Kat Von D Plum Shade + Light Quad Review, Photos, Swatches
Kat Von D Plum Shadow + Light Quad
Kat Von D Plum Shadow + Light Quad ($26.00 for 0.21 oz.) contains four shades designed to work together and are named to help guide application–Base, Define, Contour, and Highlight–though you can obviously go wherever your creativity takes you. The Shade + Light Eyeshadow formula is supposed to have “high pigment” with a “silky and blendable” consistency and long-wearing. I think if you enjoyed Kat Von D’s recent eyeshadow palettes, I think you’ll like these; they are very soft and smooth with a finely-milled, velvety texture that can kick up an excess amount of powder any time something touches the pan’s surface. I notice an abundance of fall out (surprisingly!) when working with the eyeshadows, but a very smooth base is critical to maximize adhesion to the skin without getting unevenness/darkening due to the looser nature of the powder paired with the more matte finishes. The lighter shades seem chalky on my skin tone and have strong white bases. The darkest shades blend better when mixed with one of the lighter shades rather than alone, and I actually tried blending them over primer to see if that helped, but it was marginally better–patience and multiple tools (clean brushes are key for blending these out), while the light and mid-tone shades were easy to blend out. The wear varied between seven and a half and eight hours for me, which is consistent with my past experiences using this formula.
I have seen some mention that the larger Shade + Light palette is a better buy due to price/size, though it seems like it should come down to which one presents the better color combination/most usable amount of shades. The quads cost $123.81/oz., while the larger palette costs $76.67/oz. — it is pretty common for a quad to cost more (per ounce) compared to a much larger palette, and the pricing doesn’t seem really off the mark to me. The quads are housed in a thicker, plastic component, whereas the larger palette is a slimmer, cardboard-based product.
Plum (Base) is a light-medium, rosy pink with warm undertones and a matte finish. It had good color payoff with a soft, lightly powdery texture that was very smooth and blendable. It wore well for eight hours on me. ColourPop Rose Ave (PiP, $4.50) is darker (95% similar). bareMinerals Beautiful (LE, ) is cooler (95% similar). MAC Missing My Baby (LE, $17.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar). ColourPop Kickstart (PiP, $4.50) is darker, cooler (90% similar). Natasha Denona Belle (466CM) (PiP, ) is cooler (90% similar). ColourPop Dreamboat (LE, $4.50) is darker (90% similar). ColourPop Entrance (LE, $4.50) is darker, cooler (90% similar). ColourPop Come Thru (LE, $4.50) is more shimmery (90% similar). Sydney Grace Laughter (P, $5.25) is lighter (90% similar). BH Cosmetics Carli Bybel Deluxe Edition #8 (LE, ) is darker (90% similar). Too Faced Pink Suede (PiP, $16.00) is darker (90% similar). Hourglass Monochrome #3 (PiP, ) is lighter, warmer (90% similar). Inglot #341 (P, $6.00) is warmer (90% similar). ColourPop Pillow Fight (PiP, $4.50) is lighter, cooler (90% similar). Viseart Cupidon (LE, ) is lighter (90% similar). Chanel Rose de Mai (P, $29.50) is lighter (90% similar). MAC You're Bluffing (LE, $17.00) is lighter (85% similar). Sydney Grace Faithful (P, $5.25) is darker, cooler (85% similar). Urban Decay Backtalk (LE, $19.00) is brighter (85% similar). Huda Beauty Secret (PiP, ) is darker, warmer (85% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.
