Beauty | Kiko Cosmetics - Velvet Touch Creamy Stick Blush Review

Another product from my Kiko Cosmetics haul recently, I have far too many blushers, but I couldn't resist this one. In the same range and packaging as the Radiant Touch Creamy Stick Highlighter (read here for a review), this cream blush is easy to use with the perfect amount of colour pigmentation. As the name hints, it has a velvety soft texture which doesn't leave the skin sticky and it blends easily. I like this being in a stick form as it is easier to measure how much product you put on each cheek, whereas I find it hard to judge when scooping out of a pot. I often use a combination of cream blush and powder blush, and this is great accompaniment to a lighter more shimmery powder. The benefit of layering powder blush on top of cream blush is it stays in place and you can blend to get the perfect blush colour for your tone. As anyone that reads my blog regularly knows, I can't rave about this brand enough as I love their products, prices and packaging, anyone else tried out any Kiko Cosmetics products?

Beauty | Kiko Cosmetics - Radiant Touch Creamy Stick Highlighter Review

As part of my Kiko Cometics haul when I was in Florence, I picked up this highlighter stick. I liked the idea of a highlighter stick as other highlighters I own are in liquid form. The packaging is sturdy and feels good quality. As you can see from the swatch pic, the effect (I put a little more on than you would on your face so the camera could pick it up) is very sheer with a gorgeous golden shimmer. The application is very easy, so easy that I added it to my everyday makeup routine (read here) and it is hard to overdo it with this stick unlike liquid highlighters which can go wrong quite easily if you put too much on! The product doesn't leave your skin sticky either, it sits on the skin lightly. I have said it in many of my posts but I will say it again, the value for money in the products from Kiko Cosmetics is unbelievable! Great beauty products at good prices, that is always going to put a smile on my face!

Luxe Beauty Life | Makeup for Work Routine

Well, I don't know about you but in the morning before work I just want to get ready and out of the door as quick as possible... this means I get more beauty sleep (trust me I need it!). So the makeup I wear for work is about speed and ease of application. Top tip: Keep it all together in a separate makeup bag so there is no wasting time rummaging around trying to find what you're looking for. Before applying though I prep my skin...

Firstly I like to give my skin a bit of a boost so I use an oil cleanser in the morning, I find it gives a great base for makeup and the little bit of luxury perks me up. At the moment I am using the DHC Deep Cleansing Oil sample I got in a beauty box a few weeks ago, a little is going a long way! Then I spritz my skin with a brightening mist, it feels refreshing and acts as a toner - L'Occitane Immortelle Essential Water. I am currently using some No.7 serum and moisturising cream that I received in a gift set at Christmas, I really like the day cream in particular as it is fresh and light for the morning - No 7 Protect & Perfect Beauty Serum & No 7 Protect & Perfect Intense Day Cream. 

After that routine my skin is in a good place for makeup application. I use a primer to ensure my makeup stays in place, again I am using a sample from a beauty box at the moment as I like to save my Laura Mercia for weekends and going out. The one I am using works great and gives a radiance boost (which I definitely need on a weekday morning!) - Monu Illuminating Primer. In work I like my makeup to be as natural and barely there as possible, I find CC cream to be the best base for this and applying is a lot faster than foundation, I love the Olay CC cream and it isn't hugely expensive. Dark circles are always needing tending to, in the morning especially and this one is my every day, night, weekend, holiday favourite - YSL Touche Eclat. I like powder finishes so I use MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural which is such a great product, it perfects your makeup finish without leaving your skin overly made up and gives you a little bit of colour. I have used these blushers for years - Bourjois Blush in Rose de Jaspe, I have tons of other blush powders, tints and creams that I use at other times, but this is my go to in the mornings and the little brush that comes with it makes application so quick and easy. I use brown and black eyeliner all of the time but in work I like to play it down a bit so I use a dark plum colour, I find this works really well at keeping my eye makeup subtle. Rimmel Exaggerate Waterproof Eye Definer in Perfect Plum is excellent for staying where it should do. When it comes to eye makeup I love nothing more than adding a bit of colour and blending till my hearts content, but there's no time for that in the morning so I grab one of the Maybelline Color Tattoo 24hr colours, my favourites are Metallic Pomegranate, On and Bronze and Pink Gold. They work really well for staying in place, I find eye creams really easy to apply and keep the eyes subtle but interesting. I really like using stick highlighters when I am in a rush so the Kiko Cosmetics Creamy Stick Highlighter does just the job and saves time compared to liquid highlighters. Finally I finish off with some GOSH Growth Mascara, it provides great volume and it has the added bonus of having lash lengthening formula in it so that it is encouraging your lashes to grow while you wear it. If I am having a lipstick day then I usually opt for a nude (reviews here) or just keep my lip moisturised with whatever lip balm I have to hand.

What is your make up for work routine?

