foundation review: kvd good apple skin-perfecting foundation balm

Kat Von D was one of my favourite makeup brands. Over the years, there were many many reviews of the products here on the creation of beauty is art. Then....things changed. Did I still love the products? Yes. The brand owner? Not so much. So it was almost a relief when Kat Von D was bought out and the brand became KVD instead. It meant I could still enjoy all of those wonderful products. (This particular high-end brand has the absolutely best shade selection when it comes to lip products. There are vibrant purples, blacks, greens, blues, and every colour in between. Definitely a great way to make a statement!) More recently, the Good Apple Skin-Perfecting Foundation Balm was released to an awful lot of buzz and fanfare. Early reviewers were impressed by how full coverage the foundation was. However, as time went on, there were lots of negative reviews thrown into the mix as well. I have to say....I was curious. Very curious. Are you wondering how this foundation balm performs? Here is everything you need to know about this much talked about product from KVD. 

Honestly? Finding the appropriate shade was (and apparently still is) a challenge. In the beginning, almost every single shade was sold out. Even now, so many months later, over half of the shades are sold out on the Sephora website. That makes it tricky to choose the shade you need or to restock if you decide to repurchase the foundation. Though I probably needed the shade Light 010 or possibly something even lighter....the foundation shade in my possession is Light 021. It is without question a bit too dark for me, unless I have been using self-tanner or something. That being said, I was extremely tempted to find out how the formula itself performs. Especially after all of those impassioned reviews. So, Light 021 it was! 

The packaging itself is fairly simple. It comes in a clear plastic container with the classic KVD style designs etched on the top. Something interesting about this product? The packaging is actually fully recyclable. So that in itself is really unique and makes this foundation stand out. I also love the fact that this is a balm instead of a classic liquid or powder foundation. Needless to say, the Good Apple Skin-Perfecting Foundation Balm certainly stands out from other offerings at the beauty counter. 

As for application? Either a beauty sponge or a foundation brush can be used. My go-to application method is to use my Real Techniques buffing brush. One light tap into the product goes a very long way. This foundation balm certainly lives up to the claims of being full coverage. It does a really wonderful job of covering imperfections and discoloration. And unlike other full coverage offerings, this doesn't make my skin look dry, flaky and patchy. However, I would stress that this formula is ideal for those with dry skin rather than oily skin. A lot of the reviews that I have read noted that those with oily skin found the product looked great at first but broke down after a few hours. Based on my experience with the product, it complimented my dry skin quite well. I found that it looked nice when I first applied it but actually preferred the way it looked after a few hours had passed. The KVD Good Apple Skin-Perfecting Foundation Balm actually looked really natural and beautiful the longer I wore it...but the product still provided the level of coverage that I wanted. 

When it comes to the KVD Good Apple Skin-Perfecting Foundation Balm, whether or not this will work for you depends entirely on your skin type. Oily skin? Likely not. Combination? Maybe. Dry skin? Absolutely. If you are someone like me who has dry skin but still wants a fuller coverage foundation, this is a wonderful option. It is creamy to apply, has impressive coverage, but doesn't look unnatural or cakey. The only downside? Trying to find the right shade. I have used this product (in the wrong shade) several times for testing purposes. (Only around my home....promise!) But when I want to use it for a look that I will wear out? I mix a bit of the Good Apple product on my buffing brush and a bit of a lighter liquid foundation. I am determined to use up this foundation, even if I have to be a bit creative in order to do so. Hopefully, there will be better stock levels in store and online in future. Overall, this is a win for me, though it may not be for everyone. It is nice to see a product that works well for dry skin for a change! If only it was a little more accessible. 

Rating: 4.5 / 5

Have you tried the Good Apple Skin-Perfecting Foundation Balm? Are you a fan of KVD products?