Plum (Define) is a dark plum with soft, warmer undertones and a matte finish. It had mostly opaque pigmentation with a fairly soft, smooth texture that kicked up some excess in the pan but didn’t seem to have real fall out during application. The color could have been easier to work with, though, as it was harder to blend it on on its own. It was doable when using some of the other lighter shades in the palette to layer and soften the edges, and this was true even over primer. MAC Snappy Style (LE, $17.00) is cooler (95% similar). Melt Cosmetics Last Caress (PiP, ) is darker (95% similar). Smashbox Editor (PiP, ) is more muted (95% similar). Tarte Still Life (LE, ) is darker, cooler (90% similar). Linda Hallberg Cosmetics Occult (PiP, ) is less shimmery, darker, brighter (90% similar). LORAC Plum (PiP, $19.00) is cooler (95% similar). ColourPop Razy (LE, $4.50) is darker, warmer (90% similar). LORAC Black Currant (PiP, $19.00) is lighter (90% similar). Ciate Day Dream (LE, ) is darker (90% similar). ColourPop Two Much (P, $4.50) is brighter, warmer (90% similar). Make Up For Ever M928 Eggplant (P, $17.00) is lighter, brighter (90% similar). ColourPop Marquee (PiP, $4.50) is darker, warmer (90% similar). Urban Decay Lethal (PiP, $19.00) is darker, brighter (90% similar). Tarte Mancat (LE, ) is warmer (90% similar). ColourPop Top Tier (PiP, $4.50) is lighter, warmer (90% similar). Clarins Rosewood #4 (PiP, ) is cooler (90% similar). Huda Beauty Chocolate Brown #9 (PiP, ) is darker (85% similar). Tarte Power Plum (LE, ) is darker, cooler (85% similar). Melt Cosmetics Charro (LE, ) is warmer (85% similar). Tarte Getty Up & Go (LE, ) is lighter, brighter, cooler (85% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.
Plum (Contour) is a muted, medium-dark smoky plum with subtle, warm undertones and a matte finish. It had semi-opaque pigmentation with a soft, smooth, and blendable texture that ran powdery–it was the “loosest” in the palette, so it sheered out easily. The color still lasted for eight hours before fading. Viseart Titania (LE, ) is lighter, warmer (95% similar). bareMinerals Flash (LE, ) is warmer (95% similar). Too Faced Mulberry (LE, $16.00) is warmer (90% similar). Tarte Misty Mauve (LE, ) is lighter, warmer (90% similar). Laura Mercier Plum Smoke (PiP, $23.00) is lighter (90% similar). Fenty Beauty Wife It Up (PiP, ) is lighter, warmer (90% similar). Inglot #358 (P, $6.00) is darker, warmer (90% similar). Ciate Pony (LE, ) is lighter (90% similar). Benefit Rain Check (P, $20.00) is darker (90% similar). Too Faced Dreams (LE, $16.00) is lighter (90% similar). Anastasia Buon Fresco (P, $12.00) is lighter (90% similar). Too Faced Rendezvous (LE, $16.00) is lighter (85% similar). Too Faced Be You (LE, $16.00) is lighter, warmer (85% similar). Makeup Geek Vintage (DC, $6.00) is darker, warmer (85% similar). LORAC Wisteria (LE, $19.00) is warmer (85% similar). Tarte Best Friend (LE, ) is darker, warmer (85% similar). Too Faced Blackberry (LE, $16.00) is darker, warmer (80% similar). Coloured Raine Purpleberry (LE, $6.99) is lighter, warmer (80% similar). LORAC Violet Gray (LE, $19.00) is darker, warmer (80% similar). MAC Stormy Pink (DC, $23.00) is lighter, cooler (80% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.
