by Tamara B
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links, which means I make a small commission when you make purchases through them.
Kat Von D Lock-It Tattoo Foundation is an oil-free, fragrance-free, full coverage, long wearing foundation. It claims to be so pigmented that it can cover tattoos while still retaining a smooth finish. It claims to also help control oil and be transfer resistant.
Value: $35.00 for 30 mL / 1 fl oz
Availability: Kat Von D Beauty, Sephora
Shade Range: 30 Shades
Finish/Coverage: Matte finish / full coverage
Packaging: It has a plastic container with a pump that offers good control over how much product comes out. It does not have a lid like traditional foundation bottles because the pump is built into the overall design of the packaging.
Experience/Performance
Application: It’s really easy to apply too much of this foundation. Go for about half as much as you think you need. I was able to apply with fingers only, a Beauty Blender, and a Sigma Kabuki brush. All three methods required careful blending but in any case I was able to achieve a nice smooth finish. The best way I found was to apply with the Sigma Kabuki to give good coverage and blur pores and then go back over it with a Beauty Blender to make sure the finish was nice and smooth.
Shade: I have the shade Light 44 which has a neutral undertone. I think they hit the neutral undertone right on the mark with this shade. I don’t see any pink or yellow tinge to the color. The shade is a tiny bit lighter than my natural skin tone but is close enough that I can make it work.
Coverage: I don’t have any tattoos to test this on but it is definitely the fullest coverage foundation I have ever used. I can even use this as a spot concealer if I take a tiny dab and apply it to blemishes and dark spots. You could get away with using it as an under eye concealer too but it wouldn’t be the best option since the formula is on the drier side. To get fuller coverage, apply with fingers or a brush and to get more sheer coverage, use a damp Beauty Blender or similar sponge.
Finish: It has a matte finish but it doesn’t make your skin look dry. If you have issues with dry skin then applying a thin layer using a Beauty Blender would help avoid making any dry patches more obvious.
Texture/Consistency: It has a thick mousse-like consistency that dries down quickly and it doesn’t spread over the skin very readily. These qualities make it more time consuming to work with than most other foundations. It’s not impossible to blend, it just requires more time to make sure you cover your skin evenly. I think the coverage and longevity are so worth it though. I would personally set this with a powder even though it is matte because it feels slightly tacky/waxy to the touch and doesn’t ever dry down completely. I can feel it on my skin a little but it doesn’t feel uncomfortably heavy or mask-like.
Longevity: It becomes less matte as the day goes on but it never gets shiny and gross. I can wear it all day long and get away with not touching up with setting powder or blotting papers. That being said though, I didn’t find it to be exceptionally good at controlling oil. It doesn’t really turn into an oil slick, it just gets kind of dewy-looking in a way that I feel is tolerable.
Smell: Faint paint-like smell. I can smell it if I put my nose to a drop on the back of my hand but I don’t notice it when I’m applying.
Worth Buying?
Yes. If you love full coverage foundations, this is something to check out. The drawback is that it requires more careful application and if that is something you are okay with, then I think you’d like it.
[rating=”5″]
