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Kat Von D Sage Shade + Light Quad Review, Photos, Swatches

Kat Von D Sage Shadow + Light Quad
Kat Von D Sage Shadow + Light Quad

Kat Von D Sage 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. It features one solidly green shade, one more olive/dirty brown color, and then two lighter neutrals.

Sage (Base) is a light-medium, golden brown with warm undertones and a matte finish. It had good color payoff with a soft, lightly powdery texture that was easily blended but didn’t lose its intensity when applied either. On me, the color wore well for eight hours. Make Up For Ever M647 Speculoos (P, $17.00) is darker (95% similar). NABLA Cosmetics Caramel (P, $8.00) is cooler (95% similar). Persona Loyal (PiP, ) is lighter, cooler (95% similar). Viseart Brioche (Warm Mattes #5) (P, ) is cooler (95% similar). Viseart Warm Mattes #3 (PiP, ) is brighter (95% similar). Make Up For Ever M650 Cookie (P, $17.00) is darker (95% similar). Natasha Denona Tamarind (LE, ) is lighter (95% similar). Too Faced Honey Butter (PiP, $16.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar). Sydney Grace Toffee (P, $5.25) is brighter (95% similar). Dose of Colors Necessary (LE, ) is cooler (90% similar). Lancome Woody Bar (LE, $19.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar). ColourPop Ode (LE, $4.50) is darker, cooler (90% similar). LORAC Tawny (LE, $19.00) is warmer (90% similar). NABLA Cosmetics Halftime (PiP, $8.00) is cooler (90% similar). ColourPop The Taurus (P, $4.50) is cooler (90% similar). Melt Cosmetics Senales (LE, ) is darker, cooler (90% similar). Estee Lauder Nude (LE, ) is darker (90% similar). Lethal Cosmetics Lore (P, $6.50) is darker, cooler (90% similar). Bobbi Brown Frappe (LE, $22.00) is darker (90% similar). MAC Back to Surreality (LE, $17.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

Sage (Define) is a deep, muted green with subtle, warmer undertones and a matte finish. It had good pigmentation with a light-to-moderate powderiness. Despite feeling smooth and finely-milled to the touch, it was harder to blend out on the skin than I expected (which was really the case with most of the “Define” shades). It is easier to use the lighter shades layered on top rather than really trying to diffuse the green itself. The color lasted for eight hours. Marc Jacobs Beauty Enviously (PiP, )(100% similar). Viseart Beryl (PiP, ) is cooler (95% similar). Morphe Enchanted (LE, ) is lighter (95% similar). Makeup Geek Enchanted Forest (DC, $6.00) is lighter (90% similar). LORAC Blackout (LE, $19.00) is darker (90% similar). LORAC Forest (LE, $19.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar). MAC Beatallica (LE, $17.00) is lighter, brighter, cooler (90% similar). Sydney Grace Trailhead (PiP, $5.25) is more shimmery, lighter, cooler (90% similar). Anastasia Untamed (DC, $12.00) is lighter, cooler (85% similar). ColourPop Team Captain (P, $4.50) is lighter, warmer (85% similar). Sydney Grace Rainforest (LE, $5.25) is lighter, brighter, warmer (85% similar). Give Me Glow Cocktails (PiP, $7.00) is more shimmery, darker, warmer (85% similar). Dose of Colors Cameo (PiP, ) is lighter, warmer (85% similar). Melt Cosmetics Heart of Stone (LE, ) is cooler (85% similar). Coloured Raine Showtime (LE, $6.99) is lighter, brighter (85% similar). Sydney Grace Island Paradise (P, $5.25) is lighter (85% similar). Sydney Grace Siren Call (P, $5.25) is lighter (85% similar). MAC Bottle Green (DC, $17.00) is cooler (85% similar). Viseart Forest (Absinthe #5) (P, ) is cooler (85% similar). LORAC Menace (LE, $19.00) is darker, cooler (80% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

