KVD Good Apple Serum Foundation Review… I have thoughts

Is the new KVD Good Apple Serum Foundation any good?

It’s been a year since the KVD Good Apple Foundation Balm went viral, so it’s about time for Kat Von D to break Makeup-Tok again. Meet her new liquid foundation, formally dubbed ‘Good Apple Full-Coverage Transfer-Proof Vegan Serum Foundation.” The foundation boasts full coverage with a serum-like feel. Will it provide the coverage while still looking natural? Better yet, will it actually be transfer proof and long wearing? Let’s find out.

Quick Rating Rundown Chart

This Product

(3.9)

:KVD Good Apple Serum Foundation

Price: $42.00

1.01 oz

Value

(4.4)

Application

(4)

Coverage (full)

(4.7)

Finish (matte)

(4.2)

Longevity

(2.5)

Shade Range

(4.3)

Extra Benefits

(2.5)

Similar Product

(3.9)

:KVD Good Apple Foundation Balm

Price: $40.50

0.35 oz

Value

(4.6)

Application

(4)

Coverage (full)

(4.7)

Finish (matte)

(3.6)

Longevity

(2.5)

Shade Range

(4.3)

Extra Benefits

(3.5)

Industry Standarad

(4.6)

:Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation

Price: $48.00

1.0 oz

Value

(4.1)

Application

(4.8)

Coverage (full)

(5)

Finish (matte)

(4)

Longevity

(4.8)

Shade Range

(5)

Extra Benefits

(3.5)

MILABU PICKS

(4.5+)

:Best Foundations Of All Time

Price: $20 – $96

various

Value

(4.5+)

Application

(4.5+)

Coverage

(4.5+)

Finish

(4.5+)

Longevity

(4.5+)

Shade Range

(4.5+)

Extra Benefits

(4.5+)

^{Our Rating Criteria}

Promises vs. Performance: How does it apply? How does it wear?

KVD Good Apple Foundation is now in a serum, liquid formula. Full coverage meets a natural finish that covers everything from blemishes and acne scars to hyperpigmentation, discoloration, redness, and more. It claims to be transfer proof, withstanding sweat and humidity. KVD Serum Foundation is best suited for combination to oily skin and keeps shine in check all day long with the addition of quince leaf extract, while glycerin and apple extract keep skin nourished, fresh, and comfortable. The glass bottle and pump are designed to cut down on foundation waste, too. Good Apple Serum Foundation comes in 40 shades and is noncomedogenic, flashback free, vegan, and cruelty free.

My review thoughts on KVD Good Apple Serum Foundation

Let’s start the review with the basics of this KVD good apple serum foundation. The texture of this formula is just like a serum as claimed and feels lightweight on the skin. And, the pump is designed as promised – dispensing less product with each pump, so you end up saving product in the long run! In my testing, 1 pump gives medium coverage while 2 pumps provides full coverage.

I used my favorite Bobbi Brown Face Brush to apply on my first test since it never lets me down. And, I will say, it applied incredibly. With a brush, the application was flawless and I got an instant medium to full coverage. With a damp sponge, it gives pretty immediate full coverage and the sponge doesn’t soak up as much product as you think it would. However, a damp sponge application does lend itself to an application that can accentuate texture. The finish is the same with both – a soft matte, natural finish. Personally, I recommend a dense brush; my favorite is the Bobbi Brown Face Brush ($55).

The best part about this KVD serum foundation is how it feels on the skin. It feels undetectable and doesn’t dry skin out throughout a full day of wear. It’s smooth to the touch, and lays well over texture, bumps, and dry spots (when applied with a brush!). But, the longevity of this KVD foundation leaves something to be desired. When I read ‘transfer proof,’ ‘sweat resistant,’ and ‘humidity resistant,’ I expect a foundation to wear for 10+ hours easily. Unfortunately, this was not the case with this foundation. After 3 hours it began separating on my normal-combination skin. And, after 8 hours, it was patchy and looked real rough.

Let’s Review How It Compares: KVD Good Apple Serum Foundation is not there for the long run

But, when it comes to the best foundation, this one doesn’t quite meet the mark to qualify. While KVD Serum Foundation feels great on the skin, the performance doesn’t live up to its expectations. Based on its claims, I expected a wear that would withstand anything life throws at it, giving at least 10 hours of wear time before it started separating, looking patchy, etc. But, this was not the case. After 3 hours, it began separating. Then, after 8 hours, it looked extremely patchy and a lot of the foundation had rubbed off. When it comes to full coverage, long wearing foundations, there are better options out there.

