Of all the eyeshadow palettes in my makeup collection, there’s one I regularly reach for, whether I’m getting ready for a night out or a professional conference. This versatile gem’s the Kat Von D True Romance Eyeshadow Palette in Ludwig ($34).
I adore the darkly romantic rose pattern on the top of the packaging, and the palette itself is slim enough to always bring along on trips.
For $36, you get eight well-chosen colors that are unique in their own right, but also complementary at the same time. It’s mixing and matching for dummies! — and as you can see my palette’s been well-loved:
Whether I’m creating a sultry smokey look, a daytime soft brown, or dabbing a last minute swipe of highlighter on my browbones, I’m never disappointed by maestro Ludwig!
Each of the colors is velvety smooth and richly pigmented. Plus, they don’t leave any fallout behind, and with a base like Urban Decay Primer Potion, the shades stay put on my lids all day long without any creasing or migrating at all.
Below are swatches of the first four colors, which I can see combining for a dramatic green smokey eye:
Left to right:Â
- Lucifer (a matte charcoal black)
- Orbi (swampy green shimmer)
- Dimebag (light green shimmer, gorgeous lid color)
- Tequila (golden vanilla shimmer, my go-to for highlighting my brows and even cheeks!)
Of course, if a smokey eye feels too dramatic for you, as it does for me, try swiping Orbi all over your lid with Tequila as a brow highlight for an easy everyday look.
I also get a lot of use out of Lucifer since I use it to set my waterline. The combination of Lucifer and Urban Decay Zero keeps my waterline pitch black for hours. Even on rushed days, I don’t head out the door unless Tequila is gracing the highest point of my browbones.
The last four colors speak to the girl who wants a casual, yet pulled together look (raises hand):
Left to right:
- Clay (a shade darker than Tequila with subtle shimmer)
- Downtown (the perfect pink shimmer; super flattering on the lids)
- Baroque (a universally flattering bronze)
- Leather (matte chocolate brown)
Downtown and Baroque can be paired together to create a wide-awake look, which garners me complements every single time. I feel as though one can rock these four shades straight from the office to a romantic date.
The Kat Von D Ludwig palette has been one of my best cosmetic purchases. I got it way back in the beginning of my makeup obsession, but even today, with a MAC palette at my fingertips, I tend to gravitate towards this palette instead. For traveling, I love how it lets me create a wide array of looks from one slim package. It also makes a great gift idea because the shades are neither too scary for beginners nor limiting for makeup junkies who crave lots of options.
Kathryn says
June 19th, 2010 at 10:11 pmI love this post! I want to go buy a Kat Von D palette now!
Jen says
June 20th, 2010 at 12:34 amI actually have all of Kat Von D’s palettes — except this one. I want it, just to complete my collection. They’re really pretty colors, and the shadows are of great quality!
Kristen says
June 20th, 2010 at 6:27 amI love the colors. What a versatile palette. I’ve never tried Kat Von D, so thank you very much for this post. Appreciate the tip.
.-= Kristen’s last blog post… Chisel Deluxe Fluff =-.
Meghan says
June 20th, 2010 at 6:28 amgreat post ashwini! those colors are so pretty! do you watch LA ink because it is one of my favorite shows and I always look at the makeup kat is wearing and assume it’s her own makeup 🙂
Radhika says
June 20th, 2010 at 7:39 amHey Ashwini..loved your philosophy…oodles of confidence is an essential 🙂
.-= Radhika’s last blog post… Super Soft Lips the Body Shop way – TBS Lipscuff and Lip Care (01 Translucent) =-.
Carina says
June 20th, 2010 at 8:20 amThanks for this review, Ashwini! Definitely adding this to my Sephora list.
Julbra says
June 20th, 2010 at 10:18 amlol you made me want this palette! It’s lovely!
Stef says
June 20th, 2010 at 11:48 amI’ve got a Kat Von D palette, I don’t know which one, and I hate it! I have to layer and layer and layer the color because the pigment is so light. Even applying it wet took forever. The colors in the True Romance palette are lovely, but I think I’ll be sticking with Urban Decay shadows. Great writing in the post though!
House of Accessories says
June 20th, 2010 at 4:15 pmPretty palette,great post!
.-= House of Accessories’s last blog post… Extra Long Flirty Fringe Scarf in Orchid,Violet,Lavender,Eggplant,Lilac,Purple and Black throughout, =-.
Karen says
June 20th, 2010 at 5:16 pmThanks for contributing, Ashwini!
Shiny says
June 20th, 2010 at 7:49 pmGreat post, I’ve been eying this product and now I feel more inclined than ever to check for it on my next Sephora trip. I’m heading over now to check out your blog – I love makeup blogs by other South Asian women!
Hope says
June 21st, 2010 at 1:11 amThanks for introducing Ashwini to us, I immediately subscribed 🙂
Alexandra says
June 21st, 2010 at 7:32 amNice Palette 🙂 Unfortunatly we dont get Kat Von D over here in the UK 🙁
knownever says
June 21st, 2010 at 9:43 amI’m a great fan of Kat Von D’s palettes. I agree that its the coordination of the colors that is really superb. However I do agree with some of the commenters’ negative assesments because some ofthe limited edition palettes are kind of hit or miss. some of them contain too many glittery shades, have too much fallout, or not enough pigmentation and the cream shadows in the LE palettes are really bad quality. Still the palettes that work are go-to essentials
.-= knownever’s last blog post… Summer Lipstick =-.