We tried the viral KVD Beauty Good Apple foundation – but is it worth the hype?

Here's our honest review...

kvd foundation review

by Eden-Olivia Lord |
Updated on

If you're obsessed with TikTok like us then we're pretty sure you've seen the viral KVD Beauty foundation on your FYP.

We've literally everyone and their mum using it and after seeing the coverage, we're shook.

The Good Apple Skin Perfecting Balm is full coverage, a fresh matte finish and ideal for normal to dry skin.

KVD Beauty Good Apple Skin Perfecting Balm FoundationKVD Beauty

KVD Beauty's new foundation promises to hydrate and nourish dry to normal skin while giving you full coverage and a fresh-matte finish. No wonder it's gone viral on TikTok.

It's lightweight, has buildable coverage, hydrating, nourishing and can even cover tattoos.

Need proof?

Well, Travis Barker - aka Blink-182's drummer and Kourtney Kardashian's fiancé - has even put the foundation to the test and it works wonders.

So of course, we had to try the foundation for ourselves and see if it's really worth the hype on three different skin types.

KVD Beauty's Good Apple Foundation Balm review

Eden-Olivia Lord, Deputy Digital Editor, Shade Tan 066, Normal/Dry Skin

kvd beauty good apple skin perfecting balm review shade tan 066
Before (left), with the foundation (centre), with the rest of my make-up (right)

As soon as I saw this foundation on TikTok I knew I needed to try it because the results were incredible.

After looking at the shade range I tried Tan 066 and used the KVD Lock-It Edge foundation brush although it was a little light on some areas, I managed to make it work once I added the rest of my make-up.

The coverage is AMAZING - definitely one of the best full coverage foundations I've used. I'd describe the formula as a balm (that is, its name after all) but it didn't feel too heavy on my face despite the fact that it covered everything I wanted it to.

I'm used to heavy foundations feeling pretty cakey but this one felt nourishing and hydrating which is great because that's what it claims to do.

The only downside to this foundation is that it doesn't 100% suit my skin tone. I tried Tan 060 too and that was too light, so I'd definitely recommend looking at the shade range on the website but also finding someone with a similar skin tone on TikTok or YouTube.

I'd give it a 8/10.

Lucy Smith, Audience Development Exec , Shade Light 010, Oily Skin

kvd beauty good apple skin perfecting balm review shade light 010
Before (left), with the foundation (centre), with the rest of my make-up (right)

For context, the texture of my skin is naturally a bit bumpy and, like a lot of oily skin types, I have quite enlarged pores across my T-zone and some closed comedones around my chin/jaw, too.

After seeing all the TikToks with the KVD foundation I wanted to put it to the test to see if it could smooth over some of my problem areas and, more importantly, keep that smooth finish throughout the day.

Astonishingly, though I didn’t patch test it in store, shade Light 010 was a perfect colour match. I used the KVD Lock-It Edge foundation brush to apply and, from the first swipe, I was impressed.

I think if I had applied it swipe by swipe like a theatre cake foundation, then it would have covered a multitude of sins pretty flawlessly. For me, that would’ve been too heavy and, when I tried to blend the cream across my cheeks, it was hard to avoid streak marks.

Once I eventually managed to even out the finish with a Beauty Blender, the final result looked gorg but, as I had expected, it only took a couple hours before the product had clung to the creases in my skin and it had oxidised, too.

Though I can’t vouch for this, I reckon the KVD foundation would be a good shout for someone with normal-dry skin. Alternatively, if you have really acneic skin and don’t mind a heavy feel, this stuff WILL blur over blemishes, you might just need to touch it up throughout the day with a loose powder.

For me personally, I’d give it a 5, but I don’t doubt it could work for someone else.

Aimee Jakes, Shopping Editor, Shade Light 015, Combination Skin

kvd beauty good apple skin perfecting balm shade light 015
Before (left), with the foundation (centre), with the rest of my make-up (right)

Let’s get straight to the point, if there’s anything I’m fussy about it's foundations. I am non-committal when it comes to nude lipsticks, I say ‘the more the merrier!’ when it comes to perfumes and I don’t think I’ve ever got to the end of an eyeshadow palette.

However when it comes to foundations I have quite honestly tried them all and only a very small minority are put-on-my-face worthy. In my Hall of Fame there is the IT Cosmetics CC Cream (made by actual wizards) The NARS Natural Radiant Longwear (a night out staple) and the Helliocare tinted SPF50 which is technically not a foundation, but the finish is SUBLIME.

So, when KVD’s Apple Foundation landed on my FYP approx 293920 times, I simply had to know what the fuss was about. Tiktokers claimed it was ‘high-coverage enough to cover blemishes’, whilst remaining ‘barely-there’ and ‘balmy’. It’s noncomedogenic which means it won’t clog your pores (a worry with matte formulas) and it’s super blendable.

I’d describe my skin as combination and am prone to hormonal breakouts around my time of the month. I always strive to look like the glossy Made In Chelsea filter IRL... y’know, like I actually get eight hours sleep and drink water regularly, so I normally avoid matte finishes, unless I’m heading somewhere fancy (remember, whispers plans?)

The Good Apple Skin-Perfecting Foundation really delivered on coverage. The blemishes from last week’s sudden case of ‘chin acne’, you ask? Gone. It blended seamlessly into my skin and it didn’t feel drying or cakey. I used the shade Light 015 (a total guess!) which was perfect for my skin colour. I then set it with my trusty Hourglass Ambient Lighting Infinity Powder which I absolutely swear by for a natural sheen.

One thing I love about this formula is how it's 'anti-flash' and makes your skin look extra flawless on camera - perfect for those 'hi, I'm back!' sultry selfies, amirite?

All in all, I was very chuffed with the result. It hasn’t quite overtaken It Cosmetics as my everyday go-to, but best believe it’ll be inside my zebra-printed shoulder bag, on my next night out.

I'll give this foundation 8.5/10.

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Tips on applying the KVD Beauty Good Apple Skin Perfecting Balm

  1. For light to medium coverage - dip a damp make-up sponge into the foundation and pat onto your skin
  1. For medium to full coverage - use a dense foundation brush to build and blend
  1. For oily skin - set it with Lock-It Setting Powder

Oh and how could we forget, another incredible thing about this foundation is that it's good for your skin because the formula is infused with apple extract and sodium hyaluronate which helps hydrate and nourish your skin.

PLUS, the packaging is good for the planet because it doesn't have a mirror, magnets or metal which means it's 100% recyclable.

Just so you know, whilst we may receive a commission or other compensation from the links on this website, we never allow this to influence product selections - read why you should trust us