Plum (Highlight) is a very light, pinky-lavender with cool undertones and a mostly matte finish. It had good pigmentation, though the texture was rather powdery and tended to drop a lot of excess product when applied. I was using it as a brow bone highlighter, and even after tapping prior to applying, there was still enough that required me to have to reapply/blend out colors on my lid. The color lasted for seven and a half hours before fading. Anastasia Baby Cakes (P, $12.00) is warmer (95% similar). Sephora Ballet (LE, ) is lighter (95% similar). bareMinerals Velvet Lavender (LE, $14.00) is cooler (95% similar). LORAC Bonfire (LE, $19.00) is darker (95% similar). ColourPop Butterscotch (LE, $4.50) is brighter (95% similar). MAC Flounce (PiP, $17.00) is darker (95% similar). LORAC Jelly Donut (LE, $19.00) is lighter, brighter (95% similar). KVD Beauty Baptism (LE, ) is warmer (95% similar). Too Faced Candy Cane (LE, $16.00) is lighter, brighter (95% similar). NYX Birthday Suit (P, $4.50) is lighter (90% similar). Too Faced Kitten (LE, $16.00) is warmer (90% similar). Marc Jacobs Beauty With Style (PiP, ) is darker, warmer (90% similar). Stila Pale Pink (LE, $18.00) is more muted, warmer (90% similar). ColourPop Celeb (LE, $4.50) is brighter (90% similar). MAC Tomillo (LE, $17.00) is less shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar). Sephora + Pantone Universe Rose Quartz (LE, ) is warmer (90% similar). Marc Jacobs Beauty The Lover #1 (LE, ) is brighter (90% similar). L'Oreal Mademoiselle Pink (P, $5.99) is brighter (90% similar). Dior Celeste (121) (LE, $30.00) is warmer (90% similar). ColourPop Pearly (PiP, $4.50) is warmer (90% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.
Plum
PPermanent. $26.00.
Plum (Base)
PiPPermanent in Palette.
Plum (Define)
PiPPermanent in Palette.
Plum (Contour)
PiPPermanent in Palette.
Plum (Highlight)
PiPPermanent in Palette.
Kat Von D Plum Shadow + Light Quad
Kat Von D Plum Shadow + Light Quad
Kat Von D Plum Shadow + Light Quad
Kat Von D Plum Shadow + Light Quad
Kat Von D Plum Shadow + Light Quad
Kat Von D Plum (Base) Eyeshadow
Kat Von D Plum (Base) Eyeshadow
Kat Von D Plum (Define) Eyeshadow
Kat Von D Plum (Define) Eyeshadow
Kat Von D Plum (Contour) Eyeshadow
Kat Von D Plum (Contour) Eyeshadow
Kat Von D Plum (Highlight) Eyeshadow
Kat Von D Plum (Highlight) Eyeshadow
Kat Von D Plum Shadow + Light Quad (with ColourPop Descando Eyeliner)
Kat Von D Plum Shadow + Light Quad
My Sephora discount card is burning a hole in my wallet, and this has been on my list for a few weeks… The weekend can’t come soon enough!
Enjoy!
Hahahaha I hear you~
This is really pretty. I think it is dupable though. So, I could see these going one way or the other. Christine by a ” smooth base” ,do you mean something like NARS pro prime or something like a paint pot? What did you use in your eye look?
More like a Paint Pot! I did not use primer in the look – if I use primer, that would be disclosed for sure 🙂
Ok, got it. Thanks! 🙂
I bought 2 of these on a whim. I am returning them. I’m kind of bummed at the way the shades look blended together. They are so messy with the kick up from the pan. Just not impressed.
Oh no! Sorry to hear you didn’t have good luck with these. Happy you are able to return, Heidi!
I am *really* trying hard to talk myself out of getting this quad, but I love shades like these to accentuate my mostly green eyes. And this makes for a lovely smoky plum eye!
However, I did just buy MAC Blackberry and Haux. Already have some light pinky lavender in MAC Vapour, with Girlie on my list, so Idk whether this is different enough?
Oh, I forgot; Fig1, too!
Great MAC choices, my friend in green eyed purpleplumness 😀
You could easily skip, I think!
This is really pretty, but I feel like it’s a lot of money for what it is, and I have these colors elsewhere…
The colors are more basic, I think, if you already have a good-sized stash of mattes!
Hmmm, this was the quad I was most interested in, but IDK…the only shade I like is the Dark Plum (Define), but not enough to pay $26 for it. All of the other shades either exist in my stash or aren’t that flattering on me. My favorite mattes are from Colour Pop, so I’ll wait and see if CP issues a similar color in future.
