Sephora: Kat Von D High Voltage Eye Primer

image from sephora.com

In my recent Sephora.com order I used a code to get a free sample of the new Sephora: Kat Von D High Voltage Eye Primer. I love trying new shadow bases and I love finding ones that work...but not as much as I like finding ones that don't!

Does that make sense?

I like bashing products that suck because it makes me feel like I am performing a public service. I am essentially saving you $15 plus tax, because after you read this review you will clutch your Urban Decay Primer Potion or Too Faced Shadow Insurance or ArtDeco Eyeshadow Base and promise to never stray.... At least that's what I did, after I was done test driving this Kat Von D High Voltage Eye Primer.

First off. I cannot comment on the packaging of the product because I received a sample size, however looking at the photo, the Sephora: Kat Von D High Voltage Eye Primer looks like your standard concealer packaging with a doe foot applicator in a straight tube. Hey, at least the tube is straight and CLEAR so you can see how much product you have left. That's pretty much the nicest thing I can say about this product. It's clear so you can see how much you have left, e.g. how much you are going to waste when you buy a new eyeshadow base because this one sucks.

Let's start with the obvious problem. It's an eyeshadow base that is also touted as a concealer. It is tinted a light greyish peach color...so pigmented that if anyone with lids darker than a MAC NC25 wears it, the base will show up as a greyish white peach color on your lids. Attention women of color. I may be pigmentally challenged (read: lilly white) but I have not forgotten about my sisters that are dark and lovely. This eye base that is also dubbed as a "concealer" is so light it will make your lids look ashy. Who wants ashy looking lids? I digress.

The real problem with Sephora: Kat Von D High Voltage Eye Primer is that is DOES NOT WORK! Seriously. My shadow creases AND fades so badly when I use it that I would be better off NOT using a base at all.

The first time I used the Sephora: Kat Von D High Voltage Eye Primer, I wore a Chanel liquid shadow on top, went to see the movie Toy Story 3, and cried my eyes out. I came home to creased and faded shadow. I assumed my shadow disappeared because I was crying and because it was a liquid shadow.

I cleaned up my lids and applied a new coat of the Kat Von D shadow base and then a MAC eyeshadow over it. (Satin Taupe to be exact) I went to grandma's house with Darthypie, played at the park and on the drive home I noticed that my eyeshadow had creased and faded after 3 short hours of wear. I chalked it up to high temperatures and unusually high humidity. I told myself tomorrow will be different.

Well tomorrow came and I used the Kat Von D Shadow Base a third time. This time I used my trusty Bobbi Brown eyeshadow. This stuff NEVER creases on me...even without a base. I look at my lids after 4 hours of wear and not only is the shadow creased but it's completely faded! I am in a nice cool and dry office environment. I have not been rubbing my eyes or applying overly oily eye cream to my lids. This is not the fault of the shadow because I have experienced almost 15 hours of perfect crease free/fade free wear from this shadow in the past.

My highly scientific (insert sarcasm here) experiment has led me to the conclusion that the Kat Von D High Voltage Eye Primer is a suckfest of the highest order.

Do you NEED this? Hell no. Steer clear of this farce of an eyeshadow base. I am not afraid to tell you when a product sucks. This is one of those times when I advice you to save your money and in fact SAVE money and buy ANYTHING but this. (OK not anything. The Too Faced eyeshadow base in First Base is pretty terrible too.)