KIKO Cosmetics | Recent Purchases & Review

Hello Everybody!

So as you can tell by the title, I thought it would be nice to share with you what I brought from KIKO Cosmetics, the last time I went make-up shopping. I did pick up a few new items as their WANDERLUST collection had not long been released and it looked fab!

 So, first things first, is this gorgeous face/ powder brush which is super fluffy and feels so soft against the skin. I do occasionally have dry patches on my face as I have quite sensitive skin, so i needed something which wouldn't be too harsh against my skin. The coral pink is a beautiful colour, making it a unique brush to add to your collection. It is definitely a product I would recommend. I do however believe it is a limited edition product, from the ARTIST collection, so I am not 100% how long you will be able to get your hands on this for!

 I like to use this brush for bronzer as I find that it applies it well, as a little goes a long way. It blends products out lovely and its size is great for a less chiseled and more sun touched look.

I was literally so so excited to try this product when I brought it. I was after a big bronzer which I could just lightly run a large brush over rather than a small one which I would have to use a blusher brush or a contour brush for. It's called 'Desert Dunes' and it looks like this:

I cannot get over how gorgeous this bronzer is! It is one of the more expensive products from KIKO as it is from their new summer collection. However the for the size and the fact that it smells like chocolate! *resists a nibble* It is a bronzer which definitely caught my eye. As for the product itself, you really only need a little as it's pigmentation is really good. Too much of this however, starts to look a tad orange, hence why I only use a little, to literally add a bit of colour to my face. 

On a more disheartened note, I also brought this, it is the 'Sunshine' powder foundation in the shade 203. After my amazing experience with the bronzer I had high hopes for this, but it didn't live up to my expectations. 

Firstly, it is far too dark for me! after sampling on my hand it looked alright, and after blending and concealer I figured it would be worth the try as I haven't used a powder foundation before. Application isn't great either, it is really pigmented but it takes to my face in patches, causing a rather uneven and again patchy finish. Rather than waste it though, I have taken to using it as a matt bronzer, using it below my cheekbones.

Another item I brought from the ARTIST collection was this face serum. Admittedly I'm not really a serum user, in fact I dont think I had ever used one prior to this! I had no real idea on what they did or why or when I was to start using one.

 So when I spotted this I was intrigued. I'm not big on asking for help at beauty counters, I would rather drift around myself and figure out what my skin likes/dislikes. Its called 'Blooming Glow' and is a face serum which contains vitamins which help boost your skins complexion. Yes, the pretty pearled beads did sway me to buy it! but I was more drawn to it due to its appearance. Because I find that the word serum, is more typically associated with anti-aging products which admittedly frighten me a little bit... (I'm only 20!)

I decided to use the serum before I put on my moisturiser in the morning and occasionally on its own at night. I absolutely love this product! It really refreshes the skin, I feel more awake - sometimes lattes dont cut it!- and it makes my skin super soft, which makes putting my foundation on less of a chore!

This gorgeous nude lip liner is in the shade 700. Again, I had never owned a lip liner until this one, so KIKO have transformed me! I was however, looking for one. The colour is so pigmented and doesn't wash me out unlike other variations of nude, it has a creamy consistency and goes beautifully with my Rimmel Kate nude lipstick in 45.

Final purchase from KIKO came in the form of a mascara, which promised to lengthen and curl lashes. Its packaging gave off a MAC vibe which I liked. I do love a good packaging! but I would rather be wowed by the product itself!

I am a huge lover of Roller Lash by Benefit but I do think that it isn't a mascara I can continuously buy because of the price. So whilst in KIKO I searched for a similar sounding product and came across this. Although it is much cheaper it is a brilliant mascara. It lengthens, curls and really makes my eyes stand out, however I feel like its drying out much more quickly than I had anticipated! I am so excited to try more variations in mascara because they are fab for the price! 

Have you got any KIKO cosmetics? Have you tried any of the ones I have? Let me know if there are any great products I am missing out on! 

Loves 

Sam xo

New Lipstick | First Impressions

I'm not really a lipstick wearer, i think it makes me look like i'm trying too hard to look good for the local supermarket cashiers, which by the way i'm not. I would love to pull off a signature Taylor Swift bright red lip, or even a subtle nude would make me into a lippy wearer right? I think 'Clown' every time i even attempt lipstick thinking i am much too pale, much too petite which makes me look younger than i am and much too me. I mean lets be honest, how ridiculous is that... 'much too me' but yet i'm the one thinking it! 

Anyway, i wanted to stretch my arms away from the glossy nail varnishes and past the pretty eye shadows and into the unfamiliar surroundings of the lipstick. Little story for you here; i walked into Boots, went to each independent countery thingy (please someone comment and let me know what word I'm looking for here) and browsed. I had no idea of what i was looking for, only that i wanted a colour- great start- and i wanted a long lasting, pigmented colour as well. So i continued to browse and picked up a few colours sampling them on the back of my hand, like you do. I must have had about 30 different shades and consistencies of lipstick on the back of my hand, and to conclude the story, i ended up with three favourites. I love a happy ending... 

So I brought two Rimmel lipsticks and a Revlon Colourburst Matte Balm, if you would like to know more, keep reading :) 

 The first Rimmel lipstick is mauve in colour and i would say fairly neutral as it suits all skin types. It is called ASIA and it is in the number 077 from the Rimmel Lasting Finish range. 

 The swatch of the lipstick is that it is very soft and easily appliable and has a slight sheen to it, which makes it very moisturising. I really like this lipstick due to the depth of the colour and the neutral element of it. Looking forward to using this one! 

The second Rimmel Lasting Finish lipstick is called ALARM in the number 170. It is a vibrant red and like ASIA is very soft and rich in its colour.

 As i have previously mentioned i have always wanted to pull of a Tay Tay look and i think this is the winner red for me as i am quite pale in my complexion with brunette hair a little pop of colour will hopefully brighten me up a bit if i can be brave enough to wear it! 

 Different from the first two lipsticks i brought i opted for this Revlon Colourburst Matte Balm in the shade 205. I was rather intrigued by this one as the swatch made it out to be very lipstick like which i liked but i hoped it wasn't too glossy as i'm not a big lip gloss fan. 

 I have tried on this lipstick and i was quite impressed to say the least, the balm element is very much present in this product as it smells slightly spearminty and gives a lovely nourishing feeling and even makes your lips tingle a little bit! 

I am looking forward to trying all of my lipsticks out and i hope thats not just round the house! All three are very rich in colour and are good quality which i am super pleased about. 

What are your favourite lipsticks and why? Are there any others you think i should know about? Let me know in the comments below! 

Loves, Sam x