KVD Vegan Beauty Review: Is This Edgy Makeup Brand Worth the Hype?

Hey beautiful! As a makeup lover, I‘m always on the hunt for the latest and greatest products to add to my collection. And as someone who tries to shop more mindfully, I‘m especially drawn to brands that are vegan and cruelty-free. So when KVD Beauty reached out to me to test out some products, I was beyond excited to dive in and share my thoughts with you.

If you‘re not familiar, KVD Beauty is the edgy, artistic makeup line founded by tattoo artist Kat Von D back in 2008. The brand is known for its insanely pigmented formulas, bold colors, and long-wearing performance. And in 2016, they made the switch to being 100% vegan, reformulating all their products without animal-derived ingredients.

While Kat Von D herself is no longer involved with the brand (more on that later), KVD Beauty is now owned by Kendo Brands, the LVMH incubator behind other cool-girl faves like Fenty Beauty and Ole Henriksen. Through all the changes, though, they‘ve remained committed to their vegan and cruelty-free ethos.

I‘ve spent the past few months putting KVD Beauty‘s hero products to the test, and I‘m excited to share my honest thoughts with you. Is this edgy brand really worth the hype (and the slightly higher price point)? Let‘s dive into my full KVD Vegan Beauty review.

The Icon: KVD Tattoo Liner

You can‘t talk about KVD Beauty without mentioning their award-winning Tattoo Liner. This liquid eyeliner has reached cult status among beauty editors, makeup artists, and winged liner enthusiasts for its ultra-precise brush tip and budge-proof formula.

The fine brush tip really sets the Tattoo Liner apart from other liquid liners I‘ve tried. It allows you to create the thinnest, most precise lines—perfect for graphic looks or flicks that could cut someone. And once the formula sets, it seriously does not move. I wore this on a sweaty summer day and can confirm: my cat eye remained flawless for hours.

Now, it does take a little practice to master the brush tip if you‘re used to felt tip liners. But I actually prefer it—the flexible bristles make it easier to hug your lash line and create a smooth, fluid line. Just make sure to store the pen horizontally so the product stays evenly distributed!

At $23 for 0.55mL of product, the Tattoo Liner is definitely on the pricier side. But a little goes a long way, and I would happily shell out for a liner this good. No wonder it‘s won Allure Reader‘s Choice Awards three years in a row.

The Foundation: KVD Lock-It Foundation

As someone with oily, acne-prone skin, I‘m always looking for a foundation that will last through the day without breaking down or separating. The KVD Lock-It Foundation promises "24-hour wear" and "flawless matte coverage"—a tall order that I was eager to put to the test.

First, let‘s talk about the shade range. Lock-It comes in an impressive 44 shades that cater to a wide variety of skin tones and undertones. As a reference, I wear Light 45 Neutral, which is described as "light with beige undertones." I found it to be a near-perfect match for my complexion.

The texture of this foundation is definitely on the thicker side—a little goes a very long way. I found that it applied best with a damp beauty sponge for a more diffused, skin-like effect. You can also apply it with a dense brush for even fuller coverage.

Once blended out, the finish is a very flat matte. If you‘re not a fan of that look, I recommend mixing in a bit of liquid luminizer or applying a glowy primer underneath. But if you like a beat matte lewk, you will love this foundation. It‘s also a great choice for oily skin, as it really controls shine throughout the day.

As for the long-wearing claims, I was honestly blown away. I wore Lock-It for a full 12 hours, through work and a workout, and it barely budged. No separating on my nose, no creasing under my eyes, no patchiness on my chin. Witchcraft!

The only downside is that the thicker formula can feel a bit heavy and drying over time, especially if you have dry or dehydrated skin. I experienced some flaking around my nose by the end of the day. For that reason, I probably wouldn‘t wear this every single day, but it‘s a great option for long days or special events when you need your makeup to last.

The Lippie: KVD Everlasting Liquid Lipstick

If you were on beauty Instagram in 2015, you definitely saw these iconic KVD Everlasting Liquid Lipsticks. The brand‘s liquid lipstick formula was one of the first on the market and set the standard for extreme pigment payoff and zero transfer.

The Everlasting Liquid Lipsticks now come in 27 shades, ranging from standard reds and pinks to bold blues and greens. I decided to test out the shade Lolita II, a "terra cotta nude" that the brand describes as a warm chestnut rose. It‘s a bit darker and more orange-toned than the original Lolita, which I find really flattering on my olive skin.

The applicator on these liquid lipsticks is a unique crescent shape that hugs the contours of your lips for precise application. And you really only need one swipe for full, even coverage—the pigmentation is no joke. The formula feels very lightweight and thin on the lips, and dries down to a completely matte, transfer-proof finish.

I was really impressed by how comfortable this liquid lipstick felt throughout the day. It wasn‘t drying or cracky, and actually seemed to soften and wear down very gracefully. After about 6 hours, it had worn away slightly in the center of my lips, but the color was still even and intact at the edges. Pretty impressive for such a matte formula!

Of course, these lipsticks are famously difficult to remove at the end of the day. You‘ll definitely need an oil-based makeup remover to break down the budge-proof color. But honestly, that‘s the price you pay for such long-wearing lipstick. And for a special occasion or a night out, it‘s totally worth it.

