Kiko Milano Endless Love Lipstick & Lip Liner 05 'Soft Marsala'

Hello all!

So you want to buy yourself, your best friend or partner a lovely treat for Valentine's Day? Then look no further.


Kiko recently brought out a limited edition range called their 'Best Friends Forever' range. A part of this range were 'Endless Love' lipstick and lip liners. The 'Intensely Lavish' lipsticks and lip liners in their previous limited edition 'Rebel Romantic' range were a big hit with me so when I saw this range I knew I wanted more. 


What drawn me to the lipsticks and connects it to Valentine's Day is the packaging and lipstick shape. The lipstick lid has a heart shape on it which shows the colour of the lipstick (which does seem true to actual colour). This idea instantly reminded me of the YSL lipsticks where it has an open space to show the lipstick colour. But the best part about the lipstick was the actual lipstick. The product is in the shape of a heart! This certainly makes it a photogenic item and makes it different to anything else I have in my collection. It stands out and really fits the Valentine's theme. 


The lipstick has a click on lid as opposed to a magnetic lid like the other Kiko lipstick I have. I prefer the magnetic lid as it makes it seem more luxurious and makes a satisfying clicking noise, however I am glad the lid has a mechanism to ensure that the lid won't come off. That means it is safe in your handbag!


The formula is described as pigmented and creamy with extracts of bixa orellena seed (whatever that is?). I picked up the colour 05 'Soft Marsala'. It is a deep plum colour with a slight sheen to it and red tones, very similar to that of the Kiko lipstick I already own. I was gutted when I realised mine was limited edition so I made sure I picked up a similar colour! I certainly agree that it is pigmented and creamy as it is a bold lip that slides on with such ease and is so creamy that you can rub your lips together like you would a lip balm. I would say this slightly more creamy than my other Kiko lipstick which is also described as creamy.

The lasting power is fair. If I weren't to eat or drink anything it would last all day without fading. If I were to eat carefully, the colour would mostly stay there with the colour being taken off mostly at the sides of my mouth. When I drink some of the product does come off, but not necessarily enough to be reapplied. However, if it does need to be reapplied that is okay as it layers nicely and doesn't go funny like some lipsticks do. 

I've only got 2 issues with the lipstick. Although it being in the shape of a heart is very pretty, it does make applying it slightly harder. I prefer to apply straight from the bullet rather than using a lip liner, which does kind of prove a problem. Because of the shape it makes it hard to precisely follow the shape of your lips and cover all over. I have to make sure I am using one of the rounder edges of the heart and not press the whole bullet over my lips. If I do that it misses parts of lips and goes over the line which does not make it easy to clean up. My other problem is that because of the shape there isn't as much product. To compare, in this lipstick there are 3g of product whilst my other Kiko lipstick has 3.5g, all for the same price. It is pretty thin so I don't see this lasting very long if I use it very frequently!


As for the lip liner, I do prefer it paired up with the lipstick as opposed to using the lipstick on its own. It helps me to follow the lines (which I said can be hard with the heart shape) and helps the colour to last. The lip liner packaging is in the shade of the colour which I like and is a twist up lip liner as opposed to a pencil that needs to be sharpened. On one hand I prefer this as I always end up with sharp bits on the pencil when sharpening, but on the other hand this means I do find it slightly harder to control. Occasionally I find I accidentally go off my lips and end up drawing on my face! So this does need a bit of practice. The lip liner is a good idea to use with creamy lipsticks as I think if I didn't use one, this lipstick would be in danger of smudging.


Overall I really like the duo and they meet the standards I now expect with Kiko. I'm so glad I found a similar colour to the one I love and it looks very nice in my collection and in photos. If I had been given this for Valentine's Day I would have been smitten with it so it will make a nice gift for your fellow lipstick lover. However, this lipstick is transferable so won't be perfect for Valentine's Day kisses!


So will you be buying from their 'Best Friends Forever' range or do you already have something? The lipsticks are a very reasonable price at £5.90 whilst the matching lip liners are £3.90.


Also, if you want to read the review I wrote on the other Kiko lipstick and lip liner that I keep raving about, click here.

Kiko Milano Intensely Lavish Lipstick & Lip Liner 06 'Melodious Wine'

Hello all!


Over 2015 Kiko was becoming a more and more known brand and bloggers seemed to really be trying out their products. This was the year I also discovered Kiko, first buying items from them in Spain then more so when they brought a Kiko store to my local mall. 


On my first purchase in the the store near me, I purchased these: The Intensely Lavish Lipstick and Lip Liner in 06 'Melodious Wine' from their Rebel Romantic Collection. At first I fell in love with the packaging- it looks so luxurious! The lipstick is in a gold container which clicks together with a magnet. I cannot tell you how satisfying that clicking noise is! The packaging screams luxurious and even the lip liner with the true-to-colour pencil with gold lid is beautiful. 