Beauty | Kiko Cosmetics - Mat Mousse Oil Free Foundation Review

This was a product I picked up recently when I went a little crazy in a Kiko Cosmetics store (luckily their prices are good otherwise I'd be on bread and water!). I have to admit, and being a makeup addict, I am not sure I am allowed to, I am not a huge foundation fan. Shock horror. I much prefer tinted moisturisers or a BB/CC cream as it is hard to go wrong with them, whereas foundations get tricky in application and making sure you apply evenly. However, that being said, every now and then I wonder how lovely my face could look and I buy the odd foundation. Seeing the words mat (matte) and oil free, my foundation curiosity was peaked yet again and I though 'ah go on then'. So, is it any good? Well, as I am not an avid foundation fan, I would say yes. One of my faves is the Nars Sheer Glow Foundation, but at a third of the price I would say the Kiko Cosmetics product is pretty darn good. It gives great coverage, matte finish, feels very light and natural and it smoothes skin tone really quite effectively. The products lasts really well too, I first used it without a primer and I have to say I didn't notice much difference after a few hours and the forehead shine I am a little prone to was kept at bay. I do love that is has SPF15 in there too to protect your skin. This product might well just creep it's way in to my weekend makeup! What is your favourite foundation?

Beauty | Kiko Cosmetics Boulevard Rock Limited Edition Collection

While I was is Italy recently I bought some makeup from the Boulevard Rock Limited Edition Collection by Kiko Cosmetics. The range has tons to choose from and it is all in funky and fun packaging which made it super hard to choose what to buy, but this is what I went for...

Kiko Cosmetics - Rock Attraction Bronzer in Steady Honey Review

I admit, I didn't need a bronzer, but I couldn't resist how the product was pressed into a zip shape! The container is really cool too with a colourful matte finish. The product itself is well pigmented and gives the skin a warm glow. It is very light and almost sheer so it provides a natural flush of colour, I think this will be great in the summer to give a radiance boost.

Kiko Cosmetics - Street Fashion Eyeshadow Palette in Grounge Couture Review

Again, very cool packaging which I completely fell for. The colours are vibrant and can be applied to a subtle or loud look as you want. The powder lasts well, but it does have a bit of fall out but applies to the eye lids easily and blends well. I would say this is another fun summer product.

Kiko Cosmetics - Glow Touch Lip & Cheeks in Magnetic Mauve Review

I love this balm, it smells and tastes like vanilla (which happens to be one of my favourite scents) and is light on both lips and cheeks. It isn't greasy, it has a velvety texture and it hydrates the lips well and gives a subtle glow on cheeks.

Kiko Cosmetics - Rock Idol Lipstick in 03 Rebel Coral Review

This lipstick has a satin finish but goes on to the lips easily like a glossy lip balm, it can feel slightly grainy on the lips though. I love this colour (dare I say summer again??) but it does slightly dry your lips so I would suggest applying lip balm first.

Kiko Cosmetics - Denim Nail Laquer in Tribal Purple Review

I can't resist buying nail polish, there are just too many colours to try out. The Denim Nail Laquer finish is matte which I love amd it applies easily and gives great coverage with two coats. The colour is dark pink/purple which works well for work and is still colourful enough to give you a lift.

In summary, I am really enjoying discovering the brand as it is quite new to me and this limited edition collection really showcases what the brand is all about...fun and colour with quality products, and the huge bonus of it being reasonably priced! Have you tried any Kiko Cosmetics products yet?

Beauty | Kiko Cosmetics - Unlimited Stylo Lipstick in Burgundy Review

Part of my Kiko Cosmetics haul from Italy was this long wearing lipstick, it is packaged well, the container doesn't feel cheap (even though the price is) and from first glance it looks like a lovely deep colour, which is No.12 Burgundy. First thing I notice when applying is that the shape of the product doesn't allow for following your lip shape easily. As you can see from my pic of of own application, the product is too chunky and not precise enough, so I would recommend using a lip brush. The lipstick is very pigmented and results in a beautiful colour on your lips which truly is long lasting. Once dry the lipstick doesn't budge and it takes a couple of hours before it needs a touch up. The lipstick doesn't dry out your lips either despite its matte finish, and when first applying it feels quite hydrating. In summary, there are plenty of positives about this lipstick, including the price, with the only negative being the limitations of not being able to top up on the go without a lip brush for a good lip shape. I'll be keeping an eye out for other colours with this one!

Beauty | Kiko Cosmetics - Florence

Whilst wandering the streets of Florence I came across a Kiko Cosmetics Store which i was very excited about with all the recent buzz about this brand in the UK.

The store wasn't huge, but the vast choice in colours and various products really was. I went a little mad and bought plenty!

I will be writing separate reviews for each of these products as soon as I can get round it but for now here is a sneak peek at the little (read massive) haul I splurged on....