Glamming it up, #KVD style

Inspirations and makeup from Kat Von D

A couple of weeks ago, I got to glam up and go all out! I don’t usually go too bold with my colours, but what better excuse to layer on the dramatic than hosting an exclusive live demonstration by …. Global Makeup Artist for Kat Von D Beauty - Erik Soto!

I’m sure you’ve all heard of Kat Von D, of LA Ink fame. And if you haven’t, well she’s known not just for her tattoos but overall style - bold, colourful and fearless! She's pretty experimental with her approach to makeup. Which is liberating I think, especially if you are artistic.

So anyway, in 2008 she launched her own makeup line with Sephora… which has now finally made it to our shores with the launch of the Kat Von D Beauty line right here in Sephora’s recently re-opened KLCC outlet. 

Kat Von D is known for her artistic expression

Kat Von D is known for her artistic expression

Meeting Erik Soto 

So the launch took place at Sephora KLCC, where I had a ton of fun hosting the live makeup demonstration by Erik Soto.

He’s been doing makeup for over 17 years - can you imagine? He started working at just 17! 

During the demo he told us how he went from working with Dior and Mac before deciding to audition for the Sephora PRO Team, which is actually a pretty intense competition (they basically whittled 12,000 participants down to 2, one of which was Erik). 

Within that time frame, he said, Sephora was already in the midst of creating Kat Von D Beauty, which was really exciting of course because it was Sephora’s first in-house brand, something Erik told us he was really psyched to eventually become part of (he was officially named KVD Beauty Global Makeup Artist in 2014). 

It was pretty random how it all started! Apparently he first met Kat at an event - she needed a quick touch up, he was called upon and that was that. Next thing you know, he finds out she’s asked if he’d do her makeup for a series of photo and video shoots!

They got on really well, became creative collaborators, created a spectrum of never-before-seen looks for the brand, and the rest is history!

Nada Heng with Global Makeup Artist for Kat Von D Beauty, Erik Soto and his Sephora model / canvas for the event

Nada Heng with Global Makeup Artist for Kat Von D Beauty, Erik Soto and his Sephora model / canvas for the event

Anyway, it was great fun watching Erik work his magic... treating his subject like a canvas. He was great and super responsive to our invited guests too,  which I thought was really cool. 

So, about the Kat Von D (KVD) look. It’s pretty bold, but there was a good turnout out of people, she’s obviously got fans! I loved the little stars Sephora’s Artistry Team did for me with the KVD Tattoo liner - which I actually bought because I loved it so much!

KVD Beauty Shadow + Light Contour Palette

KVD Beauty Shadow + Light Contour Palette

Even though I don’t personally wear super bold colourful colours that often, I thought the range of eyeshadow colours in KVD Beauty range were gorgeous. And the Shade + Light Eye Contour Palette is definitely something I'd consider having as part of my makeup collection when I get round to my next round of shopping. 

Apparently the powders are finely-milled and super bendable. Anyway, here are some tips he gave us during the demo that kind of stuck out in my mind which I thought I’d share with you!

*If you visit the KVD site there's tons of tutorials on how to get the look too, and apparently if you hashtag your looks on Instagram #KVD, Kat likes to actually pick out her favourites and feature them on her site!

Open up the eyes with eyeshadow

A super 80s trick, which is totally a style Erik loves, is to bring eyeshadow all the way up. This really opens up the eyes. And then, for maximum payoff, place a pop of colour right in the centre of the eyelid. The KVD eyeshadow powders are apparently formulated to make doing this mess-free - the powder particles stick together like magnets so you go heavy and layer on the drama without having to worry about getting a shower of eyeshadow pigment all over your foundation! 

Me and a member of Sephora's super friendly team of makeup artists who gave me the #KVD look for this event

Me and a member of Sephora's super friendly team of makeup artists who gave me the #KVD look for this event

Concentrate your colours

When it comes to applying highly pigmented colours, here’s a useful technique to keep in mind: instead of sweeping your shadow over the crease, concentrate your efforts around the area you want the colour to be most intense.  Then use a fluffy brush to soften the edges. That way you don’t just spread the shadow around, making it far less likely you will get colour in areas you don’t want it!

Ink up with eyeliner!

Eyeliner is a big feature of the Kat Von D look. In fact she uses eyeliner as more of a tool for self expression rather than just as a way of accentuating the eyes. And art being a key part of the KVD look, (you’ve probably noticed she often has tiny little stars on her cheekbones), the tattoo liner has a super fine tip and really dark pigmented black ink. So, aside from using the Tattoo Liner to just line your eyes, go ahead and be bold!! Use it to personalise your look! You can go with drawing a tiny constellation across your cheekbones, or even get creative with some swirly flower motives, whatever strikes your fancy on a particular day!

Anyway, this is me having a post-work drink. I'm wearing the KVD Everlasting liquid lipstick... look! After six hours it's still pigmented and no smudges or lipstick stains on the glass! 

Me chilling at Ben's having a post #KVD Beauty launch drink with the family!

Me chilling at Ben's having a post #KVD Beauty launch drink with the family!