I then swatched the colours and immediately knew I had to buy them. The colour is an extremely pigmented and rich, creamy wine colour of darker red with purple tones that matches my reddy-purple hair colour. The colour can look slightly different in various lights which I absolutely love. I wouldn't describe it as an extreme matte like the retro mattes from MAC, But it isn't glossy either. The only way I can describe it is that it looks like a creamy matte as opposed to a drying matte; a matte with a sheen that adds texture and dimension.

The ingredients of the product include orchid extract, corn oil and gotu kola. These must be what make the lipstick and lip liner so creamy and not leave you with that super dry feeling. Because of the creaminess of them they feel moisturising on the lips and glide on so easily without any tugging. Bonus!

So what about lasting power? Well, if you're doing a long day without much eating or drinking then it is going to last. The majority of the time I wear these to work and the colour lasts all day and doesn't fade. Most of the time I don't have a break at work so I am not eating or drinking. However, I've found that eating and drinking don't last so well as the colour disappears from the sides of my mouth, leaving that terrible ring around your lips. I've tried this colour on a dinner date and on a night out down town and it doesn't last the food or alcohol well! Despite this, the colour does reapply well over the top of a previous layer without going funny so you can reapply throughout the day if you wish to.

The lip liner goes on smooth and really helps to make your lips look fuller and bigger. I find it so easy to over line my top lip slightly and it it isn't noticeably over drawn. I don't think you necessarily need a lip liner with this lipstick as it applies so well, however it does definitely help to make that sharp line and to over draw. When you sharpen the lip liner it doesn't create sharp edges and seems a long enough pencil that it won't be wasted straight away.

In conclusion I absolutely love and adore this lipstick and lip liner combo from Kiko. I think it would work perfectly for people with slightly drier lips and would also make a good gift, as I found when I gave the same set to my friend for Christmas. They are such a bargain price also with the lipstick being £6.90, however the collection is currently on sale at £3.40! Such a fantastic price and I love it so much that I would want to buy it again and again forever. It really makes a make up look and makes me feel like I am having a confident make up day. The colour is down right intense! It is such a shame it is a limited edition collection! If you're reading Kiko, which you're probably not, make this a permanent part of your collection! I hope I can find the same colour in their permanent collection of lipsticks.

Have you tried any products from Kiko Milano?

Favourites | The Best Make Up of 2015

Hello all!

Today I bring you my favourite make up of 2015. It is so difficult to narrow down all the products I've loved throughout the year but I've managed it! That is all of my favourites of 2015 up now. Time to move forward! If you haven't read my skincare favourites of 2015 yet feel free to click here and if you haven't read my hair care and perfume favourites then feel free to click here!

BASE

• Emite Make Up Diamond Heart Base Primer
• L'Oreal Paris Infallible 24hr-Matte Foundation    (review)
• Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer    (review)
• Collection Lasting Perfection Powder    (review)
• W7 Go Colour Corrective Concealer    (review)
• BarryM Chisel Cheeks Contour Kit
• So Susan Statement Skin Highlighting Crayon 
• Urban Decay De-Slick Make-Up Setting Spray    (review)

EYEBROWS

• Benefit Cosmetics Gimme Brow    (review)
• Soap & Glory Archery Brow Tint & Precision Pencil    (review)

LIPS

• Kiko Milano Intensely Lavish Lipstick '06'
• Kiko Milano Intensely Lavish Lip Liner '06'
• MAC Ruby Woo    (review)

EYES

• L'Oreal Paris Infallible Indefectible Waterproof Eyeliner 'Night Day Black'
• bareMinerals Lash Domination Voluminising Mascara    (review)
• Soap&Glory Supercat Liquid Eyeliner    (review)
• Urban Decay Naked Basics Palette
• Eylure Lengthening Fake Eyelashes

BRUSHES

• Real Techniques Expert Face Brush    (review)
• Real Techniques Setting Brush    (review)
• Seventeen Cheek Brush
• Seventeen Flat Eye Brush

What was your favourite make up of 2015?

November Favourites

Hello!

My monthly favourites come late this month due to the fact that my phone died on me which I use to take photos on, and I couldn't take any blog photos until I got a new phone. Thankfully now I have one! I went for the Samsung Galaxy S6.

My favourites for November start with the InstaNatural Dead Sea Mud Mask. I have been using this mask once a week for the whole of November and I am really noticing the difference in my skin. It has tightened my pores and smoothed out my complexion rather well!

In November I also received my first GlossyBox, and one of the products in it was the Emite Make Up Diamond Heart Base Primer. I like this because it doesn't have a silicone feeling and does well to stop as much oil as normal coming through my make up by the end of the day. It is easy to apply and I will be sure to review it soon. However, as good as it is, it is the most difficult product ever to photograph! So I apologise that you cannot really see the writing on it in the photo.

Lastly we have my ultimate favourites this month, the dream team of all duos: the Intensely Lavish lip pencil and lipstick in '06' by Kiko Milano. This has been the only colour I have been wearing since I bought it and I have been wearing them nearly everyday! It is a beautiful mix of red and purple tones. They work so well together and the packaging is simply gorgeous. I can't wait to review these soon because I have so many great things to say about them! 