Extend the life of KVD Serum Foundation with…

I paired KVD Good Apple Serum Foundation with Milk Makeup’s Gripping primer and the application and results were phenomenal. But the wear time is even better. Without any primer, the foundation would break apart around the 3 hour mark and at the end of 8 hours, my face looked patchy and uneven. The texture on my skin was also really exaggerated. This foundation paired with the gripping primer looked great up until 6-7 hours and then it would start slowing cracking and moving around. I wore this foundation multiple times with the primer and always got the same results. So from my experience, you get an extra 3 hours wear from the KVD serum full coverage foundation with a gripping primer.

Industry Standard for Full Coverage

My holy grail full coverage, long wear foundation remains Estee Lauder Double Wear. If you’ve researched makeup any bit, I’m sure you’ve come across it is. I, and many others, dub it the industry standard for its performance. No matter what primer, what complexion enhancers, and what setters I pair with it, it withstands the test of time. As a whole, the coverage, finish, and longevity are unmatched.

Better option For KVD Good Apple Foundation

If you like a lightweight serum foundations there are many great options for you to try. IMO the best similar option would have to be BeautyBlender BOUNCE™ Always On Radiant Skin Tint. It does not have quite the full coverage, but it cover very well. It’s natural finish and light on the skin with great coverage. The longevity is much better in comparison to KVD good apple foundation. Bounce will last up to 8 hours on the skin vs. KVD starts breaking up after only 3 hours (both without primer). Check out more detail on Bounce in the link above.

Comparison to Top Performers

Estee Lauder Double Wear

Let’s review and compare of KVD Good Apple Foundation Serum and Estee Lauder Double Wear. Starting with the texture of the formula, they are very different. KVD is a thinner, more serum like texture while Estee Lauder is thicker, more paste like. They both give instant medium coverage that can be built up to full coverage if desired. Double Wear performs time and time again, with 24 hour, budge-proof wear claims. And, it delivers. I can always count on this foundation makeup to withstand anything life throws at me, looking near flawless for at least 12 hours. Plus, it’s suited for all skin types!

Lawless Foundation

If you’re looking specifically for a serum foundation, I recommend the Lawless foundation, Conseal The Deal – a long wear, full coverage foundation with a fluid texture. It boasts a weightless feel, natural matte finish that doesn’t look dry, and self-setting properties too. Key ingredients include nasturtium flower, goji berry, and bisabolo + ginger extract, all ingredients meant to soothe and protect skin. This formula wears a solid 8+ hours without breaking apart, settling, or looking/feeling oily – something I can’t say about KVD Good Apple!

LYS Triple Fix

Another great option is LYS Triple Fix (also a clean formula!). It provides solid buildable medium coverage, applies effortlessly, and wears beautifully for 6-8 hours. While it doesn’t have the longest wear time out there, it doesn’t break apart or look patchy. I only get a bit of creasing and accentuated texture around my smile lines. Even when I don’t powder or touch up my face throughout the day, I don’t get super oily – just a really nice glow. At $22, LYS Triple Fix is a great option for a serum foundation. Click here for a full review of LYS Triple Fix. >

How does it compare to the KVD Good Apple Foundation Balm?

Obviously, these are two very different formulas: one is a balm and the other is a liquid. Both promise full coverage, blurred pores, and long wear. They both have a tricky application that can easily accentuate texture and separate if not careful, and both do deliver on their full coverage promises. But, where they differ, is the finish. I much prefer the finish of the serum foundation versus the balm, as it does lay nicer on the skin and the balm can look very heavy. Neither foundation is a standout in the longevity category, as both didn’t even come close to meeting their wear claims. They both begin breaking apart after just 3 hours of wear. (See rating comparison under Quick Rating Rundown.)

Performance Rating Chart

This Product

(3.9)

:KVD Good Apple Serum Foundation

Application

(4)

Coverage (full)

(4.7)

Finish (matte)

(4.2)

Longevity

(2.5)

Best Similar

(4.2)

:BOUNCE™ Always On Radiant Skin Tint

Application

(4.4)

Coverage (med)

(4.6)

Finish (natural)

(4.3)

Longevity

(3.5)

Clean Option

(4.4)

:Lawless Conseal the Deal Foundation

Application

(4.4)

Coverage (full)

(4.2)

Finish (matte)

(4.4)

Longevity

(4.2)

Best Performance

(4.7)

:Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation

Application

(4.8)

Coverage (full)

(5)

Finish (matte)

(4)

Longevity

(4.8)

^{Our Rating Criteria}