One out of four definitely makes it an easy skip!
I really like this palette and I don’t have any eyeshadow palettes from Kat Von D. I think that’s what I am going to use my Sephora 10% off on!
Awesome, Agata!
Omg… Plum (Contour) Texture was 123%????? was it that good??? or is it a typo??
Sorry, it’s a typo – just an idiot over here! Fixed it now.
Hey your Plum contour shade has a number entered incorrectly. It’s showing up with 123% and an A+
It should be fixed now! Sorry!
Is the texture stat for Plum Contour correct? It’s stated as being 25.5 instead of being out of 10, so the overall mark is 123%??
I love this but it’s very matt and with my eyelids being more creased than they used to be, it might show up those more ?.
I fixed it, sorry about that again!
I’ve changed my mind on this. I have dupes of all the shades, and the texture sounds annoying.
It’s very smooth and soft — overall pretty similar to her normal line, but it has a learning curve.
I’ll have to swatch these in-store. I can deal with fallout, but Kat Von D’s sometimes are too excessive for me. I haven’t tried the Shade & Light Formula yet, so maybe I’ll end up flip-flopping again. *shrugs*
These don’t sound great to work with
The darker shade takes some work!
For matte and purple lovers, this would be a godsend. Very pretty colours and they look beautiful on you Christine.
Thank you, Genevieve!
I really like this quad, but not overly fond of the base shadow. I honestly think it makes the quad too mucky.. It’s too close in temperature and tone..or something Not saying I wouldn’t use the shadow, but would pair it up with something else. Still, I thinks I will probably grab this with the rouge discount.
I can definitely see these working well as a complement to an existing stash!
Too bad the base shade is pink, I love plums but I rarely, if ever, wear pinks. Had it been a mauve or beige that little palette would have been very appealing to me!
They layer well, so if you actually used it all over the lid first, it would be a nice canvas for the rest at least!
exactly!
I think the base is a bit peachy for the other three shades, but I do appreciate the fact that the pan is larger. One of my favorite d/c’ed palettes is a plummy one by WnW…the shade closest to the base of this one has been used up the most by far, compared to the others.
That dark plum really makes this palette, beautiful shade!
I love the shades and I don’t have any of the dupes. But I wait for more quality in this price range.
Fingers crossed one of the others is more impressive for you!
Christine.. from the Kat Von D palettes which one you recommend?
I haven’t tried all the quads yet – this is the only one I’ve reviewed!
I thought I’d absolutely love this quad, but now I’m not sure. I like to have a little sheen on my lids, satin, shimmer and the likes. I think what this might be useful for, for me, would be as crease colours, and I have a lot of those. I’ll probably swatch in store and see what I think.
I do look forward to the reviews of the other quads.
I really like the look of this. I normally don’t like matte shades but these aren’t too chalky.
The standout of this palette to me, is the the purples perform! It is so rare to have a well performing purple, even in nicer lines they end up chalky and patchy. I am excited for this. I just picked it up today along with rust. Hopefully my opinion stays good once the shades go on my face and not just my arm.
I found an amazing dupe for the darkest shade in this little palette! Sephora Collection Red Wine they call it a Luster Matte but it’s a super super super subtle luster. When swatched side by side, the Sephora and the KVD colors look almost identical and you can’t tell the one is a luster. And surprisingly, the Sephora one was actually smoother and blended better! (Plus, the SiJCP that I work at had put the older style shadows on clearance for $2.99 each! But they’re also in the updated packaging collection for $10 each!)
I love this palette, especially the base color. There is a lot of dust up, but the colors are so gorgeous I can deal with that. I even use the base shade alone on the kid the liner & mascara when I don’t have a lot of time. I just ordered the bigger Light & Shade palette based on my experience with this quad. ❤️❤️❤️