So that's it for my November Favourites! I am sure my December Favourites will be a great one. I will probably also do a 2015 ultimate favourites too so watch this space.

Christmas on a Student Budget | Gifts for: The Make Up Enthusiast

Whenever I see Christmas guides, more often than not I sit and think to myself: There's no way I could afford that! Although I have just come out of education for a year's break, I still consider myself a student I am certainly still on the budget of one! So I have decided to make a mini series called 'Christmas on a Student Budget' which consist of presents that aren't too expensive and would be helpful for anyone who can't spend too much money this Christmas.


First of all I would like to start with something that I know best: make up. To follow a link to the item I am talking about, just click the product name!


1. Urban Decay De-Slick MakeUp Setting Spray (£9.00, but currently £8.00 on FeelUnique). Want to buy a higher end product for someone without spending the money? Urban Decay is a well known amazing brand which not everyone can afford, so the travel size version of their setting sprays is a great way to go if you don't have the money to spend on their full size products. Their setting sprays are well known for being great and it is bound to receive a thumbs up from your fellow make up lover.


2. Kiko Long Lasting Eyeshadow Stick (£6.90). Eyeshadow sticks are well known as a quick way to apply eyeshadow and they are also good for providing a base for other eyeshadows. Kiko do an amazing range of eyeshadow shades from neutrals to bolds so you're bound to find something here. I own one myself and they are certainly long lasting!


3. Sleek MakeUp i-Divine Eyeshadow Palette (£7.99). Sleek i-Divine eyeshadow palettes are popular for their bargain price and pigmented colours. I have linked you to the 'Storm' palette which is the one I have and use regularly, but there are plenty of others to choose from!


4. Revlon ColourBurst Matte Balm or Lacquer Balm (£7.99). I have two of these and let me tell you, they're great! If you prefer a matte lip you can get the matte balms, but if you prefer shine you can go for the lacquer ones. There is a nice range of shades and I have a matte purple and matte red. Lip crayons are really easy to apply and are great for carrying around in your handbag to top up if necessary. I don't even use a lip brush!


5. Soap & Glory One Heck of a Blot Instant-Perfecting Power Primer (£10.00). If you're buying for someone who loves being able to try out the latest make up products, this would be a good choice. This primer recently came out and it seems to have pretty positive reviews, so this also may be one for the beauty bloggers out there! I like Soap & Glory make up products in general, plus their packaging with their quirky names always makes an appealing looking gift.


6. Real Techniques Setting Brush (£6.99). Everybody knows Real Techniques do incredible make up brushes, and this is one of the cheaper ones. I have the setting brush and I think it is great for concealer, powder and highlighter. It is super soft and makes a lovely addition to anyone's make up brush collection.


That's it! I hope my suggestions were helpful. Look out for my future gift guides coming soon! :-)

New In My Make Up Collection

Hello!


I've got some new items in my make up collection so I thought I would share them with you.


The first items I got were the Urban Decay Setting Spray and the Real Techniques Setting Brush. It was my boyfriend and I's 2nd anniversary on the 6th September and he knew I wanted them so he got them for me.  I've been wanting the Urban Decay Setting spray for the longest time but I am always really reluctant to buy make up products that are slightly more expensive. This is the travel size I believe so it isn't too bad. As for the Real Techniques Setting Brush, I wanted it so I could use it on my eyes with setting powder. It is so soft and the usual Real Techniques standard.


The day after our anniversary I went away to Spain with my friends (post coming soon). When we were there, I spotted a Kiko Cosmetics store. I didn't know there were Kiko stores in Spain so it was a nice surprise when I saw one! About two weeks previous I wanted to buy some Kiko products on their website but you have to spend a certain amount to be able to get them. It was obviously fate! What made it even better was that there was a sale going on also!


The first Kiko product I chose was the Kiko Eyeshadow Stick in No. 31. The colour caught my eye as it is a beautiful cold blue colour that I thought would go nice with my blue eyes. Blue and purple eyeshadows are my favourites so when I saw an eyeshadow stick I could not resist. Then, I picked up the Kiko Super Colour Mascara in No.2 which is also blue. As you could probably tell from above I love using bright colours on my eyes so when I saw this blue mascara I was intrigued. I wanted to try coloured mascara, inspired by the new blue one from Benefit Cosmetics, so I thought this would be a cheaper option. I can't wait to see what it looks like on! Finally, I picked up the Kiko 30 Days Extension Night Treatment Booster. It is a mascara wand with a clear gel that is supposed to lengthen your eyelashes. I chose this because I have really short, stubby eyelashes at the moment and I really want to improve them. I have no idea whether it will work or not but for the cheap price that it was I thought it was worth a try. I will let you know in a month's time!



And that's it! For someone who loves and adores make up I actually usually go a month or so without any new products because of money reasons so the fact that I got all of this in a short time span was exciting for me. 


This is my first time using Kiko. What do you think of Kiko? Let me know!