the idea was good but I’m not sure how these got past quality control. At least my wallet is happy! Until they decide to reformulate of course 🙂

Nicole Avatar

OMG! What was she thinking?! You know. I think Kat is such a brilliant artist. But, not the best business woman. I would think she has a person in her entourage to advise on such decisions. I bet people have already started buying these up like mad..and returning. I hope she pulls them and reformulates.

Sabrina S Avatar

Yikes, these look terrible. I already read a few reviews on these and it appears that no one’s really happy with them. Come on KVD, the least you could do is make an effort. Oh, and the packaging looks like something you can get from the dollar store.

Rosie Avatar

What a bummer! I’ve been totally impressed with the brand as a whole recently, as I’ve branched out and tried a lot from their line, but disappointed to see this kind of quality come out. Oh, well, guess that’s just the way it goes: good batches and bad batches in every brand. I’ll be skipping out on these! As always, grateful for your honest reviews!

Valerie Avatar

That is too bad. Those swatches, they don’t look good. Even the shades I was really excited for (Morticia & Gomez, Piaf & Poe) look disappointing. And the packaging sounds like a mess! I will be skipping over these for sure. Thanks for the honest review! Glad I picked up her everlasting blush instead.

Kathleen Avatar

I really love Kat Von D products, especially the metal crush shadows. I love her old blush formula. I’m so happy I purchased them before they were discontinued. Sorry to hear these new blushes are such a disappointment. As always, thanks for your honest opinion.

Mary Avatar

What a shame, these had the potential to be really nice but I was waiting for your reviews first and I’m so glad I did because I’ll for sure be skipping these now. Thanks for the sneak peaks and reviews, I totally depend on your opinion and testing of products before I even think of spending money on them!

warrens Avatar

I ordered Morticia & Gomez on the name alone, and honestly I LOVE it. Your review completely confuses me, because I ALWAYS agree with your reviews. Either I got the one good blush out of the whole batch…or I just don’t know what good blush is. Both colours apply evenly on me separately and together. They arrived in perfect condition and the pan isn’t loose at all. I get 10-12 hours of wear time out of this blush. I’m just so confused…

Christine Avatar

I’m sure you know what a good blush is, Warrens! Maybe they are really inconsistent batches? I don’t know. All seven were bad for me, though, with some of the lighter shades (in each) being less problematic but all the dark shades were hard to use (not just swatching, applying onto the face as well, which is usually where things can improve). I bought mine directly from Sephora online; they’re not press samples or anything – pbought them the day they launched online!

Samantha Avatar

So bizarre. That kind of inconsistency is just not alright. I’ll just be happy that mine is working for me and not bother investing in any other shades. Thanks for all the awesome work you do, and for replying to so many comments!

Katherine T. Avatar

OMG, these look horrible!! Can’t believe these are permanent either, wonder if there was a production/QC issue? If so, hope she fixes soon. I’m still not too crazy about some of the names here, but I know a lot of people were looking forward to these

Carrie Avatar

I’m so disappointed 🙁 Maybe Piaf and Poe? That’s the only one of the ones I liked that looks remotely decent but still, these swatches look awful.

Jessy Avatar

I was hoping these would be comparable to her other blushes, which are powdery and have some fall out, but they’re pigmented (at least the ones I’ve tried). I don’t understand the color pairings at all. But I think what disappoints me the most is the lack of design on these, all of her other products seem to be well thought out as far as the packaging, with her being an artist I would expect more than this. It makes me sad, I’m a big fan of her brand, I hope they come up with something better next time :/

Rachel Avatar

I was *this close* to buying these on Friday but I was online shopping and I thought no I better swatch these first, I’ll wait. Good thing I did!

Claire L Avatar

I predict F’s right across the whole cheek duo range! Another massive cosmetic FAIL for a company. Last one was Makeup Geek for their glitter powders!

Michele @Binxcat4ever Avatar

I actually commented on your Blush Review Post but wanted to quickly comment here. My experience with these is completely different than yours. The shades look completely different on me and worked beautifully. My pans came in perfect condition as well. Sorry they seemed like a completely different product to each of us.

