American make-up brand Kat Von D launches in London

ON a beautiful warm summer morning in early July, journalists were invited to Two Temple Place in London to attend  the launch of an exclusive brand – Kat Von D – a popular American cosmetic brand with an edge, just like its founder, is available in the UK and Ireland exclusively at Debenhams as of today.

This launch is a reaction to all the requests that the brand’s overseas fans have had since Kat Von D was founded in 2008 and sold solely in the US through Sephora stores. “I’m so excited to finally launch Kat Von D Beauty in the UK and Ireland. I can’t wait for all of my fans to fall in love with the range,” Kat Von D exclaimed, also stating how much she loves London and the way the Brits do their make-up.

“The UK beauty customer craves newness and is always on the look-out for the most exciting brands in the market. Debenhams is extremely excited to be the exclusive partner for Kat Von D Beauty in the UK [and Ireland]. The combination of Kat’s innovative use of colour and signature lip and eye looks are sure to be a great success with our customers and secure Debenhams’ position as the leading premium make-up retailer in the UK,” commented Debenhams’s beauty divisional director, Sara Stern.

Kat von D studded_kiss_slayer_blackKat Von D Studded Kiss Slayer Black lipstick

 

The opulent Elizabethan mansion was a perfect setting for the unveiling and the vegan and cruelty-free brand made it look even more like a vampire’s home with red light, roses, candles, gothic elements and make-up being displayed on coffin-like shelves. After a thorough introduction to the brand, Kat Von D herself took enthusiastically to the stage for a Q&A, a video reflecting the rock’n’roll studded image of the brand was screened and was then followed by a demo by Erik Soto, the brand’s global make-up artist and Von D couldn’t stop singing his praises.

 

kvd_stilllife_sl_contour_foundation_studdedkiss_rgbKat Von D Contour Foundation from the Studded Kiss range

 

On the morning she was a reflection of her brand, having something of of Dita Von Teese and ‘50s pin up going on – black hair with structured waves, red lips, cat-eye, figure-hugging black leather midi-dress, lots of tattoos and an outspoken attitude. Kat Von D was – and still is – a renowned tattoo artist and musician until Sephora approached her to create her own make-up line.

Kat Von D everlasting lip lolitaKat Von D Everlasting Lip Lolita

 

Her tattooing background is apparent in the packaging – featuring stars, roses and blooming motifs – as well as the names of the products like Tattoo or Ink Liner and the idea of the everlasting as Von D prides her make-up to be extremely long-lasting and offering full coverage. Music is also a big influence on the image of the brand as lipstick cases are covered in studs and are fittingly called Studded Kiss.

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Studded Kiss lipstick by Kat Von D

We tried and fell in love with the Tattoo Liner, a liquid eyeliner in a pen with a thin and firm stroke that makes the execution of a perfect cat eye easy and really stays on all day, almost like a tattoo. The Everlasting Liquid Lipstick, at first frightening as the tube and the texture very closely resemble that of a lip gloss, was a pleasant surprise as the moist formula packed with vitamin E and sunflower seed wax soon turns matte once applied to the lips without drying them out that also lasts no matter what. The red Outlaw shade is our favourite.

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Tattoo Liner – a liquid eyeliner, from Kat Von D

by Sara Hesikova

Kat Von D products are now available from here and here and in store at Debenhams, Oxford Street, London

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