When Kat Met Sally

You Little Beauty – Kat von D Herself

Thank God I asked a friend of mine to help me get the coveted wristband that allows you to meet the most fabulous artist in the world, Kat von D as without that, we would still be stuck in the massive snake of a queue at Debenhams, Oxford Street.

Thank God

Hot off the 6.32am train from Nottingham, we got to Debo's at 9.20am yesterday and joined one long queue but we quickly realised we were waiting in line with people who hadn’t got the wristbands (they had to buy a product at the counter to get one).  So we joined another shorter queue where, once inside, I was asked my name and then the wristband was placed on me – I could hear the angels singing.  Then we joined the longest queue ever, the ‘if you have your wristband queue’.  We were in this line of KvD fans for about 4 hours.  Oddly it didn’t feel like it as the staff were constantly bringing round soya lattes (which I didn't drink else I would've going to the loo every five minutes), lipsticks, bags, biscuits, bottles of water and temporary tattoos (surprise, surprise). 

Emailed my parents to say I had gotten another tattoo...

Seeing as we now had hours ahead of us, I had time to think about what on earth am I going to say to this woman who I have absolutely adored and respected since 2007.  Like most people, I first saw Kat on Miami Ink (she was so much better than the boys) and then on her own show, LA Ink.  Her tattoo work is amazing but I really felt that she and I were on the same page.  I share her values and her beliefs and this is how I connected with her (she is a fellow Piscean after all – her birthday 5 days after mine!).  So today was a big deal for me.

By 1pm, I was finally inside Debenhams but I was freezing cold and I was shaking - I think this was nerves by this point as I was only ten mins away from her.  One of her make-up artists asked if I wanted a touch-up and I asked did I need one?  He said my nose was shiny so I said do it and he dutifully dusted with powder.  God, I did not want my shiny nose to greet Kat.  Thankfully, my KvD long-lasting lipstick in Outlaw had survived the 4 hour wait (I applied it after a coffee at St Pancreas station) so I didn’t have to worry about that.  No problem if I had required a touch-up though as the staff were happily applying her lippies to all the patient queuing fans. 

OK, now this was happening, this was the part where it was all very quick.  I turned the corner and there she was… so tiny was she!  One of her staff asked me if I was excited and I said I was sooooo nervous.  "Oh noooooo!", she cried.  I quickly replied that it was due to excitement and her face relaxed.  I didn't want to be carted off by Security at this stage. 

 I am so close to her!  Next, its my turn.

The meet and greet was so militarily timed that it completely threw me off.  They take your phone, you have to stand in a certain spot and then they move you two centimetres every three seconds and this goes on until you’re so near the people who are having their photo with the inked Goddess herself that my adrenaline went into overdrive.  I’m too close, I thought, my space and their's is being compromised.  Without realising, I am now staring in the face of Kat von D with her arms outstretched towards me.  KAT VON D!!!!  Her make-up looked amazing by the way – I thought I’m going to have to buy the Shade and Light palette…  Anyway, back to reality, I think we stared at each other for far too long and she realised how nervous I was and gave me the biggest hug of my life.  Then, quickly we had to have the photos taken and I had planned just to say “I tweeted you last year and you tweeted me back!”  But me being the female version of Hugh Grant (on a good day) said “Hi Kat, my hands are really cold, sorry!”  She had bare arms and I didn't want to shock her with my cold hands!  Of course, she didn’t mind at all. 

(Sympathy) Hug 1

Because it was all going so fast and really I didn’t have time to say anything else, I had a little tantrum with my arms and blurted, “But I had so much I wanted to say and its all gone out of my head!”  Again, her arms stretched out and she said “Awwwww, come here,” and I was nestled against her again.  Yes, that was lovely but it wasn’t my finest hour and I wish I had just been less star-struck and not a babbling idiot.  Hopefully she won’t remember me -  haha!

(Sympathy) Hug 2 - Lucky me!

My life is complete

Due to all the queuing, I was desperate for a pee (I didn’t leave the queue I was in to go to the loo so I was busting 5 hours later) so after going to the ladies room, we went to the counter as I had planned to buy her mascara and Shade and Light palette but I saw the counter queue was now snaking out of the building and onto Oxford Street! I thought, no way are we queuing again so we left to meet our London friends and to be honest, I needed a stiff drink...

Although I came away without buying, I can write about her products as I’ve been using them since 2008.  All her make-up has been designed to be long-lasting and my goodness, they are.  My first purchase (cost me a fortune on ebay) was the eye palette in Metal Orchestra – a selection of blues, greys and blacks.  Great colour pay-off.

Metal Orchestra - old packaging

The lipsticks, I felt at first, were quite drying (as can often be the case when make-up is ‘long-lasting’) but the colours are absolutely amazing.  Thankfully, the lipsticks have been re-formulated over the years and are more comfortable than they used to be.  The Everlasting range is fantastic as it doesn’t move – you can kiss and drink in them and they don’t come off.  After eating, you need to reapply but only a dab on the middle of your lips.  Result.  Also great to buy for value are the mini lipstick gift sets.  My US friend generously bought me a gift set of 6 mini lipsticks in a variety of colours.

Free lipstick from Kat in Underage Red

My favourite product of hers though is the Tattoo Liner in Trooper.  My hooded, round eyes look ridiculous with wings, flicks and cat eyes but I do like a top line and I need a liner that has a really thin nib.  With this little beauty, you can go as sharp, precise and creative as you like.  This does the trick and it lasts.  Everyone should own Trooper (£16).

My KvD Collection - studded lipstick, lipstick, tattoo liner, everlasting lip, metal orchestra

I am not into celeb perfumes at all – they all smell the same – have a cheap base note to them but Saint and Sinner doesn’t have that at all.  Gorgeous!  They were discontinued years back but the lady herself has hinted to a 2017 relaunch.  I love both of them but I settled on Saint.  I still have the bottle and l like to have a sniff once in a while.  

Saint Perfume

Another thing I love about Kat’s products is the packaging.  Kat, being the incredible artist that she is, designs all the packaging and names every product herself.  Especially love the studded lipsticks – so me – and the new Shade and Light products and her brushes are in coffin-shaped packaging – beyond cool.

Now Kat has launched in Debenhams, I no longer have to ask my sister or my friends when they are going the States to buy me KvD or do I have to pay extortionate delivery charges that cost more than the products themselves!  It’s so exciting!

It was a fantastic Kat day, one of which I will cherish and big love to my Dan for enduring 13 hours of an excitable me and to my friends that got me my wristband in the first place and made it all possible; Adrianna and Junko.

Next, I am going to have to save up my pennies for a trip to LA to be inked.  I wonder if Kat will recognise me?

www.debenhams.com/beauty/kat-von-d
Prices from £16