Michele @Binxcat4ever Avatar

As I’m looking at your reviews, I’m really thinking the difference may have been my choice in foundation. I do also agree with you though, that the case does look and feel cheap for the cost. I care more about how a product works though so I’m going with the old saying – more for me! (Hoping they go on clearance and I can snatch up backups.)

KJH Avatar

At least in my geo area, these were first released at the Sephora JCP stores and not at the big Sephoras. The customer reviews were like yours, drop dead horrid. At least, if we like one badly applying shade, we can look for your dupes. At least they swatched poorly. Really hate it when the swatch is adequate and the app is rotten. I guess a lot of customers actually don’t read reviews, so might just grab ’em up. Think that accounts for some of the sales on subpar products.

Rachel Avatar

Yikes! Maybe this came from a bad batch…I actually ordered and received the Morticia+ Gomez shade and have no complaints about the blusher. I was a fan of the previous KVD blushes and disappointed to see them discontinued, so I blindly (without swatching I mean lol) ordered the deepest shade. I’m of warm deep complexion for reference. Although the packaging is a bit loose, both shades swatch well and went on without patchiness. I used a MJ blush brush and am wearing over ysl bb cream. I’ve worn the blush for about 5 hours, so don’t know how long it’s lasts. I’m pleased and this shade is a keeper for me.

Rachel Avatar

This may be a hit or miss for some no matter what. Hopefully the brand will address the packaging issues, at minimum. Thanks so much for all of your reviews! I really appreciate how much work you put into the blog!

Aamina Avatar

Thanks for the swatches Christine! Is it bad that I’m relieved that these performed badly?! Another item to cross off the need *ahem* want list! These truly look awful.

Lilac Avatar

I am glad about the matte finishes, there are so many shimmery blushes out there and matte products are harder to find, especially in all these variations of rose and pink. I was hoping these might be a bit like the old formula MUFE-blushes (those in the very thin pans with the sliver of a window), because the mattes I had from these applied like a dream, basically like matte fairy dust, and never turned shiny.

I like the colors and the concept, but I guess I have to hope and wait that they will be improved this year.

jaz Avatar

I was hoping this would be closer to her single shadows (the metal crush shadows) but a bit firmer so they travelled better. Alas, my hopes were dashed. Welp. She was bound to have a fail at some point.

Alexa Avatar

Oooof. I feel like so many companies lately are just rushing to release products and the quality just isn’t there. Disappointing since these looked cool.

Sandra JT Avatar

Dear mother of zombie jeezuz…..WTF were they thinking releasing these abominations *as-is*?!? Nobody sitting around testing these happened to say ‘guys, these are complete & utter shite, don’t do it!’

I was going to order a bunch of these based on the last Kat Von D blushes I purchased, which were AMAZING I must say, but as usual I forgot the Golden Rule of the cosmetics conglomerates: suck the mental midgets in one season & spit them out the next. Many people don’t return their purchases so even with everyone hating these blushes, they’ll still make some decent cash from us idiots. Unfortunate….but true.

I was wondering when Kat Von D was going to go to shampoos*t,

Laura_Lou Avatar

I was so looking forward to these! Id had my eye on Piaf/Poe and Mallory/Mickey when I say them on online. I’m so disappointed! They look so chalky, patchy and unblendable. I’ve loved all the other Kat Von D products I’ve managed to get, especially her Shade and Light contour palette and I had such high hopes for these. Thanks for your honest review Christine, you’ve saved me some money!!

Erin_Erin Avatar

This whole thing is such a mess. I wear Kat ‘errythang and I bough Hansel + Gretel. Wobbly pans that became unglued after two uses. Colors are pretty on but barely visible. It’s cute invisibility lol. So disappointed.

Jax Avatar

And this is why i come to your site. I was gonna go pick up a few of these and now i will pass. I really liked the old blushes she had they had good performance and color pay off but these. Blech! I’ll stick with NARS and Hourglass…..

Mercedes Avatar

I love these blushes. I wanted to buy more colors but I can’t find them anywhere. Is she coming up with a new blush palette?

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