Sage (Contour) is a muted, medium olive brown with warm undertones and a matte finish. It had mostly opaque color payoff with a lightly dusty consistency that was prone to sheering out, so it was hard to layer/build up to get opaque coverage. The texture was very blendable and forgiving on the skin, though. On me, it started to fade after seven and a half hours of wear. Make Up For Ever M540 Gray Beige (DC, $21.00) is warmer (95% similar). NARS Dover (DC, $25.00) is darker (95% similar). Milani Smokin' Hot (PiP, $5.99) is darker (95% similar). Smashbox Taupe (PiP, ) is lighter (95% similar). Natasha Denona Flint (184CM) (LE, ) is darker (95% similar). theBalm Flawless (P, $16.00) is lighter, brighter, warmer (90% similar). Urban Decay Primal (PiP, $19.00) is darker (90% similar). MAC Soleil, So Lovely (LE, $17.00) is lighter (90% similar). Give Me Glow Retro Beige (P, $7.00) is darker (90% similar). ColourPop Pick Me Up (PiP, $4.50) is darker, cooler (90% similar). Marc Jacobs Beauty O Boy (600) (LE, $29.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar). Viseart Shoreline (Cool Mattes 2 #5) (P, ) is darker, cooler (90% similar). ColourPop Come Little Children (LE, $4.50) is more shimmery, cooler (90% similar). Natasha Denona Lucy (464CM) (PiP, ) is lighter (90% similar). Sydney Grace Relax (P, $5.25) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar). MAC Coquette (P, $17.00) is darker (90% similar). ColourPop Cocktail Hour (LE, $4.50) is cooler (90% similar). Makeup Geek Magnifique (LE, $6.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar). Zoeva Lost in Thoughts (PiP, ) is warmer (90% similar). Marc Jacobs Beauty Butterfly (PiP, ) is darker (90% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

Sage (Highlight) is a light, yellowed beige with warm undertones and a matte finish. It had a moderately powdery texture, despite the consistency having a very silky, finely-milled feel otherwise. It didn’t do any favors to my normal-to-dry lids (emphasized dryness)–I originally was going to wear on the inner lid, but I ended up removing and wearing it on the brow bone instead for the eye look in the post. There is a fair amount of fall out, and the stronger white-base lightens anything it touches, so I would recommend using a very dense brush, lightly tapping the pan of product, then tapping excess off, and then patting onto the area you want. If you are using it on the brow bone, you might consider applying it prior to lid shades and only touching up/lightly blending afterwards. It lasted for seven and a half hours before fading. Smashbox Vanilla (PiP, )(100% similar). Zoeva Make It Last (PiP, )(100% similar). NYX I Have a Headache (P, $4.50)(100% similar). Too Faced Rock Candy (LE, $16.00) is brighter (95% similar). Too Faced Rollin' in Dough (LE, $16.00) is lighter (95% similar). NABLA Cosmetics Ivory (P, $18.00) is cooler (95% similar). bareMinerals Pacific Sands (LE, ) is lighter, more muted (95% similar). KVD Beauty Melanie (LE, ) is warmer (95% similar). Tarte Sand (LE, ) is darker (95% similar). Tarte Base Coat (LE, ) is lighter (95% similar). Viseart Absinthe #1 (PiP, ) is lighter (95% similar). Marc Jacobs Beauty Take a Memo (PiP, ) is darker (95% similar). LORAC Porcelain (LE, $19.00) is brighter (95% similar). Too Faced Heaven (PiP, $16.00) is brighter (95% similar). Zoeva Nighthawks (PiP, ) is lighter (95% similar). LORAC Cool Taupe (Mega Pro 4) (LE, $19.00) is cooler (95% similar). LORAC Blanc (PiP, $19.00) is lighter (95% similar). Smashbox Vanilla (PiP, ) is warmer (95% similar). Moira Beige (P, $5.00) is cooler (95% similar). Makeup Geek So Pale (LE, $6.00) is lighter (95% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

FORMULA OVERVIEW | The quads contain the Shade + Light Eyeshadow formula, which 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.