The Palette: KVD Shade + Light Eye Contour Palette

As a lover of all matte neutral eyeshadow looks, the KVD Shade + Light Eye Contour Palette has been on my wishlist for years. This palette contains 12 neutral-toned matte shadows, designed to "contour" the eyes with different levels of depth and tone. Basically, it promises to be the only neutral palette you‘ll ever need.

The palette is divided into three quads: Neutral (browns), Cool (taupes and greys), and Warm (oranges and rusts). Each quad contains a base shade, a contour shade, a highlight shade, and a "define" shade for adding depth. You can use the quads together, or mix and match between them to create your own custom looks.

Formula-wise, these shadows are very soft and creamy, with excellent color payoff. They kick up a bit of powder in the pan, but apply smoothly on the eyes without any chalkiness or fallout. The mattes blend like a dream, but still maintain their intensity and depth on the eyes.

The standout shades for me were Samael, a rich matte black that makes the perfect smoky liner, and Lazarus, a creamy bone-colored highlight that brightens up the brow bone and inner corners. The warm rust shades are also beautiful, and surprisingly wearable even on my cool-toned complexion.

At $48, the Shade + Light Palette is definitely an investment. But the quality of the shadows is undeniable, and you get a fantastic mix of neutral everyday shades and darker, smokier hues to play with. If you‘re a die-hard matte eyeshadow fan like me, it‘s absolutely worth adding to your collection.

The Wild Card: KVD Metal Crush Eyeshadow

When it comes to eyeshadow, I tend to stick to my neutral comfort zone. But the KVD Metal Crush Eyeshadows have me rethinking everything. These single pans promise an "electrifying metallic finish," and boy do they deliver.

I picked up the shade Doce, described as a "metallic gold luster." It‘s an intensely pigmented true gold with a high-shine, almost foiled effect on the eyes. The texture is unlike any eyeshadow I‘ve tried before—it almost feels like a cream or a mousse in the pan, but goes on like a powder.

Because the formula is so dense and pigmented, you really only need the tiniest amount. I found it applied best with my fingertips, or with a flat synthetic brush. Sweeping it on with a fluffier brush can cause some fallout and take away from the intense shimmery effect.

Once applied, though, the color payoff is intense. I‘m talking visible-from-space, one swipe is all you need levels of metallic goodness. It‘s the kind of shadow that will make people ask if you‘re wearing false eyelashes (in a good way).

At $22 a pop, the Metal Crush Eyeshadows are definitely pricey for a single pan. But the colors are so unique and the formula is so incredible that I think they‘re absolutely worth a splurge—especially for a big event or anytime you really want your eyes to pop.

The Bottom Line

So, is KVD Vegan Beauty truly worth the hype? After testing out a bunch of the brand‘s hero products, my answer is a resounding yes—with a few caveats.

There‘s no denying that KVD Beauty makes some truly incredible, high-performance products. The Tattoo Liner is hands down the best liquid eyeliner I‘ve ever used, and the Everlasting Liquid Lipsticks really do last all day without drying out your lips. The eyeshadow formulas are also fantastic, whether you like a subtle matte look or a blinding metallic moment.

I was also really impressed by the brand‘s shade ranges, especially for complexion products. The Lock-It Foundation line has an extensive 44 shades, which caters to a wide variety of skin tones and undertones. And while some of the lipstick and eyeshadow colors are a bit unconventional (navy blue liquid lipstick, anyone?), there are still plenty of wearable everyday options.

Of course, KVD Beauty products are definitely on the pricier side compared to more affordable vegan brands like Milani or Elf. Most items are around the $20-40 range, with palettes going up to $50+. But for the level of quality and performance you get, I personally think the prices are justified. They‘re in line with other high-end makeup brands like Urban Decay or Too Faced.

It‘s also important to acknowledge the brand‘s complex history and reputation. KVD Beauty was founded by tattoo artist and reality TV star Kat Von D, who has been involved in her fair share of controversies over the years—from allegations of antisemitism to spreading misinformation about vaccines.

However, Von D officially left the brand in early 2020, selling all her shares to Kendo Brands (the parent company behind Fenty Beauty and Marc Jacobs Beauty). The line was rebranded as KVD Vegan Beauty and doubled down on its commitment to being cruelty-free, vegan, and inclusive.

As a consumer, it‘s up to you to decide how you feel about supporting the brand given its past. Personally, I‘m comfortable buying from KVD Vegan Beauty knowing that Von D is no longer involved and the current ethos aligns with my values. The products have also continued to perform at a high level, despite the behind-the-scenes changes.

At the end of the day, I would recommend KVD Vegan Beauty to any makeup lover who a) enjoys bold, artistic makeup looks and b) wants to invest in high-performance, cruelty-free formulas. If you‘re a die-hard fan of a winged liner and a red lip, the Tattoo Liner and Everlasting Liquid Lipsticks are absolute must-haves. And if you want to dip your toes into more experimental looks, the brand‘s array of brightly-colored eyeshadows and lipsticks truly can‘t be beat.

Overall, I‘m really happy I took a chance on KVD Vegan Beauty and finally tried out some of the brand‘s most iconic products. My makeup bag is definitely better for it, and I‘m excited to see what other innovative vegan formulas they come out with in the future.

Have you tried anything from KVD Beauty before? Do you have any favorites from the brand? Let me know in the comments below!