Sage

PPermanent. $26.00.
B+
B+
8.5
Product
9.5
Pigmentation
8
Texture
8.5
Longevity
4.5
Application
87%
Total

Sage (Base)

PiPPermanent in Palette.
A-
A-
9
Product
9.5
Pigmentation
8.5
Texture
8.5
Longevity
5
Application
90%
Total

Sage (Define)

PiPPermanent in Palette.
B+
B+
8.5
Product
10
Pigmentation
8
Texture
8.5
Longevity
4
Application
87%
Total

Sage (Contour)

PiPPermanent in Palette.
B
B
8.5
Product
9
Pigmentation
8
Texture
8
Longevity
4.5
Application
84%
Total

Sage (Highlight)

PiPPermanent in Palette.
B
B
8.5
Product
9
Pigmentation
8
Texture
8
Longevity
4.5
Application
84%
Total

Kat Von D Sage Shadow + Light Quad
Kat Von D Sage Shadow + Light Quad

Kat Von D Sage Shadow + Light Quad
Kat Von D Sage Shadow + Light Quad

Kat Von D Sage Shadow + Light Quad
Kat Von D Sage Shadow + Light Quad

Kat Von D Sage Shadow + Light Quad
Kat Von D Sage Shadow + Light Quad

Kat Von D Sage Shadow + Light Quad
Kat Von D Sage Shadow + Light Quad

Kat Von D Sage (Base) Eyeshadow
Kat Von D Sage (Base) Eyeshadow

Kat Von D Sage (Base) Eyeshadow
Kat Von D Sage (Base) Eyeshadow

Kat Von D Sage (Define) Eyeshadow
Kat Von D Sage (Define) Eyeshadow

Kat Von D Sage (Define) Eyeshadow
Kat Von D Sage (Define) Eyeshadow

Kat Von D Sage (Contour) Eyeshadow
Kat Von D Sage (Contour) Eyeshadow

Kat Von D Sage (Contour) Eyeshadow
Kat Von D Sage (Contour) Eyeshadow

Kat Von D Sage (Highlight) Eyeshadow
Kat Von D Sage (Highlight) Eyeshadow

Kat Von D Sage (Highlight) Eyeshadow
Kat Von D Sage (Highlight) Eyeshadow

Kat Von D Sage Shadow + Light Quad
Kat Von D Sage Shadow + Light Quad

Kat Von D Sage Shadow + Light Quad
Kat Von D Sage Shadow + Light Quad

26 Comments

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Steffa Avatar

I really love this palette since it’s so hard to find a good green matte shadow but I’ve had a weird experience with these. The shadow lasts for quite some time before fading lightly and that’s okay, the real problem is whenever I wear a liner with it, which is always. For some weird reason the liner always migrates all over my lid when I pair it with these shadows and that never happens normally. I’ve tried 3 different primers and it’s the same every time, it’s so weird!

Katherine T. Avatar

Oooh, I want that matte dark green, such a hard color to find in a matte finish, wish it was sold a s a single! Looks like MUG Enchanted Forest is the closest permanent dupe, but it scored a lot lower. The other colors are ok, just aren’t as interesting, wish the brown was a shimmer shade. Hmmm, think I will wait until Sephora fall sale to get this, with 20% off +cash back

Rachel R. Avatar

You hardly ever mess up, Christine. No need to apologize. You do a fabulous job. I constantly miss words just writing comments. You do hundreds of posts and reviews and photos.

xamyx Avatar

I wanted at least 3 of these (Sage, Smoke, & Plum), but mainly to use with my more shimmery KvD palettes. However, I’m beginning to wonder how well they’ll play together, as these are silicone-based, and the others traditional talc… I’ll likely grab them in the future, but I’m splurging on NARS L’Amour Toujours palette with my Sephora discount.

We try to approve comments within 24 hours (and reply to them within 72 hours) but can sometimes get behind and appreciate your patience! 🙂 If you have general feedback, product review requests, off-topic questions, or need technical support, please contact us directly. Thank you for your patience!